On one occasion shortly after I prayed to Jesus, in the darkness of my eyes (STILL closed), I could clearly see the word "Grace" light up like a white neon-light sign, and it was hovering over a body of water.  After this picture faded away, I opened my eyes and wondered: was it a vision?  What does this mean?  Can you answer this for me?

Sincerely,
Floating Grace

Dear Floating Grace,

No, it was not a vision.  Prophets have visions, and there are no more prophets since we have the perfect and complete Word of God (1 Cor 13:8-10).  The human mind is a complex and wondrous thing (Ps 139:14).  It is perfectly normal for our mind to make mental connections as we pray, study, sleep, etc.  Those mental images aren’t visions; they are just your own thoughts as your mind meditates upon what you have said, read, or heard.

We recommend you read “I Dreamed A Dream” for more information.

Would it be okay for a church to sell bonds to raise needed money?

Sincerely,
007

Dear 007,

The Bible only provides one way for the church to garner funds – a collection made every Sunday from amongst its own members (1 Cor 16:1).  Having said that, the argument for selling bonds is that it is no different than getting a loan from a bank to purchase a building.

The general Bible principle is that a congregation shouldn’t raise funds by any method other than a weekly collection from its members.  A bond is a form of loan, and it is the idea of borrowing money that causes so much debate.  Every congregation must use their own wisdom in deciding if, how, and when to borrow money.

What do you do when you feel that you have been pushed aside and not allowed to let your calling being used?  I was a director of a youth choir at my local church.  We now have a minister of music, and now I have been told by them that my services are no longer needed.  Whenever I asked to direct the choir because the Lord has laid a song in my heart, I am told that they have to pray about the song.  I talked to the pastor, and I was told that I should work with the minister of music, but they are not allowing me to work with them.  I have been directing and singing since the age of seven, and I am presently 49.  I have asked the Lord to help me with this situation because I am not clear about what I should do.  I have been asked to join another ministry, but I do not want to leave my present church.

Sincerely,
The Other Director

Dear The Other Director,

We are not exactly sure what advice to give you.  On the one hand, we could simply tell you that it is important to do whatever you can to be at peace with all men (Rom 12:18).  There are many times when we must deal with disappointment in order to get along with others.

On the other hand, we are concerned that we would be giving you a small piece of advice on human relationships while overlooking the weightier issue - the fact that you have been caught up in a world of choirs, ministers of music, and other things not found in the Bible.

The Bible gives us a simple example for worship.  God tells us that all christians should sing and make melody in our hearts (Eph 5:19).  There are no choirs in the New Testament church.  Choirs have audiences... in the church, we should all participate in praising God with our voices.  Choirs are a denominational concept that deviates from the New Testament pattern.  We here at AYP love singing and praising God in song, just like you do.  It is important that we stick to the Bible pattern and have everyone praise God and pluck their heart strings together.  Worship only makes God happy when we worship Him the way He wants (1 Sam 15:22).

Is saving money in a 401K retirement account considered "storing up for yourselves treasures on earth"? (Matthew 6:19)

Sincerely,
Investor

Dear Investor,

Saving money is not a bad thing, but falling in love with money and hoarding it is.  God tells us that christians should be good stewards of whatever He gives us… and that includes money (1 Pet 4:10).  Jesus gives the parable of the talents and uses the example of men saving and investing as a positive example (Matt 25:14-30).  The Proverbs mention the industrious ant as an example of preparing and saving (Pr 6:6-8).  If we are careful and smart with money, that makes God happy… unless we begin to worship that money.

Greed (Pr 1:19), covetousness (Col 3:5), and the love of money (1 Tim 6:10) are always sins.  It is a good thing to save for the future as long as we are content with whatever the Lord has given us (Heb 13:5).

Can ethical demands of the kingdom be propositional rather than attitudinal?

Sincerely,
The Scholar

Dear The Scholar,

Paul once said that the Word of God would never make much sense to most of the highly educated of this world because they would be too wrapped up in man’s wisdom to see the simplicity of God’s wisdom (1 Cor 1:18-21).  Your question reminds us of that passage.

What you are referring to are psychology terms that address whether a proposition (a true or false statement) is what matters or whether it is our attitude that matters (how I feel about something).  Mankind has often debated whether the Bible is a book of truth or only a book that addresses our attitudes and feelings.  The Bible is truth (Jhn 17:17).  God gave us a Bible that, regardless of how we feel, tells us how to live (Acts 5:20).  The Bible isn’t a matter of interpretation; it says what it says, and it means what it means (2 Pet 1:20-21).  We either listen to God, obey His Word, and go to heaven (Jhn 5:24)… or we don’t listen and go to hell (2 Pet 2:4-9).  It is what it is.