Tag: hope

The World and Blindness

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The World and Blindness

I could have the most money in the world and without you I would have nothing. I could have hundreds of friends but without you I would have no one. I could have all the toys in the world, but without you I would have nothing. There is no amount of world that can satisfy the hunger of my soul. My Lord without you I am nothing. I can feel all the deepness of love but without you to show me the way that love means nothing. Without you my Lord I do not fully understand love, or life. What is it I seek if not for your face? Is it truth? The world tells me so many things, how do we know what’s truth? There are so many people and so many ideas about what’s right, and what is wrong. We save the trees, but we kill the babies. We are told we cannot say Merry Christmas, so it has to be a holiday party, but that wasn’t enough and now we can no longer use the term holiday. Freedoms are no longer freedom, instead it’s limited by what is deemed acceptable. In this ever changing world, there is so much telling me how to feel, what to say, what not to say, and there’s so much confusion all around me.

I can imagine so many people feel this way. I can imagine the millions of people who struggle with their faith, who go out into the world from the comfort of their homes, their old schools, and enter into a world where everyone’s got an opinion and theirs is the right one. Where the real world will teach you what you need to know. The protection of the ferry tail life is gone and the world will teach you how to be.

I remember when I was growing up and going to church I was glued to what I was being told. I was a sponge and I wanted to know whom this Jesus was who would make everything better. When I reached middle school I had been in church for many years and I fear without it my life would have been tremendously different, if I survived the three years. I can remember many nights coming home from school after a long day of being bullied and tortured and crying myself to sleep, praying God would take me before morning. I asked, begged God for many nights to save me. I remember being offered drugs more then once. I remember more then once being offered cigarettes, and alcohol. Later I remember the whispers that gangs had moved into the neighborhood and they were recruiting. The Devil was hungry and I refused to be his entrée. I knew those things were wrong and I stayed away. I recalled the DARE program and hearing what drugs do, and I remember hearing how they destroy your life. Without Church it seems my life could have gone far differently. Wondering every night if my life was a mistake I faced the world and it was telling me my life was worthless. I was being told that my life would be better in a gang doing drugs, stealing things, drinking, and that’s where I would be better off.

Romans 12:2 (NKJV)2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” The world wants you to think that God is dead. The world wants you to think that God is a nice story you tell people to make them feel better about death and life. I recall what scripture says, John 20:29“Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Thomas saw and only then did he believe, but those of us who’ve never seen, we are called to believe from faith in the things we cannot see. See, with the world fallen, and ruled by the Devil, everything is teaching us to forsake the cross as nothing more then a story. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NKJV)8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Jesus knew all along who would betray him, who wouldn’t believe in him, and yet, he offered the same gift to them as he did to those who loved him. He offered the same gift to the soldiers who nailed him to the cross. He offered the gift of salvation and forgiveness to the man who flogged him nearly to death. To those people he offered this James 2:30“Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Forgiveness is an amazing gift, a gift we must accept in order to use. Forgiveness is such an easy concept, and yet for some so, so difficult to act on. The world teaches revenge, to get even, if you are hurt, to hurt them worse. Jesus forgave us, so we would live, but not so we could live in faith alone, but that our faith would compel us to work. 

James 2:20-24 (NKJV) 20“But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.”

I am a stone jagged and rough. Jesus Christ is the waters of life, and in my walk with Christ the waters wear away the sharpness, the jagged, jaded edges, and it’s in Christ I become smooth and the waters wears away everything I am not meant to be. Jesus knows I’m a work in progress and he doesn’t judge me for the failings of my sinful natures, instead he picks me up, brushes me off and tells me not to do those things again. Jesus Christ knows my heart and knows I am a sinner but I try hard to walk the righteous path. I know that the world teaches me so many things, but it’s the teachings of the greatest teacher, the greatest shepherd to ever be. No matter how awful the world tends to be, remember that there are good people who live in it. Remember how dark the path may be Jesus is our light house guiding us home. The world will cast the fog, and will try to push you off course to get lost on the sea. We may become broken along the way, but God mends the broken hearted. God uses the broken, and makes the weak strong, and the poor rich. God is a master builder and creates a masterpiece in each of us. The potter to my clay, and I know that my Jesus is greater then that of all the world, and I trust Jesus, and though I am told I must live in the world, I know I must never become apart of it. I realize that I am not a perfect man, I am a wretched sinner, and I deserve Hell, but by Grace I am saved.

Lord my shelter, my rock, my protector, I pray to you to watch over me, to guide me, to look after me in the days ahead as I go to be closer to you. It’s no accident I find my own path to Damascus, and I ask for your wisdom that I may grow closer to you. I ask for the words to put on the paper that would be a message to the world. I ask for those who read this little blog of mine that they are blessed in the words you speak through me. I ask that I decrease and your presence increases in my works. I ask that you diminish my pride and that my works be about you and not me. I ask as I go into this new year that you show me a path. I ask for your guidance in where to go, and what to do that would be pleasing and uplifting in your word. The world is a cruel place and I’ve seen so many affected by the cruelty and awful nature of people in the last few weeks, I pray that those who’ve been hurt that you place your healing hand on their hearts. I ask these things to your blessings and your will. With love in my heart I humble before you that your will whatever it may be will be done. Amen

Blind Justice

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Blind Justice

We spend so much time trying to fight what we cannot see, smell, or touch. How do we prove something that happened 2000 years ago, and how do we face that truth if it were to flip our world upside down? The truth is we often hold anger and resentment early in our life that forces us down a path of quantifying what we see and what we fan feel, the problem is when that pain forces us to a feeling that there is nothing out there, no God, no grand plan, just cosmic chance.

We often want answers as to why bad things happen to good people. We want to know why people get sick, or why babies die, or why there is evil in the world? The idea that there is evil in the world because of a cosmic or divine standing such as sin is hard for some people to believe. Some people believe that sin is just the nature of man and man is only the wirings within the mind, the nature and nurture argument that a compound of events molds a person into the way they are and thus sin is nothing more then biology. While many compare this in adults, we fail to recognize the sin that spawns in children at an early age. The sin, or nature to lie, or to steal, or harm animals, or even other children is nature are it’s earliest stages but if it’s nature and nurture then what’s the cause? If human behavior is not inherently sinful and evil is a learned trait then where do children at this young age learn such behavior?

We want to think that we are in control of our lives, and that there is no one else, and nothing else at work. We want to believe that we are all we need and nothing else can dictate policy for our lives. Many view the Christian faith as a faith of rules, of guidelines in which a cosmic fairy tells us what we are doing wrong, as it takes the fun out of life, and in turn threatens us with some imaginary fiery torment for all eternity. So instead of putting any credence to this nonsense, people walk their walk and live their lives however they want, and while some live their lives in complete peace of others, there are some who find the cross so distasteful, so offensive that they cannot help themselves but to wage war with Christianity.

For those who wage war with Christianity, what is the main piece of contention? As it has been said by both Lee Strobel and J. Werner Wallace, the linchpin of Christianity rests with the resurrection of Christ. If the resurrection didn’t happen then the followers of Christ were liars and died for a known lie and Christ was just some profound Rabbi. If it did happen, and Christ did raise from the dead, then how would we be able to prove it happened? There are manuscripts that date back to within 30 years of the resurrection of Christ, and there are thousands of manuscripts that can all be cross-referenced to prove validity. That being said, there is still the question of how to prove or disprove the case for Christ. There are 5843 surviving manuscripts of ancient texts that is far more then those of the Iliad, and other early writings. All of these things further the evidence that this was not an isolated account. How can we expect to find truth if we are unwilling to truly add up the facts that all point to one truth, Jesus.

Women were not allowed to be legal witnesses, and every account of the life and resurrection of Christ does not show discrepancies, it shows a different perspective, different pieces of the puzzle that all point to the same overall story, despite the small variances in story, the overwhelming evidence points to the empty tomb that the Romans, and Jews were unable to prove foul play. The first account of the missing body was reported by women, and the fact that would only hurt the case for Chris, yet that did not detract the Apostles to tell the truth. There is no way 500 people would have been under some joint hallucination, or mass psychosis. This is just simply not possible. Yet, so many people discount the 500 eye witness, the truth does not just come from followers of Christ, yet Romans and Jews alike. The accounts of the empty tomb and the death of those followers of Christ has accounts on both sides who wanted nothing more then to prove the stolen body theory. Jesus did not survive the cross as many have proven, that his death was most assuredly accurate.

Scripture is not the only account out there but scripture is the only truth, the others just collaborate the truth. Jesus was thrust with a spear at the end of his life by trained killers, killers who if failed would be executed themselves. Jesus died on the cross from his injuries sustained in a flogging, beatings, hanging on the cross unable to breath, and bleeding to death, Christ would not have survived his ordeal. The cross is offensive to so many, but even for sinners and atheists alike, the cross is a symbol one so many find distasteful or are afraid of. So many people allow their anger and hate to blind them from a truth they don’t want to see. The truth is, it doesn’t matter if you are Atheist, Buddhist, Muslim, Pagan, or any other faith sins are equal at the foot of the cross. Jesus dying on the cross for the love of all mankind was a gift, one that was given freely and for all those who seek Him to use. A gift without application is worthless, but for those of us who seek Christ, who seek to have a relationship with the Father, we understand that the justice of the Father is blind. We understand that before the cross all sin is equal, and so long as we seek the Father through Jesus Christ the sins we have are washed away because Christ alone took the punishment, the wrath of God for them. As we know from our own legal system, justice holds the scales and is blind to anything but the facts. Our Heavenly Father does not see our color, our creeds, our nationalities, even our flaws, for the scales are level for each of us. Our hearts which turn to Christ, to be made a new creation, to burn away the sins of the past, to be reborn with a new heart, washed by the waters in baptism showing ones faith to the world, starting a path as a new person.

It is because of Christ I do not fear death, instead I know that when my work here on Earth is done I will be welcomed home with open arms. It is because of Christ that I have any hope at all within this life, and the hardships I’ve endured seem to mean something. It is in Christ I know that my suffering as not been for naught and I trust in my Fathers plans for me. I know that love is more powerful then my sins, and that sins albeit cosmic treason against an almighty, all powerful God, love concurs death itself. My works are but filthy rags to the Lord but my heart is worth all eternity. It is the heart in which Christ died for, the gift for each and every one of us to choose to have that relationship with Him in our hearts. How lucky are we to have a God who cares about us, who cares about our well being, and wants only what’s best for us. How gracious are we to be to give God nothing short of our love and devotion. Jew and Gentiles we are all welcomed into the Kingdom, and the price of admission is love. We are to have a loving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Christ changed my life two years ago, and while it hasn’t been an easy road for me, I know that Christ has plans for me. I was angry with God for the way everything had happened with my ex-wife. I was angry that I was made to go through such an awful even not once, but twice in my life. God though doesn’t make people do bad things, they are more then capable of doing that on their own. God does however promise to see us through those bad times. God promises that He would never leave nor forsake us. God didn’t just promise those things to me in passing, but when the odds were stacked against me to survive, God put a stop to my own death, assuring me my sins were forgiven, and breathing new life into my chest. A miracle to say the very least, and not only did I survive, I have come so far under the guidance of my Heavenly Father. Christ lives and as one of my favorite movie series points out, “God’s NOT DEAD!” No God is not dead, and the empty tomb and over 500 eyewitnesses proves that. We have so much evidence for the existence of Christ’s miraculous life, all we have to do is accept what we find. Bad things happen in and around the church and this often pushes people away. People judge God by the actions of people. People hate God or despise the very existence of God because they often feel hurt or betrayed by God, or deny that a God could be so careless to allow such evil or bad things to happen. The truth is, we don’t always have the answers of God and the why, but we do understand that we have free will to love or hate. We have free will to build or destroy, and it’s in those decisions our actions are born, thus we do amazing or awful things. The pursuit of power, greed, or sexual lust are the three basis that people do most things wrong in adult life. God does not need us, but wants us to be with Him in Heaven.

Jesus Dies 

Luke 19:44-46“Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.”

John 19:34“But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.”

The Empty Tomb 

Luke 24:1-12 24 “Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, [a]and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it happened, as they were [b]greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ”

8 And they remembered His words. 9 Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them like [c]idle tales, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths [d]lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.” 

John 20:4-7“So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the [a]handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.”

Jesus Resurrected 

John 20:24-29 24 “Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus said to him, [f]“Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Reasons to Believe 

The eye witnesses had power, had prestige, and money. They had nothing to gain giving up their life for Christ, except for the truth of a Heavenly Father. Every eyewitness was willing to die for the truth. That puts their testimony in a different category then you or I.

The chain of evidence is there if people actually look at it. The writings and teachings did not change from writings within 20-30 years, till the counsel in which the bible was assembled.

Christianity is true because the evidence points to truth. God is truth and the scales are equal for each and every one of us. 

Christmas Truth

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Christmas Truth

John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Jesus Christ is the truth, and the only ‘truth’ that matters this Christmas. Jew and Gentiles alike, those who follow Christ in the light of the truth shall be set free from the bondage of sin and we will be washed by the reviving waters, the blood of Christ that was shed so each and every one of us could live a life in eternal hope. That blood that was shed could never happen without the birth of that baby Emanuel. Christmas is our time to remember the birth of Jesus, and no matter when it ‘actually’ happened, Christmas in December is our observed celebration. 

Jesus is Christmas. Christmas is not about us, or the gifts we get. God gave us a single gift and that gift was Christ. Do we trust in the Lord? Do you ask God for all these things, these wishes of jobs, love, relationships, or just the stuff? We are not the center of the universe. In 1532 Nicolaus Copernicus theorized we are not the center of the universe. This man was threatened with death, even by the church, and shows that there will always be religious idiots. There will always be those who know just enough scripture to be dangerous. So many people choose to live for self, choose to live for selfish desire and don’t live a Christocentric life (Christ Centered). Nothing else matters in our life, except a babe born laying in a manger born in Bethlehem. All people, reace, ethnicity, color, or creed is loved by God so much that he gave his only begotten son for us.

John 8:12“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” 

We see the Christmas story in Luke.

Luke 2:1-25 (NKJV)

2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14 “Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Have You Been Naughty or Nice?

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Have You Been Naughty or Nice? 

We are in the mindset we’ve been nice, and we’ve made the list in which Santa Claus has checked twice. We think we deserve gifts and presents but we’ve lost sight of what’s so important. Instead of Santa it’s God who truly knows if we’ve been naughty or nice. When we think of our walk are we walking in God’s will or our own will? Luke 1:26-3326 “Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”Our sins are treacherous and filthy and our sins forever place us on the naughty list. We are wrapped up in emotions this time of year and we often loose sight of truth. Faith is based on God’s truth not emotions. We cannot look back to our emotions and expect our perceptions to be based on reality. 

Santa is a fun fantasy we enjoy but we cannot take our eyes off of the real giver of the best gift we could ever accept. Forgiveness of our sins for eternal salvation is freely given despite the naughty nature of our lives. Hebrews 11:6“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” We must accept into our heart that 

James 1:17“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Matthew 7:11“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

We celebrate Christmas of the little baby in the manger, but we forget it was be cause we were hopeless without Him, we were sinners in which there was no hope of works to win our way to Heaven. Death is a gift, a release of a sinful life for a place of no sorrow, no pain, and no tears. Our naughty nature is wasted away and Heaven awaits us where we will forever be amazing.

Now, before all of you get up in arms about Santa Claus let me add a personal note, I believe the spirit of Santa Claus is very alive and real. In the 4thcentury Saint Nicholas was a very alive and real person who gave gifts generously to those of the poor. While the legend has changed, and small things were added or moved, the idea of Santa has endured. The magic and mysticism of Santa may have grown as time has moved forward, but the truth is, while Santa may no longer be a real person (that we know of) the thought of what Santa represents is just fine. Giving to those in need selflessly is not only a Santa thing, but as the Saint who gave birth to the legend was a Christian bishop. Live your life with a giving heart, and full of love. Keep Christmas cheer and while Santa is great, remember Santa worked for Christ, just doing as Christ had done. Don’t put Santa ahead of Christ, but don’t miss the spirit of good ol Saint Nick. 

Before The Trumpet Sounds

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Before The Trumpet Sounds 

It truly breaks my heart when I see so many people who don’t know the Lord. When I see people who are grumpy, ill tempered, mouths like a sailor, or cruelty towards others, it makes me wonder what would it take to introduce someone to the Lord. As we go into this Christmas season and I along with millions of other people celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, how many truly know the Lord? Jesus came to us to show us a life of hope, of love, and to give us a true understanding of the Lords blessings. Even with the evidence of who Christ was, the truth that exists, people still deny him. Sadly, the day will come the trumpet will sound and for those who’ve waited too long, or even those who have chosen a path devoid of Christ, the alternative that awaits them is not the fun cliché’ of ‘Hell’s more fun’. Revelation 21:8But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” To me, this doesn’t sound like a ‘fun’ place to be, especially for all eternity. 

We are told time and time again yet we never listen, at least not in the appropriate context. We are told to live life to the fullest, or live like it’s your last, but usually when we hear that it’s talking about doing whatever makes you happy, or taking chances. What we don’t hear is giving your heart to the Lord because it could be your last. Trust in your savior so when the end times come you are not condemned to the worst punishment that we would ever face. We are warned time and time again in scripture, but we rarely listen. We see those who truly should know better especially those who spend so much time in Church and yet never know Christ. This shouldn’t be surprising however because Christ said this Matthew 7:21-23“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” 

When we think about the last days we don’t usually consider the trumpet sound that will one day echo through the air. For those who follow Christ 1 Corinthians 15:52 (NKJV) 52“in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” For everyone else, those who never knew Christ, the trumpet will sound and will signify the day of judgment for all. Ezekiel 33:3-6 “when he sees the sword coming upon the land, if he blows the trumpet and warns the people, 4 then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he who takes warning will [a]save his life. 6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.’ We as Christians have an obligation to the Gospel. We must spread the good word of the living waters. We must understand that we have a responsibility that wasn’t just a suggestion by Christ but a command to spread the word of God, this was called the Great Commission. 

When the day comes for the trumpets to sound, Revelation 8:6“So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.” Will you be ready? Will you have lived your life as if your last day would define if you were worthy of Heaven? Now, make no mistake, no one on their best day is worthy of the Kingdom of the Lord, but through God’s grace and mercy, and Love so we can use the gift we’ve been given. I digress, and I feel it’s important to understand the severity of need to not have the mentality you can come to Christ whenever you deem fit, after you’ve had your fun. We never know when our last breath will be and we never know when the trumpets of the end will sound. So many people make excuses for not going to church, or even making excuses to do things that would make anyone question if they were true Christians or not. Excessive drinking, partying, multiple sexual partners, and an overall living for the world, and not for Christ is exactly the caution I mean to express. Although I do not fear death, my own death, I do fear for the millions or more that don’t know Christ and will face righteous judgments of the Lord. While we will all be judged, those who love and fear the Lord have nothing to fear from death. Will you allow yourself the life you want, the life of the world, the life of selfish sin to miss your chance to know Christ? 

The day will come when Christ returns, and we don’t know when that will be. We don’t know when we will breathe our last, and because of our shot amount of time, we have a finite sum of opportunities to give ourselves to Christ, and we must live to fight the world and all of it’s distractions from our Lord and Savior. Don’t wait for the blow of the trumpet for at that point it could be too late.

Strange Directions

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Strange Directions

I have had a little time to ponder where I am in my life, and I’ve come up with some interesting conclusions. First I told God early in my life I did not want to be in ministry such as a priest. Later I expanded that to include pastors. I fought tooth and nail against that notion. Then one day I was asked to teach a Sunday school class every now and then. Of course I said yes, and did so for a while. I eventually stepped away from teaching to focus on school more, even though I believe that was just an excuse. While I enjoyed teaching, I didn’t leave myself enough time to put lessons together, and I was trying to run from my enjoyment of teaching. I was running from my enjoyment of diving into scripture and learning the mystery of the Bible. I guess the question to ask was what was I afraid of? Well, that’s simple, afraid of getting sucked down a path I didn’t want to be on. God though, as I said thinks things are funny. I didn’t realize when I walked away from teaching I would miss it as much as I did. But God gets what He wants.

Some time would pass before I get back into teaching or preaching anything and I could see a difference in my life. Proverbs 21:2“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.” I knew in my heart I needed to get back into scripture and get back to more of a routine with the Lord, I just had no idea how far that would go. 

I have seen how quickly the plan goes off the rails and how quickly the sharp claws of the Devil can grip a hold of someone and not let go. I was given a second change, or maybe it was a third, or fourth, but regardless, I was given another chance, and God has made sure to set my path.

I never would have imagined my life where it is, not ever. I never would have dreamt I would be involved with so many church or Bible study events. I never would have imagined that so many of my daily events would revolve around scripture. I look to my tomorrow and I no longer tell God my plans, instead I wait for God to reveal them to me. I can honestly say that when I stopped trying to walk my own way I have been happier, and more satisfied with life. While I don’t presume to say everyone’s path is that of ministry, I believe there is a path for everyone because scripture says so. God creates every one of us for a purpose and we may not always see it, or even like it at first, but giving it some time and you will find your peace. I never would have thought I’d be working with the Emergency Chaplains, or working towards being ordained, or ministering to people every day, but here I am. God’s got a great sense of humor, and for every big thing I said no, God said ‘Oh yeah? Watch this.’

If you don’t know your path this Christmas, first and foremost learn about that little baby boy born in a stable and placed in a manger. Learn about that baby boy named Jesus that came to save us from the hopeless tomorrow we once had. The darkness we were once wrapped in was broken after 400 years of silence and a baby’s cry pierced the universe and the greatest concert to ever be performed was played by the very Angels on high. It’s a sweet, sweet sound that of a newborn baby. This baby was no ordinary child however, for he was born a King. He wasn’t born a prince like everyone else, no, he was born into his Kingship. We all have a chance to worship that little boy, the king of kings, if we only give our hearts to Jesus we will watch our lives change. We will be born again as a new creation, and we will walk a new path. We will be different and we will have others look at us and know that we who’ve been washed by the Holy Spirit are different. It’s time to ask yourself what direction you’re going, and see if you’re walking with Christ or not. It’s Christmas, and no time like the present to give a present to the glorious king of the universe. Love concurs all, and we only have to love to love to use the greatest gift we’ve ever been given, salvation. Follow the light, you will know your path. The light is Jesus today, and always.

I Sense The Conflict Within You

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I Sense The Conflict Within You

The emotions flow as the Spirit moves within you. The movement of your faith grows by leaps and bounds, a promise to do things the Christ way, but how quickly does that fade? There’s the emotional change that takes place around high intensity services, concerts, etc. There is a pull within each and every one of us. The pull of the light, and the pull of the dark are a battle being waged inside us every day. I have seen the emotional response within people as they get caught in the hype, the excitement and while the ‘Jesus High’ lasts for a while, it slowly fades. I have seen people get enthralled in church and became involved in ministries left and right, and while it seemed the new creation was real and true, the draw of the dark side is strong.

Star Wars is a worldwide phenomenon and there are few households that have not heard of the term Jedi, or the Force. While perhaps the movie itself may not have been watched, there are aspects that just about everyone knows, such as the Jedi Mind Trick, levitation, even lightning. While most people know the Jedi, perhaps more people know Darth Vader. I think as Christians we focus so much on the power of God, we forget that the dark side is strong, and we should never underestimate it. The temptation of Jesus is something I think that’s overlooked because of how easily it seems Christ moved beyond those temptations. When we take a moment to actually consider it, if Satan tempted Jesus, we must understand that you cannot tempt someone unless you have something real to offer. Satan truly has power, and so much so that even Paul calls Satan a god, true a lesser god, but a god nevertheless. While there is God our Father of the Universe, Satan is god over the realm of the earth. This gives him dominion, power, and influence. Sin itself is the dark side and when we consider the fight of good and evil, even though we know who wins, the nature of free will still gives us lowly humans a choice whether to follow the light, or succumb to the darkness. Sadly, I have seen many fall into darkness and have allowed their anger, their hate, their doubts, to fill them up, and as Yoda says, it does lead to suffering. What more can we do though when we see the conflict within someone? In the majority of the last movie of the original Star Wars trilogy we see Luke Skywalker confronting Vader and trying to sway him away from the dark side and back into the light. Instead of being angry that Vader cut off his hand, killed millions, Luke is approaching vader with mercy. Are we moving through our lives with mercy and love, or do we plot revenge on those who wrong us?

How often do we see in movies how well the revenge plot goes for the villain? Law Abiding Citizen doesn’t go so well for our main character played by Gerarld Butler. One of my favorite movies Star Trek: The Wrath Of Khan, a man filled with anger and hatred, sets out to seek revenge on once Captain Kirk, and of course for those who’ve seen it, knows revenge doesn’t go well. Unless you are John Wick, revenge doesn’t go so well for most people, because truly it darkens the heart, and leads to violence and hatred. Yoda it seems was right all along, hate does undoubtedly lead to suffering. So what do we know about hate in the Bible? Satan, also known as Lucifer Morning Star was beloved by God, beautiful and the most beautiful of God’s Angels. Ezekiel 28:11-19Satan would be created in perfection, but became corrupted. While it’s not clear if Satan’s jealousy came because of the creation of man, or something else, but regardless, Satan was cast out of heaven for rebelling against the throne. The fallen angels in which followed Satan also were cast out and now roam the Earth creating havoc and dissention and leaving destruction in their wake. Those who choose to allow their darkness to spread, to be in anger, allows the Devil to feed off of that sin, only empowers the god of darkness to spread more hate upon hate. Do not underestimate the real threat, and the power of the darkness. There is hope however, and while the conflict of the flesh, and the spirit rage on inside each of us, light always wins. Paul describes the war in Ephesians 6:10-20, also in Romans 7:14-25 (NKJV)

“14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.”

Paul often talks about the battle between the flesh and the spirit and when we see how adamant he was we cannot take his warning lightly. It says in scripture Romans 12:9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. There is no other reference to anything else we should attack with all hatred and malice except sin nature. Ephesians 4:30-32New King James Version (NKJV) 30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

While there is conflict within you, remember that in this season of Christmas we have hope in the baby that was born to free us from the bondage of that sin, to show us the nature of true love, of real joy, and to forever give us the gift of eternal salvation. We have been given a gift but it’s always up to each and every one of us if we use that gift. In the movie Home Alone 2 Kevin tells the old bird lady what good is having a heart if you never use it? What good was the gift of his skates that he never used and he grew out of them. We cannot be afraid of the gift God has given to us, and it’s up to use to take that gift and use it, to share it with others. There will always be conflict within so long as we live because of the sin nature we have, but love and mercy from Christ washes those transgressions away and gives us something to be joyful about. Go forth and love deeply and let go of the hate and malice that fills this fallen world. Fight with all your might against the attacks upon your heart, and never underestimate the power of your enemy. Make no mistake, the Devil is your enemy, and he means to destroy everything you have. He will promise you the world and all of it’s pleasures, it’s toys and bobbles, but that’s all the god of this world can offer you is temporary pleasures, nothing real, nothing that will ever sustain you. There is but one living water that is forever replenished and that’s Jesus Christ. The baby in which we celebrate this Christmas born to give us a blessing beyond all measure, and the light will always cause the darkness to retreat away. 

Just A Few Days

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Just A Few Days

I don’t usually take some time away from posting, but the last few days have been a drain on me. I have struggled with facing the reality that my status at college has changed and I won’t be able to recover. Facing a new normal is never easy when it comes to deep disappointment. I have been struggling with a personal level of motivation and I know that it’s okay to not always be okay. While I can’t pinpoint a specific stressor I know that a combination of things can compound and weigh you down. Sometimes you need to take some time away, recoup, and re-center. The stress from school and everything else forced me to take some time away.

Other then the major disappointment with school, my two favorite events being canceled last week due to snow, there really hasn’t been a lot else to bring stress to my life. If school wasn’t enough to do it of course. This time of the year can be stressful despite the wonderful meaning of this glorious holiday. I have wondered as of late if I could get myself out of my own funk, what would I do for baby Jesus for his birthday if I could.

The song The Little Drummer Boy, a small boy has nothing to give Christ so plays his drum for the baby Emanuel. I have wondered what I could possible give Jesus that would be of any value. What could I give as a gift that would be fit for a King? I feel as if I have nothing of value to offer. I have felt that my life hasn’t produced anything of value to offer. What could a wretch like me offer the King of the Universe?

What does scripture say about having a giving heart? 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NKJV)7 “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”  Do we go into this season with a giving heart or is it one of receiving only? Do we give to the corner Santa, or the Salvation Army in front of the store? Do we give to the desire of our hearts, or do we have a Scrooge heart, or worse a heart of a Grinch? I think we place too much thought on the perfect gift rather then a gift from the heart. 

Matthew 2:10-11“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Those are fancy words, but what do they mean? Gold, we understand, but what is the rest? Frankincense: an aromatic gum resin obtained from an African tree and burned as incense. This would be a very expensive gift for the time. Myrrh: can be used as incense but also as medicine. This too would have been expensive. After the warning to Joseph to not return, and to flee to Egypt, the gifts of the wise men undoubtedly funded their time in Egypt. 

As I think about scripture and what those first few Christmas’s were like, I feel a blessing about my own. While I don’t know what I could possibly offer Christ, I know that God’s purpose for me means I have something to offer those around me. Sometimes I feel like George Bailey and wonder what life would have been like had I not been born, not saying I don’t value my life, but as a way to see my value to others. God places us in the lives of those around us for a reason and that’s so we can shine the light of Christ through us for others to see. If we truly want to give a gift to Christ this year, be as Christ like as possible. Be full of Christmas cheer, and joy. Show love to all around you, and find your own Christmas Spirit. It’s a lot of pressure these days to give gifts, and shop, and the perfect tree, and decorations, and even within our jobs, to have everything done before the end of the year. No matter what stressors you may have, always remember that the sun rises, and the sun sets, and we can only do so much in a day. Be sure to take time each and every day to thank God for what we have, the many countless blessings the Lord gives us that go unappreciated every day. We are so blessed and we often fail to thank our King for the very blessing of life, and another day. This Christmas season, put a little love in your heart, find the CHRIST in CHRISTmas, and love deeply and firmly.

Tis’ The Season

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Tis’ The Season 

As I finish my half a year back in school I find myself feeling tired. I have found my motivation severely lacking. The enjoyment of school seems to be waning as one week after another I get closer to graduating. While it doesn’t make sense to me why my motivation has been so lacking, I find myself going into this CHRISTmas season hopeful of the break, looking forward to rest, and finding things relaxing to occupy my time.

Sadly many of the events this season I look forward too most have been canceled. I don’t generally look forward to very many things so for something to not work out, really gets to me. Thankfully there are still things I’m looking forward to during this break. CHRISTmas is still coming, along with the candlelight service, the annual church breakfast service, and the church cantata. Finally at the end of the Christmas season is my Appalachian Trail hike. While I’m looking forward to the 6-8 day hike, I can’t deny that some concerns over the recent weather have been raised. With the snow that fell concerns were light, but going further into the season it’s been almost nothing but rain. The rain on the hike would be a miserable experience. I am praying earnestly that the weather is either dry, or snow.

Hope and cheer is the key phrase this season, and how much do we have to hope for? 1 Peter 1:3-4 (NKJV)3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,” We have hope for the Lord Jesus Christ, and know that there is nothing else in this world that gives us more hope. Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)31 “But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” 

The days come and everyone experiences a lull in their season, and perhaps after 6 months of non stop work, the stress caught up to me. The joy of the Lord, and knowing that Jesus Christ gives us eternal hope, and that nothing in this world can remove that from life. The Christmas joy is forever and for all those who know and love Jesus Christ have a lifetime of hope. This season the Christmas blues may hit, but remember that a moment of blue doesn’t mean you have to be in a season of blue. It’s okay to have a day or so where you’re feeling the holiday blues. Maybe you miss a loved one, or you miss some old friends, no matter what’s causing the blues just remember it’s Christmas, and it’s all about the baby born to give us the ultimate hope and joy. So Tis’ the season to be Jolly, and find your joy by remembering what’s important this holiday season. It doesn’t matter if it’s snowing, or raining, something in between, or what season you’re in, Christmas is here, and that means there’s lots to be joyful about.

The Devil Prowls

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The Devil Prowls 

I can feel the darkness creeping in towards me. I can feel the shadow close in all around me, the memories in my head, I know the attack looms, bringing the fight to my mind, the fight for my heart. The night is long, and I can feel the grasping gloom over my body. I am trapped in the world unable to run fast enough. Every time I look back he’s there watching me. His eyes burn through me red and piercing through my flesh. I cannot escape the one who is everywhere. Alone I run and everywhere I turn I find a blocked path, but what is it that I see, the reflection of failures, reminding me how retched I am. The demons dancing around every failure, every shortcoming, every mistake taunting me, laughing at me, their howls echo in the night. I run faster now tripping on branches and roots that seem to be trying to grab me. The rain comes in the night, frozen, and sharp against my face. The punch comes across my face before I see where it came from. The blood trickles from my mouth. The blow to my stomach knocks me to my knees. The next to my back, then another to my face, and I stand arms raised and I see no one. The blow to my face knocks me back off my feet and I land on my back. My nose breaks and blood chokes me. I roll to my side and start to stand and feel the kick to my stomach. I hear the hyena laughs from all around me. I stumble to my feel and run through the pain.

I fight the voices, I fight the wolves chasing me, how did I get here so lost in the black away from the light. I cannot run anymore for my legs are tired, I am sinking down as the world tilts under me. I fall and hit one branch after another before I grab hold of a stump. I look down and the shadow is reaching towards me. I feel the pull, the invisible lasso that wraps my legs. I struggle to hold on, but I can’t let go. I cannot give up, and I cannot give in. “You are mine.” I hear the shadow say, the echo pierces my mind. “You’re a failure” I hear in my mind. “You are nothing.”  I struggle, I grit my teeth and I try to pull my self up, but the chains are holding me. The shadow, the one with the red eyes pierces deep into me, and I feel the darkness rush over my whole body. The flashes of everything I’ve lost, friends, family, health, jobs, homes, and then I hear it again, “I will take everything from you.” 

I scream and I begin to lift myself up, “you cannot win” the Devil screams at my resolve. I can feel the cold hands wrap around my throat and I’m flying through the air before landing hard on the ground. I feel the air bounce out of me as I gasp. The Devil holds me above the ground, the eyes stab into my mind searching my fears, my failures, and I feel the freeze cover my flesh.

I finally get the chance to speak, “you’ll never have me.” I am pulled down face to face with the king of the demons, the fire dancing in his eyes, the piercing bright flames I can’t bare to look into. “I’m not afraid of you!” I tell Satan. I laugh at Satan, and feel the spike pierce my side. “You’re going to loose, and He is going to kick your….”

The bright light shines all around me; the cold is replaced with heat, and I can’t see beyond the white all around me. I hear battle cries from all around and I make myself small on the ground. The ground shakes, the earth quakes, and I can hear Satan cry in the light. I smile through the pain, “told you so.”

The Angels came down with Jesus leading them, Michael leading the charge of the demons fleeing in the woods; Jesus comes to me placing his hands on me. “I knew you’d come.” The sweet, soothing voice of Jesus responded, “I’m always with you.” His hand placed over my heart and the warmth, the energy flowed through my broken body and in just an instant I could feel my body healed.

Make no mistake, Satan is powerful and he is dangerous. Many people believe in Christ but doubt the nature of the Devil. Scripture is very clear on this point that not only is Satan real, but as Paul points out in 2 Corinthians 4:4“whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” Paul is writing to the city of Corinth and is giving warning of worldliness, and the idea of fire insurance. Paul, who was an educated man, respected among the Jews for a time, and Christians, spoke with authority, and always chose his words carefully. Paul uses the word theos, and translates to god, with a little g. Satan is god of the earthly domain, and as it was pointed out to me recently, Satan could not have tempted Jesus without having something legitimate to offer. Satan should not be underestimated, and you should never let your guard down. It’s important for you to stand firm on the word of God, and know that Jesus will never let you go through the darkness alone. No matter if you are walking in the valley, by the streams, or the meadow, Christ is always with you. The fight for your soul is very real, and the Devil attacks daily trying to break through the defenses, but “If you can take it, you can make it.” (Unbroken) 

I have watched so many fall to the temptations of Satan and I have watched as good people made bad choices. I have watched as people I looked up too, to show me Christ in them failed when the going got tough. We all fall short of the Glory Of God, and we all fail, we all Sin. Sin is everywhere around us, and it’s easy for us to make one false step and we fall into the pit. Satan is like the Sarlacc waiting for you to slip in, and once in, unable to escape. The fact is though, Satan may grab hold of you, but that doesn’t mean you are forever in his grasp. Jesus can break through anything. Jesus heals any heart, and is more powerful then we can ever imagine. Satan may be lord over the earth, but Jesus is Lord over Everything. Satan cannot hold you, he cannot break you, he cannot bond you to anything so long as you allow Christ into your heart. Jesus will always win over Satan and we have nothing to fear. Stay firm in your walk, and check your armor daily. Focus on the Lord and you will stand fast when the Devil prowls in the night.