God's Gift of Individuality

They say in the world of snowflakes that there are no two that are identical.  I have no way of knowing whether that is true or not however, they all look alike to me as they graciously fall to the earth to beautify their surroundings.  I do know that in much of the creation of God he has set in place the gift of individuality.
     In His church he has assigned many a different task in order for the church to grow and function to the fullness desired of God.  In his use of a body as a comparison with the church it was mentioned that there were eyes, ears, feet, etc.  It is not desirable for everyone to be an eye or an ear.  It is necessary that each of us discover the purpose that God has for us in His church and then function to the best of our ability.
     Our government would destroy any concept of individuality if it is possible.  It seems as if the goal of those in power at this moment is to make each and every person a ward of the state, totally dependable on the handouts that the government gives to them. I have no idea where the money to fund all the social give away programs will come from once we all have become dependent upon the state.
     There is no better example to be found than in the directives of the government handed down to the public school system of America.  If you are not familiar with what is going on in the public schools perhaps you should look around.  Many a program is designed to destroy initiatives of those who would strive to better themselves and lead more productive lives. 
     The No Child Left Behind concept could just as easily be called No Child Advances Ahead.  Is that not saying everyone is to learn at the same rate, progress at the same rate and graduate at the same rate.  Sure it is!  Even a the idea of providing education for those with special needs has been so destroyed until it is no longer recognizable as the original concept.  Now students are placed in special ed whose parents can not or in most of the cases will not provide them with the home life and the study assistance to advance with the others.  The student can be taking Algebra in high school (called algebra) and the course load is not equivalent to what a 5th grade student would have no problem.  They are given a grade and eventually a diploma and do not know their multiplication tables, what a predicate nominative is or any idea about how our government works.  These students can receive a diploma even if they miss fifty or sixty days a year at the same time a student with A's and B's will receive a failing grade if he misses too many days.  His or her diploma in most states is the same as your honor graduates.
     There once was a day in which students entered school, attended for twelve years, walked the aisle at commencement time and received either a diploma or a certificate of attendance if their grades were not satisfactory.  No attempt was made to label them as special need students; there was no embarrassment; and they maintained their own individuality and then went out into life and became productive citizens in the group that put a man on the moon and brought him back.  The group we are graduating today can't even find the post office.

The Price is Right!!

     The lady approached the man in the meat market of a family owned grocery store with, "How much are your eggs for a dozen?"  He answered, $2.00 per dozen."  She then said the store down the street only charges $1.50."  To which the grocer asked, "Then why didn't you buy your eggs there?"  She responded, "They are out of eggs today."  With which the grocer said, "Oh, we only charge $1.50 when we are out, too."
      There is much to be said about the value of that which we do not have.  Many a Christian would gladly give a million dollars to the Lord, when they don't have a million.  There is a tremendous value placed upon the gift of eternal life.  In order to provide eternal life for any who would receive it, it broke the bank of Heaven.  There can never again be a payment for the sin debt of lost humanity.
     The scripture places the proper value on the soul and eternal life when it says, "What would it profit a man to get the wealth of the whole world and lose his soul."  Or what will you give in exchange for your soul.
     A wealthy business man in Tennessee gave millions of dollars to various Christian causes.  He had a reversal of fortunes and lost everything.  A friend asked him if he ever thought of the millions that he gave away.  He responded,  "Every day, that's all I have left."
     Life is so short, at it's longest span--a vapor that appears and is suddenly gone.  Eternity is such a long period of time to enjoy.  Why would one exchange the brevity of life for the length of eternity.  There is a value to the hope of the Christian.  If you don't think so, ask any Christian who is in a backslidden condition what he would take for that which he is not using.

When Friends Come Visiting

     Imagine for just a moment that your closest friend is coming for a visit.  Oh, what a joy filled event it will be.  There will be time for eating, reminiscing about things of yester-year and best of all the camaradie of just being together.

     The first night you laughed and visited until well past bedtime; but bedtime was not nearly as important as the visiting itself.  However, when the morning came you of necessity went off to work and your friend stayed home.  You remark as you leave,  “I love you so much, make yourself at home."  Whatever is mine is yours.”

     Two days later when you returned from work you find that the friend has taken the liberty to use your bathroom and was sitting in your favorite recliner.  When you were asked if that was alright, you answered that it was, but you held a deep feeling of hostility in your heart.

     But the next day when you arrived home your friend was using her ability as an accountant to balance your personal checkbook.  This was the last straw and after giving your friend a terrible tongue-lashing you felt better.  When the morning dawned you discover that your friend has left with no note left behind. 

     Sounds preposterous, you say.  Such a thing happens all the time with the Christian and the Holy Spirit.  Ah, the joy when he first came in, not for a visit, but to stay the course.  You said, “Come on in, my life is your life.”  For a while, everything was rosy.  Oh, what a joyous time you had.  Gradually, you wanted to return to the old way of life and felt his nudging you in the right direction was a bother.  How dare Him to demand your Sundays.  It was the only day you had to play golf, fish or visit the family.  And when he became involved in helping you balance your checkbook toward God; that was too much.

     There was no explosive anger shown to Him, no tongue-lashing this time; just a gradual ignoring of all the things he tried to do for you.  Your love life and devotion to God cooled as a coal from a fireplace placed by itself on the hearth.

     The above fictious friend may never return because of your behavior.  The Holy Spirit never left, nor never shall he.  In order for you to have the joyous times you had before you must allow him a place in all of your life from which you have crowded him.  He waits, he wishes to guide and bless your life.  Won’t you let Him?

Nothing Obama says should surprise Us!!!

     Never before have we had a president who leaves a trail of unanswered questions everywhere he goes.
     I could not care less if he were born in Hawaii or Africa, it makes no difference with me.  I don't care if he has a social security card that is only issued to residents of Connecticut, even if he has never lived there.  I don't care if he and wife both surrendered their law license, nor do I care the reason.  I don't care if everyone running for major office have a swarm of women that come out and say they had sex with them and no one has claimed Obama.
     But, let me tell you what I do care about.  The simplest definition of being a Christian is to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  He has played around with the religious groups trying to be everything to everybody.  He has bowed down to the Muslims and their day of prayer because he didn't want to offend anyone.  It does not matter if he offends Christians.  Now he is quoted in the news media as saying, that the "triumph" of the Easter story, including Jesus overcoming his doubt and fears before the Crucifixion had helped him get through the tough moments of his presidency.
     It is obvious the man has no knowledge of the same Jesus I know.  It is really simple:  If Jesus is the Son of God there could be no doubts and/or fears.  What was he in doubt about?  From his first miracle he knew exactly what his course in life would be.  God is all-knowing.  I suppose it never occurred to the president that nothing ever just occurred to God.  What was there to fear?  The same power that restored withered arms could have withered the arms of those driving the nails into his hands and feet,  Did he fear death?  He could have called ten-thousand angels for deliverence.  I think he who defeated death by raising several back to life had no fear of death.  It is sad that the perfect life of Jesus has been hid from the president by those who have been around him, beginning as a lad, then through not-so-reverend Wright's church, to his misguided helpers today.  I just hope he gets the message that at what moment he recognizes Jesus as the Son of God and trusts him as his saviour, Jesus will save him.  Quite unlike the other group would do to him.

It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming!

     Oh what a difference a few days of time can make.  During the days surrounding the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus there was a drastic about face for those involved.
     To begin with, just for future clarification, I do not believe that Jesus was crucified on Friday.  I think it was on Wednesday with a possibility it could have been Thursday.  The scripture says. "As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so shall be Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."  By using parts of three days and three nights it could have been as late in the week as Thursday, but there is no way that Scripture can be fulfilled by a Friday crucifixion.  That being said, I will use Friday for the day in this writing.
     The night before and early morning of Friday the Jewish leaders were obviously elated for that which they had desired, the death of Jesus, was reaching fruition.  It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming.
     During the course of the so-called trial, Jesus was crowned with thorns, beard plucked out, face beaten and spat upon, back pulverized by the whip.  He was ridiculed, scorned and made a laughing stock.  It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming.
      As they led him out to Golgotha, the place of the skull, it was a strange procession.  Men who were walking on new legs because Jesus had healed them were there.  Those that had been blind but now can see were there.  The women were there weeping as they walked along.  And along the way he stumbled under the weight of the cross.  I suggest to you it was my sins and your sins that was the heavier of the weights he carried.
     And when they came to Calvary, there, they crucified him.  With nails in his hands and feet he was lifted upon the cross to die under the most cruel form of punishment ever devised.  The crowd taunted him with such things as: He saved others let him save himself;  If you be the son of God come down from the cross;  O Miracle Worker, work another miracle now.  It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming!
     With a final statement, Jesus said, "It is finished!"
     God's lily had been beaten to earth by the hailstones of hell.  Joy was widespread among the enemies of right.  Satan and his imps must have done some great rejoicing, God's son was dead.  It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming!
     His body was taken down and hastily buried in Joseph of Arimathaea's tomb.  He was finally alone for the first time in years.  It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming!
     The world is filled with people today who are relishing living on Friday, not knowing that Sunday is coming.
     Christians unable to make a total commitment on Friday, but Sunday is coming.
     However, there is an opposite side to the concept.  There are multitudes today who are sick, hurting, and despondent, with no hope of it getting better.  It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming!  We all, ever so quickly, began to feel the ravages and effects of the aging process.  Do not be discouraged my brother or sister, It's Friday now, but Sunday is coming!! Lift up your heads for redemption draweth nigh!

     A farmer who was a member of the Baptist Church was married to a member of the Methodist Church.  They were extremely compatible in every respect each their respective views of baptism.  The farmer consantly insisted that baptism was a "burial beneath the water" and his wife would respond, "That's stupid sprinkling is just as good."  There came a day when one of the chickens that had just hatched out of the egg, died.  The wife said to her husband as he started out the back door, "Take the baby chick to the garden and bury it."  The next morning as she entered the garden to pick some tomatoes she saw the chicken laying on top of the ground.  She confronted her husband, "I thought I told you to take the chick to the garden and bury it."  He responded, "You did, however, isn,t a sprinkle of sand as good as burying it?"
     As I begin, let me say without a doubt in my mind, a person can go to heaven without being immersed under water.  That being said, why would anyone want to go any other way.
     Why is there so much confusion around a simple Greek word that was translaterated into our language.  In the Greek language, in every aspect, it meant to dip, plunge, or immerse in a liquid.  John the Baptist baptised near Aenon because there was much water there.  Sounds like John might have been doing a little dipping beneath the water.  It does not require "much water" to sprinkle or pour.  I readily admit that it is so much easier to just dip a rose in water and sprinkle a little on the head than go to the burden of finding a hole of water or building a baptistry in order to immerse.  I knew of a Methodist preacher who insisted the new church building have a baptistry in it.  His argument was since we give the convert the choice of sprinkling, pouring or immersion it is only right that we provide the same opportunity for them to choose immersion.
     Even those churches who believe in immersion as the only mode of baptism there also is a division as to when the person is actually saved.  One camp says their baptism is a believer's baptism, only for believers and the other camp says their baptism is sinner's baptism, the sinner is saved during the act of baptism.  Those of that persuasion have never tried to explain to me how Cornelius received the Holy Spirit at the same time he is saved during his baptism.
     I suppose the major difference is that we by action need to answer his question, "Are you able to drink of the cup that I drink and be baptised with the baptism that I am baptised with."  We will never achieve the mark, but let us strive toward the mark of being as close to Christ as we can in both word and deed.

How Sensitive Are You?

     Joe Brown, a law officer. was killed in the line of duty and the fellow officers were trying to decide who would be the better of the other officers to deliver the message.  It was finally decided that Trooper Ingram would be the one to take the word to her.  He had always took things so seriously that they thought he would be the appropriate one to deliver the death message. 

     Trooper Ingram knocked on the front door of the Brown’s cottage and was greeted by Mrs. Brown.  Trooper Ingram then asked, “Does Widow Brown live here?”  She responded, “My name is Brown, but I am not a widow.”  To which the trooper answered, “That’s what you think.”

     It is very apparent that Trooper Ingram had a zero sensitivity level.  No one should be that insensitive, and most folks could do without as much sensitivity as they already have.  They walk around seemingly looking for an opportunity that they can claim offended them.  At church the person may be offended because the preacher did not shake their hand.  To learn about being sensitive study the lady in the fifteenth chapter of Matthew verses 21-28.

      A woman came to Jesus with a problem at home; her daughter had a demon and no one could help her.  She had faith that Jesus was the answer.  When she first pled her case to Him, he answered her not a word.  She continued to beseech him and his disciples said, “Lord, send here away."  To make matters worse, Jesus said, “It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.”

    Most people would have left at that point, but she responded, :Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.”

     Jesus rewarded her persistence and faith by granting her petition.  She knew, what many today do not know, that if you have Jesus, nothing else matters.