Reminded of God's grace

Jeremiah 29:11 (New Living Translation)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.


I had a great reminder of just how good God has been to me. I was on a path to nowhere as a young teenager. Rebellious, drug using, failing in school, depressed, angry, and felt worthless. I recently ran into my "old best friend" from back in the day. This person was the friend I started using drugs with in the first place. At one time this person was like a brother.

I just saw the vast differences in our lives. I have seen where the path we used to share in the past took him in the present, and where it would've taken me. Which really is adult mediocrity.
I can't claim nor boast that I am "better", I can only thank God for changing me and taking me off the course I was on. I am not a rich man, nor a very smart man, but I know I am a blessed man. I can say I am on a better path.

I do know that at anytime my old friend can choose to get off the path he's on. That God can soften his heart and chart a new course in his life. But I genuinely don't know if there will ever be a willingness.

Proverbs 27:19 (New International Version)

¹⁹ As water reflects a face,
so a man's heart reflects the man.

Back to regular blog - Faith and Family Man

Faith and family man is the original name for my blog.My faith in Christ is the central theme in my life. It effects every level of my life. My work ethic, my family life, how I raise my kids, love my wife, treat others, relate to the world, etc etc. So my blog will be devoted to this worldview, it's the filter for how I view things.

Lent Day 40 - It's been 40 days

Thanks to all who have read. It was on my heart to share my faith in Christ. God changed my heart and I can't help but want to share that with my friends and family. While I think I could write forever on who Christ is in my life , I know this blog can come to a sufficient close. I hope that this has made an impact on how you view Christianity. I hope a sense of gentleness has been evident. I hope I have expressed the reasons for the hope I have. The offers I made for the Josh Mcdowell book "More Than A Carpenter" and the Bible is still good to anyone who would like them.


http://www.youtube.com/user/oneminuteapologist#p/u/30/7U8LF5QuviY

John 3:16-17 (New International Version)

¹⁶"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

Lent Day 39 - Authentic Faith part 5

I always admire people who are consistent with their faith. Praising God in the good and bad times. It's a sign of authenticity to me when I see someone going through a storm in life and they can still cling to there faith. Having a "peace that transcends understanding." Thought this was a cool video displaying that. Thanks for reading.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUtFV127i-s

Philippians 4:6-7 (New International Version)
6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 94: 17 - 19 ( NIV)

17 Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
18 When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me.
19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Lent Day 38 - Powerful Questions, Powerless Answers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhxURmVl0lQ

We live in a time where the popular religious philosophy is to look to ones self for truth. It's a popular thing to say I am not "religious, but spiritual." That spirituality has no other definition than what the individual wants it to be. We celebrate the SEARCH, the UNCERTAINTY, we only find nobility in spirituality but not spiritual truth. We tend to think truth comes from within, or it is made as we go along. We get to make our own truth, our own way, and our own god. All subjective to our own desires.

If you watch this video this man is suffering. He wants answers, he seems to recognize that truth is not from within. The within part only results in endless questions. What I find profound is that forgiveness can't be found inside ourselves. This need of his soul cannot be met by the "new age" religion/philosophy.

The suffering man says...."I need a real chaplain, who believes in a real God, and a real hell." This man has an outside notion of objective truth beyond himself. The nice but misleading chaplain responds .....

" I hear that you are frustrated, but you need to ask yourself." She guides him back to himself. He frustratingly responds...." NO! I don't need to ask myself!!! I need answers, and all your questions and your uncertainties are only making things worse."

He ends with " I need someone to look me in the eye and tell me how to find forgiveness because I am running out of time."

To me this is such a clear cut case that the human soul ultimately has to look on the outside and they'll see OBJECTIVE truth that's been here since creation. In this case this man sees his desperate need for forgiveness and knows it's not found within himself nor in a chaplain who can only ask questions and give no answers.



I think it's in our nature that we know in our hearts that we are subject to a judgment. If we didn't think that even without a religion per say why do we associate "bad people" with going to hell, and "good people" with going to heaven. We seem to know this by nature.

Ephesians 2:3 ......." by NATURE we were subject to God's wrath."

If there is a Creator, then there is order, and His objective truth is a part of that. If we are as the Bible says " made in the image of God" then we know by instinct what right and wrong is. What justice is, love, mercy, peace, injustice, evil, etc. Mankind has a moral law in their hearts that's in our God given design .The Bible puts it this way.

Romans 2:14-15 (New Living Translation)

14 Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. 15 They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.

A simplification of the above. Many of us know the right thing to do, but how many of us ( myself richly included ) can live up to our ideals on a perfect basis?

Therein lies the problem MANKIND can't save himself. The man in this video demonstrates that his CONSCIENCE (or heart) is against him. He can't look to himself for forgiveness. This man knows the ill of what he did by framing someone and murdering them. He's desperate for this debt of his to be paid. He can't fix it. The truth of grace is not within Him, but from without.

Romans 3:23 (NLT)

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

Since the fall Adam and Eve, the first humans who rejected God. This has been the thorn in our side and the very thing we deny. That we are sinful. We've made philosophies to ask endless questions, religions to give us a brownie point system, and half truths that tell us we are inherently good. We've made gods in our own image that we can control so we can avoid this. However we all have to face this fact. We are doomed because we can't live up to our own standards let alone God's. This man seems to have a reason to fear, and realizes the eternal consequence.

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death.....

Wages are something we earn.

Even the Dali Lama, Ghandi, the wisest Hindu, and the most holy Buddhist or Billy Graham is subject to this.

But there is another part to this verse....

......but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."

Why do we need forgiveness for our sins? Forgiveness requires payment. It's easy for us to think this thought....Why couldn't God just forgive and call it good. Let me give an analogy from Josh McDowell.....paraphrasing...."If my daughter breaks a lamp, I will forgive her, but I still have to bear the cost of replacing that lamp."

In the case of us....God's creation....we needed forgiveness, this man needs forgiveness.... God is a perfect God and he demands a cost.....So God came down and paid it Himself on the cross. Dying a spiritual death, bearing the weight of all our sins past present and future, and making us right with Himself.

This man ask is there a possibility for atonement.....I scream from the mountain tops.....YES THERE IS! I know this because I've experienced it. The basic definition for compensation is for a wrong. We broke it, we messed it up, God himself paid for it, because he knew we could never pay for it.

2nd Cor 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Scripture also says the we were " bought at a price."

Romans 5:8 Romans 5:6-9 (New Living Translation)
6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.

We are forgiven from without, from the source of all truth, from God Himself.

What do we have to do on our part?

1. Express our belief and confess our sins..... " Romans 10:9 (New Living Translation)
9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

John 3:16 (New Living Translation)
16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 1:9 (New International Version)
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

If we come to believe those things scripture says we are new creatures. We've been forgiven of our sins, regardless of what the sins are. This is 100% what I believe this man in the video clip was looking for. I think it's what we either all look for, or all ignore. Thanks for reading, and think about these things. As always I hope I present Christianity in a truthful but gracious manner.

Psalm 103:12 (New Century Version)
12 He has taken our sins away from us as far as the east is from west.

This man was like all of us, struggling to find payment for what he did. Christ already paid the ransom ahead of time.

Lent Day 37 - From the goo, or from the God? A look into the culture wars.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faRlFsYmkeY

(if you like the Simpsons, you'll love this clip of Homer Simpson evolving)

I think there is a massive difference between worldviews in our culture. I will not dive into the politics of the culture wars however, only the two truths behind them.

Dr. James Dobson coined the battle that's going on in our country as this....."Nothing short of a great civil war rages today throughout North America. Two sides with vastly differing and incompatible worldviews are locked in a bitter conflict that permeates every level of society."

Keeping the political issues out of it, it all boils down to truth.

One, the Christian view, the foundation of the west, which says that we were all PURPOSELY created by an infinite Creator. Human lives have value, the soul has worth, and God's word is the truth. A truth which we believe is absolute and based behind God. Life has purpose in glorifying God and this life isn't the end of things. Mankind is literally made in the image of God. The tiniest and weakest among us deserve defending and the eldest deserve respect. Values and truth are part of the natural order of creation, established by a Creator.

The other is called post modernism. With modern roots in the enlightenment, the French revolution, and the philosophy of Darwinian thought and even Nietzsche. This says that mankind is essentially god, truth is defined with the times, and value on life is utilitarian at best. It believes that we were created from nothing, for nothing, and the end result is nothing. The tiny and weak are expedient. Really we can boil this down to nihilism - that which argues that life is without objective meaning, purpose or intrinsic value. Mankind essentially makes it up as they go along. There is nothing, and no higher being to be accountable to.

I point out these two theories at their roots, because it's easy to fight over "pro life" or "pro choice" or " traditional marriage" or "gay marriage" , intelligent design or evolution etc. But we get lost in the politics of it so easily. It's harder but much more respectable to bring the fight over truth. The truth of God vs. the truth of Man.

Boiling it down...... we are either a random chance, with nothing behind our start as humans essentially a product from the gooey pits of sludge ......or we are the product of a purposeful and all wonderful Creator. It's up to us to decide which to follow, but in the end only one option is the truth. ( this is not a popular thing to say in a pluralist society)

If a person believes they are a product of nothingness then the result of that is that life is meaningless. If life is meaningless than our behavior will reflect that. Life has little value, we might as well self destruct, and survival of the fittest beings to make more sense when it comes to operating society.

On a moral level decisions come down to an "the ends justify the means " or " the greatest good for the greatest amount of people."

If life does have purpose than our life reflects that. If we acknowledge a Creator, we then have to be accountable to a creator. We recognize the truth established before we were even born. Life is valuable from the unborn to the death bed. We should enjoy the fine things in life, but not as our fulfillment, because our fulfillment comes from the one who designed us.

To paraphrase Ravi Zacharias ( a well known apologist for the Christian faith) there is indeed meaningfulness in the very statement that life is meaningless. If one professes meaninglessness it's obvious that that is meaningful to them.

From philosophy to religion mankind has sought meaning. Even when man has said there was no meaning they still tried to find meaning. So trying to wipe away meaning is meaningless and ineffective. The kicker with post modern thought is it cannot be honest to the most basic desire of the human soul. That's why those who prescribe to such a worldview work so hard to dilute the valuable gift of life itself. If they can wipe the meaning of life by rejecting that it's intrinsically valuable they at least in their minds feel comfort.

So in short the difference behind the culture wars is .....one believes its self to be a product of the sludge filled gooey pool evolving w/ nothing as it's creator or spark, and the other finds it's worth in a very Divine and Purposeful Creator.

Psalm 139: 13 - 18

13 For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

15My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place.

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me

were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

17How precious to^b me are your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

18Were I to count them,

they would outnumber the grains of sand.

When I awake,

I am still with you.

Lent Day 36 - Addicting entanglements

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ_UGaV_OPM

( This is a longer video, about 8 mins, it's also got a weird clip in between these movie clips that I didn't think fit to well. However these clips are from the movie "Fireproof", about a broken marriage with multiple problems, one of them being an addiction to pornography. I think this clip will be worth your time.)

John 10:10 (New International Version)

¹⁰The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

To be very transparent I have the tendency to be a very addictive person. To be short there have been separate times in my life where I have almost become addicted to various habits.

As the video clip suggest.....things like drugs, pornography, gambling, spending addictions, food addictions, workaholism, vain conceit, lying etc. are parasites that drain the life out of marriages, families, friendships, good jobs, great blessings etc.

Everything does seem pleasurable at first. Every addict I've encountered, read about, or heard speak has always said at first they had control. But in the end the addictions ( whatever it was) took control over them. They become a slave to it. The slavery cost them their family or health. It cost them their job and brought only poverty. It led them to do things they never ever would do if they weren't in bondage. Awful things to their kids, the stealing of things to pay for their habit, even the use of their body. They turn us into monsters, so we can feed the master of whatever our soul is. The things that entangle us are the very "thieves that come to steal, kill, and destroy." But Jesus didn't leave it there.... he then said....

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.¹¹"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹²The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. ¹³The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

¹⁴"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— ¹⁵just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep."

Jesus isn't a "cosmic kill joy." The Christian life is not one of boredom. I don't think I ever had more fun outside of being a Christian. But with like the rules we give our kids, we give out of love and knowing what's best for them. The Bible says we have all gone astray, seeking our own way ( paraphrasing). Not just other religions but seeking pleasure to fulfill us. When we roam in those things, seeking pleasure first we reverse the order yet again. Nothing wrong with pleasure, self esteem, a good work ethic and a good time but out of context it's spells ruin, forgetting the source where are good gifts come from which is God. In the end the things we seek that we become slaves to won't be there for us. When the wealth is gone suddenly friends are gone. When you are strung out suddenly you aren't invited to the parties. When you've insulted everyone you have no bridges to cross. However God will be there, and He can free us, and restore the things in our lives that are broken.

John 8:36 (New International Version)

³⁶So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

( this is another clip below from the same movie)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUNGW-KyKFk

Lent Day 35 - Giving an answer

http://www.youtube.com/user/oneminuteapologist#p/u/33/GMj3sKKn6a4

( please watch 1 min 28 second video clip)

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Okay guys I have five more blogs. I wanted to devote this blog to any questions you have. This whole blog has been pointed to sharing my faith in Christ, which is the reason for my hope. While I am not a "Jesus freak" where the gospel message is the only thing I can talk about, HOWEVER the Good News of Jesus has dramatically effected my life. It's the center of my life. When I am down I need God, when I celebrate I thank God, in trials I cling to the hope in Christ, its the spark behind how I raise my kids and love my wife. While I am IMPERFECT the hope I place in Jesus certainly is not.

If you would like to ask a quesiton, easy or tough, heavy hearted or light, I would like to at least try to answer your question. I am not the smartest fish in the sea nor the brightest star in the sky, but I will at least try to find an answer to any questions about the Christian faith. If I don't know I will simply tell you.

Colossians 4:6 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

6 Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.

Lent Day 34 - Authentic part 4 - private life matters

We live in a day where many believe that private life doesn't matter. As long as they're doing a good job in their public life. ( work, political leaders, etc) I think the Bible is consistent on telling us that our conduct matters at all times. Below is a clip of a family getting ready for church and the dad in this story is a little bit of a tyrant. However once he's in church his "church face" comes on. This could translate into many other areas of our public life.

I am imperfect and privately mess up all the time. But if I were like this dad I would be embittering my family. Eventually my private life would come to life spilling into my public.

Getting to the point the secret things we do or the private way we behave effect us. The drugs we're on eventually effect your work, the drinking problem gets found out, the affair crushes your family and then your reputation, the harsh way we treat our kids gets exposed because you lost your temper at the store, etc etc.

Just don't believe for a second that private life doesn't effect our public life. The video clip is about 6 mins but if you have the time it would be worth it. Thanks for reading.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oHm7IB8Uxc

Mark 4:22 (New Living Translation)
22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.

Lent day 33 - Victory = Sunday

Sunday a significant day to Christians. While we worship God everyday, for thousands of years we have gathered on Sunday to celebrate the victory of Jesus over the grave. So in a sense every Sunday is Easter to us, because we always celebrate the resurrected Lord. This video describes it perfectly.

( please watch 3 min 30 sec video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naajYZSbWdw&feature=channel

John 11:25-26 (NIV)

25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Romans 4:25-26 (NLT)

25 He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.

1 Corinthians 15:54-55 (New International Version)

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true:

"Death has been swallowed up in victory."

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lent Day 32 - The story and meaning of Christmas

Matthew 1:23 (New Living Translation)

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
( this verse is a reference to what was written in the book of Isaiah about 700 years before Christ)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_PAMiyc9-Y

( please watch video)

Mark 10:45 ( NIV)

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Lent Day 31 - What are works?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG-nDZMH1H4

In short the Bible teaches two things. That we are saved by God's grace alone, but the Bible teaches that faith w/ out works is a dead faith.

First the Bible clearly states that we are saved by God's grace through our faith.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (New International Version)

8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.


Titus 3:5 (New Living Translation)

5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

Second

The Bible states that a faith without works is dead.

James 2:17 (New Living Translation)

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.


So is this a contradiction? Is the right equation that faith + works = salvation?

I think the two harmonize pretty well. The begining verses written by Paul tell us that our deeds won't save us, and the writer James is telling that simple knowledge of the faith is meaningless without our good works. James, goes on to say that even the demons know who Christ is. Good works are an after effect of our salvation, a piece of evidence that God has done something in our lives and hearts.

How would you view a Christian who made claims of faith and a changed life......but treated others with disrespect, was the most selfish person you knew, and wouldn't help you if you were hanging off a cliff. You probably wouldn't believe his claim, even if you didn't believe in the Christian faith whatsoever. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see a hypocrite.

However if your best friend became a Christian and you saw him/her serving others, giving a listening ear, offering a helping hand etc. You'd begin to believe their claims that something has really changed them. Even if you didn't entirely embrace their faith.


Thus the right and Biblical equation is FAITH = SALVATION + WORKS.

A saving faith produces a heart for good works. Good works don't produce a saving faith. Thinking faith and works are the kicker to salvation only ties us back to a merit based system. We can never do enough good works for that. Thanks for reading.

Galatians 5:6 (NLT)

For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.

Lent Day 30 - Being a christian dad - part 1

while I am addressing my views on being a dad I want to be very clear that I fall short of being the dad I want to be a lot. So I cannot claim perfection on this. Only declare what I am striving for and tell you that I can only lean on God's grace to " be sufficient for my weaknesses."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htgPh3DalmM&NR=1

( please watch 2 min 41 sec video)

I am just starting out in this whole dad thing. But I can tell you that I am ever mindful how I want to TREAT and Raise my kids. I have seen the end results of two type of dads. One the very harsh fathers who disapprove of their kids, who were overly strict, and authoritarian. To say the least it always sparks rebellion. Or the constant need to be a people pleaser or people fixer.

Another one is the absent father. One who abandons their families. I understand things happen like divorce so I am not entirely addressing divorced fathers. However if abandoned or through a divorce there are huge at risk factors for kids who live in a home without a father. ( please keep in mind I know many dad's do the best they can given divorce situations, there are divorced dads who do embitter their kids and that's who I am addressing) Both choices a dad makes can lead to very destructive paths for their children.

Below are some verses that clearly indicate how fathers should not treat their kids. I take those verses to heart because a father has the ability to set the course for their child's lifetime.

The witness of my faith to my kids will be meaningless if I was a harsh father. The lack of my own integrity would set them up for failure if I were to leave them. I want to have a heart for my kids on purpose. Providing them with a father who approves of them and show's them the way in Christ. A father who can support them, laugh with'em, correct and discipline them. All done with love. Loving my kids will be a no brainer, however it's application isn't always easy. That love will be hard sometimes, but I want to love them with the intent that my fathering will impact them the rest of their lives.

Ephesians 6:4 (New Living Translation)
⁴ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

Colossians 3:21 (New International Version)

²¹Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Lent Day 29 - The end result of pride

If you watch this less than a minute video you'll understand this verse so much more. Not a huge MMA fan, don't pay attention to the sport at all, but man this is a great example of this verse. Thanks for reading.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90_bXmEOTyQ

Proverbs 16:18 (New International Version)

18 Pride goes before destruction,a haughty spirit before a fall.

Lent Day 27 - Evidence for Jesus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7bXLHOC4Hc



At the end of the day one has to decide by faith if Jesus is who he claimed to be. I think the Christian faith is one of reason and offers extremely great evidence to believe in Jesus.

This is a picture of a book called "More Than a Carpenter." By Josh McDowell. It is a great start to looking into the claims of Jesus. The author, who was a former atheist, came faith after an intense investigation of the facts around Jesus.

I can send a few out. If you'd like a book please let me know. I'll send you one. ( justyns35@hotmail.com)

Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Lent Day 26 - The meaning of Easter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn6BQ0W4K2U

( please watch short video clip)


Matthew 28: 5 - 6 ( NLT)

Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.

Day 25 - We worship ourselves and material - False religion part 2

My great grandma used to tell my dad ...."Bobby....don't build sand castles in the wind." Meaning don't chase things that don't mean anything.

Below is a great music video by Casting Crowns called the American Dream.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DumlIIHSrsQ

"When he does not find God, man will fill the void in his heart with anything he can find." A.W. Tozer

There is the old cliche phrase that says " whoever dies with the most toys wins. " No doubt we have the tendency to chase possessions, wealth, social status, that next promotion, that bigger house etc. But in the end the religious pursuit of them will not fill the void. Men especially bury themselves in professional pursuits that they end up all alone because they have neglected God and his true gifts like family for example. Women can also pursue material at the expense of embittering husbands and kids.

That is not to say wealth is bad, nor nice things. However when those are our number one pursuits it shows. We neglect our health, our family, and the God of the universe to build our own castles. When in the end you can't bring anything you've earned or accumulated in this life onto the next. Even if you get buried with them.

Once again mankind, (myself richly included) reverses the order when we celebrate ourselves rather than thanking God for what he's given us.

Matthew 16:25 - 26 ( NIV)

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Luke 16:13 (NLT)

No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

Mark 10: 17 - 31 ( NIV) this is a bit long, but put it here if you care to read.

The Rich Young Man

17As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
18"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother."
20"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."
21Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"
24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
26The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?"
27Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
28Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!"
29"I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. 31But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

Lent Day 24 - We reverse the order - False Religion part 1

Jonah 2:8(NIV)

Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

(please watch video of this religous experince)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElJFYwRtrH4


"It is entirely possible to have a relgious experience without God, and even reject the God of the Bible." - A.W. Tozer

Mankind since the ancient times has looked to the things created and seen something divine in them, but have given credit to the creation rather than the Creator. You can go back to any ancient society and see worship of birds, reptiles, snakes, the stars, the sun, and the moon. Even going so far as to make them "god's or deities" themselves.

While paganism isn't in the same shape it was in ancient times. It can be well argued that todays "environmental movement" is a religious movement itself. With it's roots in paganism or worship of the earth. Closely related to this is the animal rights movements. Placing animals above the Creator, and even placing animals above humans ......who are God's prized creation.

Here is an excerpt from a guy named Michael Crichton in an article he wrote that made some news a while back......( I am fairly certain he isn't a christian, but he makes great points)

Today, one of the most powerful religions in the Western World is environmentalism. Environmentalism seems to be the religion of choice for urban atheists. Why do I say it's a religion? Well, just look at the beliefs. If you look carefully, you see that environmentalism is in fact a perfect 21st century remapping of traditional Judeo-Christian beliefs and myths.

There's an initial Eden, a paradise, a state of grace and unity with nature, there's a fall from grace into a state of pollution as a result of eating from the tree of knowledge, and as a result of our actions there is a judgment day coming for us all. We are all energy sinners, doomed to die, unless we seek salvation, which is now called sustainability. Sustainability is salvation in the church of the environment. Just as organic food is its communion, that pesticide-free wafer that the right people with the right beliefs, imbibe.

http://www.crichton-official.com/speech-environmentalismaseligion.html

( all in all it goes back to a previous blog where it's essentially a religion of works, not grace, for some reason everything created by man has to be a passage by our works)

We as humans recognize the BEAUTY and VALUE of created things. However one form of "false religion" is neglecting the God behind them, and giving glory to creation instead.

Romans 1:25 ( NIV)

25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Lent Day 23 - Our own way

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USyIWyhKtc8


The prophet Isaiah wrote this about 680 years before Christ. This is a prophecy referring to Jesus. I thought these were fitting verses given this video clip. Thanks for reading.


Isaiah 53:5-6 (NIV)
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.



Below is a link to the whole chapter ( NIV or NLT)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2053&version=NIV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2053&version=NLT

Lent Day 28 - How can a loving God send someone to hell?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7n99WNb87M

( watch video if you'd like)

This is a tough issue, it's tough to understand. It's another hot button issue that makes many people never even look towards the Christian faith. People can think that God is a mean judge, full of hate and intolerance, why would he send his creation to such an awful place?

Let me be clear....I will never preach to anyone that they're going to hell. Rather I'd tell you that heaven is the wonderful consequence for believing in Christ as your savior. I am not in the business of scaring people into heaven. Fear doesn't work, it doesn't stick. Nonetheless the issue of hell is a very real one and as with other tough topics I can't shy away from it. Hell to me is as real as Heaven. Since my purpose was to share my faith this is part of it.

I may lose some readership at this point and I understand. Just know that this is not a radical or mean rant. While I am blunt about what the Bible says, it is my clear aim to speak the truth in love.

First what is hell? hell is essentially what we all deserve. We've all done wrong by God, our sins are something he can't stand.

Who Goes to Hell? Those who don't believe in Christ and trust Him for the forgiveness of their sins.

John 3:36 (New International Version)

³⁶Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."

Why? Our sin's separate us from God. Just as our crimes separate us from freedom or society.

Isaiah 59:2 (New Living Translation)

² It’s your sins that have cut you off from God.
Because of your sins, he has turned away
and will not listen anymore.

Ephesians 2:1-5 (New International Version)

¹As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ²in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature^a]"> and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. ⁴But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

I think scripture is pretty clear that God desires no one to go to hell. Which is eternal separation from Him.

Ezekiel 18:32 (NIV)

³² For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!

Ezekiel 33:11 (New Living Translation)

¹¹ As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?

2 Peter 3:9-10 (New International Version)

⁹The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

I was taught by a teacher I had at Boys Town High school in regards to the question...."How can a loving God send someone to hell?" He turned it around and asked us this....."How can a loving God force someone into heaven?" God loves us enough to give us free will, we are his creation, the only ones in all creation with a conscience free will. We all have the right to choose to reject or accept God, the offer he made through Jesus, or we can choose other faiths or lack thereof.

I can't think of a much more loving thing. We aren't robots in God's eyes, God doesn't force us to love Him or accept Him. In order for love to be love it cannot be compulsory.

What Jesus did on the Cross :

1 Peter 2:24-25 (New International Version)

²⁴He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. ²⁵For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Romans 5:8-9 (NIV)

⁸But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

⁹Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!

The Answer: Hell or Heaven is completely up to us. It takes our belief in Him. Let me be clear my faith is not a get out of hell free card. It's an abundant life card from the time I accepted Christ at age 15 to now at 28. Not that I have a perfect life, but whatever I go through I know I have Christ to cling on. He's instilled a hope in me that can't be moved.

Nonetheless the Bible is clear that there are natural and logical consequences for those who CHOOSE to reject Christ. I gently say the Bible because this is what it says I can't claim that this is my teaching.

John 3:16-17 (HCSB)

¹⁶ "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world that He might judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

Other questions : Why are we punished for Adams sin?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAiTeCcU6SE

What about those who've never heard about Jesus?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj4ZTHdHoKs

Lent Day 22 - An ice cream date

You know I really just wanted to stay home and work a few things tonight. Including this blog. After watching this 4 min video clip I was really inspired that it would be a better use of my time to take my family out for ice cream and come back to this later. Anway Enjoy the video, it's a tear jerker, not because it's hype but because it's true. It just encourageed me to think that my days are a numbered gift from God and to use them wisely. Thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvAR-ouCCpo

Psalm 39:4 (King James Version)
4LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.

Psalm 139:16 (New International Version)
16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Lent Day 21 - Do all religions teach the same thing?

What I am about to write sparks some controversary. It's about Jesus being the only way. Please know I won't be bashing your religion or lack thereof. However this is an issue of my faith in Christ and at all cost I can't shy away from discussing it.


C.S. Lewis once said in regards to Jesus that he is either a "liar, lunatic, or Lord." Basically suggesting that because of the claims Jesus made you have to personally come up with that equation.




Jesus does something to the heart. Say the name to yourself and I have no doubt is stirs something in it. Think about it we can talk about religious philosophies, Buddha, Ghandi, Mohammad with out to much controversy. However if Jesus is brought up there seems to automatically be an inner tension.

We live in a pluralistic society. A society that says there are many truths, many ways, and that all religions lead to the same thing. However Jesus made a pretty bold statement and I think we have to deal with it. He said....



John 14:6 (NIV)
6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

I use the COEXIST emblem because I see it all the time as a bumper sticker on peoples car. I think it has multiple meanings. The first meaning that all "faiths" are the same. The second part being that we should all get along. I agree with the second part of that....Christians are called to live at peace . Romans 12:18 (NLT) Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

However a Christian cannot accept the first half of the meaning that all ways are equal. Please don't get me wrong....other religions have some very nice things in them....regarding social justice, kindness, good morals etc. Those things are nice in and of themselves but miss the complete mark or capital T of Truth.

A follower of Christ however can only accept the very things that Jesus said. That He is the only way to know God, to recieve salvation or rescue from sins. For me as a follower of Christ, the meaning of the cross would be gone if I thought there were others ways. On the cross the Bible says that He died once for all, there wasn't a need for others ways. If there were other ways there would be no need for cross to be sufficient to cover all mankind.

1 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God........."

Hebrews 9:26 (New Living Translation)

26 If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice.

So the claim is very bold, it sparks controversary or discomfort in the soul, it leaves no wiggle room for other ways and at the end of the day...... one has to decide if Jesus was a "liar, lunatic, or Lord."

As always thank you for reading. Below is a link a little over 3 mins.

"Do all religions basically teach the same thing."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5D9AuMsUtc

Lent Day 20 - Do you want a Bible?

You know we are at the half way point of this blog. At this point I simply just want to put my money where my mouth is. If there is anyone who would like a Bible I would love to get you one. Below is an option of 2 Bibles (one in which is just New Testament) which I think are great for the spiritually curious. I pick these two Bibles because they have notes in them that compliment the text and help explain what you are reading and what the Christian faith is.

If you would like one, I'll send you one. You can give me your address here, my email.... justyns35@hotmail.com or message me on facebook. For the sake of prudence I can only send out 10 to 15 Bibles.

The point of my blog has been to share my faith. Halfway through I can't think of a better way to share it than to offer the source of my faith. What I believe to be God's word. So if you'd like one take me up on the offer. Thanks for reading.




























This an awesome New Testament Bible. It's paperback and compact. So it's easy to fit into a bag or purse. Anyway there are notes in it that are kind of geared towards reasons why you should give Christ a serious look. It's also the New Living Translation which is an easier text to read and understand. It reads at about a 6.3 grade level.


























This is a full Bible, Old and New Testament. It's a Bible really designed for those who are really in a investigation mode. It's a bit more intense as far as supplement notes and things to think about. It's the New International Version , which is the most popular translation in the U.S. It reads at about an 8th grade reading level.This is not a small Bible like the one up above.



On another note if you just want a plain non-themed Bible I will send you one. It will be a compact Bible in one of the above translations. Sometimes it's just good to discover what the Bible says without a Bible geared towards a point. In this case spiritual curiosity.



Hebrews 4:12 ( NIV)
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Lent Day 19 - Authentic part 3 - Plastic Jesus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Expao2nWdAU

( please watch video)

This video reminds me of the below verses. Even if people disagree with the Christian faith. I think someone can tell if they are genuine or not by how they live and what they value. Even in the hard or dry times of a persons life. Thanks for reading.

John 15:4-6 (New International Version)

4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

Lent Day 18 - The church is not a country club

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvillcVbqiU

( please watch 4 min video if you can, it's really a satire of our pre-conditions we church goers can have a people.)

Just to add AGAIN there are no prerequisites for God's love. To often the followers of Jesus, myself included, have added preconditions on just who is "lovable" and who isn't.

To often churches have been a country club. Where you have to appear a certain way, pretend like you're perfect, and admit to no failures. You just can't come as you are. If you do there are plenty of people who will "clean you up. " Or all together they'll shy away from you because you may be rough around the edges. I am not perfect at loving, there are times when I wrongly judge. However it's my aim to love anyone for where they are at and let God do the rest. After all while I believe my faith in Christ to be a saving one, I also believe it's not me who saves them but the Grace of God. In the end it's up to the individual to decide to take His grace or not. However I am still commanded to love regardless if you accept it or not. Thanks for reading.

Matthew 5:46-48 (New Living Translation)

46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends,

how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.

* eventually I plan on writing a blog on Christians and boundaries.

Lent Day 17 - Faith Like a child

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCdZwitrNoY

( please watch short video)

My daughter often loves to run off the couch or our bed right into daddy's arms. Knowing full well her daddy will catch her. No if's and's or butts. While God isn't asking us to run off physical cliffs he does ask us to place our faith in His hands.

Matthew 18:2-4 (New International Version)

²He called a little child and had him stand among them. ³And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (New Living Translation)

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
⁶ Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

Matthew 19:13-16 (New International Version)

The Little Children and Jesus

¹³Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

¹⁴Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." ¹⁵When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

Lent Day 16 - What's so different about Christianity?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFgfBE42a6M

(please watch 3 min video if you can)

What does the Bible say about our works?

Isaiah 64:6 (New Living Translation)
6 We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.

To keep this extremely short...." The Buddhist have the eight fold path, the Hindu's have a doctrine of Karma, the Jews have a Covenant, and the Muslim's have a code of Law- each offers a way to earn approval." Christianity has NO WAY or System of works to earn us a spot in heaven. Rather it is by the GRACE of God alone. Our only work is to believe in what Jesus did. To put it another way we are "saved by faith."

I am grateful for grace because I can't live a life where my "good deeds" outweigh my "bad deeds." I'd go nuts with worry always wondering if I have deposited enough good deeds to offset my bad. A system of works never offers any "assurance" of a better reincarnation, after life, etc. Only the constant fear that you didn't do good enough. Jesus on the other hand lived that perfect life I can't ever live, and on the cross he said " it is finished." That's another reason why my hope is in Him and not myself w/ all my merits.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (New International Version)

8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Titus 3:5 (New Living Translation)

5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

John 3:16 (New International Version)
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

* I will go into another blog of what good works are to a Christian.

Lent Day 15 - The Wrong part of Judgement

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HvQ9JLobA0

( please watch short video before reading blog)

You know one wrong judgement against someone else can change the whole course of their life. That's what happened in this video clip. If you have a story you'd like to share regarding how someone has judged you feel free to share. How did it alter your life?

I am a firm believer that the hurting and confused don't need our condemnation. I think any of us that have ever being hurting, confused or just in a bad spot feel the gravity of our situation anyway. Pointing a finger, denying someone, or judging as if we are "better" only builds spite, mistrust, and weighs heavily on the heart. Imagine if we ( I speak to Christians on this the most) offered grace? A hug, a cup of coffee and conversation, praying with someone, a listening ear, or an invitation to hang out etc. It would go a long long way. Showing grace always does.

Haven't always demostrated this idea. As I grow in my faith I am more aware that I have no choice but to practice this. Even if I will never be perfect at it. If I can leave you with a thought......God loved us first, no pre-requirements. Christians should follow suit.

1 John 4:9-10 (New Living Translation)
9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

Lent Day 14 - When I say I am a Christian

2 Corinthians 12:9 (New International Version)

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.


Not having the best night. Just really tired and grumpy. AKA short temper and negative. I ran into this poem the other day by accident and really loved it. When I say I am a Christian I certainly don't say that I am strong, go it figured it out, or close to perfect. Rather ....the longer I am a Christian ( now almost 13 years) I know how desperately I need the grace of God in my life. I can build my hope on "nothing less."

When I Say "I Am A Christian"
by Carol Wimmer
When I say..."I am a Christian"I'm not shouting "I am saved"I'm whispering "I get lost!""That is why I chose this way.

"When I say..."I am a Christian"don't speak of this with pride.I'm confessing that I stumbleand need someone to be my guide.

When I say..."I am a Christian"I'm not trying to be strong.I'm professing that I'm weakand pray for strength to carry on.

When I say..."I am a Christian"I'm not bragging of success.I'm admitting I have failedand cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say..."I am a Christian"I'm not claiming to be perfect,my flaws are too visiblebut God believes I'm worth it.

When I say..."I am a Christian"I still feel the sting of painI have my share of heartacheswhich is why I seek His name.

When I say..."I am a Christian"I do not wish to judge.I have no authority.I only know I'm loved.

Lent Day 13 - Nietzsche or Jesus part 2 - Kingdom Reverse

Christianity has waged a war to the death against this higher type of man. . . . Christianity has taken the side of everything weak, base, ill-constituted, it has made an ideal out of opposition to the instinct of strong life. . . . Christianity is a revolt of everything that crawls along the ground directed against that which is elevated.- Friedrich Nietzsche



To quickly contrast this quote by Nietzsche I would like to offer this passage in the Bible.

1 Corinthians 1:27 - 29 (NIV)

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.

To expand some thoughts on Nietzsche's philosophy and views on the Christian faith I'll yet again borrow from the book "What's So Amazing About Grace" by Phillip Yancey. "Friedrich Nietzsche accused the Christian church as having "taken the side of everything weak, base, ill-constituted." He scorned a religion of pity that thwarted the law of evolution and its rules favoring power and competition. Nietzsche put his finger on the scandal of grace, a scandal that he traced back to "God on the cross."

It goes on to say....." The Christian knows to serve the weak not because they deserve it but because God extended his love to us when we deserved the opposite. Christ came down from heaven, and whenever his disciples entertained dreams of prestige and power he reminded them that the greatest is the one who served. The ladder of power reaches up, the ladder of grace reaches down." ( pg 266)

Philippians 2:6-11 (New Living Translation)

"Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

This is the fundamental example on what Christians while imperfect .....can love the most "unDarwianian" or weak characters. I can think of nothing or no one that is stronger or has more claim to a throne than Jesus. His demonstration is completely opposite of how we'd think a king would act, let alone the God of the universe. In our culture we honor the strong, envy the beautiful, worship the talented, and imitate our idols.

Yet Jesus demonstrated a "kingdom in reverse." Though He was God he didn't hold onto his rights. Dying for the unlovely in heart, and using the weak for His glory. Dying so that we might be saved. I believe this with all my heart, I don't fully understand it either. It's hard to grasp. The "wise" don't understand it because it's not logical , why would the strongest make themselves nothing? The "religious" don't understand it because it's not a fancy miracle. Why would an all awesome God NOT remain beautiful for His own sake?

1 Corinthians 1:23 (New International Version)
23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

I guess that's "What's So Amazing About Grace." I can think of nothing more in expressing to you that you are worth something. Even if the world says your not, even if you say you're not. God thought otherwise, was beaten brutally, crucified on our behalf. He lived a perfect life to do the work we were to weak to do. It doesn't seem fair that the strongest would save the weakest. That's the "beauty of grace", it's not fair. Christianity only wages war on the worlds rule of strength because Jesus did. This could never be an invention of man.


Isaiah 53:5 (New International Version)
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.



John 10:7-11 (New International Version)
7Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

( below is a link to a song I really like called " The Shepherd is the Lamb." , not required for this blog, but a great addition if you've got 5 mins)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PkclCQOJBE