Fears

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.  But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.  We love Him because He first loved us.
1 John 4: 18-19 NKJV

Fears.  We all have them.  Although we often don't like to admit our fears, one thing that is for certain is that everyone has them.  At one point or another, the grip of fear hits everyone.  It can be heights, personal interaction or public speaking.  In fact, much has been made of the eccentric fears of Howard Hughes.  It is hard to imagine that one of the richest and most daring men in history had a deep seated fear...of germs.  Would he have been the success he was had others known of his fear?  For we almost always identify fear with weakness.  Those who are weak are scared, frightened people.  It is through bravery and courage where one finally defeats his worst inner enemy, or is it?  There are also those who claim that our fears are a normal reaction to a wicked situation.  We must agree that most of us respond differently to different situations.  The worlds bravest man may have a petty, irrational fear.  Remember our friend Mr. Hughes?  So, the fact is that we must not identify fear with weakness!

If we take the generally accepted definition of bravery as a quality which knows no fear, I have never seen a brave man.  All men are frightened.  The more inteligent they are, the more they are frightened
General George S Patton Jr.

For myself, I can take solace in the words of the old general George Patton.  My fears are more than a few, as with most people.  One of these is the fear of heights.  This occasionaly comes into play as my friend Dennis and I set off on yet another Hike in our Pacific Northwest.  Now, I love hiking!  The scenery, the exercise and a chance to connect with my friend.  However, what I don't love is the fact that many of the trails we set out on have the propensity to become a 1,400 foot death march!  Are my fears justified?  Well, I regularly see accounts in the local news of someone who either falls from a local hiking trail or somehow gests lost along the way.  So, could I somehow end up falling from a cliff or getting lost?  Sure, anything can happpen.  If that happens, will Jesus somehow laugh and scold me for being foolish?  NO!   Indeed He will welcome His child home.  So, what is the basis of my fear?  Death?  Christ has defeated death once and for all.  Dennis often refers to my fear as the "minions" of  the former owner of my earthly vesel returning to try and reclaim what they lost through Christ.  In this I agree, for satan, the deceiver, will stop at nothing to sway our thinking that Jesus is no longer in our corner.  Of course, in our hearts we know this not to be true.  However, this does not stop the minions from whispering in our ear that we are alone, helpless and without hope.  Christian, it is through our Lord Jesus Christ that we posess all of the hope, help and fellowship that we shall ever need.  Whatever voices that attempt to vie for our attention, there is but one that we can trust in.  It is His voice, that of our savior, that tells us that He will never leave us or forsake us!

~Scott~

Opportunities Gone By

Son I'll gladly take ten seconds in the saddle
Than a lifetime of watching from the stands
~Ten seconds in the saddle by Chris Ledoux~

We all have regrets of things we wish that we could have done differently.  Be it a former relationship or a job, there will always be things we feel we could have handled differently.  Often , we ask God just why things worked out the way they did.  While our Lord indeed has the final say in how circumstances play out, some things happen simply because we failed to act.  However, for some it is simply fear of the unknown that holds us back from taking a chance at a opprtunity.  Of this I have at times been accused as well.  I'm not alone, for fear can be a powerful adversary.  Almost like a brick wall that one cannot penetrate, our fears can often be debilitating to our lives.  We've all heard the stories of those whose overwhelming fears have kept them from realizing their opportunities.  God may present us with opportunities in our lives, but what are we doing with them?  Well, one thing that I've learned is that God will open doors of opportunity in our lives, but it is the lies of the deceiver that will fill our hearts with fear.  We are not the only ones who fall victim to these lies.  For Moses was in fear of going unto Pharoh to lead Isreal out of Egypt.  Jonah was in fear of going to Ninevah speak the words of the Lord.  And what shall we say of the disciple Peter, who once he stepped foot on the water to walk to his Lord, began to fear and drown!  No, we're not alone at all.

What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall he not with Him also freely give us all things?
Romans 8: 31-32 NKJV

Fear is something we all go through, but it can also be defined by how we handle it.  Growing up, we often admired those men and women who showed little or no fear.  My dad was one of those men.  To his youngest son, my father was fearless.  He had served in the Navy and worked as a Deputy Sheriff, it often seemed like nothing could shake the strength he tried so hard to exhibit to the outside world.  However, few saw the inner demons  of alchohol and pornography that my father kept hidden.  Eventually, these demons would get the best of him.  What was my father afraid of?  Well, I never really had the chance to discuss that with him, but I'm betting that he feared not being seen as a man in the eyes of others.  That was a big thing to men of my fathers generation.  What opportunities did my dad  regret not pursuing?  I'll never know the answer to that question.  Did he regret not being a part of the lives of his two boys?  I'm sure he did.  If so, it was his own fear and pride that prevented him from doing so.  Whatever fears that we have, we can be assured of one thing.  Opportunities will always come from the Lord, but our own fears will prevent us from acting on them.

There was a man who one day was caught in a sudden flood
Scrambling to the roof of his house he awaited his rescue
As the waters rose, the man prayed, "Lord save me!"
Soon,  along came a man in a raft who offered him a life jacket
"No thanks," said the man, "God will save me"
Next a man in a boat came along and offered to take the man with him
"No thanks," said the man, "God will save me"
Not long after this, a helicopter arrived to rescue the man
The man waved it off, "God will save me!"
Eventually the waters rose and the man died
Upon getting to heaven, the man inquired of God just why He didn't answer his cries
To the man the Lord said, "I sent a life jacket, a boat AND a helicopter, what else did you want?"

Yet another opportunity missed

~Scott~

Acceptable Worship

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and Godly fear.
Hebrews 12:28 NKJV

It is most likely a main part of any church service known to christianity.  One that can be pretty emotiional for some, and rightly so.  This is our "Praise and Worship" of our Lord.  Whether it is with traditional hymms or more modern music, we all have our own way of showing reverence to God.  This is a very personal thing for many people.  It is here where we lift our hands, sing and praise our God in heaven.  When we look into scripture, we learn that God is pleased with our reverence and worship for Him.  For we were created for a intimate relationship with our Lord.  Unfortunately, this relationship was damaged at the fall.  However, far from being heavy handed and punishing us for our sins, God loved us enough to make a way for the renewal of our relationship with Him.  For through the sacrafice of Christ, we once again have access to our heavenly Father in a loving relationship.  Who wouldn't praise God for loving us so much to redeem us?   Alot of attention is given to the willing sacrafice of Jesus, as it should.  However, what is usually lost in this conversation is that it is only through our Lords love for us that Jesus gave His life.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3: 16-17 NKJV

Yes, although Jesus gave His life willingly, it was God who provided for the sacrafice of His Son.  THIS, is a big reason why we celebrate our Lord.  As I mentioned, the act of worship for God is a very personal one.  For myself, I was never much into the whole public worship idea.  Sure, I would sing with everyone else and offer my praises to God.  However, I was much more comfortable celebrating God alone in private.  I don't think there is anything wrong with this, it's a personal preference.  Some people are quite at home with the whole public worship scene, and that's  fine.  To each his own.  I feel that once we put conditions on the way we celebrate and worship our Lord, the less it becomes about worship and the more it becomes about compulsion, and THAT is not true worship.
I remember Bruce from my days at the church I atteneded at one time.  Bruce was unique in that he was VERY adamant about how he worshipped his Lord.  On any given Sunday, I would see Bruce lifting his arms to heaven and dancing in the aisle as the praise and worship band played.  Some people would be uncomfortable with the way Bruce worshipped, but he never let that deter his praise to God.  To his credit, he would not seat himself, but just stood in the rear of the aisle until the band began playing.  This was how he felt comfortable in worshipping his Lord.  I think back on this, and I see this as authentic worship.

~Scott~

Fables

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers, and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

2 Timothy 4: 3-4 NKJV 

I didn't fall for it this time.  That's not to say I haven't had "Itchy ears" before and wanted to hear only what I felt was good.  But this time I didn't engage them.  However, I did get a report from a few trusted friends who did go to hear the pastors message this Easter Sunday morning.  It is very hard to  not be critical of a message that someone brings to a congregation.  But what if we know that the message that has been delivered is false if even in part?  Forgive me, but if even a part of a pastors message is wrong, it is a fable!  It is in 2 Timothy 4:3 where the elder apostle Paul warns his student, the young Timothy, of such false teachers.  Pauls words are were as effective then as they are today.  However, today we seem to have alot of itching ears out there.  As I said, I was one of these people.  For me it was more about not wanting to hear something that would cause me to accept some new truths.  I was fine just hearing the typical institutional church message.  We've all heard these fables  at one time or another.  God is a angry God, you're salvation is dependent on your behavior, You MUST seek Gods forgiveness every time you sin and Lord forbid if you don't tithe EACH Sunday!  Of  course, through further study and the help of a dear friend, I learned that these statements are pure, unadulterated crap!  

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who brought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

2 Peter 2:1 NKJV 

It would seem that Paul wasn't alone in his warnings of false teachers.  Here in 2 Peter 2:1 the apostle Peter gives us the very same warning, with a twist.  For Peter warns that such false teachers will "Bring on themselves swift destruction."   We do well to recall that it is this same man Peter who spent so much time with Jesus during His ministry.  I would say that Peter knew firsthand what the message of Jesus was, for He lived it.  So, what are we to say to those who teach a false message without knowing better?  Well, these same warnings from the apostles of Jesus are available to them as well as ourselves.  Remember, Paul warns young Timothy to yet be on guard against such teachers.  Therefore, he KNEW they were out there.  As the word of our Lord is sharper than any two edged Roman sword, so it is that it can convict (In their hearts) His children of false messages.  Do we allow our "Itching ears" to hear only what we would like ot hear?  

~Scott~ 

The Morning Son Rise

Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing spices which they had prepared.  But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.  Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed by this, that, behold two men stood by them in shining garments.  Then, as they were araid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?  "He is not here, but is risen!  Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, "saying, The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again."  And they remembered His words.  And they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
Luke 24: 1-8 NKJV

It had been a eventful week in Jerusalem.  Lost in the celebration of the yearly Jewish Passover were the events surrounding the man Jesus of Nazareth.  It is certain that Jesus could not have picked a busier time to visit Jerusalem.  For the passover crowds there were very large.  Of course, it was indeed a very special celebration for Gods people.  For it was on this day that God delivered them from their Egyption captors so long ago.  With the death of every Egyption first born child, God had convinced Pharoh to release His people from captivity.  Now, amidst the celebrations of the yearly passover in Jerusalem, He was preparing to redeem them once again.  However, the scribes,Pharisees and other Jewish authorities saw this as a opportunity to rid themselves of this trouble maker from Galilee.  This man, this Jesus, who had captivated crowds throughout the land of Isreal with His teachings and miracles had become a threat to the Jewish authorities.  For Jesus spoke of a new way, one where He Himself had the keys to heaven.  This flew straight in the face of the Jewish leaders, and they planned to have Him crucified.  Of course, as in some people today, these scribes and Pharisees could not see the gift that Jesus was offering to all who would listen and follow Him.

Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow in heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  "Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?"  And begining at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded to them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.
Luke 24: 25-27 NKJV

I can only imagine the shock of the Pharisees as they learned that this Jesus, whom they hated as a imposter, had fullfilled the scriptures and risen from the grave as He said He would.  However, it wasn't just the Pharisees that refused to believe.  For there were many among Gods chosen people even today who still seek the coming of Gods promised Messiah!  Somewhere the message has been lost.  For everything that the scriptures and prophets have proclaimed concerning Jesus has come to pass.  He has become sin FOR US in order that it be finaly put to death in Gods children.  The truth today still rings true as it did that morninng so long ago, "Why do we seek the living among the dead?"

~Scott~

The New American Politic

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4: 29-32 NKJV

There are plenty of passages in scripture that tell us how we are supposed to treat one another.  In fact, Jesus called the greatest commandment that we love one another.  This all seems good, as we should exemplify the love of our Lord.  For in our efforts to promote the gospel of our Lord Jesus, we will not draw in too many followers by behaving badly.  Christianity has already been brusied by such behaviors  through the years.  Many non believers actually expect christians to act in a unfriendly way towards others.  I guess I cannot place all of the blame on my brethren, for we are all still human often controlled by our own desires.  I've often felt that if we, as a society, could return to the days of the early church we would have a grand ol' time loving each other.  Gods creation living in harmony.  How far we've fallen...again.   Despite all of the teachings in scripture on our own personal conduct, we continue to feel the pull of our self serving flesh.

"When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place.  "But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.'  Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.  "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbbles himself will be exalted."
Luke 14: 8-11 NKJV

There is nowhere today where the bad behavior and selfish attitudes of the self serving flesh are more evident than in this political season.  In the span of a year, we will elect a new president for this great nation of ours.  We are blessed to live in a country where the basic right to vote and voice our opinions is protected.  Or so it would seem.  For the political opinions of some are seen as wrong and misguided.  More than that, when those who hold these opinions speak out, they are more often than not ridiculed.  The flesh rearing its ugly head once again.  We seem to now have a nation of political experts where their opinions are the only ones that matter.  I'm sorry, but I must have missed the political science degrees these people have earned!  It is one thing to voice your opinion on a matter, but quite another to assume that yours is THE ONLY one that matters.  If you think this way, then your ideological brothers Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin would be oh so proud of you.  You may even find some support from the Ku Klux Klan.  For when we stifle the opinions of others around us, we ourselves engage in the very hateful behaviors of some of historys worst tyrants.  Don't get me wrong, a healthy debate of the issues before us is a good thing.  Where we go wrong is when we see our views as the be all end all of  political thought.  We're right, and everyone else is wrong.  Communism never had a greater ally than our current political discourse.  Let us talk about the issues before us.  Let us consider others greater than ourselves.  Above all, let us consider the blessed freedoms that we enjoy are shared by those other than ourselves.

America will never be destroyed from the outside.  If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.
~Abraham Lincoln~

~Scott~

Clavius

"I have seen two things which cannot reconcile.  A man dead without question, and that same man alive again.  I pursue Him, the Nazarene, to feret the truth.
~Clavius~

In the film Risen, the main character, Roman Tribune Clavius, is faced with a life changing event.   This warrior, who had seen countless Roman battles of conquest, had  just witnessed the very same man whom he had supervised the execution of alive yet again!  Who was this Nazarene, this Jesus?   In his black and white world, Jesus should have still been entombed just where He had been laid after His death.  A death which he witnessed!  Now, as he stood looking upon this Jesus among His disciples, everything that Clavius had known has come into question.  It is here that he makes his decision to follow the disciples of Jesus as they travel to meet Him once again in Galilee.  For if he can question this man Jesus, he may somehow shed some light on what he has witnessed.  So his quest begins.

And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"  Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed.  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
John 20: 27-29 NKJV

Of course, Clavius was not the only one who had trouble believing the resurection of the Lord Jesus.  No, he had plenty of company.  Even Thomas, one of Jesus' disciples, who had spent so much time with Jesus when He was alive, doubted the presence of his Lord.  It is not until the "Doubting Thomas" feels the very wounds of Jesus that he finally believes and proclaims his risen Lord.  Although only a screen version of one mans struggle to believe, I believe that we can learn alot from this Roman Clavius.  Be he based on a real man or not, it is in his actions that we can learn our lesson.  For after seeing Jesus crucified, Clavius trusted in his senses that He was dead.  His eyes had seen, so he believed.  When others raise doubts of the death of Christ, it is Clavius who pursues the truth.  As we see in John 20:29, Jesus counts those who have never seen Him yet still believe as blessed.  This is where the majority of christians today stand.  We ourselves have no memory of encountering Jesus, yet we believe He exists.  This, is our own faith.  Scripture may tell us of our risen Lord, yet it is our faith that holds the belief in our hearts.  Like Clavius, we seek the truth.

~Scott~

Trail Of Tears

Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified.  So they took Jesus and led Him away.  And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the place of the skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center.  Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross.  And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, KING  OF THE JEWS.
John 19: 16-19 NKJV

Somewhere in Jerusalem in a monument which is importannt in Judaism today.  This place holds some pretty big significance for christians as well.  For it is here, on the Via Delarosa "Trail of tears" that Jesus was to have taken His final journey to Calvary to be crucified on a Roman cross.  We are fortunate enough today that history has recorded these events for those of us who were not there to bear witness.  How a innocent man, convicted of no crime by the authorities of His day, was handed over to a group of religious zealots to be killed nonetheless.  We today know that our Lord Jesus needed to feel the very pain of scourging and His crucifiction for our sakes.  For had we ourselves been brought before our Lord, we would have been found guilty!   However, it is only through the love and grace of our Lord that Jesus bore our sins in our place.  This man who knew no sin, became sin that it might finally be put to death.  And so he made His way to Golgotha, followed by both His mourners and His Roman and  Jewish persecutors.  For in the minds of the Jewish authorities of the day, the blasphemy of Jesus was worthy of his death.

And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him.  But Jesus, turning to them, said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and your children.  "For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!"
Luke 23: 27-29 NKJV

Our own history tells us that this man Jesus was found guilty of nothing more than upsetting a group of Jewish authorities.  For this He was condemned to die.  The words that Jesus spoke during His ministry, the words these Jewish leaders found so blasphemous, were the spoken words of God.  For even to this day, there are sects of Judaism who continue to await the arrival of the promised messiah!  Somewhere, the message of our Lord has been lost through the years.  It wasn't as if the coming of Jesus had been unnoticed, for the prophet Isaiah foretold of His coming generations before.

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Councelor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

However, the Jews of Jesus' time were expecting a warrior messiah.  One who would break the shackles of their Roman occupiers.  It is here that they missed Gods true message of love and forgiveeness for His people.  For our Lord meant not to destroy His creation, but to redeem it through the blood of His son.  And so Jesus made His way to Calvary and the cross.  If it were up to me, the tears shed along the Via Delarosa would be tears of joy at our Lords love for us.

~Scott~  

A Morning Miracle

But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.  Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed by this, that behold, two men stood before them in shining garments.  Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them,"Why do you seek the living among the dead?  "He is not here, but is risen!  Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, "Saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again,' "  And they remembered His words.

Luke 24: 2-8 NKJV

It had been a tumultuous few days to say the least.  Now, as dawn broke over Jersalem, a few women came to the tomb of this Jesus who three days earlier had been crucified on a Roman cross.  Of course, these women knew that Jesus had been no ordinary man, but a man of God.  Now, as they came to the tomb of their friend bringing spices, they were met with a mind blowing sight.  For not only was Jesus not where He should have been, but they were greeted by two seemingly angelic men "In shining garments."  Then, they asked these women one of the most important questions in history.  "Why do you seek the living among the dead?"  Their friend, who just days earlier had suffered a horrible death, was now nowhere to be seen.  What had these two men done with their Jesus?   However, despite Christs repeated warnings of what He must face at the hands of  sinful men, these women did not remember His words, that is until the angels reminded them.  "He is not here, but is risen!"  Now, in the space of three days, everything had changed!

Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to thhe gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify.  And the third day He will rise again."

Matthew 20: 17-19 NKJV 

There had been warnings for sure.  As Jesus traveled in His ministry, he told anyone who would listen just what the Jewish authorities had in store for Him.  This is what He had been called to do, and He did it faithfully.  This was the very moment that God had been orchestrating since the begining of time.  What sadness had God felt as His loved creation fell into the sin of disobebience?  He could have destroyed man and started over, but that is not God nature.  No, his love for us would not have been exhibited had He simply cast us aside.  Not only did our sin of disobedience to our creator demand punishment, it also created a seperation between God and man that would take the death of Jesus to rectify.  For even though we bore the penalty for our sins, it was Jesus who paid the price on our behalf.  A innocent man becoming the very essence of sin that it may be put to death.  The sin debt we inherited in the garden now paid in full by the shed blood and resurection of Jesus.  I am quite certain that these women who had come to Jesus' tomb that morning had no idea of the gift that their friend had given unto them.

~Scott~ 

A week In Jerusalem

From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests nd scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.  Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to you!"  But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, satan!  You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."
Matthew 16: 21-23 NKJV

The warnings had been there.  This man Jesus had told His followers of the things that He must face at the hands of the Jewish officials in Jerusalem.  Now, that final journey was about to begin.  Jesus knew what lay in front of Him, even if some of His disciples refused to believe His prophesy.  Yet, how many of these disciples, upon hearing the warnings of their teacher, wanted to head anywhere BUT Jerusalem?  For if Jesus was to be crucified, what would become of those who followed Him?  Surely the same Jewish authorities who sought to kill Jesus would seek to make an example of His followers as well.  How many of us, knowing that certain death lay ahead, would continue on?  Fortunately, history tells us of countless men who, when faced with certain defeat, chose instead to continue on.  One of these men was the venerable General Goerge S Patton Jr, commander of the United States Third Army in Europe in World War Two.  My uncle Bill had the distinction of serving under his command in the Ardennes forest in Belgium during the infamous Battle of the bulge.  Prior to this action, the Third Army had been socked in by bad winter weather for some time.  This, of course, limited the operations of United States Air Force fighters and bombers to attack the German enemy.  Perhaps seeking devine intervention, Patton has his chaplain print up a prayer...for good weather.

"Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech thee, of thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend.  Grant us fair weather for battle.   Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon thee that, armed with thy power, we may advance from victory to victory and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies and establish thy justice among men and nations."
~Msgr. James H O'Neill~
Chief Chaplin, United States Third Army

Be it a miracle or not, Pattons prayer was answered and the rains stopped.  Pattons Third Army rolled across Europe as the United States defeated Germany.  Did George Patton know what lay ahead of him?  Not fully, but he had an idea.  He knew enough that he needed Allied air power in order to defeat the Germans.  In retrospect, our Lord Jesus knew exactly what lay ahead of Him in Jerusalem.  Still he went forward.  To not do so would have been against His very nature.  For the suffering that Jesus chose to endure he did for us.  Not only that, He knew the glory of His Father in heaven would be revealed once He accomplished his task.  As Jesus led His disciples on that road to Jersalem, His thoughts were certainly on His task at hand.  In only a few short days, He would finaly declare once and for all, "It is finished!"

~Scott~

Mysterious Happenings Of The Spirit Kind

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the gentiles: which is Chirst in you, the hope of glory.  Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.  To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
Colossians 1: 27-29 NKJV

We have a study in our mens outreach group lately.  This is the mystery of Jesus Christ in us.  Now, I'll just make it known that this "mystery" was in fact one of the most difficult aspects of the life of Jesus for me to understand.  Yes, I get it that Jesus gave His life on the cross to wash away our sins, then three days later He rose again.  I don't question this, for it is written.  It would also seem that others accept this fact as well, as there have been more than a few films depicting the execution of Christ.  So, there are plenty of people who see validity in this story.  However, this "Mystery among the gentiles" that the apostle Paul speaks of in 1 CColossians 1:27 is another matter altogether.  Are we to believe that the risen Lord Jesus has chosen to take up residence in these earthly bodies of ours?  Some would claim this is impossible as by some odd chance we yet remain sinners.  However, for this to even began to resemble the truth, we would need to invalidate the finished work of Jesus on that cross.  For if we are yet sinners, what is it that Christ Jesus gave His life for?

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I llive by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galations 2:20 NKJV

When I finaly enter the presence of my Lord, I would like to congratulate Paul on his description of this matter of Jesus in us.  For it is indeed a great mystery.  I've struggled to accept this fact, as others have as well I'm sure.  It was perfectly described by Paul as the great mystery.  Yet, it doesn't need to be.  For in Galations 2:20, Paul does his best to explain the concept to us.  This was not a issue with me until I tried to reason out the first part of this mystery of a scripture.  I've been crucified?  Did I miss something here?  I distincly remember feeling for my own heartbeat and moving my arms a few times in order to convince myself I was alive.  Seriously, I think I would have remembered dying!  Of course, this could not be  exactly Pauls mindset as he wrote this scripture.  No, there's something bigger at play here.  We accept the fact that Christ died on the cross to be sin for us, that's not part of this mystery.  Or is it?  Are we to accept the fact that, through Adam and Eve, that sin entered Gods creation?  If so, then God needed to put away this sin nature in us once and for all.  When I say put away, I mean put it to death.  For the sacrafice that Christ Jesus gave would be meaningless if our sins were erased, but our sin nature remained.  How long would it be before that sin nature once again left us convicted of our iniquities?  Jesus had one life to give, so He had to do this right the first time!  Therefore, not only did our sins need to be erased, but the very sin nature that we carried since the fall needed to be put to death as well.  Therefore, Christ BECAME sin in our place upon that cross.  When He became sin, our sin nature died with Him.  THAT is the piece of Paul , and us, that was crucified with Jesus on the cross.  This mystery that Paul talks of is indeed a tough concept to understand.  However, if we let scripture guide us, we can see the truth that our Lord is willing to share with us.

~Scott~

A Midnight Caller

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.  Therefore be zealous and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.  To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."
Revelation 3: 19-21 NKJV

Many of us have had the experience of getting "That" phone call or knock at the door in the middle of the night warning of the death of a relative.  Military families are especialy familiar with such visits.  I haven't met too many military families who never feared this call or visit.  I recall my grandmother telling me at a young age how she would stay awake, not wanting to miss any news from my uncle Don who was in Southeast Asia at the time.  Those were very troubled times for our nation, so I imagine there were many families who went through this turmoil.  I bring this up to illustrate the scripture in Revelation 3:20.  Here we are told that the Lord Jesus "Stands at the door and knocks" seeking those within to open the door and invite Him in.  Now, in all reality, who wouldn't open their door if Jesus knocked?  Even the most die hard atheist may open his door if only to debate the risen Lord.  Now, I don't know if Jesus knocked on this door at midnight, but I'm sure those within had no warning of His arrival.  However, this is no social call by Jesus.  This is business all the way.

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my father in heaven.  "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and done many wonders in your name?  "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
Matthew 7: 21-23 NKJV

Think you're headed for heaven christian?  This passage may cause you to stop and consider that.  For there were many who apparently did many good things during their lifetimes, yet spent eternity apart from our Lord.  For these followers of Jesus prophesied the Lord Jesus and did man wonders in His very name, yet Jesus proclaimed to them, "I never knew you!"  What?  If these people who spoke of the Lord Jesus to others and did many wonders in His very name will not enter our Lords kingdom, what hope is there?  One thing we need to consider in this passage is that it is being told to the apostle John, in exhile on the island of Patmos for the unspeakable crime of speaking the Lord Jesus to the people!  In essense, this is Jesus' explanation to John of the end times to come.  That being said, Jesus tells his former disciple that prophesy and good works simply were not enough to enter His kingdom.  I'm sure John may have questioned his own qualificatiions if only briefly.  However, I believe there is a explanation for this passage, as with everything Christ tells us.
It is the Lord Jesus who comes to the door of our hearts and knocks.  Will we let Him in, or will we ignore his repeated attempts to get our attention?  Revelation 3:20 says nothing about Jesus becoming frustrated, impatient and leaving if we refuse to acknowledge Him.  No, He only, "Stands at the door and knocks."  If we open that door, he will gladly enter our hearts and abide with us.  However, this decision is ours alone.  Jesus will never grow tired or weary of asking to be allowed into our hearts, will we let Him in?  His promise to abide with us forever should be reason enough.  Open the door.

~Scott~

Maturity

That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ.
Ephesians 4: 14-15 NKJV

A friend of mine shared a video with me this morning.  I didn't look at it at first,  thinking it was one in a long line of "How to" faith videos.  We've all seen these, the ones where one institutional church pastor or another will lecture us on just how to receive Gods abundance/blessings/forgiveness.  Perhaps I'm a bit jaded, but I've seen far too many of these christian instructional videos.  However, this one was different I must admit.  For there was a simple truth to be learned.  The host was explaining the concept of spiritual maturity and how we get lost in the definition(s) of this concept.  In the end, what it comes down to is that in order to be spiritually mature, we must be like Jesus.  This seems logical, for Jesus never wavered in His faith or trust in His father.  It is in Ephesians 4:14 where we see the example of one who is spiritually immature, one who is easily shaken by different doctrines and teachers.  This is not maturity at all.  In fact, Jesus called those who misled the people with their teachings hypocrites!  We all remember the "Woes" that Jesus said  in reference to the Pharisees in Matthew 23:13.  Although these men claimed exalted status, they misled many.  Yes, perhaps the people were immature as well.

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who loive, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galations 2:20 NKJV

If one is to be spiritually mature, not willing to adhere to the various doctrines or trickery of others, then Jesus is the model we must adhere to.  In fact, He is nearer than you think.  For if we hold Galations 2:20 as truth, then our Lord Jesus already exists within us.  His shed blood, His death and resurection have all led to this fact.  It is the litmus test I often use with scripture.  If we believe that the scriptures are the infallible word of God, then we must accept that which is written there as fact, unwavering and trusting.  Therefore, we hold as fact the truth that Christ indeed has risen AND is residing within us.  We believe, unwavering and trusting.  For this is the word of God.  I would add that this is a perfect addition to the definition of maturity, holding fast to Gods word as truth and standing firm in this belief despite what others may present to us.  For they speak many winds of doctrine.

~Scott~

The Stereotype Of Grief

And I hear a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people.  God Himself will be with them and be their God.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.

Revelation 21: 3-4 NKJV 

I've often wondered just how to approach someone who has suffered a personal loss.  Be it a family member or close friend, people may feel the effects of grief for a number of reasons, even the loss of a pet.  Until recently, I was pretty much untouched by this personal tragedy.  Sure, I knew those around me who had lost someone close to them, but for the most part I had been isolated from it.  However, as everyone knows, this does not last long.  For we are all destined at one time or another to feel the sting of grief.  This life we live is fleeting, even though we await the moment we will meet our Lord Jesus in the clouds.  For those of  us who have known the Lord Jesus, we await our eternity with Him.  This is all fine to read in scripture, but often our hearts are not so quick to follow suit.  It is here where it is helpful to lean on Gods word and the support of friends.  However, sometimes even ones closest friends are unfamiliar with how to handle a grief situation.  For unless one has personally experienced the pain of losing someone close to them, how can they empathize with another?   

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.  For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 NKJV 

There is hope for those who have experienced grief.  The apostle Paul tells us this in 1 Thesselonians 4.  The hope we share is that of the Lord Jesus.  Paul tells us of those who "sleep" in Jesus.  That is, those in Christ who have gone on before us.  For when our own time comes, we shall all meet together in the clouds with our Lord Jesus.  Will I see my mother agian?  YES!  She will certainly be there when my time comes, welcoming me home at last.  This is our goal, that moment when, as Paul himself said in 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race."  For this we wait eagerly.

  I mentioned the stereotype of grief, and I believe it is true.  For if even I have difficulty in comforting someone who has experienced loss, then I'm sure others have as well.  However, it's been my experience recently that even though others may notice the pain you are going through, their first inclanation may be that there is something definately wrong with you.  On one hand they tell us that having feelings of grief and loss is all part of the normal grieving process.  However, if one seemingly takes too long in this "natural" process, then obviously there is something wrong.  Having experienced personal loss, I am a firm believer that there can be no timeline for ones recovery from grief.  How do you tell a grieving husband or wife that they need to get over their grief?  How do you tell a grieving parent to just "Get over it!"  No, as with everything, our grief has a cycle.  There will come that time when our hearts will heal.  However, I feel that this has more to do with our Lords fullness of time than with our own.  All seasons in our lives run their course, and this is no different.   Yes, there will be pain, yet we await that moment where our Lord will wipe away every tear and we shall dwell in the house of our Lord forever.

~Scott~ 

The Man Jesus

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.  And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"  Therefore you are no llonger a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Galations 4: 4-7 NKJV

It is sometimes a difficult concept to grasp.  That our Lord Jesus would somehow carry a dual nature with Him as both God and man.  For some, it's difficult to reason that the almighty creator of the universe would also be as we are.  However, as with everything that God does, there is a reason behind this.  The scripture tells us that our Lords ways are not our ways, so at times it can be difficult to see His reasoning at first, but we trust that His reasons are for our own well being.  That Jesus would be human as well as God, I believe, may not be as difficult to understand as we might think, if we let scripture guide us.  We began at creation.

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 2:27 NKJV

So the very first question that one might ask is, "What does God look like?"  Well, from scripture we can surmise that God looks...like us.  What?  God looks like we humans?  Now, here's where we must think carefully.  For what is it that we, as Gods creation, look like?  Is it our physicality of our flesh and bones that define our appearance?  Yes, if we are thinking in the terms of the world.  However, if we are to see ourselves as being in the image of God, then there is more at stake here.  For we know that our Lord is not flesh, but spirit.  We are told this in Genesis 1:2 as we are told that the "Spirit of God hovered over the waters" of the still to be created earth.  This reference mentions nothing of flesh and bone as we know it.  Therefore, if we, as His creation, know that we are created in His own image, then we accept that we. as His creation, are spirit form?  Well, there is yet another possibilty here, that being the "spirit nature" of God.  Are we created in the spirit nature of our Lord?  Is it Gods spirit that defines us? I beleive the answer is yes to both of these questions.  Created in our lords spirit image, yet also carrying His spirit attributes.  Yes, I said from the begining that this was a sometimes difficult concept to grab hold of.
So, where does this leave Jesus?  Well, I also believe that Jesus carried with him both the spirit attributes of God as well as the physical attributes of His creation.  Obviously, God needed to physically relate to His creation, so the human aspect of Jesus was neccessary.  There is no doubt that Jesus became sin on our behalf in order to put it to death, that is written.  However, I also believe that  Jesus, as God, also showed to us the spirit nature of our creator.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not donsider it Robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond-servant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God has also highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philipians 2: 5-10 NKJV

The Purposefully Poor

A woman came to Him having a alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table.  But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste?  "For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to  the poor."  But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman?  For she has done a good work for Me.  "For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always."
Matthew 26: 7-11 NKJV

I've been watching with much interest lately the actions and attitudes towards the homeless not only in my own city, but nationwide as well.  Of course, this is a worldwide issue as well.  My line of work requires me to be right on the front lines of this issue in our city.  Therefore, I see not only the effects of the homeless issue on the infrastructure of the city, but on individuals as well.  There are advocate groups who will swear up and down that this segment of our population is merely disadvantaged due to a unjust economic system.  While I agree that not everyone receives the same economic opportunities as others around them, I believe this is not the fault of one person, class of people or political party.  For a person  may become homeless due to being poor or also to poor choices they've made at one point or another.  I know that those liberals among us may not want to hear this truth, but there are those among the homeless population who prefer to live the way they are.  Be it as a protest against society, a drug or alchohol issue or simply refusing to work, there are those of the homeless population who refuse to work.

"For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'  "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give you drink?  'When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?  'Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?  "And the king will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly,  I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to  one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to Me.'
Matthew 25: 35-40 NKJV

For the record, I have no issue with charities that help the homeless lift themselves up from the condition they find themselves in.  However, what I DO take issue with is the government requiring its taxpayers to foot the bill for a segment of the homeless population which refuses to get back on their feet despite the assistance of others.  It's  my opinion that living off the government tit SHOULD NOT be considered an occupation!  However, when the good citizens of this nation have complained that their taxes are too high and that perhaps we should reduce the amount of benefit programs currently funded by the government, a firestorm erupts.  It is then that the self proclaimed "experts" in the media, entertainment and political realms shout from the rooftops that such talk is not only selfish but hate speech as well.  WHAT?  I'll come out and say it, my taxes are too high!  Why are we, taxpaying citizens of this nation, footing the bill for the welfare and health care of those who refuse to make a living?  This is not a question of greed, but one of economic sense!  Democrats and Republicans alike are quick to criticize each other for inflating the national debt, but few solutions are engaged to reduce the number of government benefit programs.
As I've said, I have no issue with charity, and I believe that those who donate to these relief organizations are to be applauded for their generosity.  Yet, where is the applause for my tax dollars that support those who refuse to work?  No, they only demand more benefits!  I find this insulting.  Granted, I am not homeless, but if I ever end up in that situation I will do EVERYTHING in my ability to work my way out of it!  That, dear readers, is the essence of this nation!  For our forfathers did not wait around and wait for someone else to feed, clothe and house them!  No, their work ethic prevented them from engaging in that behavior.  In years past, one was looked down upon should they fall on hard times and need to go on governmnt assistance.  It was this stigma in our society that I believe kept more than a few people working to provide for themselves.  Do those who choose to be homeless provide for themselves?  Well, some may say so, but I've seen the other side of that coin people.  For who cleans up the garbage, vomit and excrement that the homeless leave behind them?  I guarantee you they don't do that themselves!  In my humble opinion, it IS NOT our job as a society to clean up after these people when they are more than able to do it for themselves!  One thing is for certain, if you EVER find me living on the streets you'll know I really must have F**ked up bad!

~Scott~

Oh Man!

"We've begun to raise daughter more like sons...but few have the courage to raise our sons more like our daughters"
~Gloria Steinem~

Recently I was directed to a article by Blaze commentator Tomi Lahren where she rants against the fact that men in this day and age have become "Really soft."  Now, miss Lahren is no stranger to her rants about different subjects in our society today.  However, this one struck a bitter cord with me.  Yes, I agree that men today have become extremely feminized, but it's not totally by our own doing.  While I applaud miss Lahren for bringing this situation to the attention of the public, I am also angered that people have not noticed this sooner.  For there were warnings of this situation like storm clouds on the horizon for years.  The past few generations of American men have been purposefully brainwashed into the liberal idea of what men should be.  One of the archetecs of  this societal brainwashing is none other than Gloria Steinem, one of the founders of the womens liberation movement.  Ok, I'll put it out there.  While some claim miss Steinem was a liberating voice for womens rights, it is my belief that she was just a unattractive hippie girl who was tired of not having men be interested in her.  There, I said it!  While I believe that women have the exact same social, economic and unalienable rights which are guaranteed to us all, I also believe that there is a segment of our population who would wish to deny them of this.

"As long as working women also have to do the work of child and family care at home, they will have two jobs instead of one.  Perhaps more important, children will grow up thinking that only women can be loving and nurturing, and men cannot"
~Gloria Steinem~

While I agree that in the dynamic of childbirth and parenting that both parents are badly needed, I will also point out the sorry fact that in todays America, single parent households are more common.  Having been raised in a single parent home, I know the struggle that this entails.  For not only did my mother struggle in raising my brother and myself, but I struggled without my father in my life.  To her credit, I can never recall my mother mentioning Gloria Steinem nor womens liberation while I was growing up.  Yes, she struggled with income disparity, but sniveling over it wasn't going to provide for her family!  No, my mom did what she had to do to raise her sons.  I wonder just what Gloria Steinem would have done in such a situation?
I've noticed a boatload of books in the past few years on what it takes to be a man.  Granted, I tend to gravitate to faith based publications in this case.  Even then, most of these publications miss the mark.  Yes, there has been a increase in single parent families in this generation, GET OVER IT!  What are we doing about the cause?  Single parent homes are not the cause of what Tomi Lahren bemoans as men getting "soft."  No, for even a single parent can teach a child in the way they should go.  Miss Lahren claims that there are "slim pickings" these days for single women.  REALLY?  When did she wake up and get a clue?  This has been an issue ever since the womens liberation movement hijacked the way we raise our children!  Suddenly it was more important for a young boy to be ""nurturing" and not be a young man.  No, for boys eventually grew into young men who started wars and kept women down!  There's no way we could tolerate that!  I am not afraid to call what we've been doing to generations of boys and our young men as social engineering, for that is exactly what it is.  To call it anything else is to ignore the truth.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
1 Corinthians 13:11 NKJV

Tomi Lahren bemoans the fact that there are men today who lack traditional "manly" skills such as changing a tire.  I tend to agree with her, social engineering has brought us to this point.  I feel it's wrong to place blame on the man of today for being weak or soft, for that's whats been drilled into our heads for the past few decades.  Traditional guy behaviors such as hunting, fishing and even working on cars have been attcked by feminists as being "militaristic" and discriminatory towards women.  We've been told time and again just how we are to raise this new generation of kinder, gentler more empathetic men.  Then, when we look  for that traditional man of the past, we cannot find him!  The male in our modern society is now caught in a catch 22 situation.  While we may yearn to engage in the traditional behaviors that boys and men have done for generations, we are often chastised for this behavior.  However, when a man is needed, we wonder where they all have gone!  I would point out that the traditional roles and behaviors of men have done nothing to damage our society.  For we often celebrate other nations and societies where these traditional behaviors have been deeply rooted for generations.  It's my humble opinion that Gloria Steinem and her womens liberation crowd should stick to being  unattractive hippie women because they really suck at social engineering!

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; for he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile, this day shall gentle his condition; and gentleman in England now a-bed shall think themselves accurs'd that they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks that fought with us upon Saint Crispins day
~Willam Shakespeare Henry V~

~Scott~

Vigilante Christianity

But sanctify the Lord  god in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meakness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
1 Peter 3: 15-16 NKJV

I often wonder the motivation for those who profess to be christians by using shame or guilt to add to the flock of the Lord.  It is true that Jesus asked us to make disciples of all the world, but how we go about this really does matter.  We can either make our approach the hard way, or the gentle way.  As we see in 1 Peter 3:15, we  are advised to receive the questions of others with "meakness and fear."  The apostle Peter had been in the presence of the Lord Jesus, so he must have known a thing or tow about just how Jesus ministered to those who approached him.  For I would doubt that Jesus would  ever make someone feel guilty about not following Him.  No, Jesus not only sought others, but responded to people in love as well.  There was nothing forceful about Jesus when it came to telling them about His father in heaven.  There was no guilt involved.  However, what Jesus did do is give the truth, he told it the way He saw it.  THIS, in my opinion, is what made people of His day extremely apprehensive.  

The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth.  What do I still lack?"  Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possesions.  Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Matthew 19: 20-24 NKJV

Ok, here is Jesus offering this rich young man the gift of eternal life.  He  does, however, add a catch to this offer.  For the rich man to inherit eternal life he must give all he owns to the poor and follow Him.  For some people this may seem like a no brainer.  After all, what is a ""Heavenly treasure" compared to our earthly goods?  Ultimately, the struggle this man faces is one of trusting in Jesus or in what he owns.  Obviously, had the young man chosen to follow Jesus, he would have been provided for.  However, instead of a possible thirteenth disciple we are left with a dejected young rich man.  I would assume that as time went on that he regretted his decision made in haste.  We never see Jesus condemn the young man nor ridicule him for his decision.  Instead this turns into a teaching opportunity for His disciples, so all is not lost.
How many more people would be led to the Lord without hearing the words Must, have to, need to, hell, anger or punishment thrown at them?  I know that if someone came to me and condemned me for not giving my life to their Lord I would not be too inclined to join them.  It is not our guilt or condemnation that will turn the hearts of those around us to Jesus, but the love of Christ.  The same love that did not condemn the adultress at the well or the woman caught in adultry and about to be stoned for her "sins."  No, for Jesus poured His love into these children of God.  And what of Saul, Zacchaeus and the thief on the cross?  Were they shamed into submitting to the Lord?  Again, the perfect love of Christ turned their hearts to the Lord.  Each of us has the unique opportunity to share Christ with those around us.  Let us talk of what the love of Christ has done in our own lives rather than what condemnation will contribute to those who do not follow the Lord.  We may be surprised at their response.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the spirit.
Romans 8:1 NKJV

~Scott~

Dead From The Start

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galations 2:20  NKJV

For some time a good friend of mine has been driving home in me a pretty important biblical truth.  This truth may sound simple.  Jesus Christ in me.  However, many of us miss this point in scripture.  I was one of those.  It is indeed a hard concept to wrap our thoughts around, the fact that we no longer exist, that part of us has been replaced somehow.  Personally, I don't remember this happeninng.  However, there it is in scripture in Galations 2:20, a verse I've poured over alot in the past few months.  When I look at this apart from my world view, I can see the truth that I've been shown.  That Jesus, having been crucified on the cross, Himself replaced the sin spirit that was within me from the fall.  Now, I wasn't there at the fall either, but the consequences of Adam and Eves disobedience were mine to carry nonetheless.  These are the same consequences that each of  us carried with us, until the willing sacrafice of Jesus changed that dynamic forever.

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 NKJV

Now, as if to add more confusion to this topic, it has been brought to my attention that I died long ago!  Yeah, you can see how one would have trouble accepting this.  However, when we meditate on just what has happened, we can begin to see the big picture.  We know that our Lord is fully omniscient, able to see everything past, present and future.  In fact, scripture tells us that God is the "Alpha and Omega," the first and the last.  For He has been from the begining and will remain the last one standing in the end.  Knowing this, is it that far of a stretch to say that our Lord predestined everything to happen?  From the good to the not so good, Gods plan has been in effect from begining.  For He meant for us to sin in the garden AND for His own son to become sin inn our place so that we would once again be in fellowship with Him.

"Where were you when I layed the foundations of the earth?  Tell me, if you have understanding.  Who determined its measurements?  Surely you know!  Or who stretched the line upon it?  To what were its foundations fastened?  Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?  Or who shut in the sea with doors, When it burst forth and issued from the womb; When I made the clouds its garment, And thick darkness its swaddling band; When I fixed My limit for it, And set bars and doors; When I said, "This far you may come, but no further, And here your proud waves must stop!"  Have you commanded the morning since your days began, And caused the dawn to know its place?
Job 38: 4-12 NKJV

Near the end of the book of Job we see something well worth mentioning here.  For Job, the afflicted, has questioned Gods motives in his life.  See, ol' Job had it all, then suddenly lost almost all of it.  You and I know that it was satan who first questioned Gods provision over Job, not Job himself.  However, as we often do, Job only saw what was taking place in front of him.  In the minds of his wife and three friends, God was punishing Job.  However, despite all that happened, Job did not curse God, despite his wife asking him to do so.  It is here, near the end of book of Job where God submits his answer to those who questioned his motives.  Really, Job?  Were you there when I laid the foundations of the earth?  Were you there when I created all?  The answer, obviously, is no.
I bring this up for one reason, that we may see God for who He is.  Not the fire and brimstone punisher found in the old testament, but the very same God who loved us enough to save us!  As God worked behind the scenes in the life of His servant Job, so he does with us today.  For everything that happens and HAS happpened is all according to His holy plan.  Did He know I would be born into sin before I was even born?  Of course, and I trust him in that He knows what He's doing.  For who am I to question the creator of the universe?

~Scott~

How Can This Be?

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth,and be turned aside to fables.
2 Timothy 4: 3-4 NKJV

I am always leary of any Hollywood adaptation of a biblical storyline.  Akin to tasking Adolf Hitler to write a history of the holocaust, they always seem to take their share of liberties with the truths of the bible.  And why not?  Americans seem to be hungering for stories of the scriptures, so there is obviously money there to be made.  Of course, this would be the wrong motivation for anyone making a major film on a biblical story, but this is Hollywood, where cash is king.  So, it was with these reservations in mind that I took in a viewing of the new faith based film Young Messiah.  Now, despite Hollywoods history of taking liberties with the bible, I thought it was a decent adaptation of the early life of Jesus.  Of course, there were a few embelishments, but this is to be expected.  For one cannot create a story of the early life of Jesus without taking a few liberties.

And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!"  But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what matter of greeting this was.  Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.  He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.  And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."  Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
Luke 1: 28-34 NKJV

In my mind, to make a film on the early life of Jesus is difficult as we have very little information available in scriptures about this period in His life.  It is against this backdrop that the producers of Young Messiah had to create a strong biblical story.  In my opinion, I feel that they did a good job with the information that we have of this tme in the life of Jesus.  However, I still feel that scripture lacks this important element in its description of the very life of Christ.  Yes, we have plenty of insight of that part of His life when He walked in His ministry throughout Isreal, but I feel a bit more insight into His childhood would have been beneficial.  We know that a portion of the gospels must have been written not long after Jesus' crucifiction, so His family would have been available to fill in information.  However, with hindsight being 20/20, we are left to fill in the blanks on our own as to just what the formative years of young Jesus must have been like.  We must not downplay the traditions of generations of Jewish culture, for it is here where we get a glimpse of just what life for the Young Messiah must have been like.  He must have played, laughed and run through the countryside of Judea with other children His age.  We know from our own experience that children are the same wherever they grow up.  However, this one was definately different.
In the end, I thought that the producers of Young Messiah did a fair job in depicting that part  of the life of Jesus.  Did they take a few liberties?  Of course.  As a young man growing up, Jesus must have had questions about His heavenly Father.  As Joseph asks in the film, "How do you explain God to His own Son?"

~Scott~

The Great Divide

"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
~John F Kennedy~

I've been following with slight interest the antics of the 2016 United States presidential campaign.  At times it seems like a sick reality TV show while at others it reminds me of a twisted comedy.  Here we have a former government official under investigation for misconduct, a senator who didn't earn his first legitimate paycheck until age 40, a candadite with interesting connections to the Bush family and a successful tycoon all bidding to become our nations chief executive.  In my own mind, each has their own flaws.  However, as a christian and a conservative I choose the businessman for a few reasons.  First and foremost, Donald Trump is FAR above the talent and leadership level of Barack Obama!  Second, Mr. Trump, as everyone knows, has amassed a large fortune.  The lobbyists and special interests that have plagued our system for years may not find a hospitable welcome in a Trump white house.  He has, in fact, recently vowed to avoid them.  You don't trust him?  Do you trust the man who claimed that if you liked your doctor that you could keep him?  Do you trust a group of cronies who slept while four Americans were killed in Benghazi?  I've noticed recently that the political rallies of Donald trump have been interupted by certain protestors.  Immediately my mind flashed back to the lazy hippie protestor of the Vietnam era.  Lord forbid we should lend these sloths any time.  However, I learned long ago that any conservative political candadite running for president would not only face off against their political opponent, but the national media as well.  See, the deck is pretty much stacked against such a candadate before he even declares his intentions!  Almost daily I hear of yet another hack anchor at CNN, MSNBC or some other broadcast media joke of a network attacking Donald Trump while turning a blind eye to Hillary Clinton and her democrat posse.  I recently heard that Hillary was "pained" that the American public had finaly woken up and no longer trusted in her.  Pained?  Really?  Was it because she was fired by the Watergate comission for dishonesty?  Wait, was it because of her dealings with the Rose Law firm in Arkansas and the destruction of vital records?  Anyone recall Vince Foster?  Hillary is pained?  What about the rest of us?
The fact remains that I have never seen a time in our nations history where we are so politicaly divided.  In a nation where different opinions and beliefs are celebrated as individual rights, many have resorted to insulting those who do not share the same political views as they do.  The same people who talk of diversity and free speech are the same people who attempt to silence that of others.  We are not a nation of one common belief, but of different points of view.  This is part of what makes our nation a shining light of freedom seen around the world.  Most of  us who are old enough recall the tyrany of Warsaw, the killing fields of Cambodia and Tienneman Square.  Our nation has always been the last refuge of freedom.  The brutal tactics of political persecution are something that we are a refuge from, not a hotbed for!  However this turns out, be assured the world is watching.

~Scott~

The Boy Jesus

Luckily, I was strong since I had been working in the carpentry shop, helping My father Joseph handle the heavy lumber.  I got the better of them.  Still, I was beaten up pretty well,  too.  On the way home, I felt like Kind David who defended himself against a lion and a bear.  When Joseph saw Me, he just looked at my bruises and the cut beneath my eye and said, 'who won?'  I told him, 'I did'  All he said was, "Good!"  My heavenly Father would one day ask me not to defend myself in a fight, but until that fight came, he nnever told me I couldn't stand up for myself.  One day in the temple I would stand up for Him and clean out the moneychangers.
From the book~ Jesus: An Interview Across Time~ By Andrew G Hodges

If there is onne thing that I have reservations about with Gods word is the lack of details about the life of the young boy Jesus as He grew into adulthood.  However, we today can learn alot about the upbringing of the God child simply by delving into the Jewish culture of the time as well as knowing the nature of a child.  One can assume that the boy Jesus would have learned His trade at the feet of His father, Joseph.  For this was the custom of the time.  We've all seen that famous phrase at one time or another, "My father is a Jewish carpenter!"  There is some truth in this statement.  In the culture of Jesus' day, a young boy would be expected to learn the trade of his father.  This was just how things were done.  Consider the future apostles of Jesus,  as some were lifelong fishermen.  Obviously, they also had learned this trade from their fathers before them.  That is, until  they became fishers of men.  So, if we take a look into Jewish culture of the day, we can get a glimpse of the early life of the boy Jesus...Jesus Bar Joseph (Son of Joseph)

Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.  She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.  And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.  So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.  And the child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
Luke 2: 36-40 NKJV

It is here, in Luke 2:40 that we catch yet another glimpse of the boy Jesus.  We can assume that Mary and Joseph had brought the young lad  to Jerusalem for ceremonial reasons, as we are told they departed when they had "Performed all things according to the law of the Lord."  We also can gather from this that Joesph and Mary were Godly parents, but we knew that already.  It is here in verse 40 that the scriptures give us a glimpse into the growth of Jesus.  For Jesus grew and "Became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom."  I will assume here that the boy Jesus had a wisdom beyond His young years, which he displayed a short time later.

When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem.  And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to be in the company, they went a day's  journey, and sought Him among their relatives and aquaintances.  So  when they did not fiind Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.  Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to  them and asking them questions.  And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.  So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have you done this to us?  Look, your father and I have sought you anxiously."  And He said to them,"Why did you seek Me?  Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"  But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
Luke2: 43-50 NKJV

We can see, that even at this young age, that the Boy Jesus had a sense of just who He was and what His purpose would be.  One can imagine the wisdom of this child, for the Jewish teachers he was talking with in the temple were likely well versed in the scriptures of the Lord.  Yet, even these well learned Jewish men were "astonished at His understanding and answers."  I would speculate that this was no ordinary son of a Jewish carpenter.  Yes, He was growing in stature and wisdom, but physically as well.  We can also assume that the human side of Jesus that He would let show from time to time in later years, most likely manifested itself as a young Boy as well.  A young Boy, fully human, fully God going about His Fathers business.

~Scott~

Spirit Led

"I do  not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be onne just we We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect inn one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me."
John 17: 20-23 NKJV

I had always seen Jesus' prayer in the garden of Gethsemene as one of anguish and conflict.  Here was the very Son of the living God facing his ultimate death at the hands of those who hated Him.  As Jesus prayed, we see the appearance of His physical flesh, His humanity, coming through.  It is here that Jesus asks His Father to "Take this cup from me."  Obviously, Jesus knew what lay ahead of Him and, being fully man as well as God, felt the tug of His flesh as he faced His destiny.  This is the very reaction we would have if we were in His place.  However, this was no ordinary man.  For Jesus knew that path that He had to take.  That doesn't mean that, from time to time, His human flesh would not come through.  In scripture, we see a few instances where the human side of Jesus came through.  However, He was always aware of His true calling.

"For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.  I came forth from the Father and have come into the world.  Again, I leave the world and go to the Father."
John 16: 27-28 NKJV

I believe that we make a mistake when we see Jesus as only the Son of God as he walked among us.  No, He was much more than that.  Yes, Jesus had the indwelling spirit of the Father in Him, but He had our flesh as well.  For Jesus to become sin on our behalf, He also needed to become that which makes us who we are.  Not only was Jesus God, but He was also flesh.  Some refer to this as Jesus' earthly "vessel" which I believe describes it pretty well.  For it was His body that held Gods indwelling spirit.  Fully God, yet fully man.  Even though we see the "flesh" nature of Jesus come through from time to time, there can be no doubt that He was ultimately led by His Fathers spirit.

~Scott~