HE WHO LAUGHS LAST....

True Biblical Christianity, makes no one behave perfectly!  It is an incorrect starting point for "nonreligious" persons to think that if say; Billy Graham committed some small, medium, or large sin, that it would negate God and the rest of truth.
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There are those who laugh (media/news or entertainment, etc.) when a well known or any Christian experiences a fall in poor judgement even out and out sin. Pointing fingers bending over with laughter saying ; "See there is nothing to this, religion doesn't work!"

Our disliked, unbelieved, Bible, is jam packed with it's characters being sinful and doubting.  I suppose an individual would have to study the Books and commentaries, to see it.  It is also laughable that some religion professor at the University doesn't get it, while using the flaws of man to deny scripture. Read the letter to the Corinthian Church, Paul wrote not only the good news of faith in Jesus Christ, but a good portion of it trying to get Christians to act right. He did so out of love.

It is obvious to Christians that Christianity has been lived as a religion and ceremonially by millions of the unknowing or hypocrites and even phony baloney "preachers"! So, if someone entered a hospital and pretended to be a doctor and patients were to die, it would not prove the true practice of medicine incorrect.
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If Tim Tebow (during his fifteen minutes of fame), Billy Graham, and uh.. Rick Warren, or the skinny/fat pastor down the street left with all the money, it isn't favorable to be sure, but has nothing to do with the legitimacy of true Christianity.  PLUS (Though Christians are to live by Biblical doctrines), if a great number of relationships and Christian marriages end in divorce it has nothing to do with the truth of peace with God through faith in Christ. There's a lot more to this stuff.  They say it's so shallow even a child can get it and so deep that many "doctrines" will never be agreed on.
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"God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet still sinners Christ died for us"-The Bible.  "You can't tell me what the Bible says , I don't believe it"!.  That is a problem.  Because it is not  based on me or you. If I, me myself doesn't believe it, it is still true.  The purpose here at this writing is not to defend but declare it. The rest is up to you.
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Christianity is a relationship. It is not a religion.  "Being justified (Court of law word), we have peace with God through faith in Christ"-The Bible.

  I hope we're cool.  Drive safe!

T'was The Night After Christmas

The kids slept after Christmas all at Grandmas house,
not a creature was stirring not even a keyboard mouse.
Grandmas ugly Christmas sweater put away with a tear.
She won the contest with Grandma got ran over by a reindeer
Down thru the hallway there arose such a clatter.
Grandpa had knocked down a picture, Christmas cookies had made him fatter.
"Why is the Christmas tree smashed in that box?"
"Where are the Christmas decorations and socks?"
They hugged in terror when GiGi picked up the robot St. Nick
 placed him in the plastic tub & locked the lid; click,click, click.
dash away, dash away, dash away all!
The gift pile next year... will be very small.

                                                         Ho! Ho! Ho!

T'was The Night Before Christmas.....

  The great memories I often mention, are still alive, some in black and white, some color.  The Christmas recollections are as if they happened yesterday.  The sounds and colors, church, people, school, home, Christmas T.V. shows and  popular music of the day

Christmas Eve included a family get together and  food.  Usually we could open a gift before we left for the party.  Usually I would be hoping for a toy!  Usually it was the shirt my mother bought and wanted me to wear to the Christmas celebration.

Before going to bed and trying to sleep, the night would be topped off with Andy Williams special and late night: "The Christmas Carol" followed by, "It's a Wonderful Life"  movies on television.  Preceded by a month of Christmas sermons, plays at church. I went to sleep with the proper perspective about Christmas (later in life, at least).

My poor parents would have to stay up or awaken early to put together bikes or just sit out a microscope set or a doll for my sister as well as all the wrapped gifts under the tree.  "Mom! Dad!  You should see what Santa brought!" I remember them one time, looking at each other and now realize it was the look of; "mission accomplished, we made "Christmas" real again."  My night before Christmas was spent dreaming about reindeer on the roof.  For my parents it was some unselfish speed and effort in order that someone else could enjoy the season and create a special event for the family.

 I remember knowing that Christmas was all about the birth of Jesus, (I still do) that He came to live a Holy life and even die a sacrificial death. It wasn't as a martyr, but as a savior to pay for sins, in order that believers would be reconciled to God. A gift from God in that He "so loved the world that He gave His one and only begotten Son that whoever Believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life!"   Merry Christmas!

"And to all a good night!"

Christmas 24/7

It is sad, there are only a few weeks out of the year that we all treat others with kindness and compassion. There is that "Spirit" during the Christmas Holiday that enters the minds and hearts of children and adult alike.

Never forget the story about Christmas in "no mans land" in World War one even in Part two where enemies stopped shooting at one another and joined together in "Silent Night."  This season can bring the worse out of people (can you say Tickle me Elmo doll).  It is famous for softening the heart and and the transformation of Scrooges everywhere.

The birthday of Jesus actually shows us that this spirit and attitude could/should carry through, all year long. God gave us a gift .."For God so loved the world that He gave..."  This Christ child in the manger came to live and die for the sins of the world.  "God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." For the believer and follower of Jesus Christ, every day is Easter and Christmas 24/7!!

We've heard of Christmas in July.  Don't let the light the season brings, flicker out. let's celebrate it all year long.  Maybe a church group, even an office at work can wrap and give someone gifts throughout the year. (E mail me in August and wish me a Merry Christmas). Most of all, we can share the good news of Jesus being born to die sacrificially for our sins and that those who believe will not perish but have everlasting life!  Love God. Love Others.

"Come let us adore Him"

 GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST AND PEACE ON EARTH !

Spiritual Combat

The battle rages
devil stages war
ambushed your trail
efforts fail
self help loses
pleasure cruises
battleship tosses
count the losses
Call in the  big gun
 sin you shun
in the foxhole you pray
Holy Spirit power
comes your way
Love and power within
Christ has got the win.
                                                

         

Connect, Celebrate, Community!

In that famous scripture, about the Church in Act 2: 40-47, we see connection, celebration and community. I believe, that should be the description and heart of the Church today!

We can connect to God through prayer and His Word.  "Seek me and you will find me, when you seek me with all of your heart."  We also connect with other believers during worship, dinners and care.

We celebrate what God has done and who He is.  It says they praised God.  We are to do the same with our lips, heart and actions!

They of course went to the community to evangelize and service.  In there persecution, though they lived  in the culture, they were not of the culture, rather they (like Christ) lived for the culture.  Jesus said:  "When you have done it to the least of these you have done it to me."

We can be all about;  Connection, Celebration and Community!

⁴⁰ And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” ⁴¹ Then those who gladly^[a] received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. ⁴² And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. ⁴³ Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, ⁴⁵ and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
⁴⁶ So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church^[b] daily those who were being saved.

Preaching the Word

                                     Back after knee replacement.  It won't be business as usual!