Pastor's Notes
BY THE WAY....Recently I read of a phenomenon - nautical twilight - referring to a short period that occurs at sunrise or sunset when the sun is partially obscured by the horizon. This results in an inability to visually use the horizon as a reference point in judging distance or position. The removal of reference points, be it the horizon, the earth's stability during a tremor, or the disorientation of a plane's pilot in certain maneuvers forces us to "RELY UPON THE INSTRUMENTS". Don't trust your instincts or feelings; use the gauges.
Many times we do the same thing. We will make judgments or take actions based on our immediate impressions or needs. Often, the better part of wisdom is to place such decisions up against some standard.
As Christians, we have an ageless standard - our scripture - by which we can evaluate. Our scriptures (through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit) were established as our church used its best minds to formulate the concepts and wording of our doctrines.
The questions of what is right, what is good, what is true....can be determined by placing it alongside what the scriptures teaches.
Even then, it's hard isn't it?
Our culture orients itself around "feelings". This makes it even harder.
Basically, most questions can be better dealt with by sitting back and asking - in light of scripture - what is my best decision. 