Here be Beasties!<\/p>\n
The ancient maps had unknown places labeled with frightening names and pictures.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure they thought they were doing a service by warning those who recklessly ran to the edge of the world that they were going too far.\u00a0 Thankfully, some of those folks went to BeastieLand and came back.\u00a0 The world was bigger than we thought.\u00a0 These intrepid folks took great pains to write down where they went.\u00a0 The areas that before had been inhabited by beasts were now often named after the just-returned explorer.\u00a0 Skilled map makers became some of the most important and sought-after people of the day.\u00a0 Accurate maps made repeatable navigation possible.\u00a0 The world changed.<\/p>\n
God has provided a reliable and accurate guide that allows us to navigate this broken world, understand ourselves and know Him; the Bible.\u00a0 It is apparent and appalling that much of modern culture and too many of those who call themselves Christians have abandoned the map of God\u2019s word.\u00a0 When we ignore the map, we don\u2019t even know it when we venture off the path or into danger.<\/p>\n
Unlike the imaginary beasties of times before, there are real monsters we have to deal with.\u00a0 The perils of greed, self-centeredness, self-dependence (atheism) and a host of other issues threaten our every step.\u00a0 We daily walk a mine field of dangers that threatens us, our marriages, our families, our communities and our nation. We need true guidance.<\/p>\n
The map God gave us through the Bible was the rule of life in this country for generations.\u00a0 It provided the repeatable navigation we needed for our lives.\u00a0 The country and culture that developed became a beacon of religious and economic freedom. We delivered the world from tyranny in two world wars and paid the bills for the victors and the vanquished.\u00a0 Sure, there were problems, we frequently ignored the map and strayed, but we always had the map and found our way back on course.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s cultural navigators should be found in our pulpits.\u00a0 Unfortunately, many who fill those pulpits no longer see the old map (the Bible) as necessary.\u00a0 Perhaps they are swollen with self-importance or persuaded no one will listen to the old guideposts.\u00a0 Maybe they are less concerned with true navigation than they are with pleasing the followers.\u00a0 Blind guides can lead only to the ditch of destruction.<\/p>\n
Do you have a dusty old map on your shelf?\u00a0 Do you use it in your search for direction every day?\u00a0 Do you submit to it, or do you foolishly believe it should change to meet your travel goals?<\/p>\n
Maybe the beastie out there is each of us?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Here be Beasties! The ancient maps had unknown places labeled with frightening names and pictures.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure they thought they were doing a service by warning those who recklessly ran to the edge of the world that they were going too far.\u00a0 Thankfully, some of those folks went to BeastieLand and came back.\u00a0 The world … Continue reading Here Be Beasties!<\/span>