Be a Man

Men, start today. Start a list of things you want to be remembered for. Teach those things...live those things. Be a man to your wife, your friends, your children and to your church. All of us need you to be a man, so man up!!

Amazing Grace…a journal note

5:36 AM

Grace. Lord, You are full of grace and goodness. Of all the descriptions of the meaning of grace, the one that has my attention right now is how grace, once given, always increases the value and worth of its object. Your grace came into a life like mine, riddled with trespasses and sins, and by nature on the side of wrath and darkness, and gave it value. The highest price that could have ever been paid -- the death of the Son of God -- was paid for me. That's the value and worth You assign to me. And to all who are saved by grace, through faith. Amazing.

Killing Jesus: A History

"Mary Magdalene cautiously steps forward and looks inside. She smells the myrrh and aloe in which Jesus's body was anointed. She clearly sees the linen shroud in which the body was wrapped. But there is nothing else there.

"To this day, the body of Jesus of Nazareth has never been found."

So ends the book Killing Jesus: a History, by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard. But then comes the Afterword. There you will find these words:

"After the crucifixion, the disciples of Jesus underwent a radical shift in behavior. They were quite positive that they had seen a resurrected Jesus and soon went out into the world and fearlessly preached his message. Known as apostles, the men paid a tremendous price for their faith."

The book is one of history, well worth reading for any Christian and non-Christian alike. It does not pretend to be a book of theology, but never disagrees with scripture and the truths of God. As a matter of fact, the writers draw upon the New Testament narrative for its framework and foundation. Many other sources are added to clarify and magnify the events of Jesus' life and death.

So to those who asked me if I have read it: yes. Is it worth the read: yes, most definitely.

Getting Back on the Road…Journal for 11.04.13

Have you ever veered off the road just enough for one tire to fall off the asphalt? You find yourself easing it back up on the road so you can continue safely on your journey. If you don't recover, you could find yourself off the road completely and deep trouble.

That's how I feel we are as a nation…and as the church in America. We've got a tire or two that has, for whatever reason, left the main road. If there isn't some kind of deliberate corrective action taken we could find our nation in the ditch. We would be in good company, for the Romans, Greeks, Medes, Persians, Babylonians, Egyptians and other formerly great nations are already in the ditch. But there is little comfort in mutual misery and loss.

While I have my own political convictions, and am ready to stand up for the Constitution of the United States and defend her against all enemies foreign and domestic, I also realize something very important. The key to a nation's recovery -- on whatever level -- is the people of God. It's not the military, which party is in power, or who gets elected president. It comes down to those of us who believe in the one true God.

Let me cite God's Word: "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 I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."

What we are facing is a spiritual problem. When the Bible can't be carried in public schools but states and judges embrace Islamic Sharia Law (which, by the way, flies in the face of our U.S. Constitution), it signifies a deep spiritual problem that mere politics will not fix.

If you are one of God's people then join with others in doing your part. Get your spiritual act together, come before God and seek His face. We can pull this vehicle back up onto the road and watch God heal this country.

Praying for a nation at war…Journal 10.23.13

We should pray today for a nation that is at war with God and God’s people. Not Iran. Not Syria. Not Egypt. Yes, those nations and others oppose, persecute, disenfrancise, and even kill believers. But my prayers, this prayer, is for the United States.

The U.S. was not founded on the grounds of tolerating religion in general – though it did tolerate any faith. It was founded on the grounds of protecting and promoting the exercise of Biblical faith…the Christian faith. This is clear when you consider the first right guaranteed in the Constitution is the right to exercise religion without government interference. It is also clear when one reads original, primary historical sources (that means the writings of those that were there). They expressed clear, unapologetic faith in God, in Providence, or in the Divinity, as some called Him.

The key is the believers. God’s blessing on a nation and the promise of restoring that nation to greatness is tied to professing believers. “If my people, who are called by my Name, shall humble themselves, turn from their wicked ways, and seek my face, then I will hear from Heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”

Oh Father, please heal us; please humble us so that we are in a position to submit to You. Forgive Your church for our sins, weaknesses, and worldliness. Help start to turn back to You….soon, please. Soon.

About Angels … 10.15.13

From an Evangelist I follow on FB:

ANGELS: No one who bows before the authority of Holy Scripture can doubt the existence of angels.

Angels were not born, they have not always existed, but were created by God as a complete company never to be reduced by death. Angels are supernatural spirits, actual beings, usually invisible to the human eye and untouchable to the human hand.

They are generally free from material bodies, but often appear with physical bodies. Angels, I believe, are not sexless like so many people suppose, but are always revealed in Scripture as being in the FORM of MEN. Masculine pronouns are always used to describe them - "his, he, him." Since all angels are masculine, it is impossible for them to marry or reproduce themselves.

FALLEN angels are workers of Satan, while FAITHFUL angels help in the ministry of God. As we Christians come to the sunset of life, angels will escort us into the very presence of God.

(Dr. Reg Dunlap, Bible Conference Ministry).

Hold on…10.14.13

Hold on, my child. Joy comes in the morning. The darkest hour is just before the dawn. Hold on.

The Bible calls this time on earth temporary, and it calls our afflictions light – in view of the surpassing greatness of Heaven. Now, more than ever, hold on.