The Pastor’s Garage February 4th, 2021

*Pastor Mike’s Garage-Feb 4, 2021*

“Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

A number of years ago, while on a trip to the Middle East, I was in my
hotel room one evening wanting just to relax for a bit before heading to
bed. I switched on the TV, which the hotel boasted had over 200 channels,
only to find that apparently none were in English. After scrolling for a
bit, I finally stumbled upon a news channel that was in English. It was
2010 during the height of the world’s economic meltdown. There was a war
raging in Iraq, Haiti was reeling from a devastating earthquake, the stock
market and investment funds were in shambles and many of the world’s major
economies were in serious financial trouble. I had seen news coverage of
all these events many times before this trip, but as the news broadcaster
relayed the day’s events, I began to notice a very different twist and view
on how they were reporting them. The news station was Al Jazeera, one that
prior to that trip I was unfamiliar with. It is a station based in the
Middle East, broadcast in English, but with a definite Muslim influence. I
remember thinking as I continued to watch, it would be easy to write off
their version of world events as Muslim propaganda. What made how they
viewed things wrong, and how we view things right? I’d be foolish to think
that our new broadcasts have absolutely no bias or western slant. As I
watched them relay the days worlds events the thought crossed my mind, “I
wonder what the truth of what they are reporting actually is?” The reality
is that it was likely somewhere in between!

Here we are ten years later and once again the world is seemingly in
turmoil. If I thought there was inconsistency, various conflicting
viewpoints on major issues, accusations of conspiracy then, we definitely
have that now! Daily we are bombarded by people who claim to have insight,
telling us to wake up, warning us of ulterior agendas, and offering us
their version of the truth. Facebook, the news, YouTube, Twitter, Tv,
newspapers, almost every form of media is constantly pointing and pulling
us in very different directions. Many of our friends, family and
associates, those we love, deeply care for and respect have some very
different views from one another! What is actually the truth? Of all the
voices constantly bombarding us and vying for our attention and allegiance,
who is actually right? How can we discern between just opinion, deception,
and what is actually truth?

Pastor Dave and myself were talking about these very things on Tues
morning and came to the conclusion that apart from God it is impossible to
actually know truth. He is the only one that knows the thoughts and intents
of the heart! Nothing is hidden from His sight! Every aspect of the past,
present, and future is clearly known to Him! In light of this we have
decided to do a complete media fast for four days, and just focus on
reading the bible! Would you consider joining us? What we are suggesting is
that for next week, Monday to Thursday, avoid all forms of media, Facebook,
YouTube, TV, the news, etc. and focus on reading God’s word. Shut off the
TV, lay down your phone, close the computer. Can we actually go for four
days without those influences in our lives? How addicted are we? We are
suggesting to read the four epistles, one for each day, Galatians,
Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. Let’s endeavour to allow God to
reveal truth to us, and to show us our response and role as His followers
in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.

I will leave you with some verses from Hebrews, “For the word of God is
living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing the division
of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and
intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden form His sight, but all
are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
Hebrews 4:12-13

Pastor Mike