Earthly Paradise, No!

I try not to talk about the same subject two days in a row but sometimes it just works out that way. Bernard of Clairvaux said, "God has not cast us out of paradise to seek another in this world." I think he is right; there is no heaven here on earth. Why do we seek a paradise here on earth? Psalm 39:5 reads, "You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure." I like the AV even better, "Verily every man in his best state is altogether vanity." We are a vapor, a puff of hot air. My own personal vanity comes to the surface quite often. I think for too much of June's husband. As to loving this world; I really don't know for sure where I stand or how I measure up. I do love A/C and many aspects of modern technology. I love my computer and love how fast research has become with AI. I do admit, if the internet went down, I would be troubled. But I have very little affection for sports, TV, fashions, entertainment, vacations, etc.

Although the world denies sin and our fallen nature; I am absolutely certain of both. There are wars, famines, earthquakes, suffering of all kinds in this world. Almost daily I hear of another person who has learned that they have cancer. Our landscape is littered with hospitals, clinics, funeral homes, and drug rehabs. No my friend, there is no paradise in this world. Sin has destroyed any hope of us having heaven on earth. One of the things that helps me not love this world is sin and the suffering it brings. Jeremiah Burroughs brings up a very interesting point. What if there was no trouble in this world. What if there was peace and tranquility in every direction. No wars, no poverty, no hatred, no God-haters, no persecution, no pain, and no sorrow. Of course that is not the world we live in; it is the world of our dreams. When you dream of a world with no death, no sin, no poverty, no problems, no unmet needs — I think you are dreaming of heaven. I do think we can enjoy a little heaven here and now but heaven is not here now.

Posting late. Two nights in a row of bad headaches. I got up at 2:00 am yesterday and never went back to bed but I did go back last night and then slept late.

Speaking of heaven: I am going to blame the long sermon last Sunday on Joe. All those songs about heaven got me fired up.

Shock — shock — ten more days of extreme heat. We will definitely be eating inside tonight. There will be only three Wednesday night suppers in 2026: tonight, the Bill Smith Jambalaya supper in October, and the Veterans Day STEW on November 11. Beginning on the 18th of November, we go to two Wednesday services, 10:30 and 6:00.

We will be taking our final offering for THE WORD FOR THE WORLD project this Sunday. We lack $1,103.00 reaching our goal of 108 verses. We can do this folks; if our givers will give just one more verse, we can do it.

Slider and Hotdog supper Wednesday night at 6:00. June and I picked up the food yesterday and we are good to go.

Monday October 26…we are hosting THE MORGAN BAPTIST ANNUAL MEETING here at the POINT. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I doubt that we have more than 60 people total. The Annual meetings are poorly attended these days. I have asked the 49ers to help and this will be our October 49er gathering. You do not have to attend the meeting. Just bring your food and join us for lunch. We will get the KFC, drinks and rolls but we need your help with the other things. It will work if we have a servant's heart!

Due to copyright laws, they will not allow me to use Foghorn but this is our version that will be featured in the FARM FRESH COMMON SENSE series. The "Discouraged Preacher", the "Retired Mail Man" and Farm Fresh Common Sense will be a series.

Have a great Wednesday and thanks for reading the blog!!!!