Fantasies...Good, Bad..Makes no Difference

As I continue this journey to understanding the Holy Spirit, I have found myself taking a pause to consider a word we hear alot these days....Fantasy.

 Why do we fantasize anyway?

 For one thing, the truth of real life is something we all like to avoid at times...because it often includes the ugly and the unpleasant. The realities of life can bring sadness..and anger...all coming from disappointments and tragedies we face. Fantasies can conjure delightful settings that are like discovering an oasis in the deserts of our lives.
 Fantasies can bring some light-hearted relief....a Mickey Mouse or Bambi as we have watched over the years in the World of Disney. The power of fantasies seem to find root in our lives when we are in times of scarcity, decline, or the feeling of hopelessness. 
  Fantasies can bring a fresh hope...even if they are false in nature, which are able to distract us from the mundanes of everyday life. The beauty of fantasies is it has the capability to divert the thought we are personally responsible..for misdeeds, for unpleasant situations, for the lifestyles we have chosen, or for plain stupidity. In a fantasy, we can put the blame on someone else, the world, our environment, the way others have treated us, or the "gods", and give us a hopeful thought that we can rescue ourselves...through a new "story line"...the way things are suppose to turn out in life...instead of what is actually going on.
 Oh yes...what would we do without fantasies? Do we need them? Is there a way to create good fantasies?

 Reality...a word that often leaves one with negative implications. Reality can cause us to have to work hard, be patient with life, and demand self-sacrifice. In regards to our social realm, reality has codes that involve limits, create boundaries, and appears at times to make us feel we are walking through the journey of life in an almost circular motion, doing the same routine...day in and day out.
 Reality also reminds us...Death is real. We are unable to go back in time and change the past, and there are those times that "all good things...simply come to an end". Reality reminds us how fragmented we are...and conflicts are real.

 So, what do fantasies do for us?

 Fantasies have the power of thought to create a sudden transformation and actually reverse the hardships the journeys in life we have encountered. Fantasies also enables us to by-pass the elements of hard work and self sacrifice...all in one stroke! Fantasies allow us to enter a total different world...with a promise of "adventure"! In a fantasy, the boundaries...are no longer there!...codes in life are no longer needed!...and Death?...Death can be totally avoided! Everyone can get along in a fantasy...an experience that seems to produce a mystical union of our souls.

 So, what's the problem? Fantasies strength lies in the fact...it is always distant...containing the power to allure...so simple and problem free! Even reality can be thrown out...just follow your fantasy...maybe...maybe...maybe some day.
 There is a musical group calling themselves "The Flaming Lips" that wrote a song called "Bad Days". One excerpt from this song goes:
 " You're sorta stuck where you are, but in your dreams
    you can buy expensive cars, or live on Mars, and have it your way.
    You may hate your boss at your job, but in your dreams
    you can blow his head off...In your dreams...show no mercy."

 As morbid as these lines from this song might be, we do in fact have power take our life's struggles...and dream how we would change them...or 
 we can submit our hearts to the Lord Jesus, and allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten our thoughts...teach us how to create thoughts that can be brought into our realities.
 In looking up definitions of fantasy,  the word fantasy is described as: a product of imagining the impossible or improbable things. Fantasies have no basis in reality and often have an almost mythological or folklore theme. The Urban Dictionary describes a fantasy as " a strong addiction usually with something not real ...and most likely never will be". 

 So, what do the Sacred Scriptures say about fantasies? Is there such a thing as a "Christian fantasy"...or is this phrase an oxymoron?

 In 2 Peter 1:16, Peter makes one thing clear: " When we told you about the power and of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were not telling some made-up story or stirring up some daydream with the result of "wishing on a star". No, we are laying out to you...the real facts of everyday life, for we saw Him...with our physical eyes...we saw the majestic splendor of His glory!"

 More to come on this.....

Is There Life on the Moon?

We live in a day where we can get on the 'net...and learn about anything. The thing about the 'net...just because we read an article on a topic of choice...doesn't mean the article is factual...or even true. 
  "Mass Media"...its power and influence...how did it get started???

  In 1835, the "New York Sun" was a newspaper only 2 years in the making. It had an uphill climb if it ever wished to compete with the mighty "New York Herald".
  At the same time, there was a type of printing being evolved which became commonly known as the "Penny Press", and the New York Sun had been birthed from this type of printing. Basically, the idea was to produce a mass amount of newspapers at cheaper prices, and to incorporate a narrative style of journalism...that is to say "reporting the latest as news came in".
 On August 25th, 1835...this narrative report was published in "The Sun". The article claimed: "Life is Discovered...on the Moon."

 It was the first article of a series of 6...all dedicated to the discovery of life on the moon!

 These 6 articles were supposed to have derived from the Edinburgh Journal of Science, which happen to be an elite scientific journal of its day. In the initial article, written by a Dr. Andrew Grant, he begins to unfold some of the discoveries that have been made by fellow colleague Sir John Hershel, who really was a very renown astronomer during this time in history.
 What made these so intriguing was the fact Sir John Hershel had indeed travelled to Capetown South Africa in January of 1834 and set-up an observatory...complete with the newest and most powerful telescope man had yet designed.
 So, Dr. Grant opens with the article claiming life had been found to exist...on the moon!...through the use of the new highly developed telescope.

  So...What was found???

  Get ready...this is truly extraordinaire!

 Dr. Grant reports that: Unicorns were found to be living on the moon, along with 2 legged beavers who lived in huts...that had smoke coming from chimneys. Also found through the use of this highly advanced telescope were herds of quadrupeds (bison like), who had a bluish lead color, and humanoids...with wings that resembled bats.
 And more... a beautiful Sapphire Temple, along with the geographic conditions: massive craters, beautiful and enormous amethyst crystals, rushing rivers, and lush vegetation! 

 As these articles in the New York Sun began to circulate, sales increased, and people everywhere were excited on this discovery of "Life on the Moon!"
 Did the readers take these articles seriously? You better believe it! In fact, a group of scientists from Yale University went to New York to investigate the findings as recorded in the Edinburgh Journal. These scientists were sent from one office to the next in hope of discouraging them. They finally returned home....not knowing....

 It was all...a hoax! The problem with the 6 articles written in the New York Sun...none of it was true!
 Actually, the Edinburgh Journal of Science has stopped publication years before, and "Dr. Grant" was nothing more than a fictional character.
 The author of these articles was most likely a man named Richard Adams Locke, a New York Sun reporter who had received his journalism education at Cambridge University.

 The initial motive behind the writing of these articles: they were intended to be only a satire with the intent of making fun of the popular notion that the moon supported extraterrestial life.

 You see, during this era, there was a Reverend Thomas Dick who was a popular science writer and author who made claims that the moon actually had...4.2 billion inhabitants.
 Reverend Dick was of Scottish ancestry and  a Scottish Presbyterian minister. He developed an eccentric passion for astronomy, after seeing a meteor pass the earth at 9 years of age.

 So, on August 25th, 1835, the first of these 6 articles on "Life on the Moon" began, and on September 16th, 1835, the New York Sun admitted the articles were nothing more than a hoax.
 As far as the popularity of the penny press newspaper "The New York Sun", the "Life on the Moon" stories helped them immensely, and they continued in operation until 1950.

Note: I found it interesting how society during this era and for the next hundred years or so became so fascinated with these type of thoughts. As the "fantasy thought" crept into into the the 1920's and 1930's, it seemed people were looking for an almost "fantasy relief" from real life...an escape. Perhaps the Great Depression had triggered it, or even the vanities of the Roaring 20's...who knows.
 Along with "The Moon Hoax" in 1835, it seemed other writings and even movies were creating this aura to be entertained in a fantasy world. Walt Disney had begun the world of animation with Mickey Mouse, Alice in Wonderland, and in 1940 came out with Fantasia.
 Of course, who can forget the little girl...who clicked her shiny red heels in 1939...wishing she was back in Kansas.

Pursue the Godly Lifestyle...Although We are at Times Hindered.....

During Paul's lifetime, the Corinthian people seem to display a culture that demanded evidence...evidence to whatever philosophy or religion that was presented to them.....

 If a minister of The Good News in today's world was transported through time to the Corinthians during Paul's lifetime, he/she had  better brought an "arsenal" with them...that is a display of power from on high that is visible to see or the power to touch, for without it the Message of Christ Jesus might be deemed: Unacceptable!
 In historical writings and various archaeological findings, it seems the Corinthians loved the "glamour of life"...stylish buildings, handsome and beautiful leaders, expensive tastes, and prosperity everywhere. If someone presented the Risen Christ under a format that related to the "tastes of their culture"....many would come to know Him!

 So, who did God send?.....the Apostle Paul....not exactly the prototype this culture demanded.

 Paul, physically scarred from the beatings he had suffered for simply acknowledging: "Yes, I know Him...He is my closest friend...and He is the Living Messiah!"
 Paul, by the historical data that has been gathered over time...not exactly a powerful looking individual. He was said to be small in stature, no real adorning features that would cause the women to go "OOOH or AHHHH", or no bulging muscles...Paul did not have the "Conan" look to enhance his masculinity. Historical evidence concludes this guy had a "war-torn" look...far from any Corinthian manual that might dictate: "How to become a powerful leader".

 Yet, what Paul did carry with him...was more powerful that any culture could exalt...including the Corinthian culture. Paul, through his increasing daily friendship with the Lord Jesus Christ had power...the power from the Holy Spirit that overcame the Corinthian mentality. Paul had a confidence, an almost unbelievable courage, a determination, and delivered the Message of the Good News with an authority that originated from the very heart of Heaven itself.
 Paul was a well-seasoned warrior of the Gospel, and his increasing friendship with The Risen One had only made him...stronger! He displayed no fear as to the demands of the Corinthian community...and spoke boldly and clear as to the Message his dear Friend had deposited into his very heart...Jesus loves them...not dependent on any "fireworks" as a sign that He does. Now, in saying that...I am not saying signs and wonders did not accompany Paul's message of the Gospel, what I am saying is the acceptance of Christ Jesus into our hearts and lives is not secured by what we see or touch...it is received by...faith! 

 So, how did Paul present the Gospel to the Corinthians? It is clear in the Scriptures as to Paul's primary interest: our lives are to reflect the brilliance and the Glory of the Risen One...with no physical condition required to accept Him as your Savior, your King, and your Friend. In other words, rich or poor, Jewish or Gentile, sick or well...He doesn't play favorites...Jesus died for each one of us.
 In the 12th chapter of 2 Corinthians, Paul did perform through the power of the Holy Spirit physical evidence that Jesus Christ is truly alive, yet in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians believers he makes it abundantly clear in chapter 13 where our true source of power lies...in our love for Him and the love we have one for another. Above all, Paul stresses his heart's desire from his friendship with Him....that our lives...regardless of what circumstances we might face...are to give Glory to Him.
 Paul's message to the Corinthians...and to us today: Keep our eyes fixed on the Eternal...nurturing the friendship you have with Him, and allowing The Kingdom type lifestyle to have entry into our hearts. In so doing, originating from a kindred with Him, the power of the Holy Spirit is now welcome to operate through us, bringing with Him the gifts so many are in need of.

                                    A Gleaning from 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18

 " Never give in to your heart, when it might say: "Man, just give it up." The Work of the Cross equips us with Power from on High...to see this life through....to the end! Although discouragement, utter despair, weariness, and fear is found knocking at the "doorsteps of our hearts", and our physical bodies are wasting away...we are filled with this incredible Power from on High that generates an inner strength...that grows stronger each day stemming from our friendship with Him, that is able to overcome all the adversities in life we may ever...ever....ever face! 
 These momentary troubles or what may seem like a monumental disaster  that presently confronts us...and sometimes they come rather frequently, seems to produce this Glory that belongs to Him which oozes from us as our dependence on knowing Him and enjoying the beauty of our friendship increases, and is actually able to defeat any troubles or oncoming disaters we face in life. Although the "plagues of this life" are very real to our physical eye, it is the eye of faith that comes from our very hearts....that destroys any of the Works of Darkness...whose real target is our hearts...and the desire to destroy...our very souls."