Tag: fact-check

Focus People!

There is so much information out there in the world today. Every one of us carries endless information in our hands via our smartphones. Most of us have a Facebook or a Twitter or some sort of social media account. Those platforms are riddled with information. Some of the information is labeled, misinformation, and then some sort of fact-check is done on it with other information that is now misinformation and the original information is correct.

Have you been following the events in Ukraine? There is so much information coming out of there that it will have your head spinning. Many of the stories carried by the MSM have been false, for example, the Ghost of Kyiv was just a propaganda piece, as was the Snake Island heroes. Even the reasons for the invasion are sketchy at best. With all this misinformation and misdirection it is hard to know what to believe or even who to listen to for that matter.

There are a couple verses i am going to share here and all though they aren’t necessarily within full context they still hold some marit. “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” Daniel 12:4 For good measure here is another, Paul writes to Timothy, “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:7) We live in an iformation age and anyone with a smartphone has their fingertips on endless knowledge. Yet, we find ourselves almost dumber for having them.

Just today i was on my tablet scrolling through Facebook when i received a text from my oldest son who happens to be in Ecuador at the moment. So of course i stopped what i was doing to see what he said. After replying i then began to scroll Facebook on my phone. A few minutes go by and i look up and i have the same post open on both my phone and tablet, at least i am consistent. But that isn’t the point, i just shook my head and said how dumb is this!?!?! i will answer it for you, it is very dumb!

i was immediatly drawn to the passage i read this morning in my personal devotional time . . . “Coffee with Yahshua.” Philippians 4:8-9 “Finally, brethern, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatevert things are of good repoet, if there is any virture and if there is anything praisworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the Elohim of peace will be with you.”

Be encouraged today, set your focus on the things above. Don’t fear what is happening in the world. Our Adonai is coming soon . . . look up! Meditate on His Word, seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and everything else will fall into place as He has planned.

You are loved,

cj

Are you as dumb as they think you are?

We are living in a world that seems to be run by fear and an overwhelming belief that people are too dumb to think for themselves. i have recently been “fact-checked” for a couple of cartoon posts. That’s right, cartoons. If you need to be told that there is some hyperbole associated with a cartoon, perhaps you are as dumb as these fact-checkers think you are! i, on the other hand, have more faith in your intelligence.

Did you know that the Pharisees fact-checked Jesus during His time? “21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God.” Luke 5:21-25

Here is another example: “22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw.23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.”25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.” Matthew 12:22-27

No one wants to consider opposing views because it calls into question their understanding. Pride is a significant factor in one’s ability to hear and at least try to see another’s perspective. i am reminded of my grandfather’s advice to me when i was younger, “Don’t ever think that you know everything so that you remain teachable. But, you need to know your stuff too so that you can discern truth from lies.” Being open to others’ ideas doesn’t mean you have to believe them; however, it will give you several things. One, it will provide you with perspective. Two, it will provide you with empathy. C, it will allow you a voice. No one enjoys talking to a know-it-all.

This is where Jesus’ examples are relatable to today. Jesus’, responses were in both cases, educational. He didn’t scream or silence them; He simply showed them. They had every opportunity to believe, but their pride got in the way of genuinely seeing who He was. Let us not get so distracted by our current world that we forget who Jesus is or that we are to be living examples of faith. We need to be open to the opinions of others while at the same time understanding not only God’s Word but also the definitions of science. Silencing the voices of opposition is what the Pharisees did . . . we cannot fall into that trap.

You are loved,

cj