Real or Counterfeit

Which one is real?? (answer at bottom of post)

The other day I was visiting with a business colleague of mine. While we talked about

business, our plans for 2009, the economy, taxes- we ended up talking about our past experiences. We discussed interesting stories about ourselves that showed the individualistic qualities we possess. Both she and I are seen by others as conservative, non-risk taking people. People look at our career, our clothes, our car and our haircut.

As she spoke about spending a year and a half in South Korea (teaching english), I shared my stories about selling books all summer in Bartlesville, OK. Our friends and families thought we were crazy to make the decisions we did, but we were supported in our actions. I talked about going "door to door." She told me that many of her roommates in South Korea were from the states and from BYU (mormons). I told her that I worked one side of the street while a mormon or a jehovah witness worked the other side. A few times I visited with these folks as we were all "on a mission."

My friend and I talked about how it is so easy to believe what our parents believed on a whole range of issues. But, it is vitally important that all of us seek out truth. Just because your parents or someone in authority believe something, does not make it right. We need to search out truth with our heart, soul and mind. Psalm 119:11 says, "I have hidden your words in my heart that I might not sin against you." This is David (killer of the giant, king, leader, adulterer, murderer, forgiven and shown grace by God) who is pouring out his heart. We have the holy spirit to help us know truth.

Not only did our discussion focus on the need to search out truth, and not be dogmatic about our beliefs, but we talked about having respect for others' ideas. She said that many people don't realize that jews, muslims and christians all spring out of the old testament. Great point. I don't know if my friend is attending a church, but she has alot of knowledge about other religions (maybe mostly from her time in South Korea).

I ended our discussion with talking about seeking truth. I said that it is amazing how many religions are out there and all the subsets of the religions. I heard years ago that the FBI trains agents on counterfeit knowledge by training them to know the dollar bill (inside and out) down to every detail. By truly knowing the genuine article and everything about it, you can more easily spot a fake. She liked that analogy. She said, "I like that dollar bill story. You do need to know what you believe before you speak about other religions or beliefs."

In my life, there are times when I see something or want something. It may be that my desire for that item/feeling leads me to a counterfeit. I may believe that by working more and earning more money- I can do more for my family or I can tithe more to God. Now, I'm not saying making more money is bad in istself. It depends on what my main motive is. For me, it can be pride and greed. I want to be genuine. I want others to see Jesus in me. One of the worst phrases that was said to me happened about 4 years ago. In a group of business colleagues, we started talking about church and faith. A guy said, "Brunk- you go to church? you're a Christian?" He did not see something different in me vs. the rest of the world. I had not been the genuine thing to him.

?? Right now, is there something in your life that is counterfeit? How have you gotten the counterfeit items out of your life?

Answer: the image on the right is the real bill.