Saturday, January 23, 2016
Intrinsic Value
I asked a dozen people who live in my state if they had
ever heard of the place and they hadn't.
But, in its heyday it was a playground of the rich and famous. It was even the summer residence of one of
our presidents. My wife and I discovered it while on vacation a couple years
ago. We were impressed as we floated by
the unique and valuable properties, but we were also very aware that it was not
the destination it used to be. The
Thimble Islands are a beautiful archipelago of Stony Creek pink granite islands
which includes 81 houses. Fourteen of the islands have only one house.
The rich and the famous don't flock to the "Thimble
Islands" off the coast of CT anymore. Like many things in life, it was hot and now
it's not. It is still a great place to
visit and I would happily live in one of those unique homes, but it certainly
doesn't have the name recognition it once did. However it appears that at least
one of those islands' intrinsic value has been rediscovered. This property is known as Rogers Island. The 7.75-acre estate includes a 27-room Tudor mansion and boasts tennis and
basketball courts, as well as a caretaker's residence. It sold in 2003 for $22.3 million and again,
in 2007, for $50 million.
Such is the case with movies, movie stars, clothing
styles, decorating fads, cars.... they soar in value and then they don't. Then, every once in a while, something of
intrinsic value makes a comeback. So, someone may reason, why work so hard for
things that are just going to be a flash in the pan? That is a good
question. Maybe some better questions
would be:
·
"What, in life, actually has
intrinsic value?"
·
"What is valuable that I have
overlooked?"
·
"What could I rediscover that is
really worthwhile?"
Americans may be going through a stage where fewer are
going to church, but many people of the world are discovering or rediscovering
something of intrinsic value -- true Christianity. (for an idea of the numbers
please visit http://www.pewforum.org/2006/10/05/spirit-and-power/) These are
people that believe modern day church services should have the same
characteristics as the church services the first century church
experienced. Here are a few of those
valuable characteristics which the reader can find recorded in the book of Acts.
·
Passionate singing and worship
·
Powerful times of prayer
·
Physical healings
·
Preaching that convicted people's
hearts
·
Genuine repentance that allowed people
to be forgiven of sins
·
Water Baptisms - done in Jesus' name
·
Empowering Holy Ghost baptisms - evidenced
by "speaking in tongues"
·
Miracles that changed lives
·
Believers with high morals and
standards in a godless and degenerating culture
True Christianity (the kind that actually teaches what
Jesus and His disciples taught) is much more than a fad or a passing
fancy. This kind of "church"
started thousands of years ago and has intrinsic value. Although it has ebbed and flowed, and
although governments and social movements have violently opposed it, it keeps
rising up. People keep rediscovering its
great value.
Jesus' love is not a passing fad. Forgiveness will never go out of style. As the Scripture promises, God's Kingdom is only going to increase in
power and influence. It is something
worth investing in. It will not be soon
forgotten. Time has proven its mettle.
As the globe experiences the decline of morals and an increase in
violence, true Christianity hold its value.
Maybe you should check it out.
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