…well, not always. In fact, I don’t even know where that cockamamie concept originated. Especially now with the various photo-editing applications and other wonders of the virtual world that continue to invade our reality. So when pictures show up on my email or on other forms of communication, I tend to be a bit more skeptical than I would have in the past.
In fact, right now the whole concept of “Fake News” is making a comeback. At least, I call it a comeback. Fake News has been around forever, starting in a Garden a long time ago, and it comes in many forms, being woven quite effectively into our modern living:
Propaganda was an effective tool to discourage the Allies in World War 2.
Most people my age have probably heard the phrase, “there are lies, there are d**n lies, and there are statistics.”
Of course, then there are the white lies. Which is like having a white carpet in a house with three children and two dogs…
There’s the infamous statement, “Just kidding”. Orson Wells tried that back in the 1930’s with a recital of a World of the Worlds enactment on radio, and that went over quite well.
Like Solomon said, truly there is nothing new under the sun…
But that doesn’t mean I just abandon my five senses as any source of honest interpretation. It does mean, however, that I need a little discernment. Or a lot. Words are cheap, but observable behaviors and definable outcomes have a place in what’s really going on behind the scenes.
Or better yet, what’s going on within the heart.
“I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.”
It behooves me to be reminded that God Almighty sees it all as it really is, no spiritual photo-editing in Heaven. The first order question, then, is what does He see in my life? In His church? And whatever He sees, and however He sees it, IS worthy to be believed.
Revelation 2:19 Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
INSPIRATION with an ATTITUDE 
So, so true: “No spiritual photo-editing in Heaven.” I often pray He will show me how He sees things, and give me what I need to adjust accordingly — especially my own deceitful heart! Love this post. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank so much for visiting. Your post helped me this morning and glad to meet you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Likewise! So glad it helped. Honestly, I struggle with posting migraine-related material because I don’t want to sound like a complainer, but it’s such a part of my life that sometimes there’s just no way around it. I was glad for the reminder that sometimes it can be helpful to share!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed! You might consider making your experiences and how you process them with the Lord a separate category on your blog site? I was seriously trying to find some info from bloggers, and just reading your experience and your perspective was very helpful, informative, and encouraging!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a really great idea! I will pray about it and figure out how to work it out for sure. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Grandpa always advised to believe nothing that you hear and only 1/2 of what you see. I still believe that if it looks like a snake, talks like a snake, slithers like a snake, then it is probably a snake. I like ‘observable behaviors and definable outcomes’.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would have liked your grandpa!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed…there is nothing new under the sun. I really appreciate the imagery in this piece — white carpet with three children and two dogs. There’s plenty of dirt (on the surface and down deep).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, good point on that one!
LikeLike
I have to laugh when I see people post stuff of FB as fact when it is obvious that it is fake.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I last had my eyes checked, my optometrist commented on the many “floaters” in my eyeballs. I quipped that between floaters and tinnitus, I have learned not to trust my senses. She could relate–she had experienced tinnitus, but only during her pregnancy. She said the sound that wasn’t there almost drove her crazy. I shrugged it off at the time as something that’s always there, so I’m used to it. Perhaps I should have told her that I am crazy too. J.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sir, you are FAR from crazy. Or maybe the world just needs more crazy like you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much! J.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Does that mean I can stop taking my pills? J.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Only if I can….
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is great! I wonder if the opposite is true of your title? Believing is seeing…maybe having faith to believe allows us to see…awesome post 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
OH! What a great point!!
LikeLike
Reminds me of a story I heard about Robert Redford… apparently someone ran into him on an elevator and asked, “Are you the real Robert Redford?” …to which he replied, “Only when I’m alone.” That’s the one God knows too… cuz we’re never alone, and that’s a good thing. 🙂 Awesome post Dawn… you keep me thinking!
LikeLiked by 1 person