I don't want some preacher or some church telling me how to live my life

Ever heard someone say that ... especially after dropping out of church?

Ever heard somebody say that "Church is only about telling people how to run their lives," and that's the reason they "don't like organized religion"?  

Ever heard somebody argue that "The Bible is old fashioned" and irrelevant?

Ever heard somebody say any of those things ... and then wondered why their shelves are crammed full of books by Dr. Phil, Oprah, Rhonda Bryne and Michael J. Losier?  

Ever wondered why that person keeps a rack of "12 Rules for a Happier You" self-help videos under the TV and can hardly leave the house without first consulting their latest "astrology trend"? 

Why does that person reject church, and then turn around and allow some New Age guru or a fallacious star chart to tell them how to live their lives?  Seems to me that having your fate and destiny "controlled by the planets and the stars" would be about as restrictive and suffocating as anything I can imagine.

Is is because any of those self-help programs have actually worked?  Then why keep buying and probing the web for more? 

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If you think the Bible is outdated, remember that today's latest "exciting and practical" self-help book was already outdated before the first copy came rolling off the binding press.   That's because its publisher had already decided which improved new version of "15 Laws of Attraction and Fulfillment" would be released next season, because he's trying to predict and stay ahead of the self-help market.

Could it be that there's an on-going market for self-help books because self-help books don't work?

Hmmm.

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Is the Bible really outdated and  irrelevant?  Not surprisingly, folks who're constantly prowling for quick solutions, personal affirmations and me-first fixes are likely to think so.

But folks who've taken time to actually, and prayerfully, read what scripture says (not just skim along seeking single-sentence platitudes for instant advice), and then allowed God to apply His word to their lives, already know that God's Living Word is alive.

And can never be outdated or irrelevant.

Do you listen in on God's council? 
       Do you limit wisdom to yourself?

- Job 15:8

Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"

- 1 Corinthians 3:18-19

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

- Hebrews 4:12