Imagination - A terrible thing to waste!

Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

The imagination is a powerful thing. If necessity is the mother of invention then imagination is the fuel that fires the engines of our mind. Thomas Edison used his imagination to invent the Phonograph. George Washington Carver used his imagination to bring us more than 300 uses for the peanut. The list goes on .....

The imagination can also be used for evil. The examples in our world are so numerous that they don't need naming.  The imagination itself is neither evil nor good. A good person will conceive of ways to help people. An evil person  will think up mischief or crime.

The imagination can also cause us to believe things are a certain way when they aren't. I'm sure we've all been scared by a ghost story or horror movie. Our logic tells us one thing but our imagination convinces us otherwise. There are people who have been scared into having heart attacks because their imaginations were working overtime. What we put into our minds is fuel for the imagination.

The best way to ensure that our imaginations and motives are pure is to be careful what we feed on. We should be careful about what we read, watch, and listen to. These things enter our minds and become food for the imagination. Ultimately they will guide our thoughts and help to shape our destinies. We've all heard the term "food for thought." Truthfully everything that enters our minds is "food for our thoughts." I want my thoughts and imaginations to be true, honest, just, pure, lovely and so forth. (Philippians 4:8) After all, the imagination is a terrible thing to waste.

Thank God for CMMC

Good Morning Everyone,
This is not my usual post but it was in my heart. I submitted the following article to the Clarion Ledger and I pray that they post it. Thanks and have a great day.

Sullivan Jones

I have lived in the Jackson are for a little over three years. During that time I have repeatedly heard horror stories about Central Mississippi Medical Center. Since my wife recently had surgery there, I only felt it fair to tip the scales in their favor.

Last fall we began a search for a primary care doctor and surgeon in the Jackson area. We had been driving to Hattiesburg for her care. After calling several clinics and finding out that they either weren’t taking new patients or wouldn’t take her insurance we got connected with CMMC.

In October Gail had knee replacement surgery. The care was the best we could have hoped for. The nurses were kind, the therapy exceptional, and the facilities clean. One night there was a slight problem with some of the equipment. The next morning the head nurse was in our room to apologize and make sure that everything was well. Unfortunately bad experiences do happen everywhere but that was not our experience. I know that for us CMMC was a life saver. To all those who work so hard on a daily basis to give good medical care to this community, we say thank you.

Tradition

Tradition is a powerful thing. It is what binds us to our past and gives us a sense of belonging. Tradition has the potential to create strong family units; the absence of it creates a sense of disconnect from identity. A missionary who has traveled quite a bit once told me that the lack of traditions in a "melting pot" society has been shown to have negative influences on the youth including disrespect for the elderly, no sense of identity, etc. On the other hand, a strong sense of tradition can create a healthy sense of respect for self and others.
Matthew 10: 35-36 - For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

All people groups have traditions that can be used for good and bad. Some of them are beautiful and others are steeped in centuries of ignorance and superstition. Who doesn't love blowing out the candles on a birthday cake or opening a gift on Christmas Eve? Tradition. For centuries a young widow in India would commit suicide by lighting herself on fire on top of her husband's funeral pyre. Tradition. See the difference?

All of us tend to get defensive when our traditions are crossed. It may seem that we are being personally assaulted. Yet many times the word of God does just that. It goes against our traditions. This is the meaning of the verse where Jesus said he had come to set family members against one another. It wasn't that he had no respect for traditions or family ties. It was just that he knew his teachings were going to cause many to have to make a choice. Are my traditions more important than the teachings of the one I now call Lord?

There are times when all of us must choose as well. Will I be offended when I realize that some Biblical truth challenges what my grandmother or aunt believed? What if my father and mother walked in all the light they knew but now I am being shown more? Can I accept that maybe they weren't right about everything?

Let's look at the medical field. It wasn't that long ago that Penicillin was discovered. Before Penicillin people died from what today would be considered a minor ailment. After Penicillin was a different story. My point is this. Who would refuse to take Penicillin because grandmother and grandfather didn't have access to it. Hardly anyone.

Yet many people have rejected truths from God's word because it went against family tradition. I am glad I am not the judge. I have no power to grant anyone access to heaven or condemn anyone to hell. As a minister of the gospel I must preach what the word of God says, even when it goes against family tradition. I can't answer for my forefathers but I can answer for myself. I'd rather have the Penicillin than die from Pneumonia; I'd rather accept truth than take a chance with my soul.

Sincerely,

Sullivan Jones