ON PUBLIC DISPLAYS AND MENTIONS OF ONE'S FAITH

THE IDIOT & LIBERAL-LACED MEDIA ARE HAVING
A CONNIPTION!  THEY ARE AFFRONTED BY THE
"BLATANT" REFERENCES TO FAITH AS ANNOUNCED
BY PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES IN PARTICULAR.  HUMPH.

CINDY AND I ARE GRATIFIED WHEN WE HEAR AN
AFTER-GAME INTERVIEWEE GIVE CREDIT TO GOD OR
JESUS CHRIST FOR THEIR PERFORMANCE(S) OR VICTORIES!

THE LATEST "TARGET" OF CRITICISM, OF COURSE, IS
DENVER BRONCO'S QUARTERBACK, TIM TEBOW.  IT'S
BEEN LONG-KNOWN THAT TEBOW IS A CHRISTIAN,
OF THE "BORN-AGAIN" TYPE, AND THAT HE HAS BEEN
VERY ACTIVE IN HIS CHURCH, WITH MISSIONS WORK,
AND SHARING OF HIS TESTIMONY TO GOD'S GRACE.

IT WAS ONE THING FOR TIM TO GIVE LAUDS TO HIS
CREATOR OR SAVIOUR AFTER HIS COLLEGE GAMES,
AFTER ALL, THERE WAS A "LIMITED" AUDIENCE.
BUT NOW THAT HE'S A PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER,
WITH POSSIBLY MILLIONS WATCHING THE GAMES AND
THE ENSUING INTERVIEWS, THE "LAMESTREAM" OF
SPORTS ANNOUNCERS ARE BRISTLING AT HIS OVERT
DISPLAY AND MENTION OF HIS "RELIGION".

TOUGH!!  YOU WORLDLINGS ARE NEVER INTIMIDATED
WHEN CONVERSING ABOUT YOUR CAR, YOUR GOLF GAME,
YOUR FAMILY, YOUR JOB, YOUR SPOUSE, OR ANY OF
A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES OR POSSESSIONS.  WHAT,
WERE YOU HATCHED FROM AN EGG, AND RAISED IN
THE "OUTBACK"?

WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU, SPORTS FAN?
WHAT SUBJECTS OCCUPY YOUR CONVERSATIONS?
TO WHOM DO YOU GIVE CREDIT FOR YOUR SUCCESSES,
OR BLAME FOR YOUR FAILURES?

ARE YOU "RELIGIOUS" AT ALL?
HAVE YOU EVER OR NEVER ATTENDED CHURCH?
DO YOU PRAY?  TO WHOM?  ABOUT WHAT?

ARE YOU OFFENDED BY TEBOW'S AND OTHERS'
PROCLAMATIONS OF FAITH, CONVERSION, AND
EXPERIENCES IN THEIR CHRISTIAN WALKS?  WHY?

MAYBE YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO WHAT TIM HAS
THAT HAS MADE HIM THE ICON THAT HE WAS IN
COLLEGE, IN LIFE, AND NOW AS A PRO!

MY PRAYER IS THAT MORE PEOPLE, OF ALL WALKS
OF LIFE, INCLUDING SPORTS, WILL UNASHAMEDLY
LIVE OUT THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH JESUS!  A
BOWED HEAD, A VOCAL PRAYER, A FINGER POINTED
HEAVENWARD, AND A QUIET, HUMBLE SPIRIT ARE
ELEMENTS THAT MORE PEOPLE, WHETHER IN OR
OUT OF THE PUBLIC EYE, NEED TO DISPLAY AS
TESTIMONY TO THE SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, AND
TO THE FATHER/CREATOR WHO GIVES US ALL THE
ABILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO BE SUCCESSFUL,
WHATEVER OUR PURSUIT OR PATHWAY IN LIFE!

P.S. - TIM IS A WINNER!  HIS 7 WINS WITH ONLY 1
LOSS THIS SEASON PROVES THAT!  BUT, TIM'S A
WINNER, ALSO, IN LIFE, THANKS LARGELY TO HIS
(AND MY) REDEEMER/SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST!

A friend .......is a Friend.......is a FRIEND!

Do you have friends?  I think most of us have some.
But we need to ask ourselves this question, "What is
a 'friend'?"  There are people we know.  People we
work with.  Those we do business with.  Some that
we "wait" on at the store or restaurant.

Then there are those who we live next to, have some
social or athletic contacts with, have grown up with,
gone to school with, or may even be related to.
Some we may belong to a church or social club with,
or are members of the same political group.

THEN, there are those "special" people with whom
we "connect", with whom we have a special bond,
a closeness, an infinite relationship which defies
words or definition.  THESE ARE THE MOST
IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES, for many
reasons, some of which I propose to define:

A FRIEND IS ONE WHO, THOUGH NOT NEAR
OR IN VIEW, YOU KNOW THEY ARE "WITH" YOU!

A FRIEND is someone who "hugs" you with their eyes!

A FRIEND KNOWS THE ANSWER TO "HOW ARE
YOU" WITHOUT EVEN ASKING!

A FRIEND never is put out by the timing of your
phone call!

A FRIEND IS ONE WHO IS "THINKING OF YOU"
THOUGH NOT SENDING A GREETING CARD!

A FRIEND gives and doesn't even remember doing
so or keeps record or expects a return!

A FRIEND SENSES WHEN YOU ARE DISTRAUGHT
OR OUT- OF- SORTS, AND KNOWS JUST WHEN
TO SHOW UP AT YOUR DOOR!

A FRIEND gives affirmation with just a touch!

A FRIEND LOVES YOU EVEN WHEN YOU'RE
GUILTY OF AN "INDISCRETION"!

A FRIEND will "lend" without interest or payback
by a certain day or time!

A FRIEND JUST DOESN'T SAY "I KNOW WHAT
YOU'RE GOING THROUGH", BECAUSE THEY
ARE "GOING THROUGH" WITH YOU!

A FRIEND can spend a day, or an hour, or a
minute with you and you feel like your whole
life has been elevated to a new height!

A FRIEND WILL DEFEND YOUR RIGHT TO
"BE HUMAN" AND NOT PERFECT!

A FRIEND will always give you "the benefit of
the doubt"!

A FRIEND WILL STAND WITH YOU IN THE
TOUGHEST TRIALS & RIGORS YOU FACE!

A FRIEND will pick you up when you fall, and
pull you down when you're "flying too high"!

A FRIEND WILL CRY WHEN YOU CRY, AND
LAUGH WHEN YOU LAUGH!

A FRIEND will put their arms around you so
you "don't lose it"!

A FRIEND WILL KEEP YOU IN PRAYERS, EVEN
WHEN NO PARTICULAR NEED IS KNOWN!

A FRIEND will take you where you need to go,
pick you up when you're ready, and just "go
along for the ride when you need to not be alone!

A FRIEND WILL SIT QUIETLY WITH YOU,
SAYING VOLUMES WITHOUT SPEAKING!

A FRIEND will lovingly and diplomatically help
you to see and/or feel differently when you are
"off track"!

A FRIEND NEVER HAS TO SHOW OR EXPRESS
"FRIENDSHIP" - YOU JUST KNOW IT'S THERE!

A FRIEND touches you where you can't reach
yourself, or where no one else can touch, or in
places you never knew existed!

A FRIEND CAN BE A SPOUSE, A CHILD, A PARENT,
A NEIGHBOR, A MENTOR, A COWORKER, A
BOSS, AN EMPLOYEE, OR ANYONE WHO OPTS
TO "BE IN YOUR LIFE & HEART"!

A FRIEND will never be hurt by anything you
say or do - they'll just back away, perhaps, and let
you vent until you're back to being YOU!

A FRIEND LOVES YOU IN SPITE OF YOUR
POLITICAL LEANINGS!

A FRIEND respects you opinion(s), even when
you're wrong!

A FRIEND IS YOUR FRIEND NO MATTER YOUR
SKIN COLOR OR RELIGION!

A FRIEND is always comfortable around you!

A FRIEND  LOVES YOU FOR JUST BEING YOU!!


I pray that this helps your day.  I'm your friend.
Have a great "everafter".  Love, Bill.    

"IT TOLLS FOR THEE!"

Writing about the passing (death) of other humans, a wise
old bard wrote, "Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee."

Death is so certain and sudden, yet most of us are totally
uprepared for its arrival.  There's just something about its
suddenness, sometimes, that catches us offguard, and leaves
us with few, if any, words to express our emotions.

Such is the case with a long-time neighbor and friend who we
lost recently.  Dave was my next-door neighbor for over 16
years, until we moved last December.  I could stand at the
edge of my property and throw a stone lefthanded and hit
his house with it, if I had wanted to.

Over the course of time Dave and I had may interactions
and conversations, from work to cars to motorcycles to
"girlfriends" to our health, etc.

Once, right after one of my "life crises", I was attempting to
mow my lawn, and must have appeared to be struggling, as
Dave drove his lawn tractor across the street and helped me
to finish the job.  I don't remember if it was after my heart
attack or my appendectomy, but I appreciated his "neigh-

borliness" a lot!

Another time, when I was tackling the task of removing

a huge plot of rather large weeds that had become tree-like,

Dave was right there with an electric saw and other tools,

as well as himself to help make the task shorter and less

stressful. 

I wonder if I was a good neighbor?

Sometimes Dave and I would talk just to talk.  Both being single

for much of our friendship, I would josh with him about
getting a lady friend and "settling down", and he would do
the same right back at me.  We laughed a lot together.

Dave was only 58 when his COPD did him in.  I didn't even

know he was having problems.  I would tour the old
neighborhood usually on Sundays when we would go
back for church, and often stop and chat with him, as
usual and as in old times, about everything and nothing.

He looked good in the casket.  I was in shock.  I still am.
You know how you think some people will "always be
there"?  I did.  Dave wasn't.

Not much sense in driving through the old neighborhood
now, except maybe to catch Tom or Joe or Len just

standing around.  We didn't have as much "in common"

as Dave and I did.  And still do.  Even though I'm now
an hour's drive away, and return to town almost every

week, I miss my friend, Dave.  Probably always will.

I wonder if anyone will feel or think or write these kinds

of words about me when it's "my turn"?

"Every man's death diminishes me!" is another line of
old, which is still appropo.  It's hard to think that Dave

is no longer with us.  The old neighborhood will never

be the same.  The town will never be the same.  I will
never be the same.

REST IN PEACE, FRIEND DAVE, I trust you're with God!    

What If Christians Are Wrong?

Didja ever think about it?  Wonder about it?  What 'if"
all the things those church-going, Bible-thumping,
Scripture-quoting people are "missing the mark"?

What if they are totally wrong?  What if they're just
talking "pie in the sky", with nothing to really cinch
their beliefs?  What if they're "hoping against hope"
that there's a "prize" awaiting them - a place called
"Heaven" where all is just dandy?

Isn't that a stretch?  Isn't that being impractical?
Isn't that just "wanting" there to be a hereafter to
call "home", to relax in, to view the beauty all
around, to "be rewarded" with?  Heaven?  Huh?

Supposing, just supposing, these fanatics have
contrived this whole concept of a future filled with
"glory" and "God's presence and blessing"?  What
if there's no such place, and they're wasting their
time (and ours) talking about "being good", and
"being saved" so we can go there?

Well, let's give it some thought:  First, it's not a
bad idea to love your neighbor - it'll come back to

you.  Second, it's a great feeling to help someone

in need when you are able to do so.  Third, life

is much less stressful when you get along with
your family, coworkers, fellow-students, neighbors,
etc. 

Fourth, your conscience will give you "peace of

mind", a "taste of Heaven" when you lie on your

pillow at night.  Fifth, why would anyone want

to have enemies?  Sixth, it's so quiet, peaceful,

and relaxing to be in church Sunday mornings, or

whenever you go.  Seventh, just the idea that

there might be "angels all around" gives one the
strength and comfort to face life's challenges.

Eighth, "doing right" helps to keep your body's

functions operating properly.  Ninth, it feels

good to clean up, dress up, and have a nice lunch
or dinner after church service.  Tenth, who can

resist a smile, or a "God bless you", or a "I'll be

praying for you"?

AND DON'T YOU WANT TO KNOW THAT 

YOU ARE "FORGIVEN" ALL OF YOUR WRONGS? 

IF CHRISTIANS ARE WRONG, and there's nothing
to knowing Jesus Christ, loving God, living right,
loving others, and there's really NO REWARD (?)
awaiting at the end of life - there are plenty of
"rewards" here and now!!  Just treating people
well, being treated well, hobnobbing with others
who are decent folks, having moments of quiet
and peacefulness in a well-adorned sanctuary,
etc., LIFE AS WE KNOW IT HAS PLENTY OF
REWARDS!

But, Friend, and I do count you as my friend, I
must tell you, I'm totally convinced in my head
and in my heart, that THERE'S SO MUCH MORE
THAT AWAITS THE CHILD OF GOD in the
"afterlife".

There are too many "coincidences" about the
formation of the world(s), the compiling of the
Bible, the accounts of the life of Jesus, and the
records of miracles, and more, than the intelligent
mind can dare to dismiss.

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU!
GOD HAS A BETTER LIFE FOR YOU!
GOD HAS FORGIVENESS FOR YOU!
GOD HAS PEACE FOR YOU!
GOD HAS HAPPINESS FOR YOU!
GOD HAS A SAVIOUR FOR YOU!
GOD HAS A PLACE "RESERVED" FOR YOU!

Can you afford to take the chance that Christians
are "wrong"?  CAN YOU?  I don't think so.
Accept Jesus Christ today as your Saviour, make
Him your Lord, and look forward to the next life,
which, I promise, will be better than this one!! 

IF MY PEOPLE WILL.........THEN I WILL..............!

A common Bible verse that Christians and Patriots use at
this time of the year is Second Chronicles, chapter 7, verse
14.  It's read and recited by many in their celebrations of
our country's birthdays, in the hopes of inspiring a return
to God and godliness by our fellow-citizens.

"If my people", it begins - the question here being, WILL
God's people?  So many good, church-going, decent,
upstanding citizens want to be known as God's, but I
fear that their reputations belie their true character.

God is looking for a people who will, indeed, be HIS!
He doesn't want pretenders.  In fact, He warns us about
"having a form of godliness" without the true nature to
back it up.

"If my people, who are called by My name," - To bear
and carry the name of Jehovah God is a heavy thing!
It's not a passport to Heaven.  It's not a guarantee of
presumptous forgiveness.  It's not a "good business
practice" to be known in the community as a church-
goer.  It's not enough!

To be called by His name means that we have to
act as He would act in every situation of life!  We
sin if we act any other way!  TO BE KNOWN AS
GOD'S MEANS TO ACT LIKE GOD'S!

"If my people, who are called by My name, shall humble
themselves," - this is a hard thing to do.  Our sinful
human nature wants us to advance our desires, push
to get our agendas accomplished, retaliate when we
feel we are wronged, and take pride in accomplishments
which we feel are worthwhile or worthy of notice.

HUMBLE?  Are you?  Am I?  What is humility, and
how should we "wear it"?

Basically, as I see it, humility is GIVING GOD THE
CREDIT for anything that happens or that we appear
to have succeeded in doing!  Give God the glory!  Give
God the attention!  Give God the praise!  As John the
Baptist proclaimed, "He (Jesus) must INCREASE, and
I (you/me) must DECREASE."  That's humility, friend.

"If my people, who are called by My name, shall humble
themselves..............and pray," - DO YOU PRAY?  I don't
mean do you recite "The Lord's Prayer" with your
fellow-attendees on Sunday mornings.  I'm not talking
about beseeching God when an "emergency" arises in
your life.  God is not "flattered" when there's something
you feel you "need" or "deserve" and you ask Him to
provide it for you.  PRAYER is soooooooooooo much
more than that!

To PRAY is to spend time with God.  It means to shut
yourself in, away from the busyness of the home, store,
office, street, etc., and CONCENTRATE on the
"business" at hand, namely that of talking to God in
earnest, "listening" to Him, contemplating words of
Scripture, and spending invaluable time in worship and
praise.  Prayer time is "escape" time - to shut the world
out, and BE ALONE IN GOD'S PRESENCE!

"If my people, who are called by My name, shall humble
themselves, and pray, and seek My face," - SEEK HIS
FACE!  Wha?  What does this mean?  The prophets and
spiritual leaders of both Old and New Testaments asked
and sought to "see the face of God", and never
succeeded.  How can we?

What our Creator-God is saying here is that if we can
be serious and sincere in our prayers and intercessions
that we will "have His attention"!  HE WILL TURN HIS
FACE TO YOU, giving you His "undivided" time and
attention, not looking away to other parts of creation.
Be honest with God, and He'll be honest with you!
He will "give you His 'face'"!  WOW!

You don't have to be a reverend, or minister, or pastor,
or deacon, or teacher or prophet or anything of the
sort, YOU JUST HAVE TO LEARN TO SEEK HIS FACE!
He will turn his attention towards you!

"If my people, who are called by My name, shall humble
themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from
their wicked ways," - Whoa!  Our "wicked ways"?  Us?
Who is He talking to?  What is He talking about?  How
can God's people be "wicked"?

My take on this is that you know how that sometimes
we get "caught up" in the affairs of this temporary,
sin-laden existence - to the point that we soon find
ourselves of "no Heavenly good"?!  Methinks that
our Heavenly FATHER is cautioning (warning) us to
order our priorities properly, and not let "the cares of
life" interfere with our eternal mission - that of
representing our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and not
allowing ourselves to be "entangled" in temporal
matters.

What's most important to you?  What's next?  How
is your "list of priorities and objectives" ordered?
Take the time soon (now?) to write down the most
important things and activities in your life, and tell
yourself that you intend to honor those items
according to their importance!  Please.  Life is so
short, death so certain, and eternity so "eternal"!

What does God promise if we do these things?  WOW!
".....I will hear from Heaven, I will forgive their sin, I
will heal their land."!!  WOW!  SWEET!  AWESOME!

To think that the God of Heaven and of the Universe
will hear us......will forgive us.....will HEAL OUR LAND!
How we need that to happen!  At the risk of being "too
political" (who, me?), I offer to you that our Creator-God
wants to improve our nation's situation!  Of course, the
first "matter of business" is to restore us spiritually!
Then politically, economically, morally, socially, and
every other way you can think of!!

"IF.........I WILL............."  What is it that you want your
Maker/Saviour to do for you today?  Follow the simple
formula herein described, and WATCH THE MIRACLES
HAPPEN - individually, in your family, on your job,
in your neighborhood, your city, your state, in our
nation's capitol, and around the world.

God bless you, Bill.    

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE YOU TRULY HAPPY?

ARE YOU HAPPY?  IF SO, HOW DID YOU GET TO THAT STATE?
WHAT DID IT TAKE TO SATISFY YOU TO THE LEVEL OF
CONTENTMENT AND JOY THAT YOU CURRENTLY OWN?

NOT HAPPY?  WHY NOT?  WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET YOU
OUT OF YOUR DOLDRUMS AND INTO AN ATTITUDE OF
PLEASANTNESS?

THE BIBLE SAYS THAT "GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT
IS GREAT GAIN."
AGAIN, "......LEARN.....TO BE CONTENT."

WHAT EVENT(S), WHAT FRIENDSHIPS, WHAT POSSESSIONS
WOULD YOU NEED TO PUT A SMILE IN YOUR HEART AND
ON YOUR FACE, CONTINUALLY?

IS THERE SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE LACKING? 
ARE YOU IN POOR HEALTH?
DO YOU NOT HAVE "ENOUGH" MONEY?
ARE YOU FRIENDLESS AND ALONE?
DO OTHERS OFTEN DISAPPOINT YOU?

WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO MAKE YOU HAPPY?

HOW MANY PAIRS OF SHOES DO YOU HAVE?
HOW MANY PAIRS OF PANTS ARE IN YOUR CLOSET?
HOW MANY COLORS OF TOPS ARE IN YOUR BUREAU?
HOW BIG IS YOUR LIBRARY?
DO YOU NEED MORE TIES?  (careful, now)
IS THE WEATHER SUITING YOU?  DOES IT EVER?
HOW MANY PAIRS OF SOCKS DO YOU OWN?
HOW MANY BELTS?  WHY?
ARE THESE THE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU "HAPPY"?
COULD YOU DO WITH LESS AND STILL BE "HAPPY"?
HOW MUCH LESS?

WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO MAKE YOU HAPPY?

CHANCES ARE GOOD THAT PEOPLE IN MOST OF THE
OTHER NATIONS OF THE WORLD HAVE A LOT LESS
THAN YOU HAVE!  CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT?  WHAT
IF YOU LIVED THERE AND HAD ONLY ONE PAIR OF
SHOES (or none) TO WEAR, ONLY ONE TUNIC OR
BERKA, A PIECE OF ROPE TO HOLD YOU PANTS ON,
NO ACCESS TO A RITE-AID TO PURCHASE HAIR
PRODUCTS OR MAKEUP, ETC.  WHAT IF YOUR
WATER SUPPLY WAS "SUSPECT", BUT IT WAS THE
ONLY ONE YOU HAD?

GETTING MY DRIFT?  WE ARE SOOOO BLESSED!
IN LIGHT OF THE TIMES WE ARE LIVING IN, IT
BEHOOVES US TO TAKE INVENTORY OF THOSE
"THINGS" THAT WE THINK WE NEED, MANY OF
WHICH WE COULD EASILY DO WITHOUT, AND
CURTAIL EXPENSES, REDUCE OUR WARDROBES,
LIVE MORE SIMPLY, AND EVEN THINK ABOUT
PREPARING FOR A POSSIBLE "MELTDOWN" OF
OUR WAY OF LIFE!?!

THE FUNERAL DIRECTOR CAN ONLY USE ONE PAIR
OF SHOES, ONE SUIT OR DRESS, ETC.
YOU CAN'T TAKE THE REST TO HEAVEN - YOU'LL
GET A NEW WARDROBE THERE, ANYWAY!
AND THE REST OF YOUR "STUFF" WON'T GAIN YOU
ANY "POINTS" UP THERE! 


CAN YOU BE HAPPY WITH LESS?  ARE YOU BEING
A GOOD STEWARD OF GOD'S BLESSINGS AND
ENABLINGS?  REMEMBER WHEN JESUS SENT
HIS DISCIPLES OUT WITH ONLY THE COAT ON
THEIR BACKS AND A SINGLE PAIR OF SANDALS?

COULD YOU BE JESUS' DISCIPLE?  ARE YOU?  AM I?
WHOA, THAT'S HITTING CLOSE TO HOME.

I BELIEVE THAT GOD'S MESSAGE TO HIS PEOPLE
IS TO LIVE MORE FRUGALLY, MORE SIMPLY, MORE
HOLY AND LESS-ATTACHED LIVES.  THINK ABOUT
IT.  PRAY ABOUT IT.

WHAT WOULD JESUS HAVE YOU CHANGE AND
STILL MAKE YOU HAPPY, OR EVEN HAPPIER?  CAN
YOU LIVE THE "JESUS-LIFE" WITH A LOT LESS THAN
YOU CURRENTLY POSSESS?  "THINGS" TAKE SO
MUCH CARE AND CONSUME SO MUCH OF OUR
TIME AND THOUGHTS, THAT WE NEED TO COMMIT
OURSELVES AND OUR POSSESIONS TO OUR SAVIOUR!!

GOD BLESS YOU - I'M PRAYING FOR YOU (AND MYSELF).

WHAT THE HELL, ROB BELL?

An avant-garde pastor from Michigan has been promulgating
a teaching that has tickled the ears of not only the 7,000
members of his Mars Hill Bible Church, but has been catching
the fancy of others who have heard him speak, and who are
reading his new book.

Rob Bell, creator of the "Nooma" videos which we have used
in our teen Sunday School class, is publicly expressing his
inner belief that the place known biblically as "HELL", may
very well not exist!  Humph.

It's called "universalism", a teaching that Jesus was crucified
for everyone, and that their accepting of Him or his sacrifice
is not essential to their eternal salvation.  Huh?

Akin to the doctrine of Calvinism, namely "eternal security",
this teaching has the portent of sending souls to their
damnation, rather than trust in the finished work of Christ
and accepting Him, followed by obeying His teachings.

Why would all those people want to hear such heresy?
JESUS TAUGHT THE REALITY OF HELL AND THE
AWFUL TORMENT OF THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO GO THERE!

Is Rob Bell smarter than Jesus?
Is Rob Bell holier than Jesus?
Is Rob Bell closer to the Father than Jesus?
Has Bell had a "revelation" not given to Jesus Christ?
I THINK NOT.

Scripture talks of those who want to hear aberrations of the
truth.  We are warned not to have our "ears tickled" by
those who preach a FALSE GOSPEL, that other than what
Jesus and the Apostles taught.

ROB BELL IS DANGEROUSLY PUSHING PEOPLE CLOSE
TO THE PRECIPICE OF ETERNAL HELLFIRE!

Do I understand the concept of Hell?  NO.  Do I believe
that there are "levels" of existence after this life, depending
on what kind of people we are?  NO.  Am I happy about
the fact that those "outside of Christ" are facing an
awful, uncertain, everlasting fate?  NO.  Are you?

If, indeed the Bible is the Word Of God, then we have no
choice but to accept its teachings.  Pity the person who
"adds to or takes away" from its teachings.  We have no
other or better or surer guide to God and spirituality than
Holy Scriptures.  Those who try to change its teachings
are in danger of being "anathema"!

I would rather that Bell change the name of his church -
to what I won't suggest, only that the word "Bible"
should be deleted.  The whole truth or stop speaking.

WARNING:  I WOULD NOT WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE POTENTIAL MISLEADING OF SOULS AS TO
THEIR ETERNAL FATE.

Rob Bell, carefully consider and weigh your words - God
will not take lightly the responsibility that you're taking
upon yourself - it could cost you dearly.

Friend, pray for Rob and all of his adherents. 

OH DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?

As time marches (trudges) on, and I approach old age,
I am blessed by the "three score years and ten" that I have
already attained. 

LIFE IS FULL OF THE GOODNESS OF GOD! 

But the Christian must face the reality and the prospect of
leaving this life and "transferring" to the next life.  I often
refer to my previous wife, Jayne's passing, as she
"having graduated to Glory".

DEATH is a foreboding and forbidding word.  It signifies
for many the END of things.  But it is not the end, rather
the BEGINNING for the person of faith, the one who
has put her or his trust in Jesus Christ, the purveyor of
God, the Father's, plan of SALVATION!

Actually, for we who "are His", passing on to the next
level, or to the life beyond, (or entering eternal life) is to
be welcomed and desired, not feared or shunned.

In the "Shepherd's Psalm", we are admonished that
"though (we) walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, (we) will fear no evil (bad thing)."  Psalm 23 in
the Old Testament of the Bible.

A Christian friend of mine has been heard often lately
saying things like, "My bags are packed, I'm ready to go."
Her reference here is to the end of time, what with all
of the turmoil that we hear, see, and read about daily in
the media.  It does have a tendency to "wear on one's
spirit", this constant negativity that life sometimes brings.

ARE YOU READY TO GO?  WILL DYING BE A
BLESSING OR CURSE FOR YOU?

For the believer, as "the Resurrection chapter" (I Corin-
thians, chapter 15), rhetorically speaking, "death, where
is your sting, grave where is your victory?"  Death, or
passing on into eternity and Heaven, does not hurt!  The
grave is not the end!  As Jesus could not be bound by
the placing of His body in the tomb, neither will we be
bound to rot and be destroyed by death or burial!!

Did I hear an "Amen"?  Oh, a chorus of "Amens"!!

To be sure, each day has its contingent of blessings and
joys, but the spirit tires of life and its vicissitudes and
trials, but "Joy comes in the morning!" as one writer
declares!  Another stated, "There will be PEACE in
the valley"!

Accept life as it's given to you, and count your many
blessings, to be sure, but do not struggle when this
time on earth is through - THERE ARE BETTER
TIMES AHEAD - in the Kingdom of God and  in the
fullness of His eternal presence and blessings!

One of the dearest times of my life, and of my years
in the ministry, was being in the room with Dorothy
Graf and her husband, Henry, when she was 'going
home'.  She had such a peaceful countenance and
approach about her, and that has resonated in my
spirit and memory ever since.  As the Scriptures
say, "How beautiful in the sight of the Lord is the
(homecoming) death of His saints." 

Ready?  I am.

GOD LOVES "GAYS"

Without question, the most famous quotation in the
Bible is John, chapter 3, verse 16. We often witness
this reference at sporting events on signs that
spectators display to get others' attention. I'm not
sure that everyone watching knows exactly what
that passage of Scripture says, but for our purpose
here, I quote - "For God so loved the world that He
gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes
in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.".

In a nutshell, these words of Jesus about himself are
encouraging every one of us to know the love of the
Father who devised the great PLAN OF SALVATION
whereby we can be assured of forgiveness of our
sins, acceptance into God's eternal family, a life of
"sinlessness", and the promise of living eternally in
God's planned Kingdom! WOW! That's great!

You and I, friend, can have all of the wrongs of our
pasts erased and forgotten, and we can receive the
enablement to live better, quieter, more peaceful,
and guilt-free lives! WOW! That's great!

I BELIEVE THAT THE HOLY BIBLE IS THE WORD
OF GOD, GIVEN TO MANKIND BY INSPIRATION OF
THE HOLY SPIRIT, 3RD MEMBER OF THE GODHEAD,
FOR THE PURPOSE OF SHOWING US GOD'S PERFECT
PLAN FOR YOU AND ME!

What we know about the beginning of creation and
time as our race knows it, is that God made us male
and female, "in His image", and "after His likeness".
Despite the "fall" of Satan (Lucifer) from Heaven and
from God's grace, we have had put into effect for us
the way back into God's graces and blessings!

The Bible (Holy Scripture) says nothing about a
third or fourth gender being created by God. "Male"
and "Female" are how we began, and we were instructed
to populate and replenish the earth with offspring. In
other words, be married in holy matrimony to one of
the "opposite sex", have children, and raise (rear) a
family according to the laws and ordinances of God!
That in no way means that those who cannot or who
choose not to have children are incurring the
displeasure of God, or that those who choose to
remain celibate (such as priests) are wrong, rather,
as the Bible says, they can concentrate more on living
"the Godlife" in those states.

Scripture is replete with warnings and admonitions
against "turning the proper use of our bodies" to
other than God's original purpose and plan.

DOES GOD LOVE GAYS? YES!
Does He approve of their lifestyles? NO!
Are there those, both "churched" and "unchurched"
who claim that they are God's just as much as any
others? Yes. But their rationale is shoddy, to put it
kindly, and their belief that God will welcome into
Heaven those who choose to live contrary to His
plan, lacks merit.

HOW DO GAYS BECOME "GAY"? I propose a number
of factors, many or all of which have already been
advanced by others more schooled and knowledgeable
than myself, but I do so with compassion, and a longing
to see others "come into the light" and be God's child
in the truest sense of the word - by spiritual rebirth!

l. A lack of a strong male parent.
2. A domineering mother.
3. Absence of a proper male role model.
4. A doting or uninvolved mother.
5. Contact at an early age with a homosexual.
6. Lack of proper Christian upbringing.
7. Little or no knowledge of the Bible.
8. Unacceptance or bullying in school.
9. No friends of the same gender growing up.
10. Loneliness.
11. Influence of today's television programs.
12. Society's removal from Christian principles
and beliefs and practices.
13. Watering down by sociologists of the negative
effects and outcomes of being "gay".
14. Humanism.
15. Attempts by some to "churchize" or "Christianize"
homosexuality.
16. Lack of fear of the eternal consequences of "living
in sin".
17. Failure to acknowledge that God exists.
18. Refusal to admit that the spiritual law of "cause
and effect" will lead to dysfunctional living.
19. Feelings of discomfort or dissatisfaction with
one's appearance and/or attraction to the
other sex.
20. Acceptance of Satan's lies, such as the one he
posed to Eve in the Garden of Eden.

DOES GOD LOVE GAYS? YES.
DOES GOD LOVE ADULTERERS? YES.
DOES GOD LOVE THIEVES? YES.
DOES GOD LOVE MURDERERS? YES.
DOES GOD LOVE LIARS? YES.
DOES GOD LOVE GOSSIPERS? YES.

NEED I GO ON? The issue is not that God does
or does not love people, but that HE DOES NOT
CONDONE THEIR SINS OR SINFUL WAYS OF LIVING!
God says, "Whatever a (person) sows, he/she also reaps."

GOD LOVES YOU, FRIEND, AND IF YOU ARE
INVOLVED IN ANY ACTIVITY THAT IS WRONG, HE
WILL FORGIVE YOU (IF YOU ASK HIM TO), CLEAN
YOUR SLATE, AND GIVE YOU THE POWER TO LIVE
A LIFE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS!!

Jesus said, "Whoever comes to me I will not refuse."
Again, "He who the Son sets FREE is FREE INDEED."
Still, "You shall know THE TRUTH, and THE TRUTH
WILL SET YOU FREE."
And He says, "I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the
LIFE."

Come to Jesus Christ today, friend. Accept His
finished sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary for your
sins and mine. LET HIM MAKE YOU A NEW CREATION!

The Bible says, "If anyone be in Christ, he/she is a
NEW CREATION, old things (ways) have passed away,
YES, and ALL THINGS have become NEW."
I pray for you to become a "new creation" today.
GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO I. Bill.

P.S. God's Word says "COME OUT" from among them
(sinners) and be separate." It's time to "come out"
for Jesus.

I SUPPORT GAY RIGHTS!

For decades now, there has been an ever-increasing
move/movement by organizations and our government(s)
to allow or give special rights to those who some deem to
be "different", namely those who have tendencies toward
physical or sexual involvement with those of their same
gender or sex.

Numerous local, national, and international groups have
been lobbying by various means to "get their message"
across and to "have their voices heard" by the general
public or the masses, or the majority of the population.
Marches, demonstrations, pressure on businesses and
governing bodies, etc. all have the same intention -
namely that of having the gay, lesbian, and homosexual
segment of our population accepted by granting the
identical privileges and rights that the so-called "straight"
citizenry possess.

This movement has been likened to women's suffrage,
prohitition, black equality, and the plight of illegal
immigrants, among others. Slowly but surely, the
"water is disintegrating the rock", as the old saying goes,
with more and more acceptance and support being
given to the homosexual causes with ever-increasing
fever and fervor.

I think that I understand the plight of the protestors
and proponents of the so-called "gay" rights militants,
and I agree that they have certain "inalienable" rights
to which they have not been party, for the most part.
I herewith offer my proposals for the granting of these
rights to the aforementioned:

1. Gays have the "RIGHT" to remain celibate, despite
their insistence on needing to interact.
2. Gays have the "RIGHT" to be counseled by qualified
persons or professionals as to how and why their
"tendencies" developed.
3. Gays have the "RIGHT" to be silent about their
aberrant thinking and behaviour.
4. Gays have the "RIGHT" to ask God for forgiveness.
5. Gays have the "RIGHT" to be mentally and spiritually
healed by the powers of the Scriptures and prayer.
6. Gays have the "RIGHT" to renounce their sin and
let God give them normal patterns of thinking, feeling,
and acting.
7. Gays have the "RIGHT" to become heterosexual and
live as God intended all men and women to live.
8. Gays have the "RIGHT" to be forgiven of all of their
sins, and to live a life unto God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
9. Gays have the "RIGHT" to reach out to others who
struggle with their sexual identities, with the hope of
rescuing them from lives of sin, and eternal damnation.
10. Gays have the "RIGHT" to keep to themselves and
not recruit our children, among others, to their
wrongful, SINFUL thinking and living.
11. Gays have the "RIGHT" to be guilt-free and live
with a clean/clear conscience.
12. Gays have the "RIGHT" to be ready to stand
before God when their time here is done, and/or to
be "rapture-ready" should Jesus return beforehand
to take His ransomed "home".
13. Gays have the "RIGHT" to be happy - and true
happiness is only available through the sacrifice
that Jesus offered up on Calvary's Cross!!!

May all of God's people pray for the healing of those
who have turned from righteousness, in whatever
manner, and seek their conversion to truth and
righteousness.

There you have it, my list of "GAY RIGHTS" that should
be posted in every public or private place where they
may congregate or matriculate, in the hopes of helping
them to be the IMAGE OF GOD that they were created
to be.

P.S. - Bible references to reinforce my positions are
as follows: I Corinthians 6:9 - "....homosexuals will
not inherit the kingdom of God." Romans 1:27 & 28 -
"men burned in their lust for one another....commiting
that which is shameful....God gave them over....."
Leviticus 18:22 - "You shall not lie with a male as
with a woman. It is an abomination." Genesis chapter
19 - (both young and old men of Sodom demanded
to have Lot's visitors (angels perceived to be men)
come out so they could have homosexual relations
with them) - the reason the city was destroyed!

P.S.S. - You can be "free" from your bondage, my
homosexual friend, if you'll trust God through his
Son, Jesus Christ to set you free. The Bible says,
"He who the Son sets free is FREE INDEED."!

"The Lord is............I shall not want."

We all know it well - maybe too well. What do I
mean by that? From Sunday School's early years
on, we have read, recited, memorized, and become
very familiar with the 23rd Psalm - the "Shepherd's
Psalm" as many know it.
What is my point? How is it, if it is, possible to
become "too familiar" with God's word?
Methinks that the recitation of a standard passage
of Scripture may have lost our Father's intended
import and impact. Bear with me, please.

Can you quote the verses right now? What do they
do for you or mean to you as you vocalize the
words? Is there emotion or feeling as you say them
by rote? Is it a reality that every time you hear,
say or think of these verses that "warm, fuzzy feelings"
come over you? Or are these statements just a
ritual of childhood learning that have lost their
meanings with time and our aging?

For a minute or two, hear me out as I attempt to
make a point of just a small part of this "foundation" of
our Christian faith and lives.
Is God your shepherd? What exactly does a "shepherd"
do? Basically, he PROVIDES the essentials of existence
for his charges, right? What are those essentials?
Food. Housing. Health. Safety. Relationship.

Do you find yourself the possessor of these basic
ingredients of life, especially your spiritual life?
Physical and spiritual food - are they yours daily?
Housing - is there a roof over your head at night?
Health - do you give thanks for health, strength,
and healing?
Safety - particularly spiritual, but physical, too!
Relationship - are you on a personal, conversational
basis with your Heavenly Father?
ALL of these are yours, whether you presently possess
them all or not. They're promised to you! They're
offered to you! They're available to you!

WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?
My concern is that some of us seem to feel that we and
our children "have to have" so much of what "life" (the
world) is offering, that we feel like second-class citizens
if we aren't "keeping up" with our friends and neighbors.
TRUE? Hey? Isn't it?!

WHY must we have all of the latest electronic gadgets
and games?
WHY are our children preoccupied with entertainment?
WHY do we think that we ought to have or deserve the
"toys" and "playthings" that worldlings possess?
Do the "X-Boxes" and "Playstations", and "Wii's" and
"Gameboys", etc. please God? Do they glorify Him?
OR......are they taking us away from Him?
WHERE DOES A CHRISTIAN "DRAW THE LINE, or has
God already drawn it for us?

"The LORD is my shepherd,", and He sees to it that I
have all that I need!! My fear, Friend, is that "the games
people play" are taking us away from the sheepfold and
from the Shepherd's ideal for us. Ideal. Look it up.
You'll find that the word describes the ultimate experience
and life that God the Father and Jesus the Son has planned
and intended for you!!

Will our attractions and involvements with the things of
the world separate us from "God's best", and even worse,
take our children and the generations to come, should
Jesus tarry, even further away from "the Shepherd"?
The apostle Paul, writer of much of the New Testament,
through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, put it this
way, "I have learned in whatever state (condition,
situation, mindset) I find myself, TO BE CONTENT".

Are you "content" with what God has given you, offered
you, made available to you, blessed you with? Do the
blessings of your spirituality and walk with God over-
shadow the "things" of the world? Or are you "wanting"
possessions, activities, involvements, and relationships
that would deter you and interfere with a closer walk
with your Heavenly Father, and Jesus, the Son?

P.S. Please don't misunderstand me - Christians may
and do have "fun" in life! Despite what the unsaved
may think or use as an excuse not to accept Jesus as
Saviour, Christians do smile, laugh, enjoy a "good"
joke or story, play games and sports, participate in
"board" (not 'bored') games, etc. The Christian life
is FAR from unexciting and uneventful - quite to the
contrary - everyday is filled with insights, pleasure,
quality friendhips, spiritual growth and learning, and
MUCH, MUCH MORE!