I just want to take a moment to write and wish you all a Merry Christmas, and to say thank you for following and reading my blogs. This will be a short one. I heard something very interesting yesterday on KTIS, the local Christian radio station that I wanted to share. Do you know where 70% of all people hear the Christmas story for the first time? Linus VanPelt, from Merry Christmas Charlie Brown. You remember the part where Charlie Brown says can anyone tell me what Christmas is all about. That’s when Linus comes on stage and tells the Christmas story. Here is the 1 minute 50 second You Tube link if you want to watch it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKk9rv2hUfA.
Anyways, the Producers urged Charles Shultz not to put that scene in the Christmas Special, and Charles response was, if I don’t do it, than who will. The last thing that I didn’t notice even though I’ve seen this scene 100 times, is that it’s one of the very few times in any Charlie Brown episode ever, where Linus puts down his security blanket. I just though that these were some really interesting things to share. Merry Christmas.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Death
It’s funny how God works. The last blog that I wrote, I did in two parts meaning, I wrote half of it in the morning, than I had to leave, so I wrote the rest of it later on in the afternoon. Before I started writing it, I know what I wanted to say, and knew what I was going to write. If you haven’t read it, you should, but the gist was what happens when you die and haven’t accepted Christ. About 10 minutes after I saved the first half of that blog I got a text message informing me that one of my coworkers had passed away.
The woman that passed away was 60 years old; I am going to refrain from using her name for reasons that need not be known, or have any significance to this blog. She was very healthy, and had no problems to my knowledge. She actually died in her sleep. She kept to herself meaning that she didn’t share a lot about herself; she was not very open, which is understandable because if your work place is anything like mine, it is gossip central. You don’t tell anybody anything that you don’t want everybody else to know.
Anyways, this woman was not a favorite among her coworkers, regrettably, myself included, and I am going to leave it at that. I was working with her one day about 6 months ago, and I asked her if she went to church, she was very offended and said that is was none of my business, and that turned into a big argument between the two of us that ended up with me in the office with my supervisor and my manager and was told that I was never to speak about religion ever again at work. It was a very short conversation, I nodded my head and said ok, and that was the end of it. This of course didn’t stop me from talking about religion at work, I have done so many times since, and I will continue to do so every chance I get.
So why do I tell you this story, when it is most likely a huge breach in a policy at work that I singed called the “no blogging policy”, meaning feel free to take advantage of these wonderful tools called social media, but leave work out of it? That is why the story that I just told way the cliff note version. Anyways, I tell you this because I am fairly confident that this woman was not saved. I am not the judge, God is, and I pray that I am dead wrong, but if I’m not, than she didn’t go to Heaven and she will be spending the rest of eternity being tormented in Hell.
I did not have anything against her, but I will regrettably admit that I did gossip about her with others on more than one count. She was not a bad person, she was very nice actually, just a little different, but aren’t we all a little different. I am feeling absolutely terrible, for some of the things that I said about her, and some of the jokes that I played on her. I am confessing right now, to God, and to the world that I am absolutely done with gossip, and if anybody catches me doing it, I give you permission to stop me by any means necessary. I never even had a chance to apologize to her, and now I have to live with that for the rest of my days here on earth.
I did attend the funeral just this afternoon. It was a very nice service, and the family was so appreciative that people from work showed up. There 11 of us form work that went to the funeral, and there were at least 6 that I know of that went to the reviewal last night. I do feel a little bit better being able to see her one last time to apologize, I know that may seem kind of morbid, but it needed to be done.
What is my point? My point is that you just never know how long you have. I know that people don’t like to think about death, but death is not the end, it is the beginning. It is the beginning of eternity, and there are only two places to spend it, Heaven or Hell. You have to know before you go; you have to make that decision before it’s to late. I made a bold choice to try to talk to this woman about Christ, and it did not turn out well. But, at least I tried, and her eternity wherever she will spend it, cannot be placed on my shoulders. I don’t mean for that to sound selfish, but as angry as I was than, I am now so glad that I did it. I can’t really say anymore.
I know that I blog on this topic often, and I don’t mean to beat a dead horse over the head, but it is something that I am passionate about. This woman’s death is a perfect example of the fact that anyone can die anytime without warning, you have to be ready. So what is it going to be friend, Heaven of Hell?
The woman that passed away was 60 years old; I am going to refrain from using her name for reasons that need not be known, or have any significance to this blog. She was very healthy, and had no problems to my knowledge. She actually died in her sleep. She kept to herself meaning that she didn’t share a lot about herself; she was not very open, which is understandable because if your work place is anything like mine, it is gossip central. You don’t tell anybody anything that you don’t want everybody else to know.
Anyways, this woman was not a favorite among her coworkers, regrettably, myself included, and I am going to leave it at that. I was working with her one day about 6 months ago, and I asked her if she went to church, she was very offended and said that is was none of my business, and that turned into a big argument between the two of us that ended up with me in the office with my supervisor and my manager and was told that I was never to speak about religion ever again at work. It was a very short conversation, I nodded my head and said ok, and that was the end of it. This of course didn’t stop me from talking about religion at work, I have done so many times since, and I will continue to do so every chance I get.
So why do I tell you this story, when it is most likely a huge breach in a policy at work that I singed called the “no blogging policy”, meaning feel free to take advantage of these wonderful tools called social media, but leave work out of it? That is why the story that I just told way the cliff note version. Anyways, I tell you this because I am fairly confident that this woman was not saved. I am not the judge, God is, and I pray that I am dead wrong, but if I’m not, than she didn’t go to Heaven and she will be spending the rest of eternity being tormented in Hell.
I did not have anything against her, but I will regrettably admit that I did gossip about her with others on more than one count. She was not a bad person, she was very nice actually, just a little different, but aren’t we all a little different. I am feeling absolutely terrible, for some of the things that I said about her, and some of the jokes that I played on her. I am confessing right now, to God, and to the world that I am absolutely done with gossip, and if anybody catches me doing it, I give you permission to stop me by any means necessary. I never even had a chance to apologize to her, and now I have to live with that for the rest of my days here on earth.
I did attend the funeral just this afternoon. It was a very nice service, and the family was so appreciative that people from work showed up. There 11 of us form work that went to the funeral, and there were at least 6 that I know of that went to the reviewal last night. I do feel a little bit better being able to see her one last time to apologize, I know that may seem kind of morbid, but it needed to be done.
What is my point? My point is that you just never know how long you have. I know that people don’t like to think about death, but death is not the end, it is the beginning. It is the beginning of eternity, and there are only two places to spend it, Heaven or Hell. You have to know before you go; you have to make that decision before it’s to late. I made a bold choice to try to talk to this woman about Christ, and it did not turn out well. But, at least I tried, and her eternity wherever she will spend it, cannot be placed on my shoulders. I don’t mean for that to sound selfish, but as angry as I was than, I am now so glad that I did it. I can’t really say anymore.
I know that I blog on this topic often, and I don’t mean to beat a dead horse over the head, but it is something that I am passionate about. This woman’s death is a perfect example of the fact that anyone can die anytime without warning, you have to be ready. So what is it going to be friend, Heaven of Hell?
Monday, December 20, 2010
Accepting Christ
In my last blog I wrote that entrance to Heaven requires two things, first, you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, and second, you need to love your neighbor, that’s it. I wanted to elaborate that that. There is a common misconception that the church uses scare tactics, or the “fire and brimstone,” effect to turn people to Christ. These things really aren’t scare tactics; they are verses of scripture taken right from the bible. I would agree that some people use these tactics in the wrong way, but most of these people only love you, as the bible commands, and want to bring you to Christ which the bible also commands, and they want to you know the consequences of not spending eternity in Heaven. Lots of people don’t like all of the so-called rules that you have to follow when you become a Christian. I want to break it down for you in a very easy non-threatening, non legalistic way.
Ok, so here’s the skinny. First of all, Christianity is not about an organized religion, it is about a relationship with Christ Jesus. To gain entrance to the kingdom, all you have to do is sincerely humble yourself before God in prayer, and ask Him to forgive your sins, and ask Jesus to come into you heart. That’s it, if you do this and you are sincere, your sins will be forgiven, and your slate with be wiped clean, and if you died in the next moment, you would go to Heaven, no questions. The only other thing that I would recommend is spending time reading your bible daily. This is so important to continuing a lasting relationship with our Maker.
Here’s the thing about sin and all of those rules. You didn’t start sinning overnight, and you aren’t going to stop overnight just because you become a Christian. Lets say for example that one of your sins is gossip. After you become a Christian you will most likely go right back to gossiping, only this time as you are doing it, the Spirit of God will be with you and convict you, and you will learn to stop. This works the same way with any sin, as you do it, the Spirit of God will convict you, and you will be prompted to stop. This will not like I said be an overnight process, but it will be the start a miraculous change and over time, and with the help of God, you will stop sinning.
I want to tell you a story about 3 people. Lets call them Sam, Scott, and Sally. Before becoming a Christian, Sam lived a pretty rough life. He was heavy into theft, and drugs, and alcohol, he even spent 5 years in prison. He accepted Christ while in prison, and once he was out, he began a glorious new life with Christ. Scott, was huge into pornography, he was always swearing, and he was very disrespectful, and had no tact when telling people what was on his mind, he was very obnoxious. Eventually, he found Christ, he turned his life around, and his life was forever changed. Sally was a great person. She was always willing to help a friend and go out of her way for others. She was very kind and considerate toward others, was very responsible and an all around good person but she never accepted Christ.
One day Sam, Scott and Sally not knowing or ever even meeting each other were in involved in a but accident and were killed. Sam was the first to walk up to the gates of Heaven where God and Jesus were standing. God had a book in His hand and began to read while shaking His head. Sam, you were an alcoholic, and a drug user. You were a thief, and a money launderer. You spend 5 years in prison…Jesus put His hand up and stopped His Father, wait Dad, and hold on a minute, I know this guy; he’s with me. God looked at His Son with loving eyes, and over Sam and smiled and said welcome home Sam.
Scott was the second to walk up to the gates of Heaven where God and Jesus were standing. God began to read from that same book while shaking His head. Scott, you were a porn addict, and you were always swearing, and disrespecting everyone that you met. Again, Jesus stopped His Father and said, Dad, he’s cool, I know this guy, he’s with me. Again God looked at His Son with loving eyes, and over at Scott and smiled and said welcome home Scott.
Now it was Sally’s turn to walk up to the gates of Heaven where God and Jesus were standing. She was confused as God began to read from that same book. It took her a second to realize that the stories that she had heard on earth about God on His Son were true. Sally, you lived a very good life, you were always kind to those in need, and you were always going out of your way to help your neighbor. Jesus, couldn’t bare to let His Father continue as He stopped His with tears in His eyes, Dad, I never know this young women. Jesus looked at her with a sad smile and said I’m sorry Sally. Two angles met Sally, one on both sides of her and led her away.
It’s really quite simple my friends, that’s all there is to it. If you take the fist step, Jesus will take the rest of the steps with you.
Ok, so here’s the skinny. First of all, Christianity is not about an organized religion, it is about a relationship with Christ Jesus. To gain entrance to the kingdom, all you have to do is sincerely humble yourself before God in prayer, and ask Him to forgive your sins, and ask Jesus to come into you heart. That’s it, if you do this and you are sincere, your sins will be forgiven, and your slate with be wiped clean, and if you died in the next moment, you would go to Heaven, no questions. The only other thing that I would recommend is spending time reading your bible daily. This is so important to continuing a lasting relationship with our Maker.
Here’s the thing about sin and all of those rules. You didn’t start sinning overnight, and you aren’t going to stop overnight just because you become a Christian. Lets say for example that one of your sins is gossip. After you become a Christian you will most likely go right back to gossiping, only this time as you are doing it, the Spirit of God will be with you and convict you, and you will learn to stop. This works the same way with any sin, as you do it, the Spirit of God will convict you, and you will be prompted to stop. This will not like I said be an overnight process, but it will be the start a miraculous change and over time, and with the help of God, you will stop sinning.
I want to tell you a story about 3 people. Lets call them Sam, Scott, and Sally. Before becoming a Christian, Sam lived a pretty rough life. He was heavy into theft, and drugs, and alcohol, he even spent 5 years in prison. He accepted Christ while in prison, and once he was out, he began a glorious new life with Christ. Scott, was huge into pornography, he was always swearing, and he was very disrespectful, and had no tact when telling people what was on his mind, he was very obnoxious. Eventually, he found Christ, he turned his life around, and his life was forever changed. Sally was a great person. She was always willing to help a friend and go out of her way for others. She was very kind and considerate toward others, was very responsible and an all around good person but she never accepted Christ.
One day Sam, Scott and Sally not knowing or ever even meeting each other were in involved in a but accident and were killed. Sam was the first to walk up to the gates of Heaven where God and Jesus were standing. God had a book in His hand and began to read while shaking His head. Sam, you were an alcoholic, and a drug user. You were a thief, and a money launderer. You spend 5 years in prison…Jesus put His hand up and stopped His Father, wait Dad, and hold on a minute, I know this guy; he’s with me. God looked at His Son with loving eyes, and over Sam and smiled and said welcome home Sam.
Scott was the second to walk up to the gates of Heaven where God and Jesus were standing. God began to read from that same book while shaking His head. Scott, you were a porn addict, and you were always swearing, and disrespecting everyone that you met. Again, Jesus stopped His Father and said, Dad, he’s cool, I know this guy, he’s with me. Again God looked at His Son with loving eyes, and over at Scott and smiled and said welcome home Scott.
Now it was Sally’s turn to walk up to the gates of Heaven where God and Jesus were standing. She was confused as God began to read from that same book. It took her a second to realize that the stories that she had heard on earth about God on His Son were true. Sally, you lived a very good life, you were always kind to those in need, and you were always going out of your way to help your neighbor. Jesus, couldn’t bare to let His Father continue as He stopped His with tears in His eyes, Dad, I never know this young women. Jesus looked at her with a sad smile and said I’m sorry Sally. Two angles met Sally, one on both sides of her and led her away.
It’s really quite simple my friends, that’s all there is to it. If you take the fist step, Jesus will take the rest of the steps with you.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Slowing down
It’s been a while since I have posted a blog. I have been keeping pretty busy, as I’m sure everyone is this time a year. On of my favorite quotes is, Life is to short to be in a hurry. Kind of an oxymoron isn’t it, but when you think about it, it’s so true. Sometimes, I think that we need to remember to just slow down and breathe and just enjoy life and the many things that it has to offer, in moderation of course, but that’s a whole other blog.
Three in a half years ago, I was pulled over 3 times in one month for not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign. All three times I got a warning. This was my introduction to slowing down and following the rules. I was very lucky, and I have come to a compete stop at every stop sign since with very few exceptions, mainly being if it is snowing, or icy, and if I do come to a complete stop, and there is a change that I will not get moving again.
About a year ago, I was pulled over 4 times in about 3 weeks time, twice in one night. The twice in one night was because I had a head light out. I got pulled over in one city, and than pulled over again 15 minutes later in another city for the same thing. Another time I was pulled over for speeding, however, I wasn’t speeding, the cop pulled me over when he should have pulled over the guy that was in front of me. The last time, somebody behind me called the cops on my claiming that I was swerving, so they pulled my over to make sure I hadn’t been drinking. Understand, that I don’t get off of work until 12:30am, so when I am driving home, it is the middle of the night, and there are no cars on the road, so the few craizies such as myself that are on the road get to be the ones to amuse the police during their down times.
This all happened less than 3 months from my born again date, and I realized that even though I was not in essence doing anything wrong or illegal to get pulled over, it made me realize that being a Christian is about setting an example in every area of your life. That month, I made a decision to follow the rules of the road without exception. I do not speed, and I do come to a complete stop at all stop signs, and when somebody wants to cut me off, or get in, I just let them. It really is amazing at how much more you can accomplish when you just slow down.
I have said in the past that becoming a Christian is like losing weight. When you want to lose weight, you can’t just go on a diet, you have to change the way you live, by exercising, eating better, getting plenty of sleep and reducing stress, and you have to keep it up pretty much forever if you want to keep the weight off. It is a change of lifestyle literally. Becoming a Christian is the same way. You have to change the way to live by live a Godly life and be an example in every area of your life, even when nobody is looking, or you become a hypocrite. Please understand before you decide to make comments that no one is perfect, all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Romans 3:23. It is impossible to be a perfect example in ever area and every situation every time, but as a Christian, we sure do need to try. But, the best part about screwing up, is that we are saved by grace through faith which brings me to the main point of my blog.
I just finished studying the book of Micah. There were some good verses in Micah. I want to share two of them with you now. Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall, I will rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me forth to the light; I will see His righteousness. Micah 7:8-9.
As I have been reading through and studying the Old Testament, I have noticed a very common theme. The Israelites screw up…a lot. Every time God is about to write them off, someone, usually a king or a profit prays for God to give them another chance, and God has compassion on His people, and He says to Israel, if you turn back to me, your sins will be forgiven. This is great news for everyone. Basically when we screw up, God will forgive us, if we confess our sins to Him, and repent, of course we have to be sincere about it.
Another common theme in the bible is love. I am going to quote another verse from Micah. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8. Entrance to Heaven requires two things, first, you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, and second, you need to love your neighbor, that’s it. Of course you need to do that whole lifestyle change with it, which shouldn’t be a problem if you really want to follow Christ. Remember friend, no matter if you are a Christian and have fallen off the bandwagon, or if you have never accepted Christ before, no matter what you have done, or no matter how bad you have screwed up, it’s not t late for you. You can’t change the past, so don’t try, just learn from it. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. It is said that even Jeffrey Dohmer in the last moments of his life accepted Christ. If he did in fact sincerely accept Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, and repent of his sin, than he is in Heaven right now enjoying the fruits of eternal life. If Jeffery and make it, than so can you.
Three in a half years ago, I was pulled over 3 times in one month for not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign. All three times I got a warning. This was my introduction to slowing down and following the rules. I was very lucky, and I have come to a compete stop at every stop sign since with very few exceptions, mainly being if it is snowing, or icy, and if I do come to a complete stop, and there is a change that I will not get moving again.
About a year ago, I was pulled over 4 times in about 3 weeks time, twice in one night. The twice in one night was because I had a head light out. I got pulled over in one city, and than pulled over again 15 minutes later in another city for the same thing. Another time I was pulled over for speeding, however, I wasn’t speeding, the cop pulled me over when he should have pulled over the guy that was in front of me. The last time, somebody behind me called the cops on my claiming that I was swerving, so they pulled my over to make sure I hadn’t been drinking. Understand, that I don’t get off of work until 12:30am, so when I am driving home, it is the middle of the night, and there are no cars on the road, so the few craizies such as myself that are on the road get to be the ones to amuse the police during their down times.
This all happened less than 3 months from my born again date, and I realized that even though I was not in essence doing anything wrong or illegal to get pulled over, it made me realize that being a Christian is about setting an example in every area of your life. That month, I made a decision to follow the rules of the road without exception. I do not speed, and I do come to a complete stop at all stop signs, and when somebody wants to cut me off, or get in, I just let them. It really is amazing at how much more you can accomplish when you just slow down.
I have said in the past that becoming a Christian is like losing weight. When you want to lose weight, you can’t just go on a diet, you have to change the way you live, by exercising, eating better, getting plenty of sleep and reducing stress, and you have to keep it up pretty much forever if you want to keep the weight off. It is a change of lifestyle literally. Becoming a Christian is the same way. You have to change the way to live by live a Godly life and be an example in every area of your life, even when nobody is looking, or you become a hypocrite. Please understand before you decide to make comments that no one is perfect, all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Romans 3:23. It is impossible to be a perfect example in ever area and every situation every time, but as a Christian, we sure do need to try. But, the best part about screwing up, is that we are saved by grace through faith which brings me to the main point of my blog.
I just finished studying the book of Micah. There were some good verses in Micah. I want to share two of them with you now. Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall, I will rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me forth to the light; I will see His righteousness. Micah 7:8-9.
As I have been reading through and studying the Old Testament, I have noticed a very common theme. The Israelites screw up…a lot. Every time God is about to write them off, someone, usually a king or a profit prays for God to give them another chance, and God has compassion on His people, and He says to Israel, if you turn back to me, your sins will be forgiven. This is great news for everyone. Basically when we screw up, God will forgive us, if we confess our sins to Him, and repent, of course we have to be sincere about it.
Another common theme in the bible is love. I am going to quote another verse from Micah. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8. Entrance to Heaven requires two things, first, you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, and second, you need to love your neighbor, that’s it. Of course you need to do that whole lifestyle change with it, which shouldn’t be a problem if you really want to follow Christ. Remember friend, no matter if you are a Christian and have fallen off the bandwagon, or if you have never accepted Christ before, no matter what you have done, or no matter how bad you have screwed up, it’s not t late for you. You can’t change the past, so don’t try, just learn from it. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. It is said that even Jeffrey Dohmer in the last moments of his life accepted Christ. If he did in fact sincerely accept Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, and repent of his sin, than he is in Heaven right now enjoying the fruits of eternal life. If Jeffery and make it, than so can you.
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