Al Thursday, Jun 21 2007
Foundations and Life and christianity and religion 2:59 pm
Yesterday, I spoke much about the ills I’ve seen of late in the world, our nation, the church, and in myself. Today, I realize it is only by God’s grace that any of these ills can be overcome. And the first step in that process is to allow God’s grace to change my heart. To accept, with thankfulness, this new day.A day bursting with limitless potential to bless and to be blessed! To make my Daddy smile when He sees how I’ve learned to walk in those areas where just yesterday I may have stumbled — or even fallen and scuffed my armor a little.I can still envision a joyfilled tear on His cheek when I stopped to talk with Al, the homeless Vietnam Vet who used to sit at the north end of the old footbridge leading from the U of M campus.
Sure Al was dirty and his breath and body invariably carried the odor of stale, cheap beer or mouthwash, but he always had a smile just for me. We never exchanged more than a few words whenever I passed that way, yet I always made a point of stopping just to hear what he had to say… I think he appreciated that as much as (if not more than) the money people handed him to help him out. He’d often introduce me to his friends if they were present when I drove by…
“Hey! Michael, my buddy! Come ‘ere… I want you to meet my friend, Tim! Tim, this is Michael, my good friend… Michael and I go way back, don’t we Michael?” — Michael was a name I used to go by, but that’s a post in itself –
Like I said, we never really talked much, but he always made me feel like I was the best friend he ever had!
The Lord always gave me a kind or encouraging word for this man. And when he’d offer me a drink, that was all the opportunity I needed to tell him of a drink that would ever quench his thirst.
It’s been years now since I’ve seen Al. And I haven’t a clue as to what became of him. But, God has promised that His Word will not return void, so I fully expect to sit down with Al one day and share a drink together: A cup of the New Wine!
I long to see my Father’s eyes mist with tears again. So today I choose walk in His newness of life, and let God’s grace affect a change in me, and hence change the world!
Who’s counting? Wednesday, Jun 20 2007
Foundations and Life and christianity and religion 5:43 pm
I’m certainly not qualified (in my own right) to act as moral authority in regard to our society’s morays (Lord knows, I’ve got enough skeletons in my closet to keep me humble!). Yet I’m not at all averse to being labeled “politically incorrect”. In fact, I delight in breaking this hallowed commandment forged by the hand of Baal.
I have one question for those who tout the idea that homosexuality is ”okay.” My question is, since our society began adopting this ‘lifestyle’ as ‘acceptable’, why does good and right behavior toward our fellow man get more obscure by the day?It seems to me that, if granting equal rights to those who have adopted homosexuality as a lifestyle has indeed rectified a grave injustice, the moral fabric of this nation should be hardier and more robust than ever.
But I quite frankly, don’t see any sign of that. Rather, I see a nation in the throes of political, social, economic, and moral decline, bordering on collapse.
Am I blaming the homosexual lifestyle for all these woes? Hardly! There’s more than enough blame to go around. I merely singled this group out because (from where I sit) they are the most militant special interest group out there. Abortion is just as heinous a wound in our nation’s psyche. The war (with its roots firmly entrenched in greed, I suspect) is yet another. Gang wars in our streets, pedophiles, illegal imigrants, drug abuse… The list grows longer everyday.
Ancient Israel was a nation that enjoyed unparalleled prosperity in its day much as the United States has since its inception. And just as God warned that nation when they fell into moral depravity and decadence, so He warns us today, saying:
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.”
- (Isaiah 1:18-20 KJV)
Is anyone counting the cost of our apathy? Will we continue turning a deaf ear to the One who gives us our very breath? Christian, I’m talking to you (of whom I am a part) especially. I fear we have embraced the world rather than the sinner (whom Jesus loves).
The feminist, abortionist, homosexual bare far less responsibility than we, the Called of Christ, for the state of our nation and the peoples of the world. Why? Because we’ve allowed ourselves to be duped into doing things the world’s way. We give God lipservice for an hour on Sunday and feed our lusts the rest of the week (Hey! I’ve got 3 fingers pointing my way too!).
But how do I know this? There’s NO POWER! And where there’s no power, there’s no REPENTANCE! And where there’s no repentance, sin rules the day. And when Sin reigns, PEOPLE DIE WITHOUT GOD!!!
But who’s counting anyway?
Blogging is Fun… Really! Wednesday, Jun 13 2007
Life 10:22 pm
Discipline is what this is about, remember? It really doesn’t matter whether or not I have any profundities to spout. The whole idea is to open up and share who I am and (more importantly) whose I am. My trouble is that the Auto-Editor function in my brain is set so high, any thoughts that manage to “clear the bar” are so sparse and sporatic, that to take the time to write them down almost seems pointless. This is compounded by the fact it takes me longer to type out a full thought than it takes most people to drink a cup of coffee.
Mind you, I’m not complaining in the least! My Auto-Editor’s sticky power switch has saved me from appearing the fool times without count. However, though it has given me a “sage-like” persona on occasion, I more often feel I’m more a casual observer than an active participant in my own life. But I know every breath I take is a gift given me by my Heavenly Father. I also know He doesn’t do anything without purpose or benefit.
So, will my Auto-Editor ever get fixed? Or will I forever be composing imaginary rejection slips and filing them away along with all the rest of the grand schemes I’ve had for my life? Stay tuned..
Does busy work count? Monday, Jun 11 2007
Life 4:49 pm
I started this blog with the intention of writing SOMETHING to it daily. Although not surprising, I often marvel at the barrage of “other things which need doing” that suddenly materialize from nowhere to dissuade me from accomplishing anything I deem worthwhile.
Then again I did make a new commitment to read scripture on a more consistent basis about the same time I started this blog. That takes… Let’s say 45 minutes on average per day. Wow! I can really see how that prevents me from writing a line or two here!
OK, granted my wife ranks next as far as my priorities go. I do so enjoy our quality time (which is rarely enough to suit either of us). So where do I spend most of my time? Here, in front of this blasted computer! Checking email, web-surfing, reading news, blogs, etc.
Sometimes I wonder if I even HAVE a real life! Well, I’m gonna’ go spend some time with my beloved now. So I guess I do have a life afterall! Hey, what do ya’ know!
One Moment please… Friday, Jun 8 2007
Foundations and Life and christianity and religion 3:59 pm
Although my previously stated views are indeed what I believe, none of it is true if it is devoid of God’s infinite grace motivated by His unfailing love. God hates no one. He takes no delight in the hurt of those who fail to acknowledge His absolute sovereignty. Thus, every person who stubbornly rejects His ways, do so to their own destruction.
But the one who turns to Him with sincerity of heart, forsaking his own way, and continues seeking after God’s heart, this is the one whom God Himself will honor, bless, and protect.
So yes I openly condemn murder, lying, cheating, stealing, adultery, homosexuality and every other kind of sexual perversion. But, as with God, only because these things can only wreak havoc and destruction.
Yet His Hand of mercy is outstretched still… He offers life abundant! We have but to choose it!
“If you don’t stand for something…” You know the rest. Thursday, Jun 7 2007
Foundations and Life and christianity and religion 9:52 pm
If I were accused of being a christian, would there be enough evidence to convict me? I pray so! So what flavor of christian am I? Well here’s a quick run down of where I stand on various issues…
I believe Jesus, the Christ (anointed One of God) is the only begotten Son of God, the Father who was anointed with the Holy Spirit to do the Father’s will. Namely to make complete atonement (pay the penalty and set in right standing with God) for all Mankind by His death, burial, and resurrection according to the Bible. As a result, everyone has free access to God’s unmerited favor. Yet, in order to take advantage of God’s eternal salvation, it is necessary to believe that Jesus is indeed the only way by which we may rightfully come to God. And in believing this, we understand and acknowledge our own sin, knowing He has forgiven us on account of Christ’s death on our behalf.
Further, I believe that if one has truly made Jesus Lord, that person (with the help of the Holy Spirit) in effect “dies” to the old nature and puts on, as it were, the very nature of Christ. Does this mean true christians don’t commit sin? Of course we do! But this dying to the old nature is a gradual process. The Bible itself says that if we claim we are without sin (this is speaking directly to christians, mind you), we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8) The process of dying to our old nature and assuming Christ’s nature then becomes a daily acknowledgement, committal, and complete reliance on God and His promises to appropriate all He earnestly desires to give us.
I believe in the manifold gifts of the Spirit. Including the gift of speaking in tongues. But this is at the bottom of the list, and as far as I see it, is not the only definitive proof that one has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
I believe God is still working miracles in the lives of people every day: Miracles of spiritual, emotional, and physical healing. I believe God wants His people to be prosperous. Yet Prosperity does not necessarily mean financial wealth. To me it means, having enough to meet the needs of those around me with enough left to meet my own needs.
I believe in the sanctity of life. Accept in cases where the life of the mother is in danger, abortion is murder. Euthanasia is murder.
The gay and lesbian lifestyle is an abomination. As is pedophilia and beastiality. Sex as an industry: pornography, prostitution, strip clubs, etc., are a blight and a curse to any society.
I believe Bible reading and prayer should not only be permitted, but actually encouraged on all school campuses. Even simply posting copies of the ten commandments where students could view it would slow the rate of moral decay in our society considerably.
I stand whole-heartedly with the nation of Israel. As God’s covenant people they have a divine birthright to the land they now inhabit and woe to any people or nation who attempts to alter that birthright! God will honor His covenant with his people, not based on their worthiness, but rather, based upon His promise.
