10 November 2024

God Really is Like Mister Rogers, Part 2 (TMF:2485)

Peace to Live By: God Really is Like Mister Rogers, Part 2 (TMF:2485) - Daniel Litton
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       Yes, he was neighbor focused. That’s interesting because Jesus told us in the second greatest commandment that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. Mr. Rogers was always eager to invite the TV viewer into his home, to befriend that person. I think he made a lot of children his friends. I know he did for me. And Jesus even taught us that one needs to become like a little child if one ever wants to be close to God. Remember that? So, Mr. Rogers provided us a good example of how one should treat his neighbors, how one should be kind and show hospitality toward them. But, really, I think there is more to Mr. Rogers than that. One thing I believe we can note about him is that he really was an imitator of God as Paul told us to do. Now, one might say, “Well, sounds good. But Mr. Rogers didn’t show the judgment side of God. He didn’t demonstrate that part. He was all welcoming and friendly. There is much more to God than Mr. Rogers’ character.” Okay, let us examine that. You see, and here I am going to enlighten you on a great truth, and that is that God himself really is just like Mr. Rogers I think.

God Really is Like Mister Rogers, Part 1 (TMF:2484)

Peace to Live By: God Really is Like Mister Rogers, Part 1 (TMF:2484) - Daniel Litton
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       Jesus told us on more than one occasion that we are to shine our lights before others. We all know that. Well, there was one particular guy that we are all familiar with who accomplished just that (at least, most of us are familiar with him; some younger people might not know who he is). Well, who I am talking about is Fred Rogers, who is more commonly known as Mr. Rogers. Indeed, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was one of my favorite TV shows growing up as a kid, if not my most favorite. I adored that show, and I’d have to say it was probably my favorite especially when was like three or four years old in the late 80s. We can remember about Mr. Rogers that he was always saying, “Won’t you be my neighbor?” Yes, he was neighbor focused. That’s interesting because Jesus told us in the second greatest commandment that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. Mr. Rogers was always eager to invite the TV viewer into his home, to befriend that person. I think he made a lot of children his friends. I know he did for me. And Jesus even taught us that one needs to become like a little child if one ever wants to be close to God. Remember that?

The Reason Christianity is So Good, Part 3 (TMF:2483)

Peace to Live By: The Reason Christianity is So Good, Part 3 (TMF:2483) - Daniel Litton
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       Empty and scary stuff for the person who has no hope—for the person who doesn’t know Jesus. Sure, we could believe in some mystical hope that everything will work out. But if it’s not based on truth, like the Bible for the Christian, a person cannot really know for sure. And if they cannot really know, how is that something worth betting your life on? The beautiful thing is that when a person no longer fears death because they have accepted Jesus, that person can have peace of mind to live life to its fullest extent. The biggest fear of all, the fear from which all other fear seems to take its root, is gone. So peace can flow forth like a steady stream. This is why Christianity really gives life. I do not believe a person can truly be at peace with the fear of death bouncing around in their heads, that uncertainty about the future. That being the case, why not choose to believe in Jesus today? Why not gain that peace of mind once and for all? Why not lay that foundation from which all happiness can now flow? This is how true happiness can be gained.

The Reason Christianity is So Good, Part 2 (TMF:2482)

Peace to Live By: The Reason Christianity is So Good, Part 2 (TMF:2482) - Daniel Litton
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       All humans fear not being able to live any longer. At least, that’s what they initially fear. And it’s this very question that Christianity, interestingly enough, solves. For sure. Christianity fixes this problem with the human psyche. How does it do that? Well, it does that because we know that when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior that we lose, or should lose, the fear of death right from the start. We understand that, as a Christian, death means we go somewhere better. Hell is eliminated from the picture. This allows us to live our lives freely without this fear any longer. Quite an incredible thing that gives us a lot of happiness at the same time. Jesus conquered death the Bible tells us, and so we will conquer it too. Incredible stuff. I think all humans from birth have the fear of death lurking around in the back of their minds. There is always that fear that you could die at any time, and life would end. Everything you’ve done would come to an end, all that you’ve accumulated, and all the relationships you know would end.

The Reason Christianity is So Good, Part 1 (TMF:2481)

Peace to Live By: The Reason Christianity is So Good, Part 1 (TMF:2481) - Daniel Litton
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       Humans have one thing that we all fear. At least that’s my understanding. According to what appears to be a general consensus from psychologists, there is one thing people fear more than any other thing. Do you know what that is? Well, death of course. Whether the psychologist is coming from an evolutionary perspective or some other perspective, that seems to be the common consensus. It is interesting because I was listening to a Bible teacher not too long ago talk about this concept. When he posed the question of what he personally thought all human fear tied back to, he concluded that it was probably death. So, interestingly, he agreed with a lot of psychologists even though I don’t think he knows a whole lot about psychology. But, yes, this is my personal belief as well. All humans fear not being able to live any longer. At least, that’s what they initially fear. And it’s this very question that Christianity, interestingly enough, solves. For sure. Christianity fixes this problem with the human psyche.