“AREN’T CHRISTIANS SUPPOSED TO . . . ?

Some things people say about Christians—

“Aren’t Christians supposed to live happily ever after ?”
Otherwise, why would I want to join ?

“Aren’t Christians supposed to be successful ?”
I can think of a lot of better ways to be successful.

“Aren’t Christians supposed to have perfect marriages ?”
Statistics say it doesn’t help.

“Isn’t divorce a bad witness for Jesus and the church ?”
So you must be in the wrong.

“Aren’t Christians supposed to be passive and ‘turn the other cheek’ ?”
How can I respect, if you don’t fight for what you believe ?

“Isn’t Christianity just all about love.”
Lots of others claim the same.

– – –

Some things God says about Christians—

“the whole counsel of God”
“all scripture is given by inspiration of God—profitable for doctrine, reproof, instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, complete, for every good work”
“having food and clothing, be content”
“Godliness with contentment is great gain”
“if anyone comes after me, let him deny himself”
“all who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution”
“you will be hated by all because of Me”
“the flesh wars against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh—so you cannot do the things you want to do”
“set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth—things on earth are temporary, things in heaven are eternal”
“in this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world”
“do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”

And that is just a sample of the whole story, the rest of the story, straight from His Book.
You see, Christianity is simple—and not so simple !
Salvation is free, then it costs you everything, and it’s worth it.
Most people understand this in other parts of the world today.

“It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus.
One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase.
So bravely run the race, till we see Christ.”
– – –
Do you want answers, so you can understand Christianity, and know what it means if you decide to follow Jesus ?
Or do you want to confirm excuses, so you can maintain your reasons for saying no to Jesus ?

It’s your choice.

It’s my job to tell you about Jesus—and how you can tell Him you’re sorry for your sin—and how He will forgive you—and how the Bible will tell you how to live for Him.

I DIDN’T LOSE . . .

A soldier returning from war was welcomed home by his mother, waiting for him to come down the ramp.
She waited and waited—he was one of the last to leave the ship.
He was brought down the ramp in a wheelchair—she didn’t know.
She saw him from a distance, and reassured herself that at least he could still hug her.
When they met, she realized he had no arms.
She was devastated, and said,
“I had no idea you lost your legs.
I had no idea you lost your arms.
Why didn’t you tell me ?”

His answer,
“I wanted to tell you in person, and set the record straight.
I didn’t lose my legs.
I didn’t lose my arms.
I gave !”

Just a glimpse of what Jesus did for us.
“I lay down my life—to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

“God loved the world so much, that He gave Jesus.”

THANK YOU !

“What shall I render, surrender unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?
I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.”

BACKPACKER’S SONGS

A couple decades ago the words of two songs fit perfectly with my backpacking experiences.

I’m blessed forever with the best-of-the-best memories hiking in the mountains with my sons.
I’m indebted to my oldest for doing the meticulous planning in advance and the professional navigation on all the trips.
I always joked that I just came along “for the ride”.
Well, that’s a classic oxymoron, with good, bad, and ? ? ? along the way.
I carried my own backpack, my share of the weight, but I fully experienced ‘carefree’ over and over ‘on top of the mountain’.

I can’t imagine a better adventure to solidify relationships, experience endurance, wonder at THE WONDERS, and search the soul in silence (you see, physical exertion at high altitude, up to 10,000′, leaves little oxygen to spare for conversation).
Therefore, I also can’t imagine backpacking in the mountains, above the tree line, without a profound spiritual experience, reviewing everything left behind for awhile, for this.

– – –

So, now the songs:

“When I am down
And, oh, my soul, so weary
When troubles come
And my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here
In the silence
Until You come
And sit awhile with me

You raise me up
So I can stand on mountains
You raise me up
To walk on stormy seas
I am strong
When I am on Your shoulders
You raise me up
To more than I can be

There is no life – no life without this hunger
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly
But when You come and I am filled with wonder
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity

You raise me up
So I can stand on mountains
You raise me up
To walk on stormy seas
I am strong
When I am on Your shoulders
You raise me up
To more than I can be”

– – –

“When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that’s of worth
That will bless Your heart

I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart

I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much you deserve
Though I’m weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath!

I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart

I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus”

2024

A few quotes for thought:

No more missed opportunities to show someone “Jesus loves you.”

No more missed opportunities to tell someone “Jesus loves you.”

New Year 2024

New Day Today

“No Delay to Commit to Care”

“No more compromise—No more wasted days”

“Dream big dreams.”

“Say ‘yes’ every time the Lord says ‘Go’.”

“At the end of your life, when all is said and done, you’ll never regret being courageous for Christ.”

Some quotes from and inspired by Luis Palau—much loved evangelist, passed away last year.

DIRECTIONS FROM AN ANGEL – – – FOUR TIMES

1 — Bad News
+ Angel gives good news directions.

2 — Bad News
+ Angel gives good news directions.

3 ? No News
+ Angel gives good news directions.

4 — Bad News
+ Angel gives good news directions.

1 — Your fiancee is pregnant—not yours—best to divorce.
+ It’s the Holy Spirit’s baby—get married—get blessed.

2 — The king is going to kill your baby.
+ Leave now, with the baby and his mother—flee to Egypt, tonight.

3 ? Time passes in Egypt.
+ The bad king is dead—go back to Israel.

4 — Bad king’s son is king in Judea—afraid to go there.
+ Go to Galilee—re-settled in Nazareth.

– – –

Think about all that !
Godly couple.
Doing right, God’s way.
Scandalous news warrants divorce.
What will people think ?
What will God think ? or do ?
What will happen to her ?
Divorce won’t fix pregnancy and the scandal.

Who will believe the couple, when everybody finds out (when they tell people, or when people see for themselves).
This was not routine, acceptable, normal, like in American culture now.
You may not have noticed that this pure, young girl, mother-to-be, did something practical in the situation.

The pregnant girl does something to bide some time peacefully.
She immediately left to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was six months pregnant, and stayed there three months. Hmmm.

– – –

This girl had one visit from an angel—and that started everything.

The honorable, God-fearing husband got directions from an angel four times.
He not only believed what he was told—he acted on what he was told.
Think of how his readiness to follow directions from heaven disrupted his life, their lives, repeatedly.
He had established integrity, reputation, responsibility, livelihood, plans for family.
Everything was upended—all for obedience—without consulting anyone.

God honored his obedience !

– – –

I found a simple truth fifty years ago, watching and respecting the ‘old school’ principal where we taught—Roland Rehmer.

“God honors what pleases Him.”

So also in this tribute to Joseph and Mary.

BASEBALL GAME OF LIFE

There are few heroes with lasting legacies like the heroes of baseball.
Perhaps the rest of us could take heart and be encouraged when we feel life’s failures, by remembering baseball players’ number one statistic.
Two thirds of their times up to bat, they are not successful getting a hit to even get on base, before even getting a chance to score.

Question:
Is scoring the only thing that counts to make a baseball player feel successful ?

Question:
What criteria in your life count to make you feel successful ?

– – –

So, even if you are not a baseball fan, try to list things that contribute to a player’s total success.

– – –

So, even if you are not a fan of psychology or theology, try to list things that contribute to your total success in life.

OXYMORONS OF CHRISTMAS

+ Made the universe in a week – – – Formed in a human womb nine months

+ Almighty God – – – Helpless newborn baby

+ Nobody knew – – – Magnificent angel announced—multitude of angels “glory to God”

+ Born in poor family – – – Worshipped by rich

+ Small town, silent night birth – – – In a few months, refugees on hour notice, babies killed

+ Born – – – To die

+ Uncomfortable birthplace – – – Comfortable with the creatures He made

+ Sinless Son of God – – – Took on my sin—“became sin for us”

+ “Peace on earth, goodwill toward man” – – – “set for the rising and fall of many”

+ “Peace I leave with you” – – – “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword”

+ Jesus came – – – We can’t “comprehend it”

+ Christmas celebration – – – Jesus left out—[Christ]mas

+ Jesus’ birthday party – – – Who gets presents ?

+ Jesus’ birthday party – – – Who sings “Happy Birthday” ?

+ Big deal everywhere months before – – – Day after . . .

+ Christmas—just the beginning – – – Then it’s all over for most

+ Wonderful time of year – – – Don’t know why, really

+ Merry Christmas – – – Many are not

+ Joy at Christmas – – – Fragile, elusive for some

+ Family together – – – Some missing

+ All about family – – – Doesn’t feel like it ?

+ All about family – – – Not like it used to be ?

+ All about family – – – Not like it should be

+ ‘Everybody’ is celebrating – – – Somebody is alone

+ Happy – – – Not this time

+ Delighted – – – Depressed

+ Somebody “Made someone’s Christmas Day ! ! !” – – – Someone got missed

– – –

Wherever you’re at—whatever you feel—you feel it more at Christmas.

Care about somebody this Christmas.

Ask God who that would be.

Show and Tell—
—Show someone Jesus loves them.
—Tell someone Jesus loves them.

TOO MUCH ?

“God doesn’t give us anything He can’t handle.”

BE SURE THEY KNOW

Gary DeSalvo was a long-time pastor of Temple Bible Church, where I went for nearly a couple decades.
He often made this emphatic point to parents:

“Be sure your children know your testimony of coming to a solid walk with Jesus. If I find out they don’t know, I’ll thump your head in the casket.”

“I CAN EXPLAIN” ?

I CAN EXPLAIN

On a tombstone—ridiculous.
In life—a waste of time, most of the time.