A Friendship To Overcome Fear

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

The summer season here in Oregon brings many things.  Warm, sunny weather as well as countless opportunities for outdoor recreation.  The mountains and rivers fill with those seeking to enjoy the wonders of nature which our Lord has given us.  Of course, for me summer brings more opportunities for hiking adventures with my dear friend Dennis.  In the past few years, we have tackled many a trail in our search for the enjoyment of the Pacific Northwest.  For Dennis, it is a opportunity to get outdoors in the midst of nature while getting some recreation time in.  I would say that it's the same for me, if not for the demon I carry with me.  See, from an early age I have had a pretty good fear of heaights.  Up until I met Dennis, anything above 50 feet off the ground was definately off limits for me!  Trust me, Dennis and I have had numerous conversations of just how it is NOT Gods desire to instill in me, or anyone else for that matter, a spirit of overwhelming fear.  No, we are not meant to fear, but to enjoy what our heavenly Father has given us.  Of course, fear may be a sound decision when faced with threatening situations or danger, but this IS NOT who we are.  For I believe that our fears are a learned response to some experience from our past.  Those who have been involved in a bad relationship may fear entering into a new one.  Those who have had a traumatic experience in a certain location may fear returning to said location.  For myself, I'm still searching for that one something that has caused me to freeze with fear in the face of altitude.

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgement; because as He is, so are we in this world.  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: 17-19 NKJV

So, what has changed in the past few years?  Well, despite my fears, I have followed my friend on more than a few hikes in our part of the Northwest.  Have some of these been high altitude death marches?  Absolutely!   But, hey, I survived to share my story.  There are two journeys I can point to in which I stared my demon in the face and in the end came out a better person.  The Angels Rest trail in the Columbia River Gorge is a beautiful hike for anyone wanting to see the beauties of this picturesque area.  However, it's no easy feat.  Rising to  1,600 feet, this monster is rated by more than a few hiking reviews as a "Difficult trail."  However, in  the end I'm proud to say that I completed this high altitude trail of tears just fine.  For me, it's akin to a badge of honor for completing such a journey and driving a stake in the heart of the fear that has long subdued me.  The Clakamas River trail in the Mount Hood wilderness of Oregon was yet another of our series of trail marches.  Listed as anywhere between 800 to 1,000 feet above the waters of the Clackamas River at it's highest point, it is indeed a must see for anyone wishing to see the wonders of this area.  That being said, I hated it!  Well, I hated the fear that ran through me as we chased our way up the trail to Pup Creek falls.  Did I mention that this "Trail" may have only been mere inches wide in some of it's highest points?  Note to the Mount Hood Wilderness rangers and personnel, "What were you thinking?"  However, at the end of the day, I had once again slayed another demon as I completed this journey with my friend.
The fact that I have been able to subdue my fears and enjoy the wonders of our Northwest area is not as much a testament to my own will, but of one mans desire to speak encouragement and love into another.  As the apostle Paul claims in 1 Timothy 1, our Lord has not cursed us with a spirit of fear, but blessed us with a spirit of love and a sound mind.  For it is not God who instills fear, but we who let our minds wander to those dark places where fear hides until awakened.

"We're not going to stop until we get at least one quitter!"
~Spoken to many a United States Navy SEAL during training~

             Dennis and I at the summit of the Angels Rest trail, summer of 2015

~Scott~

The Real Jesus

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir to all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of his  person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as he has by inheritance obtained a more excelllent name than they.
Hebrews 1: 1-4 NKJV

Just who is it that you think that the man Jesus is?  Is He certainly the risen Son of God as the scriptures tell us, or is He simply a decent, loving man.  Many become confused in their search for Jesus, focusing on His character instead of the very purpose for which He existed.  We make the claim that Jesus was none other than a kind hearted man who helped others who were in need.  By proclaiming this, we ignore what the scriptures have proclaimed about the coming Son of God.

He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and aquainted with grief.  And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.  Surely He has born our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by god, and afflicted.  But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.   All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53: 3-6 NKJV

Most of us know of the good works, kind words and miracles of the man Jesus.  It is this part of Jesus where many people stop in their quest to know and understand Him.  It is enough for them that Jesus was simply a good person who did what He could to help anyone in need.  For this is what counts after all, the actions of the man and not His intent.  We exalt Jesus for His miracles of healing, while ignoring the very lesson He taught to those whom He helped.  To many of these, one man showed them the love and compassion which nobody else would.  We fail to see these instances as a indictment on ourselves and a guide for us to follow, but instead revel in the mercy of this man Jesus.  It is true that Jesus bestowed love and mercy upon those whom He came across, but His calling was much more than saving lepers and turning water into wine.  For these are merely the physical attributes of a man who some revere as one of the worlds greatest humanitarians.  In some ways, we have been blinded by the miracles of Jesus.  Yes, Jesus was love and mercy, but He gave us much more.  We've heard what some today believe Jesus was, but who did His disciples think He was?

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"  So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."  He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"  Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it.  And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be lossed in heaven."
Matthew 16: 13-19 NKJV

It seems that young Peter hit the nail on the head here.  For Peter saw through the miracles and parables of Jesus and came to know the man Jesus for who He was.  Of course Jesus was known by His own disciples, for they spent day after day sharing life with Jesus during His ministry.  There were plenty of opportunities for Jesus to share Himself with these young men who were His inner circle.  We today are blessed with a written record of the teachings which Jesus related to his disciples.   To His disciples Jesus was certainly more than just a good hearted humanitarian.  We today can look past the wonderous works of Jesus and gaze upon His true identity, the real reason for which He lived, gave His life as a sin offering and was resurected.  This He did for us.

"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 one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.  Father,  I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; For You loved Me before the foundation of the world."
John 17: 20-24 NKJV

The real man Jesus, giving of Himself that we may live.

~Scott~

How To Win Back Christians

Now hope does not disapoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.  For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 8: 5-8 NKJV

It's an alarming statistic to say the least.  From 2007 to 2014, the number of Americans identifying as christians fell 7.6% from 78.4 percent to 70.6 percent {Pew Research}.  That's 7.6 percent in seven years.  In that very same time frame, the numbers of religiously unafiliated people rose from 16.1 percent to 22.8 percent!  What happened to this nation which has been so steeped in christianity for so many generations?  So much were our forefathers devoted to their christian faith, that the influence of the bible and God can be seen countless times in our nations constitution as well as our system of laws we abide by.  Christianity has long had a home in this great nation.  We Americans were never Gods chosen people.  However, we were certainly one of the most blessed nations in the history of the civilized world.  Through many a battle and war, Americans have paid the price for their freedom in blood.  That these United States have remained free of foreign conquest for so long is a testament not only to our resourcefulness but to our willingness to bear the horrors of battle once again.  The nation must, above all else, survive.  Some have refered to our continued prosperity as divine providence, as if God had preordained the blessing of our great nation.  However, I see this as one of the most arogant statements one could make.  For I believe our prosperity rests not in our Lords preordained blessings, but in our willingness throughout our history to acknowledge and follow our heavenly Father.

"Men, all this stuff you hear about America not wanting to fight, wanting to stay out of the war, is alot of bullshit.  Americans love to fight.  All real Americans love the clash and sting of battle.  When you were kids, you all admired the champion marble shooter, the fastest runner, the big league ball players and the toughest boxers.  Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser.  Americans play to win all the time.  That's why Americans have never lost and never will lose a war.  The very thought of losing is hateful to Americans.  Battle is the most significant competition in which a man can indulge.  It brings out all that is best and removes all that is base.  You are not all going to die.  Only two percent of you here today would be killed in a major battle.  Every man is scared in his first action, if he says he's not he's a goddamn liar.  But the real hero is the man who fights even though he's scared.  Some men will get over their fright in a minute under fire, some take an hour, and for some it takes days.  But the real man never lets his fear of death overpower his honor, his sense of duty to his country, and his inate manhood."
~General George S Patton Jr.~
June 5,  1944

So, have we as Americans lost our desire to follow our heavenly Father?  I don't believe so, not at all.  Have we as Americans become weary of  that "institution" which our church and our worship has become?  I find this explanation more plausible.  I believe that Americans have become weary of the weekly show that has become the church in these United States.  I have believed for some time that the christian "church" in this country has done we who believe few favors.  We love our Lord, seemingly have a desire to know Jesus, and yet our church leaders try in vain to regale us with sermons of somehow earning our Lords love and salvation.  News flash pastor pulpit pounder, the very death and resurection of Jesus has already given us both forgiveness of our sins AND a life with Jesus Christ {Galations 2:20}.  This is the truth which can be as liberating to each and every christian as it was to me.  So, how is it that we can reverse this trend of christians in America seemingly abandoning their faith?  Well, scriptures tell us that there will be those who turn from the faith {2 Timothy 4: 3-4 NKJV}.  Despite this, I believe that there is a desire in America to know Jesus without the trappings of a orderly weekly worship service.  I believe that those 7.6 percent of people who no longer affiliate themselves with the term christian still have a desire to know the love and grace of our heavenly Father.  Our message should not be that God is one who is so ready to dicipline those who won't tow the church line, but one who loved us all enough that while we were still guilty of sin He would send His Son to be sin in our place.  God is love, and He embraces those who He receives.   That is my God.

~Scott~

Keeper Of The Flock

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.  But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.  To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.  Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."
John 10: 1-5 NKJV

There are many a passage in scripture where Jesus is refered to as the Good Shepherd.  And why not?  Is Jesus not the leader of His flock?  However, I believe there is a reason that Christ Jesus was refered to in such a way.  Like many of His parables, Jesus used stories which His audience could understand.  Despite this, many continued to be perplexed by the teachings of Jesus even today.  Did Jesus intend for us to be confused by His words?   I don't believe so, but I also believe that some of the teachings of Christ will take some meditation on our part.  So, why did Jesus refer to Himself as the Good Shepherd?  Good question.  I guess one could start by understanding the sheep which He guides.  See, sheep are interesting animals to say the least.  They are pretty docile, not prone to fighting.  This usually makes them pretty easy prey for any predator that comes along.  Here in Oregon, the ranchers of Eastern Oregon have long fought a battle agianst various wild wolves that some wish to protect and preserve.  Now, the wolf is a beutiful animal no doubt, but it is also a predator pure and simple.  Like that giant shark that swallowed Robert Shaw whole in the movie Jaws, these roving packs of killers can quickly terrorize a herd of animals.  It's not the fault of the wolf, it's just what they do.  Naturaly, wolfs are natural predators of the docile sheep, which is why a shepherd is needed to protect the flock.  In middle eastern cultures, shepherds continue to be a honored occupation even today.  Where there are sheep, there are shepherds.

"I am the door.  If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.  I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.  But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not  own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.  The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.  I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.  As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.  And the other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them alo I must bring, and they will hear my voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.  Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.  No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself.  I have power to lay it down, and i have power to take it again.  This commmand I have received from My Father."
John 10: 9-18 NKJV

Even so, if Jesus is the good shepherd, then we who are of his flock are His sheep.  The funny thing about sheep is that they are wanderers.  One of the primary jobs of the shepherd is to assure that all sheep in his care stay safe until they can be processed (sheared or used for food).  As we've seen, sheep without a shepherd are easy pickings for any predators that may come along.  As some may have already guessed, we who have trusted in Christ Jesus are the sheep which He guards.  We are His flock.  Not only that, Jesus also tells His listeners that He also must gather those sheep which are not of His flock {John 10:16}.  Yes, this includes those who have yet to accept Christ Jesus.  We can see that Jesus did not come to save just a chosen few, but that through Him the world may be saved {John 3:17}.  There are no favorites here, all sheep are welcome.  Now, I never thought of myself as a docile sheep.  No, more like a killer lion.  However, I can see why Jesus may have used sheep to describe His flock.  For like sheep we are prone to wander from our safe confines from time to time.  Sure, we know where our home pasture is, but sometimes we feel that need to seek a better pasture.  This is where our good shepherd will call to us and call us back into His fold.

~Scott~

A Most Surprising Verdict

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.  My little children, these things I write to  you, so that you may not sin.  and if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for our only but also for the whole world.
1 John 1:7-9, 1 John 2: 1-2 NKJV

A major trial can be pretty mesmerizing.  In fact, there was a time when I considered a career as a lawyer.  This is profession that requires a special type of person.  Yes, one must desire to help others, but more than that, you must like to argue.  I mean, REALLY like to argue.  For this is one of the primary functions of a lawyers profession.  The fact that I once considered such a profession should tell you something.  It's not that I enjoy an argument, just when I'm right, which is usually only about 99.8% of the time.  Most of us recall one of the most watched trials in history, the trial of one Orenthal James Simpson some years back.  Mr. Simpson stood accused of murdering his ex wife and another man, and DNA evidence only seemed to solidify the prosecutions case.  Enter Simpsons "Dream team" of lawyers led by one Johnnie Cochran, one of the best dog and pony show lawyers money could  buy.  Rounding out Simpsons well paid hit squad were Robert Shapiro, F. Lee Bailey and a few other legal sharks.  Even with these charlatains in his court, the evidence seemed overwhelming.  Yeah, you'd think so.  However, on October 3, 1995, O.J. Simpson was found not guilty by a jury of his peers.  Now, when I say a jury of his peers I DO NOT mean that Simpson was tried before a jury of rich black former athletes who also happened to be murderers.  That thought never crossed my mind whatsoever.  In a way, we are like O.J. Simpson in that we also had overwhelming evidence of our guilt hovering over us.  We, were once presumed guilty as charged.

Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.  For he who has died has been freed from sin.  Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we should also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more.  Death no longer has dominion over Him.  For the death that He died He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.  You also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6: 6-11 NKJV

Where did our guilt come from?  Were we as bad as any murderer or cutthroat who ever lived?  I mean, I have always felt I was a good person.  Most others would say the same thing I'm sure.  But yes, we were guilty as charged.  For in Genesis we see the result of the original sin in which we were born into {Genesis 3: 22-24}.  Ou Lord tossed Adam and Eve out of His garden due to their sin.  This was the fall, this was our original sin.  Nobody could escape this guilt, for no lawyer could argue in our defense.  The ultimate devine judge had already declared our guilt, we were lost.  Enter Christ Jesus.  With the birth, death and resurection of Jesus, the guilt which we once carried now became a thing of the past.  The very same judge who proclaimed our guilt also provided for our forgiveness and salvation.  Money or influence could not purchase this atonement, only the shed blood of our Lord Jesus was sufficient enough for God to proclaim us clean of our sins.  Not only that, the body of Christ that died on that cross did away with the "Body" of sin which we once occupied!  Despite being born into sin, with our sins ever before us, we now live washed, sinless lives with Jesus.

"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

Washed by His blood, saved from a life of sin by His resurected flesh, we now have our indwelling Lord Christ within us.  This is the product of our Lords love for His children.

~Scott~

The Call

"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes ot Me  I will by no means cast out.  For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.  This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me, that everyone who sees the Son and  believes in Him may have everlasting life; And I will raise him up on the last day.
John 6: 37-40 NKJV

There is that moment, that instant where one knows that there is something more to the life they are living.  It's not magic or at all logical, but it has indeed been pre destined from the begining of time.  In that moment, we know we have something special before us.  Some call it their own realization.  However, I prefer to refer to it as "The call."   That is, Gods call on our hearts.  Like reaching out to call His children home, our Lord will often whisper to us our need to follow Him.  Of course, this was our original programming, our original calling.  For in the garden of Eden, man would spend his days in the very presence of his creator.  This is not a well kept secret, for the book of Genesis tells  us very clearly the story of our Lords creation.  How from virtually nothing God created all that we see today from something which from the begining was "Without form, and void {Genesis 1:2}.  Not only that, but our Lord also created man from the very dust of the ground, breathing into him the very breath of life {Genesis 2:7}.  Therefore, from the begining of time, God has created all that we see and experience today.  Upon completion of this miracle of creation, it is our Lord who ultimately declared His creation "Good" {Genesis 1:31}.  Yes, these were the original settings, our default settings if you will.  Pure, God created and undefiled straight from the factory.  So, what went wrong?  Why, if these were our "Original settings," would our Lord feel the need to place His call on our hearts to follow Him?  What happened?  Sin happened.

Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil.  And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever" - therefore, the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken.  So he drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.
Genesis 3: 22-24 NKJV

So much for original factory settings.  Of course, this was no manufacuring defect or blemish.  No, this was operator error pure and simple.  Following the suggestion of the deceiver, man gave in to that which God had warned him not to.  This is what is commonly refered to as "The fall."  And what a tumble it was.  Some have refered to this as being "seperated" from our Lord upon the expulsion from the garden of Eden, but I disagree with this.  Yes, mankind may have strayed away from his creator, but this did nothing to change the original factory settings which had been instilled in him.  That desire to fellowship and commune with God was and is  still with us no matter how far we wander.  These are our original settings, and our fall into sin did nothing to change this.  This is also why, when our Lord chooses, that he places his call once again on the hearts of His children.  Deep in our hearts we know Him, He is our Lord, our God.  From the dust of the ground He breathed into us the breath of life.  He has always been with us, no matter how hard we try to assert our independence and live on our own.  He is loving, He is patient, He is God.  When we, His children, hear His call, we do well to answer.

~Scott~

My Lord And My God

The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord."  So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."  After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas was with them.  Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!"  Then he said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at my hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into my side.  Do not be unbelieving, but believing."  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 have yet believed."
John 20: 25-29 NKJV

We've all heard that infamous phrase.  To be a "Doubting Thomas"  is to  show a unbelief for something despite there being ample evidence to the contrary.  It is here where we find our friend the disciple Thomas, of whom this infamous phrase was named.  Poor Thomas, who despite having shared so much of the ministry of Christ Jesus walking in his footsteps, refused to believe the other disciples when he was told of his Lords resurection.  Now, of course the disciples of Jesus were warned of His ultimate crucifiction and resurection by Jesus Himself.  Yet they were caught off guard when it all came down.  For Christ had told them on numerous occasions of His impending fate at the hands of sinful men, yet they were still surprised.  Now, in Thomas' defense, he was not there when Christ first appeared to the other disciples after His resurection.  Perhaps this was by design.  However, once he saw his one true and living God in the flesh, Thomas changed his tune.  What happened there?  Why did Thomas need to see proof that his Lord had indeed returned?  Why were the other disciples surprised by something they were told would happen?

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in apprearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has 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.
Philippians 2: 5-11 NKJV

It is not surprising to see the reaction of Thomas upon being reassured that he was once again in his Lords presence.  Imagine the joy Thomas must have felt, but also his hesitation at having doubted.  However, it was during this moment of Thomas' unbelief that Jesus gently took his young disciple aside and reassured him of His presence.  It is here that we see the reaction of a reassured Thomas, "My Lord and my God!"  How many of us today share that belief of the doubting Thomas?  For despite having the very testimony of the prophets and disciples of Christ Jesus, there are those who still refuse to believe.  I believe that when our time on earth is complete and the veil of truth is lifted, that those who have not believed in the risen Son of God will finaly see what they for so long refused to believe.  The rich man in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus was such a individual.  Facing the flames of hell, this rich man begged father Abraham to send someone to warn his brothers who were yet alive, lest they follow in his footsteps.

Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my fathers house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.'  "Abraham said to him, 'they have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.'  And he said, 'No father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'  "But he said to him, if they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead."
Luke 16: 27-31 NKJV

We have the faithful witness of Gods word as our guide to the truth of our Lord Christ Jesus.  Have we heard?   Have we believed?  We dare not wait until that morning breaks on our eternity before making our proclamation, "My Lord and my God!"

Someone To Guide Them

Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert.  So he arose and went.  And behold, a man of Etheopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning.  And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.  Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot."  So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"  And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?"  And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.  The place in the scripture which he read was this: "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth.  In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation?  For His life is taken from the earth."  So the Eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?  Then Philip opened his mouth, and begining at this scripture, preached Jesus to him.  Now as they went down the road, they came to some water.  And the Eunuch said, "See, here is water.  What hinders me from being baptized?"  Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may."  And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."  So he commanded the chariot to stand still.  And both Philip and the Eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.
Acts 8: 26-38 NKJV

Our Lord may at times ask of us things which we may feel are utterly impossible.  However, I assure you that with God nothing is ever impossible{Matthew 19:26}.  The bible is full of examples of the great men of faith who had their own moments of doubt in what God was calling on them to do.  From Moses, Abraham and Gideon to our infamous friend doubting Thomas, many whom God has called have faced doubt in what God called them to do.  However, in each of these examples, our heroes of the faith ultimately followed the path which God had placed before them.  What resulted was seeing the wonders of our Lord performed through His servants.  Now, could God have accomplished what He was asking these men to do on His own?  Absolutely, but oh the testimony of he whom God works His wonders through!  Now, we may sometimes feel like a modern day Abraham when we come to that realization that God is asking us to do something on His behalf.  You want me to do what, God??  We can rest assured in one truth, christian.  That being, if our Lord is indeed needing to do something through us, we will have all the strength and courage that we may need to face such a situation.  We also know that we can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us {Philippians 4:13}.  However, I'll take this just one step further.  For not only can we do all things through Christ who strengthens us, it is Christ Jesus Himself WHO IS our very strength!

Preach the word!  Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke, exort, with all longsuffering and teaching.  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: 2-4 NKJV

In Acts 8, as Philip is instructed to approach the chariot of the Ethiopian eunuch, he does so with gusto!  There is no turning back for Philip here.  If he had any doubts, we're not told of them, he just went.  It is interesting that we're told that this eunuch was reading from thhe prophet Isaiah and had come to Jerusalem "To worship."  We can only assume that the seed had already been planted by someone else in his heart.  As Philip asks this Ethiopian if he understands what he is reading, the eunuch gives his response which should be a rallying cry for any today who wish to share the gospel of Christ Jesus.  This eunuch responds to Philips question, "How can I, unless someone guides me?"  Just how many of us who have known the call of Christ Jesus on our hearts have been the one guide someone else into this truth?  Jesus Himself has spoken to us of the great need for those to guide others to His gospel.

Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
Matthew 9: 37-38 NKJV

We are those laborers, we are that guide who will tell others of the truth of Jesus.  For if not for our friend Philip, the eunuch may have gone his entire life without knowing of Christ Jesus.  Yes, Philip heeded Gods calling on his heart to share this truth, he made himself available for our Lords task.  If we ever find ourselves wondering just why there are not more people who have come to know Jesus we can ask ourselves one simple question.  How can they, unless someone guides them?

~Scott~

Gulab

~Marcus Lutrell with Muhammed Gulab~

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down ones life for his friends."

John 15: 12-13 NKJV 

"To break a Navy SEAL, you have to kill us.  That's why we can make it into our training, that's why we can call ourselves SEAL's because the only way you're gonna' break us is to kill us."
~Marcus Lutrell~

There is a region in Eastern Afghanistan and Northwestern Pakistan which some have claimed is a land which time has forgotten.  It is here, in the shadows of the Hindu Kush mountains, that a fiercely proud and independent people have lived for thousands of years.  The indigenous Pashtun people who inhabit this corner of the world have been residing, fighting and dying far from the notice of the outside world for generations.  This is the way of the Pashtun.  Tribal, tight knit, every man a warrior, every man a politician.  It was into this no mans land that four United States Navy SEAL's were inserted on June 27, 2005.  Their mission, to recon a village known to be used by a local bad man by the name of Ahmad Shah.  Shah being well known to United States and coalition forces as a major Taliban player in the instability of Afghanistan.  The stage was set, modern military technology against ancient tribal customs.  For the next three weeks, the United States grappled with the forces of Ahmad Shah, and paid dearly for their efforts.  When it was over, 19 U.S. troops lost their lives with one remaining wounded.  Although Ahmad Shah eventually escaped into the security of Pakistan, Taliban losses were reported in the range of 35 - 40 killed in action.  It was that lone United States Navy SEAL wounded survivor of what became known as the "Battle of Abbas Ghar" who would become to focus of one of the most intense search and rescue operations in modern history and a major motion picture.

Pashtunwali {Pashto} ~ Or "Pakhtunwali" is a non-written ethical code and traditional lifestyle which the indigenous Pashtun people follow.  It is a system of law and governance that began in prehistoric times and is preserved and still in use today, mostly in rural tribal areas.
~Wikipedia~

Mohammed Gulab has lived his entire life in the tribal regions of Eastern Afghanistan.  Had it not been for the battle of Abbas Ghar, the Taliban and one lone surviving Navy SEAL, he would have lived his life there in animinity as his ancestors had done for thousands of years before him.  Enter United States Navy SEAL Marcus Lutrell.  When Gulab came across Marcus Lutrell on the slopes of the mountain Sawtalo Sar in the Hindu Kush, Marcus was most certainly near death.  Having been shot numerous times, pierced with shrapnel and suffering a broken back from falling down that mountain to escape the pursuing Taliban, what Marcus Lutrell endured may have well indeed killed any other man.  In fact, three of his SEAL team members already lay dead on this hill.  But, as they these men so often say among themselves in times of stress and battle, "This is why we're SEAL's!"  Whatever the case, had it not been for Mohammed Gulab, Marcus Lutrell may well have died on that hell of a mountain.  Instead, religiously following his centuries old Pashtunwali code of conduct, Gulab rescued the Navy SEAL and took him with him to his village, knowing full well that Taliban troops were following.  Once temporarily safe in the village, Gulab cared for Marcus as he alerted United States forces of the location of their injured comrade.  With the help of Mohammed Gulab, Marcus Lutrell was eventually rescued, and a deep bond between the two continues to this day.
Some may wonder just what christianity and the Pashtunwali code have in common.  I wondered that same thing.  However, I did see similarities in what our Lord calls us to do unto others and that of this ancient ethical code.  For part of this Pashtunwali code also requires a man to provide for and  protect a guest in his village from all enemies at any cost.  THIS is the code that Muhammed Gulab followed.  Seeking no military victory or political office, Gulab gave Marcus Lutrell the gift of love and kindness.  And after all, isn't that what we as christians are also called to do unto others as well?  Thank you Gulab.

~Scott~

Our Illusion Of Self

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.  All things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.  And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the begining, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have preeminence.
Colossions 1: 15-18 NKJV

How much control do we feel that we have over our own lives?  In fact, isn't one of our greatest worries over our life just how we will manage to get through each day, as if it were we ourselves who are in control of such things?  Christian, if our Lord wills it, our very life can and will be taken from us in an instant!  Now, how much control do you think you have over your life?  We often go to God with requests for provision and protection, yet we still carry with us a dangerous independent streak. Our own catch phrases such as self confidence and self confidence attest to this error in our own thinking.  For how can we have confidence in ourselves if, ultimately, we had nothing at all to do with our own creation?  I can see our argument that we are truly independent would be valid if not for one vital fact.  It is God who created us, who breathed the breath of life into each and every living thing.  And yet we continue to seek our Lord with our various requests, all the while maintaining that we who He created are independent of all which He created.  This is the illusiion of our independent self.  In Colossions 1, the apostle Paul delivers a smackdown to anyone who might feel that they are truly independent.  As Paul put it, "All things were created through Him and for Him."  This "Him" is none other than our Lord Christ Jesus.

Then God said, "Let Us make man in our own image, according to our own likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.
Genesis 1:26 NKJV

Yet, although through Christ all things were created, it is we who our Lord God has bestowed dominion over His creation.  Of course, there is a huge difference between being a truly independent being and simply having dominion over our Lords creation.  Somewhere along the way, our programing got skewed just a bit.  For the sake of this discussion it must be noted that God is the ONLY one who is truly independent of any other.  He is influenced by and contingent upon no other.  THAT is independence!  Feeling independent and at the same time seeking the assistance of another is NOT independence.  God is self sufficient and lacks nothing, which one of us can make that claim?  So, it is we who carry on our illusion of our independent self.  I will note that it is this assumption of ours which runs against everything God is.  It is in our best interest to keep things in the perspective of how they were created.  Our Lord the creator, and we His children.  For this is the way He intended it to be.

~Scott~

Basic Instincts

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

There are a few basic things which a newborn child is keenly aware of.  They are aware that they are hungry, thirsty or in pain.  Those of us who have had the joys of parenthood can testify to the hours spent worrying over our newborn children.  For it is during these early years that each of us is totally dependent on our parents who are tasked with our care.  I don't recall much at all of my early years, which I suppose can be a good thing.  There is one more thing that each infant is also aware of, and that is the presence of those who provide for their care.  When we were babies, we would communicate our needs to our parents, who we trusted would provide for us.  Of course, as time takes its course, our young ones grow into the adults we hope that they become.  A parents influence is indeed crucial to a childs upbringing.  I find it intersting that in our later years we seem to  come full circle in our trust in the provider of our needs.   Despite the fact that as we age, we often provide for our own needs as well as those of our own children, there is a recognition of our heavenly provider.  I don't think that it's any coincidence at all that our Lord often refers to us as "His children."  And why not, He gave us life and is a intricate part of our everyday life.  We come to Him seeking provision, protection and someone to listen.  All of these things we used to rely on our parents for.  I am not aware of any studies that have been done to see if infants are aware in any way of our heavenly Father, but I believe that this realization comes a bit later in life.

But when it pleased God, who seperated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Galations 1: 15-17 NKJV

So, at what age is it that a infant may become aware of  our Lords heavenly presence?  That is up for debate, for some children progress faster than others.  Growing up, I learned of God at an early age, as my mother was very strong in her faith.  Does being exposed to the teachings and virtues of our Lord at a early age determine if we will ultimately heed His call on our hearts?  Possibly, But there are many influences that can go into this equation.  As I've said, our parents do their best to guide us along that path they wish us to take.  However, ultimately it is our own choices that decide the path our lives will take, including our acceptance of our Lord Jesus into our hearts.

Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.  But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, bornn 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 longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an ehir of God through Christ.
Galations 4: 3-7 NKJV

Even though each of us may choose our own path in life, it is ultimately through our Lords "Fullness of time" in which He will place the call of His Son upon our hearts.  Paul, one of the greatest defenders of the gospel of Jesus the world has ever known, was even so once a devout Jewish authority who routinely "Breathed threats" against the followers of Christ Jesus {Acts 9: 1-2}.  Such was his violence towards the early church, that Paul refered to himself as "Chief of sinners" {1 Timothy 1:15}.  As Paul states in Galations 1, it was not until "It pleased God" that Christ Jesus in Paul himself  was revealed.  No matter what path we choose, it is in Gods fullness of time that He will reveal His Son in us.

~Scott~

House Rules

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: "That it may be well with you and may you live long on the earth."  And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Ephesians 6: 1-4 NKJV

I've never heard of this country being a male dominated society.  Well, maybe except from some liberal crackpot college professor who never got much attention as a child.  One of the truths of christianity is that the father is tasked with being the spiritual leader of the home.  I've been in more than a few churches where the resident pulpit pounder expressed this as a fact.  In fact, as men we were often given the challange of spiritually leading our families.  I believe that there is some biblical precedence to this as well.  The apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 on just how fathers should raise their children.  It is no coincidence that Paul tellls us to "Bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord."  A portion of the websters definition of the word Admonition tells of a "Gentle or friendly reproof."  The definition goes on to include that of "A criticism or warning about behavior."  This would seem to give credence to Pauls instruction on how to raise a Godly child.  For if, as fathers, we raise our children in the ways of God, the rewards which we see in later years will be well worth any effort we took upon ourselves to do so.  There are countless examples and stories of children who have taken lifes wrong pathway when not guided by God fearing parents.  I believe this is not simply a coincidence.  Now, as I've shared before, I grew up in a single parent home after my parents were divorced.  I could have very well taken that wayward path had it not been for my mothers spiritual influence on my life.

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6 NKJV

Also included in Pauls instructions in Ephesians 6 are instructions for children in regards to their parents.  Paul instructs children to "Obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."  We see a interesting dynamic here, parents bringing up a child in training and admonition to the Lord, and children honoring and obeying their parents.  This is not the perfect family, this is a GODLY family, and it all begins with the parent/child relationship.  Of course, as any parent knows all too well, things never go this easily.  For a large part of a child growing up is learning and experiencing their own independence.  More than anything, this is what will turn a parents hair gray before it's appointed time.  I can only imagine the worry my own mother went through during my formative years.   However, one thing I am assured of is that she NEVER stopped praying for her sons.  As I reflect on all I've been through, I can see where her prayers were answered.

"And he arose and came to his father.  But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.  And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'  "But the father said to his servants, Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.  And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'  And they began to be merry.
Luke 15: 20-24 NKJV

I've always seen Jesus' parable of the prodigal son as His representation of our Lords never ending love for His children.  Here was the fathers son returning home after squandering his portion of his families inheritance.  The boy had his speech all planned out, fully expecting his fathers anger at his sons disobedience.   However, far from being angry, the boys father showered him with compassion.  In his eyes, this son whom he must have feared was lost, was now home safe once again.  Whatever transgressions the child may have feared his father would punish him for were outweighed by a fathers love.  This is the love our heavenly Father has toward his children.  Despite whatever sins we may feel He can never forgive us for, the blood of Jesus assures us that He loved us enough to save us.  Fathers day is not only a day to celebrate fatherhood, but also a reminder that it is our heavenly Father who loved us first.

~Scott~

Alive

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Genesis 2:7 NKJV

A friend of mine recently posed a question for our discussion.  Just how is it possible that those of us without Christ Jesus can still appear alive?  Yeah, I know, I immediately voiced my reservations about this question to him.  Of course, since this was a question meant for group discussion, I'm sure he had his reasons.  So I will also pose that very question, how can those who have not received Christ Jesus still appear to be alive?  Indeed, we were born into sin, and yet God made us alive despite our initial sin nature.  Wouldn't it be easier for Him just to create a population of people who would follow Him?  Perhaps, but that is not how God does things I'm afraid.  As the prophet tells us, Gods ways are not ours, nor are His thoughts our thoughts {Isaiah 55: 8-9}.  So, we can pose questions such as these, but we may run into something to which only our heavenly Father holds the key to.  While we may claim to understand many ways of our creator, all too often we fall short.  From what we can see for ourselves, we are indeed alive.  In fact, we are told in Genesis 2 just who breathed into us that very breath of life.  And so the question is, how do those who do not have Christ Jesus still appear alive?  Of course, we know that God breathed life into them the same life which He gave unto us.  The only difference being that we have chosen to accept Christ Jesus into our lives.  We have the truth within us.  I mentioned that all men were born into sin.  Yes, each of us no matter how good we feel we measure up, have sinned {Romans 3:23}.

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.  But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2: 1-7 NKJV

Now, knowing that each and every one of us has been born into the sin which afflicted mankind in the garden, our Lord God still went forward and breathed into each of us His breath of life.  Knowing we would stumble and fall, intimately aware that we would fail, He still gave unto us the life we have.  Far from being a sick, twisted plan, I believe one of the reasons for this was to reveal Himself to us.

"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

John 3:16 is one of the most well known passages of scripture known to man.  It is here where we Jesus tells His listeners of our Lords love for us.  Knowing beforehand of our impending sinful nature, He still loved us enough to send His Son to become sin in our place.  Knowing that our sin required punishment, Christ Jesus took this punishment upon Himself that we may live.  If John 3:16 tells us of our Lords love for us, then it is the very next verse which I believe may shed light on our question of just why those who do not have Jesus still appear alive.  Knowing that Christ did not come to condemn this world, "But that the world through Him might be saved."  Are there those who appear alive who still do not know Christ Jesus?  Of course, and it is Gods plan that through His Son that these also might be saved.

~Scott~

Hold Firm The Truth

For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.  For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the excellent glory: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."  And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.  And so we have the prophetic word confirmedm which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophesy of the scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophesy never came by thhe will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they moved by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1: 16-21 NKJV

There are those convictions and deeply seated beliefs for which many of us will never turn.  Many of these truths are pretty acedemic, instilled in us from an early age.  The sky is blue, the grass is green, fire will burn and jumping off tall buildings is probably not such a good idea.  Of course, many of these truths which we hold close in our hearts have come to us with the heavy price of experience.  Whether we carry our physical or mental scars as a result of our experiences, we will definately have "Learned our lessons" when they presented themselves.  Then again, there are those who, despite repeated pitfalls, grudgingly refuse to learn from their experiences at all.  They choose to hang onto their deeply held beliefs despite where they may lead them.  This could be seen as either staunch conviction or foolishness.  Of course, this got me to thinking, just what would it take to challange our most deeply held beliefs and allow us to change our way of thinking?  Will it take some drastic circumstance, or just a more convincing argumant than we've yet heard?  I believe that this is a challange that many of us in the ministry of our Lord face daily.  In 2 Peter 1, the apostle Peter layed out a few of his deeply held beliefs which he would surely bring forth to anyone who would listen.  To Peter, these were not only beliefs, but undeniable truths.  They were truths to which Peter had been witness to.

Preach the word!  Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke, exort, with all longsuffering and teaching.  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.  But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4: 2-5 NKJV

In our daily walk and ministry to our Lord, we are confronted with many people  who may be in desperate need to hear the truth about Jesus.  The popular belief is that this Jesus whom we serve was one of the greatest humanitarians in history.  He was kind, compassionate and had a heart for all men.  However, it is in these beliefs where we see the most common error which many today believe and trust in.  Looking at this description of our risen Lord we see one common truth that is often denied, JESUS WAS.  People often speak of Jesus in the past tense, as if He is no longer with us today.  Despite many scriptures which speak to the contrary, many with "Itching ears" continue to hold firm to this belief.  We do well to remember that Jesus not only gave Himself as a sin offering in our place, but also is risen.  As the angel told those who came to His empty tomb that morning, "He is not here; for He is risen."{Matthew 28:6}  It is not "Jesus was," but Jesus IS!  This is not only our ministry, but the undeniable truth in which we stand.

"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

There are those who believe that we need a closer walk with God, that we somehow need to perform better in order to gain access to His loving presence.  They see God as seperate from His children, waiting for them to somehow measure up to His holy standards.  As Paul instructed young Timothy, these have "Turned their ears away from the truth."  Our ministry, the truth we must shout from the rooftops to all who will listen, is that the Lord Jesus lives within us today.  We need only see who our heavenly Father chooses to bring to us to hear the truth of His Son.

~Scott~

The Price Paid

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

If someone were to ask me just where I stand with God, I would tell them that I have pretty good standing with my creator with His risen Son dwelling within me.  Most people may not understand this statement, for there is a misconception out there that we, as christians, still bear the stain of our sins upon us.  It is this guilt and shame which ultimately causes us to continually seek our Lords forgiveness for sins of the past.  viewing ourselves as simply sinners saved by grace, we live in a perpetual state of guilt.  Somewhere there must be sins for which Jesus has left unforgiven.  And so we make it a practice to continually seek our Lords forgiveness.  It is if we do not comprehend the very gift which God has bestowed upon us with the death and resurection of His Son.  We once were, and still must be, sinners.  The fact that this is a popular teaching from todays pulpits doesn't make our situation any easier.  However, is our guilt and shame somehow misplaced?  Most definately.  For to finally be free of this indwelling guilt we must first understand just what it was which made us free.

Knowing this, that our old man was crusicied with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.  For he who has dies has been freed from sin.  Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more.  Death no longer has dominion over Him.  For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.  Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6: 6-11 NKJV

One of my favorite television shows of all time was the original Battlestar Galactica series which aired in the late 1970's.  Without fail, I would await each new episode.  In one such episode titled "The long patrol," the colonial fighter pilot Starbuck flew a experimental space fighter on a routine deep space patrol.  However, this turned into a mission which was anything but ordinary, for the colonial pilot managed to get his new fighter stolen by a smuggler.  Somehow, Starbuck follows the smuggler but is taken prisoner by yet another combat ship.  Forced to land on the distant planet of Proteus, Starbuck awakens to find himself in a prison cell surrounded by some most unlikely fellow prisoners.  For the names of these prisoners denoted the crimes of their origianl ancestors.  Forger 7, embezzler 10 and even adultress 58.  To his shock, Starbuck discovers that all of the cell doors of this prison are unlocked!  He soon learns that the cells have been unlocked for generations.  Starbuck is told that the prisoners in Proteus are ancestors of the "Original sinners" who were first sentenced to the prison.  Like their ancestors before them, they serve out  a sentence of guilt.
Like the prisoners of this science fiction story, many christians today continue to live with the guilt of original sin.  However, those prison walls have long since been broken down by the blood of Christ Jesus.  It is the selfless sacrafice of Jesus which paid the price of ALL SIN past, present and future.  For God required a blood sacrafice for our sin, and Jesus became the price which was paid for our very sin.  This is what the apostle Paul refered to in 1 Corinthians 6 when he claimed "For you were bought at a price."  And if we were purchased at a price, then satan no longer can lay claim to us!  We are no longer sinners simply saved by grace, but a new creation formed from the death and resurection of Christ Jesus.  This was the price which was paid.

~Scott~

Spirit Nature

But God has revealed  them to us through His Spirit.  For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.  For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?  Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
1 Corinthians 2: 10-12 NKJV

It is a most difficult thing to comprehend, that we would be created in our Lords own image.  And yet there it is in His word {Genesis 1:26}.  Now, over time I have heard many explanations of just how we resemble the physical appearance of God.  There have even been more than a few who have taken this description to art.  Most of the paintings I have seen which supposedly depict the appearance of our heavenly Father portray a bearded, stern looking man who looks as if he is about to unleash his wrath on some unrepentant soul.  Now, this description goes along with the narrative which we've all heard, that God is just sitting in heaven waiting for us to mess up so that He may punish us.  Fortunately, this is so far from the truth that it's ridiculous.  And still we feel the need to place a physical appearance of God.  We have to, for if we were indeed created in His very image, then we must resemble our Lords  physical appearance, right?  It seems only logical.  However, what if that passage in Genesis was NOT refering to our Lords physical appearance?  Here's where we may run into a problem.  However, I assure you that this problem lies within our own perception and not in Gods description.

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:27 NASV

Herein lies the million  dollar question.  If we have been created in our Lords image, does our very physical appearance resemble that of God?  Now, keep in mind that Jesus was described as  God in flesh when He came to dwell among those of His time.  In fact, His very name in the book of Isaiah can be translated as "God with us."  

"And she shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."  So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."
Matthew 1: 21-23 NKJV

Now, if Jesus was indeed God in flesh packaging, how is it that our own physical appearance resembles Him?  For even though Jesus was God AND man, He needed human flesh for those around Him to recognize Him.  Knowing this, can we honestly say that our physical appearance resembles our heavenly Father?  Somewhere along the way we got sidetracked.  I still believe that we were created in Gods image.  Yes, but in His SPIRIT image.  This is the true image of our Lord, and the image in which we were created to resemble Him.  Far from a simple physical appearance, Gods children bear His spirit image.  But what of our physical appearance?  Well, just as Jesus was God in flesh that others might behold Him, I believe that our flesh, our very physical appearance is but a vessel for that spirit which is within us.  For those who know Jesus, it is our Lords spirit which dwells within the confines of our flesh.

"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

As the apostle Paul tells us here in Galations 2:20, it is now the spirit of Christ Jesus who dwells within us.  THIS is the image in which we were created.

~Scott~

My Sister, Our Family.

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultry'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already commited adultry with her in his heart."

Matthew 5: 27-28 NASV 

A friend of mine recently related a story to me that somewhat changed my perception of  how we as christian men may ultimately view those of the opposite sex.  It seems a man was sitting in a room when a rather unattractive woman entered.  Now, this woman was by no means a beauty to behold in any way.  However, upon seeing her, the man immediately began to seek her attention!  I know, shocking to say the least.  I mean, each person has that certain person whom  they are attracted to, but this was ridiculous.  Now came the shocking part of the story.  Immediately after the unattractive woman came into the room, a very beautiful woman also entered the room our friend was in.  Now, unlike the previous visitor, this woman was extremely attractive by anyones standards.  However, as the beautiful woman entered the room, the man made NO attempt garner her attention at all!  Perplexed by this turn of events, another man in the room asked our friend just why he had refused to gain the attention of such a pretty female.  The mans response spoke volumes, "She's my sister."  WHAT?  Could we have just unlocked the secret to the male/female dynamic?  For what man would EVER attempt to make a move on his own sister?  This turned into a very important lesson for me.  

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless.  So husbands  ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies.  He who loves his own wife loves Himself; For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body.

Ephesians 5: 25-30 NASV 

Why did this man seek the affections of a unattractive woman over a beautiful one?  Well, as he stated, he did so because one of these two women was his own sister.  It juts so happens that his sister happened to be extremely attractive.  Had I been present in this room and witnessed this scene, I would have surely recomeneded this poor sot for a full psychiatric examination!  I mean, who does that?  Well, that's what I get for not knowing the whole story.  On the flip side of that, had I a sister and some sheister tried to come on to her, I'd be the first one to try to convince him of the error of his ways!  This is our natural protective instinct.  Why was this story such a eye opener for me?  Well, it caused me to reflect on the truth which we find in Jesus' sermon on the mount in Matthew 5.  For not only did Jesus tell those assembled not to commit adultry, his audience was already familiar with that idea.  No, Jesus took it one step further by proclaiming that "Everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already commited adultry with her in his heart."  Now, even I cannot make the claim that I have never had improper  thoughts towards a woman, it happens.  Not only that, if it hasn't  happened to you, it will!  This is the bastardized, fleshly version of the attraction to the opposite sex with which our Lord has instilled in us.  While it is not a bad thing to be attracted to a woman, it's how we act on that attraction which Jesus was adressing here.  

Ok, back to this revelation which I claimed I received upon hearing this story.  What struck me most was the woman whom this man chose to seek the attention of.  Most would call her unattractive, yet he sought her attention.  Like most, I would have been surprised upon seeing him choose her over the beautiful woman.  Yet, we now know there was a reason for this.  The very reason that he did not seek the attention of the beautiful woman was because his very instincts saw her as his sister, and that changed the entire dynamic.  His thoughts now turned from those of attraction to love, protection an nurturing.  All of the attribuutes one would expect of someone caring for a family member.  The apostle Paul gives us a excellent representation of this idea in Ephesians 5.  As Paul tells us, "He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nurtures and cherishes it."  This is a example of the true attraction between the sexes which our Lord has beautifully designed from the begining.  What grip would lust and pornography have on us if we viewed others in this way?

~Scott~    

A Gathering

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.  For if hey fall, one will lift up his companion.  But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.  Again, if two lie down together, they will keep war; But how can one be warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.  And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12 NKJV

I recently started a regular Sunday morning gathering with a few freinds of mine.  Now, despite bordering on Sunday "church hours," a few of us still manage to attend the weekly pulpit pounder lecture at the local church.  However, this is not exactly what attracted me to this idea when my friend suggested a Sunday morning meeting.  No, for I usually could not care less for the traditional teachings of the institutional church.  However, I greatly appreciate the opportunity to gather weekly with my brothers to talk about Jesus.  Freed from the restrictions of organized church and the traditions which go along with it, these men are able to speak freely.  We talk sports and we talk family, but most of all we talk about Jesus.  There is no opening hymn, no offering and no sermon.  However, I believe that it is because we lack these common church trappings that we've developed closer relationships amongst ourselves and with Christ.  It is here where we are introduced to questions concerning Jesus which we may have never encountered in any church.  It's contemplating, it's soul searching but most of all it's simply our pursuit to know that much more about Jesus.  Is this what makes our weekly meeting more popular with me than any church service?  Maybe, or perhaps it's just a greater desire to know my Lord that much better.  Believe me, I've done the church thing, but it all too often seemed like the same old organized, choreographed show each week. I believe that men are looking for more than this.  Men need a place where they can do "Guy talk" while still feeling free to talk about this man Jesus.

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.  So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people.  And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2: 44-47 NKJV

I recall the mens conferences which seemed so popular for awhile.  From Promise Keepers to Men at The Cross, men would gather to worship and learn, perhaps for the very first time, about Jesus.  I believe one of the reasons why these gatherings were popular is that for the first time we saw a christian event geared towards men.  It seemed only logical, for it men were called to be the spiritual leaders of the home, then we needed to reach men for Jesus.  Now, I will also say that one of the big downfalls of these gatherings was the lack of follow up following the event.   Here we had thousands of men gathering to hear about Christ, yet when the event was over, there was hardly any follow through on behalf of the producers of the events.  We were investing time and money to reach men for Jesus, then saying goodbye once the conference was over.  Now, I'm not sure if any men felt abandoned by this, but I'm sure many were left with a feeling of, what do we do now?  I mentioned that I value greatly our  weekly Sunday morning gatherings and the fellowship which we've developed.  This is exactly what needed to happen in the wake of many of these so called mens conferences.  Guys need a place to be men, to talk about things that men talk about while at the same time feelling free to open up about Christ.  It is a rare opportunity, but one we must engage in if we are to reach men for Jesus.

~Scott~

Identity Crisis

"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

I remember a conversation I had with a friend of mine regarding the issue of addiction.  The specific addiction we discussed was pornography, but it could well be any other addiction which afflicts us.  I remember the question my friend asked me was, "Just who is addicted, us or Christ within us?"  This seemed like a confusing question to me, but one which had some relevance to it.  For an addiction to take hold, one must somehow relinquish their self control over the situation or substance which they are enslaved to.  Unforunately, this often happens without the person even realizing it.  In our discussion on pornography, we touched on the traditional church "Cure" for pornography which includes prayer and determination to rid oneself of this monster.  Now, granted, some HAVE overcome addictions through sheer will power, but these examples are few and far between.  I should know, I tried on my own for years to slay my pornography demon.  Of course, I'm not at all surprised that each time I tried to will this addiction from my life, I failed.  On my own, I couldn't do it.  Yet, this is the prevailing wisdom in churches these days.  They did me no favors.  It wasn't until I solved the identity crisis within me that I seemed to get a grasp on just who I was, and it WASN'T a porn addicted man!  No, my true identity was in Christ Jesus who is within me.  As I continued to realize this truth, I also realized that if Christ indeed lives in me, then the "Old man" I once was dead and gone.

Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.  For he who has died has been freed from sin.  Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we should also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more.  Death no longer has dominion over Him.  For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.  Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6: 6-11 NKJV

The mistake we all too often make is believing in the myth that we are yet simply sinners saved by our Lords grace.   Yes, we were save dby our Lords grace, but we are NO LONGER sinners!   Christ paid that debt at the cross.  Every sin which we have, have had or ever will have was wiped clean by the blood of Jesus.  When we revisit this truth over and over and claim that we must yet still harbor sin, we are living a lie!   Jesus did not take our punishment on Himself just to pardon half of our iniquities.  For as Paul tells us in Romans 6, "For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all."  Many believe and celebrate the fact that Jesus gave Himself in our place, which is only right.  However, we often continue in the belief that we are still defined by our sins.  NO, Christ has paid that debt in full.  Paul reminds us of this again in Romans 6 as he tells us, "Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord."  I believe a key part of this passage is Pauls explanation that we are, "Alive to God IN Christ Jesus our Lord."  Not through Jesus, nor because of Jesus but alive to God IN Jesus!  This is your identity, christian.  Not simply a sinner saved by grace, but alive to God IN Christ who dwells within us {Galations 2:20}.

~Scott~