Christians claim to have a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. They take Jesus’ words literally when He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). This is a claim that puts Christianity in a class by itself. It reveals Jesus’ belief that He is the only way for a person to have any hope of going to heaven when they pass from this life. The question I would like to address in this blog is twofold: 1) what gives Jesus the authority to make such an assertion; and 2) where does this leave all the other major religions of the world?

First, what gives Jesus the authority to make the claim to be the only way of salvation? This is certainly a rather exclusive view toward attaining a relationship with God. So, are we to take Jesus seriously, or are we to understand, as many do, that Jesus is only one of many sources of attaining a relationship with God? It has become more popular in recent years to believe that there are many roads that lead to a relationship with God. So how are Christians to give a reasonable explanation for their belief in Jesus being the only means of salvation?

The short, simple answer is that Jesus is the only leader of a religious movement that arose victoriously from the dead after having been executed. All other religious leaders have lived, and died, and their remains are still buried where they were entombed. This, if for no other reason at all, would be enough to establish that Jesus is superior to all others. No other religious leader has so affected the world as has Jesus. History is actually divided by the date of His birth (even though those who developed the Roman calendar missed His birth date by a few years). No one person has had such a transforming affect on humanity as Jesus. Christianity stands firm even though it has been assaulted by so many in so many ways.

So what do other religions think about Jesus? Some, such as Islam, think of Jesus as a great prophet and miracle worker. They do not deny the historical existence of Jesus Christ – they, however, reject the idea that He is the Son of God. Other religions, such as Buddhist, think of Jesus as one of many emanations from God, but not the only begotten Son of God. Judaism, the one religion that should most readily recognize Jesus as their Messiah, reject Him because He did not fulfill their belief in what the Messiah would do when He came (even Jesus apostles did not understand until after His death, burial and resurrection). Jesus is such a world renowned and recognized figure that all other major religions have to explain Him, or, to be more precise, explain Him away, so that their religious thought systems will make sense.

So, now, back to Jesus. Who is He? Well, He claimed to be God. He claimed the name by which God identified Himself to Moses in the Old Testament. When Moses asked God whom he might say sent him to Egypt to deliver the people, God said simply, “Tell them ‘I AM’ has sent you.” Jesus then claimed that name for Himself time and again during His life.  His miracles proved beyond all doubt that He had supernatural powers, which no founder of any other religion has ever displayed. And His ultimate victory over death, hell and the grave is the crowning victory that sets Him apart from all others.

Thus, we are left with His claim to be the only way to attain salvation, and to enter into heaven upon departure from this life. All other religious leaders and founders died, and are still dead. Jesus is alive! Would you trust your eternal welfare to someone who could not conquer death himself, or would you trust the only  One who won the ultimate victory? The decision is yours – but there is only one reasonable choice.

A question for the ages – why am I here? How many times have you asked yourself that question? How many times have you sat and pondered the meaning of life in general, and the meaning of your life in particular? Why was I born? Why am I here? What am I doing? Where am I going? These are certainly not new questions, but rather questions we all ponder from time to time.

In my personal observations, which, admittedly, are limited, it seems to me that there are more and more individuals who seem to struggle with these questions continuously. They never seem to find anything that brings satisfaction, or gives meaning, to their existence. They seem to wander aimlessly from job to job, from career move to career move, from one exhilarating experience to another, from one relationship to another, trying to find something, anything, that would make their existence meaningful and satisfying. And yet, with all the varied experiences, all the exciting encounters, they are still, when all is said and done, empty, void of any true feelings of fulfillment or any sincere feelings of self-worth. They are left perplexed with the same haunting questions about the meaning of their existence.

Then, you see others who seem to enjoy life to the max. They are fulfilled, satisfied, and content with their place in life. They seem to have found something that the majority of individuals never seem to attain. They have found their niche in life, their place in society, their worth in who they are, what they are doing, and where they are going.

Sociologists, anthropologists, psychologists and many others spend their lifetimes researching this very subject. What motivates one to be a farmer, or a butcher, or a doctor, or nurse, or fireman, or police officer, or to make a career in a branch of the military, or a host of other possibilities? Why is one drawn to a certain career while others are repulsed at the thought of spending their life doing what brings such fulfillment to another?

The answer, for those who believe the Bible to be the Word of God, is found in that precious Book. One does not have to be a Christian to understand the concept clearly taught in Scripture. We are admonished in the Bible to “train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” This is a simple principle: the wise parent will observe his children as they grow and develop, and will make note of the natural tendencies of each child. Some children show a great interest in science, or math, or sports, or music, or art. The wise parent will help their child develop those natural preferences, and that child will grow to do what God designed him to do.

In other words, being fulfilled in life is a matter of discerning the desires God has placed in our DNA, and finding a career that will give opportunity to fulfill those desires. This will ensure a satisfying, fulfilling, contented life – one in which you are excited for the dawning of every new day, because you are doing what you were genetically designed to do.

So, go for it! That love you have for music, science, math, farming, biology, architecture, finance, medicine is not by chance. It is by design, and you will be the best you can be when you are doing what you were born to do.

Having said all that, I would be remiss if I did not share that the greatest way of finding your meaning in life is through a meaningful relationship with the God of the Bible, which is offered to us through God’s Son, Jesus Christ. When you find your purpose in life through your relationship with Him, you will find the greatest source of satisfaction there is, in this life as well as the life to come.

Easter. Resurrection Sunday. The culmination of Passion Week. Without question, the most important day in all of human history. But how can we honestly say that? How can we believe that one day in history exceeds all others in terms of significance and importance?

Admittedly, there have been numerous days of momentous importance in the scope of human history. Days of national significance; days of international significance; days of such immense significance that they altered the course of world history. However, in comparison with this one day – resurrection Sunday – all other days of significance fade into nothing more than blips on the timeline of humanity. No other event in the history of the world comes close in comparison.

So, you might ask, what makes this day so important, so significant? The answer is so simple, yet so profound. It is on this day, resurrection Sunday, that one man, Jesus Christ, did what no other man had ever done. He descended into the darkness of physical death, into the realm of spiritual death, and faced the punishment of eternal death. Think with me about the three-fold death of Jesus for a few moments.

First, let’s think about His physical death. Biblical as well as secular sources verify the fact of Jesus’ death. He was falsely accused of blasphemy by His enemies. They asserted that Jesus claimed He was God, an assertion that would be totally absurd if it had not been true. Jesus, was, is, and always will be, in fact, God. The enemies of Jesus denied Jesus’ deity, and therefore concluded that He was guilty of blasphemy and worthy of death. Thus, His physical death is a matter of record.

Second, think with me for a moment about His spiritual death. God the Father and God the Son (Jesus) had enjoyed unbroken, intimate fellowship until the very moment of Jesus’ death. It was on the cross that Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” It was in that moment, for the very first time, that the Father and Son were separated, as Jesus experienced the anguish of spiritual separation from His Father.

Yet, that was still not the most awful part of this experience. From eternity past God the Father had made a decree that sin would result in death. The decree would include physical death, spiritual death, and eternal death. In order for Jesus to pay the penalty decreed by His Father, He would have to suffer the full brunt of death: physical, spiritual and eternal. The difficulty we have in understanding this is that we think of the word “eternal” in terms of time. Yet, God exists outside of time, and therefore is not subject to time. The death of Jesus met the requirement for eternal death in that His separation from the Father, and His descent into hell, paid the penalty imposed by the Father for those who sinned, which is each and every one of us.

Therefore, resurrection Sunday is without question the most important day in all of human history because it was on that day Jesus won the ultimate victory over death, hell and the grave. And what makes this so unbelievable is that He did it for us! For me; for you! We can be the recipients of the amazing, saving grace of God because of what Jesus did on resurrection Sunday over 2000 years ago.

Don’t miss out on the true meaning of Easter. Let Jesus’ victory become your victory by placing your faith and trust in Him as the One who faced and conquered death so that you might have life.

Foundation integrity is essential for the strength and stability of whatever is built upon it. A building might appear to be sound structurally, but if the foundation is faulty, the building will eventually begin to deteriorate. A house with a faulty foundation might begin to show signs of that fault which are almost imperceptible: a door that no longer closes tightly; windows that allow air to flow through; walls that begin to show hairline cracks; foundation walls that begin to show signs of shifting. Eventually, if left unchecked, these minor displays of a faulty foundation will worsen until major repairs are needed to reestablish structural integrity. This could result in huge expenses to the building owner. If, however, the owner decides to pay no attention to the warning signs of structural instability, the building might suffer irreparable harm, which would result in total destruction.

There is one definition of the word that I would like to focus on in this blog: “[foundation is] the basis or groundwork for anything: ex. the moral foundation of both society and religion.” It is interesting that this definition links two essential elements of human civility together that are oftentimes viewed as elements that have absolutely nothing to do with each other: society and religion. A casual, cursory stroll through history bears out the importance of this indissoluble union. Every nation has had its dominant religion. There are nations that are clearly linked to Buddhism, or Hinduism, or Islam, or Judaism, or Christianity, or one of many others. The very foundation of those nations is established on the principles of the dominant religion. Thus, there is an indissoluble link between society and religion.

The United States of America was established on the principles of the Christian faith. It would be so easy to provide a plethora of quotes from our founding fathers and signers of the Constitution that would prove beyond all doubt that this claim is true. However, we have all read those quotes so many times that I would like to go elsewhere to share a few quotes from a non-American, an outsider who took time to study America, trying to find the secret to its greatness.

Alexis de Tocqueville was a famous 19th century French statesman and philosopher. He traveled to America in the 1830s with the desire to find the secret for the incredible success of this nation. Allow me to share a few quotes which reveal what he discovered.

Upon my arrival in the United States the religious aspect of the country was the first thing that struck my attention; and the longer I stayed there, the more I perceived the great political consequences resulting from this new state of things.

Religion in America…must be regarded as the foremost of the political institutions of that country; for if it does not impart a taste for freedom, it facilitates the use of it. Indeed, it is in this same point of view that the inhabitants of the United States themselves look upon religious belief.

I do not know whether all Americans have a sincere faith in their religion — for who can search the human heart? But I am certain that they hold it to be indispensable to the maintenance of republican institutions. This opinion is not peculiar to a class of citizens or a party, but it belongs to the whole nation and to every rank of society.

America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great. (All quotes are excerpts from de Tocqueville’s two volume work, “Democracy in America”)

Is it not clear that America has ceased to be good, which has resulted in the loss of her greatness? There are far too many directions we could go in discussing this matter, any of which would demand too much time and space for the purpose of this one blog. So, for the sake of brevity, let’s focus on one sign of the eroding foundation of a society built upon the clear teachings of Scripture.

Does the name Gary Hart ring a bell? It should. From the political landscape of the 1980s, Hart was a real up and comer. He had served as Senator from the state of Colorado, and in 1988 was the seeming choice of the Democratic party as their candidate for the presidency. His resume’ was impressive, and he had captured the hearts, and the votes, of most of the party. However, there was a crack in his armor. Rumors began to swirl that Hart had been unfaithful to his wife. Rumors turned to allegation – allegation to investigation – and investigation to incontrovertible evidence that the rumors were indeed true. Hart was humiliated, dropped his bid for the presidency, and became veritably unknown.

Now, let’s compare that to this present presidential campaign. I don’t want this to be a scathing denunciation of any candidates. Rather, I want this to be an expose’ of the American people. In 1988, a bright, shining star of the Democratic party was literally run out of town due to marital infidelity. Now, we have candidates who clearly are much more morally bankrupt than was Hart, but now, instead of being run out of town, they are applauded. The frontrunners of both parties are clearly subject to moral scrutiny. One has had multiple wives, and even stated in an interview that he would date his daughter, if she were not his daughter, because she is ‘hot’. The frontrunner of the other party has openly lied about email cover-ups, and her role in the Benghazi debacle, and is married to a former president who was known for his sexual exploits while in office.

Now please understand, I am not their judge. Only God has the right to stand in that role. I simply want to make an observation about the eroding of the foundation of America. Less than 30 years ago this country still showed a great sense of moral understanding, and stood for moral integrity. Now we have cast moral integrity to the wind. We are either clamoring to one because of promises of becoming even more focused on an entitlement society, or the other who is appealing to the mentality of “let’s throw all the bums out and start over again.” And we seem to show no concern for their moral integrity.

From the words of de Tocqueville, America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great. Let’s look beyond the heated rhetoric and vicious verbal assaults. Let’s look for character, integrity, morality. Then perhaps America can be great again.

We have all seen them – those pro-athletes who give an enthusiastic fist-pump at the completion of an impressive play. Like the quarterback, who gives the fist-pump after throwing the long touchdown pass. Or the pitcher, after serving up the three pitch strikeout. Or the golfer, who sinks the amazing sixty-five foot putt. Or the basketball player, who hits the half-court shot at the buzzer. With adrenalin surging, emotions out of control, a state of frenzied euphoria results in the animated fist-pump. And the crowd goes crazy!

What is it that pumps your fist? What is it that causes you to experience that adrenalin rush that results in the fist-pump of excitement?

For those of us who profess to be Christians, let me make the question a little more specific: “When was the last time you gave Jesus a fist-pump?” I realize that may sound a bit strange, but, humor me for a moment, and give this some serious thought.

To the Christian, Jesus Christ should be the most important person in the world. He should hold first place in all of our relationships,  in all of our endeavors, in all our ambitions, yes, in all of life. If I truly embrace the Biblical truth that I am to do everything I do to His glory, and my ultimate goal in life is to be conformed to His image, then He, and He alone, deserves every “fist pump” I ever give. He should bring more excitement and enthusiasm to life than any other person or thing.

In every relationship – husband/wife, parent/child, employer/employee, neighbor/neighbor, etc.; in every endeavor – education ambitions, career advancement, personal goals/objectives; in every activity – mowing the lawn, washing the dishes, writing that paper, preparing that presentation, etc. etc. In short, in EVERYTHING!

So how does that look? What does that entail? To put it as simply as possible, it looks like Romans 12:1-2. It is there that the Apostle Paul said, “Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” (HCSB)

We are admonished to give ourselves as living sacrifices. What a powerful image! In the Old Testament, God demanded of His people, Israel, that they offer dead sacrifices. It was the shedding of the blood of sacrificial animals that was required by the law. The emphasis was on the horrific consequences of sin – death – and the necessity of the shedding of blood for the atonement of that sin. The sacrificial animals, specifically the Passover Lamb which was offered at the feast of Passover, served as a graphic portrayal of God’s judgment against sin. And yet, the blood of that sacrificed animal served as an even more graphic portrayal of the fact that God had provided a means of providing atonement for His people.

The New Testament shows clearly that Jesus Christ fulfilled the requirements of the Passover Lamb, and thus died once for the sin of humanity. Thus, we no longer are required to offer blood sacrifices because Jesus, our High Priest, has entered the Holy of Holies with His own precious blood, securing once and for all, not atonement (the covering over of sin), but propitiation (the appeasement of God’s wrath toward sinful man). Therefore, God does not require a dead sacrifice, but rather a living sacrifice – each person who trusts the saving power of Jesus’ blood. That certainly deserves a fist-pump for Jesus, don’t you think?

So now, I show my fist-pump for Jesus by doing what I am instructed to do: give my body as a living sacrifice. I accomplish that by the renewing of my mind, taking upon myself the mind of Christ, as Paul teaches in Philippians 2. That means I no longer do what the world tells me to do, but rather I do what God’s Word tells me to do. I no longer look like the world, think like the world, act like the world, but I strive to follow the instructions of God’s word as it gives directions for life.

The conclusion of the matter is simply this: we are to give Jesus the fist-pump of our lives by giving our lives to Him. As we learn more of His will by searching His Word, we live our life according to His will, and that will result in our being able to “discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”

Fellow Christian, fellow pilgrim passing through this earthly life, let’s give Jesus the fist-pump He deserves! Let’s give Him our lives as living sacrifices that He might use us for His glory.

I will admit from the beginning that I ramble quite a bit here, but please read to the end before making a judgment. I, like many Americans, have been watching with keen interest the politicians as they debate and argue over the issue as to who would best serve the American people as POTUS. We have listened to their rhetoric, their raw and vicious verbal assaults on each other, and their over-blown promises of all they would accomplish if they were given the privilege to serve our nation. So, what is the answer?

I don’t claim to have THE answer, but I would like to make a few observations. I believe that what we are witnessing in this presidential election process is the graphic portrait of a nation void any spiritual moorings. I am reminded of the many times in the Old Testament in which God would allow His own chosen people, Israel, to suffer dire consequences for their rejection of God as their Supreme Ruler.

Now I know – I can hear those who would say, “We are not Israel, so don’t start using that analogy. It just doesn’t work.” Or others who would interject, “Religion has no place in politics, and politics doesn’t need religion.” Still others might contend, “Let’s leave that church talk in the church – we have more important things to discuss.”

However, I would contend that the most important thing to discuss has been pretty much swept under the rug. I am not referring to the religious aspect of our nation, but rather to the spiritual aspect. Some would say that there is no difference, and that it is only a matter of semantics. But I would deny that assertion vehemently. I will be the first to concur that religion has, many times in the past, in this nation as well as others, caused irreparable harm. Religion has caused wars, and continues to do so to this very day. What is the war on terror other than a war against a radical form of religion, Jihadist Islam in all its varied forms. Religion has been one of the most destructive forces in the entire history of the world.

But, I am not talking about the absence of religion, I am rather talking about the absence of true spirituality, which is based, not on religion, but on a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Allah commands his followers to kill anyone and everyone who does not agree with Islam. Jesus did not come to kill, but to be killed, to give His life as the sacrifice demanded by His Father which would secure salvation for those who would turn to Him in repentance and faith.

Now, back to the subject at hand. What does this have to do with the United States of America, and specifically with this presidential election? It only takes a quick review of history to see that this nation was founded on the principles of Scripture. Many of our founders embraced Christianity, and even those who did not gave testimony to their belief that this nation would only survive as long is as it is governed by those who embrace Biblical principle. Thus, when we do as Israel did, turn our backs on God and His Word, then we open ourselves up to experience the same type of consequences as did Israel of old.

And what exactly did that look like? Simple, God gave them over to themselves! He would strive with them for a time, calling them to repentance and spiritual restoration. When they refused to return to God, He would give them over to their desires. That is exactly what we see happening in our nation. God has given us over to our desires. And what are those desires?

A large segment of our society wants to live on hand-outs from the government. They refuse to work, while expecting the government to provide everything they need. And where does the government get the funds to pay for those who refuse to work? You got it! From those Americans who DO work, and pay their taxes, and live peaceable lives. There is a Biblical principle which speaks clearly and forcefully to that mentality: Paul says that if a man does not work, he should not eat. Pretty clear, huh? We are not talking about those who CAN’T work, but those who refuse to work.

One of our major political parties believes in the government being everything to everybody, and the other believes in maintaining a society in which free enterprise gives everyone the opportunity to make a living on their own. Biblically, the choice between the two parties should be crystal clear.

Let me hasten to say, however, that this is not about Democrat or Republican, or even Independent or Libertarian, or Socialist, or Communist, or any other political persuasion. This is about a nation of people who have become spiritually blind. We have embraced so many social practices that are completely contradictory to Scripture, and yet don’t see the truth. We have candidates who show no regard for God or godliness, and yet we clamor to them simply because they either promise a hand-out, or promise to make America great again, but neither show any concern about the spiritual bankruptcy of the nation.

When you go to the poll and cast your vote, what is it that will be the determining factor in your choice of candidate? If you profess to be a Christian, could I encourage you, even urge you, to listen to what these candidates are saying about things that really matter. Don’t vote for someone simply because they are radical, out-of-the-box hot-heads who appeal to your desire for change. Yes, we desperately need change, but not from someone who has no regard for God.

Please, cast your vote. It is both an American privilege and responsibility. But do so in prayer, seeking the heart of God. And pray that the hand of God’s judgment will be stayed as this nation turns back to Him.

I guess we should have figured this would happen, so I assume it didn’t take us by surprise. I mean, when the Supreme Court of the USA takes it upon itself to redefine marriage, it only stands to reason that the floodgates would open wide for every deviant, alternative lifestyle, and every conceivable, or even inconceivable, practice would be forced upon us. The door is now open, or better yet, the door has been completely removed, and now anybody and everybody is forcing anything and everything on the unsuspecting public.

A graphic case in point occurred in the city of Charlotte, NC. The city council passed an ordinance which now allows anyone, of either sex, to frequent any public restroom, male or female. So, now, if a person who identifies himself/herself as a transgender or bisexual, they are free to make use of the public facility of their choice. This means that our sons and daughters, and our grandsons and grand-daughters, are going to be forced to accept the possibility of using a public restroom in a public place, and will perhaps be using that restroom facility with someone of the opposite sex.

This, to me, is sheer lunacy and complete insanity. Why must we relinquish our right of, and need for, the expectancy of decency for our children. I, for one, do not want my grand-daughter to be exposed to the private parts of a man, because in his mind he “feels” like a female. Why should he have the right to traumatize young girls with the exposure of his “maleness” just because he “feels” different? For the sake of everything decent, regardless of whether you “feel” opposite of the way God created you, at least have the decency to protect the innocent minds and hearts of boys and girls who would experience emotional trauma and mental anguish because you “feel” like it.

Let’s face it: regardless of how you “feel,” you are either male or female. If you insist on living out your fantasy of being something other than what you are, do it with respect for others. You are demanding your rights, but what about mine? Do mine have to be completely destroyed for the sake of an extremely small percentage of the American people just because you “feel” different?

Scripture teaches that God created us male and female. He did not create a hybrid, somewhere-in-the-middle, mix and match form of humanity. His Word forbids sexual deviancy in all of its forms: homosexuality, bisexualism, transgenderism, pre-marital sexual activity, extra-marital sexual activity, just to name a few. You have every right to your personal belief and practice regardless of what I might believe. But, you have no right to your personal belief and practice if it goes against the moorings of human decency.

Do what you wish, practice whatever lifestyle you choose, but don’t force others to agree with you, and to be exposed to indecent behavior. I promise you, I will not try to force my Christian beliefs on you, even though I will be quick to share those beliefs, believing that the testimony of Scripture is our only source of absolute truth, and that we will all be accountable to God Himself for how we either obeyed, or disobeyed, the clear teachings of His Word.

Another year has come and gone, and our lives have been enriched in many ways through the events of the past 365 days. Each of us can look back over the days of 2015 and remember days of joy and of sadness, days of health and of sickness, days spent with friends and days spent in solitude, days of accomplishment and days of waste, days which proved to be extremely productive and days that yielded little to nothing, and on the list could go. It would do us all well to pause for a brief recap of the events of the past year, and make sure we learn the lessons that were made available to us.

And now, as we come to the beginning of another year, we usually greet one another with the all-too familiar “Happy New Year.” What exactly do we mean by that greeting? Do we mean that we wish for each person we share it with that the new year would hold nothing but happiness and bliss? Do we mean that we wish for them a full year filled with nothing but those things which would cause them to experience the heights of euphoria? If so, we might be wishing them an entire year in which they would not experience many of the things that could actually bring them the most fulfillment, the most personal growth, the best opportunities for enrichment and development into a much better person.

Now some might think they would much rather have that type of year than the one that might bring them to a deeper level of maturity, if that deeper level required them going through some less than “happy” moments. However, that would also lead to a much less gratifying year. The best year would be the one in which and through which an individual might encounter experiences which would lead to a deeper level of maturity in several areas, some of which would be spiritual, mental, and emotional health. Also, oftentimes it requires a bit of discomfort and pain to accomplish certain goals. For example, if one of your new year resolutions happens to be to get in better physical shape in 2016, then you know already that the old adage is true: no pain, no gain. If you want to advance on the job, then you know you will have to pay the price of longer hours, and perhaps adding a few college classes or on-going job development courses to make that happen. This may mandate that you experience some moments that are less than “happy,” but will prove to make you a better person as a result.

What it boils down to is a simple, yet complex, principle: wholeness as a person is much more important than temporary experiences of euphoria that lasts but a brief, fleeting moment. Wholeness as a person means that we continue to grow toward development of our personal skills, our personal strengths, and toward becoming everything that we ought to become.

And also, and even more importantly for the Christian, is the desire not only to achieve personal wholeness, but to attain a great level of holiness than I have previously. This calls for commitment to be the best representative of Jesus Christ that I can be. It means striving after the things of God rather than the things of the world. It means denying myself those things that would hinder my personal spiritual progress in order to become more conformed to the image of my Savior.

I am reminded of a story I read several years ago about Michelangelo. It is told that he was visited by a friend who came into Michelangelo’s studio. Sitting in the middle of the studio was a huge piece of marble. The friend asked, “What’s that?” to which Michelangelo replied, “That is a horse.” The friend was stupefied, and asked how in the world he could ever possibly get a horse out of that massive piece of marble. Michelangelo simply said that in order to get the horse out of the marble, he simply had to chip off everything that did not look like a horse.

In our desire to attain a deeper level of holiness, and, yes, a greater level of wholeness, then we must allow God to chip away everything in our lives that does not “look like” Jesus. Sometimes this can be a painful process, as God takes His spiritual chisel in hand, knocking off those pieces of our lives that look too much like us and not enough like Jesus. But, if we are to be our best, and achieve our highest, and attain our potential, then the chiseling process is necessary.

So, when I wish you a “Happy New Year,” I am wishing for you a year filled with experiences which will best serve helping you become whole and holy. That is the best new year you could ever have. So, here goes: HAPPY NEW YEAR!

What a wonderful time of year! Or, is it? For many, it is, but for many others, it isn’t wonderful at all.

For some, it is a reminder of a painful Christmas in the past. Perhaps the death of a loved one occurred during the Christmas season, and now, each year when it rolls around, it is nothing more than a horrific memory from a bygone day. Or perhaps Christmas was never a happy occasion for some, and as they watch others who seem to experience such joy and gladness during this time of year, it only causes deep anguish as they languish in the sadness this season means for them.

For others, it is not a painful memory, it is no memory at all. Christmas was never part of their family tradition. Perhaps they were reared in a non-Christian home, having parents who adhered to a different religious tradition, or to no religion at all. Christmas, to them, is just another day on the calendar. They may be thankful that it is a day off from the demands and deadlines of their busy work schedules, but still, nothing more than that.

For others still, it is a day of bitterness and animosity. The mention of the name of Jesus Christ is a matter of revulsion to them. They embrace a different theological/philosophical/idealogical mindset that causes them to be antagonistic toward Christianity. As a matter of fact, many are so adamantly opposed to Christianity that their greatest desire seems to be to rid the earth of every Christian, and every vestige of Christianity.

This has caused a great deal of confusion on the part of many. In the madness of political correctness, and in the push to be non-offensive to those who might embrace a perspective on life that is opposed to the Biblical Judeo/Christian worldview, Christians are being coerced into putting the true celebration of Christmas into more of a private, personal corner of their lives. Many are giving into the pressure of political correctness, and have replaced their “Merry Christmas” greeting with the more generic, “Happy Holidays.” Traditional Christmas carols, such as Silent Night, Away in a Manger,   and Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, have been replaced with Jingle Bells, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer. Christmas trees have been replaced with Holiday Trees, and neighborhood Nativities have been removed from the landscape.

What puzzles me is why a greeting of “Merry Christmas” should be offensive to anyone. The day we celebrate is, after all, Christmas. It is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Whether an individual embraces this particular meaning of this holiday should be irrelevant. They may choose to say “Happy Holiday” as their greeting of choice, and I will not let this offend me. But since I do celebrate this season as the birth of Jesus Christ why should it be offensive to anyone if I choose to greet you with “Merry Christmas?” I am not trying to be rude or abrasive or obnoxious by greeting you with “Merry Christmas.” I am not trying to somehow manipulate you into accepting and embracing my personal beliefs about Christmas. It is, rather, simply my way of acknowledging the birth of my Savior, while at the same time showing a sincere desire for their life to experience the joy of Jesus’ birth.

Other religions have their own special, holy days. I am not offended when someone shares a greeting which is cognizant of a holy day on their religious calendar. I don’t take it as an attempt on their part to persuade me to embrace their particular ideology. I will show respect, even if I reject the religious or philosophical or theological system from which the greeting is taken. Should I not be able to expect the same respect from others for my personal beliefs and practices?

So, Merry Christmas! May God’s blessings of grace and peace, which were made possible by the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ, be a reality in your life this Christmas season. And may the spirit of Christmas abide in your heart each day of the coming year.

The Daily News of New York City, with letters that covered the front page of today’s edition (Dec. 3, 2015), boldly proclaimed, “God Isn’t Fixing This.” The statement was made in the wake of yet another mass killing in which 14 people were killed and more than a dozen others wounded. This statement is sheer lunacy, and outright hypocrisy.

Think about it: the major media outlets in this nation have become adamantly outspoken against Christianity. The moral principles of Biblical Christianity have become the target of ridicule and mockery. Those who embrace and practice the ethical teachings of Scripture are scorned and maligned. Every vestige of Christianity is being systematically removed from the landscape of America. Judeo/Christian monuments, such as those that display the Ten Commandments, are no longer allowed in the public square. Christmas nativity scenes are no longer welcome. “Merry Christmas” has been replaced with “Happy Holidays.” God has been pushed out of politics, education, the workplace and the marketplace. The major media outlets have been a huge part of dismantling Christianity in America.

And now, one of the major newspapers, in one of our major cities, has the audacity to blame God for yet another display of human depravity! They want nothing to do with God. They want God taken out of American life. They want a society which is void of God and godliness. And when they get what they want, they have the impudence to blame God for yet another manifestation of the wickedness of evil men and women?

Is the media simply ignorant of how hypocritical this appears? Or, is there an agenda behind the absurdity of this type of attack? Or, could it be that they have been so adamant in their attempt to remove God from the American landscape, that God has simply given them what they want? This certainly happened many times in the Old Testament, as God would literally give the people of Israel what they wanted, instead of what they needed. There were times  in which the nation would reject God’s messengers, and God’s message, and go their own way, doing what was right in their own eyes instead of remaining loyal to God. In those times, God would send them messengers to warn them of impending disaster, and if they refused to listen to God’s gracious call for repentance, God would give them what they wanted. It ALWAYS proved to be disastrous! And then, many of them would blame God for allowing it to happen! Absurdity! Lunacy! Insanity! Reject God; get what you want; experience the disaster of pushing God from the scene; and then blame God for reaping what you have sown. Unbelievable!

And yet, that is exactly what is meant by such an absurd statement as that on the front page of the Daily News. And, perhaps, that is the thought of so many Americans who would blame God for yet another senseless act of evil. How many more attacks will this nation have to suffer? How many more lives will be lost? What will be the next aspect of Christianity which will be removed from the American environment?

We continue to blame God for wanton acts of evil, and yet we continue to reject His calls to come back to Him. When will we learn? When will we return to God? When will we move back to the principles of His Word which gave such blessing to this nation for so long? God help us to listen to His Word, to learn from His wisdom, to pay attention to warning signs before we, as a nation, experience the tragedy that always befalls a nation that turns its back on God.