What I am trying to do here is explain the thoughts behind my latest attempt to write a book. I have tried in the past to write, but have been discouraged because I would find out that someone had already written a book with a similar idea in mind. I just need to push my fears aside and just go for it.
The book will be called "Why is this stuff wrong?", and I am going to do my best to explain why the wisdom of the Bible is right, and why some of the things that we as humans do are wrong. But I want to do it in a way that is non-judgmental. In other words, I think the reason the Bible tells us certain behaviors are wrong is because it may feel good in the short term, but in the long term it hurts many other people and has effects on our society that we did not even realize.
For example, many people tend to snack more than they should, and this leads to being overweight. I don't want to judge anyone for how much they weigh. Not everyone can be "average". Obviously, some people will be above average and some will be below average. However, there were a few facts that I found out that really blew my mind. In doing research for my book I found out that Americans spend over 134 billion dollars a year on health care costs related to being overweight. I also learned that Americans use an additional 1 billion gallons of gasoline because of how much extra weight we have. It makes sense because your car has to work a little harder to get us from point A to point B. How does this relate to the Bible? Well Jesus told us that we should deny ourselves, and take up our cross if we want to follow Him. (Luke 9:23). The fact that many people in America claim to follow Christ, but then turn around and overeat; well what that tells me is that in reality we don't deny ourselves, at least in terms of food.
The reason the bible calls some things "sin" is because they have self-destructive qualities. In other words, I want everyone who comes in the door of the church that I serve to be healthy, happy, and safe. I want you to have a great life. I don't want you to feel like I am judging or condemning anyone. However, there are somethings that we do in our society that are just plain unhealthy, and will not make us happy. If you think buying stuff will make you happy, just wait a few months. Initially when I have bought "gadgets" (as my wife would call them) I always felt great, that is until the newer gadget came along and all of a sudden, my gadget became obsolete. It feels like we are rats on a wheel, running as fast as we can, but not getting anywhere.
Our culture does not teach ideas like being content. If you were truly content with everything you had, you wouldn't consume as much stuff (food, material things, etc.) and therefore the economy would suffer for it. That's why car companies and other businesses had to figure out how to make stuff that will last, but it won't last forever. Cars are designed to last 7-10 years. Why? Well, they want you to buy a new car every 7-10 years. If they put the best materials into everything that is in your car, it could last 20-30 years; and then you wouldn't need a new one for a long time.
Quite frankly, I think we are being lied to. Every time someone promises that their new product will make us happy, well it's a big fat lie. Happiness doesn't come from a box, or from a gadget, or a car. Happiness really is about being content with what you have, and being thankful for what you have.
I am going to put my book on authonomy.com, so you can read it if you want to for free. If you register on their site, you can look at books and give them 1-6 stars depending on how much you like them. If you ever have questions or wish to contact me my e-mail address is preacherjames34@gmail.com. I hope everyone has a great 4th of July weekend, and please pray for those who are in Afghanistan. I was deployed in Iraq for a year, and I can tell you from experience that it's the holidays that is when I missed my family the most.
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