Who Decides?

Who Decides?

by Pete Berardi

There seems to be a phrase that is very common in regards to behavior, it’s “What’s normal anyway?” These words are heard in conversations that deal with eccentric behavior. Normality seems to be a relative thing. The point of this saying is that there is not a framework or model of normal behavior. In my opinion there is a model and framework of perfection; his name is Jesus. Some will say “Who decides what normal is?” Well I say that Jesus is the one to decide what normal is.

It is the opinion of this author that humans have not only a propensity to sin but a propensity to justify their sins. Sins of sexual immorality, greed, lying, theft, and violence can easily be justified in not only the eyes of the sinner themselves, but observers as well. People will go to great lengths to make it seem that their sin is O.K. and this is all the work of Satan.

Consider this passage in 1Peter 2:21-22 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

Jesus Christ was a sinless man. The only reason he was able to do this is because he was God. To ask a person to not sin is asking the impossible. However, if we make Jesus our model and our framework for living, we can walk the path of righteousness. When we do stumble, we should not make excuses for our sins and justify them. We should ask Jesus for forgiveness and the strength to deliver us from further temptation.

Jesus is the one that decides what is normal. By attempting to live up to his standards we are being obedient. The Bible states that we should be

• thirsting after righteousness Matthew 5:6
• seeking first the kingdom of God Matthew 6:33
• trusting in him with all our heart Proverbs 3:5
• in all our ways acknowledging him Proverbs 3:6

Sin is a dangerous thing however unfortunately sin is also pleasing to the flesh. When we understand that it is better to fulfill the Spirit rather than fulfill the flesh, sin will not seem as attractive to us. By making Jesus our model and seeking to walk in his ways and be like him, we can be truly free of pain, frustration and obtain true peace, joy and fulfillment.

Movie Review: The King

Movie Review: The King

by Pete Berardi

I am not much of a movie buff. In fact the last time I rented a DVD before renting The King last Tuesday night was in May of 2005. Sure I watch some TNT and TBS movies but only because they are on. Although I am not proud of the selection that I made because of some of the graphic sex and violence in the film, I thought that it would be worth mentioning.

The King is about a pastor, his family, his church and his sin. William Hurt plays a pastor in a Corpus Christi Church. He has a beautiful sixteen year old daughter, Malory, who is involved in the Church, has her mind set on God and is pure in every way. His eighteen year old son, Paul, plays guitar and sings for the worship team. His congregation is alive and growing, and his sermons are inspirational, powerful and truthful. He has a beautiful house and all seems well. In comes Elvis.

Elvis is the bastard son of William Hurt and a prostitute he used to visit before becoming saved. Elvis wants to know who his father is, and seeks him out upon release from the military. Hurt shuns Elvis. He is ashamed of his sin and seeks to protect his family and his church from what damage could be done by his past. Elvis seeks out Malory, brings her into sexual sin and she begins to fall away from the family. Paul, Hurt’s good son, follows Elvis to his hotel room. He demands that Elvis stays away from his sister and threatens to blow the whistle on the whole affair. This enrages Elvis; he stabs Paul and kills him. He hides the body and gets away with it. Meanwhile, Hurt believes that his son is missing.

Hurt seeks God, and is drawn to his other son Elvis. He brings him into his home not knowing of the relationship between him and his daughter. Malory also does not know that Elvis is her half brother. One Sunday morning in church, Hurt decides to bring everything out into the open. He brings Elvis on stage, admits his sin to the congregation, and calls him his son in front of everyone, including Malory. Finally a light bulb goes off in Malory’s head and she breaks down and tells her mother. Before things can get out of hand for Elvis, he shoots them both while Hurt is at church doing paperwork. He then proceeds to burn down his house. After the murder and the arson, Elvis seeks out Hurt at his church office. The movie ends with Elvis, with blood on his hands, asking Hurt how he can get right with God.

There are many lessons to be learned from this story. The most obvious one is that sin is damaging to people’s lives. There is just one thing that I want to mention. Although it is not Hurt’s fault for what Elvis did to him, he might have been able to prevent it. By facing up to his sin immediately, telling the truth to his family from the start, and being true to his son, this all could have been avoided.

Sinking Sand

Sinking Sand

by Pete Berardi

While living at the San Diego Rescue Mission we were required to attend chapel twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. The night service was provided by local churches that donated their time and effort to the Rescue Mission’s cause of providing for the poor and needy. During these nightly services, we would usually sing old hymns. The old hymn Sinking Sand is my favorite hymn. Although I do not know all the verses, the chorus is what is most important. It goes something like this.

On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand…all other ground is sinking sand.

This says it all. Our relationship with Christ is not there just to be “fire insurance” so to speak. I hear many people say, I can live life the way I want and then when I am on my death bed, I will just ask Jesus into my heart and then I will go to heaven. Although the Bible does state that all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved, it also says that not all that say Lord, Lord will enter in to the kingdom of heaven. Words alone cannot save us. It is the condition of the heart which saves us. And only when a person is born again and his heart is filled with the Holy Spirit can he enter into the kingdom of heaven.

This song comes from Psalm 40:2. The verse states: He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, [and] established my goings.

There are many horrible pits in life. There are some pits that we fall into on accident and there are others that we are more than happy to stay in and reside in. A horrible pit can be vices that destroy our lives such as alcohol, drug, premarital sex, and violence. These are typically addictions or things that we might know are wrong yet do not have the will power to keep from them. However some people spend most of their lives in other horrible pits that they put all their effort working toward. Las Vegas in all its glory is a horrible pit. This town boasts its lights and its tourist attractions. The city from a bird’s eye view is a thing of beauty. This beauty is deceiving. Las Vegas is not called “Sin City” by mistake. Another horrible pit is the New York Stock Exchange. This marvel of the world makes more commercial banking transactions in one day than some countries make in a year. It can be viewed as the world hub of commerce. It is run flawlessly and people devote their lives and careers to this horrible pit. In my view, The New York Stock Exchange is the hub of greed and corruption.

My point is this: One, a horrible pit is anything that is not the ways of Jesus and the teachings in The Bible. Two, a horrible pit does not have to be so horrible. As a matter of fact, a horrible pit can be the best thing that ever happened to someone. The reason it seems so however is the same reason why this person needs Jesus. This person does not even know that he is in a horrible pit and thinks that he has “made it”. In reality the only thing that this person has made for himself is a huge gap between him and the peace of God.

Focus

Focus by Pete Berardi

In the Bible Jesus is very clear about what our focus is supposed to be on. It is important to understand this because obedience to God will cause us to be in his will and ultimately be the person that he wants us to be. For the most part, Jesus commands us to focus on Him, and others. In Philippians 2:4, the Bible states: Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. The first five verses of Philippians are actually speaking to those that are prideful and greedy. This world is full of competitiveness when it comes to financial success, power and status. The world sees these things as the definition of success. The world also teaches us to fight for these things and make sacrifices for them because they are worthy. This is false and a trick from Satan himself. Satan would have you believe that wealth, power, material possessions, status will all make you happy. This false happiness is supposedly derived from having more than others. Therefore instead of helping others to be happy we might find ourselves actually sabotaging others. The Bible’s teachings are exactly opposite. In 1 John 2:15-16, The Bible states: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. We are actually supposed to be helping other people and esteeming them to be higher than ourselves states Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Focus on Jesus is very clear in the Bible as well. Although there are more verses than two, I will only mention these two

II Corinthians 5:15 states: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Jesus not only wants us to focus on him but to live for him. He died for our sins and his life should be Him. Jesus can provide us with the greatest peace and joy that is far better than what the things of this world can provide. By putting him first, and all his righteousness, God will give us what we are really looking for. The great lie of Satan is to tell you that true peace, joy and happiness comes from the things of this world. He does this to divert our attention from the truth. By making us work for things that he promises will fulfill us, we miss the point. Jesus is the only one that can fulfill us. By focusing on him, living for him, and putting him first, our lives will be full.