If you were anywhere around a television, radio or computer this past weekend you no doubt heard about Harold Camping a Christian Radio host who once again predicted the second coming of Jesus Christ on May 21st. Well, if you are reading this he was obliviously wrong. When you think about it, making a prediction like that is a huge risk for someone who is still alive. If you are wrong then everyone in the world knows that you were wrong and is going to make sure that you know you were wrong. On the other hand, if you are correct and the end of the world does come… no one is around to brag on your prediction being right. No one is around to say, “Harold really knew his math!” I was wondering if Harold had planned on working today since he seemed so sure of himself. As it turns out, he is scheduled to give a speech today.
This does bring to mind an important question, if the end of the world was known to you, would you make any changes in your life? Would you change the way you treated your spouse or your children? Would you change the way you treated your parents or your siblings? How about your friends and neighbors, would you treat them any differently? How would you want to spend your time? What would be the truly important things in your life? Would you read your Bible more or spend more time in prayer? Would you seek out the people in your life that do not know Jesus and make sure that they had at least one shot at hearing about God’s love for them?
Just what in your life would be different? Go ahead, take your time (but not too much) and make your list of the things you would do if you knew the exact time and place of the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Okay…. Got it? Now just two words: DO IT!
That fact is you have no idea when Jesus is coming again. As a matter of fact He does not know when He is coming again. Our focus should be to live each day as if Jesus was coming that day.
Have a great day! Make it count!
Love God. Go Love Others.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
The Latest Thing
For those of you who live in the North Dallas area of Texas let me ask you a question, have you been to In-N-Out yet? If you have tired to go you know that the line of cars just to get on to the property is very, very long. As a matter of fact most people are experiencing a wait of over two hours. That my friend is a long wait just for a hamburger. The other day on my day off I decided that I would give it a try so I first discovered when they were planning on opening that day and I planned on arriving about 10 or 15 minutes ahead of that time. I had also decided that if I found the line of cars to be too long I would just wait for another day. There is just no way am I sitting in a line of cars using $3.82 per gallon gas to buy a $5.00 hamburger combo meal. Well, to my surprise I was able to drive right on the property and I parked in the next to the last parking spot and walked right in the restaurant and right up the counter and made my order. That’s right! No waiting! I was the 39th customer for the dining in crowd. There were plenty of tables available and the food was just what I expected it to be. I had done it. I went to In-N-Out and was in and out in just a few minutes.
I know that some of you are envious of the ease in which I accomplished this goal which so many thousands of people have spent hours trying to accomplish and there are still those who have yet to make their attempt to find the hamburger of their dreams. As much as you and I may like In-N-Out, it is for now just the latest thing.
Just a few years ago the latest thing was Krispy Kreme Doughts. Do you remember the lines of people and the traffic problems we would have every time a new location opened? I’m not sure it was anything like the In-N-Out experience, but for it’s time Krispy Kreme was the big deal. Now just a few years later the Krispy Kreme franchise is all but gone, but the local mom and pop donut places are still in business making donuts and other cakes for their daily loyal customers. These mom and pop places have never had the long lines, but their business is steady and they are still going strong.
Over 2000 years ago Jesus was the latest thing or person to get the attention of the people. He had thousands of men, women and children following him around the sea shore and through the market places listening to his every word. As time went on and his message became clearer to them attendance started to drop off. You see Jesus was not looking to win a popularity contest. He was not running for best new prophet. He was here to show and tell the world about who the Father was and about the plan the Father has for all those who would deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Jesus. Once the people understood the message attendance dropped dramatically.
Today, Jesus is not the latest thing. Rather he is the only thing or person who can put you into a relationship with God the Father. Jesus is the only way anyone can come to the Father. Jesus said, “If you know me, you know the Father.” Jesus also said that he was going to prepare a place for us in his Father’s house and that he would come back to bring us home.
So my friends look for the latest thing, but rather look for the one who is the way, the truth and the life. Follow the one who came so that you might have life and have it to the full.
Oh, one more thing… while you waiting in line for your In-N-Out burger you might as well take your Bible because you will have plenty of time to do some reading.
Love God. Go Love Others.
I know that some of you are envious of the ease in which I accomplished this goal which so many thousands of people have spent hours trying to accomplish and there are still those who have yet to make their attempt to find the hamburger of their dreams. As much as you and I may like In-N-Out, it is for now just the latest thing.
Just a few years ago the latest thing was Krispy Kreme Doughts. Do you remember the lines of people and the traffic problems we would have every time a new location opened? I’m not sure it was anything like the In-N-Out experience, but for it’s time Krispy Kreme was the big deal. Now just a few years later the Krispy Kreme franchise is all but gone, but the local mom and pop donut places are still in business making donuts and other cakes for their daily loyal customers. These mom and pop places have never had the long lines, but their business is steady and they are still going strong.
Over 2000 years ago Jesus was the latest thing or person to get the attention of the people. He had thousands of men, women and children following him around the sea shore and through the market places listening to his every word. As time went on and his message became clearer to them attendance started to drop off. You see Jesus was not looking to win a popularity contest. He was not running for best new prophet. He was here to show and tell the world about who the Father was and about the plan the Father has for all those who would deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Jesus. Once the people understood the message attendance dropped dramatically.
Today, Jesus is not the latest thing. Rather he is the only thing or person who can put you into a relationship with God the Father. Jesus is the only way anyone can come to the Father. Jesus said, “If you know me, you know the Father.” Jesus also said that he was going to prepare a place for us in his Father’s house and that he would come back to bring us home.
So my friends look for the latest thing, but rather look for the one who is the way, the truth and the life. Follow the one who came so that you might have life and have it to the full.
Oh, one more thing… while you waiting in line for your In-N-Out burger you might as well take your Bible because you will have plenty of time to do some reading.
Love God. Go Love Others.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Landmarks
Just the other day a friend of mine was telling stories about growing up in Kansas. He told me about going into Dodge City once and seeing grave markers and other signs that indicated that some of the most famous Lawmen and Outlaws were buried in Dodge City. My friend is some what of a history buff and he knew for a fact that most of the signage and/or grave markers were inaccurate. He told of the time he asked a tour guide about the claims of Billy the Kid being buried there and the tour guide just laughed and said, “Well you see, it just makes a better story if you can tell people that all these bad guys are buried in Dodge City.”
My friend went on to tell me about driving out in the country in Kansas and how it is much different than traveling around North Texas. He told me of the time he had been driving for some time and on both sides of the road there was nothing to see but corn. He went on to describe the feeling of being lost in the middle of nowhere with no map and no landmarks to help him find his way. He said, “Driving around North Texas is much easier with all the landmarks because if you know your landmarks, you will never get lost.”
That so true, “if you know your landmarks, you will never get lost”. In my life there are certain things that are always true, unshakeable and they can not be moved. Things such as the love that is shown to me by my wife of almost 30 years, the love and support shown to me by my parents for over 52 years, and the unconditional love, grace and mercy shown to me daily by my heavenly Father. Those things I can count on to always be true. When my life gets a little crazy or I loose my way just a bit I can focus on those things and find my way back home.
For those of us who are Christ followers it is always good to keep your eyes on your Spiritual Landmarks. Keeping your eyes on the Cross of Jesus to remind you that “God so loved you that he sent His only Son so that you might have life…” Keeping your eyes on the empty tomb to remind you that God is mighty and powerful and He has won the victory over death and that He is preparing a place for all those who keep their eyes on Jesus and follow in His steps. These and other landmarks will help you stay centered and find your way home.
So my friends, stay close to your spiritual landmarks and don’t let the confusion of this world distract you on your spiritual journey. Satan will do his best to cause you to loose your way, but don’t fall for it. Satan will try to convince you that Jesus Christ was only a man and he is dead and buried, but don’t fall for it. Jesus is not buried in a tomb in Holy Lands and he is not buried in Dodge City or anywhere else. He is alive and with his Father in heaven and they are looking forward to you joining them for all eternity. So don’t loose your way, keep your eyes on Jesus.
Love God. Go Love Others.
My friend went on to tell me about driving out in the country in Kansas and how it is much different than traveling around North Texas. He told me of the time he had been driving for some time and on both sides of the road there was nothing to see but corn. He went on to describe the feeling of being lost in the middle of nowhere with no map and no landmarks to help him find his way. He said, “Driving around North Texas is much easier with all the landmarks because if you know your landmarks, you will never get lost.”
That so true, “if you know your landmarks, you will never get lost”. In my life there are certain things that are always true, unshakeable and they can not be moved. Things such as the love that is shown to me by my wife of almost 30 years, the love and support shown to me by my parents for over 52 years, and the unconditional love, grace and mercy shown to me daily by my heavenly Father. Those things I can count on to always be true. When my life gets a little crazy or I loose my way just a bit I can focus on those things and find my way back home.
For those of us who are Christ followers it is always good to keep your eyes on your Spiritual Landmarks. Keeping your eyes on the Cross of Jesus to remind you that “God so loved you that he sent His only Son so that you might have life…” Keeping your eyes on the empty tomb to remind you that God is mighty and powerful and He has won the victory over death and that He is preparing a place for all those who keep their eyes on Jesus and follow in His steps. These and other landmarks will help you stay centered and find your way home.
So my friends, stay close to your spiritual landmarks and don’t let the confusion of this world distract you on your spiritual journey. Satan will do his best to cause you to loose your way, but don’t fall for it. Satan will try to convince you that Jesus Christ was only a man and he is dead and buried, but don’t fall for it. Jesus is not buried in a tomb in Holy Lands and he is not buried in Dodge City or anywhere else. He is alive and with his Father in heaven and they are looking forward to you joining them for all eternity. So don’t loose your way, keep your eyes on Jesus.
Love God. Go Love Others.
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