Love and Death

One thing that I've come to learn over the past 15 years is that who I used to think that I was is no longer completely true...and who I currently think that I am will likely change in the future, too. Let me try to explain without boring you with the metaphysics of my tiny pea brain. Over the past couple of decades, I have done things that I said I would "never" do, and I failed to do things that I always thought that I would or should.
That brings me now to the topic of Love and Death. Throughout my adult life, I have had very little fear or worry about death. Like I do with so many other aspects of my life, I held death as just an inevitable truth. "I don't have any control over it....why worry about it..." kind of attitude. Well, recently I had noticed a chink in my "why worry about it" armor. And, today as I was driving home from work, I passed a cemetery and experienced a physical and emotional response to seeing a grave being dug. My brain shouted out to the cemetery something like "Stay away from us!"
My response surprised me. But it didn't take me long to figure it out. I have never loved anything or anyone the way that I love my family. I want to protect them from everything. I don't want them to experience the pain of seeing someone they love die, and I don't want any of them to die (obviously). I know that this isn't realistic, but I'm not choosing to feel this way or think this way. This change in my philosophy wasn't by choice. I hate it; it's foreign to me; and I don't know what to do with these feelings of vulnerability.
So, I looked up death in the Bible, and the first thing I came to was 1 Cor 15:55 "Where Oh Death is thy victory; Oh where Death is thy sting?" That wasn't comforting to me......
But, then I read the entire chapter..... Paul discusses the resurrection of Christ. There are several passages that struck me, but the one that I read over and over...."And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? I die every day—I mean that, brothers—just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame."
I was shamed somewhat by this, but more than that I was put back on point. "I die every day as surely as I glory over you.." What I read throughout chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians was "Yeah, this life is painful and sorrowful...there is no shelter from the deaths of this life. Don't wilt because of it. Make sure the ones you love know not just the harsh realities of this life, but also know the Message of our Resurrected Savior. Don't focus on sheltering; focus on empowering them to face this world's pain through the power of the Truth."

Worship & Healing

Do you believe that God still performs miracles today? Do you believe that He can heal people today? Is there evidence in the way that you live your life that you believe God is able to do these things?

My sister Pam sent this to me today....

The Story

The Song


In The Story, I really appreciated the female band member stating, "The name of the Lord is a Strong Tower and a Refuge and a Fortress. And worship is how I remember that I'm in that Place."

Prayer to Follow the Road

After leading someone through the Romans' Road, hopefully, you will want to also lead them in prayer. Here is a great example of a prayer for someone who has realized that they are in need of a Savior. This prayer was found in AllAboutGod.com

“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.”

On the very same page are some helpful follow-up statements and questions. Remember Eph 2:8-9 though, and recognize that the following suggestions are ways to help make your Christian walk purposeful, but your salvation is not dependent upon your works; thanks to God's Grace:

• Get baptized as commanded by Christ.
• Tell someone else about your new faith in Christ.
• Spend time with God each day. It does not have to be a long period of time. Just develop the daily habit of praying to Him and reading His Word. Ask God to increase your faith and your understanding of the Bible.
• Seek fellowship with other followers of Jesus. Develop a group of believing friends to answer your questions and support you.
• Find a local church where you can worship God.

Romans' Road

As I've stated not so long ago, the Message of the Gospel is very simple. Back when I was in high school, I learned a simple way to share the scriptural basis of the plan of salvation with someone else. It is called the Romans Road, because it utilizes scriptures in Romans to lay down the steps. I have used this pathway many times over the past 20+ years, and each time I've been grateful that the message is so simple and that the tool is so simple.....because, let's face it, I'm plenty simple, too.

The following is an example of the pathway and was taken from RomansRoad.org

Who is good?
Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous; no, not one.

Who has sinned?
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Where sin came from.
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.

God's price of sin.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord.

Who paid The price?
Romans 5:8 God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

The only way out.
Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth, the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Take God at his word and claim His promise for your salvation.
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Strength in Weakness

2 Corinthians 12 (New International Version) 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

So many times we humans become focused on our inabilities and on the hardships we are enduring. The bulk of many church's prayer lists/requests are focused on relieving people of their burdens, illnesses and pain. According to Paul, we should take delight in our weakness and hardships. He reasons that Christ is more able to reveal his strength in us at these times. This makes perfect sense if you think that if He revealed His strength in you when you are flying high, then you would most likely credit yourself and not Him.

Once again, live your life with the understanding that this world is not your home and that we are merely being prepared for something far better. If you do, when difficult times arise you will more readily accept them as opportunities to rely more fully upon Christ.

Camp Nathaneal - 2008

My wife and I attended the annual Couples Retreat at Camp Nathaneal this past weekend for a much needed time of instruction and attention to the most neglected relationship in both our lives.....the husband/wife relationship. We've got the mom/dad relationship down just fine, but rarely find time for the other couple in our house.

We attended the Retreat last year, and we came away from it with a renewed interest in each others needs as well as a strong interest in seeking financial peace. Reflecting back on the past year, we did a better job with the finances then with the relationship. We started off strong with some solid date times for about two or three months.........and then life got in the way.

So, we have renewed our interests in each other. I wish that we could go to a retreat once a quarter. I highly recommend the retreat for anyone that is married regardless of whether you think your marriage is great or on life-support. It is held the last weekend of April every year. This was year 17!!!

Silver Ring Thing 434

Apparently, there has been a youth group movement over the past few years called the Silver Ring Thing that is based upon I Thes: 4:34. It is a committment to service, relationship and abstinence until marriage.
Check out there website: Silver Ring Thing website.

Well, of course, service, relationship and abstinence is bound to upset somebody because we all know how terrible they can be when mixed together (humor intended - sarcasm). Sure enough, here is an article from FoxNews.com regarding a girl who is in trouble at school for wearing her ring. Silver Ring Thing girl trouble.

I have read this on the heels of reading an article where a school district has made a formal apology for trying to edit a photo of two homosexual males kissing from their school's year book. Now tell me, has the world just gone nuts or am I missing something here?

Max Lucado - Manna

Max Lucado - Manna From Heaven story

Max Lucado has always been one of my favorite Christian writers, and when I think of him, I have to think of my sister-in-law Renee. She is the one that introduced me to his writings. Renee does a fair share of writing herself, and after I read the above linked story, it struck me that Renee and Max both have the ability to relate to the reader through simply illustrated terminology and imagery.
I look forward to letting my kids experience the manna from heaven experience.

The World is Not Your Friend

Yet another daily devotional from Alistair Begg. As you walk further and further following Christ, it would seem that the walk would somehow get easier. I haven't found that to be the case thus far. Based upon the writings of some the Christian "greats", I reckon an easier walk is just wishful thinking. I don't recall reading anywhere in Paul's writings where he states, "Everything is going just great now. The Lord has blessed me with vacation, sunshine and plenty of relaxation. Yep. Everything is great."
This daily devotional explores the concept that "the world is not your friend." So, when the world is not treating hunky and dory, don't be shocked. It's not really your friend.

Expect trouble, then, Christian, when you look beneath you. Then look around you. Where are you? You are in enemy country, a stranger and an alien. The world is not your friend. If it is, then you are not God's friend, for whoever is the friend of the world is the enemy of God. Be certain that you will find enemies everywhere. When you sleep, remember that you are resting on the battlefield; when you travel, suspect an ambush in every hedge.

Take a look at the entirety of this daily devotional. If you get half way through it and start feeling discouraged, overwhelmed and scared, take heart. The ending is good. The victory has already been decided.

Why Pray When I Can Worry?

One of the speakers at the Great Commission Prayer Conference summed up a lot of prayer lives as being like a relationship with a vending machine. In essence, utilizing prayer only when a need arises.
Unfortunately, the reality is that at times many of us don't have a praying relationship that meets that meager standard. I will be the first to confess that I often seek God's help regarding issues only after I've already exhausted every other possible solution. I was just beating myself up regarding that very issue yesterday, and lo and behold, look what Alistair Begg's daily devotional discusses:
It is strange how little use we make of the spiritual blessings that God gives us, but it is even stranger that we make such little use of God Himself. Though He is "our God," we scarcely give ourselves to Him, and we ask so little of Him. How seldom do we seek counsel at the hands of the Lord! How often do we go about our business without seeking His guidance! In our troubles how we constantly struggle to bear our burdens ourselves instead of casting them upon the Lord, that He may sustain us!
Take a look at the entire article and the related scripture. And, seek Him today in faith with your cares, worries, stresses, pains, decisions and needs. Daily Devotion

How Great Thou Art

Tomorrow, we will be singing "How Great Thou Art" in church, and I was reviewing the lyrics to the song when I was struck by what a perfectly balanced song it is in terms of presenting a picture of who God is.

• Verse 1:

O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder

Consider all the works Thy hands have made.

I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,

Thy power through-out the universe displayed.

Refrain:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee;

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee:

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

• Verse 2:

When through the woods and forest glades I wander

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur

And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

(Repeat Refrain.)

• Verse 3:

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;

That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin:

(Repeat Refrain.)

• Verse 4:

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow in humble adoration,

And there proclaim, my God. how great Thou art!

(Repeat Refrain.)

It starts off with a description of God as a mighty Creator and powerful being, moves on to discussing the beauty and grandeur of his creations, then discusses His amazing grace and love for us as demonstrated through the Gift of His Son, and finally, describes His Awesome Power over sin. He is worthy of us bowing down and humbly adoring Him. My God. How great Thou art!

My appreciation for these lyrics lead me to research the origin of the hymn. I came across the following site....
How Great Thou Art
The history of the song is worth reading. The site that contains this history is called
AllAboutGod.com. It has some well developed resources and materials for Christians, and looks like a great place to nudge anyone towards that may be curious about what this "Jesus stuff" is all about.

Praying Scripture

I came across a bulletin board at ourchurch.com with a multitude of discussion points. In our efforts to diminish the quantity of temporal and self-centered prayers, shifting our focus to praying scriptural promises and praying for the kind of things that Jesus and the Apostles prayed for can only help. Here is an excerpt from the bulletin board. Click on "praying scripturally" to see more.

PRAYING SCRIPTURALLY
-Ask the Lord to send the people He wants to the fields He wants them in - Luke 10:1-3
-Ask the Lord to send hard working people to spread the Gospel -- - - Luke 10: 2
-Ask the Lord to give us opportunity to share the Gospel - Col.4:1-3
-Ask the Lord to give us the right words and the right way to say them - Col. 4:4
-Ask the Lord to make us bold but loving in our deliverance of the Gospel - Ephesians 6:18-19
-Ask the Lord to keep the government from interfering with the church, the ministers, and the
deliverance of the Gospel - 1 Timothy 2:1
-Ask the Lord to keep each minister/laborer shielded from their enemies - Romans 15:30
-Ask the Lord to help us believers to accept His Word when we hear it - Romans 15:29-30
-Ask the Lord to help us believers live clean lives above reproach - 2 Corinthians 13:7
-Ask the Lord to help us to remain constant in prayer - 1 Thes. 5:17