HAIRS TO THE FUTURE

HAIRS TO THE FUTURE

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

  Why do I have grandson Michael cut my hair since he was 3 years old?

  Could there possibly be an applied Biblical principle involved?

EBB4

ADRIFT

ADRIFT

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

John 8:26-32 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

  “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. ... I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship …” (Mars Hill - Acts 4:12; 17:22)

  Picture this: You join company that has no Mission Statement, undiscoverable standard(s) with leadership of unknowable trait or tenet plus incomprehensible ways without clear direction or purpose.

  Been there? Sound familiar? It probably does for a number of you, whether realized in workplace, among acquaintances and friends, and possibly even in marriage.  It also describes over 50% of professing evangelical Christians surveyed; skeptics thinking that truth is not knowable. (63% of Americans overall.)

  The 5o+ percenters are persons of contradictory nature: Evangelical Christians claiming to know Jesus and salvation through Him and yet denying absolute truth can be known! (Jn.14:6; Acts 4:10-12)

  Is it any wonder that so many Christians live pretty much as non-Christians, sans peace, eternal purpose and freedom?

  Is it possible to walk in divided conflicting manner and live life empowered in and by God? No! (

·         Kingdom, company, denomination, local church, family, divided against itself cannot stand! (Mk.3:24-25; Lk.11:17; Jam.1:5-8; 3:11)

·         Believing His Word is Truth, we are set apart. (Jn.17:17-19)

  How can one possibly even expect to live in harmony with God and man when living in false belief? They cannot!

  Claiming to trust God while denying that truth can be known is the most expensive kind of double-mindedness; travelling in the company of unitarian universalist muddled philosophy, we can expect nothing from The Truth but to slide the muddy slope of Mars’ Hill to struggle adrift in the opaque roiling waters of arcane hope. (James 1:5-8)  EBB4 

ATHEIST AMALGAMATION LIMITED

ATHEIST AMALGAMATION LIMITED

Monday, December 29, 2014

Isaiah 43:10-12 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior. I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and I am God.

  Unless there is current or historical record otherwise, active atheists are limited in their faith focus and religious goings-on.

  Activist atheists consistently scorn and denigrate the Hebrew/Christian God and anything they consider representative of Him; crosses, Christmas Nativities, Ten Commandments on public property, Christian apparel and/or jewelry in the workplace, public prayer and/or demonstration at sport events.

  Have you ever heard or read of atheists publically attacking Allah, or any other god?

  Is there a cadre of outspoken atheists vigorous in Muslim nation(s)?

  If not, why not? Why are they so limited in their efforts?

EBB4 

THE DISTRACTION OF NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

THE DISTRACTION OF NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Matthew [GW] 5:33-37 [Jesus explained] "You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'Never break your oath, but give to the Lord what you swore in an oath to give him.' But I tell you don't swear an oath at all. Don't swear an oath by heaven, which is God's throne, or by the earth, which is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, which is the city of the great King. And don't swear an oath by your head. After all, you cannot make one hair black or white. Simply say yes or no. Anything more than that comes from the evil one.

Romans [GW] 7:18-25 [Apostle Paul wrote] I know that nothing good lives in me; that is, nothing good lives in my corrupt nature. Although I have the desire to do what is right, I don't do it. I don't do the good I want to do. Instead, I do the evil that I don't want to do. Now, when I do what I don't want to do, I am no longer the one who is doing it. Sin that lives in me is doing it. So I've discovered this truth: Evil is present with me even when I want to do what God's standards say is good. I take pleasure in God's standards in my inner being. However, I see a different standard at work throughout my body. It is at war with the standards my mind sets and tries to take me captive to sin's standards which still exist throughout my body. What a miserable person I am! Who will rescue me from my dying body? I thank God that our Lord Jesus Christ rescues me! So I am obedient to God's standards with my mind, but I am obedient to sin's standards with my corrupt nature.

  Resolutions make for great material for comedians, but for many people they’re not a laughing matter. Failing at resolution can produce guilt, disgust, discouragement [rob of courage, leaving fearful], or even despair.

  How many resolutions are made for good reasons, but not the most important reason?

  To illustrate, let’s consider what is probably the most common oath taken every year: “I’m going to lose weight this year.” Or more clearly defined “I’m going to lose XX pounds this year.” Or the even yet more defined, “I’m going to lose XX pounds a month for the next 12 months.”

  Losing weight is certainly a healthy goal for many of us Americans, but for what reason, to what gain?

  Is our resolve based in our ego-centric corrupt nature?

·         I don’t like the way I look.

·         I’m tired of wardrobe problem.

·         The way I’m going the only thing I won’t have to donate to the thrift store is my knit hat.

·         I want to be able to _________ again.

·         My weight is affecting my sex life.

·         People make fun of me.

·         Compared to me, all my family and friends are trim.

·         I’ve got GERD, hypertension, bad cholesterol, diabetes...

·         I huff puff and tire too easily.

·         After eating I have difficulty staying awake.

·         _______________________________.

 

  Or is our resolve spiritually gathered from God’s Word in the desire to honor, glorify, and please our King? If not, we continue to live a distracted life . . . with resolutions doing no more than adding to the stress and confusion.

  Let us beware of the distracting disturbance of oaths not kept.

  Let our word sincerely be, Yes, yes; No, no; for anything is more than this is devilish says our Lord.  EBB4

ONLY 364 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

ONLY 364 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

Friday, December 26, 2014

  One regular year is 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 47 seconds. Because this is rather unfunctional, a normal year has been given 365 days and a leap year 366 days. On Dogpatch leap years February 29th is added.

  With this almost useless info in mind, just think, there’s only 364 days until Christmas!

  Do I hear a relieved sigh “It’s over until next year!” from some of you while others think “I wish it were this nice all year.”?

  Though Christmas preparation, anxious or not, has moved far down the list, it has been replaced with Returns, Customer Service, bills to be paid, and possibly day-after decompression or even depression. Then when such business is taken care of, there’s the still with us the nasty national and world scene.

  It’s a good time to remind ourselves of Romans 12:1-3 repentance is every day applicable:

·         Be careful in our relationship to others.

·         Do not forget the less fortunate, those suffering adversity.

·         Marriage is holy and should be treated thusly.

·         We are to be Philippians 4:11 Christians.

·         Life is not about cash and carry.

·         Fear not.(62 times in Scripture.)

·         God will never leave nor abandon His children.

·         We can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?"

·         Remember those who have spoken God's word. Think about their lives. Imitate their faith.

·         Jesus Christ, The Word, is the same yesterday and today-and forever!

·         Know His Word and stand fast upon it. We are not to live willy-nilly silly as though God’s Truth is foreign to us.

·         As His children we are different; yet in this world but not to be of this world; accept this and live accordingly.

·         Be thankful in word and deed.

·         As His redeemed people, deciding to follow Him will not always result in pleasant experience this side of heaven.

·         Christmas as holiday is past. Christ-mas should be every day.

·         His gift is not without serious responsibility. We’re to communicate it in step and speak.

·         We must think as God’s people, eternal-wise.

  “Now may the God of peace, who by the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good to do his will, accomplishing in us what pleases him through Jesus Christ. To him be glory forever and ever! Amen.” (ISV Heb.13:20-21)  EBB4

PS. I know Santa goes back to the North Pole, but where is The Elf’s permanent shelf during the off-season?

THANKING JEHOVAH-JIREH FOR CHRISTMAS

THANKING GOD FOR CHRISTMAS PAST, PRESENT, AND BEYOND

Thursday, December 25, 2014

1Thessalonians [GW] 5:18-21 Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God's will in Christ Jesus that you do this. Don't put out the Spirit's fire. Don't despise what God has revealed. Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good.

  During WWII and “the recovery years” money was more scarce than hen’s teeth. For Christmas, most of us kids received an orange, box of raisins or hard candy, a toy of some sort, and were happy with it. Extended family gatherings were the best thing. My uncles and cousins, WWII combat survivors, were the greatest fun! Especially Uncle John Bullock as he kept everybody laughing with his wit . . . and consequently often embarrassed wife Helen.

  Most people didn’t have an automobile. I was 6 or 7 when I walked with the older boys to see a neighbor’s wonderful special Christmas gift, a “New used car.” While admiring, one of the older boys snuck a touch. Fearful that the man had seen, we ran home. The tel-a-neighbor communication system of that day could have gotten the news of disrespectful behavior home before we sped around the corner. We were thankful the dreaded message didn’t come as we were concerned it may affect our Christmas.

  I only knew one older boy that got an allowance. His father was an editor for The Baltimore Sun and drove a Chrysler. Most kids didn’t have money to buy gifts. If a gift could be gotten it would be for your Mom. I remember a school teacher bringing oranges and lots of cloves to make a smell-good thing to give to our moms to put in their clothing drawer. Years later I realized the expense for the teacher. Oranges in the winter were not normal fare. We may get one in our stocking. Spices were not cheap.

  When I was 9-10 we moved from Hamilton to Dundalk. Then I began earning money selling newspapers on street cars, shining shoes on the sidewalk outside a local bar, mowing grass with reel push mower, weeding, shoveling snow, and other chores for neighbors. (Family work was family work, unpaid.)    

  A favorite winter job was tending coal furnaces for neighbors working night shift in the steel mills. I was quite good at “stoking and banking” so their wives didn’t wake up freezing in the middle of the night. The pay was great. I got a whole dime each time! (In 2014 this would be $1.28 cents. “Big deal.” You say? The big deal was that kids did not have money then.)

  It wasn’t long until a neighbor purchased a TV for Christmas. His wife didn’t want a bunch of kids in the house, but he allowed us to “As long as you’re quiet and don’t step on my flowers ..” watch thru the window. (His wife wasn’t happy about this arrangement either.) Summer was best because pre-AC we could hear thru the screen.

  By the next cold season my brother Jim and I were weary of frostbite viewing so we asked Dad if we could get a TV. He responded “Sure. Earn, save, and buy one whenever you like.” It took a lot of hustling but we finally purchased a small Muntz tabletop TV. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madman_Muntz ) I think cost was 97 dollars, equivalent to about 970 dollars today. (One of the misconceptions about the Good Olde Days is that everything cost less. It did not, especially when considering number of man-hours worked needed to purchase a number of items.)

  It was a wonderful life. The prevailing attitude was gratefulness.

  With GI Generation determination, our nation prospered. Most acquired their own car and TV. AC came, and later became normal even for present day “poor and underprivileged”. People spent more time in car and home “Doing their own thing.” The idea list of what is needed to live changed drastically.   

  Attitude, conversation and action on increasing, maintaining and securing wealth increased to point of now very much dominating society. Affluence brought with it neurosis and accompanying counseling and debt services in print and office, TV’s Dr. Phils soon playing an expansive role.

  More and more, when they knew God, men glorified Him not as Adonai-jireh (Jehovah Provider), losing their sense of true gratefulness, and their hearts were darkened as they increasingly became vainglorious in their thinking. (Rom.1:20-21)

 

Lord, help us please. May Your Christmas peace rule our heart producing godly attitude of gratitude.  EBB4  

CHRISTMAS SANS CALENDAR

CHRISTMAS SANS CALENDAR

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, Rejoice! . . . Rejoice evermore. [MKJV Phil. 4:4; 1Thes. 5:16]

  Laura Olmos is a young adult German exchange student. Earlier this week, after several months in Omaha area, she returned home. 6:51am this morning I, other family members, and a number of others received the following message from Laura. She speaks from her heart of and for a Christmas spirit without date.

“Although tonight’s the official Christian night of joy, merriness and presents, I received the most precious gifts days and months before. My time at Creighton confirmed the idea that peace is possible, and my greatest fear before coming to Omaha, diversity, turned out to be my greatest source of pleasure and inspiration. It is neither culture nor nationality that keeps us from becoming neighbors, friends or family because in the end, we are all the same. You all gave me your time, your respect and your friendship, and those are the greatest gifts of all. Thank you. ♥”

EBB4

CHRISTMAS QUESTION ANSWERED

CHRISTMAS QUESTION ANSWERED

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Matthew 16:13-16 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. [Mk.8:27-29; Lk.9:18-2]

John 11:25-26 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

  Yesterday I posed the question “Can one have authentic Christmas without personal resurrection?”

  A number of people quickly responded: “Very comprehensive question.” Kaitlan (MD); “Nope.” Penny (NE); “No.” David (NE); “My wife says "No."  I agree.” Tom (IL); “Are you talking about Spiritual resurrection as in regeneration? “ Randy (MD); “No, without a personal relationship with Christ celebrating Christmas is a secular celebration.  Jim Daley said on Focus on the Family this morning "There is no authentic reality without a personal relationship with Christ."” Sharon (NE); “Nope ... The Advent of Jesus would be meaningless without His crucifixion and  His resurrection.; “Thanks for making us think - both in today's installment and in your entire year's writings.” Rev. Dr. Rod Buck (NE); “I talked to a friend last night and he said this was his 1st Christmas.  He got saved not long ago.” Al (NE).

  I begin answering the question by using words in the question.

·         “authentic” means genuine, real, valid, bona fide, true, reliable et al.

·         “Christ” identifying Jesus as deity. The honorific title is first seen in Matthew 1:1 and last seen in Revelation 22:21, with a total of 571 mentions in 532 NT verses; in every mention meaning the same thing: “anointed, that is, the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus: - Christ.” “the son of God” (Strong’s & Thayer’s Greek definitions)

·         “mas”, more commonly today “mass”, having to do with congregant celebratory worship.

·         “Christmas” meaning to worship Christ.

·         “resurrection” in and by the Word is not singularly new life after death; it is present renewal beginning with trusting Jesus Christ. (Jn.3:3; 2Cor.5:17-18; Eph.2:1-5; Col.2:13; 1Pet.3:18. I encourage looking up these verses.) 

  The Apostle Paul explained that Jesus Christ cannot be worshipped when not believing who and what He is and always has been and always will be. (Rom.10:1-17; especially note 10:14a)

  Most importantly, in conversing with the confused Samaritan woman, Jesus Christ Himself emphasized “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.  Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.” (Jn.4:24-26)

  It is impossible to have an authentic Christmas apart from personal resurrection!

EBB4

A CHRISTMAS QUESTION

CHRISTMAS QUESTION

Monday, December 22, 2014

Can one have authentic Christmas without personal resurrection?

EBB4

HOW OLD THE CHRISTMAS STORY?

HOW OLD THE CHRISTMAS STORY?

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Matthew [MKJV] 1:18-23 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was this way (for His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph) before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. But Joseph, her husband to be, being just, and not willing to make her a public example, he purposed to put her away secretly. And as he thought upon these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take to you Mary as your wife. For that in her is fathered of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bear a son, and you shall call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this happened so that might be fulfilled that which was spoken of the LORD by the prophet, saying, "Behold, the virgin shall conceive in her womb, and will bear a son. And they will call His name Emmanuel," which being interpreted is, God with us.

  There are those today that are clueless as to Christmas beyond its commercialization. There are also those that know better but don’t live accordingly in the true spirit of Christmas. For some it’s a fixation on the immediate of presents, trees, and tinsel.

  We shouldn’t even limit God working in us by confining our thinking to “Over 2,000 years ago …”

  First, considering it’s the Bible that tells us the wonderful story, let’s look at a few foundational truths.

·         Old & New Testament contains total of 66 books.

·         God used about 40 penman over a 4,000+ year period.

·         Most of them never knew each other.

·         Their writings were not the product of writer’s workshops or seminars.

·         They were from diverse cultures, areas, and educational backgrounds.

·         Their writings, though not concurrently penned, are harmonious.

·         Their style is various, but their theme is consistent.

·         They served under the aegis of The One Editor.

  Some wrote of the coming First Advent of Christ, that which we refer to as Christmas. (Dates are circa.)

·         BC 4004, Genesis 3:15, the initial prophecy of Christ’s birth.

·         BC 1452, Numbers 24:17, the Star of Bethlehem.

·         BC 977, Ecclesiastes 9:14-15, He would come, save, and be forgotten by His own people.

·         BC 742, Isaiah 7:14, virgin birth foretold; 9:17 Messiah prophesied.

·         BC 600, Jeremiah 10:3-5, Christmas tree?

·         BC 710, Micah 5:2, birthplace foretold.

  As anyone can see, Christmas didn’t begin with the Macy parade.  EBB4

HISTORY LIKE A WHEEL

HISTORY LIKE A WHEEL

Friday, December 19, 2014

Hebrews [GW] 11 … Through faith they conquered kingdoms, did what God approved, and received what God had promised. They shut the mouths of lions, put out raging fires, and escaped death. They found strength when they were weak. They were powerful in battle and defeated other armies. Women received their loved ones back from the dead. Other believers were brutally tortured but refused to be released so that they might gain eternal life. Some were made fun of and whipped, and some were chained and put in prison. Some were stoned to death, sawed in half, and killed with swords. Some wore the skins of sheep and goats. Some were poor, abused, and mistreated. The world didn't deserve these good people. Some wandered around in deserts and mountains and lived in caves and holes in the ground. All these people were known for their faith, but none of them received what God had promised. God planned to give us something very special so that we would gain eternal life with them. [Please read chapter in entirety in your favorite translation.]

  History goes around and around. Why does it repeat itself? A number of reasons among which is our sinful capacity for lying; believing what has happened in the past or on the other side of the world can never happen to us; believing we can do things that have been done repeatedly, always turning out badly, but pridefully believing results will be different.

  There is nothing new about beheadings: http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/behead.html As history has turned, heads have and continue to roll, often doing so as consequence of faith.

  Consider Otranto, Italy, 1480.

  The Muslim conqueror Mehmet II had boasted he would one day stable his horses in St. Peter’s in Rome. But first he needed a beachhead. He chose Otranto. Mehmet’s army greatly outnumbered the soldiers defending the city. Thousands died attempting to defend their home. It soon fell. The surviving women and children of value were sold as slaves. And the methodical slaughter began.

  As is custom of ISIS et al today, males 15 to 50 were offered option to deny Christ and convert to Islam.

  A courageous simple tailor refused and called out for others to stand fast in faith.

  On the Hill of Minerva overlooking their town, one by one 800 were beheaded as they followed the faithful tailor’s example. Today in Otranto Cathedral their skulls and bones are stacked on 3 walls for all to see and be reminded that yesterday can at any time be today.

EBB4

THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Romans 12:1-3 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

  Where did the idea of Christmas spirit come from, the attitude of giving? Was it by way of the Magis’ example in expensive gifts to baby Jesus? Or, was it some brilliant ad-man many years ago that had an idea on how to stimulate commerce, and line his pockets with gold in the process?

  I’m not against gift giving. I enjoy receiving gifts. (I am not soliciting!) And certainly do enjoy giving. Giving does not however always work out as expected. As we excitedly, lovingly give, the reactions of some recipients are not exactly in what we consider Christmas spirit.

  Years ago, women of the Evangelical Methodist Church, Dublin, Maryland, donated over $7,800.00 (Originally $1,000.00 in 1960.) to purchase Christmas turkey meals for poor families in their rural farming county. Two young deacons eagerly volunteered to make deliveries to 10 families chosen from needy children in the large Sunday School. (Oddly, attendance was about 20% higher than worship service.)

  At 8 of the 10 households there were numerous adult men sitting smoking and drinking beer though a workday morning. Full ashtrays and empty beer bottles littered the rooms. Asked about their employment status, in all 8 houses, to a man, they responded with some variation of “We’re looking.”

  Later, when one family’s children were asked by their Sunday School teacher if they enjoyed their Christmas meal, the child sadly replied “No ma’am, the adults got drunk after you left. They fell asleep and left the boxes on the kitchen table and the dogs and cats had their way with it. The next morning there was a big fight over whose fault it was.”

  A caring lady baked a cake for a poor family. The single mother and children expressed their thanks. The children clambered to cut the cake so as to enjoy it with Miss Barb. The mother smiled as she backed thru the kitchen swinging door carrying the cake. When she doesn’t return as expected, one of the children went to investigate. Suddenly the child loudly wailed. When all entered the kitchen they saw the mother with chocolate on hands and face. In her dysfunction she had ungraciously gobbled the entire cake! The kids scrambled to get the crumbs that had fallen on the table and floor.

  A male mentor, while playing basketball, notices his “little brother” needs news shoes. Joyously watching the boy unwrap his gift, he is disappointed when the boy complains they’re not the expensive brand his peers wear.

  A Sunday School class collects $1,200 to fill a gift list for an inmate’s family. When delivered by a married couple from the church, there’s no thanks but a “Just put the stuff over there.” as they continue playing their video games.

  Discouraged yet? I could go on and on and I’m sure many of you could relate stories of your own experience. Especially those of you involved in rescue missions, jail and prison ministry, and addiction counseling.

  How do we refresh and/or maintain our spiritual sensibility? By looking to The Word (Jn.1:1) for example, direction, and staying power.

  God gave His most precious gift, His only begotten Son, Jesus. He was rejected casually and cruelly by most then, as now. But God did not withdraw His grace! Though betrayed, vilified, crucified . . . His salvation was and is largely refused . . . and even when accepted, often misused.

  Let us not turn aside from reaching out to others. Let ours be a heart fruitfully after the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; manifesting Christ-worship (Christmas) all year long. (Rom.12:1-3)

  “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” (ESV James 1:16-18)  EBB4

CHRISTMAS CONFESSION

CHRISTMAS CONFESSION

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Luke [ESV] 9:26 [Jesus explained] For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

Romans [ESV] 1:16-19 [Paul exclaimed] For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith." For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.

Isaiah [ESV] 52:7-8 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the LORD to Zion.

  Arguing for Merry Christmas and against Happy Holidays is one thing, confessing Christmas (i.e. Christ-worship) is quite another.

  God’s Word tells us that characteristic mark of a believer (i.e. Christian) is verbal public confession: "The Word is near you, even in your mouth and in your heart"; that is, the Word of Faith which we proclaim; Because if you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Everyone believing on Him shall not be put to shame." For there is no difference both of Jew and of Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call on Him. For everyone, "whoever shall call on the name of the Lord will be saved." How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without preaching? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?" Then faith is of hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (Rom.10:8-17)

  How easy it is to speak His name in Sunday School, Bible study group, church congregation, Christmas carols, and in writing devotional thought.

  Ah, but what of place outside of religious settings?

  Apart from pious comfort zones . . . will we speak of baby or adult Jesus on even so much as the day celebrated as His birthday?

  Let us say “Merry Christmas” … good, but to what end?

  Believing in our heart, let us stand on beautiful feet (Rom.10:15) saying “Jesus is Lord” … someone just may believe our report and receive Jehovah God’s Christmas gift.  EBB4

A FARMER'S CHRISTMAS PARABLE

A FARMER’S CHRISTMAS PARABLE

Tuesday, December 16, 2014 – An annual tale.

  There was a farmer that didn’t believe in God, and was quite outspoken about religion, Easter, and Christmas. His wife, a believer, raised their children to be God-fearing. The man and his spouse loved each other dearly with sacrificial devotion, but there was always what he deemed “The Difference.”

  One snowy Christmas eve, she prepared to take the children to church. As always, she invited him to go with them. As always, he refused, adding his usual “That story is nonsense! Why would God abase himself by living on earth as a man? That’s ridiculous!” So, as usual, she went, he stayed home.

  Sitting at the kitchen table relaxing with a cup of coffee and a hunk of his wife’s delicious Christmas fruit cake, he noticed the wind rising as the snowing increased. Before long a blizzard developed. He didn’t worry about his family as he knew, if need be, they’d stay with friends near the church.

  Suddenly he was startled by a loud thump against the side of the house, then another soon followed.

  Turning on all the yard lights he couldn’t detect anything so he bundled up and went out into the driving storm to look around. In the yard he found a flock of late traveling southern bound geese. They were obviously disoriented and in despair. Knowing they would be safer in shelter with food, he opened the nearby barn’s big doors.

  Returning inside he, concerned, watched them out the window. They didn’t go in the barn where he had scattered corn on the floor.

  Bundling up again he tried shooing them into the barn. It did not work.

  Then he tried laying a path of corn. It didn’t work.

  Next he tried slices of bread. It didn’t work.

  The frightened geese just kept honking and huddling, not noticing the barn or what it meant to them; nourishment and shelter from the storm.

  “Why don’t they follow my lead . . . can’t they see the only place they can survive the storm?”

  He thought for a moment and realized they wouldn’t follow him, a human. “If only I were a goose, then I could save them.” he said aloud.

  With that realization he went to the barn and gathered one of his domesticated geese in his arms, took her to the yard and released her on the far side of the stressed wild flock. Having full knowledge of good sense, she waddled quickly thru the group. They followed to safety.

  Though quite cold by now, he stood silently with the blizzard howling about him and the icy snow stinging his face. Suddenly it all made sense.

  That is what God had done and he was like those lost geese needing guidance.

  Jesus, his dear wife and children, and others, had been showing him the way of salvation, but he had refused and kept milling about in life.

  Suddenly the revelation of truth overwhelmed him and he fell to his knees, begging God’s forgiveness and trusting Jesus as Redeemer.

  As the wind and snow relented, his soul became quiet and pondered the wonderful simplicity of it all; understanding what Christmas was truly about; the reason Christ had come.

  He then prayed his first prayer of thanksgiving, “Thank you God for coming in human form to get me out of the storm!”  (Author unknown, rewritten from file notes and memory. EBB4)

Philippians GW 2:6-11 Although he [Jesus] was in the form of God and equal with God, he did not take advantage of this equality. Instead, he emptied himself by taking on the form of a servant, by becoming like other humans, by having a human appearance. He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, death on a cross. This is why God has given him an exceptional honor- the name honored above all other names- so that at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will kneel and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

MERRY CHRISTMAS?

MERRY CHRISTMAS?

Monday, December 15, 2014

James [ESV] 1:2-5  Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

  Jingle Bells, Santa Claus, Elf on the Shelf, decorations (Especially fantastic yard displays!), gorgeous trees and garlands, Noel carols, candlelight services, uplifting cantatas, exchanging gifts, all involved and enjoyed in celebrating Christmas . . . but others cannot and do not experience Christmas in these ways. They celebrate Christmas in quite a different manner.

  For centuries Aleppo was a prosperous industrial and commerce powerhouse and the most populous Syrian city. At one time its marketplace was one of the largest in the world.

  This is no longer so.

  In 3+ years of fighting more than 100,000 Syrians have died and countless injured and crippled. 3.2 million have fled to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, North Africa, and areas protected by Kurdish forces. Most have lost everything they possessed. Aleppo is in ruins. The marketplace destructed with the few remaining shops and booths unable to open. The unemployment rate exceeds 80%. Food and fuel are scarcer than a friendly hyena.

  But the Chaldean bishop, Audo, and those remaining of his congregation are still worshipping Christ, doing so largely by feeding 7,000 families a month under horrific conditions lit not by holiday lights but by terrifying devastating barrel bombs dropped from the sky.

  As God’s family let us not forget Merry Christmas, joyfully worshipping Lord Jesus, is distinctly different in practice for some brothers and sisters in Christ. (And, that if ISIS and other Muslim world-caliphate groups have their way, making for the same worship situation in our neighborhood.)

EBB4

Ø  Aleppo (Arabic: ﺣﻠﺐ‎ / ALA-LC: Ḥalab, IPA: [ˈħælæb]) is the largest city in Syria and serves as the capital of Aleppo Governorate, the most populous Syrian governorate.^[4] With an official population of 2,132,100 (2004 census), it is also one of the largest cities in the Levant.^[5][6] For centuries, Aleppo was the region of Syria's largest city and the Ottoman Empire's third-largest, after Constantinople and Cairo.^[7][8][9]

Ø  Aleppo is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world; it has been inhabited since perhaps as early as the 6th millennium BC.^[10] Excavations at Tell as-Sawda and Tell al-Ansari, just south of the old city of Aleppo, show that the area was occupied since at least the latter part of the 3rd millennium BC;^[11] and this is also when Aleppo is first mentioned in cuneiform tablets unearthed in Ebla and Mesopotamia, in which it is noted for its commercial and military proficiency.^[12] Such a long history is probably due to its being a strategic trading point midway between the Mediterranean Sea and Mesopotamia (i.e. modern Iraq).

Ø  The city's significance in history has been its location at the end of the Silk Road, which passed through central Asia and Mesopotamia. When the Suez Canal was inaugurated in 1869, trade was diverted to sea and Aleppo began its slow decline. At the fall of the Ottoman Empire after World War I, Aleppo ceded its northern hinterland to modern Turkey, as well as the important railway connecting it to Mosul. Then in the 1940s it lost its main access to the sea, Antioch and Alexandretta, also to Turkey. Finally, the isolation of Syria in the past few decades further exacerbated the situation, although perhaps it is this very decline that has helped to preserve the old city of Aleppo, its medieval architecture and traditional heritage. It won the title of the "Islamic Capital of Culture 2006", and has also witnessed a wave of successful restorations of its historic landmarks, until the start of the Syrian Civil War in 2011 and the Battle of Aleppo.^{[13] (An excerpt from Wikipedia.)}

CHRISTMAS COOKIES VERSUS THE BREAD OF LIFE

CHRISTMAS COOKIES VERSUS THE BREAD OF LIFE

Sunday, December 14, 2014

John 6:35-40  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

  There I was watching a program on making Christmas cookies, my mouth watering at the thought of tasting those luscious treats, when I began to reflect on the real meaning of Christmas.

  In the hustle and bustle of shopping, baking, giving, receiving and complaining, we forget the reason why this holiday exists. We advise children to behave themselves or Santa Claus won’t bring them presents, yet we fail to tell them about the one Person who can save them from their sins.

  That Person is Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life. He is the reason why we celebrate Christmas. He came into the world as a helpless infant to identify with man’s vulnerabilities and yet lived a sinless life. (Heb.4:12-16) He did this so He could die on the cross for us, offering our hungry hearts redemption, reconciliation with His Father with the gift of eternal life.

  As we feast on good foods this Christmas, let us remember to thank Jesus for His sacrifice and wish Him a Happy Birthday!

  Heavenly Father, we thank You for allowing Your Son to come into this world to show us the way to way back to You. Enable us to remember His sacrifice and love during the Christmas season.

In Jesus, Name, we pray, Amen.  Missy Harmon (12/23/2008)

DANGEROUS THINKING

DANGEROUS THINKING

Friday, December 12, 2014

Acts 4:10-12 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Romans 3:20-26 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

  Yesterday (BEFORE ALL THINGS!) Jon Mayo provided laws of science that refute evolutionary theories: Evolutionists believing in order developing out of disorder, when in fact order initially and continually moves to disorder.

  Jon’s fine explanation set me to thinking about dangerous thinking commonly held to by evolutionists: The concept that man of himself has the potential to come up with and implement idea(s) that will bring about cessation of mayhem; war, destruction, murder et al. -- and doing so apart from Jehovah God Almighty, Lord Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit; Logos, The Word.

  Janie B. Cheaney, in her essay “Back to the future of bad ideas” (WORLD 12/13/14) points out how very flawed such thinking is. She notes that history reveals that every idea involves implementation; it running head-on into diversity in human ideals and desires, individual and community. This commonly comes to implementation being enforcement; war, destruction, murder et al.

  Cheaney correctly explains not a concept but the precept “All men are sinners, all hearts are deceptive.” (Isa.64:6; Rom.3:23)

  Man does not have the answer naturally within self and never will! And it is dangerously apart from God’s grace for us to think so.

EBB4

BEFORE ALL THINGS!

BEFORE ALL THINGS!

Thursday, December 11, 2014

God is not the author of confusion,...” (1Cor.14:33)

  If a person is confused about creation versus one or more of the evolutionary theories, it’s because you’re depending on the wrong author for true knowledge. To understand what really happened and continues to develop, on Tuesday scientist friend Jon Mayo sent me the following concise easy to understand explanation.

  “It is the nature of the universe to go from order to disorder. (2nd law of thermodynamics)

Evolution claims that life moved from disorder to order. (Contradicts 2nd law)

Bible establishes life moved from perfection(order) to sin (disorder) and therefore shorter life spans. (Confirms 2nd law)

  Evolutionist would counter saying that it is possible to have a process go from disorder (small, haphazard arrangement of molecules/atoms) to order (large, organized, functional systems). This is true but only when the process coupled with a second process that causes a greater disorder in the universe than the order brought about by the first system.

  Example: A building can be built (large, organized structure) but only at the expense of work done by bodies (respiration) or machines (combustion). Each of the latter changes complex organic molecules into small molecules of carbon dioxide and water in order to liberate the energy needed to build the building.

  For the human body or any life for that matter, the energy needed to build the body comes at the expense of the creation of smaller more disorganized systems. In both cases, there has to be direction on how the energy is to be used to make the building or body. The blue print provides direction for a building. The DNA provides direction for a living organism.

  Just as it requires an architect to create a blue print, God created the blue print for life.”

  I find it especially interesting that evolutionists say their beliefs are based on science. Really, what of the basic science Jon tells us of?

  Then there is Sovereign God Almighty telling us that “He [God the Father] has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son [Jesus], in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (ESV Col.1:13-20. Underlining mine.)

EBB4