THE TEMPLE

Pictured here is a replica of the Byodo-In Temple, located in Kaneohe, Hawaii. This very beautiful structure is actually adjacent to a cemetary called The Valley of the Temples. Both Christians and Buddhists are buried here. The original Byodo-In Temple is located in Uji, Japan, and is constructed of wood, but this Hawaiian replica is made of concrete, because there was great concern that wood could not survive the attack of termites in this area. The temple is surrounded by Koi ponds, and and has a huge bell just outside, that visitors can ring with the big swinging clapper. Inside is a huge golden Buddha, made from wood, and covered in gold lacquer. The craftsmanship is exquisite.
Many people contemplate this temple that we have called the human body. By the same token, many of us take our bodies for granted until something breaks, rots, or is attacked by something. Either way, the truth is that God did create us; none of us were found under a rock, and his Word speaks of our bodies as being the temple of the Spirit of God. Jesus said that if they tore down the temple, that He would raise it again in 3 days. They thought that He meant the actual structure of the temple. What He really was referring to was his actual physical body, which was raised from the dead, 3 days after they killed Him. We should take care of our temple, but more importantly, we as humans, should take care of the soul that is housed within. Jesus taught us that we should fear not that which can kill the body, but rather to fear that which can kill the body and soul, and condemn it to hell.
I don't spend a lot of words teaching a lot of doctrine here, but I do give you some things to think about. You see, many don't believe in this "soul" business, they simply believe that we are just born, and we die, and that is that!, Well. think about this for a time; when you go to the local funeral home, and look into the casket of a dead man, can he see you? can he smell you, hear you, or if you
touch his face, can he feel it? I maintain that what we experience our conscietiousness with is our spirit, or soul. The soul of a dead man is NOT there; it has travelled on... somewhere else. At my age, I am thinking more about keeping the termites out of my temple, so I can live longer to do God's will, but when He allows my temple to fail, my soul within will travel on to be with Him. Whether the finest physical specimen, or not so fine, our bodies really are amazing; God's craftsmanship is exquisite! When all my systems fail, I want what's left to be with God, and He is there all the time...He will never leave us, nor forsake us.