Palm Sunday

One of the greatest joys of my Christian life has been the memorizing of Scripture. It’s harder now that I am getting older, but scores of the verses I memorized earlier come back again and again to give me strength and insight. I would have to say that one of the biggest mistakes of my following Christ is to not be diligent in hiding the Word of God in my heart (Psalm 119:9-10). I hope all of my readers will consider these verses with a new intensity.

I memorized a new verse recently that ties into the celebration of Palm Sunday … that day 2000 year ago when Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem to the praise of hallelujahs of thousands. Only a few days later these same voices would cry for His crucifixion!

Zechariah 9:9 says, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion. Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your King comes to you; He is just and brings salvation, He is humble, riding on a donkey …”

Think of the humility of God … coming to us not at the head of an army dressed in splendor, but in the common everyday cloths on a donkey! Even earlier, John the Baptist announced Jesus as the Lamb of God, the humble, sacrificial lamb!

Yet all true Christians know that someday Christ will again return to earth, not meekly or humbly seeking our attention, but as reigning, triumphant, conquering King. He will judge and put right the veil of selfishness of all mankind.

I picked up the newspaper this morning and almost despaired as I read page after page reporting human failure. I almost wept as I saw story after story of evil, hurt, wounds, murder, injustice and hopelessness. Will men and women ever learn that they cannot conquer that which destroys them without the power of God?

Yes, Jesus came to earth first as a lamb. But the Scripture clearly declares that He will come for a second visit, this time as a victorious lion rather than as a suffering and patient lamb.

Fight on, those of you who love the Master! Jesus and His church may look like a lamb for the present, but let me assure you, the day of the lion is coming!! I especially like to think about that on Palm Sunday!!

Choosing the “Good Part”

It’s again time for … the days of family vacations, trips to Grandma’s and trips to the lake. One of the typically recurring questions asked on every family trip by at least one of the children at least half a dozen times is, “Where are we?” It’s not too difficult to recall the look on the child’s face as he awakens from his backseat nap only to realize that he doesn’t know where he is.

This issue of were we are seems to be very pertinent in these days. How often do we hear the question asked, “Where are you going to be if I need to get in touch with you?” Most of us tend to reel off an answer rather quickly feeling assured that we know where we are and where we’re going, and we don’t have time to wait around answering rhetorical questions. Instead, we need to run the laundry, pick up the kids, go to the bakery, run by the doctor’s office, prepare the talk for the civic club and, after it is all finished, take a moment to relax before we start again.

We rarely stop to think that this “rhetorical question” that we let slip so often should be subjected to greater scrutiny. In chapter 10, verses 38-42 of the Gospel of Luke, Luke gives us a good picture of where we ought to be! The passage begins with Jesus being received into the home of two sisters. One sister, Martha, scurries about attempting to make preparations for Jesus. We can imagine her trying so hard to get everything just so right and just so good. Meanwhile, Mary, Martha’s sister, has decided to sit down at the feet of Jesus. Martha continues her frantic preparation and then in verse 40 we catch a glimpse of a very interesting occurrence, one that each of us must see about once a day. We catch a glimpse of anxiety in Martha as she gets mad at Mary for not helping to get all these “important preparations” taken care of. She calls out to Jesus trying to get at Mary through Him. At this point, Jesus answers Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things, but only a few things are necessary, really only one; for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Where are you? If you aren’t seated at the feet of Christ, then you’re probably like Martha – “worried and bothered about so many things” when only one thing is really necessary. You’re probably spending so much time trying to do right that you don’t have time to be right.

Where are you? If you feel like you’re on a roller coaster that seems to have no end of it, if you feel like you’re chasing rabbits in the desert, then STOP! Remember where you ought to be! If you already have a seat at the feet of Christ, stay put! If you aren’t at the feet of Christ, come and take a seat; there is more than enough room for everyone!

The Bullet of Significance: The Good Life, Part 2

A man’s quality of living is directly proportionate to his priorities. In the last analysis, how well you live is simply a question of priorities. We must face up to the fact that one can’t do everything. There are thousands of options open to all of us – things to be involved in, many of them good, many of them bad … civic work, politics, leisure, travel, hobbies, athletics, business, clubs, crime, self-indulgence, etc. The question is, which investment really gives life?

It is at this point that Jesus Christ steps in and says to all who will listen, “Follow Me, and I will give you the best seventy years you could possibly spend.” After all, it is not how many years you pack into your life that counts, but how much life you pack into your years! Jesus Christ is the world’s greatest expert on life. He takes the sweat out of living. Knowing that we Christians have eternal life and will live forever takes the panic out of trying to cram everything into seventy years! It we listen to Christ, He will give us a package deal for an adventurous and exciting existence. It will only happen if God is our first priority! It’s essential that a person be honest about priorities!

The Bullet of Significance: The Good Life, Part 1

An old Chinese proverb says that a man can’t carry two melons in one hand. In other words, there are some things a man simply can’t do. One of our greatest frustrations as humans is knowing that we are so limited in our abilities and our time. How can we get the most and best out of our years? How can we be sure we’re committing our life in the best possible way?

It is amazing that so many of us live as though we have forever! All of us waste hours upon hours in doing things that produce low returns. We see so many movies, take so many trips, watch so many football games, etc. But what does it really add to our quality of life? There are about 8,760 hours in the year and with one-third spent in sleeping, and another one-third in eating and working, what we do with the remaining 2,920 is critical. It is impossible in sixty or seventy years of life to cram in 100 years of living. We need to remember that life doesn’t begin at forty for those who “went sixty” when they were twenty.

One of the most arresting things that Jesus Christ ever said is recorded in Matthew 6:33 … “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all things needful will be added to you.” In this passage the Son of God makes the absolute statement that if we concern ourselves with the reality Big Issue, all the other little issues will resolve themselves. In no uncertain terms Jesus says that God is the Big Issue. He is “The First Priority.”

Things to Think On

All of us benefit from great thoughts that challenge our lives. Here are a few of the goodies that have kept me going through the years! Enjoy!

• You will never get closer to God by choosing as your best friends those people who are running from God.


• It is not how many years you pack into your life, but how much life you pack into your years that is important.


• A man’s greatness is not measured by what he accomplishes, but by what he OVERCOMES in order to accomplish it.


• You are free to make any choice you want, but you are not free from the consequences of the choice.


• If you can’t see God in everything you probably can’t see God in anything.


• An individual who spends his life wrapped up in himself has nothing to share but his problems.


• A God who cares cannot be represented by people who don’t.


• What God is teaching me is more important than what happens to me.


• Freedom is not the right to do what you want to do, but the power to do what you ought to do.


• The degree to which I experience Christ, is the degree to which He possesses me.


• We may not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.


• People can be divided into three groups: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened.

Paul tells it (Philippians 2:5) that they should have the same mind that Jesus Christ had. If all of us would think like the above, we’d take a big step in that direction. Let’s check our thinking.

Thinking, the Defining Trait of Humanity

If there were any one word that could come close to characterizing man, it would probably be thinking ... thinking man. Even in a world of constant change and fast pace rat races, one thing that always seems the same is that man continues to think. Whether it’s thoughts of what to do this weekend or where to go on vacation, it doesn’t matter. The thinking process continues.

Thinking is so commonplace that all too often we take it for granted. But, in this modern age of computers and such, thinking needs to be reconsidered. In this computer age, the mind is often compared to the computer. This analogy is not so far-fetched. Consider a computer. It can spit out that which has been fed into it. This feeding, so to speak, is called programming. A computer can only regurgitate the facts that have been programmed into it. If the computer is fed historical facts, it will yield historical facts. The mind, much like the computer, tends to regurgitate only that which has been fed into it. If your mind has been fed trash, it will yield trash. If your mind has been fed honesty, it will yield honesty. The sad thing is that the analogy can go no further. Even though a computer is fed junk and yields junk, it will still only be a computer. But the way that a mind is programmed determines what a mind thinks, “… as a man thinks, so he is” (Proverbs 23:7). In other words, the trash that we program into our minds is what we think about. What we think about determines our actions. In essence, we are what we think. If you spend all your time watching and listening to trash, it’s not surprising that it eventually becomes a part of you. That’s how you’re programmed: trash in – trash out!

To alter the read-out from a computer, you have to alter the input. With our minds, to alter the read-out, i.e., our thoughts and actions, it is necessary to alter the input. But how can we alter our input? The Apostle Paul on two separate occasions commented on the proper programming of our minds. In Colossians 3:2, Paul says, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” In other words, Paul is telling us to re-program our minds. In Philippians 4:8, Paul gives a more precise illustration of what our minds should be programmed on. As he states, “… whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

If you feel like you have a one track mind to nowhere, or if you feel like your mind is in the gutter, start examining your program. You may be feeding your mind trash and thus, you’re merely reaping what you’ve sown. It’s time to re-program! Set your mind on things that are above. It’ll make a world of difference.

Listen Up!

In the last few years there has been a great deal of discussion about pollution of every sort, and rightly so. The facet of this problem which I find most interesting is noise pollution. We are told by the experts that the collection of noises one encounters daily can cause all sorts of problems. For instance, noise makes one nervous. In fact, it is suggested that the dinner table be a quiet place, for noise can bring about poor digestion. We are told that teenagers who listen to excessively loud noises often suffer hearing loss. Noise is just not healthy.

It is interesting to note that when God inspired King David to write Psalm 46 roughly three thousand years ago, the problem of “noise pollution” was mentioned. The first part of verse ten reads, “Be still and know that I am God.”

The problem then, as now, was noise. For you see, man knows whether or not his relationship to the Father is what it should be. This is one of the jobs of the Holy Spirit … to convict (or tell) man of his sin (the cause of his fractured relationship with the Father). You and I don’t always want to hear this. We all know people who hear only what they want to hear and block out what they don’t like. Well, we oftentimes are like this with God. He speaks and since we can’t ignore Him, we try to drown Him out!

When we are alone we automatically turn on the radio or TV. We don’t like for it to be quiet. But God, in His concern for each one of us, says “be still,” or turn off all that noise so you can hear Me and then you will know or realize that I am God. I AM who I say I AM, and by virtue of this fact (not fable as some noise makers want to believe), I promise to be all you need if you’ll but listen and act on what I say.

One of the most refreshing experience of existence is to stop in the middle of all our frustration, perplexity, confusion and doubts and take time to listen to God. Jesus Christ didn’t come from Heaven and live on earth to keep us guessing about God’s purpose and power for our lives. Listen to Him!

If the noise of the world is creeping up on you, why not start listening to God? I can assure you He’s got something to say just for you.

The Bullet of Significance: Balance

Our life is one of extremes! Some days we are up and some days we are down! But, a mature individual lives most of his life between these two extremes. He is a balanced man. He knows about the bad but he keeps seeking the good!

Two of the greatest personalities of the Bible had their moments when they wanted to die … the Prophet Elijah in I Kings 19:4 and the Apostle Paul in II Corinthians 1:8-9.

As I write these lines today I have never felt better! My joy is complete! Yet, I know darker and more difficult times are still ahead of me. As a Christian, though, I know every testing, every agony, every hurt will leave me a better man if I keep my eyes on the truth of God. We need to remember that God tested Abraham and He will test us (Genesis 22:1). The man who conquers is the one who “doesn’t let his defeats defeat him.”

An old story tells us of a writer who was commissioned to write a motto that would work in every situation … good or bad! He came up with this piece of wisdom all of us quote … “This too shall pass!”

The Bible teaches us that every lesson in life comes to teach us two things … that there is only one true God and that, in the last analysis, He alone is able to meet our deepest needs!

The Bullet of Witness: Walk, Talk and Time

How does one spot a real Christian? The only way to authentically evaluate a person’s talk and walk is to watch it over a period of time. I’m not talking about days but months and years.

Anyone can fake his actions for a little while! Anyone can talk big in the brevity of the untested moment! But only the real Christian can put his talk and walk together over a period of years!

Real Christianity is not a sprint but a long distance run! Faith is not real unless it lasts. Even the most sincere, dedicated and earnest Christian doesn’t become perfect overnight. Time is necessary to learn the inescapable fact that faith is not a temporary crutch but a life-long relationship.

It takes years to grow a great and noble life. Experience comes only with time. Quality isn’t instantaneous. We shouldn’t be surprised or discouraged by the temporary failures of those who claim to be Christians. Give them the benefit of the doubt! Love them! Encourage them! But before you decide if they are real Christians – give it some time! Lots of time!

Real Christians, sooner or later, get their talk and walk together. They will rise to the top. When they do, it will be worth the wait!

A popular wine producer once boasted that, “they will serve no wine before its time.” With due reverence, let me suggest, that God has the same idea! He is growing some real Christians! It’s our own fault if we insist on “tasting” His workmanship before He says it’s ready!

The Bullet of Witness: To Walk or to Talk

How does one spot a real Christian? Only two ways … by what he says and by what he does. Most of us always talk a bigger fight than we live, so one has to be exceedingly careful in putting too much stock in someone’s words.

Then there are some folks who don’t say much, yet you are impressed with their life. This is a safer and more effective course to follow (than being a talker), yet even here a serious error crops up. A person who has found the “great life” is selfish and short-sighted if he doesn’t share the source of his strength with others.

So we have the two extremes. The guy who can’t keep quiet because he thinks he has it all together, and the class individual who just sits there in silence and pities all the run-off-at-the-mouths.

Of course, the solution to our dilemma is the model we have in Jesus Christ. Although He lived a perfect life, He still came talking. A great life without talk is mystery. Great talk from a weak life is boredom. Great talk from a great life is exciting!

The wise and happy human is the one who knows how to balance his own talk and his own walk, as well, as honestly evaluating the talk and walk of others.

I’ve know lots of Christians (I still do) who talk a bigger life than they live. But I’d rather hear them talk about a bigger life than a lesser life.

The silent types who seem to have the great life put together ultimately betray their weakness. A crisis come as an off-the-cuff comment is made which reveals their silence was a cover for inadequacy. But I can’t help admiring the guy who seeks to guard his tongue, and not burden others with empty words.

The Bullet of Wisdom: The End of the Matter

Is a man’s value determined by what he makes of himself?

Anyone with any sense ought to desire the maximum of his or her life. I have a passion to live life to the fullest, discover its greatest joys, explore its deepest satisfactions, carry love, hope and meaning to the most people, and above all, to experience the exhilarating joy of knowing God on earth!

But how? Thousands of voices and philosophies are peddling their claims. Who or what is right? The witness of thousands of Christians (including my own) is, that we have discovered that when we place our confidence and trust in Christ, we are never disappointed (Romans 9:33 and 10:11). I can say without exception that I have never been disappointed when I believed God’s Word about some activity, pursuit or decision. On the other hand, my life is filled with “wrecks of the past,” when I lean on my own limitations and immature goals.

King Solomon was a man who tried everything and had everything. Read the book of Ecclesiastes for a real dip into exiting reality literature! He tried wisdom, pleasure and the good life. He said he got everything he laid his eyes on. Still, he wasn’t happy. His final witness to avoid futility and “blowing in the wind,” was to love God and obey His teachings.

I’m convinced of one thing. If I’m going to really make something of my life I must get the basics right. For me … and thousands of Christians like me, that “basic” is Jesus Christ. We’re not completed yet, and there are many imperfections, but we are in process.

Remember the old adage, “close only counts in horseshoes?” I don’t want to stop at being a “horseshoe!” How about you?

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Who Do You Trust?

“Cursed (frustrated) is the man who trusts in man … Blessed (fulfilled) is the man who trusts’ in the Lord.” (Jeremiah 17:5,7)

FRUSTRATED OR FULFILLED … we are one or the other. Twelve spies sneaked into Canaan. Only two of them trusted God. The other ten didn’t like what they saw … giants and well-defended cities.

Oh, they were intelligent enough. And they were practical enough. But they lacked the one ingredient upon which victory was keyed … trust.

When they saw the odds, they did the logical thing, inventoried their own military assets. After all, you can’t kill giants with slingshots … haven’t we heard a story about that? Their military stockpile didn’t stack up to well so they drug home to make their somber report: “We don’t stand a chance!”

Were they cursed? Well, the graves of those ten are somewhere out there in the wilderness, along with hundreds of thousands of others who placed their trust in them.

The wilderness begins where trust in God ends. “Cursed is the man who trusts in man … He shall swell in the parched places of the wilderness” (Jeremiah 17:5,6). Forty years later, with greater odds against them, their children and grandchildren were victorious. Why? Where was the difference? In implements of war? NO! In the shrinking of the giants? NO! In depleted forces of the enemy? NO! The difference was “the trust factor.” They trusted in the Lord. And they were blessed.

The wilderness ends where trust in God begins. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord. He is like a tree planted by the water” (Jeremiah 17:7,9).

The above came to me from an unknown source. I made a few changes and would like to pass it on for your encouragement. Truly God’s people are “… Blessed is he who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments! He is not afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord” (Psalm 112:1,7)

The Bullet of Obedience: To Grasp or to Do

Many parents know the experience of going away for the weekend and leaving the kidos behind. Invariably, mom and dad leave notes all over the house instructing the children what they are to do in their parents’ absence. Notes on the refrigerator, notes on the thermostat, notes on the dog bowl, notes on the trash can, notes on the bathroom mirror. Notes everywhere. Imagine the parents’ surprise if upon their return they found every instruction ignored but their children seated at the kitchen table busily engaged in note reading, note study and note memorization!! The critical issue is not fascination with the notes, but obedience to their content. Upon the return of mom and dad, their children are found to be either in a state of obedience or disobedience and are judged accordingly.

Similarly our heavenly Father has left us 66 “notes” with instructions to occupy the time until Jesus returns to claim His own. This issue is obedience or disobedience. There is no middle ground. Where will he find you?

The Bullet of Obedience: Necessity or Option

Obedience. Our homes and our society would break down without it. Obedience is obvious. Obedience is necessary. Obedience is expected.

As a parent, as an employer, as a coach, as a teacher, as a military officer, in virtually every area of life we see obedience as the factor that makes life and behavior both predictable and orderly. In fact, in many relationships, obedience is not only helpful, it is the basis for fellowship in the relationship; i.e., obedience is the only ground of fellowship with a superior.

And yet, in the Christian life we often have a tendency to view obedience to Jesus Christ as optional. It’s as though we say: “O.K., Jesus, we’ll do it your way this time; and next time we’ll do it my way; and maybe the time after that, you can do “your thing” and I’ll do mine.” In the low view of God which seems to pervade so much of our society and our own personal thinking today, Jesus is reduced to the level of some heavenly “wimp” who isn’t terribly affected one way or the other when we treat His demands on our lives merely as polite but unrealistic suggestions. We are professing Christians but practicing atheists.

The Bullet of Growth: Growing in Hope

Following Jesus Christ … I mean really following … is no easy thing! It demands a growing honesty with ourselves about our true motives and level of sacrifice. It calls for constant change. None of us like change, especially when it means the surrender of selfish habits and the acceptance of increased spiritual responsibility. All of us are at different stages of our growth in Christ. My philosophy (which is Biblical) is to condemn no one for where you are, but rather, to encourage you to become more for Christ and to do it as quickly as possible. It’s great to sense a new godly tension. We must be sure our growth is not a creation of the flesh but a proper response to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

As Dr. Baxter would put it … “We must be intensely spiritual, perfectively natural, and thoroughly practical.” May our Lord give us Christians like that throughout the world.

Don’t be deceived by the deceptions and empty attractions of our world. Reject any spirit of cynicism or bitterness! Our little lives given to the Father’s big purposes will alone satisfy our hunger for what He crated within us!

The Ice Line
By RA Stites

In mid-January, 2007, a powerful storm encased much of the area from Texas to Illinois in a deadly coating of ice. Power lines fell, trees broke under the weight, Amtrak service was interrupted, flights from area airports were cancelled, several people died as a result of the storm. In its wake, Governors issued disaster decrees. It would take the next two weeks and more to get everything back to normal.

In the days leading up to the storm, the National Weather Service issued watches and warnings. Our area was included. We watched the drama unfold on television and outside our windows. One of the most amazing things about this storm was the clear line between devastating ice and a little winter weather. One newscast had a memorable picture of a mountainside where a line appeared to mark the boundary between ice coated trees and those that were not.

The reaction of the public was predictable. If you lived in the affected part of our state you were doing your best to survive without electricity and, in some cases, heat. Even that effort proved deadly; a Bella Vista, Arkansas, couple died in their home from carbon monoxide poising produced by the fumes of a heater. The Red Cross set up emergency shelters in several communities. Businesses closed putting wage earners out of work for days. If you lived on the ice side of the line you wished you could have done more to prepare.

If you lived on the non-iced side you complained about those fool weathermen getting everyone excited about nothing. It is doubtful that anyone in our area was more than two degrees of separation from the icy side – we all know someone or knew someone who knew someone who was out of power or in distress. But it was not our houses and towns under the ice so we made light of the storm – even though we knew that only a few miles away people suffered.

It seems to me that there is a similar “ice line” between ordinary life and one marred by evil. Like the winter storm, there is a little, normal “bad weather” or there is an “ice storm” of sin and depravity. We all suffer the effects of sin to some degree. We all encounter bad things: arguments with co-workers, finances out of order, fights with a spouse, someone gossiping about us or we gossip about them, children acting up, a raise or promotion denied, criticism of our actions, the list is never ending. That is the normal “bad weather” of life.

Then there are the truly horrible things that happen in our world where sin and depravity seem to outweigh any good; these are the “ice storms” of life. A child is the victim of a serial killer or drive-by shooter or suicide bomber. Bankruptcy is the only way out of debt for the individual or the company. A spouse betrays ones trust and devastates ones happiness in a horrible divorce. Depression settles in for a long stay and the sufferer can not face each day without thoughts of suicide. This list, too, is long and painful.

The “ice line” runs through the lives of individuals and communities. Our responses are as predictable as those to a weather warning. If we are on the “bad weather” side we take little heed of the warning. We see the devastation and offer sympathy or support but we don’t live “there.” We are arrogant in our regard of those who warn of disasters. But if we live on the “ice storm” side we cry out in pain and longing. We wish we had taken heed of the good counsel we had received. We mourn. We fail; we even die in our battle to survive.

This is the state of the world. There is nothing that can completely protect any of us from the storm. Money won’t. Status won’t. Fame won’t. Position won’t. Being a good person won’t. Even being a Believer won’t. What matters is not escaping the storm but how we face it. It is by learning how to “put” all our “bad weather” challenges, difficulties, problems and pains “in Christ” that we prepare to encounter the big “ice storm” when it comes. We may live the greater part of our lives on the “bad weather” side of the line but not all. There will come a time when the predictions are all too true and we are the ones facing the ice. It is the wise man who is prepared!

30 Then I was beside Him, as a master workman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, 31 Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And having my delight in the sons of men. 32 "Now therefore, O sons, listen to me, For blessed are they who keep my ways. 33 "Heed instruction and be wise, And do not neglect it. 34 "Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts. 35 "For he who finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD. 36 "But he who sins against me injures himself; All those who hate me love death." The words of the Lady Wisdom in Proverbs 8:30-36

Thoughts for a Super Bowl Weekend

Some of the finest specimens of mental and physical toughness in America are those men who play intercollegiate or professional football. To see them thud and crunch into one another with breakneck speed and then jump up for the next play is a wonder to watch. Occasionally, however, one of these "warriors" takes a hard hit that leaves him stunned and lying limp on the field. Even those who are in the best physical shape and who wear the finest equipment are not immune from some of the brutal hits of the game!

When I see hard hits on the football field, I am reminded of the hard hits of life that come to us all. There is no way to escape them if you are in the game. On some plays you won’t even be touched. On others you’ll take a solid but easier hit. Yet there are times you will be hit terribly hard if you are a part of the play! There are some times when an opponent takes a cheap shot that the referee may not see or call! Sometimes the hard hits and cheap shots even come from those on our own team!

The hard hits of life are inevitable for those who play the game for Christ. They are also necessary and beneficial to the one who understands the Heavenly Coach’s process! Hebrews 12:11 puts it beautifully … "no discipline seems pleasant at the time but painful, later on however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." The old adage "no pain, no gain" is as true as ever! The hard hits of life leave us hurt, confused, and weak. The time it takes to come back from those hits depends on our level of maturity. With the wisdom of Christ and the understanding of His greater purpose in our lives, we discover by faith that hurts can be healed, the confusion can turn to wisdom, and the weakness can become strength!

The Bullet of Discovery: Post-Modern Virtual Reality or God’s Reality

I see the fake irrelevance and pretense of our culture all around us. Columnist Suzanne Fields has expressed it beautifully: “Television dramas, talk-show celebrities, news anchors all create a synthetic sense of community. Common references require no time-consuming obligations, no icky closeness. It’s less important that we live vicariously than that we feel vicariously, a post-modern virtue. It’s no coincidence that the only show that exceeds Seinfield in popularity is ER. It creates urgency, the modern version of the tragic idea that, “there but for the grace of God go I.” It helps us to think ahead at a faster pace … we get to feel someone else’s pain-painlessly.” In modern American Christianity, the emphasis is almost totally on what we feel rather than what we are to be in Christ!

The Lord is shaking many of His people so that our attention will be drawn to first realities. Pray that a remnant of us will opt for His peace and calmness in the chaos of this “fast-forward” world.

One of my favorite hymns from college expresses my own heart’s desire. My prayer is similar for Christians everywhere:

Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus,
I’ve lost sight of all beside,
So enchained my spirit’s vision,
Looking at the Crucified.

(All for Jesus by Mary James: the beautiful melody I like is from The Crucifixion, by John Stainer. To hear it click on the link to it on this All for Jesus Page.)

The Bullet of Discovery: Does Knowing the Creator God Make a Difference?

To discover Christ Jesus as Savior and to experience His Lordship daily in our lives is to live according to “the Gospel of the Christ Life.”

Even though all churchmen say they believe and even pretend that God is alive, His mighty promises to all too many of us are lifeless. It’s a staggering thought to know that many Christians find the Creator God too trivial and limiting to excite their lives and captivate their hearts.

Os Guinness beautifully stated that “if God is dead, then nature is morally ambivalent, reason is only a tool to power, and human freedom is fiction.” As Christians we must build lives where the wondrous details of the written and living Word of God make us alive in the incredulous claims and promises of the Master.

The Bullet of Pressure: Storms and Walking on Water

God is always initiating storms in our lives that we can’t handle. Do you remember the story of Peter and the disciples in the middle of the Sea of Galilee in that great storm? Peter was able to walk on water only after Jesus told him he could.

Strange, isn’t it, that many of us think that we can walk on water without God’s power. The Father wants all Christians to live supernaturally and many of us have sunk trying just like Peter. When we look to self we sink … when we look to God we walk! The simple reason for our failure is that we have lived by our own wills and not by the Word of God.

Until we know God has said something to us through His Word, we’d better stay in the boat! What storms has God initiated in your life to prompt you to let Him cope for you? You’d better not get out of the boat until you’ve settled that question.