He is RISEN!
Hallelujah
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
A Thousand Questions
Many of you know that I am a participating member of Willow Creek Community Church. Yesterday I received an email from Bill Hybels pertaining to the Easter Service. The email included a link to a short video clip from Bill.
While I was viewing the clip, I started to "explorer" a bit. Willow has a fairly extensive library of multimedia content on their website. I came across this piece from the Willow Creek Leadership Summit call A Thousand Questions. Enjoy!
While I was viewing the clip, I started to "explorer" a bit. Willow has a fairly extensive library of multimedia content on their website. I came across this piece from the Willow Creek Leadership Summit call A Thousand Questions. Enjoy!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The End of Christian America
I saw this article on my MSN home page this morning. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about it, but I must say that I am not surprised by the findings.
The End of Christian America
I am listening to the audio book, "The Divine Conspiracy" by Dallas Willard. I'm guessing that Mr. Willard would not be terribly surprised either.
Part of me actually takes comfort in the report. After all, what we are talking about is the "self-identified Christians." It is one thing to call yourself a "Christian" and quite another to live the life that Christ has called us to live.
To put it another way, if you gave everyone a list and asked them to pick from the list, some number has always picked "Christian." That simply means they liked that choice better than the others OR they thought that was the "right" answer to the question. It doesn't really mean anything.
If you take that point of view, it might mean that those who remain, are closer to living the Christian life, removing the "posers" for the lack of a better term. Is that all bad? Perhaps not... I see this as a cycle. Maybe if those that remain live a life that reflects the "LIGHT" that is within them, it will attract new believers and we will eventually see the numbers turn.
I hardly think that we witnessing "The End of Christian America." What do you think?
The End of Christian America
I am listening to the audio book, "The Divine Conspiracy" by Dallas Willard. I'm guessing that Mr. Willard would not be terribly surprised either.
Part of me actually takes comfort in the report. After all, what we are talking about is the "self-identified Christians." It is one thing to call yourself a "Christian" and quite another to live the life that Christ has called us to live.
To put it another way, if you gave everyone a list and asked them to pick from the list, some number has always picked "Christian." That simply means they liked that choice better than the others OR they thought that was the "right" answer to the question. It doesn't really mean anything.
If you take that point of view, it might mean that those who remain, are closer to living the Christian life, removing the "posers" for the lack of a better term. Is that all bad? Perhaps not... I see this as a cycle. Maybe if those that remain live a life that reflects the "LIGHT" that is within them, it will attract new believers and we will eventually see the numbers turn.
I hardly think that we witnessing "The End of Christian America." What do you think?
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
TwoTrillionTons....
A friend of mine sent me this and I immediately recognized the tune. If you are younger than 35, you probably won't. I don't necessarily agree completely with the singer, but I certainly share his general views and opinions. How about you?
Friday, April 3, 2009
Paid In Full!
Greetings my friends. I have been away too long. It has been over a month since I last posted and for that I ask your forgiveness. I could offer a long list of "reasons," but I won't. Instead I will simply say that as I type these words, I feel a deep sense or relief.
The story below is not mine, yet it is. I did not write it. Once again, I am borrowing it from the morning devotional of my good friend Arlin. He did not write it either. Fact of the matter is, I don't know who wrote. But, it is about me. It might be about you too. Read it and find out...
After living what I felt was a 'decent' life, my time on earth came to the end. The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table. As I looked around I saw the 'prosecutor.'
He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen. I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney, kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him. The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room I couldn't take my eyes off of Him. As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, 'Let us begin.'
The prosecutor rose and said, 'My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this woman belongs in hell.' He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and In the past when I cheated others Satan told of other horrible Perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank..
I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about. As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not Offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done? Satan finished with a fury and said, 'This woman belongs in hell, she is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise.'
When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward. As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty. I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior. He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, 'Hi, Dad,' and then He turned to address the court.
'Satan was correct in saying that this woman had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this woman deserves to be punished.' Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, 'However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and she has accepted Me as her Savior, so she is Mine.'
My Lord continued with, 'Her name is written in the Book of Life, and no one can snatch her from Me. Satan still does not understand yet. This woman is not to be given justice, but rather mercy.'
As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, 'There is nothing else that needs to be done.' 'I've done it all.'
The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips..'This woman is free.' The penalty for her has already been paid in full. 'Case dismissed.'
As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, 'I won't give up, I will win the next one.' I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, 'Have you ever lost a case?'
Christ lovingly smiled and said, 'Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has receive d the same verdict as you, Paid In Full!
The story below is not mine, yet it is. I did not write it. Once again, I am borrowing it from the morning devotional of my good friend Arlin. He did not write it either. Fact of the matter is, I don't know who wrote. But, it is about me. It might be about you too. Read it and find out...
After living what I felt was a 'decent' life, my time on earth came to the end. The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table. As I looked around I saw the 'prosecutor.'
He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen. I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney, kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him. The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room I couldn't take my eyes off of Him. As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, 'Let us begin.'
The prosecutor rose and said, 'My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this woman belongs in hell.' He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and In the past when I cheated others Satan told of other horrible Perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank..
I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about. As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not Offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done? Satan finished with a fury and said, 'This woman belongs in hell, she is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise.'
When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward. As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty. I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior. He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, 'Hi, Dad,' and then He turned to address the court.
'Satan was correct in saying that this woman had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this woman deserves to be punished.' Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, 'However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and she has accepted Me as her Savior, so she is Mine.'
My Lord continued with, 'Her name is written in the Book of Life, and no one can snatch her from Me. Satan still does not understand yet. This woman is not to be given justice, but rather mercy.'
As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, 'There is nothing else that needs to be done.' 'I've done it all.'
The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips..'This woman is free.' The penalty for her has already been paid in full. 'Case dismissed.'
As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, 'I won't give up, I will win the next one.' I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, 'Have you ever lost a case?'
Christ lovingly smiled and said, 'Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has receive d the same verdict as you, Paid In Full!
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