Better look before you leap....to conclusions!

Okay. So I got yesterday's date wrong on my blog. But it happens. Know what I mean? I have from time to time suffered from that ailment that writers have, you know the one where you sit in front of a blank page with no ideas that might end up being written about. The not so good news. I have never allowed that malady to keep me from throwing something out there, and that's what I am up to, this morning, so, welcome, here on this Tuesday, July 17, 2012, and I do believe that is the correct date. The recent Supreme Court ruling on the healthcare legislation caused several news outlets to preemptively announce the wrong decision. Notable news channels like CNN and FOX actually led with the wrong verdict. Talk about embarrassing, but getting the facts wrong on headlines is not new. One of the most famous was from the Chicago Daily Tribune when on November 3, 1948 it boldly announced: Dewey Defeats Truman. That was a presidential election and they had it exactly wrong. Harry Truman won that election. Even further back, when news came of the Titanic's sinking many newspapers anticipated better results and headlined how that most of the passengers had been saved. You might recall a few years ago how that the death of Bob Hope was announced in the US House with a tribute even though he was still very much alive. It seems the Associated Press had been working on his obituary and it accidentally got released. Mr. Hope had a great laugh when told about the report of his death being announced, none other than on the House floor. It just goes to show you: You can only believe what's written in the funny papers. And, by the way, with all the stuff being flung about on Facebook and via emails, it would behoove us all to check it out before we add our names to the distribution list.

I can always point people to God's Holy Word as the Source of truth but today we have many who report what it says differently than the clear meaning given. The wrong headlines can be corrected but when someone is given a false interpretation of what God says, well, sometimes the outcome can be tragic, even eternally so. I am not saying I know with 100% accuracy everything the Bible talks about. What I do know is that if you do want to know with clarity and certainty, especially as it relates to the issues of life, right and wrong, and matters that impact eternity, the truth can be discerned through study and prayer. One thing is crystal clear, God through His Word will not lead us into wrong because He is the essence of truth. Here's what Psalm 119:160 says: "The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever." We can get our facts messed up. We can report them erroneously. However, when it comes to the ultimate Author of our Bible, God Himself, as it says in Numbers 23:19, "God is not like people. He tells no lies. He is not like humans. He doesn't change his mind. When he says something, he does it. When he makes a promise, he keeps it." (God's Word Translation, 1995) In a world where getting the facts sorted out is typically in the eye of the beholder, we would do well to be reminded that God's Word is there for us. And, I commend us all to it and to its truths. Amen.

I read with sadness the report of the death of a American billionaire lady over in Great Britain. She was in her mid 40's and married to a Swiss billionaire. Both of them inherited their money. Now he is being detained until the cause of her death can be determined. One fact is undisputed. They both were addicted to illicit drugs. Woefully so. And, for many years. This was confirmed by their families. This does seem so incredible, not necessarily surprising, but incredible that people who, as the world would put it, had it all, would end up in this type of tragic situation. I've already heard folks saying it just goes to show you that money cannot buy you happiness, and while that is true, it doesn't seem to dampen people's clamoring after it. I hear people talking about how they are aware that the facts regarding lottery winners indicate mostly heartache and ruin, but yet, they say they would still like to give it a shot. I know of one situation where a young woman received a rightful large financial settlement but had to essentially go into hiding as a result. Too many outsiders trying to get hold of her money? No. It was her family and friends trying to get hold of her money. The Bible makes it clear that money is not the problem. In fact, many might be surprised how much is said about financial matters in the Scriptures. But, one thing is clear, loving money to the extent that it controls one's life typically leads to destruction. (1 Timothy 6:10) Okay. See what I mean? I fought the blank page and it lost, not necessarily because I've written great prose but I did get something posted, and, that was my original intent to begin with. Have a great day and may God bless each one. Amen.        .....More later.