If you are a Christian, do not think it is strange, while on your christian journey, if you become frustrated with your walk with God. The bible is filled with folks who became frustrated with their walk with God. If fact, there are some in the bible, who wanted God to take their lives.  For example, Moses became frustrated with his walk with God, and asked God to take his life, in Numbers 11:10-15. The Prophet Elijah, told the Lord to take his life in I Kings 19:1-5. Others, in the bible who became both discouraged and somewhat depressed, were, Jonah, Job, Jeremiah, Paul, and, the list could go on. The point that I am making here, is that the christian walk, is more than a lot of  hallelujahs and amens. The Christian must understand, that while, he or she may have a few mountain top experiences, there will probably be more walks, through the valley of the shadow of death. Many times, while on the christian journey, things will happen in one’s life, that cannot be explained, as was the case with Job. Job felt that the suffering that he was experiences, was undeserving, and, it had broken him to the point of despair, and even to the desperate place where he cried out for God to kill them. However, in the end Job, humbly accepts his suffering, in spite of the fact that he did not understand, and, God finally,vindicated him. Some biblical scholars argue that suffering disciplines and purifies the soul, and, that it is the true key to spiritual growth, and, I believe that in many cases, this is true. However, the book of Job, also teaches us that the most popular religious answers cannot explain the deep things of God. Why? Because God is not a man, he is a “Spirit Being”.  God is infinite, man is finite. God is unlimited and all powerful, man is limited, and powerless. This is why some people think that the bible is a difficult, and confusing book, when it really is not. The bible is a spiritual book, it came from the all powerful and unlimited God, to limited and powerless man. Therefore, one could not understand the bible, like one could understand the writings of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, or Nietzsche. With diligent application, one could grasp the meanings, behind these great philosophers’ writings. In order for one to grasp the deep meanings of the bible, one must be born again( St. John 3:1-7).  The bible is not a book of philosophy, although it is philosophical. One should not go to the bible for a scientific treatise, however, there are no discrepancy between ascertained facts of science and the bible. The bible is not a book of history, but, it is found to be accurate when recording history. The bible was given to man from God, revealing Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Now some have argued that the bible was written by man, but, the bible nowhere claims to have been written by man. II Timothy 3:16-17, lets us know that all scripture, was given by the inspiration of God.

   As Christians, a great deal of us have a tendency to romanticize our walk with God. We get wrapped up in bible stories, such as Daniel in the lion’s den, or David killing Goliath or the three Hebrew men, who walked through fire by faith. But every christian will have to walk through his or her own valley of the shadow of death, meaning, going through a great deal of trials and tribulations. These trial and tribulations in many cases, are suppose to help us grow spiritually. In fact, the bible reveals four types of spiritual growth. They are the Baby Stage, found in I Corinthians 3: 1-4. The Child Stage, found in I John 2:12, and, I Corinthians 13:11. The Young Man Stage, found in I John 2:13, and, finally, the Father Stage, found in I John 2:13. The Baby Christian, lives to be served, but, never wants to serve others. The Baby Christian, is very sensitive, and his or her feelings can easily be hurt, and, he or she always want to have things their way, and, if he or she doesn’t, they will raise a rumpus. The Baby Christian, only thinks of self, and, is often a cruel and jealous hearted person. The Baby Christian, has been born into the family of God, but has fell to develop spiritually. The Baby Christian is a carnal Christian, and, these characteristics are so prominent in the lives of many church members, who have claimed, to have been saved for a number of years. The Child Christian, are those who grow spiritually a little, but, for some reason or another, they get stuck in this stage. The Child Christian, is like the Pharisees in the bible, he or she loves to be seen, by folks doing so-called good deeds, and, loves to be praised on a regular basis. The Child Christian, is usually untruthful, resentful, and, is acceptable to emotional outbursts. The Child Christian, also loves to gossip, and, they repeat everything that they hear. The Child Christian, only does things which appeals to self.  The Young Man Christian, has a vision for the future, and allows the Lord to use him in a mighty way, and, in many cases, he is able to rejoice while going through his trials and tribulations. The Young Man Christian, is strong and virile, and, he is well able to overcome his foes. The Father Stage Christian, is the christian who gets a taste of heaven, while still here on earth. The Father Christian, enjoys the abundant life, because he has peace with God, and, has learned to be content in any situation.  The Father Christian, is a stage of life that I hope, that all Christians( including myself) will reach before the end of space, matter, and time.

  The Bowtie Professor Speaks!

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