USING SKILLS OF DISCERNMENT
The last two contributions to “Out of the Mould” – “Whoosh … its Gone” and “Raising a Family” – should have had enough time to incubate and produce some food for thought; maybe even action. However, they didn’t give me any indication as to any follow up that may be required to satisfy hunger pangs within those on the receiving end – except for one voice whose comments have reached my ears! Thank you to that person.
For some time now, I have been tossing around an idea, to give “Out of the Mould” readers something to get their teeth into. So I have decided to follow through on it, and in doing so kill a few birds with one stone!! If you are interested in how it will be done, please take careful note, because you will need to be involved to gain maximum benefit. Your choice, of course.
Some of you may already have a copy of “The Great Divide”, a book mentioned frequently on this website. I shall be using this book as a resource for the topics that I write about, with each instalment being identified specifically according to the page or section number, so as to give the context or content of the morsel to be devoured and digested. To enable this to happen on a regular basis a copy of the book will be essential if the “topic” is to make sense. “The Great Divide” is available free of charge to anyone who wants a copy. Just ask – it’s as simple as that. The more it is read, the more you’ll appreciate reading between the lines. The more it could impact on your life; even to the extent of being lifestyle changing. I don’t know how many times I have read it, but certainly it’s well into double figures and I’m still getting so much from it. One reader said something to this effect: “Every time I pick the book up I feel I’m in the company of a great big family. The characters are like real, living people whom I know so well”.
I hope that “Out of the Mould” will do the same for you.
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One Sunday in 1947 I was at a church youth group’s activity where the visiting speaker told the story of a religious ruler of the day who came to visit Jesus of Nazareth one night to ask Him a few questions. Among other things Jesus told Nicodemus that he needed to be born again!
The speaker gave those of us listening that evening the same message. To cut a longish story short, I decided to become a follower of the Lord Jesus. Something I’ve never regretted. I became a new person.
However, about the same time there was a hit recording that was played frequently on the radio. I wasn’t interested in the latest craze sounding forth on the airways, but you couldn’t escape the tone of voice and presumably the canned laughter with which it was presented.
The voice on the recording spent his time making fun of a whole range of things that are “in the book”. His tone was mocking and deliberately designed to make the background audience laugh at everything mentioned. It soon became obvious what the book was, and as a new follower of the One the book talks about, it really hurt me.
I have never forgotten the impact that incident made on me. Today there are still plenty of people whose message is simply to mock those who are gullible enough to believe in the Book, or its modern day “equivalent” – the internet.
Yet there are so many answers to be found in this book or on the web!
BUT are they the answers that ring true? Or are they outright lies? Are they selective combinations of the truth, counterfeit manipulations and intimidating scorn designed to subject any person brave enough to challenge them, to the same sort of parody played on the radio?
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“Beyond Conformity”, “Just a Little Prick”, “From One Prick to Another”, “Out of the Mould” and “The Great Divide” are all books. You’ll be well aware that there is a huge amount of other related material. Each one is a “voice”.
What is the truth?
Who is right?
Are we willing to be Different Ones and be ready to count the cost of following our beliefs and convictions?
Consider this:
CHECK OUT WHAT IS IN THE MATERIAL YOU READ AND STUDY BEFORE MAKING A DECISION FOR WHICH YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE (the consequences) ASK THE QUESTION -
IS THE “BOOK” IN THE BOOK ?
THIS IS A TOUGH CALL!
But who said that following your beliefs and convictions would be easy?
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I can still hear that taunting voice of so many years ago: its repetitious statement to fuel the mirth that accompanied it.
After all, only a stupid gullible person would believe the book!!?
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A read of Sections 9, 20 and 44 would be worthwhile.
Please remember, Sections do not mean page numbers.