The Secret to Never Failing in Relationships

Do we really know what love is? Do we really know how to love? Too many of us, perhaps, have had bad examples of what love is or what love is not. --- Let me knock out one myth about love right now...it is not a wimpy, frilly kind of thing. Love is the bomb! Love never fails. You cannot say that about anything else. Love never stinking fails. That is gospel truth. You see, written in black and white in the Bible it says, "Love never fails." --- Since we do not want to be losers, maybe we should have a better grasp of what love is so we can alway win. --- In all likelihood if you are a believer (a Christian), you have read or heard 1 Cor.13:4-8 many times (if not hundreds). The problem is that we can hear something many times, but never get it. Why is that? Mostly, because we don't want to. You see, the secret to love starts out like this: "Love is patient." We all want love for us. We all will say we want to love others. However, if it starts out with being patient with others, "Ahem, no thank you." So, if you really don't want to be a loser, and you want to always win, then you have to do love the right way. And it begins with patience. The next part of love is being kind. The issue here is that we want to be kind to certain people, and we are tempted to be conditional with our kindness. Frankly, some people have a problem being kind. Again, if you are going to love people (and win) then this is part of the deal. ---Let's pause here. Most people have given up on love with the first two. Am I right?--- Caution: if you falter here you will not make it to the end. "It does not envy" is the third part. Are you envious of others? This is a problem. We have to die to self. Love is hard. Hang tough though, it is worth it! "Love does not boast." This idea of being puffed-up can be a problem to love. It can be a spoiler. It leads to the next, "love is not proud." We all know pride comes before a fall, or something like that. We definitely know that pride hinders our walk. It is for sure a detriment to love. "It is not rude." It seems like this could go unsaid, yet many of us are more rude to the people we say we love than to a stranger on the street. That is a problem. That is a hindrance. "It is not self-seeking " or "easily angered" are two more on the list. Stay with me. Love is not easy, but it is worth it. If you are looking out for others first, and they are looking out for you, then that is a sweet world. We all like it when someone has our back. That is why we are better together. The ability to not be easily angered leads to good sound judgment. A calm demeanor helps you win. This even works with raising children. I always like to say, "if you are yelling, then you are losing." The writer goes on to say that "love keeps no record of wrongs." Ah. Can you do that? Can you let stuff go? You better. If you are going to win in love, you have to let stuff go. Love is hard, but it is worth it. Hang tough. "Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth." Do not be happy when bad happens to others. Maybe you thought they had it coming, but love does not delight in evil. There is a saying, "the truth hurts." I have my own spin on that, "the truth only hurts when you are on the wrong side of it." We are to rejoice with the truth, because the truth gets us to the right place and keeps us on the right path. Ignore the truth, and you are going to have problems. --- Now, here's the goody. Here's why we want to love like the Bible says to love even though it is hard to do. It involves a little word that can rarely be used, but helps in our times of greatest need: "always." Always is solid ground. Listen, "love always protects, always trusts, always hopes and and perseveres." We want all of those things. And love "always" does these. Finally, "love never fails." ---Certainly, it is hard to do all these things. Know this, there is a promise in here. If you love like this, your love will never fail. So, take your relationship(s) to a new level. Be patient, be kind, etc. Do what loves does, and never fail. --- If you have success in relationships, then you will succeed in life. We're better together.

Somebody's Sister

Stop with the naked pictures. She is somebody’s sister. She is someone’s daughter. The young girl or woman in the picture is possibly a person in unwilling bondage, a victim of human trafficking, a sex slave. —- A little murmur is boiling in America. It is a cry out against violence against women. It is a fake cry by most, while a serious cry for those who have begun movements. If we are serious, then the mainstream media needs to stop promoting nudity, sexual provocation and scantily dressed women. Talk is cheap. Print is cheap. The same media outlets, which is pretty much all of them, might have an article or two about violence against women, yet will have some pictures somewhere on their site that are sure to draw the eyes of men. Every marketer knows that sex sells. The color red, the color yellow and near-naked women turn heads on a dime. Hardees, Sports Illustrated, and ESPN (a restaurant chain and two sport “magazines”) are entities dealing with food and athletics, yet the mere mention of their names connect to commercials and certain non-real-sport editions of women being used to appeal to the carnal nature of man. —- The problem is that folks do not like violence against women, and they should not. Yet, the world is missing the connection of marketing (I’m not even talking about the billion dollar porn industry or steamy television). The flashy pictures in mainstream media are there to get men’s attention by using women as a “product” or a “tool” to get them to look at the page, stay longer, and maybe click on another page and so on. The brain is a terrible thing. As we send the brain down the natural lustful trail, it wants more. Where there is a will, there is a way. There comes a time when pictures will not meet the sexual desire. What the brain started, the flesh wants to finish. These luring ads and special editions treat women as objects. Women then become objects that are sold and used. The attitudes of men are warped toward women. I am not under false impression that we will ever change the tactics of Madison Avenue to get your dollars. However, we can appeal to the brain by reminding us all that the woman in the picture is somebody’s sister or someone’s daughter. They are possibly getting paid, but they are most assuredly being used. May we renew our minds by reminding ourselves that these are sisters, daughters, friends of our kids, or women that have been drugged or brain-washed into these schemes. I know, I know some of these women see this as a way to make big money, but “sex sells” is the driving force behind the violence against women. We must get better in our relationships. —- Think about this: who gets mad when a woman is mistreated? Someone who loves them as a person, not someone treating them as a product. So to America’s marketing departments and to the people who pay them: if you are serious about violence against women, then stop the naked and provocative pictures to sell your goods and services. Otherwise, shut up, because we can’t hear you over the noise of treating women as products. For our part, we can quit clicking on the pages or buying their magazines. Years ago, a well-meaning relative bought one of my teenage boys a year’s subscription to Sports Illustrated. One day the annual Swimsuit edition arrived at the house. It had a very attractive cover on it that was very appealing. As soon as it came in, I’m glad I trashed it (without opening it). He never knew. The best thing we can do is trash these immediately, turn the page or turn off the set. Are you serious about violence against women? Then stop it before it starts. Treat women as human beings and not products.

The Other Six Days

We often talk about the "other six days of the week" and what that should look like in our Christian journey. We come together on Sundays and love the time of celebration, fellowship, and challenging teaching. We are consoled, comforted and motivated into the next week to love and good deeds. We know the truth about how our worship unfolds in the other six days of the week, not how we worship genuinely or not so genuinely on any given Sunday. We challenge our church to be in constant prayer mode and to simply join God at work. This past week was a perfect example of just people being who they are in Christ and then sitting back to watch God to do the heavy lifting. On Monday one of our guys was at a place teaching men about how to be set free from addictions and such and was part of leading three men to Christ. The very same Monday some of our folks were being the hands and feet of Jesus by providing a meal (for 25 people) who are educating people on how to get out of poverty. All during this week our small groups are meeting in various homes getting to know God through His Word, praying and caring for one another as well. In these environments we see many prayers answered like this Tuesday when one of the women in a small group shared how her sister had come to faith in Christ that day. This group was in the middle of a 21- Day prayer for such things. Then word came in through the grapevine that before the week was out, one of our guys met a lady, while at his work, and led her to Christ while his mother was there to witness it! These are just a few that I heard about. I know for a fact that several of our folks were reaching out to the community in several ways being generous in the name of Christ. I also know of others who shared their faith throughout the week. And then there was the finale: on Saturday the church joined together with the community to sponsor a Car-show fundraiser for a dear little boy who has been battling a disease for a couple years now. A lot of planning and preparation went into this event. It was a joint effort with the church connecting with friends outside the church but in the community for a good cause. --- As Christians we are to be salt and light. But to be salt and light, we have to be out there. The other six days of the week is where we are able to paint the portrait of true worship of our God and King as we are the hands and feet of Jesus in a variety of ways. Our faithful prayers are answered by God miles away and sometimes years away. So pray hard. And when the opportunity comes, "give answer for the hope that is in you"---Christ in you is indeed, the hope of glory! Live for Jesus throughout the week wherever you are and do not be ashamed to give Him the credit and glory. Give the message of the cross to the people you meet, and invite them to receive Christ as Savior. Who knows, they may be ready!--- Sundays are great. However, if it was real on Sunday, it ought to overflow into the other six days of the week!

Treasure in the Box

If you knew what you had, what would you do? If you knew the gift that you had or the treasure that was inside of you, how would that change how you live your life now? If you were uniquely gifted to make a specific impact on the world in which you live, how would that cause you to adjust your lifestyle? Each of us are uniquely made by our Creator for a purpose that He prepared for in advance. God did not create us for our own happiness. He is Creator. He created us for His happiness. We are to exalt Him. We are to bring glory to His name. In the process, we do not go lacking. He offers an abundance of mercy and grace, as well as that thing we need the most, forgiveness. Yet in Him, we do not have to pursue happiness; because He offers eternal life and joy for the taking of everyone that receives the Son as Lord and Savior. “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Again, what do we do? As followers of Jesus, we need to take some quiet time and step back, and observe how God has gifted each one of us. He has resourced each one of His children to get His kingdom work done. Instead of using our giftedness for our own selfish purposes, we should use our unique make-up for God’s special purposes. “He died for all, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised again.”(2Cor.5:15) The follower of Jesus is to live for Jesus. We are commanded to “go and make disciples” of Jesus. We do this using what He has given us. “We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us.”(Eph.2:10) God had you and me in mind when He created us for such a time as this. More thought for Him needs to go into our daily life: how we spend our time, use our talents and invest into His kingdom work. We go to job fairs, college counselors and take tests to see what career we are suited for. It is ridiculous that we rarely consult our Creator on what He would have us do. We need to ask the question: “Why would God have gifted me so?” Even Jesus brought glory to God the Father on earth “by completing the work you gave me to do.” (Jn.17:4) So, what does God want you to do? Don’t leave the treasure in the box. Use what the good Lord gave you for His glory!

We Act Heroic

Have you ever watched the Nightly News or Video Report praising the heroics of one of our fellow human beings? They may have ran into a burning building to rescue someone. Perhaps, they helped unbuckle and remove a person that was in a wrecked car, while the car is slowly engulfed in flames. —- The one that gets me is these people that jump into the ocean to rescue someone that has been attacked by a shark and there is blood all around them. —- When interviewed, the heroes almost always have the same response. While still in shock, they humbly say that they did what anyone else would have done. They just happened to be there. What do these people or these situations have in common, besides being in the “right” place at the “right” time? They say they were doing what was natural. For those of us listening to the story, we would probably disagree. For it is not natural to run into a burning building or jump into bloody-shark-infested water! Yet, their answer, while ever-so humble, is most likely the truth. You see, we act heroic because we know the deadly consequences. These instantaneous, traumatic events catch us off-guard, and we act natural when we see danger. We respond appropriately when we see the consequences of truth in our face. We do the right thing. We run into the building when we hear the cry for help. We look around at the flame-engulfed car and see no one else around but us to help. We hear the cry for help in the water, and we dismiss the coloring of the water. We are naturally heroic when we accept that what before us is a do-something or die situation. —- As followers of Jesus, we need to reacquaint ourselves with the wrath of God, the whole truth of the Gospel, lest we become un-heroic. We are condemned unless we are born-again. That is what Jesus said! That is some serious bad news involving eternal consequences. Our “jumping into the water” is merely sharing the Good News of God’s grace with others. However, many of us have lost our passion for what Jesus is passionate about. It was serious enough that He went to the cross. He is the Epic Hero. We must not be so distracted in these last days that we do not think it is important to save lives. Go and tell the Good News to your friends and neighbors. No, they all won’t listen, but some will. Do whatever it takes! Do the right thing. Be the hero.

To The Street Preacheer

Although all “street preachers” aren’t the same in their particular methodology. We know “who” typically comes to mind when we use the phrase “street preacher.” To the “street preacher”: thank you, for scaring the hell out of people. Sure, most of us that share the same passion for the Gospel disagree with your method. Yet, we all realize that it is largely the stubbornness of man that keeps men from confessing their sin, repenting and faithfully submitting to Christ as Lord and Savior. Thus, some men will not hear the Gospel lest it comes from a bull-horn hitting them like a ton of bricks. You are out there on the point. You don’t care what anyone thinks of you. You are not concerned about hurting anyone’s feelings now, because you would rather see the ones that mock you in heaven later. Amos, Isaiah, and Jeremiah were street preachers. So, you are in good company. —- This is a salute to those who in the love of Christ share the Word of Truth. We may not seem like partners in the Gospel, but we are. As Paul writes, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”—1 Cor.3:6-11. For all those who have placed their faith in Christ, I must ask: how are you currently sharing your faith? People do not get saved by osmosis. It is by preaching the Word. Let me encourage you to simply share Christ with others in the way He has built you. If that is sharing one person at a time at the coffee shop, then do it. If it is writing Gospel letters to friends and family far away by sharing the truth in love , then do that. My friend, do any of your friends or acquaintances need to hear the Gospel? Paul’s heart desire was for his people to be saved. He started with prayer, but he didn’t stop there. Go and be a testimony for Jesus. Tell the world why Christ had to die, and what that has to do with us. Help the world understand why the resurrection of Jesus was Good News. Explain why Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born-again.—- If you do not, then who will?—- Finally, it takes all of us to reach the one for Jesus. The street preacher may wake some up with the shot-gun blast of the Gospel. A timely message on television may keep the fire burning. A good-deed by christians in the community can swing the favor of God’s people. A friend that cares enough to share Jesus by the poolside or lunchtime might be the closer. No matter, when we are building on Jesus Christ as the foundation the building will stand. Quit worrying about the “how” and just do something!

Conspiracy Theories

To all my friends out there that believe in some kind of conspiracy theory, “They are out to get us.” The “they” varies. Yes! Yes! Yes! They are out to get us. —- Years ago I had a guy that said he had a gun approach me after my school bus dropped me off blocks from my house. I was twelve or thirteen. He was out to get me. I walked with him a little ways hoping someone would come out of their house and I could yell and run. But noooo. It may have well been a ghost town. I decided I wasn’t going to be on the nightly news, and bolted! I ran for it. I did the whole serpentine thing, and turned around to see that he didn’t chase or shoot at me. On another occasion a person left a message on the church phone that threatened my life. I knew the person was not all that stable, but nevertheless, he was allegedly out to get me. I’m still here. And then there was the person that lied about me to some agency (I have no idea why this person hated me.), and to some of my neighbors. They were out to get me. Fortunately, my neighbors knew me well enough.—- Yes, people, governments, etc. are out to get us. —- But those are not even close to being the greatest conspiracy of all. You see, I came into this world condemned. If I were to get what I have earned or deserve it would be the death penalty. However, my troubles and my earnings have been overcome by a conspiracy of grace. Grace is when you get what you do not deserve. Two thousand years ago, the epic hero came from heaven to earth and died for my sorry self. My hero did not get what he deserved. He traded in his righteousness for my sin and this was all done unawares to me. It was conspired by God long ago. It is a conspiracy of grace, and Jesus is my hero. —- So please, keep your Youtube videos and whatnot of other conspiracies, because those can’t get to me, I’ve already been had! —- Much love and peace to you.

At What Point

I wonder at what point did Jesus, in his humanity, ever feel that what he was doing for us was a big waste of time? Yes, he was also obeying the Father by coming, living, and dying. To justify God as the One who justifies the unrighteous Jesus had to die. (A lot is happening on that cross theologically and judicially. Not my purpose here.) As Jesus sweat drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, was the tempter trying to get him to second-guess himself? What went through his mind as his dedicated disciple Peter denied him three times in a short time span? As the hecklers, whom he died for, mocked him on the cross; what kept him up there? At what point was it enough? Fortunately, for us Jesus came for a purpose, and he was not deterred by our poor performance. He was not deterred by our lack of allegiance, lack of effort, lack of integrity, or anything else. —-At what point do we die to self and serve Christ just because we love him, and we are thankful for what he did for us? Does God ask too much of us who come to Him by faith? How are you serving the risen Savior today? Are you prone to excuses when it comes to giving back to the God who saved you? Your time, talent and money is all you have on this earth. They are limited resources. The temptation is to keep them for yourself. Christ left heaven, where all kinds of amazing creatures were just worshiping him, to come here to be, well… not so welcomed and worshiped. Put that in perspective as you adjust your time and giving of your God-given stuff.

Robin Williams

Robin Williams... He made me laugh. I didn’t know his personal struggles. I just witnessed like thousands that he was a talented actor. It was great to watch him go from a zany sit-com/comedian and make it as a legitimate actor. Now, I am sad to know he suffered mentally so, and died the way he did… seemingly alone, even when he had people. Hopefully, as human beings we will slow down and take note of our friends, and just be there for them. It is becoming more evident that we don’t have to be alone, to be alone. For God’s sake, don’t do life alone!

Just One Visit

Visiting a young man in the hospital that had been in accident gave me a micro-insight into a hurting society. In less than thirty minutes I met an estranged dad that visibly had anxieties, health issues or maybe even drug problems. Something just wasn’t right. I met a mom/grandmother who cared much, but was so churchy that it made me not want to go to church. Once the family left, I got to talk and listen to the young man and a couple of his young visitors. Quickly I found out that one of the teen girls had fairly recently had a baby. I could only imagine her current struggles. When I asked how I could pray for her, she mentioned her brother who was in a drug rehab place. Another girl there was hating life as her parents had recently moved their home before her senior year. She wasn’t happy. So, I asked the boy who had sustained several bodily injuries due to the accident how I could pray for him, instead he wanted prayer for his brother. He revealed that his brother had been suffering from severe depression, most likely stemming from their mother passing away just a couple of years ago. —- This all just in thirty minutes! —-What in the world are the people around you and I going through? Are we sensitive to the people limping along around us? Oh, they probably aren’t limping. They probably look fine. Take time to shut up and listen, and see what is going on around you. Let’s be there for people. —-And they do want prayer.

It's 11 o'clock

"It’s 11 o’clock. Do you know where your children are? " I remember hearing that on tv when I was a teenager. I didn’t think much about it then, but I have certainly related to it as a parent since then. I do have the opinion that not much good takes place after midnight. —- But that’s not what this is about. While it is a good idea to know where your kids are after 11pm and who they are with, that is not the biggest deal in the world. Hopefully, you raised your children to have good common sense and to be the one that influences their peers and not be the “influencee.” But there is something far greater than night time troubles to be concerned about. As a parent, particularly a Christian parent have you taught and more importantly modeled a Christ-like life before your children? You can teach all you want, but more is caught than taught. That is not just a cute little saying. Mom and Dad, is church an option in your house? Do you decide Sunday morning if you are going or not? Don’t blame your kids if they follow your foot-steps. You can influence them the right way now. Later, will be too late. Gone is the day of “do what I say, not as I do.” Don’t separate your family from the body of Christ. To be separated from the body (church) is to be separated from the head (Christ) as well. God’s plan for the church is unity. We are better together. The break-up of the family is one way that Satan puts a chink in the armor of the church. But the other is simply parents being uncommitted or lazy. The price is high and the final cost perhaps disastrous, when it comes to your child’s eternity. So, do you know where your child is… spiritually?

When is it okay to be angry?

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,--Eph.4:26 So when is it okay to be angry? This can be a slippery slope for human beings, even for those who are "in Christ." As we have learned in Romans chapter seven, the best of us still struggle with sin at times. So when we think it is okay and a righteous moment for us to be angry, we may be wrong as we do so from an imperfect heart. We do better to avoid the anger-train period. Yet, God will speak to us Spirit to spirit (Rom.8) at times about the injustices that grip Him and bring us along for His cause. But again, these are few and far between. Ultimately, He will deal with all the injustices of the world Himself(Rom.2). So when is it okay to be angry? We would be better served to say when it is not okay to be angry. ---The first easy answer is after sun-down. You better be over whatever it was by sun-down. You either need to truly forgive and forget or talk it out with the person you have had issue with. I have found that nearly 100% of the time that I have talked it out with someone that we figured out it was some kind of misunderstanding. I'm often reminded that (particularly dealing with Christians) we are praying to the same God, and He can't stand to see brothers and sisters divided. Cut a brother or sister some slack. Maybe they had a hard time, bad day or just forgot. There are a number of good explanations for the thing that got you mad or bugged you out. The issue is that Satan will highlight the one explanation that peeves you off, because he wants you to get angry. Satan knows that if he can take your anger into the next day, he can start to work division into a relationship, a family or even a church.--- As a pastor who has done enough funerals, it is a painful sight to watch families that can't get along. Somebody got mad at somebody over some thing long ago that they all have now forgotten about, and now they don't talk. ---It all started, because someone got angry and sinned by letting it go into the next day. --- Do you have someone you need to settle up with? They may not even know you're mad at them. (I've seen that one hundreds of times.)

Shipwrecked and Snake-bitten

Sometimes things in life happen that we just can’t explain. We find ourselves in a position of helplessness. We’re facing drama that we didn’t create. Life is out of control, and our feet aren’t even on the ground to where we can do anything about stabilizing the situation. The last couple chapters of Acts record that the Apostle Paul was being delivered as a prisoner to Rome by ship. Paul was fine with the free trip to go present the Gospel to new people. So he was able to look past the chains as his free ticket to ride. However, his transportation executives were gambling that they could beat the Hurricane season. Paul expressed his warning (but he was just a prisoner) claiming that God let him know this was not a safe time to travel (before TWC days). After a harrowing experience on the seas of a couple of weeks in hurricane winds, the ship finally crashed on an island. —- The ship was loaded with a crew, soldiers, and prisoners. All lives were spared by the grace of God. The official in charge of the prisoners commanded that none of them be killed prior to evacuating the ship, because he wanted to make sure Paul survived. So in a way, God saved all the prisoners just to make sure one was saved. Not only were men spared from the sword, but also from the ravenous waters. Swimmers and non-swimmers alike managed to safely make shore through the extreme surf. It was an All God Thing! —- The people of the island showed great hospitality and welcomed the stranded crash victims. While collecting firewood, Paul was seen by the natives with a poisonous snake latched onto his hand. Paul just shook the snake into the fire, and the natives waited to see him swell up and die. They figured he must have been a murderer to have escaped death by shipwreck only to have the “gods” deal with him individually with a snake bite. —- Much to their surprise Paul survived. He didn’t even swell up. This turned the tide of opinion. He must be a god, they thought. —-This miracle grew great attention, and God then used Paul to heal many people on the island. A potentially tragic story couldn’t have ended so well. We can only assume that for the three months Paul and company were on this island, he shared the Gospel with his captive audience. And when it came time to depart the island, the islanders gave their visitors everything they needed as far as supplies to finish their journey. —- The question formulates, “why this island?” Can God cause a shipwreck of inconvenience for His people to rescue another group of people? Would the Gospel been brought to this island any other way? Paul had Rome in mind, but God had Malta in mind. —- Sometimes we are on our way to do what we think is the “big thing” that God wants us to do, and He has little detours along the way. I think that even though it is not mentioned, Paul probably had to get the guts up to go to Rome. He probably had a good idea that he would end up dying for the Gospel there. Now, that he was finally headed there, a place like Malta wouldn’t be on his map. But it was on God’s map!—- We have no idea what God has planned for today, just go with it. Be who you are in Christ where you are…even if it’s on a side-street leading to the “big thing He has called you to.” Whether shipwrecked or snake-bitten, you’re a survivor. What would God have you do in the storm and after the storm?(Acts 27&28)

Not The Perfect Parents

Let me preface this by saying that my wife and I do not consider ourselves the perfect parents, nor do we consider our children perfect. But my hair is gray and we have survived nursery, adolescence and are just about done with college; so maybe it’s time to share an ounce of wisdom. You can take it or leave it, because that’s what people do. —-We had enough folks brag on our kids in the child-rearing days to suggest that they were well-behaved, and a pleasure to be around. Did we have anything to do with that as parents? We didn’t have a master plan or anything like that, but just in case we had something to do with it; I thought it would be good to share something. Since I want to help the growing number of parents that seem to struggle with this whole parenting thing, I was trying to narrow down what I would say to a new parent if they would remotely be interested in advice. ( I have to be honest I really cleaned that up. What I was going to say wasn’t very nice.)—- We were not regimented or legalistic in our approach to parenting, but we were consistent. And if I can narrow it down to one thing, it is this: be the parent from the beginning and stay the parent until they have children, and then become the grandparent. Be the parent. Start out that way. If you start out that way (it is a mind-set), you’ll never lose it. The day you lose it, it’s hard to make a comeback. Yes, all children are different. Some little bundles of joy are more challenging than others. Some have to be disciplined in different ways than the others. We figured that out by trial and error. But never, ever give in. Stay consistent through the various ages of child-development in your child-rearing, and it will be all they know. Aside from the war of the worlds known as the “terrible twos”, they likely won’t challenge again until thirteen. During the “terrible twos” they are pushing you hard for the head of the house position. Don’t cave in! Stay strong. At thirteen they’ll make another big push, but you show them once again that you are the parent; and you don’t care what other parents let there kids do. You aren’t being mean. You are showing your children boundaries. More importantly, you are showing them that you love them. Oh yeah, when they turn fourteen, don’t act like you’re fourteen, because that can bring in a whole set of other problems. —-If you really want more of my humble opinion on parenting, holla. We, the people, really want your children to be a pleasure to be around.

Some Of Us and All Of Us

Some of us have gotten off the beaten path. Some of us were never taught right from wrong. Some of us have been rode hard and put away wet. Some of us really don't know any better. Some of us did hit our head on something. Some of us don't know our momma or daddy. Some of us are lonely for a variety of reasons. Some of us are just awkward. Some of us are way too serious. Some of us aren't serious at all. Some of us were spoiled as a child. Some of us had our childhood stolen. Some of us had much given to us. Some of us were led astray at an early age. Some of us made one big mistake. Some of us worked for everything we got. Some of us seem to never catch a break. Some of us have things fall into our lap. Some of us... the list goes on and on. However, all of us are walking around with some of us, and that is why God is adamant about "love one another." We are to bear one another's burdens. You don't know what they've been through. Bless others, because that is what God's people do.

God's Routine

Everyone has some kind of routine. God has a routine. It’s called sunrise and sunset. It’s a beautiful sight no matter where you are. It’s the beginning of the day and the end of the day. It’s a fresh start. It’s time to kick back. There are many beautiful photos and many beautiful paintings of these two events. They are all part of one thing that God calls day. When the new heaven and new earth come along there will be no more day as such. God will remove the sun and there will be no more need for the moon. There will be no more night time. You see, the evening was meant to be a time of rest, and in the morning God offers man a new start for each day. This whole orbiting, revolving, sun-up, sun-down thing is to give man a chance to start over every day. It’s more than just a picture of God’s glory. God desires that we take advantage of His routine by starting anew with Him each day, and taking a break when the lights go out. —- The Good News is that there will be no more need for fresh starts with the new heaven and new earth. There will be no need or desire to rest. We’ll be like that energetic-two-year-old that never runs out of energy. We’ll be eternally satisfied in the glorious presence of Abba Father. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. (Rev.22:5) His glory will light up our new environment. We will finally live sinless in our glorified bodies, and consequently we will not need His new mercies every day, any day.

But Are They Changing Your Life?

We read and hear God's wonderful truths from Scriptures. Many of them are very simple. Most are. But if God's Word isn't transforming how we do life, then we need to slow down and read again. We need to sit and soak it up. Too many people say they "get it", but still live the same way they used to. Sit and read Psalm 139 and invite God to search your heart. Look in the mirror. Be honest with God. Honesty with God is the first step toward salvation. Honest confession of your sin to God is merely confessing what He already knows about you. Get real with God so that you can join Him at work. Truly accepting Jesus as your Lord (the Boss of you) and Savior will change your life. I say truly, because until you have relinquished the reins of your life to Him, He isn't truly Lord of you. And if He is not Lord of you, then He is not changing you; and any reading you're doing is just story book reading. 1 Corinthians 13 tells us that love never fails. Yet, we find reasons not to love. Jesus tells us that He is the way, the truth and the life; and yet many will lose sight of Him. The Bible tells us to love one another and to encourage one another. Instead, we will hate on each other, and kick a brother when they're down. Jesus was hard-core about forgiveness. He taught (Mt.18) that if we don't forgive others, then God will come down on us hard. Yet, we won't forgive and cite the circumstances assuming God allows an exception for us. Excuse me. Our sins are responsible for killing the Son of God, and He forgave us. ---When will we quit saying that we know what the Bible says, and just do what it says? God's plan is to shape you and I into the image of Christ. That happens only when we die to our agenda, and tell the God of the Universe (who already has demonstrated His love for our sorry butts on the cross), "here I am, do what you want with me." Is life frustrating you? Submit to the will of God. You will understand the perfect will of God once you allow Him to transform you by the renewing of your mind. You have to be an open book to God for Him to change you through His Word. Listen, God doesn't need martyrs. He simply desires the humble obedience of His people. The Script is before you, are you paying attention? Re-read the Bible. This time, read it like it is for you and not someone else.

Struggling With Sin

Arguably the most prolific missionary ever made a statement concerning his own personal dealings with sin, “O what a wretched man I am!” He said, “The thing that I want to do (for God) I don’t do. And the thing that I don't want to do (sin), I do.” In a very gut-wrenching confession and cry out to God in Romans 7, Paul does everything, but name his sin. —- The Bible isn’t so easy on all of the characters of the Bible. A few of them were very admirable in their love and pursuit of God, but we remember them by their one or two sins (goof-ups, mess-ups, missteps, etc.). Every sin, as David said, is against God. We judge how such a blessed person could commit such an atrocity against the God that they say they love. However, Paul is spared the embarrassment of having that sin or sins which so “easily beset” him recorded for all to see. Good for him! —- Some of us might say that he is only human, while others would say that they couldn’t believe he did such a thing. The mind is a terrible thing! —- The inconvenient truth is that we all struggle with sin. The Word of God uses the guy that most believers would think did not struggle with sin (perhaps because he was too busy) to stymie the notion that some people don’t struggle with sin. Paul makes himself sound like a gossiping-lying-conniving-drug and porn-addicted sinner with his confessional “O what a wretched man I am!” Right there he relates to every christian man and woman at some time or season of their life. In the flesh, we all know that sin comes and goes, rages and passes away like too much or not enough hormones in the human body. All we can do is cry out for mercy, because it is beyond our control. Time or a doctor might help with our hormonal adjustment, but it takes the Great Physician to deal “with this body of death” that envelopes the believer. The Good News is not that Paul was just like us. The Good News is that he cried out, and God answered. Most importantly, he could say, “Thanks be to God—- through our Lord Jesus Christ!” No matter what you are going through the code word for a rescue is always JESUS.

Unstoppable at 86

So we’re sitting in the hospital waiting room when the glass doors open from the outside and in walks an elderly man with his cane. My sister points out that it is “Mr. Smith”, my dad’s neighbor. Mr. Smith and his wife brought color to our neighborhood over 35 years ago. He and my dad have developed a friendship over that time that was pretty cool to hear about from Mr. Smith. (his speech, pace and vocabulary were distinct—-I’m still trying to figure out which M. Freeman character. His use of “A-ok” and a chuckle from such a serious face was like a scene from a movie.) —-When he arrived he was visibly wore out. And he greeted me by describing a host of health problems of his own(probably to explain why he was out of breath, because he wasn't really complaining.). After sat down and caught his breath, he told me that it is painful to get old. Mr. Smith at 86 had made this drive to visit my dad and wait for him to get done with the surgery. We thanked him, and told him that the surgery was several hours and he didn’t have to hang around. But his silence combatted sound reasoning every time we suggested it was okay if he needed to go home, so we shut up. —-Needless to say, he stayed until he got to see his neighbor in the recovery room. He prayed a prayer of thanksgiving over my Dad in that recovery room that made me want to stand taller, fall on my face, look for the glory of God to enter the room, or something. His prayer was eloquent, and most importantly from the heart. It was moving. It was real. —-With his mission complete, he asked which lane to get in to go home so that he could avoid merging in traffic before crossing the bridge. This was just a reminder of the frailty of life and old-man problems (that we’ll all experience one day). —-He had plenty of health problems, many of which he said kept him in that prison of a house of his. This gentleman that had done his time in the army and spent many years as an Educator taught me something in just a few hours. I’m still processing what the “something” was but it was time well-spent. At 86, Mr. Smith was unstoppable.

Joe Walsh and Finding Jesus

While listening to a little Joe Walsh tonight on Pandora, a thought occurred to me. As many chemicals as ole, fun-loving Joe has consumed through the years, it is absolutely amazing that he is still alive. I'm glad he is, because he just makes me smile. I then wondered if God has had Joe on life-support for quite some time, because He wants to give ole Joe every possible chance to find Jesus. God loves Joe. ---Then I thought, what if Joe or even one of my friends that have been through what Joe has been through wanted to, but didn't know how to "find Jesus." Well, here you go. You don't have to look far. You see, the God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.---men have missed the signs God has laid out in the past.---but now he commands all people everywhere to repent(this means to turn from something to something else or in this context; turn from this world to Jesus). For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.---The Gospel truth is that all men have sinned. Thus all men need a Savior. Jesus came incognito (kind of: if you want to call making the blind to see, lame to walk, deaf to hear and bringing people back to life under the radar). Jesus was God manifested in the flesh. He was the only One good enough to die for the sin of the whole world. Jesus died publicly on an old Roman cross and was resurrected three days later. Over a forty day period more than 500 people witnessed his glorified body walking and talking and even eating! He died so that we might have life. How can you find Jesus and this great salvation that he offers? The Good News is that it ain't no secret (the whole Bible points to Jesus.). The epic adventure that we call life is the Redemption story recorded in the Bible. The Bible tells us that "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this not from yourselves, it it the gift of God---not by works, so that no one can boast." All who call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved. Admit to God in honest dialogue that you are a sinner that wants to be saved. Invite Jesus Christ to take over your life. Make Him the Boss of you. Mean it and receive Him along with the gift that secures your salvation, the promised Holy Spirit.---Find you a good Bible-believing church and grow up. I look forward to hanging with you in heaven one day... and I really hope Joe makes it too.

The "F" Word is a Double-edged Sword

The thing that I hate the most about being a Christian is also the thing that I love the most about being a Christian. While I may not be enthused to forgive people (at least "some" people), the Bible does not list it as an option for the follower of Jesus. However, I will certainly accept forgiveness from folks when I sure don't deserve it. Yeah, you got it, forgiveness is the word with the double-edge. God made it that way so that we would get on with life, and maybe not hurt too many other humans along the way. ---Oh, and when you get to thinking too highly of yourself, remember that God has forgiven you of more than you'll ever forgive another person. Just do it. (If you don't forgive, it comes with an extremely high price, but that's a blog for another day.)

You Are Ripped

From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me -- let Israel now say -- 2 from my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me, but they have never been able to finish me off. 3 My back is covered with cuts, as if a farmer had plowed long furrows.4 But the LORD is good; he has cut the cords used by the ungodly to bind me. 5 May all who hate Jerusalem be turned back in shameful defeat. --Ps.129:1-5(NLT) The Psalmist reminds us of the vigors and trials of life that make us who we are. Even as early as our youthful days many have been persecuted by others. He is thankful to God as he realizes though he was persecuted; his enemies were unable "to finish him off." "My back is covered with cuts" is reminiscent to the reader of the scars of life that many have endured on their way to adulthood. A farmer plows for the purpose of growing produce. He's getting the ground in shape for something to grow. As painful as that thought is, these cuts have shaped us (men and women) into the person God hopes for us to be. --- I couldn't help to think of the many that go to the gym to be "cut" or "ripped" on their own to have a bodily physique that shows that they've been doing the work. Life, on its own, can cut us. Even though we go through junk in this life, one thing is for sure: "But the LORD is good." The LORD is the one who cuts us loose from the things the enemy has used to bind us. So to our enemy or the enemies of all who seek the LORD, there comes a time when we can call out the "haters" ("all who hate Jerusalem"), because we know to WHOM we belong. God has rescued us, and the enemy will "be turned back in shameful defeat." --- You are still here. Everything that has happened to you thus far should make you stronger. God believes in you. He will put to shame the enemy. Don't worry about that. Be who you are "in Christ" today! You are cut. You are ripped! You're looking good. Testify of the great things God has done for you.

Proud to be called Slave

Rom.6:22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. But now…now what? Now that you have been set free from sin. When did that happen? It happened when you accepted Christ. Get this: when you accepted Christ you became a slave to God. Now, we generally apply negative connotations to being called a slave or servant of someone else. However, becoming a slave to God comes with benefits, not abuse. It comes with benefits, not mistreatment and abuse. The “benefit you reap leads to holiness.” To be considered holy by God is a good thing. This is not a holier than thou attitude. This is genuine holiness. So, the benefit of being a slave to God is being considered holy. Meanwhile, the result of being a slave to God is eternal life. I don’t know about you, but Paul, under the Holy Spirit of God, can call me slave, servant, doulos or whatever as long as I get the benefit of holiness resulting in eternal life. —-You see, the reason the word Master has such a bad connotation in our world today is that men are sinners, evil, jerks, selfish, etc. However, God is good and perfect in every way. He has better than your best interest for you. You want a happy meal, but He wants to take you to the Steak House. You’re satisfied with a peaceful easy feeling, but God has Eternal life with Him in mind for you. So don’t be worried about being politically correct with the English translation of doulos. These bond-slaves wanted to be slaves. It was the best deal for them.—- Hey, God can come put me in handcuffs right now, because He has a better plan for me than I will ever have for me. —- But He won’t do hand cuffs. You see, just as He told Adam to freely eat, He wants each of us to freely come to Him. There aren’t barbed wire fences. There aren’t invisible electrical fences to keep us in the fold. He wants us to live for Him, because we love Him. The evidence of His love is before us—-the cross. Jesus said that those who love Him obey Him. Obedience from the heart is how He knows!—- We were once slaves to sin, and we had no problem with that. It even carried consequences leading to death with no benefits! Being a slave to God as our Master is being a pure and holy servant to the God who loves us! Call me what you want. I'm proud to be a slave to God.—- It reminds me of King David dancing before God in worship before all the people, and his wife chastised him for such “un-kingly” behavior. David responded that he would gladly be even more indignant in humility before His God.

No Clanging Zone

In building the temple, only blocks dressed at the quarry were used, and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built.---1Kings 6:7 At most job sites now a days we will hear the noise of power tools. If not power tools, we will hear the banging away of hammers and whatnot. God told Solomon there would be no such noise inside the Temple of God as it was being built. They would shape the building materials offsite to fit perfectly. This took serious skill and a commitment to excellence by the project manager and the skilled workers. --- When I thought of "why such a command?", immediately an answer came to mind. God doesn't like clanging. God loves and cherishes the voices of His people in worship of Him. It is sweet music to Him, but He does not care for clanging. Another verse came to mind: If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. (1Cor.13:1) God does not care to hear a bunch of mumbo-jumbo from us. Cheap talk or self-righteous blabbering is like a clanging hammer in the Temple of God. He wants none of it. God demands our obedience. Telling Solomon's project manager "no hammers at the job site" was a command, not a request. God requires His people to love one another, not make a bunch of noise that makes much of themselves.

Don't Underestimate Your Friends

How can I discuss God’s love and truth with my friends whose beliefs differ from mine? That is a good, honest and popular question. First of all, you can’t make anyone believe. People are attracted to Christ often by good models…people living truth. Of course, the Holy Spirit convicts of sin and draws them to Christ. —-So, dump the pressure of having to save anyone. You can’t do it. God is in the saving business. You are just a representative. Unfortunately, a lot of folks think they cannot use the Bible when sharing Jesus with a non-believer. Folks don’t want to come across as a Bible-thumper. Nevertheless, don’t sell the Bible short. It can stand on its own. People have tried to destroy it, lied about it, and everything else. The Word of Truth still stands. — The Bible is the eternal Word containing God’s eternal truth. It houses truth whether they believe in it or not. The only entity that does not want you to use the Bible is Satan. He wouldn't even quote it correctly when he threw down with Jesus. Aside from your own personal testimony, the Bible is one of your greatest resources. Use it!—-One of the best testimonies that I ever heard was about a guy who got saved after he read a Bible that he found while cutting the grass in the middle of the interstate. Share the word of truth when the opportunity presents itself. If you’re living right and showing love to your friends, they’ll give the word a try. Just be real. Don’t leave out prayer in all of this. Make sure you’re praying, you’re in the Word, and you’re living the kind of life that will impact your friends. Don’t underestimate your non-believing friends either. Most really do want the truth. Unfortunately, they’ve seen too many fake Christians, and there just waiting to see you fall. (they’re not necessarily pulling for you to fail…they just expect it.) They need to see you bear good fruit which comes from abiding in Christ. *Be bold for Christ. There is a reason God put you in their life. If you don’t share Jesus with them, who will? Don’t underestimate: the power of God’s Word, the impact of your life, and that God can use you. God believes in you.:)

Much To Do About Nobody 2Sam.7:1-20

It must have seemed like it took forever for David to finally become King over Israel from the time he had been anointed until the time he finally took over. After finally bringing all of Israel together and things were settled he had a palace built. Of course, this was only possible because God had given Israel peace with all of their surrounding enemies. —-Sometime upon settling into the palace David realized that he was living in the beautiful cedar palace while God was out there in a tent. So King David summoned Nathan the prophet and let him know that he was bugged out about God’s housing accommodations. It just didn’t seem right that David was living it up in the palace, while God’s residence was more temporary. The prophet told David to do what he felt was right. —-But that night God told Nathan to tell David to hold up on the plans to build God a house. God reminded him (them) that He had never lived in a house. Who were they to assume He wanted a house? God had used a tent and the Tabernacle as His dwelling place as He traveled with His people. In fact, (God reminds) “I have never once complained to Israel’s tribal leaders, nor asked for a beautiful cedar house?” —-God turns the conversation on it’s head. It goes from David wanting to build a physical dwelling place for God, to God making a covenant with David and securing the kingly lineage with David’s household for eternity!— A man actually comes up with a decent and good idea; and God blows it away with a humongous blessing.—- The result: David breaks off into one of the sweetest prayers of all time. And in that prayer there were a couple of keynotes that hit me, and I think these hit all of us when we’re in one of those seasons where we’re in tune with God. First, David says “Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” All who have grasped even the slightest understanding of God’s wonderful mercy and grace have asked this question at one time or another. David says (in my best paraphrasing) “God, with all the wonderful things that you have done for me, you mean to tell me on top of all that you are giving your servant a lasting dynasty? Unbelievable!” Then he said this and I can’t get over it (because I’ve certainly felt this way at times) “Do you deal with everyone this way, O Sovereign LORD?” With that I will add, “Sovereign LORD you have on multiple occasions made me feel so special. I am unworthy, yet you called me out.” And this last thing David says is my personal misunderstanding of why God has blessed me, “What more can I say to you? You know what your servant is really like Sovereign LORD.”—-That’s right God knows what David is really like, and He knows what I am like and He still has given an inheritance to all who will call on Him. God’s will and God’s promise make all these things possible. Knowing everything about us, He still does this. This is especially significant, because it takes David only a short-time to do such a dastardly act that a lesser god would have reneged on the promise. Once again, the greatness of our God shines. Even though He was aware of the atrocious sin David was about to commit, He extended the promise anyway, because ultimately He knew the heart of David. Again, we recount the blessings of God amidst our screw-ups and say “Who am I Sovereign LORD? Do you treat everyone like this?”

YES! You Were Born That Way

We were born sinners. "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned--" (Rom.5:12) We are born that way! There is no doubt about it. So concerning whatever sinward-bent you have, yes, you were born that way.--- Jesus had bold words for a man that came to speak to him one night. The man, Nicodemus, assumed that he was right with God simply because of his birth. In his case he thought that he was naturally good due to his Jewish heritage. However, the rest of us have our own reasoning for thinking that we are right with God. None of us think we're all that bad. Jesus bold words to Nicodemus, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. "(Jn.3:3) Jesus told this guy that felt he was right with God in his own eyes that heaven wasn't even within his view. It wasn't even on the horizon! That is bad news. And if we truly understand this encounter, it would be even worse news for us. If this guy wasn't right with God, we didn't stand a chance. ---Funny thing, God isn't afraid to tell the bad news, because we need to know it so that we turn the right way. If He didn't tell us that we were going the wrong way, we wouldn't see the need to turn around. So, the bad news really opens us up for the Good News. Jesus goes on to explain the love of God. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Christ came and died so you wouldn't stay that way (the way you were born, a sinner). --- Now, we often get upset when someone points out that we are a sinner. Yet, the Bible says that we all are (and we know it). We call them judgmental and all that. Listen to the words of the loving Jesus, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. "(Jn.3:18) Our sin condemns us. Are you paying attention? Death entered the world through sin. Sin is not good.---Perhaps Nicodemus didn't like hearing the words that he needed " a new birth." Of course not! Nobody likes to be told, even if it is Jesus doing the telling. Nevertheless, Jesus showed him the way out, and ended up doing the work on the cross. ---Later Paul would say " I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.(Gal.2:20) There is a call to turn from our sin nature and live for Jesus. A new creation calls for us to live for the one who died for us and rose again. Lifestyle matters. The other six days of the week matter to God. " And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again... Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! "(2Cor.5:15,17) God has bigger plans for me than the sin I was born into. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." It's time to make the turn, and be that man/woman God had in mind when He created you. The sinful nature that we enter this world with so seeks to define us, but God has other plans. "While we were still sinners Christ died for us..." Christ didn't die so that you and I would remain in sin. It is difficult, but let's not let his death become void to us. ---Yes, you were born that way...you were born into death; but Christ came that you might have life! Remember Jesus words to Nicodemus, "You must be born again..." Take that fresh start by confessing your sins to God (He already knows them so just come clean), and accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Just be honest and sincere with God. And about all that sin...He'll clean it up. That's what He does! Don't sweat it. Finally, let us pray for one another as we kill off the old man/woman inside each of us.

11:11

I just have this thing: an inordinate amount of times I look at the clock and it is 11:11. After this went on for a year, I started wondering if this was just random or was God trying to tell me something. Then it occurred to me (and I still haven’t figured it out for sure) that God was just stopping by to say hi. I have since accepted this phenomenon as God catching me throughout the day to remind me that He loves me. Sometimes we need a reminder or need some encouragement. Nevertheless, God did once and for all demonstrate His love for us. That is what Romans 5:8 is all about. You see, on the cross, God did the heavy-lifting. He lifted the burden of sin right off us. In life, we have a lot of problems that come in different shapes and sizes. Some are for short amounts of time, while others are lengthy, painful experiences. The Good News is that even in the worst of these times, all we have to do is look back to the cross to know that God has already conquered our biggest nemesis. Jesus Christ has put death in its place...the grave. Thankfully, I don’t need to see a clock to remind me that God loved me, even at my worst, and has put the toughest thing behind me. I can get on with life, and know that whatever good or bad befalls me...God’s got this!

Killing Cycle

In the time before King David had brought the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel together, the two commanders of the respective armies Abner and Joab led the men in battles with one another. On this day Abner had killed the brother of Joab (after warning Joab's brother to back off). Abner knew this would surely heat the battle up until everyone died. So after retreating and gaining some separation, Abner shouts back to Joab to call a truce. And we read: Abner shouted down to Joab, "Must we always be killing each other? Don't you realize that bitterness is the only result? When will you call off your men form chasing (their)brothers?"--2Sam.2:26---It hit me that this was so applicable to today. We are all brothers of the human race. When will the chasing stop? When will the bullying stop? When will the killing stop? These all lead to bitterness and bitterness fuels the fire. Our world is on a perpetual killing cycle. Ultimately, it won't stop until Jesus comes back. However, we can be the voice of reason in our respective households and communities and yell back as we retreat "Must we always be (hating) on each other?" We must do something to eliminate the bitterness that keeps the hate-movements charged up.

On May 3rd

On May 3rd we combined two events, our Cindo de Mayo celebration with our Marriage For Life Date Night. The Date Night is filled with fun, food and a word of encouragement/challenge to all the married couples in attendance. The challenge this time for couples exiting was to do something simple for one another. It was a little thing, but little things can become big things. Some people obviously took the challenge seriously, while others dismissed it as a stupid idea, that was perhaps beneath them. We challenged men to open and close the car door for their lady for the next thirty days with an attempt to bring back some chivalry. Could you imagine if this caught on just from our group doing this? However, in this day and time with two vehicles we’ve had to work at it. Why do something so simple? Well, it requires the man to be intentional, and it requires the woman to be patient. Not to mention, it requires the two to be together every now and then to make it happen. Meanwhile, the women had a different type challenge. The wives were challenged to brag on their man (to him about him) at least once a day. Of course, this would seem forced at first, especially if it hasn't happened in years. Everybody likes to be bragged on, especially men. The purpose in this was to get the man to respect his wife to the point she could have an impact on shaping him into the man God desires. You see, if the man is a “man after God’s own heart” he will be the man the woman wants and needs.—-I know these things simple and trite. But you have to start somewhere. —-If you’re that couple that didn't try, or you just forgot about it, because it wasn’t a habit; I encourage you to start. Try for thirty days, and thank God afterwards. * Confession:(I’m pretty sure I mentioned this that night, but I want to make sure you know) this thirty day thing wasn’t my idea. It was a mixture of things God showed me, and then He just threw it out there. Yeah, I’m saying if you want to call God’s idea “stupid”, then you’re on your own. I think it’s worth trying, What else are you doing?—-By the way, it’s working for the handful of couples that are doing it. Start, restart, persevere… do what it takes to finish strong! God bless you, we know He loves you. (Rom.5:8)— Oh and thanks to all who have testified of how things are getting better.

125 Cheerleaders Abducted From Camp

Breaking News: 125 cheerleaders were abducted from a cheerleader camp held in a plush north Georgia suburban area. The citizens (including parents, local police forces, National Guard, the military) aren’t just up in arms over this; they are mobilized into action as we would expect them to be. The unnamed group of abductors are faceless. Their intent is to make wives of these young girls and/or sell them on the human-trafficking market. —- Obviously, this did not happen…here. But it did happen at an all-girl school in Nigeria a couple of weeks ago. What is the difference? After two weeks, 234 Nigerian school girls are still missing, and the world knows who took them. And the world knows their intention. Not only that, it is a recurrence of this group of people. —- For over a month CNN has made a big To-Do about a plane that is missing and many lives likely lost. As of this moment, authorities still don’t even know where that plane is. Authorities know where Nigeria is. They know where this evil organization resides. —-Some good people in the media would not let the story about the abducted girls disappear this time. Will the world cry out? Is an American cheerleader more important than a Nigerian school girl? Where are the voices? If not for twitter and Facebook news like this would fall to the back page. How can we go on? Pray for our world. Pray for our collective hearts.

Walking With A Limp

Life happens. At various times in our lives we have incidents take place that effect how we walk, talk, or move about. Some are more tragic, while others can be overcome by therapy. Some may be more emotional than physical. But many of us have those moments that are game-changers so to speak. ---Jacob wrestled with the angel of God (Gen.32:22-32). Many theologians believe this was the pre-incarnate Christ (that's just theologian talk, meaning that it was Christ before he came here as a baby.). After this wrestling match with God, the Bible says that Jacob walked with a limp. This limp was a reminder of the meeting. It was also a reminder that he overcame. Jacob was still alive! Jacob also received a blessing from God, and this limp would be a reminder of that as well. --- In 2Cor.12:9 Paul wrestles with God over a "thorn in the flesh". Many have speculated over what Paul's thorn in the flesh might be: from bad eyesight to a secret sin that he struggled with. Paul was a prayer warrior. God had allowed him to heal other people. God had pretty much brought Paul back from death or the brink of death on a number of occasions, so this wasn't a matter of a lack of faith. Yet God would not answer this prayer of Paul with a "yes." Instead, Jesus spoke to him "My grace is sufficient for you, and my strength is made perfect in weakness." Paul learned that this "thorn", whatever it was that slowed him down, was meant to show Jesus' power. Paul learned to embrace the thorn or we'll say the "limp." It was what kept him grounded and trusting in the power of Jesus, not himself. Think about it, the more God lets you get in on the action, the more you and I could think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. There is a purpose in the thorn. It reminds us of who the boss is. So, as you walk with that spiritual limp each day, remember it is for the best. You get to see the power of Jesus in action, because you're not "all that" with your thorn or limp. Embrace your weakness, for Christ's strength is made complete in your weakness. Glory in the LORD in all that you do.

Coffin Toucher

Lk.7:14-15 Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother. Jesus is just walking through a crowd, and he walks up on a funeral procession. A widow had lost her only son, and Jesus is moved with compassion over this. He tells the momma not to cry, and he walks over to the coffin and touched it, telling the bearers to stop. ---Then he tells the dead boy to get up. And he did! He began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. Wow! Jesus has compassion. He cares about people. Jesus can even throw a funeral in reverse! Those that cross his path find life, even if they’re in a box. Did you get that? How can any of us ever be the same after seeing or hearing about this Jesus? He interrupted a funeral. He was brash enough to walk over to the casket and touch it. He stopped the funeral procession. He talked to a dead person and told that person to get up...and he did! Who does that? ---Great fear swept the crowd that day.

Settlers

The Book of Numbers is often treated like a bypass. People start with a mind to read the Bible through in a year and then they get slowed down in Leviticus and then possibly derailed in Numbers. Yet, there is great stuff in both of these books if you don't speed-read (all of it). I could smell the end of Numbers as I hit chapter 32, but then the Spirit tripped me up as I was about to speed by some stuff. ---You see, the Israelites are poised to cross the Jordan River and take the land God is giving them back. God had promised this land to Abraham, and they've been gone 400 years since Jacob left for Egypt. After the Exodus the people have spent 40 years wandering in "time out" getting their attitude adjusted. They had a couple warm up battles, and they've seen God's mighty hand at work. What glorious days as they are about to go into the Promised Land! But then, tribal leaders from Reuben and Gad approach Moses saying that they want to stay on the other side of the Jordan. They don't want to cross over. The land on the east of Jordan is "good enough" for them. After 400 years of slavery and adding another 40 years of waiting on this promise of God ...His glorious offering to the people...they have the audacity to say they don't want the promised land. They are willing to settle. Oh, there are so many implications there. God always offers the best. And yet, over and over again we settle for something less. Adam and Eve did it. We still do it. We will settle for what we can see and touch rather than trusting what God has just ahead is the best. The Jews would settle with the Law when God sent His Son. Men will trust in works when God sends mercy and grace. ---Moses was ticked with these tribal leaders, because he knew at the root of this was a rebellious heart. Oh, we can justify our rebellion. "The fruit looks good to eat." "The land is just right for all of our cattle." Perhaps they even suggested that there will be more land for you guys. Moses nipped one thing real quick. He told them that they would have to cross over and fight with their brothers. (Unfortunately, God lets us settle if we so desire.) I'm betting they just said yes to save embarrassment, but also knowing that was the way it would have to be. (I'm saying, I don't think they really wanted to fight. But Moses called them out.)---The sad part of this is that they settled. Even in our churches, many will settle in the seats of the soft chairs, and will never participate in the war. God has some land out there that is for the taking. God has some glorious stories out there ahead of us. Yet, we must understand at the heart of laziness is a rebellious spirit. Moses reminded these people that it was that very rebellious spirit that had just allowed 600,000 of their family members to spend 40 years in the wilderness to die and not see the Promised Land. Settlers in church today are folks that are fat and happy with the status quo. Let's never settle for good enough!---Arm up and let's go, for the Battle is the LORD's and the land belongs to us.

The LORD is Your Tent

"The godly will rejoice in the LORD and find shelter in Him. And those who do what is right will praise Him."-Ps.64:10. So our small group had a $100 to bless someone whether it be a group or a person this week. We had a plan, but before we had executed the plan a need was made aware to us. A homeless man had requested a basic need, a tent. So we connected with him and got him a tent and some accessories to go with the tent. He was grateful to get the shelter, and I'm sure more grateful that night. Then I read this verse in Psalm the next morning, and couldn't help to pause and recognize the LORD's sweet voice. "The godly will...find shelter in (the LORD)." I pray for this man who says that he knows the LORD. I pray that he will truly find shelter... shelter in the LORD. No matter our life situation, we can find shelter in Him. The godly are those who have trusted Christ as Savior. We cannot be godly without his mercy and grace. He is the One that transforms us into something we're not from birth. Indeed, "the godly will rejoice in the LORD and find shelter in Him." When the storms of life come, we need a house; and the Scripture tells us that the LORD is the House to those who trust in Him.

The Eagles, Worship, The Front Row

Recently my wife and I were blessed by a sweet couple with tickets to go see a band from our generation, the Eagles. We were pumped. We drove over three hours to see them, and prepared to show up an hour early to make sure we weren’t late. Many of us would spend X#$ to sit in the front row of our favorite group’s concert. Many people worship every week and bring X#$ or the price of floor seating to a big name concert ...every week... to worship as on offering to God! God does mean that much to some people. We will travel a few hours, even in the rain, to a big event or to see an idol of ours. People will drive to worship on a rainy day, tired day, whatever kind of day to worship without a second thought. When we are devoted: heart, soul and mind, then money, time, and schedules just don’t seem to matter. What kind of devotion are you giving to the God who loves you? HIs love for you is unquestionable. The demonstration of HIs love is on the cross. How are you laying down your life for Him daily?--- The front seats at most churches are free and wide-open almost every week. Would it be so at X’s Concert? Would you stay and worship for three hours without complaining? (and that’s after you got there an hour early) Would you park a couple of football fields away, and walk in the rain?--- I think going to concerts, ball games, etc. are wonderful experiences. They show that we know how to prepare for a trip, reschedule, save money and give a disproportionate amount of money away when something is near and dear to our heart. God needs to see our passion for Him lived out. After all, Jesus said, “Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul and mind.” Jesus described devotion/passion in that one command. He said that that is what we are supposed to do.---How about when your pastor finishes the sermon this next week, call him out for an encore! Begin the chant: “we want more!” Prayer: Lord God, help us indeed to want more of you every day.

Who Do You Feel Like Hatin' On Today?

Who do you feel like hatin’ on today? There is a good chance that THAT person is the one God wants you to love on today! There is a good chance that God is wanting you to demonstrate His love to THAT person today. I know. I know. You gotta hate it. Nevertheless, God said that you will know His people in their love for one another. We look the most like Him when we love the unlovely, the ungodly, the people that peeve us off the most. --- We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.--1Jn.4:19-21---Try this today. Take a second, if you need it, to think about that person that really gets under your skin. Maybe that sent you a stupid text today or something. Maybe they did something and you’re pretty sure that they were “pushing your buttons.” Stop and take a love detour. Do not respond as the natural man would, giving hate for hate. Instead, see what happens to you and them when you do not respond in kind. The Bible tells us that “no man has seen God at any time.” Yet, it also tells us that we make God visible, when we shower the love of God on others, especially the undeserving. Try it. I guarantee, you will turn a nasty text conversation into a smiley face if you are genuine. Oh, by the way, this peeves Satan off, and it is okay to peeve him off. :)

A Work of Envy

After the Jewish leaders illegally arrested Jesus and illegally tried him, the leading priests, elders, and the teachers of the law bound Jesus. They took him to Pilate the Roman governor. They accused Jesus of so many things that Pilate could smell a skunk. He knew something was messed up. He just couldn’t quite put his finger on it. When called upon to pick a charge against Jesus, they went with “he calls himself the King of the Jews.” Pilate tried to get Jesus to respond to the charges, but he merely said, “you said it” and would not defend himself. ---It was plain to Pilate that the leading priests had arrested Jesus out of envy. In a sense, it was envy that put Jesus on the cross. Of course, we know that it was his destiny to carry out the work of the cross. However, it does illustrate the power of a “little” sin like envy. ---Pilate made a feeble attempt to get the people to vote on releasing a convicted murderer or Jesus. The leading priests and elders hearts were so hardened that they stirred the crowd in a frenzy against Jesus. For man’s part, the work of the cross was a work of envy. --Mark 15:1-13

This Answers A Lot

As we have been studying the book of Romans as a church, a lot of talk about the Jew and the law have surfaced. It is confusing coming form a Gentile point of view. All we can safely say is that Paul, a former Pharisee dedicated to the law, and Jesus weren’t happy with the law; and neither placed any trust in the law of men. Jesus takes the time to share the truth in love with some Pharisees who had come from Jerusalem to check the Teacher out. They were gathered around trying to find something that they could accuse Jesus of. They didn’t have to wait long, because “Jesus don’t play.” Right off the bat, the Pharisees noticed that Jesus’ disciples were not following their ceremonial law about washing before they ate. However, it is explained to us that this was a law made up by the elders, not a command of God. Throughout the year, the Jews had added oral laws to the commands of God, and had burdened the people with so many laws that they had to listen to whatever the “law-yers” told them to do. Jesus explains how the Pharisees and all the Jews would not eat unless they washed for religious purposes. Furthermore, they had a bunch of other traditions that basically meant keeping a good facade. So, the Pharisees challenged Jesus on why his disciples didn’t keep the traditions of the elders. Jesus immediately juked them pulling out a verse from Isaiah that foretold something about these hypocrites, who give God lip service, but their heart is not right. They just want to look good before man, but God ain’t happy. Jesus followed that with a glaring example to shut them up. He told of how some of them would give an extra big financial gift to God (so they could brag and look good before men), but it was money they normally would have used to help their elderly parents. Because Jesus mentions this, we can certainly ascertain that their motive from the heart was judged wrong by him. God tells us to give all we’ve got to him by whatever means we have. But He also tells us to honor our father and mother. These folks didn’t have welfare, social security, and retirement benefits. Jesus knew that these guys would do anything to look puffed up, including not taking care of their parents which was not merely a tradition for them but a command of God. Jesus told them that they nullified the very word of God by their new tradition of allowing this practice. Plus, he added “and you do many things like that.” In other words, this was just one example, and if they needed more just ask. --- God looks at the heart, not man’s scorecard.

Me, Rob Bell and Oprah

This world has been a bloody mess since sin entered the world. Yes, God made all things beautiful and very good. He gave the stewards of the Earth billions of “you-can-do’s” and only one “don’t-do.” He was so serious He attached a deadly consequence to that disobedience-death. God is good. God is love. But God is also just, and this is what some folks can’t get over. Some want the love of God without the justice. However, I’m pretty sure they want justice when someone does them wrong. I think this God that is full of mercy and grace can properly handle dealing with folks that have rejected Him. But you know, it doesn’t matter what I think, what Rob thinks or even Oprah. ---Right from the beginning when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden the loving God of the Universe shed the blood of an innocent animal, not merely for new clothes now that they knew they were naked. He did it as a foreshadowing of the day that He would send His Son to die for the sin of the world. It was a covering of their sin. For those who will come to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior He will be their covering and much, much more.---Oprah and Rob can’t handle the blood. They want the love, but the truth is you can’t see the love without the blood. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.-Romans 5:8. Just read the Bible. Don’t take my word, Rob’s word, or Oprah’s word. Take God at His Holy Word.

She Said "Yes"

It is popular as of this writing for grooms-to-be to let their friends know on the social network that the wedding is ON by posting a picture and proclaiming “she said ‘yes.’” Truth-be-told God has been courting many today with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, wooing His people through the Holy Spirit. While pastors preach for a positive response to the Gospel every week, many followers of Jesus get the opportunity to share the Good News of God throughout the week in love and good deeds, and sometimes with words. The message called the Gospel or Good News contains Good News and Bad News. It starts with the Bad News of the obvious, we are all sinners. I have never had a person have a problem acknowledging that one. People know that they are not perfect no matter whose standards they use. However, folks aren’t ready to admit that there is justice and judgment coming for personal sin, even though in the back of their minds they can feel it. There is a reason for that feeling. God has hidden eternity in our hearts, and he has given man a conscience. But mostly, man rejects the Gospel, because he is unwilling to change. He does not want to die to self to live for another, even if that new life has a promise of eternity and abundance. The old ways, the old man is hard to turn from. Nevertheless, the God who sent His One and Only Son to die for the ungodly pursues such men. This is a demonstration of His great love. He has no strings attached, just turn from sin and turn to Him trusting the saving power from the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Just say “yes” to Jesus as Lord of your life.---Many will wait. They will post-pone or put off responding to Jesus. There is a danger one ought to know about this. In that moment when one is considering accepting Jesus and turning their back on the woeful ways of this world, it is none other than the Holy Spirit of God that is calling them to respond. It is a dangerous thing to reject the Holy Spirit over and over. Jesus said that whoever blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. Listen, a person doesn’t accidentally blaspheme the Holy Spirit. Blasphemy is ultimately the rejecting of the Savior the Holy Spirit is advocating for until death. So, Jesus warns of the danger of persistently rejecting the convicting power of the Holy Spirit by not responding to the Good News of God.---The best thing a person can do when feeling the prompting of the Holy Spirit: just say “yes.”

Remember Who Got You Here

The children of Israel had just been rescued from 430 years of slavery. God, Himself heard their cries, and came down to free them. He used the man Moses as the deliverer and appointed his brother Aaron as his side-kick. The people had witnessed God send 10 amazing plagues to get Pharaoh to let the people go. God made the Egyptian people willing to give them gold and other costly items on their departure giving the former slaves massive wealth as they made the exodus. God sent the people on a safe route so they would not encounter warriors along the path for they were workers, not fighters. God sent them on a route that led them to a dead-end between a mountain and the Red Sea as an angry Egyptian army came hard-charging seeking revenge. God did this to show His glory one more time, so that perhaps these sheep would know who God was if they didn’t already get it. He parted the Red Sea for the Israelites and then He brought down the waters to destroy the charging combative Egyptians. The mighty army was slain in the Red Sea with no survivors. The Israelites broke out in song on the sea shore. ---As their travels continued God did amazing miracles in giving them water and feeding them in the wilderness area. And then it was time for them to take a break as their leader Moses went up on the mountain to meet with God. In a short time the people became restless wondering where Moses was. They came to his brother Aaron whining and complaining and they told him to build an idol for them to worship. Aaron caved in and had them bring some of the gold they had retrieved from Egypt and built a golden calf, and they worshiped this golden calf giving it credit for their deliverance.--- God paused in His discussion with Moses and told him that he better get down and check on “his” people. --- You can read the rest of what ensued in Exodus chapter 32 for yourself, and you will find yourself harshly judging these people that surely should have known better. Yet, I caution you to be slow in judgment. For we too have seen God do amazing things in our lives, only to turn easily back to idols. We turn back to what we are familiar with. I think the Bible calls these things “familiar spirits.” Aaron sure did shape that golden image real quick for a guy that was dedicated to God. The people sure slipped into a different mode as they worshiped this golden calf. --- When life gets difficult, and when you are between a rock and a hard place remember Who rescued you last time. Surely this was fresh on the minds of these people. They should have fallen on their knees and had an awesome forty days of prayer meeting. Cry out to the God who saves, not something you can make with your own hands. Remember Who got you here.

God’s Practical Joke

I’ve said for a long time now that the church is God’s practical joke (of course tongue in cheek, sort of). He brings this group of people from all walks of life with various personalities, throws them together and says “get along.” Actually, He says “love one another”. And more, “bear one another’s burdens,” and more stuff like that. And when we don’t do those things we fall apart, and the world laughs at us. They call it a church-split, but we call it “planting” a new church. Some leave the church to never come back.---God puts us together, tells us to work things out, and oh yeah, change the world! God empowers the church with spiritual gifts to get the job done, however the church has to maintain unity (get along) to maximize those powers and change a world that relishes sin. So, yeah, anything to keep you out of church is a positive for the ruler of the fallen world, Satan.

Taking the Garbage Out and Seeing God

I’m certainly not that important, but I have hit the ground running hard this new year. It seems like there has been a meeting of some sort almost every night, so this past Thursday I was elated when I saw nothing on the calendar. My wife was a little under the weather, so we just chilled out at the house watching some comedies on the tv. ---After indulging in some good laughs, it was time to call it a night. I prepared to take the garbage out to the road by putting on my jacket, a ski hat and some gloves. It was freezing outside, but that was probably a little over the top for a thirty second walk to the end of the road. As I got to the end of the road on this mindless but purposeful trip, something from the northwestern sky caught my eye. In a clearing between the trees and right beneath an ominous cloud, a beautiful nearly full moon was juxtaposed on a jet black sky. It was beautiful. I wasn’t looking for it. It lurked out from the scenery and caught my attention. This would have been an award winning painting selling for millions if a man had painted it. It was a little thing, yet a big thing. It was as if God was saying, “Hey, what’s up? This has been here all night. This is what I do.” I felt a little sheepish for chilling out by watching a couple of hours of tv on this particular night, when God was doing something big outside. It was something much more entertaining and graceful.It’s beauty was unmatched. I was now thankful that I had put on warm clothing, as I stopped and looked straight up at all the stars that were visible on this night. I spotted Orion and that one star that shines brighter than all the others, you know ole whatchamacallit. I stood and gazed as I took it all in. It was after midnight, and we’re at the end of the street...so it’s me and God. I looked around to see if anyone else was out as I was gawking at God’s beautiful artistry. Wow! What was supposed to be a not even routine, but instead a mundane 15 second trip turned into a God-moment. I love it when God comes near...when He makes His presence known in the little things at unexpected times. It reminded me that God has made himself plain to us in His Creation. Man certainly is without excuse.

Bill Nye vs Ken Ham Debate

Considering we just spent several weeks going through the first book of Romans, the Bill Nye vs Ken Ham debate between Evolution and Creation Science was quite timely. Both men acting pretty professional, and avoided most rhetoric associated with the two sides. It was good to see how an actual debate is to be run instead of the political circus debates that we’re used to. At the end of the day, a debate is standing up for the truth that you believe in. There is no place to hide. ---Both men held their own giving their explanations for fossil records, the dating of the earth and that sort of thing. The only two things that the opponents threw at each other that the other left undone or forgot to answer (although they were not required to) were the following: 1.) Bill showed a picture of a bunch of skulls and asked Ken for an explanation (however, Ken does deal with that and thousands of tougher questions on his website: answersingenesis.org) 2.) Ken made a statement saying that the rock that evolutionists used to date earth at 4.5million years was part of a meteorite and not even earth rock. Bill chose not to respond. Those were just a couple of jabs that were left undone.--- Bill tried to act like christianity and science were incompatible. It was basically the old “christians check you’re brain at the door”, except he focused on Ken as to not offend the rest. In the limited time given, Ken showed a few creation scientists who have done remarkable work to combat that. However, Ken gave scientists that were atheists their due as well. Bill portrayed himself as a “reasonable man” totally suggesting Mr. Ham was not. In fact, a few times he called creation science “Ken Ham’s model”, attempting to isolate him from the scientific world.--- Bill’s main attack was to belittle Mr. Ham and the Bible, thus why should this world listen to such a silly man. Ken differentiated historical science and observational science. The origin of the earth and the origin of man fall under the first category. Evolutionists have to make up amazing arguments based on all kinds of assumptions. Creationists go unapologetically to the record in Genesis. Ken stated on more than one occasion how the Gospel and Creation go together. You really can’t separate the two. Perhaps many reject Creation, because they’re rejecting the Gospel. Bill pointed out that he has a bottom-up view, while Ken has a top-down view; which is probably the most enlightened thing said all night (even though I am sure he didn’t mean to do it). In that statement my mind raced directly to Romans 1The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.(18,19)--- Ken spoke clearly about what God has plainly revealed to man. No, we weren’t there to see it, but neither were Bill Nye and Carl Sagan. Bill’s view is a man-made intellectual only...”I can figure it out myself” view. Ken’s view is based on divine revelation or “because God has made it plain to them.” I do appreciate Bill Nye coming out to debate, because many were telling him not to. By staying mum, they are able to easily suppress the truth. It is two belief systems. No one was here in the beginning, so we all start with a belief or presupposition. The Laws of Nature are God’s Laws. Things work in an organized fashion, because God made it that way. To find a watch in the middle of nowhere, and pretend that just happened to form is ludicrous. That sir is checking your brain at the door. ---Just admit it. You believe in evolution, because you reject the Gospel of God. Science is good, but it’s not revelation. We need divine revelation to know how we got here, and what our purpose is. Most of all, we need divine revelation to know Christ our Savior. --- The saddest part of the evening was Bill Nye saying that exploring and trying to figure stuff out was the joy of life(that’s fine, but nothing after this life?). He was most interested in children becoming scientists and taxpayers. Where is the hope? What a dud-ending it will be! *To see the debate go to debatelive.org as it will be archived for about five days.

Fantastic

The LORD raining down fire and brimstone to destroy the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah...come on! That’s a little too fantastic, right? Or better yet, that story of Jonah and the big fish, isn’t that a little out there? The parting of the Red Sea ought to be on the crazy list people are supposed to believe God did. ---Well, look around. If you open your eyes, you witness a little bit of God’s fantastic-ness every day. We can put a period after each one: the Grand Canyon. Niagara Falls. the Great Smokey Mountains. the Gulf of Mexico. the Swiss Alps. the Great Barrier Reef. the power of the ant. the gorgeous fish on coral reefs in the Caribbean. the powerful volcanoes around the world. the migration of birds. the constellations in our galaxy. the vastness of outer space. a sunrise or sunset anywhere and the fact that sun shows up day after day. the cry of a new-born baby. Oh, God has wowed us in many ways in His Creation. So we shouldn’t be surprised when he harnesses it for His purposes.--- Man is God’s crowning achievement...we might argue that considering our own imperfections; but it was after God created man that He said that His Creation was very good, instead of plain ole God-good. Man has made some pretty amazing things. He was created in the image of God after all. He should be a chip off the old block. But the stuff man makes can be defective, can be broken, and can be destroyed. The Eiffel Tower could be taken down with one bad quake. We’ve unfortunately seen the destruction of billion dollar planes, etc. ---Man has tried to hurt the planet God created, but if one were to pay close attention; there is some kind of preservation built into this planet. Not long ago, man tried to ruin the Gulf of Mexico. The bad news was horrendous. It looked like a hopeless situation. Yet, like a daddy picking up the pieces after his child broke something; God has proved to be bigger than our mistakes. This world is indestructible by man. Read the book, God has a plan for a new heaven and a new earth, and that will happen in His time table. ---But the world does need to be redeemed. It has been corrupted, not by a massive oil spill or atomic bomb, but by sin. God’s got this. God the Father sent His One and Only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ was with God from the beginning. He sent the indestructible Jesus among men to save men and redeem the planet. Men put God to the test. They killed Jesus. But God, who is infinitely more fantastic than we can ever realize, raised Jesus on the third day. There was a purpose for all this. With all these fantastic things God lets man witness, it leaves man without an excuse when it comes to plainly knowing that He exists, that man is sinful in need of a Savior; and God has sent that Savior in broad-daylight---Jesus!---You’ve seen enough. And if that’s not enough, God says in the Scriptures, “If you will sincerely seek me, then you will find me.” The key word is sincerely. If you have an open mind, then you will believe what you already know in your heart. It’s in your heart, because God put it there. If you haven’t done so, check into the whole Jesus story. You don’t have to go to a mystical place or smoke some plant to experience God. Merely open your eyes to what is before you. Man is without excuse. Jesus came and died for the ungodly, because He loves us. He had to die, because we sinned. He asks us to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” for salvation. Again, you’ve seen enough. Phone a friend if you still have questions. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is not just Good News, it is fantastic news to a world that has been exposed to a fantastic God.