It was a very long time ago, in a far-away land. The land was beautiful and bountiful. It was a lush and fruitful land that produced immeasurable crops which were more than enough to meet the needs of all who lived there.

The land was ruled by a very kind and gracious king. The king provided the freedoms and liberties that enabled the people to enjoy all the benefits of living in his kingdom. He truly loved the people – each and every one of them. His boundless love for the citizens of his kingdom was so immense that he was compelled to go above and beyond their wildest imaginations in how he cared for them.

For a long time the citizens of this kingdom were moved with gratitude and thanksgiving for the bounty they enjoyed. Their love for their king motivated them to serve him and live in obedience to the laws he issued for their well-being. His laws were designed in such a way that obedience to those laws would always bring about multiplied blessings and enormous bounty for the obedient citizen. The laws were not oppressive, rather they were most beneficial to the occupants of the land. The obedient citizen would be the blessed citizen.

However, the laws issued by this most benevolent king carried certain conditions. The king promised his citizenry that as long as they were obedient to his laws, and would consistently show gratitude for his kindness, love and bounty, they would always enjoy the blessings of his benevolence. But, if they chose to disregard his laws, and began to take credit for the bounty and blessings instead of giving him the gratitude he deserved, they would suffer dire consequences.

After a while, the citizens grew tired of the king’s laws, and began to take credit for blessings as if they had brought them about themselves. The king was very patient, extremely longsuffering, hoping the citizens would come to their senses and return to him. They did not. So, the king began to send messengers to go throughout the land to remind the people of the goodness of the king. They refused to listen. Eventually, they even grew hostile toward the messengers, persecuting them, and even killing some of them.

The king was heartbroken. He was grieved over the actions of the occupants of his kingdom. He began to send more messengers, this time warning the citizens of impending judgment if they persisted in their spirit of rebellion.

Finally, due to the fact that the people had now completely rejected the rule of the king, he allowed them to fall to their enemies. They lost the blessings and the bounty they had long enjoyed because they chose to reject the calls of the king for them to return to him, and once again experience his love.

The kingdom in this story is, of course, the nation of Israel. The king is God, who established the nation and blessed them immeasurably. His law was given to provide the means of showering them with his ongoing presence and provision. His desire was that they always live in fellowship with Him.

Is it possible to draw a parallel between Israel of the Old Testament and the United States of America? In some ways the answer would be no. God brought the nation of Israel into existence by His sovereign choice of one man, Abraham, and through that one man and his descendants forming the nation. In that regard there is no parallel between Israel and America. There are many promises God made to Israel that are theirs alone, so in that sense there is no parallel.

However, if we consider the vision of the founding fathers of the United States, there are clear parallels that can be seen. The founding fathers envisioned a nation which would be built upon Christian principles, a nation that would, in fact, be a Christian nation. Many of the founding fathers and early political leaders of this nation stated clearly that this nation would only succeed if it were ruled by those who embrace the Christian faith and adhere to Christian principles.

For well over two hundred years of this nation’s existence it could be stated with great accuracy that it was striving to live by the vision and the understanding of those early founders and leaders. However, in the recent past, we have witnessed a mass departure from the vision and the faith of our founders. The firm belief of our founders that there is a standard of ethical principles which determines right and wrong has now been replaced with the belief that there is no such thing as an absolute standard of ethical behavior. Now, we are pretty much left to ourselves to determine what is right and wrong for me. My standard may be vastly different from yours, but no one can accuse anyone else of being wrong because there is no standard which determines ethical behavior.

The Bible states clearly that God has established an ethical code of conduct. But the contemporary belief is that my life is mine, and I can do anything with my life I choose. This has now opened the door for a smorgasbord belief and behavior. I cannot tell you that an action or lifestyle you have embraced is wrong, because it is your life, and your choice. And, now, this idea of individual rights has gone so far that there can be no standard, because everyone is a standard to himself.

The parallel is clear, is it not? God blessed Israel immeasurably, as He has blessed America. Israel grew restless, and chose to reject God and His standards, and suffered dire consequences. Could America suffer the same fate? This writer believes that not only is it possible, it is probable. If God did not spare His own chosen nation, will He spare America? He is at the present time raising up messengers, such as Franklin Graham, Greg Laurie, John Piper and others, warning the citizenry of impending judgment if we persist in our present course. But the enemy is also raising up messengers, tickling the ears of those who choose to disregard God’s law.

We have a choice: to obey the message and return to God, or reject the message and suffer God’s judgment.

In my last blog I shared some of my life story. If you read that particular post, then you know now (if you didn’t before) that my life was a self-made mess. I was so self-centered and self-absorbed that I developed the worst type of tunnel-vision imaginable. It was all about me. No one else really mattered. I had reached the point in my life that I was willing to lose it all if it would facilitate my attaining my goals.

And then, the unexpected happened. After a night of partying – with beer, liquor, and marijuana – I got up that Thursday morning harboring yet again another hangover. I tried to ignore the massive head-ache, got dressed for work, and headed out. As I made that fifteen mile drive that morning, I all of a sudden realized I was not alone. There was a presence with me that I had never experienced before. And then came the voice! Don’t get me wrong, it was not an audible voice. I am quite certain that had you been riding with me that morning you would not have heard Him speaking. It was a very personal message. A message intended for me. And, it was really a very simple message. It all of a sudden came crashing down on me that I had truly made a mess  of my life. In making that mess, I had also made life pretty miserable for others.

My wife, Teresa, had put of with four years of marital misery. Oh, there were some fun moments, some bright spots in those four years. But for the vast majority of those years she had watched as I self-destructed. There had been so many arguments, so many disagreements, so many times I had made very clear to her that she was not the priority she should have been. And then there was our son, Bryan. He had suffered from an absent father. I was there physically, but my physical presence certainly did not make me a father.

But that morning – that wonderful, life-changing morning – my life was radically transformed. I listened to that voice. I went to work that morning a different person. I went home that evening with such excitement and joy. I had never experienced anything like it. I couldn’t explain it. I just knew that things were going to be different from that moment on.

I went home, expecting Teresa to share in my new-found joy. She, however, did not meet my announcement as I had expected. She was rather skeptical, unbelieving, and less than excited. I shared with her my desire to attend church on Sunday morning. She laughed. I assured her I was not joking. She laughed. I tried my best to persuade her that I was being sincere. She laughed.

I continued on Friday morning trying to convince her. She laughed. Friday evening I once again told her of my desire to go to church. She quit laughing. At this point I’m not sure what she was thinking, but she was no longer laughing. There may have been a bit of fear, a sense of anxiety, because she had never witnessed such action from me. Church had always been a joke for both of us. All day Saturday I tried to persuade her, to convince her, to compel her to attend worship with me. She refused.

So, I went alone. I walked in just before the service started. I sat on the back row. I didn’t want to draw any attention. I wanted to be invisible. After the worship hour was concluded, and everyone had filed out, I remained. I asked the pastor if I could have a minute of his time. Kelly Burris had visited my home on several occasions, with the desire to share the message of the love of Jesus Christ with me and Teresa.

We made an appointment for Kelly to visit in our home on Tuesday evening, September 13, 1977. Teresa was not thrilled when I informed her of this appointment. She did, however, agree to be there when Kelly arrived.

Patiently, graciously, lovingly, Kelly talked with us from 7:00 until 10:45 that Tuesday evening. Actually, his visit lasted a little longer than that, but something amazing happened at 10:45. That was the exact moment at which Jesus Christ became our Savior, and invaded our home as Lord. It was nothing short of miraculous.

Had you known me and Teresa prior to September 13, 1977, Christian is not a word that would have come to mind. Had you known me, you would have never thought that I would ever become a believer in Jesus Christ. But the moment after, our lives changed so drastically that there was no doubt in the fact that we were distinctly different.

When September 13 of this year rolls around, my wife and I will have been Christians 41 years. Yes, we had decided to divorce and go our separate ways, but at 10:45 pm that wonderful evening, we saw each other through the lens of faith. We extended grace to one another, and have been doing so ever since.

No, our lives have certainly not been perfect. Far from it. But by His grace we have seen Him move in our lives in such wonderful ways it is truly beyond my ability to describe. I’ll close by making one final statement. It was just the other day that Teresa looked me in the eyes and said, “I love our life!” And I do, too. But had it not been for the grace of our wonderful Father in heaven, we never would have had this life to love. By His grace we came together, by His we stayed together, by His grace we are together.

And that, my friend, is the rest of the story!

In my last blog, I raised the question as to what is really important to you. What motivates and drives you? What is it that compels you to do what you do, to be what you are, to go where you go?

As I have given those questions further thought this week, another question came to mind. As I look back over the years of my life – sixty-six of them now – I clearly see several different points on that time-line at which I gave serious consideration to a life-change that might provide ‘greener pastures’ if I were to have gone in a different direction. I saw different paths of life that seemed to promise a brighter future than the one I was traveling.

As a young child I can remember vividly those childhood fantasies about the future. What would I be when I grew up? Policeman, fireman, professional football player, super hero? As I grew a little older, those fantasies began to fade as I realized that some of them could not be realized, while others I chose to discard because of waning interest.

In my young adult years, I focused on two things: music, and electrical design. Both of these were realized to some degree as I played music for about 15 years in a rock band, and as I pursued a career in the electronics field as a printed circuit board designer. It seemed that I had finally locked in to my career path.

These two distinct career paths led me to live two very different lives. By day I was a successful electrical designer, working for a successful international electronics firm. By night I was an alcohol drinking, pot-smoking, drummer in a rock band. I truly and sincerely enjoyed both, and found both to be extremely fulfilling. Over time, however, my music won out. I only wanted to play music. I wanted to be a world-renowned drummer.

My life began to be confusing and chaotic. I came to the point on that time-line of life that nothing any longer brought me a sense of satisfaction and contentment. I was no longer fulfilled. I was truly empty, with no sense of direction, no sense of fulfillment. The career in electrical design no longer brought the sense of accomplishment it once had provided. Playing music lost its appeal. I was like a ship without a sail, with no rudder, floating aimlessly in the sea of life.

For a while these two career paths brought great satisfaction, great fulfillment, great contentment. But they ultimately led to emptiness, dissatisfaction, discontent. It was as if there was a great void, a black hole of the soul. Those things that I tried to stuff into that black hole were simply lost in the blackness. No matter how much I stuffed in that hole, it never filled. Every new thing I tried brought a sense of satisfaction for a while, until the newness wore off, and once again the emptiness returned. Deeper and deeper I sank into that black hole. My life was nothing but a long series of attempts to find happiness.

Finally, I found myself at wits end. Nothing brought fulfillment. Nothing brought satisfaction. Life was a drudgery. Day after day, week after week, month after month, the sense of emptiness grew larger, the darkness of the soul grew darker, the listlessness of life seemed insurmountable.

At this point in my life, I decided to give myself totally to the dark side. Even though my music had ceased to bring the sense of satisfaction it once had, I decided that the lifestyle of a rock musician was the only path that would lead to any sense of contentment. In this state of mental, emotional, and spiritual darkness, I decided to walk away from everything that would hinder the fulfillment of this insatiable desire. The drinking grew worse. The high of marijuana ceased to be enough.

I decided that the only way to truly fulfill the dark desires of life was to leave my wife and child. I convinced myself that to remain in that relationship would only threaten the fulfillment of my dream of success in the field of music. Teresa and I decided to divorce. I was so blinded by my state of spiritual darkness that I wanted to be free of all encumbrances, of all responsibilities. A wife and child had no place in my selfish plans.

It was at this point of total self-centeredness that I experienced the most radical, life-transforming, moment of my entire life. Everything was in a tail-spin, out of control, accelerating in a downward spiral that was self-destructive. I remember this moment as clearly as if it happened yesterday. I was on my way to work on a Thursday morning. During that fifteen mile drive, I was confronted by a presence that was so overwhelming that it shook me to my very core. God Himself spoke so powerfully and pointedly that I could not miss the message. You’ve made a mess of your life. I’m your only hope!

I will share the rest of this story in next week’s blog. Just a hint: Jesus Christ changed everything for me – and He will for you, also. Hope you’ll join me next week.

Have you stopped recently just to review? What’s really important to you? What drives you? What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning, and start a fresh, new day? Does your day begin with an excited, “Let’s get this day started,” or a distressed, “Let’s get this day over with”?

There are certain points in life which bring us to make such evaluations. Big moments, like graduating from high school or college, career choice, engagement, marriage, birth of child/children, birth of grandchild/grandchildren, mid-life directional change, retirement, etc. Many others could be interspersed in the course of a lifetime, but these are enough to get the point across.

If you would take a while right now to review your life, as you look back over the ‘big moments’, what stands out as the driving force, the motivating factor, that has compelled you to choose the path(s) you have taken up to this point? For some, it would be success, for others, money, for others to be the best parent ever, for others to rise to the top of your chosen field, and on and on. So, for just a moment, think! What has brought you to this point in your life?

Are you fulfilled? Satisfied? Contented? Or, do you have a sense of failure, dissatisfaction, and discontent? Are you at the present moment on a journey that brings you excitement at the beginning of each new day, or do you hate to see the sun rise, to hear the alarm clock sound, to face the drudgery of another day of the same old monotonous stuff?

The Bible offers a bit of insight into this matter. In Proverbs 22:6 we find these words: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” The wise parent will be an observant parent. He/she will pay close attention to the natural tendencies the child displays. Some children are outgoing and active while others are more reserved and quiet. Some love the outdoors and anything that can be done outside, while others are geared more to indoor activities such as reading, writing, drawing. They are different because it is in their DNA, their God-given code.

Children are not just born with different physical traits, but with vastly differing personality traits, different drives, different desires. A wise parent will make note of what drives their child(ren), and will foster those drives. For the parent of the child who loves sports, then encourage them to try different sports until they lock in to the one that is right for them. For the parent of the child who loves to write, or draw, or sing, or dance, then encourage them in that direction of life. One of the very worst things a parent can do is try to force his/her child(ren) to be something they’re not.

When my boys were young, they knew every year that one gift they would always get for Christmas was an electric train. It wasn’t that they particularly liked electric trains – as a matter of fact I finally figured out they couldn’t care less about electric trains. So why did they get one every year, you ask? Because I liked electric trains. I was living vicariously through them. I was, inadvertently, trying to force them to be like me!

When I finally realized that my two sons were vastly different, I began to try to facilitate those differences. For example, my oldest son, Bryan, loves to write poetry and songs, and to play music. My youngest son, Joshua, loved to be outside playing some sport, ANY sport! When I finally realized they were different, I began to try to move them in that direction, in the way God had designed them to go.

If you have tapped into your natural bent in life, then you are one of the privileged ones who truly loves the dawning of each new day, because you are doing what you were designed to do. If, however, you dread the dawning of each new day, and hate the thoughts of having to do whatever you do again, and again, and again, then you probably haven’t tapped into the real you.

As parents, we have a awesome privilege, and responsibility, of helping our children become what they are designed to be. But, if you are already an adult, and you are locked into a career path that leaves you empty and exhausted, and all you look forward to is the weekend or the next vacation, then please pay attention. Stop right now and make an evaluation of your life. What brings you the greatest sense of joy and accomplishment? That is where you need to be investing your life.

Jesus made a startling statement that I will close with: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). I realize that the life to which Jesus refers is spiritual life, and the hope of eternal life. But, I feel that it also applies to our physical life, here and now. Jesus wants His followers to enjoy life, to live life to the max. And the only way that will ever happen in the fullest sense is when we tap in to His design for us.

So, what’s really important to you? What makes you tick? Why do you do what you do? I hope that it is because you have found your true self in relationship with the God who created you. Then, live your life to the full! That is God’s desire, and His design.

As I think about our upcoming celebration of the Declaration of Independence, my mind takes me in so many different directions. The date itself is significant from an historical standpoint due to the fact that it commemorates the signing of the document that declared America’s independence as a sovereign nation. This took place on July 4, 1776. The date did not become an official federal holiday until 1941, but had long been recognized as a most momentous date.

I could go in several different directions in this blog, but I would like to focus my attention on what I see on the contemporary scene in today’s America. I see a nation torn apart in so many ways. Racial tensions continue to escalate. Political divisiveness seems to be at an all-time high as we see the chasm between liberals and conservatives widen by the day. Religious tensions run high as major denominations strive to find their identity in the context of today’s tumultuous cultural crises.

We can think back to the historical setting of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and we are forced to acknowledge a solidarity among those who put their names on that document. Their vision was focused. Their desires were focused. Their willingness to sacrifice everything for the sake of that document is evident to all.

So my question is: What has happened to the focus, the solidarity, the sacrifice? How have we, as a nation, become so divided and divisive in light of that initial solidarity? How has the focus and vision of our beloved nation become so blurred? Why is it that now we are witnessing throngs of individuals who have no understanding of what those initial signers of this document envisioned for this land?

The answer to that question would be impossible to state in a brief blog, and it is not my intent to strive to give such a detailed response. It is my intent, however, to share my thoughts on perhaps what may be the foundational answer to this dilemma. Today’s Americans, from my very limited perspective, have no idea what it means to be an American. It disturbs me to no end to see those who burn our flag, or who throw it on the ground, urinate on it, then stomp it under their feet. It grieves me to witness those who refuse to stand for the playing of our national anthem, as they fail to recognize that the very liberty to do such deeds was secured for them by those who died for their loyalty to that flag and that for which it stands.

It further grieves me to witness such disregard for those who have been elected to serve. I have never seen such vile actions from those who did not vote for our current president. I did not vote for Barack Obama, or Bill Clinton, but you did not hear me bash them, or worse, threaten to do them harm or even wish harm on them. Donald Trump, regardless of whether you agree or disagree with his political views and decisions, has been elected by the people of the United States, and he deserves the respect of being in that office.

But we are so divided, so divisive, so bent on bringing harm to those with whom we disagree, that we have lost sight of what the Declaration of Independence meant, and means. Our nation is a torn nation, a divided nation. A nation that is under assault by those who disagree with the initial intent of the founding fathers of this land. There seems to be such a massive divide that there is no remedy, and that we are moving hopelessly toward self destruction. Sadly, there are those who desire that very thing. Celebrities are now proclaiming that they would rather see this nation completely fall than to see Donald Trump succeed in making America great again.

I will conclude this blog with an overly simplistic answer to the problem. Let’s get back to the original intent of our founding fathers. Let’s get back to the solidarity they envisioned. Let’s get back to being a constitutional republic. Let’s elect leaders who will strive to correctly interpret and implement the constitution of the United States.

I am not naïve enough to believe that life will ever be as simplistic (not simple, mind you) as it was in those early, formative years of our nation’s existence. But let’s insist that those who desire to come here are truly desirous of being Americans. Let’s insist that they know what our constitution stands for. Let’s insist that they do not expect America to accommodate their cultural practices, and make them the norm, but that they assimilate into American culture. Let’s insist that they learn our language, and not expect our schools to accommodate theirs. Let’s put an end to the vitriolic divisiveness by bringing people together, not pushing them further apart.

Would you join me in making this July 4th celebrations a true celebration of who we are: The UNITED States of America.

In my last blog, I mentioned a statement by the Apostle Paul in which he said that we are to be in the world but not of the world. I would like to follow up on that statement in this week’s blog.

The word, ‘world’, is used in different ways in the Bible. There are passages in which the word refers to the created order, the physical realm, the world of beauty and wonder which was designed and made for the pleasure of God. Then there are other passages which use the word in the sense of the world of humanity. When Jesus said to Nicodemus, “For God so loved the world…” He was making reference to the human family. God gave Jesus, and Jesus gave His life, for the purpose of providing salvation to fallen and lost humanity.

Then there is a third way the word is used. John admonishes believers in his first letter to not love the world, or the things of the world. This should be understood as a reference to worldly systems, philosophies, ways of thinking. The term ‘world view’ is used as a reference to these worldly systems. The ways of the world are always in contrast to the ways of God, which are revealed in His Word.

World views can be seen in the philosophies of man, the political systems devised by man, the religious systems created by man, the ways of giving answer to the many perplexities of life envisioned by man.

Jesus came into a world filled with various philosophies, political systems, religions, and supposed answers to those perplexing questions of life. He came into a world that was steeped in the failed attempts of man to explain that which is beyond explanation. That is, without explanation when one tries to explain without having God at the center of the explanation.

To be in the world and yet not of the world would mean that we not allow ourselves to be duped by the worldly systems of belief and explanation. Worldly explanations, man-made explanations, which leave God out of the equation, always fall miserably short of providing a justifiable and acceptable answer to the perplexing questions of life. However, when one puts God at the very center of striving to find a justifiable and reasonable explanation, the explanation then comes easily. I don’t mean by this that it solves all the enigmas and perplexities of life. But that is where the principle of faith comes in. The Bible gives us answers, but many of those answers have to be embraced by faith – belief in the explanations the Bible offers even when they don’t give every specific detail.

For example, consider the creation account as recorded in the first two chapters of the Bible. We are told that God created everything out of nothing. It tells us that on six successive days of creative activity God brought everything into existence. It does not give a detailed account of the how of creation, but it does tell us about the what of creation. We are then left to embrace this teaching by faith.

A worldly system of belief that is void of God will strive to find other explanations. Thus, alternate attempts to explain that which cannot be explained without God. The extreme danger that believers in the Bible’s testimony face is the desire to go farther than the Bible goes in its explanations. When we try to go farther, then we enter into the realm of speculation. Speculation is completely subjective, based entirely on the reasoning ability of the one speculating. My speculations are just as valid as anyone else’s. However, if my speculations run contradictory to the clear teachings of Scripture, then I have entered the realm of the worldly systems of belief and explanation. And by doing that, I have put myself on the throne of my life, being a ‘god’ unto myself.

So, back to the initial statement in this blog. We live in the world. That is a necessity. But we don’t have to live as the world. That is a choice. As Christians, we are to live according to the clear teachings of Scripture. And, when we find ourselves faced with the teachings of the Word of God which are contradictory to the teachings of the world, we are to embrace God’s Word and reject the world’s way of explanation.

In the world, but not of the world. May that be our desire and intent in every aspect and area of life.

Jesus said, “Can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other?” (Luke 14:31, The Message) Giving consideration to the context of this statement, it is clear that Jesus is speaking to the subject of discipleship – specifically, the cost of being a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

Discipleship. What exactly does this entail? What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. In its simplest form, the word means to be a follower of someone. There are those who are disciples of certain philosophers, or certain politicians, or political systems, or religious systems. In other words, they follow the principles of these entities. So, from this most simple definition, a disciple of Jesus Christ would be one who adheres to His teachings.

Now, one can be a follower of another’s teachings and simply espouse those teachings from his/her personal “pulpit”, or platform. In other words, they can present the arguments of the one they follow. They may be able to quote certain statements, or have a systematized presentation of their mentor’s teachings. One can be this sort of disciple without ever really committing themselves to those teachings. For example, one might become a disciple of the teachings of a certain political philosophy, such as communism, without ever becoming a communist. They may be able to give a detailed speech espousing the basic tenets of communism, making such a persuasive argument for this philosophy that many in their audience embrace it. However, the one presenting the speech is a disciple of communism only in the sense that they have studied it and are able to explain it in a clear, concise way.

In the verse quoted above, Jesus is saying that it is not enough to be able to say that you are a disciple, or even to be able to give a clear, concise explanation of the basic tenets of the Christian faith. He is saying that it is essential to count the costs of being a disciple, before one actually becomes a disciple. And in this particular statement on the subject of discipleship, He says that there is a cost involved. In essence He is saying that being His disciple is not an easy path to follow. To make sure everyone would understand the costs of discipleship, Jesus made some of the most difficult statements you can find in the Bible. Allow me to share a few just so we grasp the gravity of this subject.

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters – yes, and even his own life – he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26,27)

“No one who puts his hand to the plow, and looks back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

“Whoever desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mark 8:34)

This is just a small sample of the many verses in which Jesus described the subject of discipleship. To follow Him one can not only embrace His teachings intellectually, but one must commit to His teachings, giving careful consideration to the extreme costs involved.

To be a follower of Jesus Christ means that we are willing to engage in spiritual warfare. The teachings of Jesus go against the grain of secular reasoning. One cannot be a disciple of Jesus Christ while at the same time embracing the things of this world. Paul admonished his readers to be “in the world, but not of the world.” We are in the world by necessity, but we embrace the world by choice. If I claim to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, then I am in a spiritual battle against the things of this world. The Apostle John said that the world is already in a state of passing away. He warned us against the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These are all part of the world that is passing away. If we embrace the worldly philosophical thoughts of men, then we find ourselves in opposition to the teachings of Jesus.

Thus, the battle. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must understand that we are in a battle with spiritual forces. We must have on the full armor of God (see Ephesians 6 for a description of this armor) if we are to be successful in the battle. We cannot fight this battle in the power of our humanity. If we strive to do this, we will surely and utterly fail.

So, are you ready for battle? Have you made an all-out commitment to be a follower of Jesus Christ, regardless of the cost? Have you considered the gravity of your commitment, and are you willing to stand for Jesus regardless of the spiritual forces of darkness that might assault you? Jesus said that there would be many who will stand before Him at the judgment, and recount for Him all the things they had done for Him. However, many will hear the sobering words, “Depart from me, you workers of iniquity, I never knew you.” There are many who profess His name, but are not true followers. They blended in with the world. When the spiritual battles ensued around them, they just blended in with the crowd. They traveled the broad road that leads to destruction.

Only those who truly commit to Jesus Christ as both Lord and Savior are the ones who travel the narrow road that leads to life. If you are traveling that road, you will be called upon to show your true commitment. Are you battle ready?

Mark Twain is quoted to have said, “When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.”

Those words probably ring amazingly true in the lives of most. They certainly are for me. My memories of childhood are scattered at best, but as I think about that period of time in my life, one thing is crystal clear: I thought my father was as much out of sync with the times as anyone could possibly ever be. He was, at least according to my way of thinking, an old man – not necessarily in age, but in his way of thinking.

Now, please don’t take this the wrong way. My father was a very good man, an extremely good man as a matter of fact. He provided for our family the best he could. He and my mother both worked jobs that were physically taxing. They provided for us, even when at times it meant they went without. I did not realize the sacrifices they made for me and my siblings until I was a young adult.

However, to my own shame, I never gave my father the thanks he deserved. As a matter of fact, I did just the opposite. For some inexplicable reason, I took it upon myself as a young teenager to make life miserable for him. As I look back to those years, I remember vividly how I rebelled against pretty much everything my father tried to teach me. Just a few examples of this rebellious spirit will suffice to make this point. I remember at the age of 12 my father telling me that he hoped I would never start smoking, so the very day he said it, I smoked my first cigarette. Again, at the age of 15, he warned me against the dangers of alcohol, and that very day I drank my first beer. This proved to be a pattern for me. It seems that every time he tried to warn me against some form of dangerous activity, I purposely did exactly what he warned me against.

Yes, during my teenage years, I certainly thought that he was a dumb old man. I no longer feel that way. I haven’t felt that way for some time now. Let me tell you why.

My father and mother were very good people. In all honesty, you would have a difficult time finding better. I was reared in what I refer to now as an Ozzie and Harriet home – a home in which no profanity was spoken, no alcohol was consumed, no loud arguing was ever heard. I was reared by parents who lived  out their Christian beliefs. Now, admittedly, there was still shortcomings in their child-rearing activities. Even though they did strive to live by solid Biblical principles, and encouraged us to do the same by taking us to church regularly and being involved in church themselves, they still did not have devotions with us, or spend time personally talking about Scripture. But, I truly believe they did the best they knew how.

As a teenager, I didn’t like that. I rebelled against it. I quit going to church as soon as I could, and began doing things my way. My cigarette smoking turned into pot smoking. My beer drinking turned into drinking more potent alcoholic beverages. My lifestyle was anything but the lifestyle I had witnessed in my parents.

It was not until my mid-twenties that I finally realized that my father was not the dumb old man I had previously thought, but was actually a very, very wise man. A man who not only believed, but also behaved, according to strong Biblical values. He always had my best interest in mind, even though I thought at the time he was being cruel by not allowing me to do some of the things I saw others doing. And even after my rebellion began, he never turned his back on me. He never gave up. He and my mother continued to pray for me, and to strive to encourage me to embrace truth.

I must bring this blog to a close, but I can’t before I tell you the end of the story. After living in rebellion for more than a decade, I finally understood the truth behind my parents belief system. I came to know their Savior as MY Savior. I attribute much of my conversion to the efforts of my parents, even though I had rejected their efforts for so many years.

I will never forget the day after I was saved by the grace of God. My father and I were not close, due to my rebellious spirit, not because of anything he had ever done. I turned my life over to the Lord Jesus Christ on September 13, 1977. On September 14 I went to visit my parents to share this news with them. I walked in the back door of their home. My father turned to look at me. No words were exchanged. Nothing at all was said. But something was vastly different. He walked over to me, put his arms around me (I honestly don’t know how long it had been since we had embraced), began to cry, and said, “You’ve been saved.” How did he know? I have no idea. But he did. And I hoped that this would begin the process of healing in our relationship that had been so strained for so long.

However, it did not. Fourteen days later, on September 27, 1977, my father passed from this earth, and took up residence in the presence of his Savior. Eight of those last fourteen days were spent in the hospital. So, there was no time to make amends for the many hours, days, weeks, months and years of heartache I had caused in his life. But yet, it was all good, because he knew before he died that I was finally where he had long prayed I would be: in a relationship with our Father in heaven.

Let me close by encouraging you to let your father know how much you love and appreciate him. One day, it will  be too late. Don’t let that happen to you.

When faced with choices, how does one decide which choice is right? How do we sort through the options to determine which path we should take? Life is filled with what we might refer to as forks in the road, at which we must decide which direction we will take. Is there some magic formula to use which will result in showing which fork is the right one? What if we take the wrong fork? How do we know, after making the choice and heading in a certain direction, that we have, indeed, chosen the right path? One doesn’t have to live very long before coming upon such a fork.

Teresa and I have chosen a new path. It was not that we all of a sudden came upon a fork at which we needed to make an immediate decision. No, this particular fork in the road has been in sight for quite a long time (for more insight on this topic, see my blog entitled “Things They Are A’changing” published on Feb. 4). You reach a certain point in life at which you begin to realize that you need to be making plans for the future. That point began to take focus for us approximately ten years ago.

It was at that time that Teresa and I began to look to the future. Not that we were looking to make an immediate change – as a matter of fact we knew that what we were beginning to envision was for a future time, and the exact timing of that was not at all certain. As we began to pray, dream, discuss options, and narrow down all the possibilities, we began to get excited about the prospects for our future. At the time, we were completely satisfied with our place in life. I was pastor of New Horizon Community Church, and was completely confident that NHCC was the place I was supposed to be. And, up until about a year ago, I knew that I was to be right there.

But then, God began to move in my heart and spirit, and I began to realize that my tenure as pastor of this great church would soon be coming to a close. I still didn’t have any idea exactly when this would happen, I just knew beyond any doubt that God was leading in this direction. I began to share with the leadership of NHCC that Teresa and I felt that it was time for us to begin the process of helping the church prepare for this coming transition. During this time, God also led us to begin making plans for our lives once our time with NHCC would come to a close.

Well, that time has now arrived. Through the providence of God, and the prayers of God’s people, NHCC has now called their next pastor. I have had the great pleasure and privilege of serving this church family for more than 12 1/2 years. I have so many cherished memories that I will now carry with me as Teresa and I make plans to say our final goodbyes to our friends and family. Now, please understand that we will continue to maintain contact with NHCC, but no longer as an active part of the congregation. My time as pastor of NHCC has come to a close, and Bryant Blakley is now privileged to serve in that capacity, and he doesn’t need the former pastor looking over his shoulder.

Teresa and I now have a new home, a new ministry, and a new mission field. We are praying for God’s guidance in seeking out new opportunities of ministry for our future. We are asking that you would pray with us and for us in this matter. I will certainly welcome any opportunity to fill in on Sunday mornings for pastors who need a supply as they are out of their pulpits on any given Sunday. I will be available for revivals and Bible conferences, as I have been privileged to share in these ministry opportunities in the past. And, the one area of ministry that Teresa and I are most excited about is the possibility of leading in marriage retreats for churches that are looking for a renewal weekend for their church families.

Would you please join us in prayer for the NHCC family as they welcome their new pastor, Bryant Blakley, his wife Kristen, and their children Brynlee and Carter. Would you pray for the transition period as he begins his duties. I know they would be greatly appreciative of your prayers.

And, finally, if you live in the Lancaster area, why not visit NHCC and see what God is doing with this great church family. I know you would be blessed.

In future blogs, I will be sharing with you occasionally what God is doing in our lives as we embark on this new adventure in our life journey. In the meantime, let me encourage you to seek God’s guidance as you look to your personal future. It is always an exciting prospect as we travel through life with God as our Guide.

via Providence, or Coincidence?