Live Life to the Fullest
This month St. John’s is hosting the Red Wing Pastor’s Conference. Pastors from as far as Red Wing, Zumbrota, Austin and Caledonia will be here on October 14-15. So if you drive by and see a bunch of fancy sports cars, convertibles, and souped-up trucks in the parking lot you know where they came from. Yes, rides are available upon request!
About 6 months ago, I was asked to present a paper on “Scientology” at this conference. That’s not a religion I know a ton about so I’ve been working on learning more. I’ve discovered that not only do John Travolta and Tom Cruise follow these beliefs, but thousands of people all across the globe. In fact, most major cities worldwide have at least one “church” building.
To summarize briefly their belief system: they believe that all people have gone through painful experiences (either in this life or a previous one) that block future growth and make people bound to fear, worry, and illness. They say you need to get past these events and memories. They encourage a form of “auditing” (counseling) that costs about $800 an hour. According to one source, to become “clear” generally runs up a tab of $100,000! At that point a person has freedom to live life to its fullest, (even if your wallet isn’t too full.) What a difference! In a few weeks Reformation Sunday will remind us that real freedom has to do with what Jesus did for us, not what we do. The real problem is sin. That the real discussions we need to have is with Jesus. That the real strength is from sins forgiven. And all of this is at a cost of zero $. And this is not just for this life- but the one to come. Trust in Jesus – and you’ll really be a top gun at staying alive!
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10
