Something (seemingly unrelated) that I heard today got me thinking about moral relativism – the belief that right and wrong is determined by a person’s culture. Of course, Christians believe that morality is the unchanging expectation of a perfect and holy God that none of us can live up to.

However, just because the law is unchanging doesn’t mean we always follow it. Sometimes, the temptation to fulfill our self-interests leaves God’s will at the wayside. (Sometimes?)

As an example, consider speeding. I don’t know how it works where you live, but in Hawai’i, a “Speed Limit 50” sign means you go 65 to keep up with traffic, and the police won’t give you a second glance. However, God commanded us to obey the laws of our government, because it exists as His representative. The only exception I can see is when doing so directly violates one of God’s laws.

There is only one right way in any given situation. Ask God to tell you what it is. Our sinful nature will often make it difficult to hear Him, but rest assured that there’s always a correct solution to any problem, no matter how twisted and impossible it may seem.

Please pray for palmer. Yesterday, his wife of five years passed away from cancer.

To read the way they continued to worship God, as a couple, until the last day is something miraculous. Just skimming this blog reminds me of 1 Peter 3:3-4.

Sleep well, palmer. Never forget that your wife is in a better place, and some day soon you will be with her and Ke Akua forever.

(Link via Bene Diction Blogs On.)

The standard formula for money-making television is fast becoming reality shows spotlighting love and marriage. Ever since The Newlywed Game, a popular genre of entertainment has been spotlighting couples. However, as any professional in the television industry will tell you (at least in private), reality TV is not real. It’s heavily influenced by producers, writers, and so forth and is not designed to be objective.

I’m especially concerned when reality TV involves love because in this case, the way to sell ads is to create tension between a couple. Hence, you get shows like The Newlywed Game, with a lot of questions related to the new couple’s intimacy. Other shows (past and present) include:

• Temptation Island – Engaged couples live apart to see if they can remain committed to their future spouse.
• Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire? – Self-explanatory, except that according to E!, “Darva Conger, the emergency room nurse…is seeking an annulment from her hubby of one week, Rick Rockwell.”
• The Bachelor/The Bachelorette – One guy/girl gets to pick from 25 girls/guys to marry.
• Race to the Altar – Couples endure physical and emotional challenges to win the wedding of their dreams.
• Married by America – Viewers across the nation call in to choose the couple.
• For Love or Money – One guy/girl gets to pick from 15 girls/guys. If s/he says yes, they live happily ever after. If s/he says no, s/he gets $1 million.

I could go on, but you get the idea. My point? While some may argue that a committed relationship should be able to withstand the pressure, I liken joining one of these shows to bungee-jumping off a bridge. Sure, the cable will probably hold, but why take the chance?

Although I’m not married, I can promise that you won’t see my significant other or I on national TV. Love is too important to put to a foolish test.

…but sometimes we treat it (and the Internet that it searches) as a god. That’s the point I was trying to get across yesterday. (Thanks for the link, Dean.)

It’s easy to get addicted to the amazing breadth of knowledge that has been digitized, transmitted, and archived via the Internet. Every minute we spend on the ‘net, however, is one less minute we could spend with the master of the universe and of us. And as I’m sure many of you realize, we only get a limited supply of minutes, and there’s no refill.

I guess what I’m doing is echoing the wisdom of others, like Darren – make sure that every minute of your life, regardless of what you’re doing during that minute, is dedicated to Him.

Blog for God.

Humanity is fortunate to have a God of love, willing and eager to forgive us every time we stumble. Sometimes, on days when we aren’t walking the right path, relationships can crumble, even with other Christians.

My hope is that this patch on Rachel’s quilt^* will be a reminder to you, and to me, that it’s important to humble yourself and serve others, especially other Christians. It’s sad that Christians can be responsible for so much hurting, but it’s expected because we are still pressing on to reach Christ.

Ask for God’s help in cultivating your friendships. The believers around you – even the ones you don’t like – will be worshiping God beside you when we leave this planet, and He will mend our love for each other. We will truly be one people under God.

It’s a day I look forward to.

(Earth photo courtesy NASA.)

^* LINK TENDING 1/11 – Relinked cre8d entry to the new location.