ROCK JESUS

. . . just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke to pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold (Daniel 2:45).

And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense, and a rock of stumbling . . . (Isaiah 8:14).

It has been said that there are about 300 prophecies in the Old Testament about Jesus Christ; the cited texts are but two of them.  One of them is actually Daniel's interpretation of Nebuchadnezzer's dream, a timeline revealing the general time of the coming of Christ and his Kingdom.

Jesus Christ is the rock on which life is to be built (Matthew 7:24-27).  For those who build their lives on Jesus, he is a sanctuary, a refuge, shelter, sustainer and an encourager, helping each one deal with the inevitable storms of life.

It was also prophesied that Jesus would become a stumbling stone to some and a rock of offense to other, and he has fulfilled that prophecy as well.  His own people rejected him when they understood that he was not the kind of king they wanted.  He is still rejected today for the same reason.  He is rejected today because he is too narrow.  He did not describe himself as a good teacher but as the way, the truth and the life.  He is not away, but the way.  He is not a truth, but the truth.  He is not one source of life, but the source of life.

Many are offended by Christ and thus try to remove any reference to him in modern life.  The Advent, Christmas, season, secularists and religionists simply call the winter holiday season--"Happy holidays," or "Season's greetings."  And, they simply refer to Good Friday and Resurrection Day, Easter, as the spring holidays.

The truth is that in the end, every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).  No one will dismiss him as irrelevant! The question each person must answer now is, "Who is Jesus to me, a sanctuary, a stombling stone or an offense?"  I hope you can answer with me that Rock Jesus is redemption and hope, the foundation for life.

Grace&Peace;
Tom

JESUS, "DAVY CROCKETT" OF FAITH

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).

According to the text, Jesus is our pioneer, blazing a trail for us to follow.  The Greek word from which "pioneer" is translated is also translated as author, founder, captain, originator, leader,guide, and last but not least, champion.  In popular American culture, Davy Crockett, "king of the wild frontier," exemplified all of those qualities of a pioneer.  He is but a picture of what Jesus Christ actually did for us!  What is clear is that the author of Hebrews intended for his readers to see Jesus as the trailblazer who is the source salvation, guidance and inspiration for their lives because of what he accomplished for us; he is the true pioneer, our champion.

My great grandparents homesteaded the farm on which Helen and I live in 1871.  Silas, Rebecca and infant son, Henry, traveled across Iowa in a covered wagon powered by an ox team during the month of February so that they could be on the homestead by March 1.  Also it must be noted that February travel made it much easier to traverse the swampy land and rivers because they were frozen.  I have often drawn inspiration from them when I think of the hardships they endured as they were "pioneering" on the Northwest-Iowa prairie.  God forgive us for taking for granted what has been given to us because of the hard work and sacrifice of our forefathers and mothers.

A pioneer is a trailblazer so that others can follow and benefit from what he has accomplished.  Not only is Jesus life's "True North" reference point, he is the way, safely guiding us by blazing a trail for us to follow.  Do you trust him?  Often, the trail Jesus blazes is counter to conventional wisdom, for example, counting others better than ourselves (see Philippians 2:1-8), but that is the trail he has blazed.  Will you travel that road?

Grace&Peace;
Tom

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

A star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel (Numbers 24:17b).

You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts (II Peter 1:19b).

I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star (Revelation 22:16b).

If one can locate the Big Dipper in the night sky, locating the North Star, Polaris, is easy.  Line up the two stars on the far end of the dipper in the direction of the open top and continue on that line to Polaris.  Polaris is not a brighter star than any of the others, but it is always in line with the Big Dipper.  Depending on the time, the Dipper will be in different positions because it appears to rotate around Polaris, but Polaris is always in the same position, True North.  Finding the North Star is the first lesson of basic navigation.

The first lesson of life navigation is to find the North Star of life.  Locating life's True North can be difficult because there are many who say that True North does not exist; what is true for me is not true for you.  Jesus Christ lays the claim to being True North for every one.  He aligns with the stars of prophetic truth, historical truth and nature's truth.so that in a universe of many lights, he is not hard to find. The question is, how do you find True North?  Is that taking you where you want to go?

When the planet Venus is in the east, it is known as the Morning Star because it is the brightest light in the sky; a sign that the morning light is not too distant.  The birth, life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is the sign that the morning light of a new day is not too far distant, thus Jesus Christ is a star of hope keeping us going when the night seems the darkest.

Jesus Christ is the superstar of guidance and hope!!!

Grace&Peace;
Tom

WHEN THE TIME WAS RIGHT

but when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman . . . (Galatians 4:4).

Many have speculated about why Jesus' entrance into the world was when it was, 6 to 4 BC--calender correction.  It has been noted that the Pax Romana, the Roman Peace, provided the stability required for one to travel from the Nile to Britain without hindrance.  The Romans built great roads throughout the Empire, providing much easier transportation, and an efficient postal system through which a letter could travel 170 miles in 24 hours.  As a result, there was reliable communication with the distant parts of the empire; the apostles and evangelists made good use of them.

Because of the armies of Alexander the Great, Koine Greek was spoken from India throughout the Middle East.  During the time of the Romans it was spoken throughout the Empire.  From 300 BC to 330 AD Koine Greek was the language of the world, making the task of sharing Christ with the nations much easier.

There is consensus that there was a feeling of expectancy that a "Holy One" would be born. Some have pointed to what Confucious, Zoroaster and Virgil predicted.  Others point to Homer, Plato and Socrates' Messianic symbolism in their writing and teaching as the cause of that expectancy.  I do believe the expectancy of a Messiah was real, but that it was produced by the Old Testament prophets.  As the Hebrew people were dispersed throughout the lands, they took those prophecies with them and influenced the world.  Daniel's prophecy was especially influential, having a definite time line for the coming of the Messiah; it was well known.

The time had fully come because it was on the time line that the prophets foretold.  The God has not revealed  a specific time line for the Lord's second coming, though he has given us some general indicators that history is headed in that direction.  Wouldn't it be great if he came to receive us home by Christmas?  Are you prepared for his appearing?

Grace&Peace;
Tom

RIDING HOME AGAINST THE WIND

The wicked are not so, but are like chaff which the wind drives away (Psalms 1:4).

When the weather was really cold this last winter, while I was doing my daily walk, I was walking against a strong northwest wind.  It reminded me of my feelings as a boy, riding my bike home against the wind.  As a boy, the farm on which my family lived was five miles north of Sutherland.  When I was in third grade I started to ride my bike, an old hand-me-down girl's bike with a wobbly wheel, the five miles to school.  I loved the feeling of independence, riding the school bus was not my favorite thing to do.  Once in a while I would meet a couple of friends and we would ride together, but I think I rode more than any of them.

Riding to school was great because most often the wind was at my back.  Riding in town was great because the streets were paved and the wind diminished because of the many buildings and trees.  Going home was another story.  Often the wind was so strong that it was very disheartening to a 9-year-old boy on a heavy girl's bike with a wobbly wheel.  Those were the days when there were no multi-speed transmissions on bicycles so at times I just had to get off the bike and push.  Quitting was not an option because even at age 9 I understood that there are consequences to quitting.  It was always good to get home.  There was always something to eat as well as love and acceptance. Home was just a good place to be.

As I walked against the much-below-zero-wind-chill wind that day, I thought that the faithful life is much like riding a bike on a gravel road home against the wind.  Life, with all of its hardships and sorrows, like riding against the wind, it still worth the ride. Arriving home is even better because one is finally home with the best family ever!  I also noted that if one only rides with the wind at his back, he is taken farther and farther away from home: But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind (James 1:6).  To believe, one has to go against the wind, but it is in believing that we find our way home.

Has your faith in Christ taken you against the wind?

Grace&Peace;
Tom

THE DEPOPULATION BOMB

The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the fountains of water.  The name of the star is Wormwood.  A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died of the water, because it was made bitter (Revelation 8:10-11).

Fertility rates are down the world over.  Every woman of childbearing age has to produce 2.1 children to replace a nation's population.  The United States is almost there at 2.05 while China, in spite of its one-child-per-couple policy, stands at 1.7.  Russia is losing an astonishing 700,000 people a year.  The reason we are seeing a growing world population is that more people are living to old age.  One only has to read the obituaries in the local newspaper to see that the great majority of deaths are people 75 into the 100's years of age.  With all of the industrial and agricultural poisoning of the planet, why are people living longer?

What is behind depopulation?  In my own reading I found that some believe there is something in the water, either by God or by government (the reason for the cited text).  Another reason given was higher testosterone levels in both males and females that actually reduce fertility in both sexes.  Certainly, another cause is abortion.  Vietnam and Romania have the highest rates, but a million and a half American abortions is abominable!  Sterility caused by sexually transmitted disease is still another factor.

Think of what falling birth rates mean to the social programs upon which seniors have come to depend; Social Security and Medicare.  There will be fewer and fewer workers to support those elderly who are in need of support.  These kinds of programs are unsustainable in the long term so the wise will prepare not to depend on the government.  Do not look at retirement as a goal, but continue to do something of economic value as long as possible.  Rampant inflation and an unsustainable national economic model require this.

Every prophecy of catastrophe because of over population has failed because human beings are resources, not liabilities.  Depopulation will be a catastrophe and a curse and qualifies as one of my general sign of the times.  It might be that God is closing the wombs, preparing an older generation that has already made its choices to face the judgment.

ANGELOLOGY

Are they not ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation? (Hebrews 1:4).

Prominent figures involved in the birth of Christ Jesus, and his resurrection are the angels.  Not only were angels created to be involved in carrying out God's purposes on this earth, they were created by God to minister to the needs of those who are being saved.  It will be interesting to have a conversation with our angel when we get to heaven about the near misses, burprise blessings and spiritual strength that were sent our way because of his ministry to us.  I know there are many who have personal testimonies of miraculous interventions that defy an other explanation other than the ministry of an angel.

When discussing the ministry of angels, one of the inevitable questions that come up is: "If each little one has an angel, why do they not intervene more often to prevent abortion, abuse and sex abuse that is so common?" At this point the previous "Bullet" text should be noted: See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 18:10).  That is a question for which only God has the right answer, but one of the things Jesus teaches in the text that is absolutely sure, God is recording through the testimony of their angels all of the wrongs done to these helpless and powerless ones and there will be an accounting on the Day of judgment!!! Of the angels he says,"Who makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire" (Hebrews 1:7).  In saying this, God means that Angels administrate God's righteous judgments with wind-driven fire.  We know from the Lord's Prayer that in Heaven angels carry out God's will without question or hesitation; there will be no mercy shown to those who have harmed a little one! 

One of the good TV programs this year is Undercover Boss.  It is about CEO's who go undercover to view how things really work in their companies.  I asked the lovely and gracious Helen if she thought our Boss goes undercover to see how our ministry is working.  Though she just smiled it is worth considering this verse: Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2).

Grace&Peace;
Tom

RECEIVING A LITTLE ONE

See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 18:10).

Children are an awesome responsibility.  I believe one of the things this verse teaches is that the angel of each little one is keeping record of the wrongs done to that child by those who should know better; wrongs for which they must give account in judgment: Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; but who ever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea (Matthew 18:6).

Each year close to a million and a half babies are killed when their mother's pregnancies are aborted.  I use the term babies because, with the use of modern technology, one can view all the distinguishing characteristics of a human being right down to the nipples on a one-inch fetus.  In almost every case, the reason for abortion has to do with the view one has of that little one growing inside.  The eyes of faith view baby as a blessing; the eyes of unbelief see that little one as a burden to heavy to bear.

Granted, I am a man writing these thoughts for women facing the challenges of bearing and raising a child in difficult circumstances, so perhaps I do not understand the anxiety in their lives.  Nevertheless, if a little one is received as Jesus the blessings will be more enormous than the challenges.  Receiving Jesus means that a lot of changes will occur.  It is no less so in receiving a child in Jesus' name, but they are good changes.  For those who cannot bear the changes, what a wonderful gift of life can be given to a couple who have room in their hearts for a little one, but cannot conceive new life on their own!

A PARABLE FOR TEACHERS

As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty (Matthew 13:23). One should take the time to read the whole parable in Matthew 13:1-23.

Preaching and teaching can be discouraging business because sometimes it seems as if one's teaching is making little if any impact on the students.  There is an old saw that says, "If a kid hasn't learned then the teacher hasn't taught."  There is some truth to that, but in truth, very little.  The teacher is responsible to do the best teaching he or she can do, but the actual learning depends on the attitude of the student.

Some attitudes are so negative that teaching and discipline is rejected without thought.  Others are smart and receive teaching quickly, but lack the discipline to stick with it and, as a result, the teaching dies from lack of use.  Still others receive the teaching, but competing interests and lack of focus chokes it out.  Finally, however, there are those students who receive the teaching and are emotionally mature enough to incorporate it into their lives according to their ability--the parable teaches that not all good students have the same capacity.

It might seem as if the parable is saying that only 25% of folks are going to bear very much fruit from the seed of the gospel.  However, in some fields the whole field is good soil and the fruit of the teacher/preacher is astonishing.  In other fields there are large amounts of compacted, shallow and weedy soils so the labor is hard and the harvest is meager.  The one who labors in these fields has to plow, water, fertilize and weed if there will be any harvest at all, but the truth is that there will always be a harvest.  If one is faithful in sowing the seed of truth, there will always be a harvest.

One of the reasons Jesus taught in parables was to separate the customer from the window shopper and the serious disciple from the fair-weather follower.  Which one are you?

Grace&Peace;
Tom

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

"The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, 'Lo, here it is' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you" (Luke 17:21).

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).

We reign with Christ in his kingdom when Christ reigns in our hearts; the kingdom of God is within us.  The kings of earth use their power to rule physical territory.  They enact laws at their whim and use their power to force their subjects to obey.  God almost always acts in ways completely opposite to the conventional wisdom.  Christ does not twist our arms and muscle his way into our lives, rather, he entered the world in the most humble circumstances and died in indignity because of his love for us. If the persuasion of love does not open the door, a heart will never be truly surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ.

The answer to the Lord's Prayer begins in the heart of each person because that is the territory that God wants to rule.  When God rules the heart of a person, his will will be done on earth as it is in heaven in that person's life.  The Lord's Prayer is a personal prayer of surrender to the will of God.

The worst imaginable future for anyone is to be cast into hell.  Jesus said that, If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.  And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and through it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell (Matthew 6:29-30).  What he means is that to be in the kingdom one must cast away the nearest and dearest impediments to entering it.  As painful as that is, hell is infinitely more painful.  While it is almost a certainty that the Lord did not literally mean to pluck out eyes, cut off hands and sexual organs, it would certainly mean the surrender of sexuality for the sake of the kingdom.  Sex is added here because, in our culture, sex and materialism are the dominant gods.

The day is coming when everyone will see the King in his power and majesty and bow before him (Philippians 2:9-11).  Until that day it is the free decision of each person to allow the King to enter their hearts and sing, Joy to the world!  The Lord has come; let earth receive her king . . .

Grace&Peace;
Tom

IS SATAN BOUND?

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain.  And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years were ended.  After that he must be loosed for a little while (Revelation 20:1-3).

The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened (Matthew 13:33).

The prophecy of Genesis 3:15 was fulfilled in the ministry of Christ.  In the days of Noah, satan had nearly unrestricted freedom so that every imagination of the hearts of man were wicked so that the earth was filled with violence and corruption (Genesis 6:5&11).  Perhaps satan has never had complete freedom as the book of Job testifies that God limited what satan could do to Job (1:12 & 2:6).  Jesus described his ministry in Luke 4:18-19 as the fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1-2. He could not "set at liberty those who are oppressed" until satan had been bound to some degree: But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man; then indeed he may plunder his house (Mark 3:27).

If satan is bound, one might argue that there is certainly a great amount of evil in the world.  In response it could also be argued that, yes, while there is a great amount of evil in the world, it is not like the days of Noah.  My argument is that the binding of satan is a relative term.  Because of his binding, the kingdom of heaven has penetrated the world in many ways, as the kingdom parable suggests.  Think of the influence Christ has had on the laws, arts and sciences of the modern world--do some personal research on this.  This kind of penatration could have never happened if satan was not restricted in some way.  And, it should go without saying, millions and millions have been able to receive the gift of salvation because satan's activities have been restricted.

What do you think satan's loosing will mean?

Grace&Peace,
Tom 

SHADES OF GRACE

As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace (I Peter 4:10).

Peter says there are variations of God's grace.  God's grace reminds me of a well-cut diamond with its many different facets, each sparking in a little different way.  All people are blessed with God's grace.  As a result of his creation, and his sustenance of that creation, the sunshine and the rain bless every person!  The beauty of the earth, the sun, moon and stars are witnesses to the wisdom, power and majesty of God.  The one who has created and named a billion trillion stars in the universe*, who knows the number of the hairs on the heads of six billion people is our Father God who graces us with life and breath and everything (Acts 17:25).  These graces are unconditional so that they bless each and every person.

Though the price of salvation has been paid for each person, it is only the one who surrenders to Christ who receives salvation.  The grace that saves is extended to the one who believes, repents and is baptized (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-8).  Though salvation is intended for all, it is only given to those who will receive it.

In the context of I Peter 4:10, Peter is speaking of some of the graces that serve.  It is my personal belief that these graces are given so that God's purposes will be fulfilled.  How will God bel glorified without those who are faithful in prayer, love, hospitality and financial giving?  How will God's purposes be fulfilled without leaders, teachers and preachers who are faithful in the word?  Each one of these graces is a different shade of grace.  God is glorified when one sparkles with the shade of he or she has received!

Grace&Peace,
Tom

*The number of stars some scientist have estimated are in the universe.  The Psalms say that God has named each one.

BEYOND THE PALE

The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (II Peter 3:9).

It was a sad sight to me.  Here he was, an elder in my congregation, sitting on an up-side-down bucket smoking a cigar. He was thinking about going fishing.  This was the third week in a row that he had missed church, so I had to know what was going on with him.  My elder knew the Bible well, perhaps better than I.  He lived what he believed.  He always attended church, so his absence was out of character for him, as was smoking a cigar.  What could have happened to keep him from worshipping with the family of God?

The elder was not surprised that I was there.  We had had many Bible studies and discussions; some of them being about reformed theology, so he had a ready answer when I asked him, "What's going on?"  "I'm beyond the pale of God's grace," he replied.  He was feeling as if he was not acceptable to God because he was not one of God's elect, though he had been baptized on his confession of faith in Christ.  The truth was, however, he was in the down phase of bi-polar disorder; he was not beyond the pale!  His feelings were real, but his feelings were not the truth!

The theological truth is that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace except those who refuse to surrender their lives to the love and rule of Jesus the Christ.  The context of II Peter 3:9 is quite clear, the Lord delays his coming so that each person has ample opportunity to come to Christ.  God has ordained that his grace extends to all who will receive it.  When one feels that he is "beyond the pale," his feelings are lies from the father of lies!  Rejection of Jesus Christ is the only thing that puts one beyond the pale of God's saving grace!

God has not made some people for Heaven and other people for hell; it is contrary to his nature.  God is not a respector of persons (Acts 10:34-35).  Hell was made for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).  People go there only because they reject the one who came to save them!

Grace&Peace;
Tom

WHAT IS SATAN'S TO GIVE?

And the devil took him up, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him "To you I will give all this authority and their glory; for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will.  If you, then, will worship me, it shall all be yours."  And Jesus answered him, " It is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve'" (Luke 4:5-8).

As I was reading this text I questioned, "What, really, can satan give?  Did God allow him the power to give to Jesus the kingdoms of the world?"  One of the key points to remember about satan is that he always lies--lying is his native tongue (John 8:44).  So, if satan claimed to be able to deliver the kingdoms of the world to Jesus it would have been just as much a lie as the one he told to Eve, saying she would be like God (Genesis 3:5).  He always offers to give what he cannot.  He cannot give anything but evil.

Jesus referred to satan as the ruler of this world (John 14:30-31).  The apostle Paul did the same in 2nd Corinthians 4:4.  However, do not assume that satan has more power than he does because of these two references.  The spirit of satan is alive in all those who follow the conventional wisdom of the world and those who put the desires of the flesh ahead of the will of God (Ephesians 2:1-3).  Because so many follow his ways, it appears as if he is the god of this world--it does seem as if he does have dominion over the earth.  Put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and remember, "For dominion belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations" (Psalms 22:28).  Satan does not exactly know the future for he does not have dominion, so his prophecies often fail.  Because God has dominion, his prophecies are always true--he is in control of the future.

Jesus does not respond to satan with a reasoned argument because one cannot reason with the unreasonable.  Jesus only responds with Biblical truth from Deuteronomy 6:13.  The evil one has nothing to give but evil.  Never believe his lies that he has something good to give!

Grace&Peace;
Tom

HELLO TO LOVE

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.  But if any one has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?  Little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth (I John 3:16-18).

While watching an old Bing Crosby movie called Rhythm on the River, Richard Carpenter noticed that a song called Goodbye to Love, attributed to an aspiring writer was referenced several times but the song was never played in the movie.  Carpenter wondered what a song called Goodbye to Love would sound like and began sketching out a melody and some lyrics.  He recruited John Bettis to actually write the lyrics and that is how one of the "shmultsiest" feel-sorry-for-yourself songs ever written was born in 1972.*  Actually, it is a beautiful song that fairly accurately depicts how a person who has lost at love feels for about six weeks--as ONLY Karen Carpenter could sing it: I'll say goodbye to love, no one ever cared if I should live or die . . .

If one gives any serious thought to the Christmas season and to the Easter season, he or she has to conclude that, unless the history is inaccurate, which it is not, God loves us so much that he sent his only son, Jesus the Christ, to die for us.  Still, the history and theology of the gospel is remote to one living in the present, suffering from loneliness, unless it comes with skin on.  Loneliness is the lack of emotional connection to another in one's immediate existence and it is here that the Christian gospel with skin on must enter.  One of the needs common to every human being is to be loved.  Christians are the hands and feet of Jesus, showing his love each day by taking it with them wherever they go.  By the way, giving the love of Christ is as much a human need as receiving it.  Human wholeness if found in the receiving and giving of the love of Christ.

So, what if an aspiring songwriter wrote a song called, Hello to Love?  How would it go?  Certainly it has the potential to become a much-loved Christmas carol; at least if Karen Carpenter could sing it.

Grace&Peace;
Tom

*Wikipedia, Goodbye to Love.

SERVING LIKE CHRIST

Have this mind among yourselves, which you have in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:5-8).

An inconvenient truth is that a servant is not greater than the master.  When the Son left Heaven and took on human flesh he experienced humanity--he understands what it is like to be human.  One cannot ever say about God that he is unjust because he doesn't really understand what it is like to be human; he does!  God does not insulate himself from the pain, sorrow, temptation and death that we experience, for Jesus experienced it all.

In like fashion Christ calls each disciple to have that same mind.  I believe this is one of the salient messages of the gospel.  If we are to have peace with one another and if we are to help others we have to be willing to give up our own preeminence to enter the world of others.  It is only by entering their world that we can come into understanding distance, which is the distance necessary to help.

It is dangerous to enter the world of another.  As Jesus brought the character of the Father with him, so we must bring the character of Christ with us!  Christ came into a sinful world, but did not sin; he maintained integrity.  One of the very real dangers of entering the world of another is becoming infected with the same disease!  The best counsel and the best help we can give is found in the character of Christ that we manifest in their world.  For people who have been lied to; for people who have been abused and manipulated, bringing the light and integrity of Christ into their world is the best counsel one can give.

Jesus left the glories of Heaven to save us, as his servants, can't we at least give up a little of our personal comfort to reach out to the ones he loves?

Grace&Peace;
Tom

THREE DAYS IN INFAMY

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole amor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers , against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places (Ephesians 6:10-12).

When people say, "There is peace and safety," then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape (I Thessalonians 5:3).

President Franklin Roosevelt said that December 7, 1941 would live in infamy.  I think we could also add September 11, 2001 as another infamous date; both dates arouse horror.  Both of these great tragedies in American history were followed by conspiracy theories of coverups because it is speculated that both presidents wanted America to go to war.  Japan had already displayed military aggression.  Radical islamists had already bombed the World Trade Center.  The signs of imminent attacks should have been obvious. 

There is plenty of evidence that an obviously pregnant woman is going to give birth; the question is, when?  It comes suddenly--a pregnant woman does not want to be caught in a situation when help is not available.  Why would a nation be less vigilant when the signs are obvious?  Why would any individual not be vigilant when the truth is that apocalypse is coming?  Death is one's personal apocalyptic moment.  The second coming of Christ is the apocalypse for all things.

That lazy Sunday morning on December 7, 1941, no one thought there would be an attack; many people were sleeping in.  Suddenly, at 7:55 a.m., the first Japanese planes shattered Hawaiian quiet--apocalypse was happening!

I will never forget September 11,2001, I was on highway 31 between Washta and Correctionville, Iowa, driving to Norfolk, Nebraska.  Regular radio programming was interrupted by the announcement that a plane had flown into the World Trade Center--apocalypse was happening!  It was shortly before eight a.m. central time on a day that would have many more announcements; how could this be happening in America?

We often make the mistake of assuming that vigilance is someone else's responsibility.  We are blessed with so many tools today by which we can assess our present situation, the first and for most being the Bible.  With modern language translations, it is not hard to do a systematic study of it.  Arm yourself because apocalypse is coming!  Will you be prepared for it?

Grace&Peace,
Tom

GABRIEL

. . . while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice.  He came and he said to me, "O Daniel, I have now come out to give you wisdom and understanding" (Daniel 9:21-22).

And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news" (Luke 1:19).

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David (Luke 1:26-27).

Gabriel is mentioned by name only four times in the Bible, twice in Daniel and twice in Luke's gospel.  It is highly probable that Gabriel was the angel who appeared to Joseph and to the shepherds as well.  What makes him important is that he was the angel that gave Daniel the seventy-weeks time-line prophecy about the time of the coming of the Messiah. 

Theophilus, a lover of God, was the one to whom Luke wrote (Luke 1:3-4).  Theophilus already had knowledge of the events of the gospel, and I believe knowledge of the Old Testament writings, so that is why Luke mentions Gabriel by name.  The Gabriel in Daniel is the same Gabriel in Luke; the events of the nativity were not arbitrary happenings, but were a part of God's time-line for history.  God has a time-line for history and that is why Jesus began his ministry by saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15).

Gabriel seems to be the angel through whom special messianic events are announced.  Could he be the one who plays the final trumpet call of God at the final return of the Messiah?  For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed (I Corinthians 15:52).  One thing of which we can be certain, the first coming of the Messiah indicates that history has direction--will you follow it?

Grace&Peace;
Tom

HOME AGAIN

Thou hast fixed all the bounds of the earth; thou hast made summer and winter (Psalms 74:17).

The lovely and gracious Helen and I made a quick trip to California for a holiday weekend (President's Day) with Kirk, Rebecca, Faith, Deacon and Parker.  It was a great time for a couple of reasons: to renew relationships, celebrating Rebecca and Parker's birthdays, and to just experience a bit of summer.  This winter has been a loong, cold and hard one.  It was good to experience warm sunshine and green grass!  It was good respite therapy for the winter blues that have a grip on many people in the midwest right now.

During my ministry in Rifle, Colorado, I went bear hunting with one of the men in my congregation.  It was early May.  While we were hunting we came on a small cabin that had been built by a man who stayed the winter there with his wife.  The cabin was extremely isolated.  Once the snows came to that higher elevation, no one was able to go in or go out.  By February the wife had developed an extreme case of cabin fever; she just sat on the edge of the bed and talked to herself.  When the snow melted enough so that she could get out, she was gone.  The man was still there, that's how I know the story;  it didn't seem like he was too interested in tracking down his wife, but I'm not sure that any amount of marriage counseling could save that marriage.  I am telling you this little story to illustrate that many of us in the midwest feel like that wife this year and a little time in the warm sun with green grass is a blessing from the Lord!

Grace&Peace,
Tom

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

Due to some scheduling complications for the next few days I will only leave you with these verses from John: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us (I John 1:8-10).

Grace&Peace;
Tom

THE LORD'S VERDICT

I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot.  Would that you were cold or hot!  So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth (Revelation 3:15-16).

That seems to be a negative verse with which to begin a devotional thought.  But, there is a human tendency for Christians to become satisfied with their performance as they live their lives.  We think we are good people; we do not commit any gross sins, murdering, committing adultery or stealing.  So, sometimes the Lord has to speak in forceful language to get our attention.  We might not be doing bad, but are we doing good?  I think that is the question that God wants us to answer here.

The cited text was written to the church in Laodicea.  Though the Lord does not have anything good to say about the people who were members of the church, the Bible does not say that they were doing any gross sinning either; they were nice, good people.  There is no record of immorality or the kind of heresy that plagued some of the other churches.  The only thing that is salient about these Christians was that they had little sense of need and little sense of urgency; they blended well into the community without being salt and light.  They were spiritually poverty stricken; complacent and self satisfied.  As a result, Revelation 3:20 pictures Jesus standing at the door of the hearts of these Christians, knocking and asking admission: Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me.  Isn't it a sad commentary that the Lord has to stand at the door of the hearts of his own people and ask admission?

Do the people of your community know where you stand?  Does Jesus make a difference in how you live your life?  Does your life add flavor and light to the community in which you live?  What is the Lord's verdict about your life?

Grace&Peace;
Tom

WALK WHERE JESUS WALKED

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.  While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them (Luke 24:13-15).

The sales pitch used to sell a trip to the holy land inevitable includes this quote: "Walk where Jesus Walked."  The pilgrimage to the holy land is an emotional experience; even for those of us whose interests center only on greater understanding.  It is almost impossible for one not to be emotional because the holy land is our spiritual homeland; the dramas that were lived out there are the basis of our hope.  I was one of those people who went primarily to have a better understanding of the Bible and the lives and times of the people of the Bible yet it was an emotional experience for me too.  It is one thing to learn it in a class, from reading books and listening to lectures, it is another thing to get a feel of the atmosphere, smelling the smells, feeling the wind, experiencing the geography while thinking of the events that happened there.  As I read the Scriptures now, I can picture those events in a more accurate setting.  I can truly say that the holy land tour re-ignited my desire to just read the Bible.  It also helped me to a better understanding of the dynamics involved in the current problems of the Middle East.

Touring the holy land, with good preparation, is a kind of road-to-Emmaus experince.  In the context of the cited text, the risen Christ joined the two disciples: And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself (Luke 24:27).  Like those two disciples who gained understanding from the Emmaus walk with Jesus, one will gain a deeper appreciation for and understanding of the Bible when one walks where Jesus walked.

Doing a holy land tour is not cheap.  For many a literal trip is not possible.  However, one does not have to go to the holy land to walk where Jesus walked.  Walking in faith, trust and love is walking the road where Jesus walked.  His Spirit will be with you so that your life will become more like his!

Grace&Peace;
Tom

TLIFS: Do not be Cavalier with Fire!

For behold, the Lord will come in fire, and his chariots like the stormwind, to render his anger in fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.  For by fire will the Lord execute judgment, and by his sword, upon all flesh; and those slain by the Lord shall be many (Isaiah 66:15,16).

Fires can change quickly.  Wind, humidity, dryness, different fuel types and changes in terrain can cause a seemingly tame fire to become a monster very quickly.  People have lost their lives because they did not respect the potential of a seemingly tame fire to become deadly.

One of the points that our fire-fighting instructor drove home is that the fire fighter always must have situational awareness; what is presently happening with the fire and predicting what could happen with the fire if possible changes actually happened.  One cannot have good situational awareness if a lookout has not been posted, if communication is not good, if escape routes have not bee planned and if safety zones have not been established.

With all these precautions, sudden and unpredictable changes have taken the lives of fire fighters.  As a result, a piece of equipment carried by range and forest fire fighters is a personal fire shelter; a fire fighter must be able to deploy it within twenty-five seconds because a fire can be on them that quickly.  The personal fire shelter gives the fire fighter good odds of survival, but it is not a guarantee.

There is a life lesson here for all.  God is not one with whom to trifle; do not be cavalier with him!!!  Many "Christians" live as practical atheists, giving little thought to God and letting him have little to say about how they live their lives.  They do not listen to the lookouts or take the escape routes, relying on their personal fire shelter, Jesus Christ, only in the last seconds.  How will God deal with those who have given him little thought when they had opportunity, but, in crisis, grab for their personal fire shelter?

Grace&Peace;
Tom

THINGS LEARNED IN FIRE SCHOOL

I would rather speak five words with my mind, in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue (I Corinthians 14:19b).

The Steele family has a contract with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to maintain the tract of prairie on our farm for ten years.  The IDNR shared in the cost of removing cedar trees and burning the prairie for the first three years, but the Steele family bears the total cost for the next seven.  Our desire, of course, is to preserve the native prairie as long as the grass grows and the rivers flow--a little white man to native American treaty speak.  We will keep our word, however.  To minimize the cost of doing burns, my brother-in-law and I attended a fire school to learn how to do this.  It is a commonsense education, but a couple of lessons have been impressed on me: one is the absolute necessity of good communication and the second is to never be cavalier with fire.

The first unit of our fire school course work was fire-fighting terminology.  How can the fire crew have good communication if they are not using and understanding the same terminology, for example, what is the difference between a contained fire and a controlled fire?  Understanding the difference can be critical!

I happen to think that there is a parallel here with how we communicate the gospel.  One of the great blessings of the reformation was that the Bible was translated into the language of the people so that it could be understood.  One of the questions Christians must answer is; Are we coming into understanding distance of the unchurched?  Are we communicating the language of the gospel in a language that can be understood?

Firefighters have an acronym; LCES is for Lookouts, Communication, Escape routes and Safety zones.  The fire lookouts have to accurately communicate what is happening with the fire so that the firefighters can safely and accurately do their job, making sure that everyone comes safely home.  As Christians, that's our job too.

Grace&Peace;
Tom

FOUR HORSES OF THE APOCALYPSE: Islam

And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and its rider had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer (Revelation 6:2).

The West won the world not by the superiority of its ideas or values or religion but rather by its superiority in applying organized violence.  Westerners often forget this fact; nonWesterners never do (Samuel P. Huntington, director of national security during the Carter administration).

It is no less true for nations than it is for individual people; the largest factor in the success of a person is his beliefs.  The dominant beliefs of a nation will determine the success or failure of that nation. I happened on to the Huntington quote as I surfed the web; it was on an Islamic site.  Huntington was wrong, but the Islamists believe him because his words fit their belief system.  Theirs is a culture that pursues world domination through force.  They cannot build a car, but they can build a missile to deliver a nuclear weapon.  The probability that the Middle East is going to be turned into a radioactive wasteland is about to become signigicantly higher!!!

What has followed in the wake of Islam for 1400 years is the rider on the red horse of war, the rider on the black horse of famine, and the rider on the pale horse of death (Revelation 6:3-8).  Islamists, themeselves, wonder why their people and economies are so backward considering that the Islamic world controls 74% of the world's oil reserves and pumps 42% of the worlds oil.  Islamists have 54% of the world's natural gas and pump 30% of it.  They also have large gold and bauxite reserves plus a trillion dollars in gold bullion.  Islamists control strategic locations, the most important being the Straits of Hormuze and the Suez Canal.  A unite Muslim world could field a 4.7 million-man army.  All these statistics were found on another Islamic site.

With all this wealth and power why is it that the Islamic world is backward?  For the same reason the West is near collapse; a person, nation or a culture is what it believes.  The West has cut itself off from the faith of its fathers. 

As the time of the return of the King of Kings draws near, the four horses of the apocalyps are a sign of the times.

Grace&Peace;
Tom

THE WEALTH OF NATIONS & Adam Smith's Invisible Hand

Hear this, you who trample upon the needy, and bring the poor of the land to an end, saying, "When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain?  And the sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale, that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great, and deal deceitfully with false balances, that we may buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, and sell the refuse of the wheat?" (Amos 8:4-6).

Seventeen seventy-six was a good year.  Some of history's greatest literature was published that year, including, The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith.  One of Smith's beliefs about economics was that there is an invisible hand that guides economics as human beings go about their everyday taskes of meeting their needs, living up to their responsibilities and fulfilling their desires.  Because of the "invisible hand" the free-market economy should always be sound.   For the most part, I agree with Smith; the economy will take care of itself if people are honest, compassionate and industrious.  It's just that sin is the problem, entering in to corrupt the whole economic system.  Nevertheless, there is an invisible hand that is relentless in bringing about the purposes of God; violations of God's economic laws are eventually met with stern punishment.

Some have suggested that the power of government can regulate the economy so that there will be no corruption in the economy.  Truth is, however, that sin is in the institutions of government too so that government is corrupt.  Who will police the police?  Who will regulate the regulators?  Who will judge the judges?  There is no less corruption in government than there is in private business world.  Our founders understood this well and thus provided for checks and balances and separation of powers in the Constitution.

I am blessed with a locally owned bank to provide financing for my agricultural operations.  The bank is doing well in these tough economic times and my loan officer shared with me the reason why, 'A bank is only as good and successful as the people in the community.'  His testimony reinforces my belief that, way more than any other factor, the wealth of a nation is the character of its people--natural resources have little to do with it.  Trustworthy, compassionate and industrious people are the greatest wealth to any nation!!!

Grace&Peace;
Tom

WHAT TO KEEP & WHAT TO THROW AWAY: The Emotional/Spiritual House Cleaning

. . . but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14).

And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as he is pure (I John 3:3).

This kind of housekeeping needs to be done on a regular basis just like ordinary housekeeping--like once a week.  It can be the most difficult housekeeping one will ever do.

I had some business that took me to Spirit Lake, Iowa.  On the return trip I made a short excursion around to where my grandfather's cottage had been located on west lake Okoboji.  The cottage is gone now, being replaced by a much larger house.  A flood of memories came back to me as I looked out over the lake; they were all good except for one.  One of my memories of this lake is actually a dream.  In the months following the deaths of my dad, my brother and my uncle, their deaths were within a few days of each other, I began to have a recurring dream of swimming out towards the middle of the lake.  I was too far out to swim back, but too far away from the far shore to swim there either.  I was drowning!  I had that dream several times--enough times so that I talked to my seminary psychology professor friend about it.  He assured me that this is a normal grief experience and went on to add: "Though we cannot get back to the familiar, happy and safe times of yesterday, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will safely take us to the far shore of Heaven."  I haven't had that dream in a couple of years, but seeing the lake made me think of it.

The emotional and spiritual housecleaning that must be done is not easy; it might be that one will need the help of a counselor.  However, the hope one has in Christ can help him/her to understand the relative value of all the stuff in the psychological storeroom.  Our hope helps us to sort out the junk that we once treasured and let it go.  It is not wrong to visit the past on occasion, but it is wrong to live there.  Focus on the future because our best days are yet ahead!

Grace&Peace;
Tom

WHAT TO KEEP & WHAT TO THROW AWAY: How to Make the Decision*

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven . . . a time to keep, and a time to cast away (Ecclesiastes 3:1,6b).

One of the items Helen had sorted to be thrown away was a 1907 charcoal sketch of Abraham Lincoln with these words by Lincoln printed beneath: I do the very best I know how--the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end.  If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won't amount to anything.  If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference.  The picture was in poor condition, but I thought with appropriate cropping and matting it could be a great antique wall hanging again.  Should it be kept or thrown away?

I use the following criteria to make the decision to keep or throw away:
1.  Is it pertinent to current legal, medical, employment or business matters?
2.  Is it something that has a possible immediate use?  (If it hasn't been used in a year it probably will not be used in the next year.)
3.  Does it give import insight into the development and disposition of the children?  Important pictures, papers and records need to be kept.  All love letters should be kept so that children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren can understand their family. (Helen, remember the one where you said, "You are . . .?)
In this digital age much family history will be lost because letters and journals are seldom written on paper.
4.  Does it have material value so that it can be sold or given away with a clear conscience?  If "we could sell it on ebay," but never get around to it--throw it away!
5. Is it an important part of my spiritual journey--will it support my Christian faith? (I have three Bibles that are examples of this.)
6.  Is it a collection that can be displayed or used for an intended purpose and not just be a dust collector?
7.  Do I have the time and energy to make something of it within a definite period of time?

What did we decide about the Lincoln charcoal?  It was burned in the "Sacred Fire," a fire ring in the back yard dedicated to the burning of memorabilia, worn-out flags, Bibles and Christian materials that are no longer serviceable.  They are not common trash and deserve a dignified end.

Grace&Peace;
Tom

*A revision of an earlier post.

WHAT TO KEEP & WHAT TO THROW AWAY*

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I gave up childish ways (I Corinthians 13:11).

In our house Helen and I have a bedroom that served for several years as a storeroom.  It was filled with memorabilia and things we "might use someday."  When the holidays were approaching and the prospect of adult children and grandchildren filling the house, we needed the space for sleeping.  The task of sorting through all of the things in that bedroom fell on Helen because she is an archivist and "Creative Memories" consultant.  I dare not do this task as I tend to throw away too much.

How does one know how to differentiate what is to be kept and what is to be thrown away?  One person's junk is another person's treasure.  Throwing away a card or a paper is like throwing away a memory.  Even if old cards, letters and papers are never accessed we know they are safely stored in a box somewhere for us to access should the need arise; we fear losing control of the past if we throw these things away--control issues can be as much cause of clutter as disorganization.  What a wonderful asset to any family is an orderly archiving of photographs and papers.  Not only can they settle disagreements and disputes, but also they can help adult children come to a better understanding of their lives.  There are times in each of our lives when we need to do some emotional and spiritual house cleaning and a good family archive can be a great assistance in that task!

No matter who you are, even if you are a bachelor or bachelorette, it's time to start the archive because there are people and relatives to whom it will make a difference!  Much of the past will be forever lost to succeeding generations if it is not archived in such a way that it can be found.

Grace&Peace;
Tom

*This is a revision of an earlier post.

DOES OUR SPEECH MATTER? Second Thoughts

Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying as fits the occasion, that it may impact grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29).

Another reason I believe the Bible is inspired by God is the ubiquitous use of profanity--almost everyone uses it.  The sacred and serious words and themes of the Bible are emptied of their meaning by common use.  God is the last one on a person's mind when he uses, "Oh my god!" or "Jesus Christ!" as swear words.  Hell and damnation are serious truths that are emptied of their importance by thoughtless use.  This is spiritual warfare.  It is satan's attempt to attack the truths of God's word and diminish it credibility through profane use.  Why is it that no one says, "Oh Buda!" or "Oh Mohammed," as swear words?

In an effort to be relevant and fit in with contemporary culture there is a trend among Christian workers to use "street talk."  There is some precedent for this as the New Testament was written in koine Greek, not classical Greek.  Sometimes in counseling, as one is actively listening, one needs to repeat the words that a client uses to demonstrate understanding.  Nevertheless, one has to consider whether or not his speech is going to lift up the culture or weigh it down.  I believe it is a mistake, if not a sin, to use "dirty" talk in an attempt to fit it.  Indeed, one of the qualities of pure religion is to keep one's self  "unstained" from the world (James 1:27).  When the occasion is such that these kinds of words need to be used for a definite purpose, so be it.  However, if they are the mark of everyday speech, as a Christian, it is time to clean up our act.

Can obsenity be profanity?  Many of the words and expressions used in everyday conversation are sexual in origin, so much so that little thought is given the origin of these words.  One could make a fairly long list of these words.  Though sex is a common animal act, for human beings God has given sex a special significance; God does not intend for human beings to engage in sex casually and without commitment.  Sex is holy.  Using the "f" word reduces what God has intended to be holy into a barn-yard act. Isn't that profanity?

Christians must not be careless as we speak.  Our words are a window to our soul and our words will lift the culture up or they will weigh it down.  What are your words doing?

Grace&Peace;
Tom

DOES OUR SPEECH MATTER?

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone (Colossians 4:6).

The Lone Ranger was my favorite boyhood hero.  He always followed the law.  In one episode LR was put in jail even though he was innocent.  A friend had a key to the jail and opened the cell door for LR to escape, but LR told his friend to close the door and said, "This is not the way to justice."  Another characteristic of the Lone Ranger was that he always used perfect grammar and did not use slang or colloquialisms.  The writers of the Lone Ranger believed that good speech lifted people up and that poor speech made them perform less honorably.

My days as a youth worker and acting director at Midwest Christian Services, a residential treatment facility, pretty much confirmed what the Lone Ranger believed.  As a Christian institution, it was a matter of course that swearing was not allowed.  As a director, I was somewhat surprised to learn that the secular institutions didn't allow it either because of the negative effect it has on the culture of the institution.  There is more acting out and it is much more difficult to develop positive attitudes in the residents if negative speech is allowed; negative speech breeds more negativism.

One of the easiest things we can do to have a positive impact on the world around us is to clean up our language and learn how to express ourselves in creative and positive ways without resorting to crude, rude, obscene or profane language--it will make a difference.  Those who do not learn how to express themselves in positive speech are their own worst enemy because their language casts doubt on their character, their ability to lead and effectively communicate.  One's chances of success or failure are enhanced by the words he uses.  Our words are a window into our soul: For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34b).

Grace&Peace,
Tom

WHAT WILL HEAVEN BE LIKE? Another View

If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied.  But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep (I Corinthians 15:19-20).

The hope of Heaven is not simply wishful thinking; it is based on the solid foundation of the historic truth that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead.  Therefore the great reunion with loved ones in Christ is not an idol dream, but a promised reality.  Will we recognize our loved ones in Heaven?  If one studies Matthew 17:2-4 and Luke 16:19-31, it is hard to escape the conclusion that we will recognize them.  Another question seems to always follow the first, "How can we be happy in Heaven knowing that a loved one isn't there?"  It must be remembered that those who are not in heaven are absent because they did not believe in Jesus and they did not love him.  These are a fundamental differences that will always be a source of sorrow and heart break even in Heaven.  God will not allow the past to hold the happiness of Heaven hostage.  When he wipes every tear from our eyes they will never cry again, understanding the perfect judgments of God.  In Heaven we will be one big and happy family, being all brothers and sisters in Christ.  God will be our father.  There will be no marriage in Heaven (Matthew 22:30).

Of the many horrible results of going to hell, one of them is all of the unanswered questions.  Perhaps one of the reasons people go to hell is because they think they have all the answers any way.  This is the conclusion of those who do not believe in God.  In this age of scientific research and technology we make the mistake of thinking that we have all the answers.  Going to hell, one will never know the answers to the questions of history and science.  For people who love to learn it will be wonderful to be in the presence of the Creator!

Grace&Peace;
Tom

WHAT WILL HEAVEN BE LIKE? Another Look

Then he showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yeilding its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  There shall no more be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall worship him; they shall see his face, and his name shall be on their foreheads.  And night shall be no more; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they shall reign forever and ever (Revelation 22:1-5).

While many have questions about what it is we will do in Heaven, one thing of which we can be certain, our activities will reflect the nature of God!  There will be no sinful or immoral activities in Heaven.  Since God is love, all of the things we do will reflect love.  There will be no sloth in Heaven; everyone will be working because God is a worker: But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working still, and I am working" (John 5:17).  A person who enjoys his work doesn't need to retire.  In Eden work was neither tiresome nor tedious until after the fall.  God's work will be fulfilling and enjoyable.

Will Heaven be like an eternal church service? Let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King!  Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with timbrel and lyre!  For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory (Psalms 149:2-4).  Some church service!  I have an idea that those who by grace came through the old order of things will never tire of praising and thanking God!!!

Grace&Peace;
Tom

WHAT WILL HEAVEN BE LIKE?

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, and I heard a great voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling of God is with men.  He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:1-5).

Though the type of literature in Revelation is nearly all apocalyptic, and thus not intended to be taken absolutely literally, nevertheless, there is a good deal that can be learned about heaven from Revelation.

One of the blessings of heaven is that residents there will be in the immediate presence of God and will enjoy it.  It seems to be that this presence will be closer to God than what Adam and Eve enjoyed in Eden where God was an evening visitor (Genesis 3:8).

The earth and the heavens will be new.  It should make us stop and consider, if this earth is this beautiful how beautiful will the new one be?  Having been blessed to live in several states and travel to foreign countries, I know that this earth is a beautiful place; how much more so is Heaven?

All that was done in the "fall" is undone in Heaven; the old order of things has passed away.  This concept is almost beyond our comprehension because all that we have ever known and experienced is within the realm of the old order of things: sickness, pain, death, tears, sorrow, sweat, toil, estrangement, crime, war and natural disasters. In relation to this the question is asked, "What will we do in Heaven?"  It is a valid question because every occupation of earth is a remedy for the effects of the fall of humanity into sin. That is why we have doctors, lawyers, entertainers, police, firefighters, etc.  The God who created this infinitly diverse universe will create plenty for us to do!!!

Grace&Peace;
Tom

GOD HEARD THE BOY CRYING

And as she sat over against him, the child lifted up his voice and wept.  And God heard the voice of the lad (Genesis 21:16b-17a).

It is said that back in the 1920's Ernest Hemmingway bet ten dollars that he could write a novel with just six words.  Some have called these six words his best work: For sale: baby shoes, never worn. This is proof that a compelling story doesn't have to be long.  Five words from the Bible that rival Hemmingway's six are the NIV translation of Genesis 2:17: God heard the boy crying.  What powerful stories are imagined in the theater of the mind because of these few words.

Ishmael was a boy who was rejected by his father.  He, along with his mother, was abandoned by his father in a desolate wilderness with less than enough to survive.  They were about to die.  Ishmael was an illegitimate son, born of human will rather than God's.  Perhaps human history would have been much better if Ishmael were allowed to die.  Ishmael and his mother had no claim on God's mercy, but in their hour of desperation, God pours out his mercy on them.

Ishmael's story is our story: remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:12-13).  No matter who we are or what we have done, God has reached out to all in Christ Jesus providing for salvation.  In whatever circumstance you find yourself today, God loves you and is working to give you what is best if you cry out to him.

Grace&Peace;
Tom

BLUE MOON

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a sabbath.  These are only a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ (Colossians 2:16-17).

It was double digits below zero when I parked the car in front of the church at 11:20 p.m. New Year's Eve.  When I got out of the car the snow crunched under my feet.  I looked up at the second full moon of the month and it actually was tinted blue due to the ice crystals in the air.  I had heard earlier in the day that the last blue moon on New Year's Eve was in 1990 and the next one will not be until 2028--I was witnessing a rare event.  These things only happen once every nineteen years.  What will this next nineteen year cycle bring?  In nineteen years I will be eighty one should I last that long and the Lord tarries.

I was the last half-hour time slot on our church's twelve-hour New Year's Eve prayer vigil.  We encourage each participant to actually go to the church to pray, but with the cold and the snow it appeared that I was the only one who ventured out to pray that night.  The weather made it understandable, but the half-filled-in sign up sheet did not.  For a church's mission statement that includes prayer as one of the necessary dynamics of its mission, this church's leadership and members did not respond all that well on New Year's Eve.  Perhaps, like the blue moon, a church that actually believes in prayer is not all that common.  We pray often, but our prayers are filled with cliche`s rather than contrition.  As I prayed that night I was reminded of the phrase from Isaiah 1:15 where the Lord says, even though you make many prayers, I will not listen. Isn't that frightening?

I welcome the time to pray alone in the church sanctuary from 11:30 to 12 a.m..  I expect to hear a word from the Lord, and perhaps Isaiah 1:15 was it.  When the church is empty and all is quiet, there are creaks and squeaks and walking sounds that are reminders that one is not alone.  I prayed about many things during that half-hour: pardon and forgiveness for personal failure, for the church and its mission, for each one of the church's leaders and their wives, the trials that our church members are facing, etc., but remembering that on this blue moon, I was there because of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Grace&Peace;
Tom

EVERY CHRISTIAN A COUNSELOR

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

Is it possible that this reference connects in some way to modern counseling?  Should Christian counselors seek to shape their work and ministry after that of the Messiah?  Historically, the word counselor in both Hebrew and English refers to an advisor to royalty.  A second historical use refers to lawyers who are counselors at law.  In the twenty first century we use the term, "counselor," to refer to many types of helpers--primarily those who work in the field of mental health and social work.

Counseling, according to the Bible, is the sharing of God's wisdom with God's people.  Certainly, Jesus did it and Paul said that he did it as well: for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27).  Is not every Christian commissioned to share the counsel of God to those around him?  Matthew 28:18-20 is for every Christian as is I Peter 3:15b where Peter says: Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you.  I believe that it is God's intention for every Christian to be a counselor to some degree.

The Christian has the full range of tools to use in helping another to find redemption and salvation.  The counselor's personal faith, hope and love cannot be kept from expression as he/she influences the one in need.  The truth of the Bible exposes the lies that lead to destruction.  The metaphors and parables of Scripture help one to look at life in a different way.  Baptism, The Lord's Supper, fellowship, music, meditation and the offerings help people to experience the love, grace, beauty and power of God as they grow in faith.

The tools in the Christian's "counselor toolbox" should not be used in a utilitarian way, but should be a way of life to the Christian himself.  It is in this way that these become powerful interventions and dynamic influences to bring about change to those who are open to it.  Did you ever think you would be a counselor?

Grace&Peace,
Tom

A COMMUNION MEDITATION: JESUS CELEBRATED HANUKKAH

It was the feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon (John 10:22-23).

I would have never given a second thought to these verses had I not traveled to the Holy Land two years ago in the winter.  The temperature was probably in the thirties that day, that is one of the reasons John said it was winter. It was also time for the feast of the Dedication, not a religious holiday as spelled out in the Old Testament Law, but a Fourth-of-July like holiday that reminded the Jews of God's provision for them as a people.

Atiochus Epiphanes was king of the Seleucid empire, which included the land of Palestine at that time.  The culture of the empire was Greek.  One of the unintended consequenses of Alexander the Great's conquests was to spread Greek culture from Europe to India. Eventually, Greek became the official language of the Roman empire.  One of the purposes of the 10 cities of the Decapolis in the northeastern area of Palestine, even in Roman times, was for the preservation and promotion of Greek culture.

In any case, Greek customs and religion were completely incompatible with the faith of the Jews.  Greek culture promoted nudity, homosexuality, worshipping images of many gods, lack of dietary restrictions.  Jewish religion was absolutely unacceptable to Greeks because they viewed circumcision as sinful and they did not believe in the one true God.  The last straw that brought rebellion in 167 B.C. was when Epiphanes sacrificed a pig on the alter in the temple.  Led by the Maccabee family, the Jews were able to drive the Seleucid's out of Palestine and the Jews had their own country and temple back.

The temple had to be sanctified and rededicated.  To do this there had to be a dedicated supply of olive oil to light the lights of the temple.  The Jews only had a one-day supply, but it would take eight days to prepare a dedicated supply to renew the lights.  Miraculously, the one-day supply lasted eight days.  As a result of God's provision the lights were able to keep burning.  To this day, for eight days in December, the Jews memorialize Hanukka, which means, "to dedicate."

Communion, like Hanukka, is a time of rededication.  It is rededicating the temple of our lives, by renewing covenant with God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord.  The celebration of the Lord's Supper is the Christian Hanukka, the Christian dedication.

Grace&Peace,
Tom

CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS

And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10-11).

He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be morning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:3b-4).

There shall no more be anything accursed . . . (Revelation 22:3a).

What would the world be like without Christmas?  It would be a world without joy because it would be a world without hope; the hope that only Jesus the Christ can bring.  One of the reasons that Jesus is our hope is because Jesus fulfills prophecy--every Old Testament prophecy about the first coming of the Messiah has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Another reason that Jesus the Messiah is our hope is that he has conquered death in his resurrection from the dead.  This means, of course, that his word is true and his promises are true and that death is NOT THE LAST WORD!

Another reason that Jesus Christ is our hope is the dynamic change in the lives of those who believe in him and submit to his lordship.  They have experienced the love of Christ and thus love others.  Tertullian noted that nonChristians said about Christians, "See how they love one another" (Tertullian was a 3rd century Latin church father).  The lives of believers begin to take on the character of Christ because the Holy Spirit is at work in their lives.

No wonder Isaac Watts wrote: Joy to the world! The Lord is come.  Let earth receive her king.  Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room, and heav'n and nature sing.

No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground.  He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found!  Far as, far as the curse is found.

Not all has been realized yet, but it soon will be.

Grace&Peace,
Tom

BURIAL OR CREMATION?

So it is with the resurrection of the dead.  What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable.  It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory.  It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.  It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body.  If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body (I Corinthians 15:42-44).

So glorify God in your body ( I Corinthians 6:20b).

My purpose is not to say that the cremation of a dead body is a sin, rather it is to make one think about which option communicates the Christian hope the best.

There are a number of pragmatic reasons who one might choose cremation, lower cost being the chief one.  When a natural disaster strikes and hundreds, even thousands, of deaths result, one of the best ways to avoid disease caused by decaying bodies is cremation.  Cremation is a practical option of dealing with a dead body; however, the growing prevalence of cremation seems to be an indication of a more secular worldview.

In ancient Greek philosophy, the body was viewed as evil and the soul/spirit was viewed as being good.  When a person died, the Greeks believed the good soul/spirit was released from the evil body.  As a result, the body was not important to them.  In contrast, the Bible teaches that a living soul is the result of the spirit entering the body.  The body is as essential to the soul as the spirit (Genesis 2:7).  Thus, in Judaeu-Christian history there was always respect for the body.  The hope of Christians also includes the resurrection of the body--it is not Christian to look forward to eternity as disembodied spirits.

When a person has a choice as to how to dispose of his body, which method of disposal best fits the Christian hope?  My cemetery plot faces east under the shadow of a blue spruce tree ready for the Great Resurrection Day!

Grace&Peace,
Tom 

WHO WERE THE PILGRIMS?

Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God . . . (Psalms 147:7).

And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, "Take this, and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."  And he took bread, and when he had given thenks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body" (Luke 22:17-20).

And all the angels stood around the throne and round the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen" (Revelation 7:11-12).

Who were the Pilgrims?  During this Thanksgiving holiday, one would do well to "google" "Who were the Pilgrims?" and find out--it is my research for what follows.

 They were called protestants, puritans, seperatists, and interestingly enough, Calvinists, but William Bradford, signer of the Mayflower Compact and second governor of the Plymouth Colony, called them "The Lord's free people."  Bradford went on to say that they joined themselves in the "fellowship of the gospel, to walk in all His ways made known, or to be made known to them." Bradford also said that " They knew they were pilgrims, and looked not so much on those things, but lifted their eyes to the heavens, their dearest country."

The Pilgrims left England and settled in Holland because there they found religious freedom, but they also found a worldliness that was infecting their children.  So it was decided that they would sell their possessions to finance a voyage to the new world where they could religious freedom and raise their families within the culture of faith.  Even with the sale of their possessions, the Pilgrims could not finance the voyage to the New World, so they found investors to help finance their venture.  The investors insisted on a communal arrangement where each family drew equally from a common store.  The Pilgrims resisted, insisting on the Biblical principal, "As ye sow, so shall ye reap."  It was not until the third year after their arrival, after two years of failure of the communal arrangement, that the Pilgrims reaped a bountiful harvest.  Each family was assigned a plot of their own and each family prospered.  It also must be noted that were it not for the Divine provision of the Native Americans, the Pilgrims might not have made it to the third year.

No matter how much privation, hardship and death that the Pilgrims suffered, they believed that it was the hand of Divine Providence that brought them to America and they were thankful for freedom!  Freedom that was dearly paid for by our forefathers should not be easily squandered by their sons.  We who have enjoyed the blessings of liberty are squandering it in ingratitude.

The Pilgrims understood that this world was not their home, that they were just passing through to a better country where the builder and maker is God.  Thank God, our best days are yet ahead!

Grace&Peace,
Tom

GOD HAS QUESTIONS FOR YOU

Nearly everyone I know has questions for God--I have a few myself.  But did you know that God has some questions for you?  Perhaps if we took some time to answer God's questions we would have a better understanding of God.

1.  Where are you? (Genesis 3:9).  The context of this question is Adam and Eve hiding from God.  In our shameless secular age, very few stop to consider where truly they are and what it means to be where they are.  Are you nothing but an accident living in a purposeless universe that spontaneously generated out of nothing, or, do you live in a purposeful universe for a purpose?  Is there a God to whom you are accountable?  Where are you in your relationship with him?

2.  Where is . . . your brother? (Genesis 4:9).  The context of this question is when Cain killed his brother, Abel.  Most of the suffering in the world is caused by jealousy and hate, and the simple neglect of our brothers and sisters because we have better things to do with our time and money. God holds each of us responsible to help our fellow man.  I belive that it is a prominent teaching of the Bible that a person has never served God if he has not served his fellow man.

3.  Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread and your labor for that which does not satisfy? (Isaiah 55:2).  Much of the stress and strife in this life is self-imposed.  We strive after the things that do not really matter.  We strive for the dessert and neglect the nourishing food that gives life and peace.  How foolish is it to disregard what is essential for life to labor and sweat for empty nutrition?  When we do that we become spiritual diabetics.

4.  But who do you say that I am? (Matthew 16:15).  Jesus asked his disciples who he was, and he askes you the same question.  How will you answer?  In this age of multiculturalism, as in Jesus' time, many answers will be given.  God, through the prophet Elijah, asked this question: How long will you go limping with two different opinions?  If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him (I Kings 18:21). Salvation depends on how you answer these questions.  A young male nurse asked me why I was a Christian.  Because of the circumstances I could only give the short answer, but here it is, "Jesus Christ has risen from the dead."  He alone has power over death.

Grace&Peace,
Tom

THE PRESENT HOLOCAUST

For thou didst form my inward parts, thou didst knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise thee, for thou art fearful and wonderful.  Wonderful are thy Works!  Thou knowest me right well; my frame was not hidden from thee, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth.  Thy eyes beheld my unformed substance; in thy book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them (Psalms 139:13-16 RSV).

For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? (Matthew 16:25-26a).

Since the Jewish holocaust, when Hitler exterminated six million Jews, the civilized world vowed it would never happen again.  So how is it that we can be blind to the present holocaust of the unborn in America?  In several cities the number of abortions exceeds the number of live births.  The frightening logic of the "intellectual elites" is that abortion is never wrong because the unborn baby is completely dependent on the mother and therefore not a person.  They believe that personhood does not arrive until the baby is three years old.  There is not any mother with an ounce of compassion who believes her unborn to pre-three-year-old child is not a person!  That logic would contend that old king Herod was not such a bad guy after all.  His killing of the two-year-old boys was just a post-birth abortion.

The argument that a person is a non-person served the slavers, Hitler, Stalin, and Mao well.  It allowed each of these leaders to exterminate millions upon millions of people and it allows abortionists to exterminate three babies perminute without a pang of conscience.  This is all done in the name of "quality of life."  Babies are being killed for such trivial reasons as "It will come during a planned vacation," or "It is the wrong gender."  When the baby is referred to as an "it," then the baby is depersonified.  DO NOT REFER THE BABY AS AN "IT!!!"

In ancient times babies were sacrificed to idols.  As the influence of Christianity fades, babies are again sacrificed to the idols of convenience, personal peace, prosperity, pleasure and fornication.  Ancient Christians saved the unwanted babies.  Modern Christians can at least speak up for them during the present holocaust!  Make your voice and your vote count!!  Our politicians need to know that innocent life is not negotiable.

Grace&Peace;
Tom

SEVENTEEN SUCCESSFUL STRATEGIES FOR LIFE

The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid (Hebrews 13:6).

What follows is a list of strategies that I have tried to implement in my life.  I think they will bless anyone who makes use of them too:

1. Read the Bible, study it, and pray every day.
2. Exercise (physical training) every day except for Sunday.
3. Plan your day.  Do not allow fear to determine the course of your life.
4. Be happy!
5. Understand your weaknesses--do not allow them to define you.
6. In every problem ask the question, "What does God want me to learn from this?" then be ready to listen to His Word, His people and life experience.  God intends for us to be life-long learners!
7. Have an attitude of gratitude!!!
8. Memorize God's Word.
9. Be positive in actions, dress and speech!
10. Always do a little more than is required--"What more can I do for you, Mrs. Steele?"
11. Refuse to use the words "impossible" and "can't."
12. Learn to live with criticism.
13. Refuse to drive a BMW--bitch, moan and whine!  This includes "self-talk"!
14. Be willing to start over.
15. Smile a lot!
16. Remember, people are not the problem--satan and his minions are.
17. Show agape, loving others with the love of Christ.

My tendency is to look at life through "dark glasses" so these are the basic strategies I try to use to help correct my vision.  They will work for you too.

Grace&Peace,
Tom

ALTRUISM OR AGAPE?

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:12,13).

But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

Most authorities define altruism as a consideration of other people without any thought of self as a principle of conduct.  Altruism is a modern secular humanist concept, which attempts to describe selflessness as an evolved trait rather than a spiritual one.  It is the secular version of the Christian concept of agape love, agape being the Greek word from which the word love is translated in the cited texts.  Being created in the image of God, one of the characteristics of man is that he has the capability to be truly selfless and self-sacrificing, and once in a while, he actually displays it.

Denying the creation, the biological evolutionist combs the earth for animals that display altruism in their social life.  If man is to be explained in evolutionary terms, his behavior has to be explained as well.  But how does self-sacrificing behavior evolve?  Wouldn't those organisms with the self-sacrificing trait extinguish themselves?  What benefit is there in being self-sacrificing?  Evolutionists cannot explain altruism. 

Altruism is the reduction of agape into nothing but an evolved trait--it is cold and sterile.  True agape is God's love, and when a human being expresses it, it is high praise to God who made him in his own image.  The expression of agape is what makes us fully human and it is to be the dominant characteristic of God's children.

Grace&Peace,
Tom