Cherry picking reality

[Not_Now.Soon]

You've heard the phrases, and the spins. How we view the world around us depends on what we focus on. Some people put it into catogeries, seeing the glass half full or half empty, a pessimistic or optimistic focus on the world around them. Other people say it's about attitude. We can choose our reaction and choose our mood, so if we have a good attitude or bad attitude it's our own choice, our own fault. Others even say, we see only what we want to see, or what we expect to see. So being cynical, or rose colored glasses fits in from that.

Over all there seems to be an over whelming observation that people in one way or another cherry pick what they see in the world around them. In that light it's good to have more people to talk to and get views from, that way other's advise and observations might cover your own blind spots in the world. On the other hand there's something worth saying about grooming what you have in you life, and have more positive influences in your life, with less that would tempt you or that would confuse you.

Last thought, (because I've already accidentally posted this), we also effect the way those around us see the world.

Just some thoughts for this morning. Maybe try to look to see where another person is looking at the world, and think if you see any new insights or blind spots. And more important what could you teach them if you were given the oppurtunity.

 

[Corn Pop]

Everything in the world and all the gold in the world can not refill the last glass of water.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

Everything in the world and all the gold in the world can not refill the last glass of water.

I don't think I know what you mean.

 

[Edward]

Life is 10% what it deals you... and 90% how you react to it...

With deception & confusion being the enemies primary weapon, we're sorta forced to cherry pick perspectives from different sources.
That does make surrounding oneself with positive folks good advice.

 

[Knotical]

I kind of see your point, but personally I like to raspberry pick my reality.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

Life is 10% what it deals you... and 90% how you react to it...

With deception & confusion being the enemies primary weapon, we're sorta forced to cherry pick perspectives from different sources.
That does make surrounding oneself with positive folks good advice.

I like that quote, about 90% our reaction. As for confusion and deception, that reminds me of Jesus's words on the cross. "Forgive them Father, they know not what they do."

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

I kind of see your point, but personally I like to raspberry pick my reality.

Sounds tasty to me.

 

[Edward]

I like that quote, about 90% our reaction. As for confusion and deception, that reminds me of Jesus's words on the cross. "Forgive them Father, they know not what they do."

It may turn out that the only thing that's not a deception on this planet is the Word.

Attitude can bring stress, fear, or peace to ones Spirit, depending...

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

It may turn out that the only thing that's not a deception on this planet is the Word.

Attitude can bring stress, fear, or peace to ones Spirit, depending...

No, I don't think it's that bleak. But among everything else I do think the word is the highest authority. The standard to set everything else to to see if it lines up, goes a different direction, or is about things not mentioned about in the bible. But the standards are also our direction, how to live, and how to believe.

 

[Edward]

No, I don't think it's that bleak. But among everything else I do think the word is the highest authority. The standard to set everything else to to see if it lines up, goes a different direction, or is about things not mentioned about in the bible. But the standards are also our direction, how to live, and how to believe.

Perhaps. I have been wondering though. It sure seems sometimes that everything I was taught as a lad is wrong. It used to be said, send the kids to school, if nothing else at least theyll learn right from wrong. That's not so anymore, they deliberately dumb our youth down and with no clue about what is right. That abortion (murder), & being homo is somehow freedom & a personal choice. Even technology seems to be deception. From fire to cellphones & 'puters. Adam & Eve didn't need them, they ate fruit (and were likely telepathic). Got a problem? Call the police!

Horsehockey. The Word has instruction for every situation in life. Live for the Spirit. Look to God for everything. The more I read the Word & learn, the more I suspect that everything is deception sans the Word.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

Perhaps. I have been wondering though. It sure seems sometimes that everything I was taught as a lad is wrong. It used to be said, send the kids to school, if nothing else at least theyll learn right from wrong. That's not so anymore, they deliberately dumb our youth down and with no clue about what is right. That abortion (murder), & being homo is somehow freedom & a personal choice. Even technology seems to be deception. From fire to cellphones & 'puters. Adam & Eve didn't need them, they ate fruit (and were likely telepathic). Got a problem? Call the police!

Horsehockey. The Word has instruction for every situation in life. Live for the Spirit. Look to God for everything. The more I read the Word & learn, the more I suspect that everything is deception sans the Word.

There are things in life that just have to be learned through life though. How to do a job requires training, how to handle sadness comes from experience and hopefully some direction through it. Even lessons of life within the bible sometimes need an element of living through it to give it context.

So with that in mind, I've a theory on the hirachary of authority concerning how to determine what is right, and what isn't. The first step of authority is our rationelle, our ability to think and in general our knowledge base. Philosophy, good reasoning, wisdom and what we're taught in school count in that category. The next higher level of authority in my opinion, is experience. Corrects our view of how the world should be with how it actually is. Kind of like looking at a recipe is a theory until it's tried and perfected in real life. My experiences as well as anyone else's are almost on equal ground on this one. And the highest authority for the world around us is what comes from God.

Unfortunately though, even though each level of understanding can correct us and teach us, we still have to gauge what we've learned from it. Our conclusions can often be wrong and lead to a philosophy that needs to be corrected by experience or by the bible.

 

[Edward]

There are things in life that just have to be learned through life though. How to do a job requires training, how to handle sadness comes from experience and hopefully some direction through it. Even lessons of life within the bible sometimes need an element of living through it to give it context.

So with that in mind, I've a theory on the hirachary of authority concerning how to determine what is right, and what isn't. The first step of authority is our rationelle, our ability to think and in general our knowledge base. Philosophy, good reasoning, wisdom and what we're taught in school count in that category. The next higher level of authority in my opinion, is experience. Corrects our view of how the world should be with how it actually is. Kind of like looking at a recipe is a theory until it's tried and perfected in real life. My experiences as well as anyone else's are almost on equal ground on this one. And the highest authority for the world around us is what comes from God.

Unfortunately though, even though each level of understanding can correct us and teach us, we still have to gauge what we've learned from it. Our conclusions can often be wrong and lead to a philosophy that needs to be corrected by experience or by the bible.

Well said. I agree, it would be our experience that does the moulding and forming of us, as if we were clay on the spinning potters wheel.

Many christians sometimes deny the validity of experience while standing on doctrine, however, experience will Trump doctrine every time.

 

[JohnDB]

But....

Look at Joseph, Mary's husband.
Hard working guy. A construction worker. Travelled a lot to get work for low pay.

But he saved his money a long time and kept himself righteous. He didn't lie, cheat or steal and kept all the Old Covenant ordinances... Including charity. This in spite of all those in his world who were constantly trying to cheat him out of money and wages.

That's how he was able to afford the bride price for Mary. Virgin, Jewish brides were very expensive. Then one day his virgin bride comes up pregnant. He has been robbed of what he paid for. Never mind the stories he is being told...the truth is obvious to him. All those story tellers are just trying to cheat him again. Probably thinking that he is alone in his faithfulness and righteous walk with God.

But he has a dream about God telling him that Mary has been faithful and that this child will be the Messiah... So don't "put her away"... Go ahead and marry her.

OK , so who hasn't had a wild dream?

But Joseph has hope, and faith. Then he exercises unmerited favor...AKA grace and married Mary.

And Jesus was the name Joseph gave to this baby which wasn't his. According to the dream he had. Again more faith and hope.

And Jesus was Immanuel.

 

[Edward]

But....

Look at Joseph, Mary's husband.
Hard working guy. A construction worker. Travelled a lot to get work for low pay.

But he saved his money a long time and kept himself righteous. He didn't lie, cheat or steal and kept all the Old Covenant ordinances... Including charity. This in spite of all those in his world who were constantly trying to cheat him out of money and wages.

That's how he was able to afford the bride price for Mary. Virgin, Jewish brides were very expensive. Then one day his virgin bride comes up pregnant. He has been robbed of what he paid for. Never mind the stories he is being told...the truth is obvious to him. All those story tellers are just trying to cheat him again. Probably thinking that he is alone in his faithfulness and righteous walk with God.

But he has a dream about God telling him that Mary has been faithful and that this child will be the Messiah... So don't "put her away"... Go ahead and marry her.

OK , so who hasn't had a wild dream?

But Joseph has hope, and faith. Then he exercises unmerited favor...AKA grace and married Mary.

And Jesus was the name Joseph gave to this baby which wasn't his. According to the dream he had. Again more faith and hope.

And Jesus was Immanuel.

Amen brother. Mary's journey was no picinic either. Weren't (so called) adulterous females stoned back then? That thought had to run through her thoughts at least once. She had to prolly ride a donkey (pregnant), what? 80 miles or so to go get registered with Joseph (for census or taxation?).

If I know my pregnant women correctly, that took some faith right there, and if I had tried to tell my pregnant wife that, honey I found you a barn to sleep in...I'd be in for it! Mary mustve been miserable through all that.

Curiously enough, that's the last mention of Joseph too, and Jesus asking for John to care for Mary suggests that Joseph died at some point (John 19)... That mustve been terrible for her.

To whom much is given, much is required.