-Right From Wrong-

There have been some recent stories & events in the news that have brought ethics to the forefront. Particularly Nadya Suleman has topped the list of water cooler discussion, chat rooms & talk shows. Her decision to have in vitro fertilization, resulting in octuplets, after already having 6 children & no job, has brought on the ire of Californians & the state’s role in helping fund the raising of these children. That’s not even to mention the judgment of the fertilization specialist who implanted the eggs.

How about the story of Bernie Madoff & how he robbed from the rich to give to the.…rich, well, mostly himself! Makes you shake your head in wonder, right? Throw in the whole fiasco of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich & his subsequent impeachment over the alleged selling of Obama’s senate seat & you just want to say, “Stop the world & let me off!!”

Of course, that’s just a few blurbs of news & topics in a vast sea, or quagmire, of bad judgment & poor taste. About the time we think we’ve seen it all, another circus comes to town & we see another freakish sideshow that pales the last. I suppose it’s our own fault for visiting the sideshow! Hard to not catch a passing glance, though, when the circus parades through town, isn’t it?

Lest I sound too presumptuous & judgmental, how do we decide what is right and wrong, anyway? Is it just because we have the ‘right raising’? Do we make sound decisions & clear judgments because of our own intellect & knowledge? I have honestly seen & known people with a great deal of education but very little common sense. While helping establish an African-American church in Philadelphia a few years ago, I couldn’t help but chuckle at a phrase of prayer that I heard repeatedly. “Lord, thank your for waking me up in my right mind this morning.” While funny, it’s something to truly be thankful for! A recent visiting Disaster relief missionary had a phrase I’ve not heard. He spoke of people that didn’t have any “walking around sense.” Again, an apropos statement. In my home town some friends would ask someone, “Ain’t you got no home training?” Same vein of thought there.

So, where does one get sound judgment & wisdom to make life’s choices? Is it just education or raising or just something you woke up with this morning? Again, before we think too highly of ourselves, a bible passage reminds us where we find wisdom to live:
“Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God." I Corinthians 1:30-31 The Message

I don’t presume to think I know the right directions for MY life, let alone anyone else. I’ve come to the startling conclusion that only the Maker of my life knows what is best. So, guess I’d better be asking His advice on a regular basis. A few things that DO help me in life & decision making are these:
1. Maintain a right relationship with God!
2. Surround myself with wise people
(maybe some will rub off on me!)
3. Be well read & rounded.
4. Base my life & decisions on the greatest selling book of all time:
the Bible (read it daily & practice the same)


I want to challenge you to do something different. I want you to fire back with your thoughts about right & wrong & what you see played out in the world around us. Shoot back some things that help you decide what is right & wrong. If you have wisdom, share the wealth!!

As always, call on me if I can be of help or encouragement.


www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.
Dave Jackson on facebook ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org
Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
Cell: 870-217-9376