Be Discerning When Confused.

 
I'm soooo confused! This may be lengthy as I sort out my thoughts.  
Two years ago one of our ushers at church came up to me and said, "Can you believe what is happening with AI?"  In honesty I replied, "I don't know what you are talking about. What is AI?" He said, "Boo, you don't know about AI?"  Me, "Nope, explain it."
Looking at me dumbfounded he said, "Well, I can't explain it. It's like computers doing things." Oh, well.

Seeing the realities of AI at work on every front has been a fast concept for my mind. AI (Artificial Intelligence) I've learned has been rapidly developing since the 1950's.  Now for anyone, it's just a click away.

Just last week I had a question for my dentist about a tooth, the hygienist said, "Let's take a look at your x-ray with with AI." It showed a pocket of possible infection not seen on the original x-ray. I'm hearing more and more how helpful AI is in the medical world.

Actually, I got a glimpse at the creativity of AI a couple years ago when one of our sons had hysterical posts on InstaGram about each of his employees. It was a hoot and I was thinking...when did he have time to do this and how did he come up with such entertaining verbiage.  About the same time my husband came home for a pastors conference and shared one of the breakout sessions was explaining  how AI can write sermons.  

Well, these devotionals might be a lot better if I knew how to use "Chat" something or other, but I do well to make time to get the initial thoughts down. Sorry for the years of typos and jumbled thoughts.

Two of our daughter's friends have podcasts I follow.

I use Tara Leigh Cobbles "The Bible Recap" as my read through the Bible podcast.

and for a time of correlating worship I use Debbie Forest Byrd 

After tuning into one morning, automatically "The Song" for today popped up on YouTube. As I watched something didn't seem authentic.  It didn't jive as a compilation of these three artists. Googling, "Was this video produced by these artists?" the following explanation popped up.  

https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/15447836?hl=en

Not that it's of eternal value, but I asked my husband, "Did these women give permission for this to be done?" Most likely not. 

Recognizing this is the way of the world at my age I choose to be content and stay old school.  As a mother to a musician, a writer and artist, who have worked diligently for years to fine tune their skills, it tugs at my heart a bit. They are all young and bright and will find their way. At least for now there are those of us who appreciate the talents these artists have been giving and want to attend a live harp concert, purchase a painting done with human brush strokes and read words compiled by a human heart.

Here's where the confusion stirred. Does it matter that we don't know what is real and true?  Do most people take time to read the fine print and understand if what they are hearing and seeing is created by a human or artificial intelligence.

The owner of a boutique I buy from online posted a scam alert showing how online companies are posting her images on their site, but selling the clothing for a much lower price.  It's not the same quality clothing and customers are contacting her wanting a refund. So deceitful.

My husband showed me a video of two respectful football coaches at the end of the game handshake.  What unfolded in the video was a coach ranting, cussing and degrading the other coach. It was not real. It was not true, yet I could have easily formed an opinion about this man based on what my eyes saw and my ears heard.

Hmm, guessing this is my lesson for today...Be discerning.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of  your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

My father was brilliant and very discerning, but I remember when home computers came out my sister wanted to get him "set up" so he could email with his family.  While at his house attempting to help him, as best I could with my limited tech skills, he inquired, "I want to know how this works.  How are these emails just flying through the air to another computer and how can all this information be accessible this way." My answer was honest, "I don't know.  Just enjoy it."

As I've said before, years ago I stopped watching the news, which was quite depressing and came from totally different perspectives depending what network you watched. Broadcasting has caused such confusion and division in our nation. It used to just be the tabloids that raised suspicions. 

Having done several Old Testament Bible studies the pattern seen again and again is the Israelites straying from God and then when things got horrible, they would turn back and live according to God's ways. 2 Chronicle 15:4-6 notes that "There was so much confusion in those days."

But whenever trouble came, Israel turned back to the Lord their God and worshipped him. There was so much confusion in those days that it wasn't safe to go anywhere in Israel.  Nations where destroying each other, and cities were wiping out other cities, because God was causing trouble and unrest everywhere.

Father, I pray for your mercies to be new every morning. Please guide us to be a world that loves God and loves people.  When we are confused may we seek discernment from You and gain wisdom and understanding. May the only words that depart from our lips be used to build others up and offer grace to those who hear.  In Jesus' name.

Let no corrupt talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.  Ephesians 4:29

The Song

"Christ Alone" (Who knows for sure?)

https://youtu.be/4zFzFqbGPqM?si=q9-0ZnGFe6iqMKo6


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