Rapture Ready

Although the word "rapture" is not in the Bible, a picture of it is very clearly painted by the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:13‑18. Traditionally, those who believe in a pretribulation rapture have used the word harpazo, which means to seize (in various applications), catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force). Those who believe this was fulfilled in 70 AD with the ethereal return of Christ at the destruction of Jerusalem have a hard time not allegorizing this and other passages in Matthew 24‑25.

Jesus promised He would return. The Parousia is the reason for which Paul writes to the Church at Thessalonica. The specifics are inestimable. So I narrow my question down to one word, “ready.” If Jesus would come today, would you be ready? Would you fit the Biblical description of a Christian enough to be rejected by the world and accepted by the Lord? (Eph. 1:6; Rom. 14:18; Eph. 5:10) How does a person who has already received Christ maintain a “rapture ready” relationship with the Lord?

Four ways to be a “rapture ready” saint:

1 Thess. 5:23

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Keep your spirit clean – 2 Cor. 6:17‑18; 7:1

Keep your mind clean – 2 Cor. 10:3‑5

Keep your heart clean – Prov. 4:23

Keep your body clean – 1 Cor. 3:16‑17; 6:15‑20

The Word of God is that cleansing agent that should be applied to our lives every day. Most of us wouldn’t go a day without taking a bath, I’m sure. Yet, many take a spiritual bath once a week. Their bodies may be clean but their souls are soiled by the elements of sin. Every day you need a spiritual bath. So fill up your secret place with the Word of God and jump right in. Ho Yah, make sure you get behind those ears!

Word for the Day
Inestimable ‑ Impossible to estimate or compute: inestimable damage.

Quote for Today
Personally, I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught.
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874 ‑ 1965)

The Presence of God

A man can live ten days without sleep, about three days without water, about forty days without food and about three minutes without air. The reason this is true is because sleep, water, food, and air are vital for life as we know it. Under normal circumstances people do not purposely deprive themselves of these vitals. Although men have become accustomed to the absence of God’s presence, it is the most vital of the five mentioned for life.

How men live without His presence I will never know. The presence of God is something you may not realize you need in your life until it is taken away. The Lord so longs to fellowship with His children, and invites us daily to commune with Him. This invitation seems to be a burden to us at times rather than a blessing. Here are some of the many blessings we can have by being in the presence of the Lord:

We receive strength: 1 Chron. 16:27 – Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.

We receive hope: Isaiah 63:9 – In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

We become holy: Psalm 51:11 – Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

We receive wisdom: Psalm 31:20 – Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

We become secure: Psalm 23:5 – Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

We receive Joy: 1 Chron. 16:33 – Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, because he cometh to judge the earth.

We become reverential: Psalm 17:2 – Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.

We receive help: 2 Chron. 20:9 – If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.

We will be caught up: 1 Thess. 2:19 – For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

Word for Today
Reverential ‑ Inspiring reverence

Quote for Today
“I was enabled to go on because I had the word of Gentleman, never known to break a promise that He would be with me always.”
- David Livingston

Repentance

Some may think that repenting is an old fashioned way of approaching a relationship with the Lord. That may be true for those saints who want to be shallow in the faith. Mature saints know that you need repentance just like you need every other vital part of our faith. The scripture teaches us to have what Paul referred to as a godly sorrow.

I often have people from our parish tell me of their friends and loved ones who have visited one of our services and are reluctant to return because they feel uncomfortable. That’s just what we should expect when we get in the presence of an All Mighty Creator. The word Paul used for sorrow in 2 Corinthians 7:10 is the Greek word lupay which means to be heavy.

When we are not right with the Lord, it is proper to feel uncomfortable in a Holy God’s presence. I believe when you feel comfortable in a church it’s because the church has become void of the presence of the Lord. The Lord’s presence brings conviction as well as comfort. We have no problem acknowledging we are not perfect; yet, when it comes to the only way to deal with sin (repentance), we have a difficult time. Repentance should never bring us to despondency or hopelessness, but rather to a closer walk with the Lord.

Read this article by: Frederica Mathewes-Green:

Whatever Happened to Repentance?

We've come to think our faith is about comfort. It's not.

Forget what the billboard charts say; to judge from church ads in the Yellow Pages, America's favorite song is “I'm Mr. Lonely.” Churches are quick to spot that need and promise eagerly that they will be friendly, or be family, or just care. Apparently this is the church's principal product. When people need tires, they look up a tire store; when they start having those bad-sad-mad feelings, they shop for a church.

Here, for once, denominational and political divisions vanish. Churches across the spectrum compete to display their capacity for caring, though each has its own way of making the pitch. The Tabernacle, a “spirit-filled, multi-cultured church,” pleads, “Come let us love you,” while the Bible Way Temple is more formal, if not downright odd: “A church where no stranger need feel strangely.” (The only response that comes to mind is “Thank thee.”) One church sign in South Carolina announced, “Where Jesus is Lord and everybody is special,” which made it sound like second prize. And one Methodist congregation tries to get it all in: _A Christ-centered church where you can make new friends and form lasting relationships with people who care about you.”

But when Jesus preached, He did not spend a lot of time on “caring.” The first time we see Him, in the first Gospel, the first instruction He gives is “Repent” (Mark 1:15). From then on, it's His most consistent message. Yes, He spoke words of comfort like “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden" (Matthew 11:28). But much more frequently He challenged His hearers, urging them to turn to God in humility and admit their sins. Even when told of a tragedy that caused many deaths, He repeated this difficult theme: “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:1-5).

We love one of these sayings of Jesus. We repeat it often, paste it onto felt banners, and print it on refrigerator magnets. We mostly ignore those on repentance. This says more about us than it does about Jesus.

One thing it says is that we live in a time when it's hard to talk about Christian faith at all, much less awkward topics like repentance. (No era finds repentance easy, but many have found it easier to talk about.) Paradoxically, we live in a very easy time. We are the wealthiest, healthiest, most comfortable generation in history. With less to struggle for, we become increasingly oriented toward pleasure. This all-too-natural inclination is what most unites us. America is a place of wild diversity, but we all meet at the shopping mall.

Whining Spiritual Babies

We're confirmed in this quest for comfort by a ceaseless stream of advertising messages. These tell us who we are – special, precious people with no faults, who deserve to feel better than we do. Ads tell us, “Your wife (boss, teenager, classmate) doesn't understand you, but we do. Here, buy this, and you'll feel better.” Advertising invites us to be big babies – an invitation that fallen human nature has always found hard to resist.

Try telling a person who's been disciplined by advertising that he's a sinner. A hundred years ago, a preacher would have seen heads nod in recognition at that familiar concept. But today's consumer is likely to be shocked and baffled. How could he be a sinner? All he knows is that he's unhappy because he does not have his fair share of stuff, and he isn't appreciated enough by those around him. Original sin? He will readily agree that everyone else keeps letting him down. That he's estranged from the one, Holy God and needs to be reconciled? He's likely to respond, “So who's this God who thinks He's better than us?” Bring up Judgment Day, and you'll get to see someone genuinely appalled; the very idea just sounds so “judgmental.”

In trying to reach this seeker, the church has been given a severely reduced pack of options. Since he is aware only of seeking comfort, it looks like that's what we have to headline in any message we send. Neither this need, nor our response, is untrue. A profound sense of unease and dislocation is indeed part of the human condition, because sin has estranged us from God. “I’m Mr. Lonely” is the theme song of everyone on earth. The church has the only authentic solution to this problem, because we bear the Good News of reconciliation through Jesus Christ.

The problem comes when we never get around to talking about the hard part of the Good News. The problem can even be that we start forgetting it ourselves, and start believing that consolation is the main reason Jesus came. But what's wrong with us required much more than a hug; it required the Cross. It doesn't seem this way; we too, have been catechized by the world and reflexively think of ourselves as needy, wronged children. We'd rather feel as if we're victims of a cruel world than admit we are contributors to the world's cruelty, lost sinners who perversely love our lostness, clinging to our treasured sins like a drowning man to an anvil.

How bizarre such language seems today. We look around our neighborhood and our congregation and everyone seems so “nice.” We know what really wicked people are like. We see them in the papers every day, and we're not like that. God must find us, in comparison, quite endearing. And, of course, He knows the hurts we bear deep inside, and anyone who's been hurt can't be bad (I call this the “victims are sinless” fallacy.). With these and a thousand other sweet murmurs, we shield ourselves from our real condition and remain Christian babies all our lives: pampered, ineffective, whiney and numb.

Repentance Is Joy

Jesus didn't come just to save us from the “penalty” for our sins; He came to save us from our “sins” now, today, if we will only respond to the challenge and let Him. A nation of grown-up Christians, courageous, confident, humble and holy would be more compelling than any smiley-face ad campaign. The Lord does not love us for our good parts and pass over the rest. He died for the bad parts and will not rest until they are put right. We must stop thinking of God as infinitely indulgent. We must begin to grapple with the scary and exhilarating truth that He is infinitely holy, and that He wants the same for us.

I propose that we recover the ideas of sin and repentance, and reinstate them at the heart of all we do. Such words make us uncomfortable, and raise images that come more from old movies than Scripture. “Repent” is what's on the soundtrack when a sweating, shouting preacher in a string tie starts slamming his Bible around and making everybody cower. But the meaning of repentance in Scripture and the early church was very different. It was part of the Good News, so any bad-news associations we find lying around are just plain wrong.

A good place to start is with the word repentance, or the Greek metanoia, meaning a change of mind. (The Hebrew word is shub, which means to change from the wrong to the right path.) Metanoia is a compound word; “meta” is a versatile preposition that here denotes transformation. Metamorphosis is change of shape; metanoia is a change of the “nous,” or the innermost consciousness, a region that lies below both rational thought and emotion. “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind [nous],” Paul wrote, and the devotional classic “The Shepherd” (A.D. 140) says, “Repentance is great understanding.” Repentance is not blubbering and self-loathing. It is insight.

The insight is about our true condition. We begin to see our fallen inclinations the way God does, and realize how deep-rooted is the rottenness in our hearts. This awareness grows slowly, over many years, because He mercifully shows us only a little at a time. But He sees it all. His is like the eye of a surgeon, which sees through to the sickness deepest within. There is no other way for us to be healed . It's when the surgeon says, “All we can do is keep him comfortable,” that you're really in trouble.

Some will object, “But I don't think I'm a fine person. I hate myself. I feel ashamed and like a failure all the time.” That miserable feeling can be pride with a twist: we have an inflated idea of how wonderful we can be, and find the inevitable failures crushing. God's assessment of our abilities is more accurate to begin with, so He doesn't share our surprised dismay. Repentance, “great understanding” replaces our distorted self-image with God's perspective.

Other times the wash of self-hatred is due to feelings of hopelessness. We have all committed a million wrongs, large and small. We can get stuck there, aware that God forgives us but unable to apply that fact, and feeling bound to continue to fail. It seems like there's no solution, so we sit in the garbage pile feeling miserable.

This is not repentance; this is despair. The early church differentiated between the two, perceiving that healthy repentance is vigorous and clear-minded, while despair is debilitating, and, in fact, sinful. Isaiah, a fifth-century Egyptian monk, warned against the kind of sadness that “sets off numerous diabolical mechanisms until your strength is sapped. The sadness according to God, on the other hand, is joy . . . It says to the soul, ‘Do not be afraid! Up! Return!’ God knows that man is weak, and strengthens him.”

“Sadness according to God,” repentance, is joy. Initially we fear looking squarely at our sins, lest we get overwhelmed. But the reverse turns out to be true. The more we see the depth of our sin, the more we realize the height of God's love. The constant companion of repentance is gratitude. Like the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her tears, we are forgiven much and discover endless love. Seeing our sin becomes, paradoxically, an opportunity for joy.

Then we are free indeed: free from any need to hide, to conceal or impress, to make excuses for ourselves, to demand our fair share. Free to love God with abandon, free to love others without bargaining and conditions. Free to love even those who hurt us because, ultimately, nothing can hurt us. Knowing our own sin, we pray for all other sinners, asking God to show them the mercy He has given so abundantly to us.

A gospel of comfort, on the other hand, is a gospel of minimal expectations. Christianity is one of the great world religions, and the greatest spiritual power in history. But we don't act like it. We act like once people are in the door and make a statement of faith, the whole thing is over. Paul envisioned something more like a transformation, Christ living in us and we in Him.

A story is told about a desert monk of the early church, Abba Joseph. A young monk came to him and said, "As far as I can I say my prayers, I fast a little, try to live in peace and keep my thoughts pure. What else can I do?"

Abba Joseph stood up and spread out his hands toward heaven, and each of his fingertips was lit with flame. He said to the young monk, "If you want to, you can be totally fire." The challenge is ours as well: What, really, do we want?

A Daily Repentance Workout

As we gradually gain more insight into ourselves, we are able, with God's grace, to find ways to resist habitual sin and grow in self-control. We gain strength bit by bit, like an athlete striving for the prize, as Paul said. Gradually we reclaim more and more of ourselves and offer it to God's transforming light. Thus, the Holy Spirit works within us, sanctifying us from the inside out.

From the earliest centuries, Christians have identified certain practices that have been helpful to the “athlete in training.” Here are some of them:

• Fasting –People are beset by all different temptations, but everybody eats. Restricting foods, not necessarily a total fast, but simply declining favorites for a time, can be a way of strengthening the “willpower muscle” to be ready when needed to handle a bigger temptation. An athlete doesn't lift weights just so he can lift more weights. Those healthy muscles are ready for any situation he meets. Turn down a doughnut today, and tomorrow you might be able to resist calling the driver in front of you an idiot.

• Bite your tongue. Yes, not calling someone an idiot is a frequent theme in Scripture and early Christian writings. Both place great emphasis on controlling anger, perhaps as much as on sexual continence. Jesus said the penalty for calling your brother a fool was “the hell of fire.” “Your brother” includes people who can't hear you, like politicians on TV. It's not the harm to them that's at stake so much as the surging, disorienting pride in your own heart.

• Mind your thoughts. Jesus said that to commit adultery in the imagination is the equivalent of committing it in fact. Nearly all sins begin with thinking about sin. Control the thoughts and you have a good head start on behavior. You may not be able to keep thoughts from appearing, but you can decline to entertain them; birds fly overhead, but you don't have to let them nest in your hair. Paul counsels that we think about things that are true, lovely, gracious, excellent, and praiseworthy, so you might want to read some Dickens tonight instead of watching that sleazy sitcom.

• Practice humility. Humility is not the same as resisting the urge to show off (which is modesty) or denying that you have gifts and talents (which is lying). Humility is remembering that you have a beam in your eye. In every situation remember what God knows about you, and how much you have been forgiven. You might think you can fool people, but no matter how charming you appear, spiritually you have spinach in your teeth. Account yourself the “chief of sinners” and be gracious toward the failings of others. Overlook insults and be kind to those who misuse you. Be swift to admit when you're wrong. Ask others to forgive you, and forgive them without asking if you want God to forgive you.

• Pray constantly. Try always to recall that God is with you, dwelling in you. (This helps a great deal in controlling thoughts.) For more than 1,500 years, some Christians have tried to do this by forming the habit of praying, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me” all the time, a kind of background music to other thoughts. It not only helps one resist more turbulent thoughts and deeds, but also creates a kind of mental foyer in which thoughts and impulses can be examined before they're allowed inside.

• Ask God to help you repent. We really don't want to do this, and we find a million excuses to change the subject. Read stories about repentant sinners, like John Newton, the slave dealer who wrote “Amazing Grace” or the once promiscuous Mary of Egypt. Those are reasonable models for you, not an ivory-tower saint. Keep thinking of yourself as the Prodigal Son. Think over your deeds and conversations each evening and look for areas to improve. Read Psalm 51 before bed every night. Someday you may actually believe it.

This article first appeared on Beliefnet.com, Sept 16, 2001.

Word for Today

Despondency - Depression of spirits from loss of hope, confidence, or courage; dejection.

Quote for Today

Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.
- Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

Nellie L. Zimmerman

No Excuses

How do you feel about yourself? Are you a person that has a hard time taking compliments or letting someone do something nice for you? Do you let the littlest of problems knock you out of the race? Before you put the brakes on, let this story encourage you today.

TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY
by Stan Griffin, Deaf Friends International Special Contributor

Hidden away for 18 years (1958-1976) because no one knew how to talk to a deaf-blind woman, Nellie L. Zimmerman finally burst forth at age 71 and lived her life as if she were making up for lost time. It was a " ... testimony to the victory of human spirit over most difficult circumstances ..."

Nellie went on to attend college, became a well known lecturer, a teacher at a group home for deaf and deaf-and-blind boys and win a number of honors including being named 1979's Handicapped Professional of the Year and an "Outstanding Ohioan" by the Ohio House of Representatives.

Nellie's journey began in Braddock, Pennsylvania, in 1906 where she was born with normal hearing and vision. Nellie'’s mother died soon, but fortunately she had a caring father to look after her.

At the age of nine, she became completely deaf. The local public school refused to enroll her when she was scheduled to begin the third grade. Mr. Zimmerman hired a governess to "home-school" her. She taught Nellie finger spelling.

The family moved to Massillon, Ohio, and soon afterwards Nellie'’s vision began to fail. She learned to read Braille before total darkness descended on her at age 22. In spite of her disability, Nellie, her father and her caretaker managed to live a full life. She took care of her own clothes, cleaned the house, cooked meals and even walked alone around their neighborhood.

In 1951 Mr. Zimmerman died. The caretaker was fired, and Nellie's sister took her to live with her family. Unfortunately, no one could communicate with Nellie. She was understandably frustrated and began throwing tantrums. Nellie was shuttled from one relative to another, eventually being placed in a nursing home. When this solution proved unworkable, Nellie was committed to Massillon State Mental Hospital. She was 52 years old.

No one at the Hospital was trained in communicating with the deaf-blind, so Nellie was confined to a ward with 60 mentally disturbed, senile women. She lived in silence, sitting in a high-backed arm chair, hiding under bed sheets, finger spelling the Lord's Prayer to herself, memorizing her Braille Bible, and playing complicated math and word games in her head.

Finally, a deaf Hospital volunteer, Carrie Dixon, discovered her; and they became friends. When Carrie unexpectedly died, her friend, Jim Schneck, continued to visit Nellie. Through his efforts, Nellie was released in April, 1976, and moved into a boarding house in Canton, Ohio. Jim took her to a deaf church where she met Emily Street. The two "hit it off" and went on weekly outings.

When Nellie was evicted from her rooming house, she and Emily moved into a two-bedroom apartment. They took in another roommate, a young blind woman named Nancy who looked after Nellie while Emily was at work. It wasn't long before the two "stay-at-homes" became enemies.

Because of the friction between Nellie and Nancy, Emily decided she must leave her job. It occurred to her Nellie was a "true mental genius" so she suggested Nellie go to college with Emily helping by finger spelling the instructors' lectures.

Nellie flourished at Malone College in Canton, coming out of her shell with a vengeance. She studied history, literature, philosophy and the Bible. Her apartment became a popular gathering place for college friends and all-night talk sessions. Sometimes they went dancing.

Articles in a local newspaper about Nellie's life as a college student brought offers to address college classes and church groups. Emily and Nellie soon became popular speakers throughout northeast Ohio, presenting over 200 programs to churches, civic clubs and schools.

Nellie and Emily took jobs at the New Life Group Home for deaf and deaf-blind boys. Nellie was a life-skills instructor and taught the boys cooking, crafts and how to handle their money. She was widely recognized for her work there, being interviewed for newspaper stories and television appearances.

We serve a God that helps us overcome in the most difficult of circumstances. Imagine walking in Nellie's shoes. If she can overcome, you and I have no excuses. No doubt her study of the scriptures helped her in those dark days. Here are a few Bible passages that can encourage you today:

• 1 Chron. 29:11 - Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.

• Psalm 98:1 - O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

• Isaiah 25:8 - He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.

Word for Today
Subjugation - To bring under control; conquer.

Quote for Today
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.
- Theodore Roosevelt (1858 - 1919)

Crucifixion of Jesus

After the scourging and the mocking, at about 9 a.m., the Roman soldiers put Jesus' clothes back on Him and then led Him and two thieves to be crucified. Jesus apparently was so weakened by the severe flogging that He could not carry the patibulum from the Praetorium to the site of the crucifixion one-third of a mile (600 to 650 m) away. Simon of Cyrene was summoned to carry Christ's cross, and the processional then made its way to Golgotha (or Calvary), an established crucifixion site.

Here, Jesus' clothes, except for a linen loincloth, were removed again; and doing so probably reopened the scourging wounds. He then was offered a drink of wine mixed with myrrh (gall); but, after tasting it, refused the drink. Finally, Jesus and the two thieves were crucified. Although scriptural references are made to nails in the hands, these are not at odds with the archaeological evidence of wrist wounds, since the ancients customarily considered the wrist to be a part of the hand. The titulus was attached above Jesus' head. It is unclear whether Jesus was crucified on the Tau cross or the Latin cross; archaeological findings favor the former and early tradition the latter. The fact that Jesus later was offered a drink of wine vinegar from a sponge placed on the stalk of the hyssop plant (approximately 20 in, or 50 cm, long) strongly supports the belief that Jesus was crucified on the short cross.

The soldiers and the civilian crowd taunted Jesus throughout the crucifixion ordeal, and the soldiers cast lots for His clothing. Christ spoke seven times from the cross. Since speech occurs during exhalation, these short, terse utterances must have been particularly difficult and painful. At about 3 p.m. that Friday, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, bowed his head and died. The Roman soldiers and onlookers recognized His moment of death.

Since the Jews did not want the bodies to remain on the crosses after sunset, the beginning of the Sabbath, they asked Pontius Pilate to order crucifracture to hasten the deaths of the three crucified men. The soldiers broke the legs of the two thieves, but when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. Rather, one of the soldiers pierced His side, probably with an infantry spear, and produced a sudden flow of blood and water. Later that day, Jesus' body was taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb. William D. Edwards, MD; Wesley J. Gabel, M Div; Floyd E. Hosmer, MS, AMI

Why did He suffer so much? Before you reduce this act of divine mercy to just your salvation, let me remind you that Jesus died also for our healing. I know we focus so much on physical healing of our bodies these days; yet there are many people who suffer from mental illness as well. Jesus can heal your mind today. If you will ask Him, He will do this for you. I believe there is someone who feels like they are losing their mind this very moment. The Lord has instructed me to tell you to pray this prayer for healing.

Psalm 32:6‑11
For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. [7] Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. [8] I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. [9] Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. [10] Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. [11] Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Word for Today
Selah ‑ Used to conclude a verse in the Psalms, to raise the key to the next octave.

Quote for Today
Let tears flow of their own accord: their flowing is not inconsistent with inward peace and harmony. - Seneca (5 BC ‑ 65 AD)

Pride

Of all the anti‑Christian attributes that exist in the world, none wrecks the Christian experience like pride. Pride is the opposite of love. Pride is total selfishness. Pride is inflexible and rude. Pride is callused and cold. Pride is extreme and arrogant. Pride cripples your walk with the lord. It is the polio of the faith. If you’re not where you should be as a saint, you can attribute it to your pride. Pride is the Achilles heel in the Christian race. Pride is the worm in the fruit of your spirit. Pride is the water that quenches the fire of the Holy Ghost.

It is pride that leaves men lonely on their death beds without a single mourner to wail their death. It is pride that makes us naked and susceptible to the attacks of the enemy. Pride is the pothole on the road of life. Pride is the hole in the bowels of your boat on the sea of life. Pride will condemn the innocent and exonerate the guilty. Pride aborts the unborn in the name of human rights. Pride perverts human sexuality in the name of preference. Pride steals. Pride kills. Pride destroys. Pride will never let you say “I’m sorry” when you know you’re wrong.

Pride will accuse without facts, gives opinions without reason, spews venom, breaks hearts, hides behind shyness, exalts itself, lowers everyone around it and makes a mock at evil. Pride enjoys watching others suffer, claps at calamity, creates offenses for pleasure and works only for gain. Pride will make you think you’re greater than you are, expect special treatment, execute unnecessary judgment and wink in the face of God. Pride is a liar. Pride is a cheat. Pride is a notorious villain. Pride won’t let you say, I’m hungry, I need help, I love you, you’re okay, I appreciate that or even thank you.

Pride never says excuse me, pardon me or that’s my fault. Pride wants to control, manipulate and bind. Pride will blind you from the truth and give a brat of a child a “time out” when he needs a spanking. Pride is full of self love. Pride never offends on purpose. I didn’t mean that or I didn’t understand are some of pride’s favorite idioms. Pride will make you depressed, confused and a doubter. Pride will make you blind, ignorant and foolish.

Of all the things I said about pride today nothing speaks louder than the words of Solomon and Jesus:

1. Proverbs 11:2 – When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
2. Proverbs 16:18 – Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
3. Matthew 18:4 – Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
4. Matthew 23:12 -- And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Word for Today
Condescend – To descend to the level of one considered inferior; lower oneself.

Quote for Today
Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.
- Kahlil Gibran (1883 ‑ 1931)

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Worrying is counter productive to your spiritual growth. So why do you worry so much? The scriptures are full of prohibitions against it. Christians should be the last people on the planet to worry. We have blessed assurance that the Lord will work on our behalf no matter the test. Be very sure that your anchor holds and grips the solid rock and that rock is Christ. The Bible uses words like fret, care and thought to describe worrying:

1. Fret – Means to be hot or to stew over something. (Psalm 37:1) A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. (Psalm 37:7-8) Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. [8] Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

2. Thought – Means to be anxious about something. (Luke 12:22) And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. (Luke 12:25-26) And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? [26] If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

3. Care – Means distraction. (1 Peter 5:7) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

The Professional Worrier

“ I have a mountain of credit card debt,” one man told another. “I’ve lost my job, my job, my car is being repossessed, and our house is in foreclosure, but I’m not worried about it.” “Not worried about it!” exclaimed his friend.

“No I’ve hired a professional worrier. He does all my worrying for me, and that way I don’t have to think about it.”

“ That’s fantastic. How much does it cost?”

“Fifty thousand dollars a year,” replied the first man.

“Fifty thousand dollars a year?” How can you afford that?

“I don’t know,” he replied “ That’s not my worry.”

We have a professional worrier His name is Jesus. Give him all your frets, care, and thoughts today and let him do the worrying for you.

Word for Today
Umbrage - Offense; resentment: took umbrage at their rudeness.

Quote for Today
Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater.
- Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Cussing Saints

If anyone knows how hard it is to stop the habit of cursing, it's me. I started cursing in junior high because it was a part of the group language I had developed. When I became a Christian as a junior in high school, I knew that type of language would not be acceptable. I began to pray earnestly that the Lord would take this foul speech from my lips. Knowing that people would be watching everything I said and did, it was paramount for me to get control of this ungodly habit. If you have a problem controlling your tongue, listen to the advice of Solomon:

1). Proverbs 17:7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
2). Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
3). Proverbs 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
If you have problems with your tongue, so did Jim O'Conner of Chicago. Jim started a Cuss Control Academy, offering seminars for business men and schools. In the school, he offers a ten step program:

1. Vulgar language damages
2. Pretend Grandma is listening to your conversation
3. Think positive
4. Practice patience
5. Learn to cope
6. Don't complain
7. Change your vocabulary
8. Try politeness
9. Ask yourself, "could I have said it in a different way?"
10. Be proactive in your speech. Think of alternative words before a stressful situation erupts.

Word for Today
Vulgarity - Something, such as an act or expression, which offends good taste or propriety.

Quote for Today
“No people ever lived by cursing their fathers, however great a curse their fathers were to them." Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Hurry Up and Slow Down

How important is sleep? Most teens need about 8-1/2 to more than 9 hours of sleep each night. The right amount of sleep is essential for anyone who wants to do well on a test or play sports without tripping over their feet. Unfortunately though, many teens don't get enough sleep. Even if you think you're getting enough sleep, you may not be. Here are some of the signs that you may need more sleep:

* difficulty waking up in the morning
* inability to concentrate
* falling asleep during classes
* feelings of moodiness and even depression

I’m an A-type personality and like the feeling having many brands in the fire. Recently, I’ve adjusted my lifestyle where sleep is a part of my agenda. I used to stay up late at night thinking about tasks and problems at the church. This led to all the signs above mentioned. I made up my mind that I would make myself go to sleep at a reasonable time. I feel 100% better. The Bible is every clear about getting the right amount of sleep.

There are three types of positive sleep partners found in the Bible:

1. Deep sleep – There are two deep sleep stages, Stage 3‑4 with Stage 4 being more intense than Stage 3. These stages are known as slow‑wave, or delta, sleep. During slow‑wave sleep, especially during Stage 4, the electromyogram records slow waves of high amplitude, indicating a pattern of deep sleep and rhythmic continuity. (Gen. 2:21; 15:12)

2. Sweet sleep – Probably related to Stage 3 sleep. (Prov. 3:21‑24)

3. Dreams – The discovery of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, a mentally active period during which dreaming occurs, provided a biological explanation for this phenomenon. It also inspired interest in sleep research by giving scientists a marker for changes in the brain during sleep. (Gen. 37:5‑9)

4. As passionate as our Lord was, He took time to sleep. Remember Jesus not only wept He slept. (Mark 4:38)

5. Some tips for helping you fall to sleep:

• Set a regular bedtime. Going to bed at the same time each night signals to your body that it's time to sleep. Waking up at the same time every day can also help establish sleep patterns. So try to stick to your sleep schedule even on weekends. Don't go to sleep more than an hour later or wake up more than 2 to 3 hours later than you do during the week. (Psalm 4:8)

• Exercise regularly. Try not to exercise right before bed, though, as it can raise your body temperature and wake you up. Sleep experts believe that exercising 5 or 6 hours before bedtime (in late afternoon) may actually help a person sleep. (1 Tim. 4:8)

• Avoid stimulants. Don't drink beverages with caffeine, such as soda and coffee, after 4 p.m. Nicotine is also a stimulant, so quitting smoking may help you sleep better. Drinking alcohol in the evening can also cause a person to be restless and wake up during the night. (Prov. 20:1)

• Relax your mind. Avoid violent, scary, or action movies or television shows right before bed – anything that might set your mind and heart racing. Reading books with involved or active plots may also keep you from falling or staying asleep. (Ps. 26:3‑4)

• Unwind by keeping the lights low. Light signals the brain that it's time to wake up. Staying away from bright lights (including computer screens!), as well as meditating or listening to soothing music, can help your body relax. (Luke 12:35)

• Don't nap too much. Naps of more than 30 minutes during the day may keep you from falling asleep later. (Prov. 24:33)

• Avoid all‑nighters. Don't wait until the night before a big test to study. Cutting back on sleep the night before a test may mean you perform worse than you would if you'd studied less but got more sleep. (Ps. 127:2)

• Create the right sleeping environment. Studies show that people sleep best in a dark room that is slightly on the cool side. Close your blinds or curtains (Make sure they're heavy enough to block out light.) and turn down the thermostat in your room (Pile on extra blankets or wear PJs if you're cold.). Lots of noise can be a sleep turnoff, too. (Psalm 63:6)

• Wake up with bright light. Bright light in the morning signals to your body that it's time to get going. (Isa. 60:1) Updated and reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben‑Joseph, MD

Word for Today
Stimulant ‑ An agent, especially a chemical agent such as caffeine, which temporarily arouses or accelerates physiological or organic activity.

Quote for Today
A man who is eating or lying with his wife or preparing to go to sleep in humility, thankfulness and temperance is, by Christian standards, in an infinitely higher state than one who is listening to Bach or reading Plato in a state of pride.
- C. S. Lewis

A Pastor’s Heart Changed by the Death of a Friend

Dear Sister DeDe,

Time would not permit me to express all I wanted to say at John’s funeral. So, I wanted to take the time to write you and the boys this letter. Let me start with the struggle I had in thinking about what I was going to say at John’s funeral. Most funerals up to this point in my ministry have been routine. You don’t say much about the deceased, and you preach a message of salvation to the living and leave the deceased in the hands of a just God.

This was so different, I was troubled for those three days. How would I be able to deal with all the hurt that would be in that room? Furthermore, how would I deal with my own hurt? My family had gone through the loss of my grandparents and then a week later, my uncle. The loss of Jack Williams compounded the pain and suffering. My hope was that John was going to be healed. I thought for sure this was all going to be changed by a victory in John’s life.

The Sunday I prayed for him I felt so much of the presence of God I almost collapsed. When we would come to the house for lunch and prayer, the presence of the Lord would witness in my soul. Again, I would leave convinced that God was at work. No one could tell me I would get a call on a Sunday afternoon that John was rushed to the hospital. Even then, I was sure God would pull him out for His glory and John’s good.

When I walked in that room, all the life was sucked out of me. I can’t explain the helplessness I felt when I could not affect a change in my friend’s condition. Let me say this to you. John was my friend. Even though we never went hunting and we never got to do anything outside of the fellowship we had together, I counted him as my friend because of his love for God and man.

When we left the hospital to go to church, we had planned on coming back to the hospital to see John and once again I felt everything was going to be all right. When we returned to the hospital and Josh told me he was gone, it was like someone punched me in the stomach. I was glad his suffering was over. Yet, I knew the suffering for all that loved him was just about to begin. Then, I started thinking, “What am I going to say to all those who would be hurt at this great loss.”

The next day Pastor and I were returning from lunch to the church, and as I pondered what I was going to say, those infamous words began to ring in my spirit, “Blame John.” DeDe, I can honestly tell you I thought this can’t be God until, I continued to listen. Remember, I told you that time wouldn’t permit me to tell you everything at the funeral; so, let me explain with a little more detail why I believe that word was from the Lord.

To say that someone is responsible for making a change, John’s life affected kingdoms. First, as John held onto his faith like Job, he affected the kingdom of darkness. I can imagine all the times that the forces of darkness told him to curse God and die. I can imagine they received a tremendous blow when he overcame his trial and went home to be with his Master. I see great things stirring in people’s lives because he dared to believe.

The devil is probably asking at this every moment who is responsible for the stirring in the heart of that pastor. I thought we calmed him down when his grandparents died. I thought he lost his faith when Jack Williams died. How did he get his faith back? The forces of darkness reply, “It was the faith of that guy named John. He wouldn’t give up. He kept believing in the face of difficulty. Now, that Pastor Roy has a new desire to serve the Lord again.”

Because he kept his faith, he has changed my life forever. Yes, I blame John for my new desire and zeal to serve the Lord. Every sermon I preach, he is a part of it. He showed something I couldn’t deny, God’s ability to keep us from falling in the midst of the most difficult circumstances is truth. Sometimes when someone is close to us, it is hard for us to see how valuable he or she really is. I’m not much of a writer, but I had to put this on paper so it would not be forgotten.

DeDe, I have done many funerals over my 21 years as a pastor. People are soon forgotten after the funeral is over. I believe God gave me that title so that the things I said about John that day will always be a part of the hearts and minds of those who attended and loved him. Yes, I know it was controversial, but God said I must say it that way to drive home how unusual of a man this was. Please don’t doubt that God will use that as a means of accountability for all who were present.

I have been changed forever. I am a very hard man, a disciplinarian in many ways. John taught me what I knew to be true. Everyday is a gift and I must learn to spend it wisely and with love and respect giving something back to God and to my fellow man. One day they will preach my funeral and my only wish is that people will feel about me the way I felt about your husband, my friend in Christ, John Cholock.

Sincerely

Pastor Roy Aiken, Jr.

Compassion

Few people have been blessed with the talents of a Michael Jackson. The singing sensation from Gary, Indiana, has for 4 decades touched the hearts of music lovers all over the world. Today, he finds himself back in court accused of child molestation. Coming to the end of an illustrious career, he finds himself fighting for his reputation as an artist and citizen. The world looks at such people as guilty before they are tried. How should the Church look at this media mayhem? There is only one way for the Christian community to view the Michael Jackson case. We must see it through the biggest word in the Bible: compassion.

The best example of handling people caught up in sinful acts is found in the Gospel of John the eighth chapter. John 8:1‑11 - Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. [2] And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. [3] And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, [4] They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. [5] Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? [6] This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. [7] So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. again [8] And he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. [9] And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. [10] When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? [11] She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Before we rake someone through the coals, let each one of us take a long look in the mirror. Jesus is simply saying; “don’t judge people to condemn them judge them to correct them.” You see, that’s what compassion does; it judges to correct, to make the offender change the error of their ways. When we throw stones at people whether they be celebrities or the vilest sinners, we make ourselves the biggest sinners of all. We become hypocrites. Michael Jackson looks pretty guilty at this point in the case. The question is not whether Michael Jackson is guilty; the question is what are you guilty of?

The funny thing about this passage is that obviously these accusers thought it was okay to sin as long as you didn’t get caught. Remember, He sees all things at all times. (2 Chron. 16:9)

If when you sin you want the Lord to have compassion on you, you need to have compassion on those that sin. Believe it or not, the Lord loves Michael Jackson and would like to see him saved. If we keep our hearts open, the Lord might be able to use the Church to turn this man’s life around. If the Lord can change me, He can change anyone.

Word for Today

Commiserative ‑ to feel or express sorrow or pity for; sympathize with.

Quote for Today

“Judge people not to condemn them but, to correct them.” - raj

Don’t Ever Give Up

One day a member of our parish came into my office and handed me a picture. The picture was that of a crane and a frog grind locked as the crane was attempting to eat the frog. The frog was fully submerged in the cranes mouth about to be swallowed. Only one problem was hindering the crane from having lunch, the frog had him about the neck squeezing with a death grip. The moral of the illustration is, no matter how bad things may get, do the best you can and “never give up.” Sometimes you must take a stand when everyone else is sitting. Sometimes you must sit when everyone else is standing. Sometimes you must be silent when everyone else is speaking and sometimes you must speak when everyone else is being silent.

If ever there was a legislator who was at the same time truly a man of action, Patrick Henry was that man. As the son of a Scottish immigrant, he found his field in law and government. He was an outstanding and vivid speaker in a time when the art of oratory was at its most resplendent; and his popular following in his state of Virginia rivaled that of George Washington. For more than ten years he had spoken out, in the House of Burgesses as the leader of the insurgents, damning the British for their arbitrary and unfair taxes.

When the royal governor dissolved the legislature in 1775 it met again to debate the passage of a resolution defying the British and denying their power. The house wavered. It was a big step. Then Patrick Henry rose to address his fellows with a speech most brilliant and moving. It was all that was necessary as the resolution passed and, as far as Virginia was concerned, the die was cast. Maybe you are facing a situation that seems insurmountable. The greatest of your character is manifested in the greatest of your test. Giving up is not an option. To obtain your victory may require unconventional weapons, whatever the case retreat must retreat from your vocabulary.

Four scriptures to encourage you.

1. 1 Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

2. Deut. 11:8 Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it.

3. 1 Cor. 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

4. Exodus 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

Word for Today

Resplendent- Splendid or dazzling in appearance; brilliant

Quote for Today
“Action is eloquence.”
William Shakespeare, Coriolanus, Act III, Scene 2

Watch Your Mouth

Reading from Mark 1:9 one recent morning, FMC member Rev. Steven A Becker, Pastor of Theresa Presbyterian Church; Theresa, New York; transposed a couple of words and it came out: “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by Jordan in the John." That is a slip of the lip. Everyone can make concession for mistakes. But what about the words we let come out of our mouth that we are capable of restraining. Do you have any self-control, sympathy for others when they are wrong? We all face times when we have to say tough things. The question is, "Do you enjoy saying tough things, or does it pain you to have to rebuke someone?

The tongue can be a deadly instrument. Notice James’ description of the tongue: James 3:8 -- But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. This is a deadly poison, not something that makes you sick, but something with the potential to kill. It should be handled with care. The tongue should be handled like hazardous material.

The Deadliest Toxins

By Michael Kuo

San Francisco--A Salinas man who ate poisonous wild mushrooms is in good condition after a liver transplant to save his life, a spokeswoman at UCSF Medical Center said Thursday. The 24-year-old man mistook "death cap" mushrooms on a Salinas roadside for safe mushrooms he had previously eaten while visiting Mexico, hospital spokeswoman Janet Basu said. The poisonous mushrooms virtually destroyed his liver, necessitating the transplant from a cadaver on Christmas Day. At the man's request, his name is not being released.

What these mushrooms do to the liver is what the tongue does to the human spirit. Power is mentioned 260 times in the Bible, and in Proverbs 18:21 power is associated with the tongue. The Hebrew word power is from the primitive word “yad” which means the open hand indicating means and direction. We are setting direction with our tongues. Either we are setting direction for life or we our setting direction for death. Today, I want you to put four phrases into your conversation:

1. I forgive you. -- Matt. 6:14-15

2. It's okay; we all make mistakes. -- Rom. 3:23

3. That doesn’t really matter in the big picture. -- Luke 10:38-42

4. Don’t worry about it; God’s got it all under control. -- 1 Chron. 29:11

Word for TodayParlous - Perilous; dangerous: "starting from scratch in parlous economic times" (Madalynne Reuter).

Quote for Today - I think the first virtue is to restrain the tongue; he approaches nearest to gods who knows how to be silent, even though he is in the right.

- Cato the Elder (234 BC - 149 BC)

One Good Deed

One Good Deed

Last year I was praying and like usual I was focusing on negativity. It was in the midst of my prayer that this thought came to me. If things are going to change in the world we will have to change them. God has given us the tools but we have to use them. The thought then came to me why not be an agent of change? So I decided instead of complaining I would do one good deed a day to make some one smile. Remember, Smiles go for miles, but frowns bring us down. When is the last time you have done something for someone else that you didn’t expect something in return (Mt 5:44-48). I can not explain the growth that has taken place in my life since I’ve been practicing this concept.

One of the first times I set out to do a good deed was in a laundry mat. There was a lady sitting beside my son and I who was having a very difficult time in her life. She was divorced, had a terminal illness and major family problems. It was Christmas time and she wanted to go see her children, but would not be able to because her finances would not allow her. I had money in my pocket and felt like the Lord told me to give it to her. I don’t know if the amount I gave was enough to help her completely but it was one good deed in the name of Jesus. The best thing about it was my son later on that evening said to me, Dad that was really nice. When I get money I’m going to help people like that. (Luke 6:38)

Another time I was coming home from Pittsburgh and had to stop for gas. In front of the station was a homeless lady asking for a couple of dollars. I was reluctant to hand her money but once again I felt like the Lord said that it was okay. So I handed her two dollars and returned to my car. When I got back to the car I noticed that my son had taken a pillow from my office and placed it in the back seat. It was like a light bulb went off in my head, Give the lady the pillow to sit on. It was cold that evening and she had been sitting on the cement. I got back out of the car and gave her the pillow. She was grateful and said, “You are a kind man.” (Rom 12: 10,1Cor 13:8)

Doing good deeds doesn’t always have to be in the way of material things. Sometimes saying a kind word to someone is just as effective. I was at Shop and Save one day and noticed one of the baggers who always has his head down. If you would see him there’s nothing special about him except for the way he bags your groceries. He does it with humbleness and respect. So I said to him, “You always do a good job.” He lifted up his head and said thank you. He was striving for a little recognition. His work my not seem that important until you need a good bagger who takes pride in what they do no matter how small the job. My mother always said, “People want to feel important.” Doing good deeds are not just doing good things for people, but also saying kind things to people as well. (Eph 4:29)


Word for Today
Beneficent - Characterized by or performing acts of kindness or charity.





Quote for Today
Man has three friends on whose company he relies. First, wealth which goes with him only while good fortune lasts. Second, his relatives; they go only as far as the grave, leave him there. The third friend, his good deeds, go with him beyond the grave.
The Talmud