牧者心聲  Pastor's Message

06/21/2009


      "Doing the right thing"

      Reading about Microsoft this week, I felt a little sorry for the company. And this is not because I have some friends who are employees. The European Union (EU) is complaining about the newest release of Microsoft's Operating System, Windows 7. In compliance with EU requirements a special EU version comes sans-browser. Earlier versions of Windows had come bundled with Internet Explorer (IE), in apparent contradiction with EU monopoly laws. What is confusing, is that the EU had ordered Microsoft to remove IE. But now, upon complying with the EU's request, the EU wants to see Windows 7 bundled with a choice of browsers because users cannot easily access the internet. So the EU wants Windows 7 to offer a choice of browsers for the end user. But this does not make sense. Microsoft should not be forced into something that they are required to do.

      So, it appears that Microsoft will have to take a stand, explaining that what they are doing is not wrong. They are providing their own product line in their own product. If the EU wants Microsoft to bundle copyrighted products that they do not own into their OS, which is really forcing Microsoft into partnerships with companies they may not want to be in, they should not be strong-armed into this.

      This reminds me of VBS today and the lesson we were teaching the kids. In Daniel 3.1-30, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, lived in a foreign land. While they followed some of the ways of that land, they did the right thing by standing up against king Nebuchadnezzar and really, the world. And because they did what was right in God's eyes, by not bowing to the idol, they were miraculously untouched when put in the fiery furnace. This display showed who was really in charge. It showed who was, and still is powerful and mighty.

      We may not be an international company, we may not be the best and the brightest, but we will be tested by many in regards to what our stance is regarding our beliefs, views, and our faith. And when we do, remember whose sacrifice we are standing up for now. Christ Jesus. Will you also stand and trust in Him?



      Brother Benjamin Chung