Summer Smiles

 Happy Son-day!

I am a little late today.  I wanted to include some snapshots of family and friends.  You are a spark in life.

Summer Smiles 


 Its Not Complicated

I was recently told, “Life is short.  Go on as many vacations as you can and then you die. That’s what life is about”.  The meaning of life summed up in two sentences.

I decided to dust off my old college philosophy books to see if I missed this chapter in the textbook.  What I found was this regarding the meaning of life . . .

Yet another one, the meaning of life is in attaining the highest form of knowledge, which is the Idea of the Good, from which all good and just things derive utility and value. (Plato)

The meaning of life is in attaining the highest form of knowledge, which is the Idea (Form) of the Good, from which all good and just things derive utility and value. (Kant)

One-liner meanings of life . . .

  • Cynicism – be self-sufficient
  • Hedonism – have pleasure now
  • Platonism – as seen above, acquire maximum knowledge
  • Mohism – love people impartially
  • Confucianism – fulfill your duties to others
  • Aristotelianism – be a good person
  • Kantianism – do as you would have other do
  • Nihilism – Do as you wish, life has no meaning
  • Pragmatism – bring more value to humans
  • Logical Positivism – life has no meaning until you give it one
  • Existentialism – make decisions and be positive
  • Absurdism – stop trying to find a meaning, just live

There are endless schools of philosophies about the meaning of life.  Keep in mind the above philosophies are thoughts about life, not religion.  The closest I could come to vacation and die was Hedonism and Nihilism.  Those two schools of philosophy may seem inviting, but not fulfilling. 

I don’t want you think I am uptight.  I love to have fun.  God wants you to have fun.

Ecclesiastes 8:15: So, I commend enjoyment because there's nothing better for people to do under the sun but to eat, drink, and be glad. This is what will accompany them in their hard work, during the lifetime that God gives under the sun.

Proverbs 15:13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful.

Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine.

Proverbs 14:30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body.

Psalm 118:24 - This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  

Genesis 21:6 - And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.”

There is one other meaning of life philosophy that is supernatural in nature.  It is call theism.  The one-liner for it is . . . Follow God’s will.

I will make this simple, follow God’s will and you will achieve the meaning of life.  His will for you is . . .

1 Corinthians 10:31 - So eat and drink and do everything else for the glory of God.

When you acquiesce to HIS will, you allow HIM to facilitate your life.  With HIM at the helm many of the one-liner philosophies will come into play.  The net result is other lives will be enriched by your presence.  Your life will be enriched by HIS presence (life more abundantly – John 10:10). You will achieve fulfillment.  The meaning of life is realized.

Psalm 138:8 - Lord, you will do everything you have planned for me. You fulfill your purpose in me.  Lord, your faithful love continues forever. You have done so much for us. Don't stop now.

 

Song of the week

"Redeemer", 2021,  by Karima.  Melodic testimony song.  Original song sung by Nicole C. Mullen 2013

Redeemer

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?
And who told the ocean, you can only come this far?
And who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening?
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Well, I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation tesifies
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives, yeah

The very same God that spins things in orbit
Runs to the weary, the wern and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken
They conquered death to bring me victory

Now, I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I know my Redeemer

He lives to take away my shame
And He lives forever, I'll proclaim
That the payment for my sin
Was the precious life He gave
But now He's alive and
There's an empty grave...

And I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I know my Redeemer

I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
He lives
He lives
He lives
He lives

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