Finding truth

My heart was elated. We were in the Fitness Center at Samford University where Morgan will begin school in the fall. There it was in black and white on a bulletin board for all to see..."Truths and myths about nutrition." Item number two said as plain as day: "It is a myth that eating food late at night is bad for you."

Here is why that was so important. I love my small smackerels. (Those of you who are Winnie the Pooh fans will understand that term). So, quite frequently, after the kids are in bed and Lisa and I are winding down for the evening, I have been known to look at my wife and say, "You want a small smackerel?" This bulletin board gave me freedom. It told me what I wanted to hear.

Then came the article last week. I had seen the information before in numerous places. You know...the articles we all hate to read? It said that late night snacking tends to pack on the pounds and can be very bad for digestion and your heart.

Confounded scientists. What do they know? Surely they were mistaken. Surely all their crazy tests and statements on my health were no match for Winnie the Pooh and the bulletin board at Samford University. I know what you're thinking. How in the world could he believe Pooh Bear over an MD? Wouldn't a doctor know better?

You know, I ask myself the same thing time and time again as I preach God's truth. We--all of us-- have a tendency to listen for, even long for, the other voices out there that tell us what we are doing is okay. They want to excuse away our reasoning and give reasons for our excuses. But God knows best. He understands what works for you and me. He, after all, did create us.

So, if you're looking for answers to life and trying to sort through the chaos to the truth, let me tell you where to begin your search. God's word has the answers. Fall in love with it. Read it regularly. Pray for understanding. And, for crying out loud, quit reading all the bulletin boards. They'll just tell you what you want to hear any way.

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 2 Timothy 4:3 NIV