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rl69
10-01-2016, 07:09 AM
History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.—Ecclesiastes 1:9 (http://harvest.us3.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=4f108f827aed8d503b5fca9fa&id=260703ddb5&e=3dd732485b)Joy Davidman, the wife of C. S. Lewis, made this insightful statement about the pursuit of pleasure: "Living for his own pleasure is the least pleasurable thing a man can do; if his neighbors don't kill him in disgust, he will die slowly of boredom and lovelessness." And that is true. It has been said that the only cure for hedonism is to try and practice it.

The pursuit of pleasure is nothing new. As Solomon reminds us a number of times in the Book of Ecclesiastes, when you boil it down, there is nothing new under the sun. Though our technology has changed and we have had certain advancements since Solomon wrote those words, the basic cravings of humanity have not changed, nor have the basic things we look to. The philosophy of eat, drink, and be merry has been with us for a long time.

When Solomon decided he would pursue everything this world had to offer, he was not considering God in all of it. He was living horizontally—he had adapted a worldview that omitted God. Eventually he came to realize there was nothing to profit from under the sun. It was only when Solomon looked above the sun and looked to God that he found the answers he was seeking. When we see God for who He is, we will see the world for what it is.

If you have a close relationship with God and are walking closely with Him, you will recognize philosophies, concepts, and ideologies being propagated that are contradictory to what the Bible teaches. When you are walking closely with God, you will see this world for what it is.

Preacher Jim
10-01-2016, 07:37 PM
and that was the wised statement ever made. also the nation who forgets history will repeat the same mistakes.

Boaz
10-01-2016, 08:06 PM
Folks struggle to find purpose , meaning , fulfilment , love in this world and its right in front of them . GOD will match what you put on the table thousands of times over right here just for trusting him . I understand this world , most that have faith do . Can't wait to get home but we have to work for him till our victory over this place.

Traffer
10-01-2016, 08:17 PM
A little confused by the format here. Is everything in the box by Joy Davidson? Or just the statement that the cure for hedonism is the practice of it? Who ever authored that has/had, and exceptional even rare understanding of God's word, life and the value of a correct relationship with God. Thank you for posting that.

Blackwater
10-01-2016, 08:50 PM
I've said it before and you just keep making me repeat it, RL, your posts just keep getting better and better. Thanks. It matters. I'm stealing this and sending it to my son, DIL and grandsons, and probably to my whole email list. Can't imagine anyone not appreciating this one.

rl69
10-01-2016, 09:24 PM
A little confused by the format here. Is everything in the box by Joy Davidson? Or just the statement that the cure for hedonism is the practice of it? Who ever authored that has/had, and exceptional even rare understanding of God's word, life and the value of a correct relationship with God. Thank you for posting that.

the bible study is by Greg Lowry

Joy Davidson quotes is living for pleaser is the least pleasurable thing a man can do if his neighbors don't kill him he will slowly die of loneliness

the hedonism quote is not credited

Traffer
10-01-2016, 09:42 PM
To God be the Glory