It Was A Year Ago Today - Dec 12

The memory of it is still fresh in my mind. On a Friday afternoon after coming back from my run I was called into the office and told my truck was to be taken off the road. After 11 years of faithful service, I was laid off.

While my previous employment gave me the stability I needed, the reality was that I was being left behind both in terms of personal and financial growth. When you can't remember the last time you got a raise it's probably best to move on - or get gently shoved through the door as was with my case.

Hard to believe how far I've come since then. I really feel good about where I'm at right now. The future is indeed a bright one. My paralegal studies have gone swimmingly. Having passed all my courses with an A average, I have flourished in my new environment as a legal student.

As I look forward to the new year, 2010 looks to be both exciting and somewhat terrifying. In May I'll be celebrating my 40th birthday. By that time my classes will have come to an end and I'll be smack dab in the middle of my internship. On August 11th I write my paralegal exam. What happens beyond that is a mystery.

2010 is a year which has as its theme, 'Finish What You Started'. All my travails at getting into school (which I detailed in the first half of this year) came to fruition in June. By May 2010 my tenure at TriOS will have come to its completion. In a way, it's like leaving the womb. You may be safe and protected there, but there comes a point when its time to leave and start growing.

God has indeed provided for me. Mind you, it hasn't been easy. I've had to make some withdrawals from my RRSP's and on more than one occasion I've been totally broke - usually at the end of the month. My commissionaires pay and EI still managed to sustain me throughout. Despite my delicate financial position, I still had the chance to do all my regular summer stuff, including:

• CHIN Picnic Bikini Pageant (never get tired of that!)
• Carabram (All pavilions visited like a trooper should)
• Taste of the Danforth (The food! The crowds! The music! Did I mention the food?)
• And as always, the CNE (twice!)
  

I've also had the chance to see at least five OHL hockey games this season. Life has been good despite the necessary penny-pinching when you're on a budget. I've met all my financial obligations and by March my car will be paid off. Does God still answer prayer? Does He still take care of His children? You better believe He does!

I firmly believe God has sent me this adversity for a reason. Much like the Israelites being driven from Egypt, this has happened to me at the precise moment of God's choosing. Like the Israelites, I too moaned and complained when things weren't going my way. Only now do I appreciate His divine wisdom as He has set me upon this path. God is still in the business of weaving small miracles into my life. I feel blessed and fortunate to be given this second chance. May His name be glorified through my scholarly efforts.

Johnny Cash

The Rosetta Stone of Bible Prophecy - Nov 6

Leviticus 23 is without question the most important chapter in the Bible. Not Isaiah 53. Not Daniel 9. Not even the book of Revelation. These prophecy faves are meaningless unless you delve into Leviticus 23 first. This chapter contains in detail the seven feasts of the Lord and is a must read. The seven feasts of the LORD are:

1. The Sabbath
2. The Passover and Unleavened Bread
3. Firstfruits
4. Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)
5. Feast of Trumpets
6. Day of Atonement
7. Feast of Tabernacles
   

I have pasted the entire chapter below (in NIV format) for your consideration.

Johnny Cash

The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'These are my appointed feasts, the appointed feasts of the LORD, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.

The Sabbath

" 'There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD.

The Passover and Unleavened Bread

" 'These are the LORD's appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times: The LORD's Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. On the fifteenth day of that month the LORD's Feast of Unleavened Bread begins; for seven days you must eat bread made without yeast. On the first day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. For seven days present an offering made to the LORD by fire. And on the seventh day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.' "

Firstfruits

The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest. He is to wave the sheaf before the LORD so it will be accepted on your behalf; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath. On the day you wave the sheaf, you must sacrifice as a burnt offering to the LORD a lamb a year old without defect, together with its grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil—an offering made to the LORD by fire, a pleasing aroma—and its drink offering of a quarter of a hin of wine. You must not eat any bread, or roasted or new grain, until the very day you bring this offering to your God. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live.

Feast of Weeks

" 'From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the LORD. From wherever you live, bring two loaves made of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour, baked with yeast, as a wave offering of firstfruits to the LORD. Present with this bread seven male lambs, each a year old and without defect, one young bull and two rams. They will be a burnt offering to the LORD, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings—an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the LORD. Then sacrifice one male goat for a sin offering and two lambs, each a year old, for a fellowship offering. The priest is to wave the two lambs before the LORD as a wave offering, together with the bread of the firstfruits. They are a sacred offering to the LORD for the priest. On that same day you are to proclaim a sacred assembly and do no regular work. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live.

" 'When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.' "

Feast of Trumpets

The LORD said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites: 'On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. Do no regular work, but present an offering made to the LORD by fire.' "

Day of Atonement

The LORD said to Moses, "The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves, and present an offering made to the LORD by fire. Do no work on that day, because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the LORD your God. Anyone who does not deny himself on that day must be cut off from his people. I will destroy from among his people anyone who does any work on that day. You shall do no work at all. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live. It is a sabbath of rest for you, and you must deny yourselves. From the evening of the ninth day of the month until the following evening you are to observe your sabbath."

Feast of Tabernacles

The LORD said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites: 'On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the LORD's Feast of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days. The first day is a sacred assembly; do no regular work. For seven days present offerings made to the LORD by fire, and on the eighth day hold a sacred assembly and present an offering made to the LORD by fire. It is the closing assembly; do no regular work.

(" 'These are the LORD's appointed feasts, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies for bringing offerings made to the LORD by fire—the burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings required for each day. These offerings are in addition to those for the LORD's Sabbaths and in addition to your gifts and whatever you have vowed and all the freewill offerings you give to the LORD.)

" 'So beginning with the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the crops of the land, celebrate the festival to the LORD for seven days; the first day is a day of rest, and the eighth day also is a day of rest. On the first day you are to take choice fruit from the trees, and palm fronds, leafy branches and poplars, and rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. Celebrate this as a festival to the LORD for seven days each year. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come; celebrate it in the seventh month. Live in booths for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in booths so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in booths when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.' "

So Moses announced to the Israelites the appointed feasts of the LORD.

The Perfect Lie - Aug 9

I've written about this before but I figured it was time to revisit and improve upon the idea.

First Things First

So what's this 'perfect lie' that I write so dramatically about? It is this: That we can please God through our own efforts. Do you want to know the heart of the gospel? Here it is:

Unless you repent, you too will all perish.
(Luke 13:5b)

In the gospel of Luke, Jesus refers to a lost sheep (Luke 15:3-6), the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10) and the well known parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). What do all these stories have in common? That which is of great value has been lost only to be found again.

Unless A Man Repents He Will Surely Die

For some strange and inexplicable reason this sentence has been vexing me recently. It is glaringly obvious that 'I'm a good person' is the reigning pop-culture theology of the day. I often hear such lame excuses as these:

• No need to repent. I'm a good person!
• No need for a Messiah (on a cross). I'm a good person!
• No need to reconcile my faith with the Bible. I'm a good person!
• No need for a (Holy) Spirit-led life. I'm a good person!
• No need to radically change my lifestyle. I'm a good person!
• No need to change my worldly attitudes. I'm a good person!
  
• No need for holiness in word, thought or deed. I'm a good person!

On and on it goes. Seven points have been listed here for your consideration. Truth is there are literally thousands of excuses people employ. The devil loves nothing more than to tell how good a person you are. The Biblical truth is far more sobering:

As it is written:

"There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."

"There is no fear of God before their eyes."
(Romans 3:10-12,18)

This is not a popular message. Never has been and never will be. All those who dare preach it will face all manner of persecution and (sometimes violent) opposition. This corrupt world will hate all those who faithfully remind us of our fallen nature. Yet it must be taught if we are to count ourselves as Christ's disciples.

The Faith of the Foolish

Why does this lie work so effortlessly? For one very simple reason: It appeals to our pride and our overwhelming sense of self-importance. Hell will be filled with good people who've substituted their own piety and religious observance ahead of the sufferings of Christ. Only through Him can we approach the Father:

I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
(John 14:6)

Johnny Cash

Exactly Where I Need To Be - Jul 12

At the LORD's command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the LORD's order and did not set out.
(Numbers 9:18:19)

Forgive me dear readers for not posting sooner. As of this writing, I'm now four weeks into my studies. Two modules completed (Word and Excel) with many more to come. Between my studies and my part-time job I've had little time for blogging. For me, there's a point of professionalism and a sense of pride in consistently maintaining a blog month in and month out. Here then are my musings on becoming a new/old student again.

Wanderlust

Many of us exclaim 'Oh, if only I was over there rather than over here! Surely I would be much happier then!' But is that really true? Most of the time we are thwarted in our ambitions to be 'over there' when our attention ought to be focused here. Even if you are part of that 'lucky' minority, who's to say that happiness will automatically follow once you're 'over there'?.

Important Questions I Had To Ask Myself

Does it not make more career sense to pursue this paralegal stuff right after high school? On the surface it does. I would've completed my studies (from a public college like Sheridan or Humber) and still end up working for Tipco. Truth be told, I wouldn't have been mature enough for such an undertaking that early in my life. But right now is a different. I guess you could say I'm your classic late bloomer. Just as my time in Tipco was readying me for this moment, my time being spent now as a student is serving me for my good.

Waiting for His Perfect Timing

The scripture I chose was read to me this Sunday morning at church. 'How appropriate!' I said to myself. So many of us are so self-willed that we want everything right now. Yet if I had started in April, I wouldn't have had the part-time Commissionaires job needed to make ends meet. In a larger context, had this layoff been significantly delayed by a number of years it would seem too late. And if I'd been laid off years earlier I doubt I would have had the wherewithal to properly deal with the situation.

A Biblical Parallel

The Israelites had to endure slavery in Egypt before they became a nation. When found guilty of unbelief, another forty years as desert nomads was sentenced upon them before they could enter the Promised Land. Even then they still faced obstacles from possessing their inheritance. Does that path sound similar to you? I find it true of my situation. Of course God could've given the Israelites everything up front. Yet how would that serve His purpose? His message for the Israelites was clear: You walk by faith and not by sight. When I tell you to stay, you stay. When I tell you to move, you'd better get moving!

God: Both the 'Irresistible Force' and the 'Immovable Rock' - But Only If We're Listening!

So if we move when we're supposed to stay and stay when we're supposed to move, nothing but disaster will be the logical result. Forty years of futility was the penalty God had to impose on His people. Israel was out of Egypt but 'Egypt' wasn't out of Israel! I wouldn't want anyone to have their precious time wasted due to disobedience. Accepting Christ and learning to move when He moves is the surest path to success and happiness.

Johnny Cash

Good People Go To Heaven; Bad People Go To Hell - Jun 1

Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
(Matthew 10:28)

This great wondrous lie will condemn more souls to hell than any other lie conceived. Do you want to know the truth instead?

Hell Will Be Filled With Good People

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
(Romans 10:3)

Most of the population of hell will not be populated by the likes of Clifford Olsen, Paul Bernardo or Ted Bundy. These reprobates will not even represent 10% of hell's demographics. The majority of hell's inmates will be there due to incomplete and superficial theology. Oh, they're sincere in their beliefs, make no mistake. But what good does sincerity count if you're sincerely wrong? Hell will have all kinds of folk. Devout pagans and New Agers will be there. So will Muslims, Shia and Sunni alike. Hinduists, Buddhists, Taoists and followers of other Eastern religions will be there. The superstitious, the foolish and the 'I'll get saved tomorrow!' crowd will also be well represented. The rest of hell will be mainly populated by practical atheists and fortune cookie philosophers. All 'good' people to be sure. Not one will be spared.

Heaven Will Be Populated By Sinners

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
(Psalm 18:2)

Is your head spinning yet? Does the above scripture offer a clue? Those who will be part of the Kingdom of God will have at some point in their life made a similar statement of faith just like what David made. David understood that salvation was through the grace of God alone. I'm not heavenly bound because of anything I've done. I'm heavenly bound because I believe in what Christ did for me. True salvation is 100% Christ-centered.

You Cannot Finesse Your Way Past Jesus

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. A man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'
(Matthew 10:34,36)

Here's a some open questions for those aforementioned atheists and philosophers: What book other than the Bible has more influence on Western thought? Who has shown more wisdom and performed greater miracles than Jesus? What other religious founder has literally and visibly conquered the grave? You cannot 'whatever, whatever' Jesus and conveniently push Him aside. Jesus Christ is and always will be the dividing line between civilization and anarchy. He's the dividing line in our personal lives between pride and humility. All those who deny this claim are ignorant and in a state of unbelief. Jesus Christ is unavoidable. You can't outflank Him, go over or under Him. Either you accept Him or you reject Him. No exceptions! Hell or heaven awaits. Will you make the right decision?

Johnny Cash

Enter Through The Narrow Gate - Apr 7

Here's some scripture that ought to be familiar to you:

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
(Matthew 7:13-14)

There Are Two Kinds of People in this World ...

Those that divide the world into two groups and those that don't. It's an old joke but a true one. In the above passage, Jesus does indeed divide the world into two distinct groups: The majority on the broad path to destruction and the minority that find the narrow gate leading to life.

What Are The Lineups Like?

So if we choose to approach the narrow gate, are we to be looking at one massive queue? It's likely to be stretching for miles on end, right? Do you want to know the truth? You can walk right through the narrow gate whenever you want. Anybody at any time anywhere can receive eternal life through Jesus Christ. No lineups. No frustration.

Why Do We Miss The Point Of Jesus' Teaching?

Because we base things upon human experience. We've all been in the position of being forced to line up to get in somewhere. We've also had the uncomfortable sensation of wanting to use the facilities when lining up. What excrutiating pain! Becoming a Christian requires no riches, rituals or extensive training. The beauty (and strength) of the Christian faith has always been in its simplicity. Truth be told, the lineups and frustration are found exclusively on the broad path that leads to our destruction!

Devilish Lies

Living for Christ is easy. It's the living for one's ego and gratification that's difficult. Following after God brings patience and eternal life. Living for self creates undue hardship and struggle. That's the true meaning of Christ's teachings. We read the above passage and think 'Why would God make it so hard to find the narrow gate?'. That's exactly what Satan wants you to think. On the contrary, it's the other way around. Finding truth and purpose through the study of scripture is easy. It's the pursuit of fads, notions and other trivia that feed our sensuality (sounds nice, feels good) that gets us into trouble. Enter instead through the narrow gate. It's the only way to saner (and holy) living.

Johnny Cash

Pride, Ignorance, Instinct and Emotion - Feb 25

If there's one positive attribute that can be laid at the Devil's feet is that he's always busy. The ways of Satan is one of corruption and mischief. The world system in place is in ideological synchronicity with the wicked one.

Satan's Prime Task: To Get You Thinking Negatively About God

For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth - the one who accuses them before our God day and night.
(Revelation 12:10)

In a court in any Western nation you have an adversarial system of justice. On one side is the Crown (representing the Queen). The other is a lawyer for the defense. Witnesses are called and the cross examination begins. Most of the time it works. Sometimes it doesn't. A jury may choose to believe a lie or it may reject the truth and so a miscarriage of justice can result. Satan wants nothing more than to get you to distrust God and to place doubt as to the accuracy and the timeless and universal nature of His perfect manuscript, the Bible.

What Human Nature is Really Like

This has and will continue to be a point of contention with the Marxists and the secularists. I do not buy into the argument about the inherent goodness of Man. I say the word 'buy' because I feel I'm being ripped off as one would get sold faulty goods. Human nature is not a pretty thing to behold. Here are four major stumbling blocks that need to be hurdled in order for humanity to progress.

Pride

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
(Philippians 3:7-8a)

Without a doubt, this is the foundation of most sins. The desire to elevate oneself or diminish others is the signature of pride. Racism is pride. So are sexist attitudes. The worst kind of pride is religious pride. Self-sufficiency and smugness are attributes the Devil loves to see in a person. There is no greater religious lie than the idea that we can justify ourselves before God on our own merits. The apostle Paul considered himself justified because of his credentials. Yet when he came to the truth his pride melted away.

Ignorance

Have you ever found yourself in a political discussion? I enjoy a vigorous debate, yet I find myself cringing most of the time at the ignorant opinions being thrown around. The exercise becomes sheer folly as one person dominates with their rhetoric and bombast. The whole point of debate is to allow your peers and equals a chance to counter your argument. As in politics, we are also born ignorant of spiritual things. Our attempts to connect with God (and spiritual matters) apart from the workings of the Holy Spirit is just as equally foolish.

Instinct

Ever jumped to a conclusion? Have you ever made a hasty and irrational decision about someone (or something) only to be later proven incorrect? That's instinct. In layman's terms it's called a knee-jerk reaction. I find myself laughing at the news whenever they have a 'Man on the Street' interview. Most responses are ill-informed and superfluous. I think the only purpose they serve is to boost ratings and make the subject look stupid. We remember all to well the sheepish feeling we had when we made an (usually incorrect) instinctive decision.

Emotion

Our emotions are indeed an integral part of who we are. Yet how often are we led astray when we judge with a corrupt heart? What we feel - and the decisions we make as a result - can have disasterous consequences. A discussion between two adults can be going swimmingly until one gets emotional. The whole exchange rapidly goes downhill from there. The raw appeal to emotion is one we see constantly from entertainers and politicians (Is there a difference between the two?). The Devil uses his proxies to do the same when it comes to relating to our Creator. Any emotion that leads us away from God's love is one to be avoided.

Don't Be A Dupe!

Yet for your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.
(Psalm 44:22)

Now that you've seen the extent of the problem, what are we to do? Nobody wants to be a patsy. Nobody deliberately chooses to follow after a lie that leads to harm. There's a dearth of discernment in this day and age. Like a baseball hitting the sweet spot, there's something to be said about getting it right the first time. If you want the truth - and nothing but - the only true path to understanding is through Jesus Christ. We must be born again! Without the presence and working of the Holy Spirit in our lives we becomes dupes and pawns in this fallen world. There's no other way to enlightenment.

Johnny Cash

Learning Through Adversity - Feb 24

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
(Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Made one of those big life decisions that we all have to make yesterday. I'm going back to school (pending TDSB approval) in April to become a paralegal. The course will end in April 2010. My Dad asked me recently 'Would you rather be back at Tipco?'. My response was mixed. On one hand I would still have permanent full-time work which is a whole lot better than being unemployed. On the other hand I knew that I'd be stagnating in a job that had no hope of advancement and no raise offered in the past five years.

Slaves to Routine

We're all creatures of habit. We slavishly enjoy our routines, do we not? Then something unexpected happens and our lives are turned upside-down. Our initial response? Sheer terror! Then we calm down, assess the situation that has befallen us and begin to pick up the pieces. When I posted about the death of my cat in December '07 I mentioned that one of the most traumatic things that can occur to a person is the loss of a job. Sadly, many are experiencing the same trauma as the manufacturing sector in Canada takes a nosedive.

A Common Thread

When someone goes through a personal crisis questions begin to swirl. I've noticed in these testimonials that there's a common thread: What was important before rapidly fades into insignificance and what was once trivial now is of the utmost importance. A profound shift in thinking has occurred and a chapter in our life has closed. I find that over time people tend to become self-absorbed and oblivious to the needs of others. Adversity is the proverbial bucket of ice water that needs to get thrown in our face from time to time.

Excess Baggage

There's a scene in Saving Private Ryan (soon after the beach scene) where the Captain (played superbly by Tom Hanks) is press ganging a clerk to help find Private Ryan. It's one of the few humorous scenes in the movie as the clerk awkwardly tries to prepare himself. He picks up a typewriter and the Captain says 'You don't need that'. The Captain presents a pad and a pencil to the clerk who nods knowingly. 'Grab your helmet and rifle, you'll need that!', says the Captain and our hero is off. That's what adversity does. We shed stuff we don't need and pick up the helmet and rifle that we do need.

Adversity Enlarges Our World

I am about to be exposed to a whole new world that I never knew existed. 2009 won't be a banner year for me in terms of employment but it will be a memorable one in terms of personal development. Staying with Tipco would've been easy. Nothing ventured, nothing gained! But what opportunity did I have? None! I for one am looking forward to the challenge that lays ahead. An uncertain one to be sure fraught with some difficulty. I kept reminding myself 'There are no absolutes. Only God is absolute'. This new path represents uncharted territory. It is the road less traveled by which will make all the difference.

A Word to the Wise

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
(Romans 8:28)

Does God work all things for good? No! The above scripture (as well as the Jeremiah verse) are conditional. God will not help rebels and those mired in unbelief (atheists and agnostics, please take note). The adversity foisted upon those who reject Christ will receive no such divine assistance. In other words, you're on your own! I enjoy my independence and privacy as much as anyone. But I'm not so foolish so as to rebuff all manner of help when I obviously need it. Please don't be stubborn. God wants to help and He will help if you submit to Him. Please make that decision today. Nobody has to suffer alone!

Johnny Cash

The Pursuit of Happiness - Feb 13

Yes, it's Friday the 13th. Well whoop-de-do! I've never put any stock in such silly superstitions anyways. It's late and I'm still wide awake so I've decided to post before I go to bed. To me there's nothing more satisfying than falling into bed completely exhausted!

Happiness vs. Joy

For the LORD your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.
(Deuteronomy 16:15b)

Did you know there's a distinct difference between the two? Happiness is largely determined by circumstance, joy is permanent. A happy person may not necessarily be joyful and joyful person may (or may not) be happy. Why do we fail in making the distinction?

The Growing Infantilism in Our Society

Aren't we not supposed to become wiser as we approach old age? The kids are alright; it's the adults that need constant supervision. We regard liberty as a license to do as we please rather than the serious-minded endeavour it was always meant to be. We are retarded in our thinking, never looking at the larger picture. We want to be 'happy' - never a bad thing in and of itself - yet how many of us have the joy of fellowship with God and those who love Him? So much superficiality, so little time!

A Mile Wide and an Inch Thick

Our happiness ought to have some depth and substance to it. Circumstances change rapidly as do our environment. Thus the question begs itself: What foundation do you base your happiness on? Is it a sure thing? Is it rock solid?

Facing the Inevitable: Death and Taxes

I found myself today walking past a kiosk with the usual sensationalist tabloid headlines. Cher apparently has three years left to live! That according to some expert who's looking at the stressful lifestyle Cher is leading. You know what I said to myself? We all gotta meet our Maker sometime. In the back of our minds we know full well our own mortality will one day betray us. Think about it. From the time I started this post to when I finally publish (plus countless edits to boot) somebody out there will have left it all behind. Death is no respecter of time, date or place. It's foolish to go 'all in' when it comes to our health. Nor do I have to tell you about the temporal nature of money. We all need it. It would be impossible to function without it. We know from experience money comes and goes. Placing all our faith, hope and trust in our financial portfolios is a mug's game.

The Key to Happiness

I heard from a preacher on the radio some time ago about happiness. You know what he said? Happiness isn't something you find, it's something you stumble across when you discover holiness. How then do we discover this holiness? It is found in knowing Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. Jesus came so that we may have life and have it in abundance. That's joy. That's a sure thing. That's a rock we can stand on, no matter what.

Johnny Cash

Age and Beauty - Feb 2

This layoff has given me a chance to think aloud and record it for posterity. I'm not a morning person (as I yawn), I always do my best thinking mid-day. Under normal circumstances I'd be at work, the 'eureka' moment would pass and I'd be too tired to post in the evening. Flashes of brilliance tend to be just that.

Youth is Wasted on the Young

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

(Isaiah 40:29-31)

I think when you get older things tend to get a little more compressed. Both time and money are in short supply so there's a greater sense of urgency. I notice as I get older that I'm a little more bullish in my behaviour. In our youth, truth is many shades of grey. As we age truth and lies separate themselves into black and white. It's not that we're becoming intolerant, it's more the case that we want to hear the pure undiluted truth and be on our way. No longer do we listen in wide-eyed wonder at every single conspiracy theory! When you're young you feel you have all the time in the world to properly disseminate all you've learned. As we age, we become cognizant of a narrowing of that window. The luxury with which we formerly regarded our life is gone.

A Twenty One Year-Old With 17 Years Experience

I really believe I have a huge advantage when it comes to facing the competition for jobs. What do young people know about God, human nature and politics? I'd venture to say very little. I'm more passionate and driven now than I was ten or fifteen years ago. I'm old enough to know better but still young enough to apply myself. Think about it: What 18 year-old upon high school graduation knows what they want to do with their life? Does a single-digit percentile sound right to you? You'd have to be an exceptionally driven person (or have highly driven parents) to know exactly what you want. I remember in my youth when I wanted to be a musician because I enjoyed playing the drums. Drove the music teacher crazy! Yet bridging that chasm between a high school drummer and a professional musician was one that I stood no chance of making.

Knowing When to Stop and Listen and When to Move

Sir Isaac Newton knew a thing or two about momentum. An object at rest tends to stay at rest, an object in motion tends to stay in motion. So it is in our personal lives. If we are constantly on the move, we lose control and crash. If we stay still for a prolonged period opportunities can pass us by. It's a delicate balance that takes a great deal of experience (trial and error) to conquer. For most of His life Jesus lived the life of an ordinary man. When He turned thirty - the age when a Jewish male was allowed to claim rabbi status - He shook the world with His teachings. I had a meeting this morning with a young woman who was attempting to advize me. Two lessons for me were learned:

1) While some advice is good, not all advice is of value.

2) Most (if not all) advice comes with it's own unique set of personal and ideological baggage.

Endless advice confuses us. So must stop, reassess our progress and make a decision. No-one wants to make good progress in the wrong direction. A young person may make a serious life-decision on a whim. When we're older we realize how much little time we have for such whimsy. Age and experience thankfully dulls such irrational exuberance.

Instinct Versus Faith

Truth be told, I'm not 100% of we're I'm headed either. I do have an idea, even if it's still in the formative stage. People may say, 'Go with your gut instinct'. I dare say that's terrible advice. God wants nothing but the best for us. He will not direct us to plans that will hurt or destroy. Yet do we truly rejoice in His paths? A person who loves and trusts in God cannot fail. I find myself walking this path of faith with no clear idea how long this journey will take. Yet I find myself rejoicing nonetheless. God knows me by my name and counts the very hairs on my head. I am one of His, possessing an eternal bond that cannot be broken. Praise be to Him!

Johnny Cash

Delight Yourself in the LORD - Jan 31

Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
(Psalm 37:3-7)

In my last post I took a commentator (now persona non grata) to task for his overall nastiness. I wrote about the banality of evil and how it produces people of mediocre character. We - including Christians - often think of evil in comical terms when the truth is in fact much more nuanced. Why do so many of us struggle in life? The answer lies in our selfish nature and our relationship with God.

Our Desires: What We Dwell Upon Is Where We End Up

We struggle daily over the concept of righteousness because we have separated ourselves from God. That is, we do not delight in His ways. That has been our sorry lot since the Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden. All of us have desires. Without them, our lives would be pointless and aimless. Desire and ambition are therefore good things. The economy would collapse if people didn't get up, have their coffee and muffin and get to work. But do we have the same ambition when it comes to waiting on the LORD? Why doesn't God give us everything we want?

Sensual Desires

It's the oldest battle: Flesh versus the Spirit. Human wisdom versus God's wisdom. Immediacy versus discipline. Impatience versus due diligence. On and on it goes. Let it be understood that God is not some cosmic sugar daddy. What we want may destroy us. Or we may mismanage or abuse the gift. I think it's a general truism that the more we want it, the more likely it will hurt us. The greater the influence of the flesh, the more immediate the desire.

Bad Timing is a Killer!

What if we put away our earthly proclivities (always easier said than done) and still don't get what we've asked for? The problem could be one of timing. We may want someone to marry and start a family but we may lack the maturity or be unable to meet the financial obligations. We may want the perfect job (that's on my personal wish list) but we lack the training. He knows all and sees all and wants nothing but the best for us. But there's the catch: We ought to delight in His perfect timing. It is then and only then do receive His very best.

Judgement and Consequences

So what happens to the poor sod who ignores God?

You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
(James 4:2-3)

Anger. Frustration. Disappointment. Deception. Even death. I think of so many who narrowly wanted it their way only to have it come to a tragic end. What do we gain by mistrusting Him? Nothing. It amazes me how anyone would trust their horoscopes and other soothsayers more than the Almighty. Who's the superstitious one here? Jesus isn't some imaginary friend! He's real, and He wants to bless up mightily. However, the blessing is entirely conditional: Trust and delight in the Lord's provisions. If you're not a Christian (like what's-his-name) you will not receive anything if you continually reject Jesus Christ as Lord. Everything starts with salvation. Will you trust Him today?

Johnny Cash

An X-Def Update: I have changed the way you can comment on my blog. You now have to have a Google account (No anonymous posts!). Should that pinhead resurface, I will disable all comments entirely.

Courage and Blind Spots - Jan 17

If there was one characteristic that you could ask for and receive in abundance, what would it be? For me, the answer is courage. Think of all the positive attributes you'd want to have. Resiliency. Even tempered. A quiet confidence. The assurance that you are loved and are capable of giving love. Every single one of these attributes begins with courage.

Now think of all the negative attributes none of us want yet still possess: Fear - not really sheer mortal terror necessarily, more like a perpetual feeling of your heart being in your throat. The insecurity of feeling unlovable or an unwillingness to reciprocate for fear of rejection. On and on the list goes. What's causing that sense of fear and rejection? Let's look at Psalm 139:23-24:

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

Why Do We Consistently Miss Out On Life?

There are likely two reasons for this. Number one, we have unconfessed sin in our lives. This is usually some sordid action or harsh word that we refuse to deal with. Most Christians if they're honest will have taken that immediate step. But what if the problem runs deeper?

Why The Constant Sense of Foreboding?

Are you growing in your walk with Jesus Christ? So many miss out on God's blessings because of our spiritual and emotional immaturity. Take a look at the above scripture and let's ask ourselves a hard question: How well do I know myself? Have I done a recent personal inventory of my life? If so, am I going to like what I see? We carry around too much emotional baggage that we need to jettison before God can begin the healing process.

How Well Does God Know Us?

Lets look at some earlier verses of Psalm 139:

2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

The psalmist (David) explicitly states that God knows everything about us. There is nothing hidden from Him. For many, that's a pretty intimidating prospect. But should it be? That is, are we willing to surrender our innermost thoughts that are causing us to stumble? What good is it to have personal truths revealed to us if we continually deny Him?

Radical Surgery Required!

Imagine you had a cataract. How difficult it is to see out of that eye! When we disobey His sovereign will, we begin to accumulate various blind spots - chinks in the armor if you will. The decision to endlessly defer or blame others and/or circumstance is the easy way out. But, if we are willing to submit to God's perfect and redeeming will, He will expose that vulnerability and take corrective action.

A Personal Testimony

Sometime in the latter months of 2008 (I can't remember when exactly), God revealed something that was causing me a great deal of anguish. The problem was I felt wholly inadequate before women. I knew that I loved women, that much was sure. So it wasn't a question of my orientation, it was a problem of feeling emasculated. I was a coward before women! This hit me like a bolt out of the blue! The remedy to this solution was clear: Stop being a chickenshit and get on with it. I was to stop worrying about whether I was good enough or not. True enough, some women would still turn me away. But by no means did that include all women. How great a relief that a loving God would reveal this to me! That I could love freely and receive love in return from a woman was a glorious revelation. I was released from a negative thought pattern that was literally crushing me. I became a better man and a better Christian that very day.

Have Courage and Receive Eternal Salvation

God doesn't want us to just exist, he wants us to thrive. So many of us exist like cows in the field exist. Let me put it to you in plain and simple terms: You will never become the man (or woman) you've always wanted to be unless you covet the mind and heart of God. Happiness is not something you find, it is something you stumble upon when you look for holiness. Self-examination by its very nature is a difficult process. But until we begin to do so, there will be no peace or fulfillment. Jesus is still in the business of freeing the captives. So long as we remain bitter and resentful we remain in bondage. Stop the self-abasement and recrimination. Free yourself from negative thought patterns that are keeping you down. Receive the pardon that Jesus won on the cross for you and learn what it means to have joy unspeakable.

Johnny Cash

Of Reaping and Sowing - Jan 12

It seems we love nothing more than blaming God for every stubbed toe and every single misfortune that befalls us. It's been a month since my permanent layoff and I'm still looking for work. Yet no cursing of God's name here. I wonder what would happen if we turned to Him for comfort and healing instead.

An Age Old Theological Question

If you're a Christian there's no doubt you've been confronted with this question: 'If God is as good and as powerful as you say, why all the suffering in this world?' My attempt at answering such a question falls along a rather a scientific approach. It has been said that nature abhors a vacuum. That is when something (or someone) is removed or pushed aside it will be replaced, usually sooner rather than later. Jesus said of Himself:

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

Let's look at this statement of our Lord more thoroughly. If He is the only way, then all other ways are false. If He is truth made flesh, then by rejecting Him we end up hopelessly in error. If He is life, then our rejection of Him leads us to death.

See the inherent logic of my argument? When the light is removed or diminished, darkness naturally moves in:

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
(John 3:19-20)

When morality and virtue are removed, wickedness is the result. I think that's the answer to the problem. Man is 100% fully committed to the lie that any restriction on their behavior is an obstacle to their godlike ascension. 'If only we could extricate ourselves from this Christ, then we would truly be free!' That's the worldly attitude towards morality. Never mind that these rules are given to prevent harm to ourselves and to others. No, the lie prevails and teaches Man that these moral laws are preventing us from reaching our manifest destiny. Pure Marxist nonsense.

A Point to Consider ...

If there's no right or wrong - or if the knowledge of right and wrong is said to be beyond our grasp - should we be surprised at the rise in violent personal crime? If we teach our youth that life has no real meaning, should we be surprised at the rise of teenage suicides? If we sow wickedness, wickedness will be our reward. If we sow righteousness, righteousness shall be our reward:

Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.
(John 4:36)

Christ Our Cornerstone

Again, it's not so much that Jesus is sidelined. Rather, the Prince of Peace is chained up and abandoned in our dungeon of unbelief. The builders of this world have rejected the centerpiece and foundation of civilization which is Christ. It's no wonder the cracks are beginning to show. Patch it up as we might, there will no doubt as to the rapidly accelerating outcome.

Johnny Cash

That's My King! - Jan 9

Saw this wonderful YouTube video at Whatever He Says with much thanks to Belinda. The preacher giving the sermon is S.M. Lockridge. Hope you enjoy his sermon as much as I did.

Johnny Cash

Alcoholism - Dec 28

Now it must be said that neither myself or any of my immediate family abuse alcohol. We partake to be sure - I consider myself an occasional drinker - but none of us overdo it. That is not to say that we're better than anybody else. We're not, just that we've managed to avoid this scourge. As we are still in the holiday spirit (pun intended) and there's still New Year's Eve to navigate, I think it's important to discuss alcohol addiction, or in everyday terms, alcoholism.

Denial Is The Greatest Enabler of Self-Destructive Behavior

Rationalizing our sins has become a national pastime. Why do we maintain a lie long after irrefutable evidence has been given witnessing to its corrupt and false nature? The truth stares at us an inch away from our face and yet we still practice denial. 'It cannot be there and it must not be there, therefore it is not there'. Perfect circular logic defeats truth once more. We die for a lie knowing it's a lie because pride prevents us from coming to the truth.

A Litany of (T)Error

• I serve on the city council. Councilman are never drunks.
• I'm a respected member of society.
• I'm the local hockey/baseball/basketball/football coach. Coaches don't show up drunk at a game they coach, do they?
  
• I make a six-figure salary. Only bums are drunks.
• I've never gotten drunk in public. Only drunks get drunk in public.
• I only drink to be sociable. I never get drunk in private.
  
• I'm married with kids. My wife and kids love me and I love them back. Does that sound like an alcoholic to you?
• I don't sip out of bottle in a brown paper bag in an alley somewhere.
• I've got a mortgage and bills to pay. Drunks don't have mortgages, do they?
• I'm a church elder. If you're a church elder, there's no way you can be an alcoholic.
• I'm educated and literate. Only uneducated people abuse the stuff.
• I drive a fancy car. Would I risk driving drunk if I have a nice car?
• I need a drink to relax. What's wrong with a some relaxation?
• I wear a suit and a tie. Only people with crappy clothes are alcoholics.

And the Most Dangerous Lie of Them All?

I'm a good person. Good people are never drunks.

Every single one of these statements is false. It doesn't matter how respectable you are or how much money you make. It doesn't matter what your job description is or your family situation. It doesn't matter what car you drive or the clothes you wear. Alcoholism respects no borders or social strata. Not one of these statements carries any legitimacy. They have absolutely nothing to do with alcoholism or substance abuse.

What's The Cure?

Our hearts deceive us. We see ourselves as whole when we're falling apart. We see ourselves as holy and good when we're full of sin. We think ourselves pure when we're corrupt. We've seen those that have gone their own way, living by their own rules and doing their own thing. The world lies and tells us, 'This is freedom!' while we still come to ruin. We live in a world which rationalizes and enables sin in the name of some kind of corrupt freedom. I think that's why people are drawn towards Jesus. He purifies and makes us whole (and holy). Christ did not come to condemn. He came to save the lost. He came to redeem, to show the way of grace and mercy for the lost sinner. That's the message Jesus brings to us each and every Christmas. A message of hope and love. Will you trust Him today?

Johnny Cash

Our Need For A Savior - Dec 22

Every Christmas shopping season it's the same. Every man (and woman) for themselves and a vacant parking space at the mall is pure gold. I think it's important to discuss the need for a Savior.

The Heart of the Problem

We are still saying 'Peace' when there is no peace. If Man is supposed to be intrinsically good, why all the madness? I do not believe that Man is good. Actually, I believe the reverse is true. Man's heart is incorrigibly wicked and corrupt beyond measure. Can this corruption be neutralized by a better environment, more wholesome programming on the TV or politically correct language? It is not through lack of effort we have tried this.

The Heart of Man

We want to do good and we aspire to do good but we cannot do good because we are supernaturally bound and in darkness. The 'good' that we do is based primarily on self-interest. That is, we do 'good' if it gives us the advantage. Such is our state in an unsaved world.

Scenario One: The Darkened Room

Imagine this. You're bound to a chair in a pitch black and windowless room. The room is a mess and is in dire need of organizing. You're told, 'Clean this room!' (Parents with teenagers apparently have some experience with this). Even if you managed to free yourself, how could you put anything in its proper place? The darkness is complete and so you stumble along trying to do your best. Working harder frustrates you all the more. The situation is hopeless.

Scenario Two: The Lighted Room

You're in the same messy room as above. However, you've been freed from your bonds and the room is now fully lit. Not only that, you've been given an instruction manual on how to properly clean the room. So you get to work. It's tough slogging but after a while you notice some decent progress. How much better off you are compared to the person in our first scenario!

So Which Scenario Are You In?

Would it surprise you that the majority of us are in the darkened room? That I believe is our problem. Moreover it is central to mankind's struggles. Due to the curse of our fallen nature, every single one of us has at some point in time found themselves bound in a dark room in need of organizing.

What Do All These Symbols Mean?

No point offering up a parable of sorts without the explanation. The bonds that envelop us is our sin nature. These are the desires of our flesh and the pride (and self-sufficiency) in our hardened heart. As long as we are bound up no such goodness can come from us. The darkness that we face is our lost state. The light that illuminates the room is our Savior, Jesus Christ. The instruction manual is God's word, the Bible. The messy room is that stuff in our lives - people, places and things. Everybody - and I do mean everybody - inhabits a messy room. See how much easier it is to clean the room when we are free and living in Christ? It's still hard work but now we are working with a plan and a purpose.

The Weight of the Problem

Please understand the severity of the problem. This is not a case where we've stumbled and we simply need to pick ourselves up. Rather we are in a deep pit which cannot be climbed or dug out of. We don't need practical atheism to give us encouragement from the sidelines. We don't need legalistic lectures on the dangers of deep pits. We need someone to rescue us! We'll probably need medical attention and a steady hand too once we're on terra firma. That's the remedy people need to hear. Jesus liberates us from the bondage of sin. Jesus rescues us and steadies us from our pit of despair. Jesus is the light that we need to shine into our messy rooms. Jesus is the Word and our instruction manual. Jesus loves us so much that He went to the cross to pay the penalty for your sin. That's the true meaning of Christmas.

To hell with 'Season's Greetings' and 'Happy Holidays'. God Bless Us Everyone!

Johnny Cash

Who Are You? - Dec 2

All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
(Matthew 25:32-33)

I have a very active imagination. Thankfully, this serves me well and I keep out of trouble. So humor me for a little bit. Imagine two people, one is called Michael, the other Johnny. They are at the front of a rather large queue and before them is a man sitting behind a large and imposing wooden desk. It's clear this man is a person of authority and power. Michael, who is ahead of Johnny, steps forward to present himself to the man in charge. The conversation follows:

Man at Desk (MaD): Who are you?

Michael: I'm Michael of course.

MaD: Yes, I'm aware of that. However, I don't have you listed.

Michael: Surely you must! My dossier is sitting right in front of you!

MaD: Yes it is. But I still don't know who you are.

Michael: Have you surely not reviewed it?

MaD: I have indeed. This dossier laying before me contains every single idle word, lustful thought and careless whisper. It contains all the good and bad things about you. Every word ever spoken, every thought that has crossed your mind, every printed word that you've ever written and every deed committed can be found right here. In a way, I know you better than you know yourself. But I still don't know you. Do you understand?

Michael: I'm sorry, I don't follow.

MaD: You see Michael, the world sees what's on the outside. We here have the privilege of seeing what's on the inside. We get the complete picture, warts and all. We know what makes you tick. Upon review, we found that you led a selfish life. We know of your marriage, your business deals and the social circles you attended. Yet the whole thing was lacking because everything you did was based on personal ambition and self-interest. Starting to see the problem?

Michael (Realizing the gravity of the situation): Yes I do.

MaD: Pride and self-sufficiency don't pass muster with us. It really doesn't matter how good you are, rather, it matters more to us the reason why you did it in the first place. Did you encourage and assist others or stand from afar? Even when you did good you did so in order to prove your bona fides to others. Public displays of good works misses the point entirely. It's what's in the heart that ultimately carries weight around here. That's the reason why we don't know you. Please proceed to the left. Next!

(Michael sulks away, ashamed. The man at the desk puts away the old dossier and picks up a new one with Johnny's name on it. He looks up at Johnny and beams.)

MaD: Hello Johnny. I know who you are. Welcome home.

(Johnny, filled with gratitude, weeps tears of joy.)

Johnny: Thank you sir. If it pleases you I'd like to start right away.

MaD: Of course. Follow the line to the right.

There ends the exchange. So which one are you?

Johnny Cash

Giving Thanks Even in Perilous Times - Oct 13

The question we must pose to ourselves on Thanksgiving is not what we are thankful for, but to whom do we give thanks? Do we give thanks to ourselves or to our government? Not on your life! On this day we give thanks to the Father for His faithfulness.

Here are four reasons why we ought to be thankful. Romans 8:28-39 can be found here.

God Controls Our Circumstances

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

It is true that have free will but the ultimate control belongs to God. Satan is not in control. Though we see his demonic influence on people, God has not surrendered His authority to the evil one. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that everything is going to come up roses once you trust in Him. Whether it be prosperity or adversity, God will use our personal circumstance for His glory.

God Will Meet Our Needs

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:31b,32)

There is a great deal of confusion about the difference between what we desire and what God wants to give us. If God gave us everything we asked for, would continue to follow after Him? Likely not. It is abundance and not deprivation that causes someone to no longer depend on Him. If we are asking for something from God and He decides to withhold it from us, He is not being cruel. Two reasons can be given for this. Either it is withheld from us permanently because it will do us harm or the withholding is temporary because we are not ready to receive it. God trains us up according to His purpose in His time.

God is With Us

Those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (Romans 8:30)

We cannot pick and choose which parts of the Trinity we like and which parts we don't like. If we want to know the Father, we must accept Jesus as His only Son and be willing to receive the Holy Spirit. Those CINO's (Christians in name only) who don't know Jesus or followers of other belief systems cannot boast that God is with them. They may be able to recite scripture but if they haven't acknowledged Christ as Lord then they're lost. Our human emotions have little to do with our relationship with Him. Faith that is emotion-based is one that will lead us to error. Though God may seem far off at times those whom He has predestined will receive their glory in due time.

God's Love is Eternal

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

As mature even at the age of 38, I realize there are two kinds of love out there. The first love is human love which is based upon our achievements, the accolades we've accumulated as well as our conduct and behaviour. Act accordingly we get rewards. Act in an untoward fashion and love and affection can often be withheld. A few men I know have felt the sting of a failed marriage precisely because of this reliance on human love. Performance-based love is a love that is doomed to fail. Then there's a Godly love based on His grace. God's love is based on who He is, not on what we are or what we've done.

To Whom (or What) Do You Place Your Confidence In?

We live in a fallen world. Things fail. People, even our own family, can let us down. Even when we exercise good stewardship our wealth can leave us in an instant. Our vitality and strength can be robbed from us at any time in the form of sudden illness or death. Where then do we anchor our confidence? Do we do it just on Thanksgiving, Easter or Christmas? No! We should continually deliver our daily circumstance into His loving hands. This is the challenge I put forth to all those who do not know Him. Trust God and He will sustain and guide you, even in perilous times.

Johnny Cash

Four Mistakes Evangelists Make - Aug 25

If we have the greatest book ever written about the greatest man who ever lived why are we going backwards? A Christian who is eternally saved ought to bringing souls to Christ left, right and center. Yet strangely this is not occuring. Here are four mistakes that Christians make when giving their testimony to the world.

An Incomplete Faith

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
(Colossians 2:8)

Saved thought they might be, many a saint hasn't read God's word with care. Worse, they mix in their own unBiblical interpretations! A daily dose of God's word is the only cure. How can we argue for a book when we ourselves have an incomplete understanding? Granted, few of us have the money and time needed to attend a theological seminary. Yet so often we miss out on God's best because we bow to the world's foolish philosophies and human traditions.

Unfamiliarity With Demonic Spirits and Doctrines

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.
(1 John 2:15-16,18)

In order to bring a person to Christ, we must first realize that we are soldiers in a spiritual war. Through this demonic deceptions people are kept in spiritual bondage. Think of it as a 'double learning curve'. The false must be disproven first before we can even touch on the truth. Many well-meaning Christians skip the first obstacle to learning and go straight to the second learning curve as would a Sunday School teacher instructing young children. Any 'cold turkey' approach to evangalizing adults fails if we do not take this into account. Adults come with baggage that children lack. Unlearning old habits is never an easy task. Patience and prayer are crucial to a fruitful adult ministry.

Pray For Adversity - And Mean It!

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.
(1 Corinthians 3:11-13)

Nothing wrong with praying for God's blessings and protection. Yet God is passionate about our personal growth. Praying for adversity serves two purposes. One, it purifies the believer. Would you rather have gold, silver and costly stones or wood, hay and stubble? The answer is obvious. The struggle that adversity produces causes complete dependence on God rather than relying on our own guile. Two, adversity is useful in undermining a false faith. We don't need better behaved Muslims. We need more Christians! We're not being cruel when we ask Him to send adversity to an unbeliever. Rather, it is an exercise in 'tough love'. Trusting in God's perfect ways and timing is always best.

The Failure to Anticipate An Emotional Knee-Jerk Response

"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
(Matthew 24:9-13)

Fear leads to anger and anger leads to hate. Once that happens, persecution to the point of death is not that uncommon. Don't get me wrong. Emotions are a vital part of the human condition. Without love and compassion it is doubtful the human race would ever survive! Yet our emotions more often then not tend to screw us up. We react 'according to the flesh' as it were, relying on human experience and a sensual understanding. We feel as if we are under attack and the need to lash out in order to defend ourselves. It is precisely this emotional response that Satan is counting on. Marketing and political campaigns have been built on less. Raw emotional manipulation designed for you to 'buy' whatever corrupt product or message being sold. Thus we end up seeing things as we would want them to be, rather than what they truly are. It is only when we clear our minds and rid ourselves of fear and anxiety do we see the larger picture at hand. A Christian ought to exude and export joy wherever they go. Only then do we become the salt and light that God commands us to be.

Johnny Cash

Repentance, Renewal, Renaissance - Aug 24

Change We Can Believe In? The Great Godless Utopian Lie

Barack Obama has captured many an imagination with his rhetoric. However, I doubt very much that any change of significance will happen under an Obama presidency. I will be cheering for John McCain come November but I do so with reservations. A McCain presidency isn't going to reverse or stop the downward trend that America faces. I'm fully prepared give Obama the benefit of the doubt. Either he truly believes in his own schmaltzy sloganeering or he's being horribly cynical. I'll go with the former rather than the latter for now and in so doing withhold my judgement.

Everything Starts With Repentance

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
(Matthew 5:4)

This Bible verse is recognized as one of the beatitudes at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. Alas, many fail in grasping its proper context. Jesus isn't talking someone having a pity party. No, what He's talking about are those who come to faith and begin the process of mourning over their lost time spent apart from God.

There seems to be two kinds of repentance in this world: a worldly repentance and a holy repentance. A worldly repentance is sorry for getting caught. No change in behaviour is sought, apologies are issued merely for the sake of appearance. A holy repentance however is based on true remorse and a desire to reconcile to those who have been wronged. Recompense usually follows quickly and in full. Does it not seem to you that worldly repentance is pretty much the order of the day? Read this prayer from the prophet Daniel:

"Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."
(Daniel 9:17-19)

Notice the sentence in bold. We do not make requests to God based on our righteousness or a sense of entitlement. We ask Him out of His grace and mercy. That's it. If we are to brag of anything, we are to brag of God's mercy and the love that He has for us.

Renewal Always Follows After Repentance

God provides for those who repent. Time after time His faithfulness has been on display to those who trust Him. God honors those who bring peace. If God is faithful, what have we to fear? God's promise is a sure one:

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
(2 Chronicles 7:14)

No Repentance Means No Renaissance

Without it we are sunk and wicked men prevail. It doesn't matter which party you pledge allegiance to. There will be no change we can believe in so long as we persist in our selfish ways. We don't need more religion or better politicians. What we need is for us to fall on our face and beg God for forgiveness. Daniel never asked God to shorten the sentence imposed upon an unbelieving people. He asked God to remember the promise of renewal after the seventy years of desolation were complete. If only we could pray like Daniel prayed! Surely then we could have a real hope for the future. Just like the baptized believer above, we need God's favor if we wish to take back that which was taken or cynically given away for expediency purposes. Can we do it? Yes we can!

Johnny Cash