http://ichthys.com/ 
Culture and Christianity XXIX

Question #1:  
I wonder if this is wrong of me, but I really don't feel much respect for overly emotional men, but I think that is just because of my background. Both of my fathers were the focused-on-their-feelings type and that did not go well for anyone around them. Especially me. I mean I am the weaker vessel but they were treated with delicacy, certainly not me (I guess there may be a feminist joke in there somewhere). Part of it also is that I really try to control myself emotionally (not always succeeding). But when I think about David, as an example, he strikes me as the in-touch-with-feelings type and I do respect him!

[omitted]

One more example: I was buying a car and asked the salesguy which cars had an extra tire and he did not know and got annoyed with me, and just sort of stood there. And I don't remember exactly what I thought, but I have experience where it is like pulling teeth to get a salesperson to do something they don't want, so anyway I went back inside without it, asked for help and sat and waited. Finally someone came up and I said I wanted to buy a car that night. I need to know which have spare tires. And they finally got me someone who could tell me and I bought one that night. I do think I handled that one in a decently masculine way so lol.

Last aside! I bought a golden pothos plant as a last attempt as they all die on me. And I was watching youtube vids of how to prune. And both of them had women and both talked about how it can be heartbreaking to cut the plant back (hey I thought/feel the same), and was just thinking, somehow I wonder if your general guy would at all think like that. I mean rationally it is a plant. Seems a bit oversensitive to be like that. Anyway just yet another illustration of what I was saying earlier.
Response #1:
From what you report, it sounds to me as if you are handling things well. It's not your fault, after all, if there are people out there – men and women both – who treat women with less respect than men. And I certainly wouldn't be looking to worldly men to model my behavior. Christ is our example.
Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
1st Corinthians 11:1 NKJV
On plants, they seem to have a "mind of their own". The ones that are happy in a given situation tend to thrive; if they're not happy, it doesn't matter what you do they will probably kick the bucket. I have some plants I've had forever – but I've also dispatched a goodly number (probably by being overly attentive). 

Hope you're having a good holiday weekend!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #2:
You're right; isn't it what the Bible says-to imitate the Lord?

I do appreciate that you do patiently redirect me to the Bible. I am trying to work out a more Bible centric lifestyle (weird to use that word, but can't think of another right now).

Last note: I happened to watch some of the Depp and Heard trial and was watching the female lawyer cross examine Heard about her claims of Depp abusing her in front of the female judge (Heard was found to be defaming him in the verdict), and I do think there may be something to the idea that maybe women can bring something to certain jobs that are more difficult for men? I mean I do feel the lawyer could grill her harder (which she did very well in my opinion (not just mine, a lot of peoples' and other lawyers') because it might be bad optics for a male lawyer to do it with those factors.

[omitted]

Well anyway, thanks for listening and responding! Have a good one!
Response #2:
It's unfortunate that there are people who view a bad performance by a man as "he isn't very good" whereas a bad performance by a woman is viewed by some as "well, she's a woman".

Everyone is different, and of course there are differences between men and women which affect how we behave and how we are viewed. Nowadays, there are many out there who want to redress or somehow alter these "differences" or pretend they don't exist and in some cases even change or eliminate gender. Personally, when it comes to the gender thing, I'm of the school of Maurice Chevalier who, when asked how he felt about this issue famously replied: "Vive la difference!"

And I believe that is the biblical position too (e.g., Prov.5:18-19).

Happy 4th!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #3:
In my Bible reading I noticed a possible connection between Lamentations 3:25 and Hebrew 11:6.

If I could say another thing. So there is this thing in psychology called gaslighting. But we don't have to use the term. I find many modern words have older terms that they replaced. In relation to my past I basically ended up shutting down any of my own opinions and emotions and likes and judgements (i.e., that this person is hurting me, that xyz happened on this day). Basic things I would not know either because I was not allowed to (don't know how old my adopted parents are) or because I suppressed it to survive (it is not good to have an opinion on if someone is hurting you if having an opinion causes them to hurt you more...and that includes making a sad face). Now I am only bringing this up for the next few lines. Please don't feel like you have to be sympathetic. It really is because if I don't, I am not sure you will understand this next part.

So for a while I would watch Judge Judy a bit for fun. And I am being completely serious when I say that watching her helped me with this issue. Without going too much into detail, it is like seeing what a competent average person would think of certain behaviors. I sort of used her judgement to fight some of that bad metal training (i.e.: this is what is reasonable behavior and actions and reactions, this is not). Where else could I get that?
Response #3:
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
Lamentations 3:25 NIV

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrew 11:6 NIV
That's a nice parallel to notice.

I know what you mean about some "modern terms". I've never really gotten "gaslighting" or "sandbagging", e.g.  I suspect that is because different people mean different things by them.

I think it's good to have positive role models. The ones in the Bible are the best. There's a lot about this in the recently posted Hebrews Chapter 11 (at the link).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #4:
There's another one earlier in Lamentations that I wonder if it is connected to 'turn the other cheek' but is not as blatant so I let it go until I learn more. I was thinking the Holy Spirit is teaching me then.

Also I was reading a fiction book where the two main characters are in academia. And I feel conflicted about academia. I love knowledge, gathering and organizing and such, but I can see how easy it is to be one's way through. Also of course I don't like modern ideologies. And lastly there was a book I read a lot of called "Betrayers of the Truth: Fraud and Deceit in the Halls of Science." And if that book is accurate (and I looked up a few of the plethora of examples it gives online to see), that is the book to shake someone's faith in science. And a lot of it was the hard sciences! Biology! Physics! Etc. (It talks about straight up fraud, and that you don't get credit for replicating so some just doesn't get replicated, professors taking credit for their underlings work, and aaaalll this other stuff). I mean there are academics doing real and valuable work, don't get me wrong. And I am part admiring part jealous. In a perfect world I might have liked to do academic work. Mostly by myself. Without the teaching. So maybe not lol.

I mean ICHTHYS is invaluable and the only thing I have found like it and I spend too much time on books so . . . 
Response #4:
"There's another one earlier in Lamentations" . . . all points of truth in the Old Testament are paralleled by and consistent with everything in the gospels which in turn are paralleled by and consistent with everything in the epistles. The more we become conversant with scripture, the more of these connections we see.

"An academic career without the teaching." Academic careers consist of three types of work: administration, research and teaching. The last is the most important, the least well-respected, and the least well remunerated. Admin is where all the money is. Research can be profitable but mainly for those who in STEM fields who have the head for it and spend 24/7 immersed in their topic. Thing is, almost everyone in academia has to do all three to some great degree, and almost everyone has a first/second/third "like/dislike" hierarchy. And even the one you "like" the most takes a good deal of work. So it's not all "skittles and beer" since to do a good job you have to work hard and you have to do a lot of things you don't like so that you can spend some time doing the thing you do (somewhat) like. It's been a good base of support for me. It's kept Ichthys "on the air", the Lord helping me!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #5:
I am really chewing on this week's posting (in a good way). It will take a while to digest.

I want to ask you for some advice. Here is the thing. Nothing is guaranteed outside of the Bible, and no advice is perfect, but help is better than having no guide. I just mean, when you gave me advice before, I accepted it understanding advice that way, that it is helpful to consider but we are not perfect in anything (so it isn't like the Word of God or anything). Though I do think your advice is very valuable and I appreciate your wisdom and knowledge and perspective. If you feel comfortable, would please help me with this?

In terms of getting into a relationship, at some point I have to explain about my family. I also sometimes have to do this with friends to an extent (when you get asked about your family, and what you are doing for the holidays). And I want to cry because I feel like my family really ruined me, because I feel like it makes me look like a messed up (behavior problems) person when I tell them that I bounced around from home to home and then graduated from a residential Home. Who would be interested in someone like that? What can I say so that I am not lying but also I am not harming myself in what I say regarding this?

Respectfully,
Response #5:
Any person who was interested in you genuinely would be genuinely interested in YOU . . . not your family.

Any person who would hold it against the person he/she is interested in that their family is weird is making a monster mistake. It is true, however, that if a person is very devoted to his/her family, it is wise to see what you'd be "marrying into". A person who has no close family ties is less likely to be distracted by them and more inclined to put the primary relationship first. The same goes for friends of the intended, but usually to a lesser degree.

So I wouldn't worry about being absolutely honest. The truth often "smokes out" unserious people.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #6:
I appreciate your response. Please bear with me as I try to explain my feeling and sense of the matter:

1) Most people would not say my family is 'weird', in fact the most common word (though only a handful of times) I have heard the most is ___. That aside, people are always going on about how adults raise their kids the way they were raised without even thinking about it, and repeat the kinds of familial relationships growing up. I assume that is why in old books and in some media of certain countries that is why they make a bit of a deal out of whether a potential match is from a good family. 

2) The MCH has on their website why they accept children. Here is the quote from the site: 

"Family hardship – MCH can help improve difficult circumstances that a family might endure in the home resulting from parent-child conflict, behavioral or emotional issues, or a variety of other problems that can affect a child’s development.

School-related issues – MCH is ideal for youth in grades 6-12 who need specialized educational services coupled with a supportive residential community to help them succeed in school.

Homelessness – MCH serves older youth who are struggling to stay in school due to unstable living arrangements or homelessness. Youth ages 16-18 who do not live with their parents and manage their own financial affairs can consent to receive care at MCH at no cost."

Can you really tell me if your son or daughter was marrying someone from that background you would think happily on that? 

3) And what would happen, but the parents would want to know why I am still not trying to have a relationship with mine. You see if they had just made a clean break, I could easily say they don't want one (and they don't). But no they protected themselves (and they are the kind of people who act like this, there are actions and reasons behind actions and reasons, lots of guile in other words) by showing up a few times to a short meeting at the Home and gave me a laptop and showed up to my two graduations and that was it. Little barely there things but enough to claim they were being parents and make others wonder why I am not still chasing after them.

[omitted]
Response #6:
I feel the need to "double down" on what I said. Here's something I read in the Bible:
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Genesis 2:24 NKJV
Anyone who is planning to stay under the control of their parents or give their parents' opinion primacy over their own when it comes to their intended, is not only out of line with the Bible but also someone of whom I would beware and take care.

I wouldn't worry about this issue, seriously. If God has someone for you, being honest with them is surely the best policy. If honesty "blows it up", then it was doubtless bound for disaster anyway – and you're better off not suffering that.

Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #7:
I am trying, every time I start to feel stress and imagine worst case scenarios, to just hand it to the Lord.

[omitted re: discernment in relationships]

I am still on the Bible reading and Bible study and Greek. Though I admit I don't always get the full hour of Greek.

There are a lot of butterflies flying around where I work. Also apparently TX is a hot bed for butterflies, don't you wish you lived in Texas?
Response #7:
I do often wish I lived in Texas . . . and the butterflies are the least of it. But for those of us who are not blessed to live in the Lone Star State, KY is a pretty good second best.

I do think it's true that there's no accounting for what is going on in people's heads – and their hearts. I'm hardly an expert on reading people. I only know for sure what they tell me (and sometimes even then it's not always the truth). But as long as we are making every effort to walk closer to Jesus every day, all will be well. After all, this life is VERY short, and believers understand (or should), that our true happiness is on the other side of all this – happiness beyond present comprehension.

All the more reason to make our relationship with our Savior our first priority. If we truly are doing that, then everything else will fall into place.
And we know that God works all things out together for good . . . for those who love Him.
Romans 8:28a
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #8:
Hello Bob,

Thanks for your reply and prayers.

I have come to the point where I am distancing myself with unbelievers a lot. I am letting old connections with them slip through my fingers. I will keep them in my prayers but I am finding it harder and harder to spend any kind of time with them. I have my obligations with my family and those around me and I keep to them the best I can but as so many around me are committing themselves to Satan's lies and completely hardening themselves to the truth I am finding myself feeling repelled by them. 

I realise this is spiritually dangerous, Jesus told us not to harden our hearts and that we should even love our enemies. I am finding it hard at the moment. I just feel totally burnt out on unbelievers. When I was coming through COVID, I felt a nostalgia for some people from my past that 'seemed' to care for me. I had not wrote to them for a very long time so I found their email and wrote a very enthusiastic and loving email and told them that I was a Christian and hoped they were well. I haven't heard back from any of them. Maybe they are bitter that they haven't heard from me over the years but I can't help thinking it is because I am a Christian now. It does hurt.

I am with a family WhatsApp group that has all the extended family on my mother's side, all my aunties and uncles and nieces and nephews. They are all Catholics on this side. The way they post about how great everything is, anyone would think we were already in the Millennial Kingdom. I have found this very hard to stomach given how bleak everything is. I had to put it on mute and avoid it as it was also getting me down. None of them seem to notice how bad everything is getting, not one. Over the weekend they were posting very worldly messages about Easter and I posted about the Resurrection and I was deafened by the silence. I sometimes post about God helping us through these hard times and I am completely ignored as though I am a complete pariah for doing this. 

I guess I shouldn't be shocked but it seems that the Catholics in my family have abandoned even the veneer of believing in Jesus Christ. My auntie is a Eucharistic Minister at the local Catholic Church and even she has given up on any Biblical reference to Jesus' death and resurrection. It's just bunnies and Easter chicks as I guess that is not offensive like Jesus Christ is.

I don't want to sound jaundiced but this is exactly how I feel. I don't have the energy anymore to pretend that I care about any aspect of secular life anymore because I really don't. Apart from my faith and spiritual growth and ministry, this world is completely dead to me. Of course I love the people around me and dearly want them to be saved and continually pray for them to be so; they completely weary me though. 

Even my immediate family weary me. No matter how much suffering they go through, Jesus seems to be the last thing they think of. They say they pray to God all the time but they go hysterical if I ever mention the Word and I am very weary of it.

I was thinking of changing my tack. I realise that for such a long time now I have been labouring over rocky ground. Maybe it isn't even rocky but just the footpath where the seed is immediately taken away by the birds.

They haven't listened to me and maybe they never will. I understand that it may need to come from someone else. My family have already written me off as a failure at life and a crazy mentally ill person so maybe it is not surprising they never listen to me.

It occured to me recently that when I told the truth about the abuse in my childhood (as a young child) my dad slammed me as a liar and has painted me as a mentally ill liar ever since. Satan often does this to discredit people from exposing his machinations.

It does make me wonder why God chose me? A person considered a mentally ill liar and roundly dismissed by my family. Why has He chosen someone who they won't listen to and think lies all the time? Someone who has no worldly success and no esteem in their eyes?

I thought it was just my family that wearied of me but even old friends do too. I also have wearied of them. Don't get me wrong. I care for them and pray for them and would help them in a heartbeat if they needed me but I am finding myself pull away as I cannot fellowship with them. How can I when they hate the light? 

I have found myself pulling away more and more and only really hear from people when they need something from me. Otherwise I hear nothing and my initial enthusiasm for reaching out and witnessing to them has been waning of late as they are not interested. Talking about the world is fine as they love it but they seem to actually be repelled by the Word of God and I find it very hard. As you know, I have zero Christians in my life physically and that makes things hard too.

I don't like to write to you like this. I wanted to only write to you with a good report to lift you and others in your ministry but I feel so wearisome at present. I only have comfort from the Lord and study and working on ministry, everything else is starting to depress me. 

I think that I need to really cut back on this focus on unbelievers that I have. I don't think I have any gifts in terms of evangelism so I feel as though my priorities are all wrong. I am facing the wrong way. I know that I am supposed to be helping believers who have strayed from the truth and have been hurt by the enemy's lies.

I am reorienting myself now to put my ministry and the work I need to do to support my ministry first. I am going to limit my time with unbelievers for a while until I recover from this depression which I hope is temporary.

I am wondering about this paradox though. As lawlessness increases to fever pitch and the whole world marvels at the Beast, how do we continue to love them then? Now that they are embracing evil and darkness more and more, how do we still continue to love them and not harden our hearts to them?

At the moment I find that if I feel upset or angry or jaundiced about people that I immediately need to fix my eyes on Jesus so that I can recover myself and be healed by His love and be comforted also in the love I have for Him.

I am sorry for this to be so downbeat but I feel so worn down at present. I hope that busying myself with what the Lord wants me to do and not looking at the world, I know this will revive my fight.

Maybe other Christians are feeling the strain right now? Thinks seem to have nosedived overnight. I know things are going to get a lot, lot worse than this but sometimes it is hard to imagine how? Haven't people already plumbed the depths of depravity enough already? How much lower can people go? It reminds me of what people say sometimes, that hell has a basement.

I hope that I can rally soon my friend!

In Him,
p.s. Sorry to take up your time with more..

I was just thinking that the people around me.. there are those who cannot agree with me on what is evil. I have seen people say that some of the evil things around me are good (LGBTQ and abortion being two notable examples). I see that these people are too hard hearted now and it is very hard to reach them. Maybe their consciences are seared.

Then there are those who agree on what is evil but do not agree on what is good. These are the people who cannot and do not want to believe that only God is good. They still hold out that 'most people are good' and it is just a few bad apples/ bad actors that are spoiling things for everyone else. There is more hope for these to see the truth it is true but I can see that as soon as the Tribulation starts they won't be able to sit on the fence anymore.

That's why again I think the Tribulation will 'offer' us the choice between Pepsi or Coke. Pepsi and Coke will seen to be fighting against each other but they are both colas even if they taste differently. I have a feeling that the lie 'I don't need God' will disappear during the Tribulation. It will have served its purpose by then. I think it will be the other two lies that will dominate.
'I am God' and 'God needs me'.

I think the 'I am God' lie will be the motto of the Antichrist New Age one world religion. I think the rebellion against this will be an Ecumenical religious movement under the Mahdi which will comprise of Judaism, Catholicism and Islam (and maybe other apostate 'Christian' sects). The lie this side will take is 'God needs me'. People will believe that they physically and in the flesh need to fight against evil and they will give up waiting on the Lord. 

I am thoroughly convinced of this as the evidence and groundwork for this has been laid now for decades. Even in my own personal walk I have struggled during moments of testing to not rush forward in the flesh and 'do something' even when I know the odds against me are deliberately impossible so that I will know that I have to wait on the Lord. The lure to 'do something' is very, very great.

As we said before, I am not wedded to this theory and only time can tell but it does seem that two distinct camps are forming. Those who are embracing evil and calling it good and those who want to fight evil in the flesh from a religious war position.

To both these groups we will be the enemy as on one hand we will still not allow evil to be called good but we won't join with the Catholics and the Muslims to try and stamp it out either so I can see how both sides will hate us. They will hate us for not embracing their side and will either see us as apathetic or even embracing the other side.

In Him,
Response #8:
In terms of good vs. evil, believers can appreciate that something is evil without at the same time getting caught up in worrying about it or, worse still, throwing in their lot, even if only emotionally, with people who are "trying to do something about it". The anti-abortion movement in the US has been led from the first by RCs (even though evangelicals have pitched in mightily in recent years). We who put the truth first can appreciate that abortion is evil without at the same time being bent on some political solution. That is just rising to Satan's bait.

Similarly with the whole alphabet soup anything goes sexuality, it's not just the evil itself that is doing damage to society but also and in no small measure the reaction to it by those who are not believers or who are marginal believers. As reaction breeds counter-reaction, things get messier and messier and worse and worse. There are plenty of hot-button "cultural" issues like this which are coming to dominant the entire discourse. To any good end? No, but they do serve the devil's purpose in two main ways: 1) by preparing society for the time to come, instilling unrest and even anarchy as a way to bring in "the solution"; 2) distracting believers from doing what they should be doing in spiritual growth, progress and production. The only thing that truly impedes the devil down here is the Lord responding to the prayers and plights of a remnant of salt. But if the salt is spilling out its savor in running after worldly solutions . . .

In terms of love, loving others who are not Christians is different from loving our brothers and sisters who are. Unbelievers are best loved from afar (agape) and not personally (philadelphia). The only thing that can truly help an unbeliever is the gospel, and only if he/she gets around to being ready to respond to it. As you intimate, only God is capable of breaking up truly "rocky ground" – and He will do it, if there is any positivity there at all beneath the surface. That is all personal choice. It is also true, however, that the Lord knows us, knows our hearts, and nothing is accidental.

So while I do think it is wise for us to protect ourselves emotionally and not over-invest in people and situations that are likely only to make us unhappy, we don't have refrain from praying for people we care about, even if they are very much hardened. There is a middle ground here.

If you're upset and demoralized, it's probably a sign that you need to work on that balance. And by all means take joy in your growth in and work for the Lord. There is nothing better under the sun. The smallest measure of reward you are winning with each daily deposit into your heavenly thesaurus is objectively infinitely better than the entire present world arranged exactly as you might wish down here – and eternally so. So please strive to deepen your relationship with the Lord above all. There are times when circumstances make overflowing joy very difficult (even Jesus wept at Lazarus' death), but we can always hold fast the peace our Lord meant for us to enjoy at all times.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 14:27 NIV
We believers are the Lord's army, and we believers who are doing what He really wants us to do are His elite troops. We need to learn how to cope with the troubles and disappointments of life in a professional way. On the battlefield, all troops get shelled. But we know why we are here, why it is happening, who is doing it, and what to do about it, confident that our Commander is employing us in just the right way . . . for our blessing and for His glory.
Endure hardship with me like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one on military campaign becomes involved in the affairs of normal life. [He avoids such things] that he may please the one who enlisted him.
2nd Timothy 2:3-4
Keep fighting the good fight, my friend. I have you in prayer daily.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #9:
[omitted]
Response #9:
From where I sit, you are doing a much better job at letting go of the past than was the case when you first came to this ministry. The fact that past trauma can still occasionally upset you should come as no surprise. We can't change the past. But as believers in Jesus Christ whose entire focus is on serving Jesus Christ today so that He may give us a good report tomorrow, we all, without exception, need to work on this issue. The way to do so is not to beat ourselves up when on occasion we do find ourselves looking backward or letting the past disrupt the present, but to make a habit of shifting our focus to the Lord and the blessed future whenever we do notice this happening, divorcing our emotions as best we can from past trauma and failure, letting them "follow" when we cannot do that entirely, and pushing forward in pursuit of the "upward calling" we have in Jesus Christ (Phil.3:14).

We have a right to "feel good" at all times, and at least to have peace in the Lord if not of ecstatic joy (link). No one and nothing has a right to make us, who belong to Jesus, who have a resurrection body, a place in New Jerusalem, and a wonderful eternal reward to look forward to, "feel bad" about any of the temporary noise and churn down here. And it is up to us not to ever let them, whoever they are, or it, whatever it is, ever do so.
(4) Rejoice in the Lord all the time! I will say it again, rejoice! (5) Let your reasonableness be known to all men – the Lord is near. (6) Don't worry about anything, but in everything let your requests be made known to God in prayer and in petition with thanksgiving, (7) and [then] the peace of God which surpasses every thought will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (8) So as you go forward, brothers, [keep meditating on] all the many [wonderful things you have learned], things that are true, godly, righteous, holy, pleasing [to God], reverent – if you have [developed] any virtues [in your Christian walk] and if you have [any hope of] praise [from God at the judgment] – these are the things you should be thinking about. (9) [All these same things] which you have learned, and have received [into your hearts by believing them], and have heard about and observed me [doing in my walk], go do likewise (i.e., grow, progress, produce). Then the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:4-9
Keeping up the prayer, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #10:
Thanks Bob,

Your email has really helped me to rally and see this in the true light. 

You're quite right that __ ruined this, it was going great and he spoiled it. He had a position of both power and trust over me and he used that position to be inappropriate when I was in a vulnerable position. You know from your own experience the trust that is involved in a pedagogic relationship. __ is older and should be wiser. Married and with a position of authority in a teaching position, having a position of authority both from a huge conservation charity and from a respected department. That teacher/student relationship is like a therapist/client or doctor/patient relationship. It has an inherent power differential that can make both the teacher and student vulnerable once this relationship becomes something else.

The sad thing is I have had this before, a married therapist that I was seeing for therapy tried to get me to date socially out of hours! These are huge abuses of that trusted relationship and has been triggering for me as my dad has often abused that position of power and authority over me too.

The reason I doubted myself over this is that people have called me a liar ever since I called out my dad's bad behaviour. I called out bullying at school and the bully's dad shook me violently and called me a liar. I told my headmistress that the graffiti drawn on my exercise book was drawn innocently by my handicapped uncle, she told me I was a liar. When I told my sister that I was suffering from an asthma attack, she told me I was a liar just before I was taken to hospital and put on oxygen. When I tried to tell management that I (and many others) were being bullied, I was called a liar then too. I started another job and was being bullied by the person who was meant to train me. I reported it to the Agency I worked for. At first they supported me but when they realised the person was on their client books too, they turned on me too...

I have countless other examples of this throughout my life. Obviously I am not saying that I have never lied in my life (as I am a sinner) but there have been distinct moments in my life when I have told the truth and usually that truth was exposing another's lies. Every time I have tried to expose a liar of their lies, it is I who have been labelled as a liar, not them. I realise that the shocking truth is that in this Satanic world of lies, the person who tells the truth and exposes the lies is the one who the whole world shouts 'liar' at. 

Matt 10:25
It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

Obviously most of these examples I have listed were from my years as an unbeliever. It just goes to show then that it is almost impossible to be able to tell the truth in this tightly woven web of Satan's lies. Every time you try to shine light on darkness, you will be accused of being that darkness. How much more so now I am a believer will this be true?

The irony is not lost on me that I am a person who has forever been called a liar and yet the Lord has chosen me to tell the truth. The irony is that they will not hear the truth from me as they have already made up their mind that I am a liar as I have tried to speak up again and again against injustices. The problem with this is that tugging at one of the lies sets a whole chain reaction going. Like tugging at a stray bit of yarn on a jumper, the longer and more you pull, the more the whole thing unravels and you no longer have an item that is 'wearable'.

I am well aware now that when you tug at the lie that says people in positions of power here are not inerrant but flawed sinners like the rest of us. That is not a popular truth to hear. Most people justify it by saying it is just a 'bad apple' that slipped through. Sometimes they will cover for the bad apple but other times they may weed out the bad apple for being caught out so as to preserve the smooth running of Satan's kingdom.

The problem is that these people who have power are not bad apples at all but the product of a thoroughly rotten system that has sin tightly woven into it. People cannot be weeded out to save the system. It isn't salvageable without the Saviour. This has to happen on a person to person basis, individual salvation, one after another. The saving act for all mankind was done perfectly and effectively once and for all time but we must all individually believe and rest in that saving act to be saved ourselves, it is the ONLY way.

So, yes I can see why people would rather believe one liar than the one telling the truth. As soon as you pull away at the one liar who has been rewarded in society, then you have a whole string of them tightly woven together and they all have to be weeded out and it isn't possible for us to do this, only God can do this. What can smash a person's worldview (as it did for me) is the understanding that this world system actually rewards people who do evil, not only this but they are often given some of the highest positions of authority.

Matthew 4:8-9
Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.”

When I realised this, I tried to work to 'fix the system'. I got involved in politics that were 'fighting the system' but I quickly saw that these activists were just as morally bankrupt as the people we were meant to be ousting. It was at that moment I realised that this whole world was totally lost and depraved and that there is nothing we can do about it in our fallen state.

Praise the Lord that I am on the narrow path doing His work that glories His name. Thank you so much. You have really helped me again to refocus on what is important. Like you said in the current posting, all believers are God's troops on earth and those of us doing His will are his elite front line troops in this spiritual battle here! Amen! So I will fight on with the good fight of faith by carrying on and not being distracted by the noise and churn.

The fire of battle blazes white hot when we walk towards our ministry posts so I realise how professional I need to be from here on in. I have important work to do now and I am determined to get the job done and make each punch count as I will not regret a single moment in service to the Lord. Amen!

In Jesus,
Response #10:
You've had a rough road! But as you notice, nothing is accidental. As Paul says,
(3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the God of compassion and all encouragement, (4) the One who encourages us in all our tribulation so that we in turn may be able to encourage those in all types of tribulation by means of the very encouragement which we ourselves received from God. (5) Because as our sufferings for Christ multiplied in service to you, so through Christ did the encouragement we received multiply to the same degree. (6) So if we are experiencing tribulation, it is to provide you with encouragement and salvation. And if we are being encouraged it is for the sake of the encouragement you have received, which is now at work in your successful endurance of the same sufferings which we also experienced. (7) And so our hope for you is a solid one, since we know that as you have become partakers of suffering, in the same way will you also become partakers of encouragement.
2nd Corinthians 1:3-7
You don't have to pretend or struggle to understand this sort of suffering since you have experienced it in spades – and that makes you all the more authoritative in discussing it and in offering guidance and comfort to others.

I'm confident that you are on your way to a powerful ministry and a wonderful reward, my friend.

So don't get discouraged. Rather, keep fighting the fight.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
2nd Timothy 4:7-8 NIV
Keeping you in my prayers for this.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #11:
Hi Bob,

Hope this email finds you doing well. We are doing great, still in the camper but hanging in there. It's not been easy but I keep praying that we can have a home someday and someday soon. Our daughter graduates in Dec. We are very proud of her 

She has been using her talent in Art to the full degree. Last summer she painted a mural for a alumni on a house. The University hired her. For her senior project she is painting a mural on Main St. She entered an art contest for a multi millionaire dollar Blockchain company (Stellar.org) They were having there yearly conference in Madrid Spain. The art contest theme was unlocking human potential. I actually saw it on Twitter so I sent the contest to her. She responded saying she really didn't have time but would throw it together if we could help her with some ideas. We did, and she pulled it together and sent it off. In like 2 hours. 

A week later she got an email that she won a paid trip to Spain! This was an event that world leaders from all over the world attend. She didn't want to go without us. We had one problem and it was a big one.... no passports. I called the US department of passports and told them the situation. They seemed to be aware of the event in Spain. They said if we could be in Seattle Washington on Monday at 10 (in 4 days) we could apply and receive our passports. So we did and had our passports in one day. 5 days later we all flew to Spain. We had a wonderful time. One of the biggest highlights was an Art museum that had hundreds of Christian paintings from the 1500s-1700s. We spent 6 hours in this museum. It is worth going to Spain just for this. 
We spent a week out there. Practically spent everything we had been saving for a home but I guess it was meant to be. 

We are both still reading your material and just love every bit of it. We hope you and your family are doing well. How is your college job? Hope you are doing well. 

Please pray for our ___. 

Your friend,
Response #11:
Congrats to your daughter! All great things! Please convey my congratulations for her graduation and for her wonderful successes! So nice that you could go over to Spain with her. I have been keeping her and your other children and of course both of you in my daily prayers (and am grateful for yours as well). Sorry to hear that you're still not under a roof without wheels, but I know that God has good things planned for you (Jer.29:11). 

I am praying for ___ daily as well. 

We’re doing pretty well. Got a bad bug this week but didn’t have to miss any classes. Also had to migrate to a new computer since the old one was showing signs of failure after thirteen years. Switching always causes problems and is time consuming and often frustrating, but I’m on the backside of both of these things tonight, and the ministry didn't suffer, so it's all good, God helping me!

Thanks for hanging in there with Ichthys too!

And thanks for your prayers as well.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #12:
Your help was much appreciated, thanks for answering my questions professor. 

A few updates I wanted to give you (a lot in this email!). 

You may have already known this (I didn't), but our brother isn't doing too well. I haven't spoken to him in months (maybe a year?) and wanted to see how he was doing (how's life in general, your ministry, etc.?). So I emailed him and he has informed me that he doesn't see your material as trustworthy anymore but misleading because you don't teach from the KJV only (he may have told you he suspended further work on his website). He now follows another teaching ministry that all but dispenses with the original languages (seeing little importance in them) and all other versions of the Bible that aren't the KJV. He agrees with this correspondent and went on to say that the KJV is the only inerrant version of the Bible on earth, that it and it alone is God's true Word (that's what he told me in his email response). https://www.theswordbearer.org/ 

I've been praying for him. ___ did him a great deal of harm and that is what threw him into this whole tailspin (he was shaken up by all the verbal attacks and slander that came his way-so he tells me). I'm sad to say we've lost someone else. I did email him back and there may be some hope he has a change of heart but only time will tell. It's in the Lord's hands. 

On the job front... 

I was laid off from the lumberyard for "misconduct" toward another employee (even though they told me I was a good worker). The accusations were totally false because I found out what they were and who made the complaint (after calling HR). The young man who trained me claimed I did four things to him. Two of them were outright lies that I know for a fact (God as my witness) were untrue. He said that I pointed out to him that he had excessive earwax and that he walked funny. I never did either of those things. I even told the HR lady on the phone that these claims were outrageous and that I never did any of this but wasn't going to argue. I just dropped the matter. I couldn't challenge any of these things because once the complaint(s) hits HR, it's over. The manager of the company is under obligation to let me go, even if I did nothing wrong. 

The young man who made these complaints was on the verge of being fired himself because the manager told him he was tired of seeing him be so sensitive over everything just because others were correcting him over not doing his job correctly. I was right in the meeting when they called him out! The manager basically told him to man up and stop taking everything as a personal attack as if he was always a victim of wrong or unfair behavior. I was surprised the manager didn't come to my defense when he told me I was let go, but he was only doing his job. Once again, once an employee goes straight to HR and they report to the manager, it's all over at that point. Needless to say, it was obvious to me and others that this young man was overly sensitive and insecure about himself. I never wronged him in any way. 

However, all of this was a blessing in disguise because I have since gotten a job at __ that pays 4-5 dollars an hour more starting pay. The Lord allowed someone else's evil to create a blessing for me (which is good because I couldn't have made it on the salary at the lumber yard). I'm actually glad I got laid off (this happened back in late September), although I was really shaken up by that experience. I lost a fair bit of sleep and was often up late at night praying and thinking about what I had done because, to my recollection, I had done nothing wrong. All that didn't end until I was finally able to get a hold of the HR lady who was then able to tell me what this was all about. Once she told me why I was let go, I was relieved because I knew it was a bunch of rubbish. It was a good test of my faith and I tried to handle it the best I could. ___ said it may have been a sign the Lord didn't want me there. She was probably right. 

Thanks for bearing with me through this long email. 

In His grace and power, 
Response #12:
Thanks for the update about ___. I had been praying for him for some time not to swept up in that mess, but it looks like the damage was done. There is no doubt a great deal of refining being done by the Lord in preparation for all that is soon to come.
And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand."
Daniel 12:9-10 NKJV
On the job, let me tell you that the biggest "secret club" in the world is the "I got fired" club. What you say rings true as well. I have seen this a lot. Organizations almost always protect the abuser not the abused. And they always close ranks to defend the abuser and malign the abused. This is such a common phenomenon nowadays that I feel it to be a reflection of "where we are" as a society . . . which gives a good indication also of where we are on the eschatological clock. 

Please take my advice and give this no further thought. Not an ounce of emotional energy. That is really where the devil is attacking you. You have to fight the fight of "not caring" about this injustice and not feeling that you need to defend yourself in any way. The Lord is your Rock. He will right all wrongs in the end. And in fact, I agree with ___. You were delivered from who knows what into something obviously better. I'll be praying for you in the new job.

In Jesus,
Question #13:
Thanks for being a good friend and mentor, I really appreciate it. I've told others that although they only have my words to go by, I have told nothing but the truth to the best of my understanding and recollection, God as my witness. It does make me more nervous going back into the workforce, however. No worries. I'm not shaken up by this past experience anymore, haven't been for a while. But as just mentioned, I'm going to be more alertful from this point forward. Times are obviously much worse now and not getting any better. 

Looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with my dad's side of the family, although it's gonna be a bit packed in my cousin's house (55+ people). The house is massive though. It will be nice to catch up with and talk to people I haven't seen or spoken to in a few years. Hope you have a good Thanksgiving! Are you doing anything special? 

In His grace and power, 
Response #13:
It's my great pleasure, my friend!

I've known you long enough that you are a good Christian and a good man. Those are rare qualities these days. Clearly, anyone who doesn't value you as an employee isn't worth having you.

Re: "Times are obviously much worse now and not getting any better." Clearly an example of British understatement! We'll have to be grateful of whatever respite we enjoy between now and "then".

Thanks for the update. Enjoy your T-day! A small at home feast here for us.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #14:
Doc I have a question, about the oaths thing again:

The general consensus I see pretty much everywhere is that if you have intrusive thoughts of making an oath, and you end up making it in mind or word against your will because it's too strong, or you seem to slip up mentally and end up making it, it's not binding because God knows you're mentally ill and even if you aren't to the point you aren't culpable for your actions, you still aren't stable enough to fairly be bound for something like this...

It gives me a lot of hope but I've been in even more torment and even scorn and anger because from what I read from you, you seem to say these SHOULD be binding because if you have intact free will at all you're apparently completely responsible for your actions and even thoughts. I would gladly hear from you that's not what you think, but the idea of someone taking something like this, being fair to and understanding of people who clearly aren't psychologically sound, and pretty much slamming it as "ear tickling", makes my blood go beyond boiling and basically become as hot as the surface of the sun.

Once again I understand this may not be what you're saying and even if it is I don't look down on you or think any less of you as a brother in Christ. I would just like to finally have a clear answer on this. It's just that often times I seem to not be able to resist, despite the fact that mere moments ago I feared with my life the urges would come, which is often what triggers it in the first place, and praying and trying to ignore only makes my own mind try to trip me up with all sorts of tricks to make me do it, and sometimes it's so strong from the start I seemingly can't even care anymore and I just HAVE to do it, and those are the ones I fear being bound to most. Please pray for me in this regard anyway.
Response #14:
Re: "you seem to say these SHOULD be binding" . . . I assure you that I have never said anything of the sort. I've always told you that oaths are of the Law and the Law has been ended by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 
(33) "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.' (34) But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; (35) nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. (36) Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. (37) But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one."
Matthew 5:33-37 NKJV

But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your "Yes " be "Yes," and your "No " "No," lest you fall into judgment.
James 5:12 NKJV
I have only ever been trying to help you by assuring you of what is true, namely, that we are the ones responsible for what we think, say and do. That is what free will is all about. 

I honestly think that "not worrying about it" is the key to "not doing it", but success in all things spiritual requires spiritual growth. As I have also always reminded you, you can't expect to have success in any area of controlling the sin nature by treating the symptoms. You can't whitewash your way out. You have to grow spiritually so as to change from the inside out.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #15:
I actually have been reading your writings on mental illness while waiting for your reply, and I understand now you recognize that these things are genuine issues that are often neglected in the Church, while still recognizing personal responsibility in doing your best with God's help through spiritual renewal and growth, and getting professional help in controlling it, a balance that seems to be quite rare in my experience. Thank you for taking the time to address my concerns here, and I pray if anyone you know personally has such issues the Lord will grant them peace and stability of mind.
Response #15:
Yes, that is pretty much the way I see things.

*Only reading things at Ichthys that apply to one's personal present problem or interest is understandable. But spiritual growth requires learning everything that is in the Bible. A comprehensive approach with commitment is necessary. I always recommend the Peter series and/or the Basics series as good ways to start (links), and also keeping up with (and ideally working one's way back through) the weekly email postings.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #16:
Doc do you think any of the oaths I've made because my mind seemingly forced them onto me against my will, or because I wanted to not make them but felt I had no choice because the urge was too strong are binding? I would like to believe God understands I'm not mentally well and doesn't hold those against me, but people will come up with all sorts of ear tickling talk to calm down or make people feel good about something they shouldn't feel good about.
Response #16:
I think I've mentioned before (several times) that any sort of genuine oath taking is only valid at the temple accompanied by the appropriate sacrifices . . . all of which is impossible at present with no temple and no animal sacrifices (and these are/would be obsolete in any case now that Christ has fulfilled their shadow symbolism; see Hebrews). 

Here is what I know: God forgives our sins . . . if and when we confess them. Every believer ought to be confessing his/her sins daily. It's in the Lord's prayer. So if you think you've done something wrong, confess and make a point of not doing that wrong thing again.

This issue has clearly become a snare for you, set by the devil. God is not an accountant. Jesus Christ loves you and wants you to be growing spiritually. That won't happen until you stop tormenting yourself with this and get moving forward instead.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #17:
[omitted]

I am going to give him the link for ICHTHYS just in case and then stop talking to him. I am afraid of him emailing you and telling you how I blew up. I mean it may never happen. I hope he does pursue God, I thought it better to give it to him in hopes he would turn, and if he ever did say anything to you (well I actually don't know if he'd tell the truth, but if it was the truth) please don't think too badly of me. I do feel terrible about it.

Please take care of yourself.
Response #17:
Thanks for catching the typo!

I wouldn't worry about it (him), contacting me or anything else. This is the way we people are, however. Things get stuck in our craw for one reason or another and we have a hard time letting go of them sometimes. Often they're insignificant in the scheme of things. The devil surely knows this and seeks to manipulate us and cause us distress thereby. But we believers are called to peace and we have a right to let such things go and rest in the Lord instead.
Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
Psalm 125:1 NIV

(9) So [then] there does remain a "Sabbath day's rest" for the people of God. (10) For he who has entered into [God's] rest has himself ceased from his works just as God did from His own. (11) Let us therefore be eager to enter into that [continual and spiritual] rest, lest anyone fall [from grace] following the same pattern of disobedience [exhibited by the exodus generation]. 
Hebrews 4:9-11
How's your new "help" working out at work?

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #18:
Hi Bob,

Great to hear your new computer arrived and it's safely in your hands! An answer to prayer.

I'm sorry to hear you haven't been feeling too good. I hope you're feeling a bit better today.

Keeping everything in prayer for you - including getting through the initiation party on Friday.

Take care, Bob.

In Jesus
Response #18:
Thanks!

A frustrating evening yesterday, but things are looking up tonight. After a restart, my HTML editor IS working so now I CAN update the website and get to posting on Saturday (had to go with a new file transfer program, but it's not too bad). I'm still working betwixt and between two computers at once and it looks like that will continue for a bit, but God is working it out.

Yes, I didn't know if I'd be able to "go" today, but I skipped exercise (for obvious reasons) and made it through my four classes taking care not to overdo it. Feeling better tonight. I don't have to go down to campus tomorrow, and the initiation/party is mostly locked on. That'll be a long day but I'm planning to reset up tomorrow.

Here's praying for a good end of the week for you too. Any word on the "when" you're going to get what you need to do your job without killing yourself?

With the "cold" or whatever, and with the computer migration, I've lost some momentum on Hebrews, but I am keeping you in prayer, my friend [note: chapter 12 just posted].

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #19:
Hi Mr. Luginbill,

I wanted to write you an email and say "thank you". When I first began corresponding with you, I was worried and unhappy daily. I had so much anxiety and fear. I see how spiritually lacking I was and how right you were that spiritual growth is the answer. As I dug into your studies and as you patiently listened to me, I started to feel more grounded. There were times I would read something in your studies and feel ecstatic! Thank you for all the wisdom and reminders, and for praying for me daily - I am thankful for you.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Respectfully,
Response #19:
Thanks so much for this encouraging email, my friend!

How is your health doing? Keeping that in prayer as well.

Re: "There were times I would read something in your studies and feel ecstatic!" The word of God makes me feel that way too, and it's always a blessing to be helped by the Spirit to write things which help me and others capture that power in explaining the truth.

Here's wishing you and yours a really wonderful Thanksgiving too!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #20:
Hi Mr. Luginbill,

My health is ok. Not much new to report, just trying to get into a consistent application of diet and supplements. I have felt pretty good this past week, thank you. I was reading this morning in your studies about how modern medicine can make us less reliant upon the Lord and that convicted me in how I should view this.

I hope the computer transition has/is going well. Is there anything specific I can pray for you on?

Respectfully,
Response #20:
Things are going well – thank you!

On medicine, what I wrote is true but is a reflection on a trend and not a "rule" for any believer to follow. I've also said that medicine is a tool like any other and we should view it as such and use it wisely and proportionally. We wouldn't use a thousand pounds of TNT to remove a dead tree from our yard when a chainsaw would do the job, e.g. 

As long as we are relying on the Lord to do the healing, it is in fact prudent to take advantage of reasonable medical means to help us with our health concerns. Just exactly what constitutes "reasonable" is an application every believer has to make for him or herself. As in the example given, some things are clearly "over the top"; others just as clearly normal and reasonable. Eschewing available medical help when we really do need it is very unwise. There is a middle ground here. If we are confident that we are walking with the Lord in using help He has supplied, then all is well. As long as we are walking in faith, we have nothing to worry about on this (or any other) score.

Keeping up the prayer on this end, my friend. Thanks for keeping me in the loop.

Happy Thanksgiving!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #21:
Good morning,

I wanted to ask: when I read what Festus said to Paul about sending Paul to Caesar, my mind thinks that if Augustus is like many of the emperors I've read about, he would be angry at Festus. I am sure he has many servants who would tell him the summary: there is nothing to this, Festus is doing this because he favors the other side. And then wouldn't Augustus think/say, do you see this large city? Yes and you are aware there are many such cities all over the empire? And that within these cities there are so many real problems I have to deal with, plus enemies on the outside? And yet here we are, me having to listen to this nothing-charge. I mean do you not have enough real work? Because we can solve this problem."

I don't know, I was thinking about it from a secular point of view, that even secularly, wouldn't this be a stupid political move by Festus? Or am I wrong? Maybe it is a you do me a favor (politician a), I will do you one (politician b)?

Don't get me wrong, obviously from a spiritual perspective it was all wrong too.

I hope you have a GREAT THANKSGIVING!!!
Response #21:
Good to hear from you, and, before I forget, here's wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving! I know you don't have a great deal of family to celebrate with, but you do have friends. May the Lord's joy be with you tomorrow, my friend!

On the question, first, Nero was the emperor when all this took place (ca. 57/58 A.D.; see the link for more chronological details about Paul's life). Also, there are some things we don't have to guess about on this one. 
Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him. But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.
Acts 14:26-27 NKJV
So we know that Felix' motives were anything but pure. After Festus arrived, he heard Paul's case and had everything he needed to make a decision to release Paul. And yet instead of rendering a verdict, this is what happened:
But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?”
Acts 25:9 NKJV
So likewise it was pure self-interest that led Festus to take the unorthodox step he took which forced Paul to appeal to Caesar.
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”
Acts 25:12 NKJV
The above is also quite revealing. No consultation was necessary. All Roman citizens had a right to make this appeal and when made it was obligatory to send them to Rome where Caesar (Nero at this time) acted as "the Supreme Court". The emperor did have had a large administrative staff dedicated to processing all such appeals, weeding them out, preparing briefs for the emperor, et al. Why then the consultation in the verse above? No doubt because Festus was well aware that he was in the wrong in not releasing Paul when he heard the frivolous charges against him and doubly wrong in trying to coerce him to journey to Jerusalem where he would surely have been assassinated – that was the real danger, after all, and why Paul had ended up in Caesarea in the first place. So Festus' first reaction was probably not to send Paul (because it might expose his shady dealings). But not to send him would have been a direct violation of imperial procedure and a slight against the emperor's prerogative. Since this was a fairly well-known case, his staff probably convinced him that the danger of being called out through an appeal was in the end less than the danger of it possibly being found out that he had failed to properly refer a citizen who had appealed. So, indeed, the anticipation of how the emperor would react was at the heart of Festus' decision, but for reasons suggested here.

Praise be to God that our real Judge is in heaven, rendering justice daily for those who belong to Him!
The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death; but the LORD will not leave them in the power of the wicked or let them be condemned when brought to trial.
Psalm 37:32-33 NIV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
http://ichthys.com/