In my last entry I asked that you think about an excerpt from a book I was reading entitled The Mulligan; " in my opinion not believing in God makes about as much sense as saying the unabridged dictionary is a result of an explosion in a print shop."
Is God the creator and master of the universe or did, as some would have us believe, the Earth and all it's wonders somehow "evolve" in a "Big Bang?" 2 Timothy 3:16 says "All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. The Bible tells us that God created the earth and all that it contains including the men and women who walk upon it's surface.
As the quote from the book suggests, do you really think all that surrounds us is the result of some random act of nature? Walk through a forest, sit at the edge of the ocean or atop a majestic mountain in the Rockies and try to tell me that you can't see the hand of God at work.
God's greatest work however was His Son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who was given to us, suffered for us, and died for us so that our sins, yours and mine, would be forgiven. Scripture tells us that by one man's disobedience sin and death entered God's creation, so also through another man's obedience the gift of grace is freely given to all who believe in Jesus Christ. With God's grace comes the promise of eternal life and forgiveness of all our sins.
We are not some random fortune of nature but children of a God who created us, nutures us and loves in spite of our sinful nature. Take a moment then to thank God for His presence in your life and for the world in which we live. If you're having trouble finding God just walk outside into His creation and know that God will find you.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
The Mulligan
I'm re-reading a book entitled The Mulligan and I'd like to share a line or two from the book with you. Of course its a book about golf and the "old pro" is speaking with a new student; he asks him if he believes in God? "I haven't given it much thought" replies the young man. Well says the old pro " in my opinion not believing in God makes about as much sense as saying the unabridged dictionary is a result of an explosion in a print shop."
Take just a moment won't you and think about that statement it's a lot to think about.
Take just a moment won't you and think about that statement it's a lot to think about.
Friday, January 6, 2012
After Advent pt. 2
Athanasius, the 20th Bishop of Alexandria said the following:
"Jesus became what we are to make us what He is."
Nuff said!
"Jesus became what we are to make us what He is."
Nuff said!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
After Advent
Another Christmas has come and gone; it seems like we take weeks to prepare and then in the course of 2 days its over. The tree is coming down, outside lights are being turned off and rolled up, and all the presents have all been opened, or have they?
Every year at this time we miss this gift. I'm sure for many of us it didn't make it under the tree. It probably wasn't on our list of things to buy, we didn't have to wrap it.
It's a gift that doesn't cost us a thing; sounds to good to be true?
God's grace is a gift freely given to each and every one of us because of the sacrifice His Son made upon the cross. It's the greatest gift you and I can receive this holiday season and yet many of us may not have even opened yet.
Go ahead check under the tree if its still there, look once more. If you don't find it it's not to late. Before the New Year arrives may I suggest you make this resolution. Let the power of the Holy Spirit work within you this day and in the days ahead; come to know Jesus Christ and the good news of the Gospel message.
God's grace means our sins yours and mine are forgiven not just for today but yesterday and for all the tomorrows to come. Go ahead open the gift of salvation, its the gift that's free and one that keeps on giving for an eternity.
Every year at this time we miss this gift. I'm sure for many of us it didn't make it under the tree. It probably wasn't on our list of things to buy, we didn't have to wrap it.
It's a gift that doesn't cost us a thing; sounds to good to be true?
God's grace is a gift freely given to each and every one of us because of the sacrifice His Son made upon the cross. It's the greatest gift you and I can receive this holiday season and yet many of us may not have even opened yet.
Go ahead check under the tree if its still there, look once more. If you don't find it it's not to late. Before the New Year arrives may I suggest you make this resolution. Let the power of the Holy Spirit work within you this day and in the days ahead; come to know Jesus Christ and the good news of the Gospel message.
God's grace means our sins yours and mine are forgiven not just for today but yesterday and for all the tomorrows to come. Go ahead open the gift of salvation, its the gift that's free and one that keeps on giving for an eternity.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
The season of song
During this Advent season as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Christ child one is surrounded by the sounds of music. The traditional Christmas carols and old standards such as "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" can be heard 24/7 throughout the malls and shops as we go about the task of buying gifts and making prepartions for holiday parties.
Listening to the music often takes me back to different times and places. On more then one occasion I have sat back and reflected upon a song that has caused images of those distant times and places to flood back into my mind.
My father couldn't carry a tune in the proverbial "bushel basket" but oh how he loved to sing "Oh come all ye faithful" at the candle light Christmas Eve service. He' get up on his toes, fingers tapping and let it rip; the rest of the family would move a little further down the pew. I'm sure you have your own memories good, bad or indifferent with the songs that are being played and sung this holiday season.
There are two songs that I especially love to hear, one old and one relatively new. The old one is "What Child is This" to the tune of Greensleaves and the new one is a song written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene. It's entitled "Mary did you know" and it can be found on You Tube. Give it a try and I think you'll add it to your list of holiday favorites. As the late great Burl Ives sang and I echo "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" y'all.
Listening to the music often takes me back to different times and places. On more then one occasion I have sat back and reflected upon a song that has caused images of those distant times and places to flood back into my mind.
My father couldn't carry a tune in the proverbial "bushel basket" but oh how he loved to sing "Oh come all ye faithful" at the candle light Christmas Eve service. He' get up on his toes, fingers tapping and let it rip; the rest of the family would move a little further down the pew. I'm sure you have your own memories good, bad or indifferent with the songs that are being played and sung this holiday season.
There are two songs that I especially love to hear, one old and one relatively new. The old one is "What Child is This" to the tune of Greensleaves and the new one is a song written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene. It's entitled "Mary did you know" and it can be found on You Tube. Give it a try and I think you'll add it to your list of holiday favorites. As the late great Burl Ives sang and I echo "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" y'all.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Advent
This coming Sunday will mark the 3rd Sunday in Advent. On the church calendar Advent begins with the 4th Sunday before Christmas day and ends on Christmas eve. The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival" and I am reminded of the words to a song by Brian Doerksen:
Come now is the time to worship
Come now is the time to give your heart
Come just as you are to worship
Come just as you are before your God
Come.
Christmas is a time to make preparations to celebrate the first Advent of the Christ child and to hope and pray for the second advent, when Chirst will return again with His heavenly kingdom. Come let us make preparations in ourselves and our churches; let us turn away from the extravagence that has become Christmas and turn instead towards God.
Ask yourself are we truly celebrating the birth of God's own son on earth or are we celebrating a holiday some might still refer to as Christmas. Come.
Come now is the time to worship
Come now is the time to give your heart
Come just as you are to worship
Come just as you are before your God
Come.
Christmas is a time to make preparations to celebrate the first Advent of the Christ child and to hope and pray for the second advent, when Chirst will return again with His heavenly kingdom. Come let us make preparations in ourselves and our churches; let us turn away from the extravagence that has become Christmas and turn instead towards God.
Ask yourself are we truly celebrating the birth of God's own son on earth or are we celebrating a holiday some might still refer to as Christmas. Come.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Goodbye
Recently the community in which I served for the past two and one half years suffered from the loss of one of it's own. The funeral was held this past Thursday and though I was not in attendance I'm sure many were saddened by this passing.
I've shared this passage with the one most affected by this death and I think it bears repeating. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2nd Timothy, "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness...
Go in peace my sister in Christ. You did indeed fight the good fight, all the while keeping your faith. Now you've finished the race and you're wearing the crown in your heavenly home. We know that one day we'll all be together again in a world without end - Amen.
I've shared this passage with the one most affected by this death and I think it bears repeating. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2nd Timothy, "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness...
Go in peace my sister in Christ. You did indeed fight the good fight, all the while keeping your faith. Now you've finished the race and you're wearing the crown in your heavenly home. We know that one day we'll all be together again in a world without end - Amen.
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