1 WAY

2010-01-09T06:56:00.000-08:00

IT'S BEEN THREE WEEKS NOW, BILL

So tell me, how are you enjoying Heaven? People closest to you said you had become ambivalent about living. That you longed to see those family members who had passed before, yet you still wanted to be with your loved ones here. So now that you've gone home is it what you expected?

Let me share about your memorial/celebration. It was something that you would have been proud of. Several others afterwards talked about how you would have enjoyed seeing all the people there. Including your doctor who spoke at the service. I come from a fairly small town and I've seen my share of funerals, but never have I seen the doctor show up. And give a testimony about the deceased. In addition, he used the time to talk about his faith as well.

A few stories were shared by your Moody halfback buddy from the Denver Seminary. I imagine you've heard them but I'll repeat in case somehow you weren't listening.

It seems that Einstein was once on a train and couldn't find his ticket when asked to produce it. The conductor said, "It's ok, Dr. Einstein, I know who you are and you wouldn't try to get on this train if you hadn't bought a ticket." He continued collecting the other passengers' tickets. He saw out of the corner of his eye that Einstein was on hands and knees still trying to find his ticket. "It's ok, sir. I know who you are and you don't need proof that you have a ticket."

"Young man, I know who I am as well. But I don't know where I was going," he replied. Well, Bill, you knew exactly where you going all along.

In the other story, a woman was discussing her funeral plans with her pastor when she asked for a rather unusual request to be buried with a fork in her right hand. "Why in the world would you want that?" the stunned preacher asked.

"Well, when I was a kid, my mom would collect the dishes and silverware after our meal but told us to keep our forks for dessert. For the best was yet to come."

And for the woman and for Bill, the best was yet to come. Bill didn't need a fork. He had assurance that as Pastor Rob said, "Death is a transition and not a termination."

You missed a great memorial, Bill. Peace to you. my brother.

2009-12-25T05:48:00.000-08:00

BEFORE LETTERMAN

There was God and His Top Ten list. The Ten that only One could keep. The One who saved us from our just reward. Which was death. Because God cannot/will not tolerate or be in the presence of sin.

Today marks the celebration of the birth of that King. Praise God! From His humble beginnings to His humble life to His excruciating death to His marvelous resurrection! Let us celebrate them all.

His birth, certainly; His life, His teachings, The Word made flesh; undoubtedly. His resurrection, of course. But celebrate His death? How? Why?

Without His substitutionary sacrifice for us, we would also die. And be dead in our sins. But by His love, we have eternal life. With Him at the right hand of the Father.

As our pastor said last night in our Christmas Eve service, "Jesus came to earth to do the only thing(s) He couldn't do in Heaven--(suffer) and die." (Parentheses mine.)

And for that, for His actions we celebrate His birth, His life, His death, and His glorious resurrection.

Merry Christmas!

2009-11-02T08:15:00.000-08:00

THE IMMATURE CHRISTIAN

What are some signs? When you know the lead pastor is not delivering the sermon on Sunday, you skip church. When you're on vacation, you skip church. When you've been to church for a mid-week service, you skip church on Sunday morning. When you've gone to church Sunday morning and Sunday evening, you skip the next week.

I've even gone as far as thinking that since I was in the church office and had talked to the secretary and preacher during the week, that it gave me a free pass to skip church on Sunday.

By the way, I've done all the others, too, that I listed in the first paragraph.

I wish I could say I'd done them when I was young, but that wouldn't be right. And this is from a guy who claims that being in church has always felt right, has always felt good to him. I guess I must have not wanted to feel too good.

It was like I was parcelling or dosing my time at church. "Be careful; you don't want too much religion." I even turned down a date to a Sweetheart Dance in high school because the preacher's daughter asked me. Had her father be employed anywhere else, anywhere else, I would have accepted. But that's the way I was.

I changed. We almost never miss an opportunity to attend church when we are out of town. One memorable service was in Australia when we heard a Tongonese choir sing in their native language. We even have a quasi-regular church in another city that we often visit.

I find myself in church several days a week sometimes. I no longer keep count, but count it a blessing every time I'm there. I'm so glad I turned in my time card.

2009-09-30T15:47:00.000-07:00

"WE HAD IT ALL"

just like Bogey and Bacall, to complete a great song lyric. But they didn't have it all, contrary to those lyrics.

Unless they had accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

I thought about beginning this entry with a personal reflection on some of the best days of my life. Or asking loyal reader(s) to ponder theirs. Then I would point out the best day of our lives was when we answered God's pursuit of us and we became a follower of Jesus Christ.

All the rest of our days, high points along with depths of despair will be burnt up. They'll be gone. What's left is eternity. Make no mistake: there is an eternity for all.

For me, I chose to accept the gift of salvation from our loving and most gracious Lord. If you haven't, well bearer of bad news that I am, you've chosen, too. And you're not going to like your choice unless it's the same as mine.

There is only one God; there is only one Jesus. Both have no beginning/ no Amen. They have always existed: they always will.

Don't not make a decision. For if you do, you've made it. And it's a rejection of Jesus as the One Way to your eternal life in Heaven. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need more information. I'll be exhilarated to help you take your next step with Jesus.

2009-07-10T08:09:00.000-07:00

THERE SHE GOES: HERE SHE COMES

It happened again. A grade school and high school classmate of mine passed away yesterday. We weren't close. I can't recall the last time I even saw her.

But what concerns me is her obit. There were all the usual basic references to family, work, and interests/activities. Missing was church affiliation and service.

She served. Working at a local organization with a national charter. She had no doubt volunteered hours of dedication to an arm of that service organization. But her efforts were burned up here.

I'm getting angry. I'm getting tired of people dying without knowing the Lord. Without anyone having helped warm them to Jesus Christ. I know from scripture that God pursues us, "not even one" would pursue Him on our own.

But I also know from Matt 28:20 that we are commissioned to spread the gospel--to share the Good News. We're not sharing enough. Or we're not getting through.

If I could warm one reader of One Way to Jesus, if I could help win one soul to Christ, all my blogging would have been worth it. To the loved ones left behind saying "There she goes," to the ones on the other side saying, "Here she comes," it would be a glorious day on both fronts.

2009-06-02T07:30:00.000-07:00

JESUS SEEN APPROPRIATELY AS A ROCK

Jesus sightings are everywhere. Underneath a bridge, in a water spot, on a piece of toast. And people go to visit these spots or to examine the objects.

Jesus as a rock is perhaps the most appropriate of all.

Sturdy, unchanging, supportive, foundational--all equal Jesus, too. While I may go out of my way to see a "Jesus sighting," I don't have to. I have enough evidence that Jesus is who He said He was. The Son of God. And also God. There at Creation.

Now how that be? How can He be both? Because that's the very nature of a sovereign, omnipotent God. It's all in His perfect plan conceived before Creation. And I believe that as surely as believe anything my eyes can see. It's called faith.

Faith in the rock. Faith in The Rock.

2009-05-02T08:51:00.000-07:00

GONE FISHING

The Sea of Galilee is one of the most exciting places on earth. I went with 25 other pilgrims in 2006 where we sailed the sea on the Jesus Boat.

Thirteen miles long, 7 miles wide, and 150 feet deep at the center. The Sea of Galilee is bigger than I had pictured. And beautiful and calm on the day we were there.

It isn't or wasn't always so. It was on Galilee that the storm raged as Jesus slept. Where He spent 3 years of His ministry on its shores. Where He performed the miracle of the multiplication of fishes and loaves. And where Jesus appeared after His resurrection.

Where He appointed Peter a place of leadership in the church. Where Levi, Simon, Andrew, John and James, sons of Zebedee were called to discipleship.

Also, where the work of drawing men and women to the Savior began. Where we can continue to draw, to continue to be fishers of men. For the Man from Galilee.

2009-04-27T14:39:00.000-07:00

PEGGY LEE IS SPOT ON TARGET

Most may not remember Peggy Lee. Most may not like spot on or spot on target. Some 'splaining.

Scripture tells us to choose today whom we shall serve or follow. In fact, one of our favorite verses is on a plaque just above our doorbell. Isaiah 24:15 "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Just in any case there might be some confusion.

But Peggy Lee had a 60's song "Is That All There Is?" It may not have appeared as a biblically based song or hymn, but as Randy Jackson would say, "Check it out."

"If that's all there is, my friend, then let's keep dancing/ Let's bring out the booze and have a ball/ If that's all there is."

Now, you see, she's right. Of course, thankfully, many do not believe that's all there is. They are the ones who follow Christ. Who strive for obedience as the connector between God and man. Who know there is punishment for sin. Who know that only through the shed blood of Jesus have sinners been justified, ie., (just as if I never sinned). And through Jesus is the only way to receive that forgiveness.

But if one cannot commit, chooses poorly and rejects Jesus as Lord and Savior, then yes, "that's all there is." Oh, yow, I forgot about eternal damnation. You see, there's a lot that awaits both.

2009-04-15T07:40:00.000-07:00

EASY AS PIE

"thank you for the birds that sing,

thank you, God, for everything."

There's much in the Bible about little children. Much about their leading adults. Much about their faith.

I didn't go to kindergarten. I went to a private school just around the corner from where I lived. I went half a day. When we ate our milk and cookies, we always said the little prayer I started today's entry with. But is it a little prayer?

The last line,"thank you, God, for everything," is huge. In context, it might be about creation. If I recall, the sky and the moon were also mentioned in the little prayer. And that concept, which easy as pie, has passed so many by in today's secular, humanist society.

But the part that I struggle with is thanking God for everything. Not that I have trouble giving Him thanks for the wonderful things in my life. I do that often. But everything? Even the really unpleasant things? Although we're told to give thanks a la Job for all things, not just the good, well, it's difficult. At least for me.

In our Tuesday morning Bible study, we are looking at Patrick Morley's The Man in the Mirror. He simplified yesterday's lesson by saying the only way to be truly happy is to be happy in Jesus. Of course I continued the hymn in my head with "is to trust and obey". Again, pretty basic. Easy as pie.

Well, it should be. But see, we live in the flesh. And sometimes that makes the pie an upside down cake.

2009-04-12T05:35:00.000-07:00

HE NEVER SAID, "I AM FINISHED"

Jesus said, "It is finished." (John 19:30) And for good reason.

It was all finished. Down the drain. No more death. The world had its substitutionary atonement. Jesus had sacrificed His life for ours. The penalty for every sin we ever committed or will commit was paid for us. By His shed blood.

His pain, of course, was finished, too. Because in God's perfect plan, He sent Jesus from Heaven to earth to live as man, as the Son of Man. To fully experience our temptations, to fully understand our failures, our shortcomings. And, ultimately, to die perhaps the most excruciating death known to man. Crucifixion.

Satan's finished, too. No longer would there be a final death. Not for Jesus followers. There is only eternal life. Oh, rest assured there's eternal life for non-followers of Jesus, too. But it's not the kind anyone would want. The lake of fire. Forever being separated from God. Maybe that's more excruciating than what Jesus endured. I certainly think it is.

Today is Easter Sunday. The best day of the year. The original Easter Sunday was the best day in history. Or should I have spelled it His story. For that's what it is. That's what it will always be. Have a blessed Easter, for He is risen. He is risen indeed!

2009-04-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

FIGHTING IT

"The Holy Bible was not written for information. It was written for transformation." I'm not at all sure who said it, but it wasn't I, though I agree. And as my title suggests, I fight it all the time.

I find the Bible so fascinating. I love to study it. Maybe that's why I'm in 4 Bible studies. Often I pray that the Holy Spirit will lead me to what I am supposed to glean from The Word.

If not, then I fall into the student trap of studying and learning because of the content. The Bible must change people. It must charge people to act in a godly, holy way. If not, it's not the fault of the Bible which is God-breathed. It's the fault of the reader who hasn't entered into the reading in the right frame of mind.

I've asked God to reveal to me what He wants me to focus on, what His plan for me that day is. It's with that kind of purpose that the Bible can change us. To be filled with the Spirit, not just filled with the knowledge.

2009-04-01T19:58:00.000-07:00

JUST A MILD ROAR

He's always done it. God, that is. Put someone smack in the middle of my path. I know it's no accident.

On our recent trip to South America, we were returning from an excursion in Monti Christi, Ecuador. We were very tired having endured a longer than scheduled tour that took us past our normal lunch time. As we were preparing to go through security to re-board our ship, I was delegated to hold a large bag filled with souvenirs. I had to hold the bottom to ensure no breakage. It was like holding a pig.

The timing was very bad. Several other tours were ending at the same time which meant a very long line. After 15 minutes in the line, we approached the gangway. Out of the corner of my eye I could see him. Yep, he cut in line. In front of several people who had been waiting patiently.

"If I were just a little closer to where he cut, I would have had some words with that guy," I announced to my wife and a couple we had met earlier in the week from North Carolina.

"Now, don't let him ruin your day," Finley said.

"Of course, you're right," I replied. "But some people," I trailed off.

And I was reminded of Numbers 11:1 where we are told not to grumble."Now the people complained about their hardships...and when He heard them His anger was aroused." He was so angry that fire consumed some of their camp until Moses prayed to the Lord for the Israelites.

When we grumble, it means we are grumbling against God Himself. We are showing our arrogance, feeling that we know what's better for us than God. That was me with the line-cutter. It took a new friend whom God placed there for me to teach me.

As I said, He's always done that. Sometimes I learn, sometimes I recognize,and unfortunately sometimes I don't see it, much like the pagan prophet Balaam in a later chapter from the same book.

A work in progress--that's me.

2009-03-06T07:47:00.000-08:00

IN PRAYER

Rather than show a picture of hands in supplication or one bowing in prayer, I chose the eyes closed. Shutting out the world.

So what to pray about? My goodness, I can't imagine not praying. About practically everything. A recent survey revealed Americans who pray daily numbers only 55%. The poor Czechs numbered something like 17%. So sad.

One of the highlights of our Tuesday morning Bible study on Men of Faith is the Prayer of Application at the end of each week long study. I'll share two of my prayers:

After the study of Peter: "Dear Lord, While I look at Peter and sometimes think, 'how could he?' I know I'm cut from the same cloth. That is, I need forgiveness for my self-confidence, and while I might not deny You directly, I'm afraid I do indirectly. Help me to follow Peter's love for You and like him, overcome my weakness. Amen"

After the study of James: "Dear God, Thank you for this study and showing James, the Just. What a great moniker. James tells us in no uncertain terms to walk the walk. I, too, Lord want my ear pierced with an awl to declare I am Yours. I know I'll fall short as I try for freedom to follow You. So maybe I'll need more than an ear-piercing; maybe a dog collar that keeps me 'in the yard' in Your kingdom. Forgive me as I know You will for my disobedience. Amen"

I'd feel so out of sorts. I'd feel such a loss if I couldn't pray. I mean, He's given us total accessibility to Him. Why wouldn't I pray?

If you're not one to pray, then why not? I'm certainly not what I'd call a prayer warrior. I certainly have heard many express better prayers than I. But praying, I think, is like singing. Just do it. It all sounds good to the Father.

2009-02-27T17:56:00.000-08:00

TONIGHT WITH WORDS UNSPOKEN...

There were so many good little puppy love songs when I was at that age. Eighth grade.

Venus in Blue Jeans was another. Town Without Pity. Duke of Earl. Save the Last Dance for Me. I'm Sorry. The Big Hurt.

And lots and lots of others. Lollipop, Lollipop. Sitting in the backseat/kissing and a-huggin' with Fred. Ok, I'll stop now.

But as a 13 year old, one song offended. Sweeter Than the Day Before. Its lyrics were stolen; the melody, at least part was, too. "Everyday with Jesus/is sweeter than the day before. Everyday with Jesus/ I love Him more and more."

Not "Everyday with you girl/is sweeter than the day before/everyday with you girl I love you more and more and more..." And it varies somewhat for the rest of the song. But I knew something wasn't right about that. Yet only one fellow Sunday School class member ever talked to me about that and agreed.

How could people not see? Had they never heard that great song? Where was the outrage?

Maybe that's where it all started?. Where Christians didn't speak up, speak out. Make demands. Ruffle feathers. But who am I kidding? It's been that way all along.

But the greatest thing is we don't have to worry. For He'll still love us tomorrow.

2009-02-15T05:39:00.000-08:00

BECAUSE I'VE HELD ONE IN MY HAND

I can tell you the shape of the human heart.

So how did I get to do that? Hold a human heart that is? We'll it was the heart of an anatomy class cadaver. Opened and displayed. And while I was there, with three others, I picked it up thinking when will I ever be able to do that again? I was right, of course, but the memory from 40 years or so ago is still fresh.

It was just about the size of a closed fist as they say. All the connectors, ventricles, aorta, etc were cut away. Much of this guy, in fact, was splayed open for all to see. They did have the courtesy to cover his face, but I wanted to see him, so I uncovered the cadaver's head.

But back to the heart. What I liked about it was that despite all the med school experimentation of the guy, there was no hole in his heart. There was no emptiness. Thus, I conclude, he had filled that hole or rather had that hole filled with the love for Jesus. That's right he was saved by the loving grace of our Lord. No heart is complete without the greatest love the world has ever known.

I'm so glad my cadaver had a full heart. A complete heart. Even though he was dead, he was and is something. He exhibited 1 Cor 13:2 "If I have no love, I am nothing."

Or at least I like to think.

2009-02-13T15:26:00.000-08:00

EVEN SINATRA HAD REGRETS (WELL A FEW) WHEN IT DID IT MY WAY

We've all had them. Shortcomings. Misgivings. Do-overs that we would love to have. Some are life changers.

What about Jesus' older brother James? Do you think he ever had any? I mean, this is one cat who lived with a perfect brother for years. Who saw his olde brother never sin. Who saw His public ministry. Who heard about the miracles He performed. Who knew of His following. Yet he didn't believe.

Not until Jesus appeared to him after His death After he had appeared to His disciples and the 500 (1Cor 15:7). Then, and unfortunately for James, only then did he believe.

But it was in time for him to serve. To advance the church. To write a book of the Holy Bible. To grow in the Word and in the Spirit.

But it keeps haunting me. It keeps me saddened for James. He was there. Yet he didn't believe. Until it was too late to have a loving relationship with the Son of Man while He lived on this earth.

But I'm also strengthened by the fact that James has all of eternity to spend with His brother. Better late than never was never better illustrated.

2009-02-09T09:29:00.000-08:00

NOW, HOW'D HE KNOW THAT?

Whether one has flown or not, that's where our focus must be. Skywards. Heavenward. For this earth is not our home.

It's so easy to lose focus. I mean we live here. We know now. Even with the faith we have, it's easy to delay, to concentrate on what is the near future. Someone once said, "Faith is like frosting on the windowpane". I'm still trying to understand that.

I like potato chips. Always have. One of my long time friends says she never saw me pass up a potato chip. That's instant gratification. If I could only think, "It will make me look so much better if I'm thinner, if I don't starting eating chips, because when Lays started the jingle, 'bet you can't eat just one', they had me in mind".

So while I can not keep my focus to the future, and I'm talking about my daily trip to the scales, then I can certainly empathize with those who lose focus.

I wish I was more of a hiker. You know, great exercise and all. But for me the exhilaration of the climb is worth it all when one gets to the top to see the sights beyond. Oh, who am I kidding? I'd probably just pack a lunch, including some snack pack 150 calorie bag of potato chips and never get to the summit.

But that's where our focus must be--skyward as Leonardo said. I like this code better than his other one. (I know: it wasn't his idea.)

So I think I'll ponder that thought today. Either that or the frosting on the window pane thing. I'll be back in a minute. I feel a hunger pang coming on. A diet coke and some chips would taste good about now.

2009-02-02T05:58:00.000-08:00

SI ALLA VITA IS RIGHT IN ANY LANGUAGE

It means "Say yes to life" and was displayed Sunday at the Vatican commemorating Sanctity of Life Sunday in South Africa. It's not High Time; it's Way Past Time we as a nation get fully behind the Right to Life. It's time we quit calling it Pro-Choice and call it what it is-- Infanticide.

Anyone who has ever seen a sonogram know when life begins. So where's the mystery? And if life begins with the fetus, then how is it not murder to kill that living being?

Since 1973 Americans have been killing babies. God is a patient, forgiving Father, but He also is a loving Father who wants us, who demands us to be obedient if we are His followers. If we're not, then we need to quit asking Him to bless our country.

I can see some humanist pen the words, "We'll bless America/Land that we love/Yes we'll guide us/We'll decide for us/We'll determine what we love".

America can't have it both ways. Yet we try. In his first week in office, our new President signed legislation giving abortion rights money to international countries. There's currently a bill before Congress that gives even more rights to those favoring abortion.

South Africa and the U.S. need more than one Sunday to stand up against abortion. In fact, we should make it everyday. Si alla vita!

2009-01-22T05:32:00.000-08:00

I AIN'T SKEERED, BUT I IS TOO FAT

We've started up another session of BOB; that is Band Of Brothers as I call it in our Tuesday morning 6:30 AM Mens' Bible study with our lead pastor. It is so valuable.

This time were are working from a five-day workbook which keeps us focused, well somewhat, at least in the Word on an almost daily basis.

Some tidbits from the past two weeks. Nowhere in scripture are we told to fear anything but the Lord. Is that amazing! I never realized that, though I should have. That fact even helped me at the dentist's office last week when he was contemplating a filling or a crown. Maybe my focus on God while he was examining changed everything. All I know is he decided to take another picture. The x-ray revealed nothing. I danced out of the office. Fear is a great thing to lose.

As I was working my Bible study for next week, I came across the statement that the most unhappy people in the world are Christians with sin in their lives. The trusting Christian who walks with the Lord is at peace. The ones who don't know the Lord are happy in their sins, even though their happiness is only temporary. But the Christian who harbors a sin can't enjoy his sin because the Holy Spirit indwells him and won't allow him to enjoy it however briefly. So he suffers the most.

Now I applied the last one to my attempt to lose weight. I was fat and happy when I made no effort. But since I lost weight over the last year and a half by not gorging, not eating what I really want (oh my gosh would a donut taste great now?) I'm not enjoying my food even though I've put on 6 holiday pounds that I can't seem to shed. I know that application is not too spiritual. I know my body is a temple to the Lord. I know I can't rationalize and say I'm building a bigger temple for Him to enjoy. But maybe the analogy will be helpful to weight loss and weight keep-off.

There are all kinds of reasons that nearly a dozen of us and sometimes as many as 20 get up early on Tuesday morning to study God's Word with our pastor. If your church doesn't have a study like this, then maybe you could implement one like our son has at his church in Illinois where he and another member lead a Saturday morning Bible study at 7:30 AM. It, too, is well worth the effort.

2009-01-13T15:18:00.000-08:00

TO KNOW (HIM), TO KNOW (HIM), TO KNOW (HIM)

I thought yada had only 1 d, but it doesn't matter, because I'm talking about yadda in Hebrew. Yada or yadda means to know in an intimate, close way.

Ironically, yada made famous or at least mainstreamed into our vocabulary came from the tv show Seinfeld a few years ago. In that context it meant just the opposite: that is, it meant people saying nothing. It was repeated at least three times for emphasis.

But in Hebrew, the word means desiring a close relationship with the Father. Just how do we do that? By reading and studying His Word. Daily.

Remember when you fell in love? Whether the first time, whether the last time, whether the only time--all you wanted to do was be near that one you loved. You couldn't get enough face time. Yadda, yadda, yadda. Punctuated by phone time, letter writing or text messaging, you had him/her on your mind constantly.

That's the same kind of love our Lord desires from us. David had that kind of love. Known as a man after God's own heart, David is a classic example of yadda love for God the Father. And a great example for us.

Next time you hear someone use, "yadda, yadda, yadda," stop and think how it means just the opposite in Hebrew. They got it right and so should we.

2009-01-08T07:24:00.000-08:00

FIVE DEGREES

That's what I call her sometimes. She doesn't much care for it, so I keep it to a minimum. I'm talking about a nickname I call my wife. I tell her that's her comfort level.

Withing a range of five degrees, she'll either be too cold or too warm to partake in outdoor activities. Actually, indoor, too. We have one hard fast rule for indoors--if the temperature is above 60 outside, then we can't have a fire in the fireplace.

So while on a recent cruise heading to Miami on New Year's Day, I convinced her to eat breakfast on the deck overlooking the back of the ship. (I'm not too nautical: I do know port and starboard and forward and gangway, but I don't know what they call the rear of the ship.) We were awarded with a spectacular sunrise. On the first day of 2009.

There were only five others there besides us. One couple, armed with a camera, arrived too late to catch the sunrise as the sun climbed into a low cloud bank. One of the guests, a lecturer, offered, "There'll be another one," to the couple, obviously disappointed.

My wife and I had the same thought. After our longevity together, it happens often. How close some people come to salvation. How many times some have delayed an answer to an altar call. How many times seekers put off making the most important decision of their lives--to follow Jesus.

And, there may not be another one. Another chance. This is where it gets a little tricky. The Holy Spirit must call. I'm not about to say or think that the Spirit might call only one time. But God also gave us free choice. We don't have to respond to the call. Yet God has chosen who will be His children.

So what's the answer? Don't take a chance. No one is guaranteed any more days. If you are feeling the need of salvation, if you're willing to follow Jesus, then do it. Now. This instant.

Don't miss the sunrise today. That is, The Sonrise.

2009-01-06T08:07:00.000-08:00

THE LOOK OF A DISPENSATIONALIST?

To me, one of the most divisive issues in a church is legalism vs dispensationalism. If you are unsure of the terms, let me explain. Only recently did I know what dispensationalism was, though I've been one for some time.

Legalism, as it sounds, refers to the law. Specifically, Old Testament law handed down from God to Moses (Ex 20) in the form of The Ten Commandments. God simply can't stand sin and as much as He loves us, there is punishment for sin. Don't blame Him: blame Adam and Eve.

No one can uphold the law. Not even one, scripture tells us. So in order for us to be allowed to be in God's presence, we must be purified, cleansed from our sin. This is where grace comes in. God gave us grace, a kind of mercy/forgiveness for our sins--all sins past, present and future. How He can do this is because of the shed blood of Jesus who died for our sins.

When we sin, and rest assured we do, we are forgiven if we repent and turn from our ways and follow Jesus. After our salvation, of course, which opened the door for us. Then God dispenses, that is, hands out a get out of sin free card of sorts. And that's what dispensationalism is. We will sin, we don't want to, it's not a way of life for us, but we are covered by God's grace when we fail. We don't have to be perfect or in effect even try to be perfect, knowing that we'll fail anyway. But it's not a free pass to sin. We don't want to. We have a choice, thanks to God, and we want to follow Him. But when we mess up, we're forgiven. Romans 6:14 tells us "sin shall not have dominion over you; for you are not under the law [anymore] but under grace."

So that's where some problems occur. Some think, or I should say act, as if they are under the law. They try to live their lives under a microscope. They feel so guilty when they sin. Many of these same well-meaning people also tend to judge others when they sin. The dispensationalists accept their own shortcomings, their failures, their sin, but they still try to turn from their sin and follow Jesus.

I once heard someone say that some Christians are so legalistic that they would have had Jesus crucified for drinking wine. An extreme example, certainly, but one included to paint the differences in the two.

I'm glad I learned the term dispensationalist. But I'm much happier that God is the great dispenser.

2009-01-05T04:05:00.000-08:00

MAN, WOULD I HAVE LOVED THIS CHRISTMAS PRESENT AS A KID

In fact, I think it would look pretty good in my garage right now. Once when the Cardinals were building a new ballpark, they were auctioning off all sorts of stuff, including a little car mascot Fredbird drove around the field. Our daughter thought I needed it and looked into bidding on it until the price got pretty crazy. She knew I'd like it for Christmas. She knows me well.

Pastor Rick Warren asked in one of his daily devotionals I get "What will you give to Jesus this year for His birthday?" Well, obviously God needs nothing, but in the spirit of giving, I was challenged.

I decided to pray for someone(s) I didn't know. So everyday, I take the challenge. Some days, I even offer more than one prayer. The first persons I prayed for were sitting fairly close to us at dinner one night. Before they left, they struck up a conversation with us. While that was certainly not in my prayer for them, it seemed kind of nice. Almost as if they knew what I had done. Now, I know that wasn't the case, but I took it as an affirmation.

It's good for two reasons. Number one, we're told to love others. Praying for someone is an act of love. Number two, it keeps us in contact with our Lord. We're told to pray continuously. To pray about everything. Number three (well, it may not be a good reason--remember, I told you there were only two) if just one more person took the same challenge, then we'd double the number of people reached. We could start a movement! Maybe that is a third good reason.

Ok, I'll give you one un-good reason: it's better than buying Jesus that little Cardinal car. I think He actually loves all teams.

2008-12-19T06:51:00.000-08:00

THE THREE KEYS

It all comes down to this.

Learn their story. Take time to listen to the story of where the individual stacks up on the spiritual line. Listen. Don't judge: don't be shocked. Respect their story. Remember listening can demonstrate love. Ask them questions. Repeat some of the exact things they tell you. Be genuine. After you've established a level of comfort and expanded the conversation, then try to peal back some layers. Pastor Wagner, whom I must give credit for much of this entry, suggests questions such as "Did you grow up in the church?"

This can lead to sharing of our faith. Be ready. Organize your story, be deliberate, be intentional and be concise. Some questions to help you formulate your story, again courtesy of Pastor Rob Wagner, what was your early spiritual background? When did you consider following Jesus? How did you take that step? How has your life changed after you trusted Jesus to be your Lord and Savior?

But you're not done. Next is to share His story. A plan of salvation card may be helpful. I have some laminated that I keep in my Bible. The operative word there is keep--they're not doing anyone much good unless I help spread the gospel. There are also tracts that explain how to become a Christian. What I like about the cards and tracts is that they give bible chapter and verse, so one can get into The Word.

If you possess neither, after you've established a comfort level through conversation and shared your story, I'd suggest a synopsis as brief as possible without leaving out any of the vitals. If one believes by faith that Jesus was God's own son who came to live on earth, died on a cross as a sacrifice for our sins, and rose from the dead, then all we have to do is pray that we believe and are willing to turn from our sinful ways and trust Jesus. We are saved by God's magnificent grace.

The benefits of following Jesus on earth are tremendous, but pale in comparison to spending eternal life in heaven with Him and the Father.

2008-12-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

GOD PROMISES

EVERY BIRD HIS WORM, BUT HE DOES NOT TOSS IT INTO THE NEST.

That's what the caption says above the cardinal. Another expression urging the Go- Mission as our pastor has been preaching about for the last few weeks is "Prayer has feet."

I like all the expressions that encourage. Another one from The Truth Project is in the form of a question: "Do you really believe what you really believe is true?" And if so, how would that change your life?

If we really believe there is a heaven and hell, if we really believe Jesus is the only way to secure an eternity in heaven with Him and the Father, then why don't we take a more active role in evangelism? Why don't we try to warm or help win the lost? Especially our family, our friends, our co-workers, our neighbors, our acquaintances?

It perplexes me why we don't. And a heavy emphasis on we, or more pointedly--me.

In my next entry, I'll try to get out of my nest. I'll attempt to show you how you can get out of yours. There's a lot of kingdom work to be done. We've put it off long enough.

2008-12-01T07:42:00.000-08:00

SEEK HIS LOVE, FEEL HIS PRESENCE, TRUST HIS WORD

SFT--That's what Golf's Sacred Journey by David L. Cook is all about. That explains the picture to the right.

Well, sort of. The tombstone is for burying the lies of our lives and relishing in His love, His presence, and His Word.

And what exactly are the lies of our lives that need buried? "The lies you have learned along your journey in life, those lies that you have established in your heart even though the weight of them has been crushing your soul." Those things that have made you rebellious. Those holds on your life. Those things that made you run to Tarsus rather than Ninevah. Those doubts caused by living in the flesh, living in the comforts of a secular world.

Once those are buried and the new you emerges, you'll find a life of meaning, an intimate relationship with God, a view of His handprint on everything you see.

You'll find Utopia. And it's not in Texas, though that is the setting for the novel, and you won't find it on the bookshelf, though Thomas More wrote it many years ago. You'll find it in your heart. SFT.

2008-11-28T14:04:00.000-08:00

TO THE EVOLUTIONISTS COURTESY OF DEL TACKETT

I've written about The Truth Project before. I've enjoyed it in our Small Group. But this past lesson, Lesson 5 Part I on science should be required viewing.

It all comes down to design versus randomness. The evolutionists believe the latter. That somehow there was total nothingness, if you can imagine, and then poof! or Big Bang! and there was everything. Or, of course, the beginning of everything, because everything evolved. Into the intricacy, the perfectness that we have in the design of a peacock's feather, Dr. Tackett suggests.

And our solar system, and the stars, and the human body. Randomly created? or as Psalm 19:1-4 states "by the glory of God and the work of His hands."

To my picture of the scrabble letters. He poses the following: how long would it take to drop scrabble letters on a table to get just two lines of Shakespeare, and two short lines at that: "to be or not to be/ that is the question." Once you have that figured out, then where did the paint on the letters come from?

It's really not all that Zen-like, that "what is the sound of one hand clapping." It's just pointing out random is just that. Yet, that is what our leading scientists and universities would have us believe. That the cosmos always existed or it had a beginning. If it always existed then why did the energy behind it not run out as energy does? If it had a beginning, then why does it take less faith to believe it was by design and the Word of God, than by randomness?

Heady stuff. The Crawfords, our hosts for Small Group, offered the final two insights that I'll leave you with. Jim pointed out the law of irreducible complexity which states something can't evolve: it must be complete all along. Lori took the more spiritual path suggesting that God uses technology to reveal more of Himself.

I can't wait for Part II.

2008-11-24T05:29:00.000-08:00

SO IS THIS WHAT OTHERS SEE

when they look at me?

I promised a little salt and light discussion. In scripture we're told to be salt and light. We're told that others should see God's glory in us. That others should want what we have; that is, the love of Jesus in our hearts and in our lives.

Then there is I. Two cases in point.

A neighbor of mine drops f-bombs and GD's on me as we talk. Oh, he's pleasant all the while, but his language is punctuated with expletives. I don't know whether to hope it's only with me that he feels that comfortable or if that's his normal conversation with everyone else. Neither thought is comforting. But if it is the former, then why does he unload on me? What does he see in me that makes him think it's acceptable to do that?

My other example comes from the golf course. Once in awhile when my wife and I play golf, we get paired with another twosome. Almost always, they are respectful to her. Most are somewhat surprised at how far she hits her drives, but they are cordial to us both and we generally have a good time.

Once last Summer while playing the course we live on, she bailed after 7 holes to cook supper because I had BSF and had to eat early. I drove her home and returned to play the last two holes. As soon as we got to the tee box, the expletives started. So while they were perfect gentlemen for 16 holes, once my wife was removed from the scene, they relaxed their language--or reverted to their vulgarities.

Again, what made them think I'd approve or tolerate? What did I look like to them? Well, my fear is that I looked no different than a non-Christian. And that's the problem.

I suppose I'm side stepping the issue. If I ignore the f-bomb, which isn't as offensive as the GD or JC to me, I could still address the problem by saying something like,"Man, don't say that around me; I love Jesus." Now I just have to put it into practice.

But will I?

2008-11-22T06:31:00.000-08:00

AT THE CROSS

"I wonder if I turn people off when they see my cross?" my wife asked the other day.

"What makes you think that?" was my response. And there's not a day that goes by that she and I don't wear our cross necklaces. I, with one I've had for twenty-five years; she with several. Her favorite is the one we purchased in Israel that shows the grafting in of the Gentiles described in the book of Romans (11:19)

On many occasions I've heard her explain the meaning. What a great chance for her to witness to what the Lord has done. So it really surprised me when she asked if people were turned off by the cross.

She went on,"You know how you are when you see someone wearing a Chicago Cub tee shirt." Just in case that needs explanation, my St. Louis Cardinal allegiance allows no room for anything but dislike for the Cubs. "It might just be the same way for a non-believer who sees my cross."

"I don't think so at all. After all, we're told to be salt and light to the world." But she did get me thinking. "Do people who aren't Christians look at any kind of Christian display and have the attitude, 'just consider the source' and reject on sight?" Not that either of us are worried about rejection of us personally, but we don't want anyone to reject our Lord and Savior.

Rather interesting, this jewelry food for thought. I'll address salt and light more in my next entry. By the way, we're still wearing our crosses.

2008-11-20T07:51:00.000-08:00

"YES, I AM COMING SOON"

Jesus' last words. Well sort of. At least that's the last words in red that the Bible attributes to Him.

He had another set of last words from the gospels, "It is finished." (John 19:30).

And He had another set of last words after He was resurrected. "Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt 28:20)

Of course, no others would measure up. But I find it interesting to read about others' last words. Many of these come from a tract entitled, "Famous Last Words".

"to die will be an awfully big adventure." Sir James Barrie in Peter Pan.

"called home," penned by Emily Dickinson as she sat at her desk.

"what is the answer?" After not hearing an audible response, she continued, "then what is the question?" Gertrude Stein

"Don' let it end like this. Tell them I said something." Pancho Villa

"I die hard, but I am not afraid to go." George Washington

"And Jefferson still lives." John Adams (they both died on July 4; Jefferson died first)

"I am still in the land of the dying; I shall be in the land of the living soon." John Newton

"I've never felt better." Douglas Fairbanks

"I am about to--or I am going to--die; either expression is correct." Dominique Bouhours, French grammarian

As Jesus hung on the cross, He exclaimed, "Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit. (Luke 23:46) Several others have used this verse as their dying words. While interesting, what's vitally important is not what one says before dying, but what decision one makes while living.

There's no reason to fear or wonder where you will spend eternity. It's all rather clear. You'll spend it with God or you'll be separated from Him. Take time right now to invite Jesus Christ into your life. Don't delay. We aren't guaranteed time to make peace with God, to plan our last words. It's simply the most important decision you'll ever make.

2008-11-15T15:07:00.000-08:00

THEY EVEN HAND RANG THE CHURCH BELL TO SIGNAL THE START OF WORSHIP

This isn't quite the church we attended this Summer while stationed in Coronado. Well, we're not military, though a lot of the town of 23,000 are. And a whole lot more edging up to 1 million population for the Summer months.

There were two churches of our denomination on the island. One had an 11:00 Sunday morning start, much too late for morning folks like us. The other, a church we had tried earlier in the Spring, was not our choice for more than one visit.

So besides the ringing of the bell, what made us choose our Summer church? Nostalgia probably. Certainly along with the study of The Word. Without close attention to scripture, no church would have a chance.

What was nostalgic then? First, it was a beautiful old church built in 1890 by the same designer of the famous Del, the beautiful hotel of Coronado. Steepled, it was just a few blocks off Orange, the main drive of the island. Wood. Pews, sanctuary, stained to perfection, yet with an aged look.

Stain glass behind the alter, a beautiful Bible scene catching early morning sun. Plus, they even had the old wooden attendance plaque on full display announcing attendance numbers, Sunday School numbers that week, visitors from the previous week, and contacts made. It made me think of former Sunday School Director Russell Laur who would announce the figures in worship service and add, "You be in your place next Sunday, and I'll be in mine."

It still worked in Coronado. Along with some good old hymns mixed in with some new ones and special music. Great sermons by different pastors because the lead pastor was on sabbatical.

I'm glad we were led to that church. Sometimes it's good to get some of that old time religion once again.

2008-11-12T05:58:00.000-08:00

MY BUDS

at least a lot of them are worried. About the election. About the economy. About their savings.

I would love to say, not me. But even though I know the Matthew verse, "Today has enough worries of its own," I can't completely trust God to provide. Mark that down as a confession. Why can't I? Has He provided for me? Time and time and time again. Have I provided for me? Only through His help.

So if I have His..tory on my side, if I have a biblical world view, if I have trust, then why do I think God needs me to worry?

Or another way to look at it. If God allowed me to have money and it was His plan all along, then if He decides I don't need it anymore, then I should thank Him for blessing me. In both cases. I mean Job taught us that.

Provision, trust, watchful care, the love of the Father. They all come into play. As for me, I'll follow Him. He's a great leader.

2008-11-11T08:08:00.000-08:00

WHAT TO DO WHEN WE ARE IN NEED

Oh, to have a genie. Or a Jeannie like the old tv series. But we have so much better, so much more permanent, so much more lasting. We have the Word of God.

Several places in the New Testament answer the question of what we are to do when we are in need. I list just a few with partial reference. Some may well be familiar; some may be new. But I still have a little left-over teacher in me that I don't want to do the telling; I want you to do the searching. So as a former Superintendent of mine used to say, "Have at it."

Heb 4:16 ...approach the throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Luke 11:1-6 ...the Lord's Prayer

Matt 7:7 Ask, seek, knock...

1Thess 5:17...pray without ceasing

Rom 13:14...make not provision for the flesh...

Matt 6:33 seek ye first the kingdom..

James 5:13 is any among you afflicted? Let him pray...

Matt 11:28 come to me...I will give you rest.

Eph 6:10-11...be strong in the Lord...put on the full armor of God...

Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ...

This is only a partial list as well. Lean on the Lord. He's there. 24/7.

2008-11-10T08:47:00.000-08:00

FORGIVENESS AND THE SHACK

Christian fiction. An oxymoron? To some extent. The Left Behind series, an exception, at least for me. Add to that William P. Young's The Shack.

I know there are many that may disagree. Much comes from the non-biblical portrayal of the trinity in Young's book. The Holy Spirit is given a human form and called Sarayu. Jesus lies on His back with the main character and looks in wonder and awe at the stars. And The Father God is a Black woman who spends much of Her (?) time cooking. I can't reveal anymore. To many, that's probably too much. In fact I considered deleting the trinity part because I'm afraid I may have portrayed Young in a negative, even blasphemous light.

If I did so, it's my fault, not the author's. It's just so difficult to explain how lovingly and trinity-like that they are illustrated in such as unusual, untraditional way. They walk Mack, the main character, through the grieving process. He struggles. They're there.

It's a book about forgiveness. It's a book about acceptance. It's a book I recommend highly.

I wonder if it was coincidence or Providence that the bookmark I picked up and used through my reading was from my daily devotionals that stated Psalm 30:2. "O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me." Read the book and see how Mack needed the triune God for that purpose.

2008-11-03T17:32:00.000-08:00

REV. BILLY GRAHAM'S PRAYER FOR THE NATION

On the cusp of our nation electing a new President, I thought it only fitting to publish the prayer offered up by Rev. Graham.

Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask Your forgiveness and to seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good", but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it lottery. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen

2008-10-31T08:51:00.000-07:00

MORE THAN AFRICA IN HIS HAND

The Truth Project is a DVD-based Small Group study by Del Tackett that examines the major questions in life. The major questions?

Some samples. Who is God? Who is man? Where did evil come from? What is truth? Does Heaven exist? Does Hell exist? Why am I here? Is there something more?

And more. In a twelve week study. With stimulating discussions after viewing a 60-minute video. Plus, what would be a good Small Group or Christian fellowship for that matter without food. Our group munches on popcorn while watching, and after discussion and prayer, we eat dessert or veggies. Sometimes we combine the popcorn with veggies and dessert.

Since we claim to have or possess a biblical rather than a secular worldview, last night's session focused on the pernicious lie than man is inherently good. If that's the case, then where did evil come from? Those are the kinds of questions we discuss.

But to me, the best question, a self-assessment question is the teaser at the start of the study: "Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?" Now, that's a good one.

One illustration. If we do believe, as most Christians do, that God is omnipresent, then He is with us in some places that we shouldn't be. No need to explain. And how do we feel about taking Him there?

For more info, please go to mytruthproject.org. It's a great study.

2008-10-27T07:47:00.000-07:00

LAST IN A SERIES

So now you've had plenty of time to implement 6 suggestions for making a sweet aroma for the Lord. I know if you've even tried one that you've been blessed.

But we have to keep doing them. Yesterday in the grocery store, I started to comment about the great blueberry muffins we ate yesterday. At a church conference in Tucson. I amended before I spoke within earshot of others. "Weren't those muffins great that we had yesterday at church?" Just a little thing, But they add up. On with the list.

#7. Be pleasant. People are watching us. Especially those who know that we are Christians. If they don't know, then our behavior should indicate such. Let someone go ahead of you. Allow a driver to cut in. Bless someone when they sneeze. Don't scowl. Make others wonder why. What does this person have that I don't? Make them desire that something, that Jesus in your heart.

#8. Be salt and light. Never let them see you sweat. Contain your anger. A regular golf buddy of mine was playing with another golfer recently who couldn't contain his frustration. Yelling, throwing clubs, using bad language. When they finished, he said to my friend, "You're a Christian aren't you?" "Yes, I am," my buddy replied. "I am, too, but I'm afraid I didn't act like one today." Maybe next time he will.

#9. Be positive. Don't dwell on the negative. No one likes to be around a complainer. Because nothing could be so bad as what they have to suffer.

#10. Sing in church. We're to edify the body of believers as well as giving glory to God. Sing praise songs? Yep. Psalm 96 tells us to sing to the Lord a new song. In the Bible there are 400 references to singing. Fifty commands to sing. Jesus sang. In Hebrews 2:12 He sang with the disciples. So when we sing, we're being Christ-like. It's one of the easier ways to be like Him.

And I only gave you 10. Multiply this list and work on your aroma. Try to get just one person to say, "What's that smell?" when you're around.

2008-10-14T14:58:00.000-07:00

PART II

Ok, I tried to give you time to perform. By now you should have prayed in public, spoken about church with fervor, or peppered your speech with Godly references. If you did all 3, great! Two, good! One, also good.

Number four is a combo #1 and #3. Tell people you will pray for them. Or ask them how you can pray for them. And, then of course, do it. A quasi-administrator that I used to work with got ill and missed a few weeks of school. When he returned, I saw him in the Mail Room and told him I was glad he was back and that I had prayed for him. Never one that found much favor with me, he seemed absolutely stunned that I would have prayed for him. Also, that I had bothered to tell him. Did it make our relationship stronger? Nope. In fact, I retired that year and don't recall speaking to him again. But I'm sure not sorry that I prayed and shared with him.

Number 5. Use the expression, "Lord willing." Now, don't overdo this one or you will lose the effectiveness. But don't just assume: just be reverential. At least once in awhile. Give credit where it is due. If you want God's protective hand, then share the fact that you're asking for it.

Number 6. Serve, serve, serve. Why? Because the Lord expects it. Even Dear Abby used to advise people to do one good thing for at least one person every day. If they found out you did it for them, that didn't count. She may have just been a good citizen, but serving is so very much like Jesus that we need to follow His lead.

There you have it. Three more. Again, I'll give you time to perform at least one before my final entry on being a sweet aroma to God. Try to smell better to someone else in the next few days. If you smell better to them, then it's likely you're also giving off that aroma to God.

2008-10-11T09:20:00.000-07:00

WHAT'S THAT SMELL?

First in a three-part entry. And it's all about smell. How we must emanate. How we, as Christians need to give off that aroma that is pleasing to the Lord. It can and will make a difference in our world. There are 10 steps, as I see it.

1. Pepper our language. "What a beautiful sunset! God's creation is magnificent!" And it is. So let's celebrate it, and, of course, give Him the credit as Creator.

Also, don't gloss over. Don't omit. "I was out of town last weekend." Why not take the opportunity to give God the glory? "I wasn't here because I was attending a Desiring God Conference in Minneapolis, and it was great."

2. Speak about church with fervor. When you're asked, "What are you doing this weekend?" Don't answer, "Nuthin'." Answer, "Well, Sunday at church our pastor is doing a series of sermons on what he wants to ask the new President. The church is decorated with bunting, like we're hosting one of the debates. Want to come with me?" Even if you get a negative response about attending, you've had a chance to witness and invite someone to church. Sometimes that's all that's needed.

3. Bless your food when eating in public. Well, not just then. Always. But when people notice you blessing your food, you're giving off a good aroma. Many times I'll notice others blessing their food, and many times I'll stop by their table on our way out and tell them I noticed they blessed their food, and thank them for honoring God. And yes, sometimes, I've gotten some funny looks, but it makes me feel better. Not to get the funny looks, but to share in my beliefs.

Try just one before my next entry. I may just be on to something here.

2008-10-06T06:33:00.000-07:00

THE FRAGRANCE FOR CHRIST

We pretty much know what death smells like. There's no need to paint that with description. But what about life? What does life with Jesus smell like? And what do we smell like to Christ?

2 Corinthians 2:16 tells us we are the fragrance of life. But what aroma do we give off?

In this passage, Paul used the Roman ceremony called The Triumph to explain it to the Corinthians. The ceremony was held to honor the victorious Roman General. On the parade route, the Roman official would show off his spoils, his conquests, his treasures he brought home from war. Including prisoners they had captured. Incense was burned as part of the ceremony. Along with the fragrance of crushed flowers spread out under the horses' hooves. Those aromas were powerful. Sweet. As they filled the city air.

Not to the captives being literally paraded through the streets. To them it was the smell of defeat, slavery, and death.

To one, the fragrance of life. Life eternal, Paul continues in application, the ultimate glorification in Christ. To the other, the smell of death. Eternal separation caused by a lack of faith.

Whether we know it or not, we give off a fragrance. Is ours similar to a burning candle? Or is it more like burning microwave popcorn? Life or death? Glory or damnation?

2008-10-03T08:35:00.000-07:00

THE SOMBRARO GALAXY TAKEN FROM THE HUBBLE TELESCOPE

So what else do I know about this? That God created it. Not the picture, one of His creations did. The whole galaxy!

That's all I really know. But we are to live by faith. My faith leads me to believe that God created it all.

In fact we are to point out the beauty in nature when we observe God's creation. It just may point an unbeliever to God. I mean who can look at a sunrise, the stars, the intricately designed butterfly, a newborn and not think of God? Well, apparently some. So it's up to us to give God the glory, and make sure others see it. Even if we don't say God created it.

That is, we do part of the work and allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest. That's the only way one comes to God anyway. But I don't see any harm in pointing out "just another beautiful work of God in that sunset tonight. Look at those colors!"

Last night our Small Group began The Truth Project. Because of some technical problems we had to skip to Lesson Two where Dale Tackett points out a Carl Sagan quote, "The cosmos--that's all there is, that's all there ever was or will be." Well, no Carl. Not if you have a religious bone in your body. I heard a pastor recently say that it takes more faith in something not to believe in God. Faith that it (the cosmos, I guess) just happened, and everything turned out so perfectly formed.

Our Small Group leader pointed out that science has become our god in the post modern world today. And that's sad. To worship the creation and not the Creator.

2008-09-29T08:19:00.000-07:00

DESIRING GOD

If you've never been to a religious conference or Promise Keepers, I urge you to do so.

My wife and I and two friends made the journey from AZ to Minneapolis this past weekend for John Piper's Desiring God Conference. We were blessed along with 3,200 others to worship and hear Dr. Piper, along with Sinclair Ferguson, Paul Tripp, Bob Kauflin, Daniel Taylor, and my favorite Mark Driscoll.

Mark Driscoll pastors Mars Hill Church in Seattle where as he said, "we had a good week--we added 2,000 new members." In one week! Mark must be one of the Lord's favorites, too, though I didn't hear anything this past weekend that makes me think God has favorites.

Besides uplifting singing and fellowshipping and preaching and bookstoring (ok, I tried to use parallelism--there was an excellent Bookstore that featured many great Christian authors at reduced prices), there was a video played Friday and Saturday night that was a highlight. It can be downloaded for free at desiringGod. org. It's based on James 3, and it will hit home so closely and tug at your heart: I guarantee it.

If you read my entry today, Pastor Rob, don't bother downloading; I bought you a copy. I couldn't wait. It's that good.

So we returned last night after "a weekend with God" as one of our friends called it. I'm sure I'll be sharing more in future entries. Praise Him! And don't forget to download.

2008-09-22T10:24:00.000-07:00

CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN

And it's not the former world champion Cassius Clay (nee), Mohammad Ali. The change you can believe in is Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

One of the biggest if not the biggest change in history came over Saul (nee), Paul. Paul persecuted the church of God through zealous behavior. (Acts 8:3) He literally went from house-to-house dragging men and women off to prison for following Jesus. Furthermore, he voted to put them to death.

Yet on the Road to Damascus, he had a change of heart. That's what Jesus does. If he can change a persecutor of Christians into an apostle who wrote 13 books of the Holy Bible, He can probably change anyone.

There's nothing we can learn that can change our heart. Intellectual knowledge alone cannot bring about spiritual transformation. We become followers of Jesus just the way Paul did. Because of the person Jesus we've encountered.

In perhaps Paul's first letter written in 50 AD to the Galatians, he emphasized the freedom that believing in Jesus brings. "Do not let yourselves be burdened by a yoke of slavery." (Gal. 5:1)

He knew, and I pray that Mohammad Ali comes to know who really is The Greatest.

2008-09-18T08:24:00.000-07:00

HE LOVED THE SUNDAY MORNING CHURCH BELLS

An agnostic lived near a church in a small town. He never darkened the doorway of any church in the twenty years that I knew him. The Left Behind series infuriated him as did morality and Christian values.

In fact, I may have been kind calling him an agnostic. He was probably more of an atheist. A Marxist. And he might have had a cataclysmic change in his young adult life because of a divorce.

His wife left him for another woman. Yet instead of turning to his conservative roots--he was once a John Birch Society member after college, he became a flaming liberal and espoused his views to whomever was within ear shot. Part of his anger was directed at religion for whatever reason.

I think he was raised in the church, but I'm hazarding a guess based on distant memory. But I'm hoping so. I'm hoping he will return to the church as others have that used to go to church with me when we were young.

He loved to hear the church bells. When he moved, he told me he missed hearing them. Maybe there's still hope, and just maybe that's a sign.

2008-09-11T09:04:00.000-07:00

HIRELINGS ARE NOT TRUE SHEPHERDS

Every Sunday morning at our Prayer Works, Lori our leader asks what God has done in our lives over the past week. There are most always a number of people who share. The following is what God has taught me this week.

I began my BSF class on The Life of Moses. I continue our Band of Brothers Men's Bible Study on spiritual gifts. I continue our Small Group study beginning with 2 Corinthians. I have a Mid-month Elder Board meeting on Saturday when we continue to study the 8 systems of a church.

If I'm not careful, I can become a hireling. John 10:22-28 differentiates between a hireling and a true shepherd. The hireling leaves when danger approaches. The true shepherd, of course, tends or watches out over the flock.

Now, the application. I don't want to be a mere hireling, going through the process of studying scripture. How ever intellectually I can answer biblical questions from my studies, it still comes down to making a decision to trust and have faith in Jesus Christ as Lord of my life. The people who belong to Jesus' flock listen to His voice. He knows them, they follow Him. There are a myriad of voices in our lives, but we must hear Jesus' voice if we are His sheep.

Not all voices in our lives are bad. Not my teaching leader, discussion leader(s),nor pastor. I love to hear their voices as they teach me and take me further down my Christian walk. But the voice I have to be able to discern is that of the Savior. Intellectually won't get it. Spirituality will.

2008-09-05T16:16:00.000-07:00

M-O-U-S-E

Maybe because this is 1-Way's 199th entry, maybe because our pastor wore a Mickey or maybe Minnie Mouse shirt at our Elder Board meeting last night, or maybe because we're finishing our study of The Lord's Prayer in Sunday School, but my wierded out thought today connects The Lord's Prayer to the Mickey Mouse Theme Song. And certainly nothing sacrilegious or disrespectful is intended.

Much of the way we pray in our intercession before church services is based on the ACTS principal from the Lord's Prayer. First we give adoration to the Lord. Then we confess our failures. Then we give thanks. And finish with petition or supplication to the Father.

The Lord's Prayer begins the same way "hallowing God's name". In Rev 4:4 we are shown the throne room of Heaven with the 24 elders praying continuously, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God..."

The next part of the prayer, "thy kingdom come/thy will be done" illustrates God's sovereignty and power.

In Mickey's song, recognition is given by spelling his name. Followed by "forever let us hold his banner high". Allegiance is important in the Mickey Mouse club house. But mostly, it's more refrains about spelling his name, and even repeating his name. Of course, he's not holy nor in control of anything. I mean, c'mon, he's a mouse, thus not even a man.

Yet, his followers are asked to "join the jamboree". Now, that's getting too close, because we know from scripture that jubilee( I know the difference) was OT based on a time to allow the fields to lie fallow and forgive debts. But I really think the term was used to rhyme with M-O-U-S-E. Which could have been jubilee. So, good diction there, lyricist.

Yet while most all analogies run out eventually, maybe this one should never have even started.

2008-09-01T09:51:00.000-07:00

WHAT TO FEAR

The Presidential election of 2008, notwithstanding, there are things to fear. We can't help it. We trust in God that He is sovereign. And we are to fear Him. To have a reverential awe of Him. And we do. Yet we still have something to fear if we aren't careful.

Followers of Jesus will have to answer. For our lives. What we did with the talents, with the spiritual gifts that we were given. We shouldn't have to fear hearing from Jesus, "I never knew him." If we've given our life to Him, if we have believed, if we have repented, if we have turned from our wicked ways, if we have been saved by grace through faith, then that fear of rejection by the Savior is alleviated.

But what about that question? Why were you afraid to live out the Father's calling? To live out your passions that God gave you?

Do we have something to fear on that Last Day? Let's pray not.

2008-08-30T09:28:00.000-07:00

EVERY HOUSE HAS ONE

Yet, it's been called the least read book of all time. On display in a bookcase, as an historical record of family events in an honored place, a coffee table item, the Holy Bible is a book that is bought by many but unread by most. Not only in its entirety, in books of the Bible, in chapters, in verses. Anyway you can cut it, it's a book that mostly goes unread.

Even Christians may go from Sunday to Sunday without reading their Bible. The same Christians may follow Jesus all through the week in prayer and in how they live their lives. Yet they won't open the book that guides them in their walk.

It has been said that the Bible is the book that will keep you from sin. Or it is sin that will keep you from the book.

Yes, there's power in the blood of the lamb. And there's power in the book. You have it at your fingertips. Use it.

2008-08-23T07:57:00.000-07:00

I'M ALL EARS

One of the cool things about God is how He works. He's full of surprises.

When we went to Israel and Mount Carmel where Elijah called down fire from Heaven, it was one of the most fantastic stops of all. Just to picture that event, just to know that we were there, actually at or certainly near the exact spot, was just awesome.

If he wasn't before, he is now one of my favorites. In 1 Kings 19:9, God speaks to him when Elijah was hiding in a cave, "Why are you here?" (instead of doing the Lord's work).

And the Lord appeared to him. Not in the wind that shook the mountain and shattered rocks, not in the earthquake that followed; not even in the fire. (1 Kings 11-13)

But the Lord appeared to him in a gentle breeze, in the still small voice.

He wasn't in the huge events, the whirlwinds of his life, but in a gentle breeze. How cool.

He's still like that. Waiting for us to do meaningful work for Him. That's why He asks us, too,"Why are you here?"

2008-08-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

A TUBA THIS BIG

Last week we took our grandsons swimming at the Holiday Inn. My wife and I also took our granddaughter swimming, too, but since she's nearly 11, she had gone to change early. My wife took our older grandson and left me with the little guy, age 5.

Nathan knows only one speed--fast. He took off running in the hotel hall with me trailing. I could see it all play out but couldn't stop it.

"Nathan, Nathan, Nathan," I yelled, but too late. He ran full speed into a window that he thought was an opening next to a door. Fortunately, he wasn't hurt, the window didn't shatter, Nathan didn't cry. In fact he popped up, even thought it knocked him on his backside.

It's the first time I've ever thought I was like the Holy Spirit. I could see the danger ahead, I could warn, but it was up to him to listen. How many times has the Holy Spirit seen me making wrong decisions, not being aware of my surroundings, going recklessly full speed ahead, and yelling at me, "Ted Ted, Ted: watch out! slow down! don't, please don't go there"?

And how many times like Nathan have I not paid attention, have thought I knew better, not recognized the danger even when I though none there?

Maybe the tuba in the picture would help. But somehow I can't picture me or the Holy Spirit with one of those.

2008-08-18T10:34:00.000-07:00

FOCUSED

I'm as guilty as the next at losing focus. I had to stop myself from typing MY focus. And that's telling in itself.

In our Sunday School class, OK Adult Bible Fellowship class--I'm trying to "get with it", a question asked "Jesus makes it clear that we need God's power to face temptations and to stand against satan's attacks. What are some practical ways God might answer these requests in your life?"

My answer was it all being about focus. I made reference to a photo that has helped me, and it's pictured on this blog entry today. The picture of the eye reflecting the cross. When I think of that, it puts the emphasis in the proper perspective. That's right, Pastor Rick, it's not about me at all.

Another item I learned in Sunday School is that satan is not a proper name, thus no capitalization. Satan simply means adversary. Scripture often denotes him as evil or the evil one. In fact the NIV in Luke 11:4b states, "lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one". That's why I go to Sunday School. Well, one reason. Also, I just feel good there. It just helps me keep the focus, too.

2008-08-17T07:46:00.000-07:00

BE TOPS

What is God asking us to do? He's cleansed us with His amazing grace. In itself, this act should produce in us a heart of obedience(Isaiah 6:8). But to simplify, and don't think that I think anything is very simple, He's asking us to B-TOPS.

First, He wants us to Be in The Word. If you love God you want to know more about Him. There's one way:Be.

Secondly, Trust in Him. He's in control anyway. From His vantage point, He knows all past, present, and future. Give it up. He desires it:He deserves it.

Three, Obey. If you love Him, you will obey Him. If for no other reason than to please Him.

Fourth, Pray. Often. Don't deny yourself access to the Father. And don't forget that Jesus is also praying to the Father for us.(John 17:15) If He can pray for us, can't we also pray for ourselves?

Finally, Serve. To be tops with God, He wants us to serve Him. Start by loving others. You'll find it easier to be less self-centered. And you will be obeying, trusting; you'll be following The Word and the second most important commandment, and I'm certain you'll be in prayer as well.

Maybe that's why the S is last. It sums up. I can't say it's the most important. I'd say they are all vital to a healthy spiritual life.

2008-08-07T09:42:00.000-07:00

THE VERY VOICE

I love depictions of children flocking (pun, if you like) to Jesus. Because Jesus loves His flock. Because Jesus loves the little children of the world. Because I notice how young children love to be around their pastors. They want love and they know love and they see it in their pastors.

The phrase "Ipissima Vox" is Latin for the very voice. Now we may not have the very voice that Jesus said, probably more of a paraphrase because of translations and records and the Holy Spirit who revealed through the writers that which was God breathed. But we can still hear His voice, His very voice. And when I go to purchase a new Bible, as I did this week, I insist on red lettering for Jesus' very words, His very voice.

So why was I buying another Bible? We have several in our house Some from many years ago. I recently weakened the spine of my favorite Bible--I'd love to say from overuse, but I think it more a case of misuse:I often times do my BSF homework outside in the warm sun. And my second favorite Word is getting better taken care of. Others were gifts from my grandmother, or from the church when I entered first grade. Some are very big, and I needed a travel Bible.

Not the little pocket ones, but one with a soft cover. After searching for forty-five minutes or so, I found just the one I wanted. It looked masculine, it was not too compact, it wasn't too expensive, and it had Jesus' words in red. Plus, I bought it at a Christian bookstore. What's more, it left me on my own with the Holy Spirit to guide me. That is, there are no notations, no commentaries, no explanations Just me and the Spirit and Ipissima vox.

2008-08-04T15:36:00.000-07:00

YES, YOU

It's funny about scripture. And how it talks to you.

What verse do you claim? What verses have you in your memory bank? What verse(s) has gotten you through a difficult situation? What are your favorite bible verses?

We had a guest speaker Sunday because our pastor and his wife were returning from a much needed vacation. Rev. Engram was a former pastor of our pastor, so he really had some stories to tell on Rob. There was this time in Ohio when...just kidding, Pastor.

He was speaking about the four dominant factors to the church in Jerusalem (Acts 2:42) and the message hit me hard. At least the part about the apostles' doctrine of God. Pastor Engram said it was necessary to love the Word of God. Now, that's nothing earth shattering. Of course as followers of Jesus we love the Word. But I got to thinking, "Do I really?"

I mean I'm in several different Bible studies, but two have taken the Summer off. The third only meets when a majority are there. Which hasn't been the case too often lately. So outside of Sunday services, where has been my bible study? Answer: my religious calendar and for the most part The Daily Bread and a sporadic Christian blog entry. Is that love?

What if I gave my wife and family no more attention than that? What about the sports page and ESPN? I seem to have found time for them during my Off Season.

Thanks for the wake up call, Pastor Don. I needed that. And I'm going to the Word now. I'll open up The Bible to Mark, that seems like a good place to start today. God will give me a verse. Just for me. If only I ask Him. I will. You, too.

2008-08-01T15:06:00.000-07:00

TRY A LITTLE PRAYER

The policemen pictured are from India. They are trying to relieve stress by laughing. Organized laughter.

Now I like to laugh as much as the next guy. Does it relieve stress? I think so. That's what I always thought a Teachers' Lounge was for.

But it's only temporary. Not prayer.

Praying is a great reliever of stress. Remember the old hymn "I Must Tell Jesus"? One phrase in that song says,"Jesus alone." It's not the focus of the song, but it might as well be. We need to tell Jesus. We need to be alone with Him. And we need to unload our burdens on Him. He, alone.

Prayer time is important to me. Not just before bed, not just as I rise in the morning, not just at meal times. Not even our Prayer Works ministry Sunday morning before church services. But prayer during the day.

I find myself enjoying my morning walks without my wife. Not that I don't love being with her and sharing our exercise. But it takes me away from some serious prayer time. I walk rather slowly, unfortunately, so I have plenty of time in a 2-3 mile walk to have a devotion. A mediatation. A prayer.

There's lots to pray for. There's lots to praise for. Try it. But don't forget to laugh, too.

2008-07-31T07:46:00.000-07:00

DRAW ME NEARER

Why did they draw near Him? Because He receives. He receives sinners. Praise the Lord!

While the scribes of Jesus' day. (Isn't that a silly expression--Jesus' day? Everyday is Jesus' day.) While the scribes who were living at the time of Jesus' earthly existence. (Yet Jesus lives today. In the hearts in the souls of His followers.) This is getting difficult. While the scribes of 30 AD or so kept the tradition of the Jews, and the Pharisees, the separate ones, grumbled about Jesus, the tax collectors and sinners drew near Him.

"He had no beauty or form." (Isa 53:2) There was nothing majestic to attract

them to Him. Yet because "this man receives sinners" (Luke 15:2) they were drawn.

There's so much beauty about Him though. He doesn't send sinners away. He doesn't tell them to leave, get righteous, and then return to church. Instead He embraces us where we are. He accepts. He receives.

And He gives. As the hymn goes, "He gave His all/What more can He give?" His passion for the lost, for sinners, for us cost Him everything. And we are still drawn. Praise Him!

2008-07-22T08:27:00.000-07:00

EVEN HEROES PRAY IS THE TITLE OF THIS PICTURE

I would hope "even heroes pray". I would hope we all pray. Scripture commands us to pray continuously. To pray unceasingly. About all matters.

In the photo, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is praying before a race. It reminds me of a poster I had displayed in my room at the high school. When I taught English, my classroom didn't much look like the walls of the traditional English classroom. St. Louis Cardinals pictures or stadium giveaways, St. Louis Rams pictures and memorabilia, pictures of my students from a school or local paper were autographed and hung, plus a poster of race car driver Jeff Gordon.

Now I know next to nothing about NASCAR and its appeal, except that it is big. Jeff Gordon's rival was Dale, Sr. Thus, the picture caused a little controversy.

"How come you got a poster of Gordon up there? What's wrong with Earnhardt?" I'd get asked from time to time.

My response,"You know, I'm not really a racing fan, but I know Jeff Gordon's a Christian, so that's why I put him up there." It was a good way to witness, at least a little in a public school.

And students' feelings were strong about their heroes. But after they understood why I displayed it, there were no grumbles, no defacing, just acceptance.

Maybe had I researched more I would have found that Dale, Sr, too was a Christian. I hope he was and I'm glad to see his son, a hero, praying. I'd have this pictured blown up and displayed prominently next to Jeff Gordon if I still had my classroom.

2008-07-16T08:29:00.000-07:00

SUNDAY SCHOOL CARDS AND CHURCH FANS

At age one and a half I made my first appearance in church. How do I know? The Sunday School Card that I received at church that day. My mother dated it and noted that it was my first appearance at church.

Made of light cardboard, the Sunday School cards were a staple at our church through the primary years. They brought to life Bible characters and stories and served to reinforce what we were hearing.

Made of heavier cardboard and also picturing a Bible scene complete with scripture reference was the hand held church fans. Often times these were supplied by an area funeral home. They served an additional purpose, advertising not counted. You didn't get a new one every week, but people who didn't like to fan with their Sunday School cards or bulletins (I think we had those back then, though the plaque on the wall in the sanctuary indicated offering amount from last week, attendance for worship service and Sunday School, the attendance the prior week, and even number of visitors were displayed. You know, I still like that plaque or board, so I guess I must be really old fashioned.) brought theirs every week necessary. They kinda looked stuffy to me (pun), but I was just a kid, and I didn't mind sweating in public back then.

I actually miss the cards. I guess I'm pretty visual. I used to always buy scorecards at baseball games, too. Just give me some cardboard for validation. To say, "I was there." "See?"

2008-07-14T16:16:00.000-07:00

A ZEN SPIRAL

Isn't it great? No? No. It's not great. I don't know if Zen is even a religion, but nothing that takes the place of religion, specifically Christianity or Messianic Judaism doesn't cut it.

When Jesus entered the outer ring or fourth area of the temple, He found the money changers conducting business and keeping the Gentiles from worshipping. (Mark 11:11-22) It angered Him as He turned over the tables and told the Priests who were exchanging Caesar's image coinage for ones they had made.

But Jesus was also angered by the ones who were buying the perfect lambs from the priests, for they, too, were guilty of defaming the holy temple.

Also, interestingly enough, the next day the moneychangers set up shop again and the people exchanged their coins just as if nothing had happened. Jesus' response:"Have faith in God."

In the midst of Zen worshippers, cult worshippers, secularism, atheism, agnosticism, the message is still the same. "Have faith in God."

2008-07-10T17:53:00.000-07:00

YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T HAVE TO IMAGINE, MR. LENNON

I love the early Beatles. Before the drugs, before Maharesh, and yes, before Yoko.

Some of their early love songs and want songs and songs of longing were so great. Also, they were so simple. Several of their early songs were made up of one syllable lyrics.

To me their best album ever was Rubber Soul. Ironically, after that one; the souls bounced away from me. Just silly stuff, such as "I am the Walrus," or "Oblah De, Oblah Dah." Even the "Yellow Submarine," didn't appeal. Nor "Lucy in the Sky."

But once in awhile they'd still produce something I liked. One of my all time least favorites was "Imagine". Why would I want to imagine a world where there's no Heaven as espoused by request in the first line? Followed by "it isn't hard to do". Why would that be easy? I mean if something's not hard, then it's easy. Without Heaven, and "no hell below us", then as Peggy Lee sang, "Is That All There Is?" becomes finality.

I much prefer the scriptural assurance that Jesus went to prepare a place for us. Now that's easy to imagine, because that's what He said. It isn't hard to believe Him. And He also said there is a hell. Scripture clearly addresses the place where there is a gnashing of teeth and solitary confinement in the lake of fire.

Is that all there is? That's enough. It's pretty simple. You're either a follower of Jesus Christ or not. If not? Why? It's a whole lot easier to submit to Him than to imagine what it might be without Him. Because of God's gift of scripture to us, we know what awaits us.

2008-07-05T07:22:00.000-07:00

MOUNTAIN ASH AND ME

There's much talk these days about how easily baseball players shatter their bats. It seems that they are now made of maple. Which to me is a disrespect. I mean bats are made from the ash trees of Adirondack. At least I always thought they were.

I was also always told to hold my bat with the label up. That way it wouldn't break or splinter when connecting with a fast ball. But that's all out the window now. Just as using two hands to catch a ball. To take a couple of pitches to allow a baserunner to steal. Not to talk or joke with opposing players while the game is in progress. Plus a dozen or more unwritten rules.

But God doesn't work that way. From OT times, He gave explicit, implicit (I honestly don't know the difference) instructions on how to build a tabernacle. Similarly, He told Noah how to build an ark. There's nothing unwritten in His Word.

Scripture defines. It tells us exactly what we need to know. (Deut 29:29) And the Holy Spirit reveals to us at just the perfect time what He wants us to see. It makes it so much easier that way.

We have the model and the kit. Complete with instructions. And best of all, there will be no missing parts. It all fits. We just have to follow. Obediently.

2008-07-03T12:47:00.000-07:00

calendars

If you don't already have an inspirational religious calendar, it's not too late. I think you can still buy some at Christian Book Stores. Hopefully, with nearly half the year gone, they'll be at a reduced price, too.

Two things: Number One they are inspirational. Some days, they, along with The Purpose Driven Life daily devotional are the only scripture I read. I know that's a confession, and certainly something I'm not proud of, but I'm afraid it's true. Thank heavens it's not most days.

Number two: Purchase your calendars at a Christian Bookstore. Wal-Mart may have a better price, but who has the better store? That is to say, how do you feel when you walk into a Christian Book Store as opposed to a Big Box? I know I almost feel as if I'm in church when I enter a CBS (Christian Book Store), so keep them in business, please and purchase additional Bibles or religious readings from them. We so desperately need them in our morally decaying times.

Just in case you missed it, today's scripture is from Job 11:7 "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?"

Beautiful words from THE SOURCE.

2008-06-25T05:24:00.000-07:00

WHAT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE

From Monty Hall to the grass is always greener, we have longed to know what's on the other side. What's beyond what we can't see?

For the Christian, we're told of streets of gold. Of no more crying there. We're told we have a mansion prepared for us. But most importantly, we're told we'll be with Jesus.

For the nonbeliever, for the denier of Jesus as being God's very own Son, for the one who rejects Jesus as Lord and Savior of his life, well, we know that picture, too. And it isn't pretty. "Gnashing of teeth"--that pretty much sums up those in hell. The torture they feel. Every second for eternity.

Streets of gold or teeth gnashing. If it were only that easy as opposed to that painful. But how about this for pain--separation from those you loved. Complete and total loneliness. And the kicker--separation from God who created you along with everything else.

You had the most important decision to make in your life. An easy one. And you picked the wrong door. That's what eternity is.

But that's why we're given second and third and a million chances. God doesn't want that gulf; He doesn't want that separation. But it's your call. It's your choice. And your life and afterlife depend on it. Choose wisely.

2008-06-19T07:55:00.000-07:00

THE REV. IKE

I'm going to miss Isaac Bruce. Oh, he's still around. At age 35, he signed a free agent contract with the 49-ers. The problem--he's a Ram. The original St. Louis Ram. And he's going to play for the much disliked 49-ers.

A religious man, Isaac earned the nickname The Rev Ike because of his Christian beliefs. As a leader of chapel services and various Christian outreaches in the St. Louis area, Mr. Bruce is held in high esteem. The vehicle was pro football. His purpose: to advance the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

I recall an opening Monday night football game against the Broncos when he ran in stride with Torry Holt as one of them caught a Kurt Warner touchdown pass. They ran side by side untouched into the end zone. Of course, my favorite catch was the one against the Titans that secured a Super Bowl win for the Rams.

Yet another amazing story and remembrance for me about Number 80 was when he wrecked his car. Going too fast on a St. Louis interstate, Bruce lost control of his sports car. As he was about to crash, he let go of the wheel and simply said with awesome respect, "Jesus".

He had no more time than to utter the name of His Savior. No time to complete even a one sentence breath prayer. His car flipped over as it skidded off the interstate pavement. Bruce walked away, unhurt.

He could have been killed or badly injured. He wasn't. The power of the Word of God is still great today. Even if uttered in the haste of the moment. As long as it's done with the respect due the King of Kings. After all, who else knows our hearts and protects us if we truly are His?

I won't be able to stand to see Isaac in the uniform of the 49-ers. But I'll never root against him. For you see, we share a friend: His name is Jesus.

2008-06-15T18:45:00.000-07:00

COLD FEET

Do you remember the first altar call you didn't answer? When you knew you should. When you knew you were different, but were afraid? When you simply had cold feet.

Raised as a Southern Baptist, I've sat through many altar calls or invitations as we used to call them. And revivals. It seems we were always having a revival. Well, at least two or so per year. And if you didn't at least one additional night besides Sunday night's start, then you were part of the problem and not the solution.

I also recall the invitational, most often "Just As I Am". I always loved the song, even all seven verses, which we sang and sang until there was no movement in the aisles.

I know I felt better after I had accepted the call, answered the invitation. Then I was a club member. Then I had begun what I was created for (Isaiah). Then I had taken my claim as an heir to the kingdom. No wonder I felt better. I had it made. No longer did I need a Savior. I had one.

My feet were no longer cold when I stepped out into that aisle and made my walk down front to shake the preacher's hand. I had arrived. Now all I have to do is wait. Along with trusting, obeying, prioritizing, studying, and living a life of freedom from sin that bound me.

If you still have the blue feet, confess your sins, tell of your need for Jesus Christ, the Son of God who lived, died, and rose from the dead as the sacrifice for our sins. Turn from your sinful ways and follow Him. Simply pray that prayer and the angels in Heaven will celebrate because one more has been saved and will join them for eternity in Heaven. Where their feet will be warmed by the spirit of our living Lord.

Where every day is Happy Father's Day.

2008-06-10T17:33:00.000-07:00

SO, THEY WEREN'T ANGELS AND NEITHER ARE WE

Those in Thessalonica in Paul's day (by the way, is that a cool city name or what? It's much cooler sounding than Corinth, which a former pastor of mine pronounced it as if it were spelled Cornth, or even Ephesus) weren't angels, but they were praised by Paul. And I think that's what we need more of.

Our Band of Brothers men's bible study ended today. We shared, we gleaned, we grew. But we also beat ourselves up. Over our shortcomings. Over how much more we should/could be doing for God's glory. It was so easy to see from our studies by Blackaby and MacDonald how we fall short. How we must disappoint God.

But like the Thessalonians, although we weren't continually praising God and praying to God, we were trying. I mean we were getting up very early to be at the church at 6:30 AM on Tuesdays for 32 weeks or so. So why are we so hard on ourselves?

Well, because we can still do so much more. But sometimes we should reflect and rejoice in our faithfulness. Not that we'll ever approach the faithfulness of our Lord, but we can feel better about ourselves. If we'll only allow it.

To my fellow Christian brothers, I applaud you and thank you for your efforts. And to our lead pastor, Rob Wagner, much kudos go to you for your efforts. To have a small group led by our pastor for that long was truly a blessing. Now, if I could improve my memory verses... But there I go again, being negative.

2008-05-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

MAYBE THAT'S WHAT HE'S THINKING. THAT GOD'S NOT THE BOSS OF HIM

Why else would noted author Ray Bradbury, age 88, say in this month's AARP magazine, "I believe the universe created us--we are an audience for miracles. In that sense, I guess I'm religious."

In other words, he has not a bone of religion in him. A man as astute, a man with tremendous gifts and powers of observation and who cannot see God at work in the universe; a man who thinks the universe just created itself, well, that man is a fool. When I read the quote, I was disgusted as I am when I read anything inflammatory or degrading Christianity. I'll never look at Bradbury the same way again.

And it made me think. Maybe our response to non-Christians should be, "How stupid can you be? Are you serious? You're going to make the stupidest decision of your life in rejecting Jesus. Do you ever pick up the Holy Bible? C'mon. Eternity is for a long time, man."

I mean we've tried the Christian approach, if we've made an effort at all. We've handed out tracts and invited people to church. We've been charitable, hospitable, kind. And we're living in a world that's secular. That makes no distinction between Saturday or Sunday. They're the same.

There have been a few movies about people who went over the edge. One was where the guy in the office building exploded, yelling out the window, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore." Maybe that kind of attitude is needed. A modern day turning over of the tables at the temple. Good old fashioned anger for the sake of religion.

Then think maybe it didn't work too well for Jonathan Edwards and some of the Colonial, Puritanical preachers who used "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" as their sermons.

Is my frustration showing? No doubt. But from time to time, a healthy dose of spiritual boil over is cleansing.

2008-05-27T11:26:00.000-07:00

IN YOUR FACE

That's not a very nice title. Mainly because when someone utters that statement in common speech today, it's meant in a confrontational setting. That is, I'm not afraid to get right up into your face, and what are you going to do about it?

Well, sometimes, actually all too often, what we see in our own faces is not something we're proud of. We see failure. We see disappointment. We see ourselves as something that not only do we not approve, but what must God think about us? How patient and forgiving and faithful can He be?

This morning in our men's bible study, Pastor Hal asked a question. Who's in your wallet? He proceeded to open his and reveal pictures of his wife and granddaughter. His response," In God's wallet, He has a picture of us. It's the best picture that He keeps. Just like in our wallets, we keep the best."

What a great image. What a great message. Once we become Christians, once we belong to God Our Father, He sees us in favorable light. He sees the best of us.

And if He can see us that way, then who are we to dwell on or failures? And who would not want to hear, "Well done, My good and faithful servant?"

2008-05-23T08:26:00.000-07:00

RANDY, OVER HERE. YOU REMEMBER--IT'S THE MOUND

I still think of the Diamondbacks wearing the purple and teal. I never really cared for the look. And I think pinstripes should be reserved only for the Yankees. Certainly not by an expansion team. But I have trouble relating to the new Sedona red uniforms. Even when they try to hide them by wearing black jerseys as they did Saturday night.

But that's about my only complaint. Well, I do have one more. Keep that roof open unless it's raining hard. I don't care what Randy or Schilling prefer.

Otherwise, what a nice team this organization has put together for 2008. With the addition of Dan Haren on the mound, to go along with Webb, and an ever improving Micah Owings, the DBax have quite a pitching staff. With young, emerging hitters such as Young, Upton, Jackson, and Reynolds, I expect a great year for the local guys.

If our paths were only that clear for our Christian walk. God has put together a great team starting at the top. The Trinity might not work in managerial ranks of the major leagues in baseball, but it working perfectly in The Major League.

But why should that surprise me? God makes no Plan B. As The Sovereign One, He doesn't have to. And His is perfect the first time every time. He's even provided the manual for us to follow. It was The Word and The Word was made flesh in His Son. And when He left, He left us with the Holy Spirit.

It's all too amazing to comprehend. And what we can't comprehend, God has provided faith for us to believe.

When Randy or Micah, Brandon or Doug, Dan or Max have a problem, there's a meeting on the mound. Usually involving the catcher, the manager, and an infielder. For direction. For support. Or for relief when the hurler has had enough.

Sometimes we need all three spiritually. And sometimes, we can't even find the mound on our own. But we, too, have a director, a supporter, and a reliever. All rolled into ONE. Praise God!

2008-05-21T07:09:00.000-07:00

WHAT WE MUST LOOK LIKE TO ONE WHO LOVES US

We live on a golf course. Literally. Well, not exactly. Our house borders the fifth hole of a golf course. The cart path comes to within a few yards of our wall. Just close enough to hear more than we want.

Yesterday while I was out in the back yard, I heard loud voices on the fifth hole. For a minute, I thought it might have been friends taking to my wife. After closer concentration, I knew that was not the case. I heard a woman's voice, but also some very crude, yes vulgar language, being used by one of the men.

They were within earshot for seemingly a long time. I walked to the other side of the yard and looked through an opening in our fence to see them talking to a cart girl. Just after she left, more foul language filled the air.

"C'mon, give me a break," I said loudly. But he was talking so loudly himself, he couldn't hear me. "What a bunch of jerks," I responded. Again out loud, again very angrily.

And, I thought, "Do you think God ever looks at us that way?" How many times must we seem like jerks, like aliens to Him. How many times are we profane? How many times do we sicken Him?

It didn't make me feel good. And I thought, "What's the difference?" I knew the answer. God loves us. I had no love whatsoever for my fellow man. Did I break the second most important commandment that Jesus gave?

I did. Am I worse than the guys' loud profanity? Well, no. God doesn't rank one sin worse than the others. They are all unacceptable to Him. Did I ask forgiveness? Yes. Was I sincere? I think so. Was I forgiving?

Man, this obedience is tough.

2008-05-20T13:13:00.000-07:00

SAYING AND SAVING GRACE

Maybe that's why we say grace before our meals. Because God is so gracious to us. Certainly it's nothing we've done. It's nothing we deserve. We were not better than anyone else when God selected us. And that's what makes it all the more precious.

My entry today is about saying grace. Friend Pastor Hal told the story of eating dinner at a girlfriend's house. When her father said grace, he prayed for the lions in Africa. Hal, being a religious guy from early on in life, thought to himself,"what kind of family is this? Praying for the lions in Africa?"

It seems the Lyons were missionary friends serving in Africa.

Another friend Boppy was blessing a meal. There were several people from out of state at the meal he had helped his wife Grandy prepare. He announced, "I'd like to say grace before we eat. I don't do this just because we have guests tonight. We always bless our food because we love the Lord who has been so good to us."

What a great chance to honor God. And to be a witness. To stand up for your faith.

We always bless our food. When Boppy and Jeff and I play golf, and when we happen to eat at the golf course, we always bless our food. Once there were some guys in the restaurant that had had a lot of beer after their round. (Of golf, not drinks) though I guess you could say both, for they had stacked one beer can on top of the other and was getting pretty high in to the air before one toppled (can not golfer). I'd like to have a better ending to the story, but I don't. We didn't say grace for them. But if they did notice us, then we were simply being salt and light to the world.

If you've gotten out of the habit of saying grace, get back into it today. It's the proper thing to do to show respect to the One whose saving grace was offered freely to us.

2008-05-16T10:25:00.000-07:00

ASAP

The Rev. Billy Graham. I have admired him for so long.

Saturday nights at 7:00, I still watch his sermons from his crusades back in the 50's and 60's. He's timeless because God is timeless and he preaches God's Word.

I was so blessed to attend one of his crusades in St. Louis back in 2000, just after the Rams had won the Super Bowl. Quarterback Kurt Warner was on stage with the Rev. And as much as I respect him as a Christian and player, he was not the main attraction that evening. I'm sure he would agree.

As timeless as the Rev. Graham is, I'm certain he would appreciate the hurriedness, the busyness, the rush of today's society. I'm also sure that he has faced deadlines and time management problems. And, finally, I'm sure he's practiced ASAP.

Not the current abbreviation. Not As Soon As Possible. But this ASAP, the ASAP I'm talking about stands for Always Say A Prayer. (Don't think this originated with me. I heard it from a Navy Chaplin who read a poem with the ASAP title.)

That's scriptural, since we are told to pray without ceasing. (Luke 18:1, Eph 6:18, and 1 Thes 5:17). A pastor a long time ago told me not to bother to say "Amen" at the end of a prayer because you would be calling on God, you would be in prayer again all through the day, so don't break the connection.

Do you think there might just be fewer stressed people in the work place, a few happier people in the world if they practiced ASAP? I think both God and Billy Graham would concur.

2008-05-10T08:02:00.000-07:00

TRIUNE

Three-in-one

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

What haven't You done?

Maker, Sustainer, Hallowed on High,

In-dweller, Creator, how You've sacrificed,

Royal deliverer, Guider of man,

You transcend us with Your power,

You're The Great I Am.

2008-05-08T08:23:00.000-07:00

JERUSALEM, JERUSALEM WITH USA RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WORD

Happy 60th birthday, Israel! Praise the Lord! Praise His name!

God's chosen was granted their own country 60 years ago, and that's plenty of reason to celebrate. As diversified as the city Jesus wept over is, it's still smack in the middle of Israel. Well, "at the top of the bottom third over to one side", as my wife explained. What's important is that God gave this land to the Israelites, and for the past 60 years, it's been proclaimed as such by man.

Others may claim it, others may try to give back in the name of peace in the Mideast, but it's not theirs to claim rightfully, nor is it anyone else's right to give something back that's not theirs.

Long live Israel. And long live her greatest ally, the USA.

2008-05-05T16:21:00.000-07:00

SANCTITY

Holiness is the first word in the dictionary that begins the definition of sanctity. Yesterday was Sanctity of Life Sunday. Along with Ascension Sunday, 40 days after Easter when Jesus ascended to Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. To intercede for us. To return to His rightful place of authority.

This whole week is Sanctity of Life Week. Oh, you won't hear much about either. Not in our secular world today. And that's just it. As followers of Jesus, we are aliens in this world. Paul tells us in Philippians that we have our citizenship in Heaven. We're simply passing through in this world.

Look at the picture I posted again. Now tell me life doesn't begin until birth. When God spoke us into our mothers' wombs, tell me life didn't begin then. Ask a woman who felt her baby move and kick before he/she was born that life hadn't begun before birth. Ask any mother who has lost a baby by miscarriage or stillbirth that life hadn't begun yet.

And then ask our country how we can support pro-choice candidates for political offices. How as a nation we can allow infanticide in or out of the womb. A woman's right to her own body. That may be one thing. But no woman has a right to the body that she's carrying.

I won't just rant about abortion; I'll pray. Please join me this week especially.

2008-05-03T08:37:00.000-07:00

HIGH AND LIFTED UP

When we repent of our sins, turn from our ways, and confess, we are forgiven. That's pretty much basic scriptural truth reflected in numerous passages.

DE Leonard Little of the St. Louis Rams ran a stop light after celebrating his birthday with teammates. His SUV hit and killed an area woman. Only recently, nine years or so after the incident, has he been able to talk openly about it. Last week he told students his story. A story of tragedy and forgiveness.

He was sentenced to 90 days in jail and probation. He, along with many others, thought he got off easy. He grieved, he attempted suicide, he suffered, and he forgave.

Not himself. He forgave the killer of his younger brother. "If I ever expect forgiveness, how could I not forgive the killer of my brother? " he told his school-age audience.

Forgiveness is difficult. The family that was ruined by Little's actions have not publicly forgiven him yet. While he wishes that would happen, it's out of his control. What a tough lesson for him to learn.

Forgiveness literally means to lift up, to take away. When God forgives, the stain of guilt and sin are taken away.(Lev 16:30) Little had it right. If he wants forgiveness, then he has to be able to forgive.

His testimony proves he has the second part down. And that's more difficult than the first part.

2008-04-29T08:20:00.000-07:00

HOW WORTHY IS GOD, IF WE ARE TO LIVE LIVES WORTHY OF HIM?

For one thing, He has a kingdom. A kingdom Christians want to be a part of. A kingdom to set our eyes on.

If we try to live as if we're worthy of God, we won't succeed. For none, not even one, is worthy. Yet by God's grace, and the atonement for sin by His Son, we are justified. As I've said before, quoting an anonymous source justified means "just as if I'd never sinned". But we can't stop there, for God also wants us sanctified or made righteous.

One quality of sanctification and how we can live our lives for Him is through love. After all, Jesus told us that the most important commandment was to love God. The second most important to love our neighbors as ourselves.

A great example from scripture is Mary, sister of Lazarus and Martha, who demonstrated extravagant love for the Savior. She anointed Jesus with expensive nard, an ointment/spice from an alabaster jar. As He reclined at the table, she poured out the best she had to offer for Jesus. She anointed his head and feet. To the displeasure of some of the men gathered there. It was worth approximately one year's wages. (Matt 26:6-13)

Jesus not only corrected the disapproving, "The poor will always be with you. You only have me for a little while," but but added that her story will be remembered and retold through scripture.

It seems that Mary "got it" when those closest to Jesus, the disciples didn't. Her display of her capacity of love called out that deed that had effects for years and years. Pouring out the best we have for the Lord is what makes us more worthy.

2008-04-25T06:45:00.000-07:00

JEALOUS, YESSIREE

Oprah. Kobe. Hillary. Barack. Shaquille.

There aren't too many in today's society known by only their first name. And only one has her own magazine. With her picture on every cover. Hitchcock might have been in every movie he made, but he didn't promote himself as much as Oprah.

She won an Oscar, I believe, for her performance in a great movie, The Color Purple. If she didn't, she should have. But that's the last good thing I'm going to say about her.

Raised a Baptist, she said she stopped following organized religion when she heard a preacher say "God is a jealous God." Oprah didn't like that. She wanted God to be what she wanted Him to be.

Lots and lots of folks want that, too. That's is to make God in their own image. It escapes me now where in scripture it was pointed out that since God had created all there is, He is sovereign, not they. But to think otherwise, that God is not satisfying you by His ways, is just a little self-centered. Rather like putting your mug on the cover of your magazine. Every month.

Even if she feels that way why does she have to share her mis-belief with her followers? Does she want a following based on her spiritual beliefs? Is she trying to be a god(dess)? Is she trying to get others to question their faith? Is she trying purposely to lead others away from God by her disbelief?

But what about all the people she helps? All the money she gives to worthy causes? It's a heart issue. And I won't go there. I'm not supposed to nor can judge someone else. I can do the math, though. If her income exceeds $10 million annually and she gives away only $1 million to a church, then she's not even tithing as scripture dictates.

If she serves others out of the goodness of her heart, then she's doing what scripture stresses. If she's giving to others to promote herself, then she's received her rewards on earth; there won't be any forthcoming in heaven. To receive the rewards in heaven, one is to give lovingly and anonymously.

Who am I to tell Oprah how to live and how to give? Absolutely nobody. But there's a great model in the Holy Bible. It was inspired by a jealous God who wants our attention and devotion. And He doesn't need a magazine cover or tv show. Plus, He probably had plenty of Oscars in Heaven.

2008-04-21T07:48:00.000-07:00

AND THE EARTH QUAKED IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

Our son was out of town. Our daughter in California called. She had reached him in a nearby town at a conference. Yes, he had felt the earthquake last week. His oldest son had awakened, but not his other two children. The dog had barked and barked. He had felt it at 4:37 AM as he sat at his computer before leaving for the conference.

But we couldn't reach him. I got a hold of my brother. He said he felt it shake his bed and thought, "The Lord is coming."

When good friend Nelson from Scottsdale called to see how our family back in MTV was after the quake, I told him my brother's response. Nelson replied, "Man, I wish the Lord had come."

That's the kind of Christian he is. My thoughts were a little different. I know I'm ready for the Lord. There's nothing else I can do. I've accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and I've repented of my sins. I am a follower of Jesus. I sincerely love and adore Him.

But I'm not quite ready. I'd like to see how this all plays out. I'm pretty satisfied with my life now. I like worshipping and serving Him here. Don't get me wrong. I'm looking forward to claim my part in His kingdom. I'm assured of that. But I don't mind a little more earth time to see how my children grow and what my grandchildren will become.

Maybe I have one foot too firmly planted here because Nelson has four beautiful daughters that he has to enjoy and appreciate and he's ready. He's the kind of Christian I look up to.

And when the rapture comes, oh yes, I want to meet my savior in the sky (Rev 20;1-5). Don't ever think I would want to be left behind. Right now, I'm just not in a hurry. But, on the other hand, I'm ready and looking forward to the day.

2008-04-14T16:45:00.000-07:00

"DON'T DIE ON THIRD"

When I was 4 years old, I lived next door to our pastor. Naturally I had to be good. Well, most of the time. Maybe that's why we moved when I was 5.

Our pastor was Rev. Otho Williams, a highly respected minister known throughout the state. A devout Christian, he took an interest in youth. My cousin took an interest in his daughter, but that's another story. (Just like the writing to the right. Do you read it as Good or Evil?)

Pastor Williams coached a youth baseball team back in the early 50's, according to Logan St. Baptist interim Pastor Wendall Garrison. He told his players that once they reached base, they had to make it home. "Don't die on third (base)" was his constant call.

Of course being a minister, he was able to relate his baseball knowledge to scripture about finishing the race (1Cor 9:27), not being disqualified for the prize. The prize of course is the kingdom of heaven. And one must stay strong in the Lord to be able to go home, that is, to receive his reward. But the race is for the strong and one cannot come up short.

One of his former baseball players was wounded in Korea a few years after he played for Rev. Williams. It was a severe wound that took his life. Before he died, he sent word: "Tell Otho I didn't die on third." He had run the race. He had fought the good fight.

But it doesn't stop with this inspirational story. We, too, must finish the race. We, too, must fight the good fight. By being in prayer, being in the Word, being in worship service, and being servants for our Lord and Savior. It's a strict training regiment. But as Rev. Garrison said Sunday, and what my former neighbor would say, we can't go through life merely doing what we want to do. We have to do what God wants us to do. We can't die at first, second, or third base.

2008-04-07T08:37:00.000-07:00

"WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME..."

This past weekend I had three friends pass away. One was a grade school and high school friend. One was on my Little League baseball team. The other I played against in Church League Basketball. His three sons played on our son's Little League teams, and his oldest was in our Rotisserie Baseball League.

And, yet, I never had a spiritual discussion with any of them. I'm sure two of them attended church regularly, at least at one time. But why did the most important thing in our lives never come up in any discussions or small talk I ever made with them?

Was it my fault? Was I ashamed of the gospel? Was I so self-centered that I thought if I discuss my religious convictions that they would judge me poorly in today's world? Was I an agent of God put specifically into their lives to direct them to Jesus?

I really don't have any answers, but in my most recent entries, I've addressed the same issue, so I'd say it's weighing on my heart. Is the Holy Spirit nudging me? After 12 weeks of studying Experiencing God by Blackaby, I should know God is constantly working right down the middle of my life. God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit by prayer, the Word, church, and circumstances of our lives. The most telling thing of all is that if God is not speaking to us, then we don't have a relationship with Him.

So while I may not have answers, Mr. Blackaby does. And God certainly does. We simply cannot be nebulous in our talk. No talk about our spirituality is unimportant. We serve a living God, the Great I Am. Let us proclaim Him and our allegiance.

2008-04-05T10:12:00.000-07:00

PSALMS AND REVELATIONS

Isn't it funny how sometimes we overlook the obvious? There are psalms, but the book is Psalm. It's the same with the book of Revelation, though of course John received revelations. I guess it's not too important, but as Christians, we can't be too careful. We don't want someone to not hear the message because we messed up.

That used to be a real fear of mine. If I say the wrong thing, if I push a non-believer too far, if I make him feel uncomfortable, if I somehow elevate my religious status, then just maybe I've kept him out of the kingdom. What I omitted is that I don't dictate who is in the kingdom by what I do or don't do: it's the Holy Spirit in his life.

Now while that may not be entirely correct when I disavow my importance. I must be salt and light to the world. I must not make another stumble by my actions. I may just illuminate enough to make another want what I have--that is peace, love, joy , patience...(Gal 5:22-23). But if I fail in my attempt to help win one to Christ, I'm sure that God will send another to witness to him. Just as in my life, He put just the right people at just the right time for me. He's God. That's what He does best. I mean besides creating, loving, forgiving, ...(The Holy Bible).

We simply can never praise Him enough. And if we have trouble in our evangelical efforts, we can always simply give our testimony of what God has done in our lives. No one can refute or deny that. It's something we must share. Something that we must give away.

2008-04-01T11:16:00.000-07:00

IF GOD LOVES ME, WHY CAN'T HE HELP ME OPEN MY LOCKER?

That's the title of a now dated teen devotional book from 20 years or so ago. While the title may be catchy, it does play a sour note with me.

After 9/11 there was much talk about where God was and how He could allow that tragedy to happen. Why was God mad at us was also posed.

It's easy to accept the good things God blesses us with. We readily accept them. Unfortuately, we act as if somehow we were deserving, we were entitled to them and it was nice (and only right) that God recognized that fact.

But when things don't go our way, we have a tendency to question God and wonder if He's worthy of our trust. If we don't trust God, then we are in the clutches of circumstance. We either move into the despair of hopelessness (chance) or we trust God. And that's the difference between apples and oranges.

There was harmony for a brief period of time. Until Genesis 3 and the disobedience of Eve and Adam. This is the only explanation the Bible gives for telling us why there is suffering in the world. Instead of telling why there is suffering, scripture tells us how to overcome it. And it's never easy.

It wasn't easy for God either. Not when He saw His Son hanging on the cross. His answer was three days later. We never go through suffering alone. God is with us. Is He trustworthy? Count on it. He'll never leave us; He'll never forsake us. As Joshua is about to die (Joshua 23:14) he says "not one of all God's promises has failed".

It's up to you. "In the world you've got trouble. In me you have peace." (John 16:33) My prayer is that in the middle of pain and suffering I'll trust God. After all, He's the apple of my eye.

2008-03-29T08:52:00.000-07:00

WE TAUNT HIM, TOO

It's almost a week now. Since Jesus arose, well nearly 2000 years ago. But what a week it was! Beginning with Palm Sunday on His arrival via donkey colt to the masses singing His praises and calling Him King. Ending with His glorious resurrection!

But Good Friday, or God Friday, as I originally typed, but it applies as well. What do you think hurt our Lord and Savior the most on that day? The nails in the hands? the feet? the hanging there? the thorns piercing his head? the scourge prior to being placed on the cross? how about being spit on? or maybe the insults hurled at Him by the very people He came to save from eternal damnation?

After 2000 years, we can physically hurt Him no more. Did He feel the torture? Certainly. He was God, but also man. He could feel physical pain and mental torment. Don't forget his sweat was like drops of blood in Gethsemane. (Luke 22:44)

But we can and continue to cause Him pain today. By our taunting Him. Oh we don't mock Him calling Him King of the Jews in a sarcastically bitter tone. But we still taunt.

When we want to make our own god (a loving God wouldn't allow that, we say). Or when we place ourselves above God (why me, we question). Or when we place anything in our lives as having more priority (my family and friends are more important). Or when we have doubts (the world was created by the big bang).

And thousands or more thoughts or beliefs that our culture, our society, our natural sinful ways mis-guide us. We're human; we'll fail, you can count on it, but we must be attuned to the Holy Spirit who will lovingly tug at us, who'll nudge us back to ways that do not taunt our Lord and Savior.

He's already gone though enough pain for us. Let's spare Him any more.

2008-03-26T05:17:00.000-07:00

HAPPY EASTER!!

Oh, you say I missed it? Nope. I'd never miss the best day of the year! Better than your birthday? Oh, yeah. Better than Christmas? Yessir. For on that Sunday morn, our Savior arose!!

And the world has never been the same. Proof. Proof that our Lord and God lives and reigns. And that He paid the price of our atonement for sin. While His birth, as magnificent as it was, certainly is something to celebrate, His resurrection, witnessed by hundreds is an historic event. Otherwise, all the leaders of His day, all those who put Him to death would have certainly denounced His resurrection. But they didn't.

Oh, in this day and age, there might have been spin put on the event. There might have been conjecture, traps, mis-spoken statements, down right lies, but come to think of it weren't there the same things back in Jesus' day? (Well, of course, every time, every generation is Jesus' time.) But the Truth came through.

And every Easter, we celebrate. As we should everyday. For He will reign forever and ever. And as scripture promises, we as heirs to the kingdom will live eternally with Him. All it takes is belief.

On our cruise ship, we celebrated both Palm Sunday and Easter. The Easter service crowd was very large in our non-denom or inter-denomination worship service. We filled up 2/3 of the main seating in the ship's theatre. It seems that many in the post-modern era can push aside most Sundays, but not Easter. It's just too important.

2008-03-12T19:29:00.000-07:00

THE TWELVE TRIBES--THEY STILL EXIST

I'm one of those who sees people who remind me of others I know. Most of the time it's a physical similarity or two. Sometimes it doesn't take much as my wife can attest.

I've even seen statues that remind me of people I know. Once in awhile we agree on people who remind us of others. But usually CQ is the one to initiate the similarity and I agree most often. Not just to be amenable; I just really see the likenesses.

But when I state the obvious, CQ will likely respond in the negative. So what does it all mean? And what's this little bit of info doing on a Christian blog entry?

Well, one thing we both believe is that people today can still be traced to the twelve tribes of Israel. In other words, those from the tribe of Dan look a certain way and those Levites another distinguishable way. Don't ask us to draw up the stark idiosyncrasies; just believe us--they exist.

So when you get a glimpse of someone that reminds you of someone else, just remember this entry. I mean, we know we all sprung from one of the tribes a long time ago. Maybe we can trace our lineage to which one. That could start a whole new genealogical craze.

2008-03-08T15:46:00.000-08:00

NO CUSSING WEEK--YOU GOTTA LOVE IT

The first week of March has been proclaimed No Cussing or Cursing Week in South Pasadena, CAL. I'm not sure what the difference between cussing and cursing is, but ever since Bill Clinton had trouble with "what the meaning of is, is," well, I guess it is time to watch one's words.

It seems that 14 year-old McKay Hatch started a club at his high school and currently has 50 members. There's also a No Cussing Club website. But when the proclamation was made official by the City Council, it made the national news scene.

And it's long overdue. Scripture tells us what comes out of our mouth reveals what's in our heart. So it is important what we say. And not just one week during the year. But it's one heckuva start!

The answer to the head scratcher from yesterday is nothing. It's perfect, too, that kindergartners got it. Something about having childlike faith and who belongs in the kingdom (Matt 19:14). But we adults seem to have to figure it out, make it harder than it is. It's all that simple. Believe, repent, obey. Well, the last one may not be simple.

2008-03-07T17:47:00.000-08:00

A HEAD SCRATCHER

Making the rounds on the internet is the puzzling question answered correctly by 80 % of kindergartners and only 17% of Stanford grads. It goes like this:

What is greater than God, more evil than the devil, the poor have it, the rich need it, and if you eat it, you'll die?

After an hour or so, I got it. After an hour and a half at last night's Small Group, which includes an engineer, a Ph. D., and a psychologist, no one got it. Which certainly supports the Stanford alums. The kindergartners were, of course, represented statistically by me. Again, proving the study's validity.

And the answer is....

To be given in my next Christian blog entry.

2008-03-03T06:33:00.000-08:00

THE GAG REFLEX

Every time I throw up, I think of how God provides. Now before you click off this blog, and/or think me blasphemous, allow me to finish.

Once when our granddaughter was ill with a stomach ache and had had to miss school because she was throwing up, her dad took the time to witness to her explaining how God created the gag reflex in our bodies that would allow the purge necessary for our feeling better. So when I have that malady, I think of our son's explanation. And I smile.

Far too many times, we allow a situation to pass without giving due diligence to the Creator. He deserves our praise for everything. He allows us to enjoy. He
watches over us in so many ways.

How many times have we grumbled about getting stopped by a red light, when God used that time to teach us patience. Or quite possibly to avoid a car wreck? Well, then if He didn't want us to have the wreck, do you mean He wanted someone else to have it? No, but He may have used that wreck because He couldn't get their attention any other way. Plus, free will works in there, too. How they all fit together is for another entry when maybe I'll have more answers than I do today.

But what I know is God provides. God loves us. God creates. When we praise Him, when we stop to minister to others, even by explanation, we are doubly blessed .

2008-02-29T08:08:00.000-08:00

UNCONDITIONAL--THERE'S SECURITY

Just to know that there's nothing we can do to earn God's love is satisfying. To think of His powerful love for us is reassuring. To imagine His love as a liquid filled to the top of the glass that cannot be added to, that cannot be filled to anymore, well, it's unimaginable. Yet that's exactly the kind of love God has for us. And it's all told in song, "Jesus loves me this I know".

Yet our Lord is holy. That means He's above reproach. That means He cannot tolerate, He cannot be around sin. He and sin simply cannot co-exist on the same plane.

So how that works is like this. God loves us unmeasurably. But if we have unconfessed sin in our lives, we can't be in His presence. We are separated from Him. A quote, actually one that is misquoted often is "all things work for the good." What many forget is the part that adds "for those who love Him." It comes from Romans 8:28 and also adds"who have been called according to His purpose."

There are conditions to be met for unconditional love. Huh? That's right. If you want God to be for you, then you have to be for Him. And when you are, then He is. And that condition makes all the difference."

2008-02-27T05:39:00.000-08:00

IT IS WHAT IT ISN'T

Not the picture of the mirage we saw in Namibia. Our mirage had no trees around. But it clearly looked like glassy water. Till we got closer. Then we saw nothing but desert.

I still don't understand how that played tricks on our eyes. But it must often times be there, because our guide pointed out the mirage to us and announced it as such. As if it's always there.

Scripture is a lot like golf. Oh, no, here he goes again. If you want to hit the ball a long way, then swing easy. If you want to hit the ball in the air, then hit down on it. Ok? Now what about scripture?

If you want to live forever, you have to die. (Matt 16:25)

"By His wounds we are healed."

We are cleansed by Jesus' blood.

We have another mirage in thinking that we are following the Great Commission in Matt 28:19. And why do I say that is a mirage? Well, first of all I don't want to offend missionaries, evangelists, Christians with a heart for leading the lost to the Lord. But when at a recent business meeting when John 3:16 was mentioned, a large majority of those in attendance had no idea what the verse says.

It seems that In-N-Out restaurants has written John 3:16 on the bottom of their soft drink cups. I'm also very surprised that I never knew that. But I'm more astounded that in today's society, people don't know the verse.

We've lost the guy who wore an Afro multi-colored wig and held up a sign proclaiming the verse. He would appear at nationally televised sporting events and hold up his sign. I don't know where he went, but I miss him.

So, we simply have to pick up the slack. In-N-Out is helping. But they can't do it Solo. (Get it? Solo cups, solo--by themselves; soul low) Ok, I apologize. We've had a laugh, or a groan; now it's time to get back to the business--no mirages--of winning souls.

2008-02-25T06:23:00.000-08:00

MAYBE QUIET TIME WITH GOD WOULD HELP; OR MAYBE THAT'S WHAT AN ADULT TIME OUT IS
When I first saw this photo of Old Faithful spouting off at sunrise, or at least early morning, I thought, "You know, people aren't like that. It takes the build up of frustrastions over the course of the day before most of us explode." When circumstances haven't met our expectations or desires. When plans we've made have not worked out. When events have muddled our schedules. When the unexpected is not advantageous to us.

But then I thought again. One of the first things I do every morning when I arise is get on the scale. Gingerly I step on to the digital scale which measures to a tenth of a pound. I try not to step too hard. I don't want the scale to reveal even one tenth of a pound more than I carry. Kinda like sneaking up on my shadow, but hey, that's the routine I follow every day.

Some days, I'm pleased. "Yes," I'll announce to myself congratulating me for a good day's inactivity into the world of gluttony. Other days, my response is "Oh, man." But it doesn't stop there. My mood is altered, maybe for the entire day. Especially when I think I've been good and deserve a loss and the scale tells me otherwise.

So what's wrong? Why do we need to blow off steam? Because we're too full of ourselves. If you noticed in the preceeding paragraphs, it was all about us and our desires, our wants, our needs.

Had we spent some quiet time with God earlier in the day, then maybe things would have been different. Had I prayed in bed or dropped to my knees before approaching that scale, I'd probably have a different reaction. I'd probably not carry the frustration through the day. I might just get my priorities in order.

Time outs for children change their behavior. I wouldn't equate quiet time with God the same way. It's so much more valuable than a time out. And it's what God desires for us. To Him Old Faithful has a deeper meaning.

2008-02-23T16:53:00.000-08:00

IS THIS LIKE YOUR HEART?

It doesn't take a bible scholar to know who had a heart for God, or who was a man after God's own heart. As I get behinder and behinder, as a former player for me in YMCA baseball used to say--well, actually he asked me if he could be the behinder, meaning the catcher--but that's for another blog on another day, I recall our pastor saying, "God doesn't necesssarily want you in another bible study; He wants your heart".

So David was after God's own heart, and He's after all our hearts. But I'm afraid He won't much like what He finds in some of them, including my own far too many times.

He wants us to help the downtrodden. We have no problem for rooting for the underdog in a basketball or football game. But in the game of life, we want to run with the Big Dogs. And that was the same problem with the disciples in Matthew when they argue over who will be the greatest in God's kingdom.

Since I gave $20 to a mother with two small children who told me she and they had not eaten for two days, I bought $25 worth of McDonald's gift cards in $5 increments. I've carried two of them in my car for over a year. In San Diego this past weekend I gave them both away in a matter of minutes. I was somewhat disappointed because I hadn't gotten around to attaching the plan for salvation on the cover of the coupon booklet.

I did have a chance to tell Jeffrey that I would pray for him. He seemed to appreciate it and the coupons, adding that he also had some for Soup Plantation and Green Tomatoes. So I know he won't be hungry for awhile.

So what's the application, what's the point of this entry? Refer to scripture. Pray. It's really all that simple. If you want to die to yourself, as we're told to do, if you want to give up your way of life and serve others, as we're told to do, then get started. It will feel good when that icy heart starts to melt.

Whether to give to the needy or help a neighbor, you'll be blessed by the deed. And you will be pleasing God the Father.

2008-02-19T15:21:00.000-08:00

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD

Peter had to be told to shut up. Different times, the first of the disciples to recognize that Jesus was the Son of God, reacted before he thought. Whenever he equated Elijah and Moses with Jesus at the transfiguration (Matt 17), God had heard enough. He simply couldn't allow that.

As respected, as representative of the OT prophets, Moses (law) and Elijah (prophet) were included. But they weren't deity.

Today, in order to hear God, we have to shut up as well. It is that still, small voice that we listen for. Yet it was a loud voice that Peter, John and James heard at Mt. Hermon. And when we are surrounded by noise, it's difficult to hear God.

Yet, sometimes, in fact most times, most of us don't wait. Henry Blackaby in Experiencing God hammers that home to us in Chapter 6 of our Bible Study on Tuesday mornings. We petition, we give God a list of wants, and then close in Jesus' name. But we don't wait for what God has to say. As Mr. Blackaby says, "what God says in answer to our prayers is more important than what we say to Him in our prayers."

I feel so blessed by our group at 6:30 AM. I feel the same way about our Small Group on Thursday evening. I wish others could join us. I feel as if I'm getting all the blessings. But I still have to learn to be quiet. God may not be speaking in an audible voice, but I'm hearing Him through the Holy Spirit.

2008-02-15T08:34:00.000-08:00

BIBLICAL THORNS

Pictured is a beautiful rose from our daughter's house. She has only about four rose bushes, but they're mature and thrive in the San Diego climate. They are some of the largest I've seen. They beautify her yard. That's what roses are supposed to do. I didn't purchase any for Valentine's Day this year, but the last time I checked, they were going for $75 a dozen. I'm not sure what a dozen of her roses could fetch, but they certainly would make the recepient happy to receive them.

As with many things, though, appearances aren't always a good indicator of the whole story. The whole reality. For roses also possess thorns. The most famous in scripture is of course Jesus' crown of thorns. I suffer every time I think of the soldier putting the crown of thorns on His head in mock blasphemy for "the King of the Jews". I also have heard religious leaders talk about how we as Christians want our crown, but we don't want the pain and the disgrace of our own crown of thorns. Yet we must if we are to be crucified with Christ and shed our old way of life, our former sinful nature,for we have to take on a servant's heart, we have to spread the gospel message, and we have to accept our crown of thorns, too.

Paul's thorn in his flesh is another biblical example. Many times Paul prayed for God to remove it. Whatever it was. Some have thought it was his poor eyesight, but it's one of those questions that we'll have to wait to learn its answer in Heaven. Like so many questions that we have no answer to now, I have a feeling that it won't matter very much to us when we get to Heaven. We'll have a lot to keep us occupied without worrying about minutia.

But again, as Christians we seem to focus too much on the thorn in our side instead of what the Lord has done for us. Our focus is again on the minutia, although at the time, it certainly does seem important. The English poet Lord Byron, quite a ladies' man in his day rued his club foot, his thorn. It didn't seem to slow his writing nor his lifestyle, but it spawned another writer to lament "we all have our own club foot". Whether a club foot or a thorn, or a thorn as a club foot, we all have difficulites and imperfections. And, likewise, we all focus on the wrong things at times.

In one instance we reject the thorns and the pain they bring; in the other we can't de-emphasize the thorn in our life. We embrace desensitivity in either case, and that's no way to respond to the Lord. "Give me roses, yes Lord, but I'm strengthened by their thorns. May I embrace Your will for my life."

2008-02-12T07:42:00.000-08:00

GOD'S COUNTRY

If, as Jesus said, one cannot be a prophet in his own land, then one cannot love his/her hometown until he/she leaves it. Such was the case of high school students who wanted to flee the nest and go to other climes. Any clime. Just so as to leave their hometown.

One student that comes to mind was Billy. Oh, how he thought himself too cosmopolitan for a little rural town in Southern Illinois near St. Louis. He had such disdain for his hometown that I tried to help him cope.

I'd simply call MTV God's country. At first he'd get angry with me. Then it became laughable as I carefully worked it into conversations once a month or so. Then he became convinced that I was completely out of it.

We never got to have a spiritual conversation about why God puts us certain places for certain reasons, and only God's timing is perfect. And how God expects us to bloom where we're planted. And how God sees time both in the past and the future as well as the present. In fact, we might have had a good discusssion about whether God really knows anything about time since it's all the same to Him.

That's not to say that He doesn't know all. It just might not have the same effect on Him, Bill might argue. But His timing is always perfect, I'd respond. He knows just when to tug at our hearts, just when to inflict a conflict in our lives that would strengthen us, just when to reward us with His many blessings.

Blackaby gives an illustration about a parent buying a blue Schwinn bike for his son and putting in the garage until Christmas. When he asks his son what he'd like to get for Christmas, the young boy had much lower expectations. It was up to the father to convince the son that he wanted the blue Schwinn. And that's the way with the Holy Spirit who tries to get us to want what's best for us, what's all ready in the garage for us.

So don't tell me that God doesn't know about time. And place. He put us in God's country, wherever that may be. If you see Billy, please tell him for me.

2008-02-11T05:45:00.000-08:00

SO HOW YA DOIN'?

Don't disappoint. Valentine's Day is approaching. Fast. Flowers, chocolate, balloons, dinner? Are those in the works? If so, you're off to a good start--read on for a better start and finish. Except if you're female. Please don't ever buy your guy flowers.

We may like them. We may not be able to distinguish a hybiscus from heliotrope, but we may see some growing in a field while we're hunting or golfing and think to ourselves, "those are kinda nice", but we don't want any inside. Not for us. So please, forget the flowers.

Chocolate? Very tasty, but face it; most of us guys already have a little donelop (where the belly done lop over our belts) so again, please spare us. Save your money and our expanding waistlines.

Balloons? Not since we were ten. So again, if you insist, we won't complain. Until trash day, when we have to stuff the partially deflated orb into a can to be picked up. Save us the hassle.

Cards? Yes, we still like them. But that's not enough. Even the great homemade or computer generated ones with special pictures created by our high tech wives. So what's left?

A trip to your local Christian bookstore. I'm wanting a small, but not microscopic Bible to carry while traveling. But there are realms of possibilites. You simply won't be able to leave the store without something for your sweetie.

And how ya doin' on your reading the Bible from cover to cover for 2008? If you're lagging, you can still get started or you can suggest your honey to begin by purchasing a Read the Bible in one year book. So what if it's not in the 2008 calendar year. Or buy the one for 90 days. You won't be sorry. And even if you don't finish, you'll have had an opportunity to be with God for a certain amount of time, and that's valuable.

One final suggestion; don't buy the Christian book at Wal-Mart. Please support a Christian bookstore. You may spend a little more, but you're backing a sure winner. And notice when you walk in to the store what a different, warm feeling you have. Almost like going into church.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-05T07:44:00.000-08:00

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE?

Just a few short years ago, I would never have put Ecclesiates as one of my favorite books of the Bible. In fact, I would have put it at the other end. I thought it a pessimistic book, but after a great study in our Adult Bible Fellowship (well, it's still Sunday School to me), I've had a change of heart.

Certainly the book looks at things differently than the rest of the Bible, but that's the beauty of the book: the stark realism. If there were no God, if there were no loving Lord who desires a love realtionship with us, then "life under the sun" would be all vanity, all meaningless, all absurd.

But with God there is enjoyment of the things God as provider has given. God created man, God created the universe, God created things for man to enjoy. Knowing these things is essential, because it's not in our accumulation, but in God's provisions. (Ecc 3:12)

God's provisions as gifts to us. Open them, enjoy them, and don't bother saving the wrapping paper. Go for the gusto. Love life passionately, but know that the only lasting fulfillment comes from knowing, loving, obeying and following God. That's why we were created, and that's why God chose us to be heirs to His kingdom and reside in Heaven for eternity. Enjoy today, but keep your focus on tomorrow.

Or as Solomon so aptly summarizes in Ecclesiates 12:3 "Fear God and keep His commandements.

2008-02-02T06:22:00.000-08:00

HAPPY RODENT DAY !!

I'm not even sure if a groundhog qualifies as a rodent. I'm not sure of much. We used to call it Groundhog's Day, so what do I know?

And how am I going to celebrate this great event? Well, first of all, it is great. Anything that looks forward to Spring is to be celebrated by me. Even if the hog says 6 more weeks, Spring Training is just around the corner.

Well, I could go to all the Super Bowl hoopla that's going around our town. I could go to the Phoenix Open Golf Tourney just 3 miles away. I could exercise, work in the yard ( I still haven't picked up some sucker branches I trimmed from an orange tree over a week ago).

But I think I'll spend some quality time with the Lord. Experiencing God has been a great bible study and we learned that if you love God, you want to spend time with Him. I used to think that prayer and meditation were the only ways. And I've never meditated much, though I learned a good method courtesy of friend Pastor Jason. But I'm finding out that working on bible study homework (that's not right), spending time in the Word, is spending time with God. I love doing that, so I'm hanging out with God, spending that quality time.

The best thing I learned last week from BSF, ABF, BOB (Band of Brothers), and SG (Small Group) and reading the Bible through in one year was that if someone had planted land mines in a field and knew where they were, would you still want to go it alone; would you still reject their advice, thinking you knew better? Of course, not. Yet that's what we do so many times. We ignore God, thinking we know better how to run our lives, when He has the perspective, He has the knowledge, He has the love for us, He has the answers.

This hanging out with Him is pretty special.

2008-01-30T05:37:00.000-08:00

IT'S BAAACK, I THINK TONIGHT

Our son's favorite tv show returns. For 8 weeks instead of 16. As a casual viewer, I think that may be a good thing. There's a whole lot of other stuff that usually goes on that I won't mind not seeing. It's that way with a lot of shows, except my two favorites--Heroes and Friday Night Lights. Something about no accounting for taste.

But why is it that the secular world makes fun of Christians trying to win the lost? Why is " a born again Christian" said with sarcasm? like we are some lower life form? And the implication that if one is born again, if one espouses creationism, he/she is looked at as one of lower intelligence?

It bothers me, but only for what it might do to others. What I mean is, I don't mind, in fact I expect to be persecuted for my beliefs in Jesus Christ. If I'm not persecuted, then I'm falling short in my spiritual walk. That is, if the secular world can't tell whether I'm a Christian or not, then I have failed miserably.

But some seeker, questioning could be influenced by the outlook depicted in our humanistic society, fed by the media. I know, if the Holy Spirit convicts; yet I think we are used by God to help get those lost to the point of responding to the Spirit. I know God had great Christians to guide me every step of the way from parents and grandparents to Sunday School teachers to VBS teachers. My spiritual mentors continue to this day with Christian friends with pastor and music director friends to a strong Christian wife. I'm also blessed, and I don't take this lightly, with strong Christian children. And blessed is the right word. I've truly been blessed.

So it saddens me when I see Christians looked down upon. When I see evil influences mock Christianity. Why someone would want anyone thrown into the fiery lake is the best, actually worst, example I've ever heard of "misery loves company."