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.

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.

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.

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.