What is Good is Good to Us, Part 1 (TMF:2465)

Peace to Live By: What is Good is Good to Us, Part 1 (TMF:2465) - Daniel Litton
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       I generally stand by the phrase that “I like what I like.” Seems simple, and I think generally speaking, it is true. I have found it to be important to keep this in mind because if I don’t, I could easily start to consider that I want something that really doesn’t match what I know that I like. This could be with food, in considering a lady to ask on a date, or with making a purchase. We all have different preferences when it comes to these things, but I think it is good to know what you usually like. One reason for us to be ‘aware’ inside of ourselves of our individual preferences is because sometimes we can be tempted to go for something because of it seeming to be scarce. What I mean is that we might start to become interested in a person because they are the only person around. We aren’t considering that there is time, and not every moment in life is going to manifest what we want. Sometimes we need to wait for the good that we like to come. Same can be true with making purchases. We can be lead to believe that because only two options are currently available, that we must purchase one of those options.

Info from Outside Sources, Part 3 (TMF:2464)

Peace to Live By: Info from Outside Sources, Part 3 (TMF:2464) - Daniel Litton
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       If one is lead to believe otherwise, to accept things that contradict the Scriptures, then that person’s faith wasn’t really rooted and grounded to begin with, was it? Perhaps it’s a test for the individual self to see where one stands. If one is easily lead away, then that may be an indication that they really aren’t rooted in the beliefs they say they have in the first place. So, me, myself, I like to get varying perspectives on things. Generally, I like to agree with an author at least 2/3 of the time to spend a lot of time focusing on their work. But, I will read those with whom I agree less with, but probably won’t spend a lot of time with them. But I think it’s important to consider the views of psychologists and self-help teachers who are outside the faith because, often times, they can teach us life skills that we cannot get anywhere else. They can teach us important things that usually aren’t in Christian books. I don’t see anything wrong with this at all. It’s important for us to be as sharp as we possibly can be, and as long as we aren’t following sin, I don’t see anything bad about self-improvement from those who don’t come from where we come from.

Info from Outside Sources, Part 2 (TMF:2463)

Peace to Live By: Info from Outside Sources, Part 2 (TMF:2463) - Daniel Litton
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       I’ve even noticed churches that fall into this trap. I mean, there are churches that have fenced in everything they learn. They will only learn from certain teachers and certain books. So, what happens is that the pastors and elders get ‘tunnel vision’ where they end up getting hurt by what? Well, the end up getting hurt not by what they know, but by what they ‘don’t know.’ Yes, if people surround themselves by only those who are like minded, there will be a lot that they end up not knowing. I think often there is the prevailing fear that by listening to other voices outside the accepted beliefs that there could be a leading astray that takes place. There can a fear that people will be led astray by other teachings. However, I think this usually doesn’t happen. If one believes the Bible to be the absolute truth, then what is the danger in learning from varying perspectives? If one is lead to believe otherwise, to accept things that contradict the Scriptures, then that person’s faith wasn’t really rooted and grounded to begin with, was it? Perhaps it’s a test for the individual self to see where one stands.

Info from Outside Sources, Part 1 (TMF:2462)

Peace to Live By: Info from Outside Sources, Part 1 (TMF:2462) - Daniel Litton
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       One important thing I have learned over the years through practice is that it is important to read other things that don’t necessarily or completely align with our personal beliefs. This includes listening to teachers as well. To state it plainly, the reasoning and logic behind this is that, well, simply, others can teach us new things that cannot be learned otherwise. If we surround ourselves with only books and people who teach what we already believe, then there really isn’t much chance to learn anything new at the end of the day. In fact, I would argue that it can be dangerous to do so. I mean, we’ve seen this concept from time to time in corporate America. We can likely name one or two corporations that failed or were severely hurt by not considering things outside of their own way of doing things. They were closed minded, and it ended up costing them dearly, literally so to speak. I’ve even noticed churches that fall into this trap. I mean, there are churches that have fenced in everything they learn. They will only learn from certain teachers and certain books.

Not Frightened by the News, Part 3 (TMF:2461)

Peace to Live By: Not Frightened by the News, Part 3 (TMF:2461) - Daniel Litton
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       Really, it’s a comforting thought to consider this. It means that God didn’t lose control in the past when bad things were happening back then, and so he’s certainly not going to lose control now when bad things are happening. Jesus truly does hold everything together by his power and love. And speaking of bad events, remember also that Jesus told us not be frightened by bad things that are happening in the world as we approach the end of our current world setup. Surely, as we approach the end of our current phase, the earth is getting ready for the next phase. No need to really worry, no matter how much are minds try to convince us we should. In the next phase of the world, Christ will reign as King of the world. And in that time, everything, no matter what you consider—people, organizations, laws, whatever—everything will be in alignment with him, with goodness in its full manifestation. So, that will be a time and place of continued peace, and certainly a lot of happiness. Happiness will be 100 percent dominant in that time.