In reply to the story on Snopes.

I received a lengthy email this morning about snopes.com being led by liberals. It may be true, it may not.  I didn't bother to check it because:

I don't use snopes. I use truthorfiction.com. However, when it comes to truth there is really only one we can fully rely on, that person being Jesus Christ. After all He is the way, the truth and the life.

Most of this stuff that gets sent out over the internet as a BIG WARNING is hype. Truth is Christ promised we would have trouble in this world and along with that promise came this encouragement, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

Further more, many types of emails that go out with, "if you care let all your friends know" plastered on them are meant to spread fear.  Jesus said, "(NLT) Matthew 10:28 "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell."  We are also told in 2Ti 1:7  For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 

Other such emails are sent to make us angry about something.  Eph 4:26  And "don't sin by letting anger control you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, Eph 4:27  for anger gives a foothold to the devil. Eph 4:31  Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

Here's another one. "If you love Jesus you will send this to 10 people in the next 30 seconds." My love for Jesus is not measured in the emails I send.  It is measured in whether I'm keeping His commands.  Some wishy washy email that only speaks of God's love but says nothing of His justice and the need for repentance is only going to spread a false sense of security to people who are already complacent in their relationship with God almighty. You want to show Jesus you love Him? Push away from your computer, come out of hiding and love some real people you can see. Share with them the Gospel. Share your food and clothes with them. Visit the nursing home, the hospital and the jail. Go out into the streets and talk to some homeless folks. Give a smile to the check out clerk at the store who is moving a little slow. Say, "God Bless You!", instead of griping how long they took. Show the love of God.

So, Truth is, I ignore a lot of these forwarded emails. Yes, I hit delete without even opening them. Father, God can be trusted. Pray, write your congressmen and senators, but speak with grace and truth, not bitterness and anger. Share your faith with people face to face.

Feel free to save this and send it to those people who insist on filling your inbox with all their fears, guilt trips and rants. Or you can delete it. There are no miracles waiting to happen one way or the other as a result, except that some may find you unreasonable in your trust of almighty God and may remove you from their spam list. 

Oh, one more thing, please don't send me those forwarded emails. Someone will no doubt write me and say, "But you like getting jokes, don't you?"  Yes, yes I do.  Pro 17:22  A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength. So send on the good CLEAN jokes.

Love in Christ,

Steve Sherwood Sr.