Graced Again

Do we do nothing at all for obtaining this righteousness? I answer, Nothing at all. For this is perfect righteousness, to do nothing, to hear nothing, to know nothing of the law or of works, but to know and believe this only, that Christ is gone to the Father not as judge, but made unto us righteousness, holiness, redemption that He is our high priest entreating for us, and reigning over us and in us by grace,in his righteousness and life I have no sin I am indeed a sinner as touching this present life but I have another righteousness and another life which is Christ.

~Martin Luther, Commentary on Galatians

Today, salvation has come to this house

It's been a long time since I've posted and while there have been numerous things that I would like t talk about, the one that stand out the most is that on July 3 at 9:25pm , our youngest daughter prayed to accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior!!!!!!!! Thank you Lord for Your love and mercy!!!!!!!!

What an incredible feeling it is to have her come to her mom and I and ask us about what being a Christian means and how she goes about doing it.

I know that the angels in Heaven are rejoicing over her decision as are mom, dad, friends and church family!

Yesterday, we started going through a workbook for younger children that helps explain what a Christian believes, why it's important to read the Bible, etc.

Thank you again Lord for your love and mercy.

Because Truth matters,
George

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday and as I sit and reflect on the meaning of this day, I am humbled by the love and sacrifice that our Lord has made.

During the lessons this week, I've challenged the youth and Royal Ambassadors to look beyond the busyiness of the week... to look beyond the time away from school... to look past the candy and to stay focused on Jesus on this week of all weeks.

As 9:00 this morning rolled around, I thought about that point in time some 1976 years ago when Jesus was brutally beated, humilated and crucified on a cross.

It's unfathomable to think about the shame, scorn and separation that He went through in my place, so that I could have eternal life. To think that Jesus was thinking about me while he suffered and died is almost too much to comprehend.

The song, Wonderful Cross, taken from an old hymn comes to mind.

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
See from his head, his hands, his
feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near and blessYour name

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all

Wow... Lord Jesus, help me to honor you especially during this week; the week that we celebrate your glorious resurrection and outpouring of your love.

Because Truth Matters,
George

Romans 6:23

I believe that every now and then that we, as Chrsitians must look at the source of our walk,... our faith... and our hope. It is my firm belief that Christians need to hear and keep hearing the Gospel of Christ like the lost need to hear the Good News.

In out Sunday Youth group, we are going through an Evangelism program entitled Sharing Jesus Without Fear. One of the verses that is discussed that we go over with a lost person is Romans 6:23, which reads,

for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This truth is a fundamental aspect of the preaching of the Word of God. Through it, the sinner is made aware that yes, there are consequences for a life that is lived apart from God. Through this verse, the Holy Spirit can convict the heart of a lost person as well as strengthen the hope and assurance of a Christian.

The following is a quote from The Berean on this verse.

One of the most basic truths in God's program involves the fact that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The death we are intended to understand is the second death. There are only two ways to satisfy this basic truth: First, all humans must be paid that wage because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Second, another, an innocent One on whom death has no claim because He never sinned, must pay that wage in our stead, substituting His death for ours. We find both aspects applied to practical Christian life in Romans. Paul writes in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." It is essential that we thoroughly understand that Christ died, not merely as a benefit, but for us, that is, in our place. His death substitutes for our well-deserved death, which we earned through sin. Earlier, the apostle had written in Romans 4:1-5: What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness. When confronted by such scriptures that cannot be broken, our only possible conclusion is that the sin-debt that each person owes to God absolutely cannot be worked off. It is so huge and serious that an already sin-defiled person cannot pay it off. Once a person sins, his debt is absolutely irredeemable by anyone or any action except through death. Either each individual pays for himself, or Christ pays in his place. These are the only acceptable payments.

Because Truth Matters,
George

How do you give your life to Jesus?

How do you give your life to Jesus? That is a question that I came across while on Love Worth Finding's Web site. I so enjoy listening to Adrian Rogers even though he has gone home to Heaven. Anyway, I came across this and wanted to post it, so for those who don't know or who are struggling to put it into words, here you go...

Admit Your Sin: First, you must understand that you are a sinner. The Bible says, “All have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Abandon Self-Effort: You cannot save yourself by your efforts. The Bible is very clear that it’s “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5). Again, “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Acknowledge Christ’s Payment: You must believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for your sins. The Bible says, “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). That means He died in your place. Your sin debt has been paid by the blood of Jesus Christ, which “cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

Accept Him as Savior: You must put your faith in Jesus Christ, and Him alone for your salvation. The blood of Christ does you no good until you receive Him by faith. The Bible says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6). It couldn’t be any clearer than that. Now, if you would like to give your life to Jesus, then pray, “Oh God, I’m a sinner. I’m lost, and I need to be saved. I know I can’t save myself, so right now, once and for all, I trust You to save me. Come into my heart, forgive my sin, and make me your child. I give You my life. I will live for You as You give me strength.”

If you will make this your heartfelt prayer, God will hear and save you! Jesus has promised that He will not turn away anyone who comes to Him in faith (John 6:37). He will make you a child of God, if you will turn to Him (John 1:12). Will you trust Him today?

Amen!

Because Truth matters,
George

Happy Birthday Jules!

Today is Juliana's 5th Birthday!

It seems like yesterday I was in the delivery room with Diana, watching Jules being born. What a special blessing and miracle she was and continues to be.

As I look back on the past 5 years, I can't imagine what our family was like before her. She adds so much to all of our lives.

Diana has some incredible pictures from the past 5 years on her blog. You can see them here!

I think back to a poem that I wrote for Jules when she was born and it still rings true today...

"My heart it surely skipped a beat,
the day I saw her dainty feet.
I cannot get her out of my mind,
So cute and sweet, she's one of a kind.

My second daughter, born today,
Through this all I have to say.
My joy that she is ours to love,
An angel sent from Heaven above.

I saw my child begin her new life,
Brought into this world by my sweet wife.
Oh what a joy, this truly was for me,
To see my daughter who was born to be."

~Daddy

Today, her feet aren't so dainty, but the joy that she brings gives me just a glimpse of the love that God has for us for she is such a blessing.

Happy 5th Birthday, Sweetie!

Love,
Daddy

Evangelism - Part 1 (Livin' the Life)

In thinking about evangelism, I thought that it was time to put some thoughts down about sharing Jesus. Every day 150,000 people will die. A large majority of those are not Christians.

Please go back and reread that. Seriously, go. I'll wait here...

OK, ready?

There are many methods that are talked about in today's world in dealing with the subject of evangelism, from relational to street preaching. They all have their pluses and minuses. I'm going to be looking at some methods during the next few posts.

What brought this up? We were listening to Glenn Beck last night and he had Kirk Cameron on. He was talking about Kirk's life and Kirk unashamedly used the opportunity to share his faith and the way that Jesus changed his life. We were watching, practically cheering during this time.

We've seen Bono, Rob Bell and Joel Osteen waffle on their convictions and dance around the room when the tough questions are put to them. We were thinking, finally, here is someone who is unshamed to speak the truth about the Truth. There was no emergent, seeker-sensitive mumbo-jumbo, just the Truth.

Very refreshing!

Because Truth matters,
George

Amazing Grace

We recently watched the movie, Amazing Grace. If you've never heard about it, it's the story of William Wilberforce, a British politician who fought to abolish the slave trade in England in the 1780's.

The movie follows a man's God-given passion for ministry and helping mankind. It also chronicles his association with John Newton, a former slave ship captain and the author of the hymn, Amazing Grace and how Mr. Newton encouraged him to serve God where he was rather than enter full-time ministry.

What an awesome testimony to the grace of God!

Graced Again

"It is well to be poor, when the knowledge of our poverty serves but to unfold to us the exhaustless riches of divine grace. That grace can never suffer any one to go away empty. It can never tell anyone that he is too poor. I can meet the very deepest human need; and not only so, but it is glorified in meeting it. This holds good in every case. It is true of every individual sinner…Grace is the grand and only resource for us all. It is the basis of our salvation; the basis of a life of practical godliness; and the basis of those imperishable hopes which animate us amid the trials and conflicts of this sin-stricken world. May we cherish a deeper sense of grace, and more ardent desire for glory!

C H MacIntosh, 1860, Notes on Leviticus

Happy Reformation Day!

Today is the anniversary of the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Castle Church in Wittenberg, an event which sparked the Protestant Reformation.

I pray that people and churches examine themselves today and if they are not living a God-honoring life that they would turn from their man-centeredness and towards God for His glory.

I am greatly dismayed over the lack of reverence and lack of following the Bible as our authority that is found in a lot of lukewarm churches.

May we as the body of Christ, concentrate our efforts on Him and give Him the glory that He is due.

Because Truth Matters

What is Truth? I know some people may just read that question and say, "Well, truth is something that's true." It sounds simple enough, but what makes something true?

I used to teach Adult Sunday School at a former church and our class once did a study on Truth. I remember it because of the depth of information that we covered along with the intense Bible study just made everyone's brain hurt; but we did learn a lot from it.

There are things that can be defined and redefined and that still doesn't change the fact that certain things, like Truth stay the same.

There are some misguided people that cast aspersions at others in some self-righteous way of defending their man-centered views and Heaven help you if you disagree with their version of the truth.

It's interesting to note that the word aspersion has it's root meaning as "sprinking". It's interesting as some are in the habit of sprinkling just enough truth with just enough man-centered falsehoood in sermons or gossip, um, I mean conversations with others; or that some "sprinkle" as in dropping viscious, yet veiled ad hominem attacks at others, labeling then as weak-minded, legalistic, divisive or pharisitical. The most recent one that I've read was about the former Slice of Laodicea website. It's horrible the anger that some "Christians" have when others are simply pointing them to the Truth.

OK, so what really matters? The only mirror that we should hold to our face or another person is the Word of God. What you say doesn't matter. What I say doesn't matter. What God says does matter and is the ONLY TRUTH.

The actual topic of Truth would take an entire series to discuss, so I will leave off for now with the fact that Jesus said in John 14:6,

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to
the Father but through Me."

This week, I've read about sermons featuring poker, Napolean Dynamite, business books and a myriad of other topics. All of this deals with the entertainment factor of grabbing someone's interest with culturally relevant ideas.

Do you know what is culturally relevant? If you don't know Jesus, you are a lost sinner and will spend eternity in Hell, forever seperated from God. The Good News is that Jesus dies on the cross so you don't have to. He died in our place and offers His sacrifice as a free gift; the gift of grace, God's unmerited favor.

The Bible is relevant just as it is. What a sad thing it must say for us as a culture that we have such short attention spans that if churches aren't doing things bigger and grander with each "production" that we're worried that "we" won't reach people.

Ahhhh.... wait a minute...

Who is trying to "draw" the people?

John 12:32 states,

"And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men
to Myself."

It's not about being fed, becoming a social agency, musical styles or whatever music the "world" listens to. It is soley, undeniably about our Lord and Him alone. That's it... simple, eh?

It breaks my heart at the well-intentioned, yet man-centered entertainment centers that a lot of our churches have become. It's time that we stop sacrificing the Word of God on the altar of worldliness. It's time that we stop the flow of vitriol that seeps and spews from blogs, webcasts and pulpits. It's time that we stop the man-centered worldliness that is slowly infecting our churches in front of our eyes.

It's not about opinion, style or different methods... Simply, read the Bible. It's your blueprint. Don't take my word for it. I make mistakes. I used to tell my Sunday School class to be a Berean and search the scriptures and test everything. We are to stand behind God, not man or a personality.

Oh, Lord, how can we forget and have it any other way? Heavenly Father, search my heart and bring to mind anything that I need to confess and please remove anything that I have placed in a position that you alone should occupy.

Because Truth matters,

George

The Grace of God and Cat and Dog Theology

I recently read an interesting article on the grace of God and how to approach that wonderful subject. The article took the approach that it was going to examine God's nature as evidenced through His bountiful grace. What an amazing approach. (no pun intended)

Did you see it? The goal was learning about God through His grace and not learning about grace through God. It's in the way that the subject is approached.

I am also currently reading a book called "Cat and Dog Theology" which helps us think about the way that we view God. to quote from the book,

A dog says, 'You pet me, you feed me, you shelter me, you love me, you must be God.' A cat says, 'You pet me, you feed me, you shelter me, you love me, I must be God.' This book challenges the readers' understanding of their relationship with God. Our understanding of how we relate to God may not be wrong, but it may be incomplete. The God-given traits of cats ('you exist to serve me') and dogs('I exist to serve you') can be similar to certain theological attitudes held by many Christians. In our personal theologies, some attitudes may draw us closer to God, and others can also pull us away from Him.

It's all in the way that we see our relationship with out Father. During the next few days, I hope to continue to look at this in more detail.

Because Truth matters,
George

The Preaching Of Sin

I recently came across this this past week and I wanted to post it to help illustrate a point. You see, there has been a lot of vitriole from two differing schools of thought about Christianity and the preaching of sin to lost souls.

There is one group of people who burn with a passion for the lost. Their desire and passion are to be commended, however in reaching out to sinners, the Gospel that is presented is a 1/2 gospel of "God wants you to be happy"-styled, self help sermons that are devoid of a reason for wanted to be saved in the first place.

The second group of people are often confused as legalistic hatemongers who love to condemn people to hell. That is what it may appear to be, but it is not the case. You see, these people also have a great passion to see the lost come to Christ, but know that Biblically, the sinner has to presented with the problem... their sin, before they are told of the solution.

It's in light of this approach that grace and mercy are crystal clear and apparent.

Like a well balanced diet, supplying the lost with all of the ingredients will ensure that the message is preached properly, for how can a person appreciate the FREE gift from Jesus Christ unless he knows why he needs it.

A little side note: I liked this illustration with one exception. The word "Grace" should be larger, for where sin abound, Grace much more abounds.

All In A Day's Work...

In looking back on this week, it's been one filled with a lot of different, yet interconnected events.

I've occasionally thought about the 6 degrees of separation and how everything is kind of inter-related if you go "down the chain" a few links.

This week has saw my oldest daughter go through a tremendous ordeal with having two of her molars removed. I thought about her a lot while I was at work and she was at the dentist with her mom. She went through the whole procedure; the discomfort and pain with minimal medication. I thought about the last time that I went to the dentist for something major. It was when I had to have three teeth pulled (thankfully, not in the front :) ) and they put me to sleep for the whole procedure. I remember being sore and cranky (as men are known to be when we hurt), but couldn't help think about Megan and how she was handling it. I know that I saiud it before, but she is a strong girl; not the kind of strong that can beat me in arm-wrestling, but the kind that has a great inner strength. She endures. She "toughs things out" and always puts the needs of others above her own, even when she needs something badly. She is a lot like her mom and I am proud of the woman that she is becoming .

I had the priviledge of finding out that Meg (and Diana's) dentist is a Christian and was VERY compassionate towards her. The office even called later that night to check on her. I think it bolstered Diana's faith. I know that it did mine.

This week, I saw a glimpse of Diana's schedule. She runs errands with the kids, cleans the house and took George to football. That was all in one day. Today, she cleaned the house, did school shopping with all of the kids, cut the grass, washed BOTH vehicles and still had the time to follow up with friends and family to see how they were doing. Diana is a very busy lady, yet always finds time to include God in her schedule. I admire her for that. I'm sure she doesn't really want me saying, but there are times when I look over and see her studying the Bible, listening to an online sermon and taking pages of notes. She has a thirst for God's Word that I admire and envy (almost to the point of coveting, but that would be wrong :) ). She bolsters my faith.

These are but two examples of things that happen regularly that I have a chance to see God working in my family that really have an impact on me. The list could go on and one... hearing Matthew pray for Grandma who has cancer and is not a Christian.... hearing Juliana tell me what she learned in our story time; that "Jesus did this", or "they needed to listen to Jesus", or "Jesus healed him"... hearing George pray for his mom when she's not feeling well. It all bolsters my faith.

These are all daily occurrences that happen that I feel privileged that God allows me to be a part of. He is truly great and wonderful!

Quiz

I recently read about this quiz about the "Christian faith". I took it and found that I need to be able to more accurately define the essentials of the Christian faith in order to effectively defend it.

The answers follow below in blue. My hope is that this will spur you on to know what you believe.

Caveat: You have to answer from memory. No internet/Bible/commentary helps allowed. Note: This is NOT intended to be an exhaustive doctrinal overview, just a few example questions for Christians.

1. Name the Ten Commandments... in order :)

2. Name the 12 Apostles

3. Give a concise biblical definition of sin

4. What is God?

5. What offices does Christ execute as our Redeemer?

6. How do we partake of the redemption purchased by Christ?

7. What does the term, “effectual calling” mean?

8. Give a concise definition of “justification.”

9. Give a concise definition of “sanctification.”

10. What duty does God require of man?

11. Where is the moral law summed up in the Scriptures?

12. What words from God are the preface to His Ten Commandments? Also, where in Scripture are the Ten Commandments found?

13. What do we pray for in the First Petition of the Lord’s prayer?

14. What about the Second Petition?

15. The Third?

16. The Fourth?

17. The Fifth? The Sixth?

18. How does the ministry of the Law bring us toward Christ?

19. How does the ministry of the Gospel help you in your accursed state?

20. What is prayer?

21. What is repentance?

22. What is meant by the “communion of the saints”?

23. What is the Bible?

Okay, okay, I’ll stop there. Answers can be found below.

Keep scrolling down...

1. The Ten Commandments

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.
5. Honor thy father and thy mother.
6. Thou shalt not kill.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
10. Thou shalt not covet.

2. The Twelve Apostles

Simon Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, Thadeus, Simon, Judas

3 . Sin is any lack of conformity to or transgression of the Law of God.

4. God is a spirit, infinite, eternal and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.

5. Christ executes the office of Prophet, Priest and King.

6. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ by the application of it to our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

7. Effectual calling is a gracious work of the Spirit, whereby he causes us to embrace Christ freely, as he is offered to us in the gospel.

8. Justification is an act of God’s free grace in which he pardons all our sins and accepts us as righteous in His sight, only because of the righteousness of Christ, imputed to us and received by faith alone.

9. Sanctification is a work of God’s free grace, wherein we are renewed in the whole man, after the image of God and are enabled more and more to die to sin and live unto righteousness.

10. The duty that God requires of man is obedience to His revealed will.

11. The Moral Law is summarized in the Ten Commandments.

12. The preface to the Ten Commandments is found in these words: “I am the Lord thy God which has brought thee out of the land of Egypt and out of the house of bondage.”
The Ten Commandments are found in Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21

13. In the First Petition of the Lord’s Prayer, Hallowed be thy name, we pray that God’s name would be held holy among us.

14. The Second Petition of the Lord’s Prayer is, Thy Kingdom come,. The Kingdom of God comes indeed by itself but in this petition we pray that it would come unto us also.

15. In the Third Petition of the Lord’s Prayer, Thy Will Be Done, the good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us as well.

16. The Fourth Petition is, Give us this day our daily bread. God gives us daily bread without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that He would lead us to know it and receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.

17. The Fifth Petition is, And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. In this petition that our Father in heaven would not look upon our sins nor on their account deny our prayer, for we are worthy of none of the things for which we pray. Neither have we deserved them. But we pray that he would grant them all by grace for we daily sin much and really deserve nothing but punishment. So will we also heartily forgive and readily do good to those who sin against us. The Sixth Petition is, And lead us not into temptation. God indeed tempets no one but we pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us so that the devil, the world and our flesh may not deceive us nor seduce us into disbelief, despair and other great shame and vice. And though we are attacked by these things, that still we may finally overcome and obtain the victory through Jesus Christ.

18. The ministry of the Law brings us to Christ by bring me to know my sin and the wrath of God against me for it.

19. The ministry of the Gospel brings us to Christ by teaching us the value and virtue of the death of Christ and the riches of His grace to lost sinners, by revealing the promise of grace to such and ministering the Spirit of grace to apply Christ and his promise of grace to me, and to keep me in Him.

20. Prayer is the calling upon God in the name of Christ, by the help of the Holy Spirit, according to the will of God.

a grace of the Spirit, whereby I despise my sins and myself for them, and confess them before the Lord, and mourn after Christ for the pardon of them, and for grace to serve Him in newness of life.

22. The communion of the saints is the fellowship of the church in the blessings of the covenant of grace.

23. The Word of God which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. It is God breathed, without error and is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify God and enjoy Him.

Here ends our quiz. The answers are paraphrases taken from both the Westminster Confession of Faith and Luther’s catechism. There are many evangelical Christians who could not answer most of these most basic questions with any clarity because they have never been taught the basics. Before we worry about what rock song played during a certain movie, we should know what we believe and why. The questions are not intended to be a complete summary of Christian doctrine, just a sampling.

Happy Father's Day!

This morning, I awoke to the sound of my wonderful children saying "Happy Father's Day!"

I opened my eyes and there they stood with bright smiling faces. They presented my with a plate saying "We made you breakfast in bed!" Yes, they did. I had the best ham, egg and cheese on toast sandwich ever.

As I sat up and ate, I thanked God for my incredible and thoughtful children and for my wonderful family.

I am thankful that we are (or try to be) a non-materialistic bunch. The kids understand that Dad doesn't need a big, expensive present (not that there is anything wrong with getting presents), but I am happier in getting a homemade card or gift.

Today's sermon in church challenged us to be good Christian fathers. We learned that the cross defines who we are and that we are to stand firm in our faith so as to be a model for our children to follow.

As we wind down and I look back on the days events from breakfast in bed and the homemade presents that the girls made me (Juliana made me Father's Day trail mix and a 'coupon' book in Church today. Megan made me two Father's Day cards with coupons for back massages) to playing Monopoly and baseball with the kids, I can truely see where God has blessed me.

Rounding out the day, I saw the gentle loving side of my wife as she kept coming up to me, checking on me. I watched as she blogged about her dad and the way that her face shown as she wrote about him. I pray that my kids look back on time spent with me like that when they are older.

The Lord has really blessed me with a wonderful family, which shows me how much of a loving Father He is to me.

Thank you God and Happy Father's Day!

Clinging to the Feet of Jesus - A Perspective

I just read a great post on my friend, Steve's blog. I left the some of the following as comments, but wanted to post them here, too as it helps to put things in perspective both regarding my life while is also serves to remind me of God's love and the loss and suffering that He endured for me.

God is truly a just and merciful God. He does know loss and it's amazing for me to think about.

I pray that the Lord enables me to be able to cling to His feet and convey the power of the Truth. May He help me to be able to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope that lies within me.

In thinking about that post and my reply, not a day goes by that God doesn't bring to my attention the fact that He is a loving father. At the end of the end when I come home, I am barraged by 4 wonderful children who come running and cling to me to grab ahold of any part of me that they can; an arm, a neck, a leg or a foot. As this goes on, the littlest one pushes and fights her way through the others until she stands in front of me with upstretched arms for me to pick her up and hold her. What an incredible display of how we should be towards our Heavenly Father.

Hosanna in the highest! He is risen!

For believers, Easter is the highlight of the year as we celebrate the finished work of Christ on the cross and His glorious resurrection, securing access to the Father for all who believe!

What a glorious thing it is to know of our awesome God's love for us and the sacifice that He willingly made of his precious Son.

Today is the day. Now is the perfect opportunity to communicate the reason for the eternal hope we have with friends and family.

Hosanna in the highest! He is risen!

The Wondrous Cross

Today is Good Friday and as I sit here and think of what happened 2000 years ago, it really makes me think and wonder about this day in history, or should I say HIStory.

It's Spring and traditionally, it's supposed to be warming up, maybe some rain, etc. In direct contradiction to this, it was snowing here today. Yes, snowing! OK, so they were flurries, but still!

Today, the high in Jerusalem was 77°. I know my thoughts don't sound like they are going anywhere, but in thinking about today, I've just starting thinking and wondering what the day was like when they crucified Jesus. I'm talking about more than the weather, but that just added another detail to my thoughts.

From His condemnation to "It is finished," came from the lips of Christ, the day was one of trial, tribulation and torture and yet we call it "good". In God's ultimate love, He willingly layed His life down as a living sacrifice for me... and you. It's hard to think about the events of that day and to think that Jesus went through all of that for me. I was the one who nailed Him to the cross with my sin.

To quote Isaac Watts,

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

I love the "modern" addition as well...

Oh the wonderful cross
Oh the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die
And find that I may truly live

Oh the wonderful cross
Oh the wonderful cross
All who gather here
By grace draw near
And bless Your name

Thank you, Jesus. Thank you for you everlasting love and mercy and grace.

No, Daddy. That's Jesus

Below is a video that my wife introduced me to after receiving it from a friend. It is really awesome and is a must see!

Before listening to this, PLEASE pause the song, "Revolution" that is currently playing by going to the bottom of this page and clicking "pause".

By the way, if you like the "Revolution" song, please see David and Angie Ebensberger's site.

Anyway, I was watching the video with Diana and Jules, my youngest daughter and I said out loud, "That's incredible." She turned to me and smiled and said, "No, Daddy. You're silly. That's not incredible, that's Jesus."

I looked at her bright face and saw her love focused on me.

"Yes, honey, that's Jesus..."