Still They Ride

I was reminded of a Journey song this week. It's one of those "power ballads." I love that kind of song. Powerful, yet very moving.

In the song, there is a line that reads, "day rules the night."

Still they ride

The strong will survive

Day rules the night

I'm reading the Book of Genesis right now. Is it any surprise that God uses all things for His glory?

"And God made the two great lights - the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night - and the stars." - Genesis 1:16

I KNEW I'd heard that somewhere. That got me thinking. As the Journey song says, "day rules the night." That brought to mind another verse.

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." - John 1:5

The light that John wrote about is Jesus. He shines brighter than anything.

When we have those moments of sorrow in our lives - those times of darkness - we tend to wallow in them, feeling sorry for ourselves. Why do we do that?! Turn on The Light!!

Read the Bible. Pray. Talk with a brother- or sister-in-Christ. When we walk into a dark room, don't we turn on the light? Well?

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me." - Revelation 3:20

Open wide the door! Let Him in!

"Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in." - Psalm 25:9

[My biker friends have been prayed for this morning: David, Matt, Sam, Mary, Tim, Alex, and anyone else who rides. And also for my Journey buddy Elijah.]

Still They Ride - Journey

Purpose For Pain

"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” - John 3:8

That was Jesus talking to Nicodemus about the Holy Spirit. This is from my study Bible.

"Jesus' point was that just as the wind cannot be controlled or understood by human beings but its effects can be witnessed, so also it is with the Holy Spirit. He cannot be controlled or understood, but the proof of His work is apparent. Where the Spirit works, there is undeniable and unmistakable evidence."

That last sentence is huge.

It reminds me of a song by Sidewalk Prophets - Live Like That. There is a line in that song that asks, "Is there evidence that I've been changed?"

Have we been changed by the Holy Spirit? There should be noticable evidence - a "before" and an "after" of some sort.

Do you remember the band Creed? They were playing to sold out stadiums at one point but then they broke up. Twice. Their lead singer was named Scott Stapp. I watched an interview of his this week where he credited God for the change in HIS life.

"One thing that's great is God can take our messes and turn them into a message. He can take our pain and give it purpose." - Scott Stapp

Scott now speaks to mens groups about their struggles with addiction, child abuse, and depression. In the interview he mentioned a song he had written called Purpose For Pain. This is from that song:

There's gotta be more, 'cause life is insane.

Gotta turn this around and find the purpose for pain.

If we look at our own lives, have we suffered pain? Did a purpose arise from it? That purpose, the result of all the pain and suffering, is the proof that we've been changed. That change is the evidence that the Holy Spirit lives in us.

What then? Is there evidence that we've been changed? Does that evidence bring glory to God? It should. If there has not been a noticeable change from the pain in our lives, perhaps it is time to make a change.

Just remember, God makes amazing changes through His Holy Spirit. Any man-made changes can be subject to failure. Ask God to make a change in you today. And do it for HIS glory, not your own.

Purpose For Pain - Scott Stapp

Live Like That - Sidewalk Prophets

The Life Preserver

What does love look like to you? Most of us tend to picture a young couple, walking along the beach at sunset, holding hands. Or perhaps a young mother, holding her newborn child to her breast.

"See how much they love each other," we say. "Look how much she loves her child!"

God commands us to love one another. And we DO have that ability within us. But we tend not to love those who are against us or who are not interested in hearing the Gospel message.

How can we NOT share the Gospel? Considering what awaits those who have not come to a saving faith in Jesus, it is the ONLY loving thing we can do.

"So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" - John The Baptist, Luke 3:7

The example I always use is someone drowning at the beach. They need help. If they don't get that help, they will soon be dead. Are we just going to stand there and watch them die? Or, do we throw then a life preserver?

"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." - James 2:26

Every human needs a life preserver, and His name is Jesus. Without Him, we will be eternally dead, spending our forever life after this one in hell. But, in Jesus, we can have eternal life, free from pain and suffering, surrounded by love.

"Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." - Jesus, John 13:34

It seems so simple. So, why do people not want to hear our message? Why do they choose to spend eternity in anguish? They don't believe our message.

We can do nothing to change their hearts. But we CAN love them, and pray for them, and share  the message of hope with them.

We are ALL sinners. But, if we repent of our sins and trust in Jesus, we WILL be saved.

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the Gospel!” - Jesus, Mark 1:15

So then, this is love . . .

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." - 1 John 4:10-11

Our departure for our new home is approaching. We best be found busy when He comes.

This Is Home - Switchfoot

The Beast System

If you are familiar with the prophetic writings of Daniel and John in Revelation, you have probably heard the term 'Beast.' In Daniel, four beasts are mentioned. In Revelation there are three.

Daniel's beasts are empires or countries. In Revelation, these beasts represent people. Both are symbolic in nature and take place during a future time. The time of The End.

These empires, countries, and rulers, all exhibit power.

“After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns." - Daniel 7:7

The beast's "victims" are people like you and me - Christians. All who are unwilling to submit to the authority and power of The Beast - the Antichrist.

He will establish power and authority over all nations and people, and will be controlled by the ultimate "beast " - Satan. In order to maintain control this Antichrist will set up a government or "system" to help him maintain his dominance. This has become known as The Beast System.

As we look at the world today, can we see any such thing taking place? Some kind of system of worldwide power and control? The United Nations perhaps? Maybe. But the actual means by which control will be established?

How about Artificial Intelligence (A.I.)?

It is already here and growing in both power and scope. Think about it. We are all plugged into this system already with our phones, computers, cars, and TV's. Any device that is "smart." How can Alexa answer unless it is always listening?

Did you know that all 2026 cars have the authority to surveil us? This system will watch us constantly, warning us if it thinks we are falling asleep or are impaired in any way. AI already parks our cars for us and slams on the brakes for us if it thinks our car is going to hit something.

When you go online to company websites, we often encounter AI "assistants," asking us, "How may I help you today?"

"How about by turning yourself off and going away?"

"I'm sorry. I can't do that, Dave."

"The system" is here and growing in power and knowledge at an exponential rate. Robots are running marathons and beating humans. Armies around the world are using drones. Ukraine is already deploying robots on the battlefield. This is all happening right now. What do you think will happen when The Antichrist comes to power and takes control of AI?

One good thing about all this - we won't be here to see it. God will remove all of the Christians according to the Bible. We will never know who the Antichrist is, and we won't really care. This is not our home anymore. Our home is with Jesus. We're just waiting and watching.

"And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. ²He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. ³He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore." - Revelation 20:1-3

Safe Passage

There is a parable playing out on the nightly news. Have you seen it? Let's call it The Parable of Safe Passage.

There are lots boats in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman right now. They are all wanting to get from Point A to Point B. Yet very few of them are wanting to go through the Strait of Hormuz. Why not? Because Iran will shoot at them or attack them with speed boats, armed with a 50 cal.

Iran and the U.S. are having a "disagreement" right now. Some are calling it a war while others are referring to it as an "operation." Either way, no one is getting anywhere, oil shipments are being disrupted, and no one is having any fun whatsoever.

How is this a parable? Well . . .

Think of the boats as humans. They too want to get from Point A to Point B, only they call Point B Heaven. Someone doesn't want the humans to get to heaven. That would be Satan. Iran plays Satan's role in this present day parable.

If you've purchased gas for your car recently, it's easy to see the effect this skirmish is have on the world. Gas prices are nearly double what they were last year. Our pocketbooks need a savior. Sadly, there is nobody playing the role of Jesus in this parable.

Without someone to intervene, the fighting will continue, gas prices will remain high, and all of the boats will just continue to float out there with nowhere to go.

Now, imagine this situation going on indefinitely, like for all eternity. That would not be good for anyone. The world needs someone to step in. A man proclaiming "peace and safety" perhaps.🤔

"While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." - 1 Thessalonians 5:3

It will be a false peace.

There are so many "end times" events playing out right now. One would almost think that the end times were upon us.

Well?

What To Say

"Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

“¹²But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. ¹³And so you will bear testimony to me. ¹⁴But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. ¹⁵For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict." - Luke 21:10-15

Why is my heart troubled these days? Why am I downcast? I feel like David right now. Why?

"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? 

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. 

My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you." - Psalm 42:5-6

Well, I am remembering God right now. I am remembering how Jesus told His disciples not to worry about what they should say because Jesus would give them words to say.

In all of my "what if's" and "shoulda said's," I must remember what David said. I must "put my hope in God" and "praise Him."

I become troubled when I remember all of my friends and family members who don't know Jesus. It saddens me because I know what awaits them. I don't want to see that happen to them, or anyone. I love them!

These are the words that I would say:

I believe in God, and I also believe He is perfect. "In Him there is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5)

God demands perfection from all of us (absolutely no sin allowed in heaven).

Our problem is that none of us is sinless. As Peter said to Jesus, "Who then can be saved?" (Luke 18:26) The answer is that no one can be saved, apart from God's grace.

The Bible says that, "without blood, there is no remition of sin" (Hebrews 9:22). There has to be a sacrifice.

Enter Jesus. He led a sinless life while here on earth. And He died for OUR sins. A spotless, sinless lamb, sacrificed for OUR sins.

This is where God hits it out of the park - John 3:16. 

"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." (John 3:16)

That's it. We have to repent of our sins and believe in Him. And that's the snag for many, including many whom we love. They're too busy, or the lifestyle they have chosen is more important to them. It's frustrating. Our hearts break. I keep hearing the words of Isaiah in my head. "Here I am Lord. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8).

But really, the only solution is prayer. We cannot change people's hearts. That's the Holy Spirit's job. The Holy Spirit draws people to God. And that is what we should pray for. And we should "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Instead of feeling bad about this situation, I need to be praying about it! Won't you please join me?

The Words I Would Say - Sidewalk Prophets

Who Are Your Four?

"A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. ²They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. ³Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. ⁴Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. ⁵When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” - Mark 2:1-5

When I read this story recently I pictured this helpless man, helped by four of his friends. They knew Jesus could help him so they did everything to could to get him to Jesus. That made me wonder. 

Do I have four friends that would do something like that for me? And also, would I be one of "the four" for one of MY friends?

Those are some very humbling questions. The second question is the easiest to answer. At first blush, of course, we all would help someone in need. But, when we stop and think about it, the question really becomes which of our friends would we take to Jesus to be saved? That's a little harder to answer.

The first question is tough, at least for me. Do we have four friends who would go out of their way to help us? And who are they?

I could come up with four people who would bw willing to help me with any physical nerds. But,  what about spiritual needs? Remember, the first think Jesus did after seeing them do this thing for their friend was to forhive his sins. THEN Jesus healed him.

It's kind of interesting when you stop and think about it. Who are these people who would do this in our lives? And, like I said, it's very humbling.

Who are your four? Whoever they are, do you think it would be a good idea to be praying for them? Before they have to carry us somewhere, like to our own funeral. Hmm.🤔

Lord Jesus, thank you for the people you have placed in my life. People who love me and care about me. People who would go out of their way to help me and, if needed, carry me to You. No matter what obstacles were in the way. I pray for them, that they would be kept strong in body and in spirit. And that you would bless them as you have blessed me. Amen.

How We Listen

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

⁹He said, “Go and tell this people:

‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’" - Isaiah 6:8-9

We all have ears, but some of us cannot hear. And others choose NOT to.

Here's an example of what Isaiah was talking about: Do you remember sitting in a grade school classroom, incredibly bored and staring out the window? Back then, we were hearing but we weren't listening.

And when we do finally try to listen, did you know that there are actually nine different TYPES of listening?

1. Informational listening - when we are being taught or coached.
2. Discriminative listening - a deeper type of listening, observing body language and tone of voice.
3. Selective listening - only hearing what you WANT to hear.
4. Sympathetic listening - noting the speakers emotion as they speak.
5. Comprehensive listening - receiving feedback.
6. Empathetic listening - putting yourself in the speaker's shoes. 
7. Critical listening - adding your own knowledge to what the speaker is saying.
8. Reflective listening - communicating back to the speaker what you heard.
9. Appreciative listening - like listening to music.

What type of listening was Isaiah using when he said, "Here am I. Send me!"

Are we using "selective listening" when we choose what news channel to watch?

And when we pray, do we listen for that "still, small voice" that Elijah heard?

Try using multiple types of listening at the same time in you next conversation with friends. There is nothing quite like hearing, "You're a great listener!"

"I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live." - Psalm 116:1-2

Nine Types of Listening

Come To Jesus

We had another Youth Night at our church on Friday. I gave a Bible study about three people in the Bible - The Roman Centurian, The Woman at The Well, and the Apostle Peter.

As I was reading the account of the centurion to the kids, this jumped out at me.

"When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. ⁶“Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” - Matthew 8:5

"Come to Jesus." Suddenly I was hearing a song in my head (link at bottom).

I wonder how many "come to Jesus" references there are in the Bible...

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28

"Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” - Matthew 19:14

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day." - John 6:44

"On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink." - John 7:37

That's probably enough. There ARE more, but you get the idea. The point is we MUST come to Jesus.

There is a verse somewhere (Philippians?) that speaks about every knee bowing and every tongue confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord. That needs to be us. We need to come to the end of ourselves, and to the beginning of our lives with Jesus.

Remember those wise men in the Christmas story? They WERE wise, right? THEY came to Jesus. Be wise! Come to Jesus, and live!

Come To Jesus - Chris Rice

Your Every Need

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19

That verse has proven true time and time again in my life. The latest example of God's provision is a young, strong, 18-year old man. Just what I needed as this old man works on area disc golf courses. God has provided my every need in SO many ways.

We had some storm damage at our local course. Half of a big oak tree fell on Hole 2. I was able to cut it up, but when it came time to actually move the wood out of the way, my old body was lacking the strength that was needed. Enter my young friend.

While we were moving logs, I bent down and asked my friend to help me pick up a big one. He came over and said, "Here, let me get that." He picked up the entire long, all by himself, and moved it out of the way.

"God will supply your every need."

I want you to notice something about that opening verse from Philippians. It doesn't say anything about praying for help or earning God's favor by doing things. It simply says that God will supply your every need. In Christ Jesus.

Do you see what God is doing here with this kid? And me? Let's examine the basic facts.

1. I am a Christian. I am IN Christ Jesus.
2. I am an old and fragile man.
3. I mentor young teens at my church. I have been doing that since being saved, through God's Holy Spirit.
4. Several years ago I met this young man, then a struggling kid, and his mentor. Both of them have helped build three area disc golf courses with me.
5. As I was beginning this year's work, this young man called me, out of the blue, and asked if he could help.
6. He needs a mentor, as he has been in and out of jail (his previous mentor has moved away).

Do you see how God is working here? He is providing for both MY need AND this young man's. All for His ultimate glory. And for that I give Him thanks and praise!

God does amazing things, even when we don't ask Him. Imagine if we DID ask for something, in prayer. 

How has God supplied your every need in YOUR life?

Radar

Where would we be without weather radar? I think back to my grandparents, living on a farm in north-central lower Michigan. My grandpa would go out into the fields each day and feed the sheep or bale some hay, not knowing what weather was coming at him over the horizon.

Today we know what the weather will be like next weekend already so we can plan our events accordingly - all because of computers, weather "models," and radar. Ah, science.

Back in biblical times, all they had was the sun, moon, and stars to foretell coming events. And the prophets. And God Himself.

Today, we are seeing many signs on the evening news, yet most people dismiss them. "There's nothing to see here. These aren't the droids you're looking for." Yet . . .

"And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years." - Genesis 1:14

The prophets in the Bible also foretold coming events. Ezekiel and Daniel,  the two big "end times" prophets, prophesied many coming events. Many have come true, but some of their prophesies haven't happened yet.

"And He said, "Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. ¹⁰Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." - Daniel 12:9-10

The question then becomes, "Are we wise?" and "Do we understand?"

The words of Jesus, our Lord:

“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. ²⁶People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. ²⁷At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” - Luke 21:25-28

The Bible is our radar. Keep watch.

The Thing About Puzzles

We've had a lot of rain lately. SO much rain that many communities around us are experiencing flooding. I mean, dams are overflowing, and people are being evacuated from their homes. That's a lot of rain!

While we know that "April showers bring May flowers," what do we do when we're stuck INSIDE because everything OUTSIDE is so wet? My wife and I do puzzles! 🧩

Puzzles help pass the time in our house, along with reading and household chores. At least our minds are getting some exercise while our bodies turn to flab due to inactivity.

I've noticed something in our puzzling. It is an perfect representation of our future lives here on earth, and also of our relationship with God.

God knows everything, from beginning to end. We, on the other hand, know very little about what lies ahead. It's like opening a jigsaw puzzle box and dumping it's contants out onto the table.

Think about your life in high school. Did you ever think THEN where you'd end up 40 or 50 years later? No! But, piece by piece, you are there now. God knew where you'd end up. He even knew some of us "had a few pieces missing," like myself. But here we are!

Our children and grandchildren do puzzles. If they only knew . . .

"Hey, Grandpa. Why are you smiling me while I'm doing my puzzle?"

"You're a great puzzler and I like to watch how you figure things out. You are doing well." - proud Grandpa.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Psalm 139:13-14

Desperate For You

Someone once asked me, "How do you know when you've found the love of your life?" My answer has always been, "When you know, you'll know." That is very true. But that love, and the sheer depth of it, goes WAY beyond any earthly constraints.

I had a wonderful hour of worship the other night. Unfortunately, it took place between the hours of 2:00 and 3:00 AM! Ah well. It was actually very nice. Quiet. Peaceful. Humble and submissive.

The song at the end of this story was playing in my head. I encourage you to give it a listen. When you get to the words "Your holy presence, living in me" push pause and think about that for a moment. God's Holy Spirit LIVES in the heart of every believer. That should be VERY humbling for the Christian.

Then this . . .

"And I, I'm desperate for you."

Are we DESPERATE for God?  I don't think we are as "desperate" for Him as we should be. How about you? What does desperation look like in the heart of the believer?

We recently had a lot of extreme weather here in Central Wisconsin. Two feet of snow, a major ice storm, and 8" of rain. The result was what they are calling a 100-year flood. Would you be desperate for God if that happened to you?

I drove by one of the flooded towns yesterday. The water covers the main street that runs through town. Further upstream it's just as bad. The picture above looks like sharks swimming in the ocean. Nope. It's sturgeon spawning . . .  in the boat landing parking lot.

Please pray for the people affected by the flooding in New London, Fremont, Shiocton, and all places in between. And that's just in Waupaca County.

And then thank God that no one has perished. May our prayers be desperate for God's protective hand to be over us as we ALL deal with the events of this world. Thank you!

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

"Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him." - Job 13:15

Breathe - Michael W. Smith

Who's Crying Now?

My heart, and the hope it contains for those who don't know Jesus, is fading. The "fire" will never go out, but seeing so many refuse to listen to the Gospel is taking its toll.

I have a young friend at church named Elijah. His favorite band is Journey. I like them too, so my friend and I have that in common. These words are from one lf their songs:

"Only so many tears you can cry

'Til the heartache is over

And now you can say your love

Will never die"

The words of that song resonate with how I am feeling. I have a finite number of tears that I can cry for the lost, but my love for them will never die. Yet, with each passing day the hope I have for them decreases because our number of days here is also decreasing.

Romans 1 says that "God gave them over to a reprobate mind." And Jesus said this:

“Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand." - Matthew 13:13

And that's what hurts. No matter how many times we talk to them about Jesus, no matter how often we pray for them, some people are simply never going to get it.

There will soon come a time when Jesus returns for His Church - The Bride of Christ. Many theologians and pastors feel that the departure time is very near. 

Hmm. "Departure" is the name of a Journey album. So is "Escape." So is "Revelation" (Are you scensing a theme here?). When all of the Christians disappear from the earth, then the question will be asked . . .

"Who's Cryin' Now?

"To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. ⁷Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. ⁸But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars - they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” - Revelation 21:6-8

Who's Crying Now? - Journey

Children of God

It's hard to keep up with all of the ceasefires and peace talks that are happening around the world these days. Most of the peacemakers fall short in their efforts. Why? Because, for the most part, the warring parties hate and want to kill each other.

Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9).

And elsewhere it says this:

"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God." - John 1:12

But the verse that really brings this concept home is found in 1st John.

"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him." - 1 John 3:1

And there's the real problem. Not everyone "knows" Jesus.

We should "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks us to give the reason for the hope that we have" (1 Peter 3:15). But it can get a little frustrating when inquiring people just don't get it.

That's where the whole "children of God" thing becomes apparent. To be a child, one has to be born, right? We have to be OF our Father.

"You must be BORN again." - John 3:3

And....

"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him." - John 6:44

I think I might change my middle name to "Jeremiah." He knows what I'm talking about. This is from Lamentations.

"For these things I weep; my eyes overflow with tears, for a comforter is far from me, one to revive my soul. My children are destitute because the enemy has prevailed." - Lamentations 1:16

I am grateful, and humbled, to be one of God's children. It is a title I feel unworthy to bear. Yet, here I am.

Lord, please come for your children. This world has nothing for us. We are yours and yours alone. Yet will we sing . . . Come, Lord Jesus, Come.

All Who Are Thirsty - Vineyard Music

The Shadow of a Cloud

"You silence the uproar of foreigners; as heat is reduced by the shadow of a cloud, so the song of the ruthless is stilled." - Isaiah 25:5

We've all experienced the hot and humid days of summer. There's nothing quite as uncomfortable as doing yardwork during the heat of the day under a cloudless sky. But wait! What's that? A cloud!

When a cloud comes between us and the sun we can actually feel the temperature drop. Even more so if the cloud begins dropping water.

As the shadow of a cloud reduces heat from the sun, so we can be to others as we comfort them with the love of Jesus.

I have a friend who recently experienced the loss of a family member. If I am to be "a cloud in the heat of the day," how do I "cast my shadow" on them to comfort them?

1. Contact. A timely phone call or text can really help. It gives the person the opportunity to vent or open up about what's been hurting them.
2. Listen. Sometimes simply listening is enough to show you care. And listen to learn, not simply hear.
3. Empathize. Let them know you are feeling their pain along with them.
4. Guide. Share an appropriate Bible verse or a story about how you navigated a similar situation.
5. Pray. Pray WITH them. Hold their hands, put a hand on their shoulder, or while delivering a hug. Appropriate physical touch is huge.
6. Continue. Don't let the conversation end. Promise to keep in touch. And DO IT!

We have been chosen to complete a mission for Jesus. We can do that by obeying His first, and greatest, command for us.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. And love your neighbor as yourself." - Mark 12:30-31

The China Syndrome

In the first chapter of Genesis, God commanded, "Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and subdue it." - Genesis 1:28

However . . . China was a little TOO fruitful and began regulating birth in their country. They instituted limits on the number of children a family could have. And handed out actual penalties if you had more babies than what the government allowed.

In a recent Wall street Journal article (link below) it was reported that Chinese billionaires are fathering hundreds of children through surrogacy. In the United States! Here's some facts from their article: 

• Xu Bo has 100+ U.S.-born children through surrogacy
• Some clients request up to 100+ babies via multiple surrogates
• Surrogacy costs reach $200,000 per child
• Babies born in the U.S. automatically receive U.S. citizenship
• Surrogacy is illegal in China
• Nearly 41% on international surrogate parents in the U.S. are Chinese

So, what's going on here? Well, our current surrogacy system ALLOWS this to happen. But beyond that, WHY are these Chinese billionaires doing this?

One, because THEY CAN, but secondly, their country's population is collapsing, due to their own regulations. But thirdly, their "children" can take care of Daddy via the U.S. medical and Medicare systems. In short, you and I will take care of dear old Dad with OUR tax dollars.

China used to be the most populace country on the planet, but it no longer is. India has claimed that title, but through no effort of its own. China's population is in decline. 2.1 children per family are what is needed to maintain a population. China's fertility rate is 1.1 - the lowest in the world.

There is a link below called China Population (Live). You can actually watch China's population dying (statistically) as it happens.

We humans think we control our own destiny. Here's a different perspective.

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." - Proverbs 16:9

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." - Proverbs 19:21

If we charted the number of people in any given healthy society, we would expect to see a pyramid shape. A few old people on top and lots of kids on the bottom, right?

Here is China's chart ....

China Surrogacy - WSJ (pay wall)

China Population (Live)

The Cost

This guy is (or was) an NBA shooting guard named Jaden Ivey. He played for the Bulls until March 30th of this year when they waived him. Why did they do that? Was he a bad player?

Jayden was the #5 draft pick for the Detroit Pistons in 2022, so he is VERY good at basketball. Jayden's "problem" is that he's a Christian.

Team management said it was, "for conduct detrimental to the team." That sounds pretty bad. What specifically did he do? For one, he posted this comment on social media:

"They proclaim Pride Month in the NBA," they say. 'Come, join us for Pride Month' to celebrate unrighteousness."

That's it? But wait, there's more! He also talked about Jesus in the locker room. Apparently, Christianity and the NBA don't get along so well.

Jesus can be a very controversial figure ANYWHERE, but in some circles He is extremely disdained. For example, it wouldn't be a good idea to go sharing the Gospel in downtown Tehran. But what if God told you to go there for Him? Would you go?

Jonah was sent to an enemy country to warn them of God's impending judgement, but he refused to go. Not right away anyway. But, when he finally obeyed the Lord, the Ninevites repented.

Being a follower of Jesus can be costly. Millions of people have died for their faith, and there will be many more that will do the same.

"Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples." - Luke 14:33

Would we do that? Would we give up everything for Jesus? That was Him talking to His disciples in Luke 14. He was also talking to us.

At the present time there are "churches" who support LGBTQ+ behavior in their membership and even in their pulpits. Was Jayden wrong to say what he did? The NBA says 'yes he was.' What do we Christians say? I don't know about you, but I'm with Jayden.

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ¹⁴Do everything in love." - 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

(from  the picture above)

Breaking The Bow

Are you ready for a little trip? Let's go! First, open up your Bibles to Jeremiah 45:35-39, then hold on!

"Thus says the Lord of hosts:

‘Behold, I will break the bow of Elam*, the foremost of their might. ³⁶Against Elam I will bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and scatter them toward all those winds; there shall be no nations where the outcasts of Elam will not go. ³⁷For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies and before those who seek their life. I will bring disaster upon them, My fierce anger,’ says the Lord; ‘And I will send the sword after them until I have consumed them. ³⁸I will set My throne in Elam, And will destroy from there the king and the princes,’ says the Lord.

³⁹‘But it shall come to pass in the latter days: I will bring back the captives of Elam,’ says the Lord.” - Jeremiah 49:35-39

*Elam was an ancient civilization centered in the far west and southwest of what is today Iran.

Well . . . is Elam's bow being broken as we speak? Iran's air force and navy have been destroyed (aka broken). It certainly looks like what is going on in Iran aligns with that prophecy from Jeremiah.

Look at verse 36 where God says that He will scatter Iran's people to every nation. I just read a story that said 3.2 million Iranians have been displaced due to this current conflict. 🤔 Not to mention the estimated 45,000 Iranian protesters who were murdered by the Iranian regime.

We are living in the last days. As we watch the news headlines, it would be wise to have a Bible on our laps while doing so.

Iran won't be destroyed completely however. They have to be around for the BIG war when they again fight against Israel along with Turkey and Russia. But we won't be here for that one, according to the Bible anyway. The Christians will be removed.

Are YOU a Christian? A BORN-AGAIN Christian? Jesus said we must be born again.

"Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” - John 3:3

Getting back to Elam's bow being broken, as I mentioned earlier, it can't be TOTALLY broken as Iran has to be around for the Ezekiel 38 war that takes place during The Tribulation. So, the current efforts of Israel and the U.S. must fall short. A peace treaty perhaps?

I'm not a prophet, but I do read my Bible. And I do believe that Jesus will return for His Church. We are seeing signs all around us that His return is imminent. Be ready. Be prepared by becoming a born-again believer in Jesus Christ. And sooner, rather than later, would be good.

Even If

In my previous story about our lovely little ice storm this past week, I detailed some of the events that happened. However, God was not done writing HIS part of the story yet so here you go.

Thursday night, after all of this had transpired, we were sitting in the livingroom, listening to all of the ice and branches still falling from the trees and onto our roof. Non-stop. Both of us were very tired and had just spoken about going to bed. Then, it happened.

A loud thump followed by the sound of shattering glass. A pine tree behind our house had snapped in half, the top half of which came in for a visit through our sunroom window. 

My wife picked up glass and vacuumed the sunroom carpet while I went outside, in the rain and debris, and tried to get the branches cut off the tree trunk and away from the house. We got all of that accomplished, I got dried off, and we went to bed, overtired and ready to sleep.

That's when I felt my wife's hand searching for mine. And, finding it, we both fell asleep. 

When God said, "It is not good for man to be alone." (Genesis 2:18), He was SO right.

Then Saturday morning came, I got done posting my story for the day, and then I "found" this song. Thank you, Lord.

They say sometimes you win some

Sometimes you lose some

And right now, right now I'm losing bad

I know You're able and I know You can

Save through the fire with Your mighty hand

But even if You don't my hope is You alone

Even if we had lost every tree in our yard to the storm, our hope is still in you alone. Thank you Lord for keeping us safe. Thank you for bringing our kids over for a visit, scheduled weeks in advance, to help clean up. You are MORE than able.

“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" - Jeremiah 32:27

Even If - MercyMe

It's A Miracle!

This is the season for miracles. But my wife and I never thought we would witness one in our own house.

Our local weatherman said we were going to have an ice storm Wednesday night and into Thursday. Umm, well, he was right. And what a storm! We lost five of our trees, two of them falling on our carport, and crushing it.

We lost power on Thursday about noon. Right in the middle of my wife baking some of her apricot bread, our favorite. She was really upset about that. Me too. It's delicious.

It was a long day of cutting up fallen trees, one of which spanned the entire road in front of our house. I even had to use the snow shovel to remove all the ice from the roadway.

We had two of our neighbors stop and offer to help. That was really nice, and I told them so, but I was just about done and they drove off.

The power came on at 4:00. I'm happy to say that our new generator worked perfectly (Generac 2000 if you're looking for a good portable).

Now, here's the miracle. After all of our unexpected work at damage control, my wife opened the oven to remove het half-baked bread.

"It looks done!" she exclaimed. "How is that possible? We had no power."

She cut open the loaf to make sure it was done, and it was! Then she cut us each a slice, we buttered it and ate it. It was, indeed, perfect.

"I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread." - Psalm 37:25

It's Your Breath

"Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." - Genesis 2:7

When I was a young boy (aged 9-10) our family lived on a sheep farm. Early one morning my dad took me over to my grandpa's barn. It was dark outside, but not in the basement of the barn. My grandpa was already down there working. It was lambing season!

Have you ever witnessed a birth; human or animal? The whole process is quite amazing, and definitely a God thing. Here's a young life. It's heart is beating, but it is not actually breathing until it exits it's mother's womb. Not until that moment did it ever breathe one single breath.

I'm no medical expert but WHY do we all start breathing at that very same moment? And, now that I think about it, I've heard of women giving birth where the baby comes out under water. Here's an explanation.

But think about it. How did this whole process ever begin in the first place? It's definitely a God thing in MY mind. I would even go so far as to call it a miracle.

Why, suddenly at birth, do we breathe? What causes us to do that? If we go back to Adam and Eve, neither of them were born. Both were created - Adam using dust and Eve using one of Adam's ribs.

Then the first baby was born - Cain. Cain had the very first belly button. He was also the first baby to take his first breath after exiting the womb.

These things are all too amazing for us to understand. But we believe they happen because they DO happen. Miracles DO happen! We are LIVING proof! Let us praise God for the miracle of His creation! And thank Him, for without His creation, where would WE be?

Great Are You Lord - All Sons & Daughters

Confirmed!!

No, this is not a story about eighth grade confirmation class, although I have many tales I could tell. Rather, this is a brief appreciative note about how God works and how the Holy Spirit leads.

The further along I get in my faith journey, the more I appreciate the signage along the route, confirming that I am traveling in the right direction. God is WAY better than any GPS system or Google Maps app. Here's the latest example.

I wrote a Bible study for our youth group at church. I presented it this past Friday night actually. It was initially about giving our testimony. But as I was writing it, it turned into more of a discussion about the Holy Spirit and how we can tell if He is living in us. In the study was this verse from 2nd Corinthians.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Weeks after I "finished writing" the Bible study, our pastor was giving a sermon out of Romans 6. He used this scripture.

"Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. ⁹For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. ¹⁰The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. ¹¹So you too must count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus." - Romans 6:8-11

During his message he then said this: "Turn with me to 2nd Corinthians 5:17."

Really?

So, I turned, and there it was. The verse I was going to use in my Bible study. Was this a sign that I was on the right track? Does God use signs and confirming "God-incidences"(sun, moon, stars, animals, other humans) to guide our thoughts and actions?

You betcha der heh!

If you Google "signs from heaven" and click on "Images" you will notice something. Lots of birds in particular. Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Hummingbirds. People seem to think creatures deliver confirming messages. But what does the Bible say?

"And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years." - Genesis 1:14

"There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven." - Luke 21:11

"The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes." - Joel 2:31

There are more examples than these, of signs from God.

Have you ever encountered one of God's signs? Was it delivered by another human? An animal? A very real and true prayer is for God to "show me a sign."

"And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs." - Mark 16:20

That's good enough for me!

Endings

I finished reading the book of Nehemiah this week, and each time I get to the end of it, I am always struck by the last words.

"Remember me with favor, my God." - Nehemiah 13:31

Focus on those words for a bit. What a beautiful way to end a prayer. Or a life.

Speaking of endings, March 28th is a day that I will never forget. It's my birthday. Every time I go to the doctor, they always ask what my date of birth is. They are using my birthday as a test, just to make sure "I am who I am."

But the reason March 28th is a day that I will never forget is because it is also the date on which my niece chose to end her life.

Each year, on or about my birthday, I go downstairs to my office and pull out the stack of letters that my neice sent me. She was new to her faith in Jesus and had many questions which I was more than happy to help her with. This was her favorite verse.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

Ironic . . .

Her favorite musical artist was Phil Wickham. She was quite jealous when she learned I had seen him in concert. She and I were planning a trip to see him before . . . well, before things ended. Again, speaking of endings, the thing she always wrote at the end of her letters is the same thing I often use in my correspondence with others to this day - "love you and miss you."

And that I do. That I do.

Here's a question: How can your niece be your sister?

When you both have Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. 

Love you and miss you, my sister.

See you soon. 🙂❤🙏

Remember - Nilsson

Flowers - Phil Wickham & Jamie MacDonald 

Why Love Matters

Let's start off this story with a line from the old Don Henley song, The Boys of Summer.

"I thought I knew what love was.  What did I know."

We go through our lives with changing ideas about just what love is. It begins with the simple, honest love of a small child. Jesus wrote about these kids and their faith saying, "

"Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." - Matthew 19:14

Is a child's love different from their faith? Not really, if you think about it. Both are simple, honest, and unconditional.

As we grow older our "love definition" changes, as do our beliefs. They become conditional and more self-centered. It's all about me instead of all about Thee. Both get entangled and mixed with other feelings - lust, and selfishness mainly. One word - sin.

We find ourselves alone, wondering what happened to the love we once had?  That childlike love, when things were simple and life was good. Do you ever long for those days? Would you like to go back to that simpler time and experience true love all over again? Yes, be we can't.

Our love for others continues to become more complex and we lose track of its true meaning and intention. It becomes contaminated by the world we live in.

Finally, we come to the end of our lives, when someone is in their last days of life, what does of love look like for them then? Often it is extremely lonely. What can be done? I have a few suggestions.

1. Love everyone we meet. And love them unconditionally. Jesus already commanded us to do this but we always seem to forget just what His love was like, to our detriment.

2. Get off our butts and GO love someone! Visit someone, invite them to lunch. If they're not doing it, we should call them up and take the initiative.

3. Send someone a text or message. Maybe they're having a really bad day and when we reach out, they know someone cared enough to actually act.

If we sit at home and "hope" someone is doing okay, what good is that? We could, and should, pray for people. But God placed us here for a reason. Not simply to think, but to act.

How are we doing with that?

"But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first." - Revelation 2:4

The Boys of Summer - Don Henley

Conflation

"While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." - 1 Thessalonians 5:3

If you have watched the news for any amount of time it's easy to become discouraged; especially these days. There are SO many bad things happening in the world right now. And then to find out that Chuck Norris has died!?! Oh my....

So, today I want to talk about a theory I have about these times we are living in. I am not a prophet nor a pastor, but I study my Bible pretty intently and there is something going on that has made me, and mamy others, take notice.

First, let's begin with a little scripture from the Book of Daniel.

"There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then." - Daniel 12:1

Check. ✅ That's happening right now for sure.

So, here's my theory. These things that we see happening now are merely the visible portion of what is actually occurring. We are only seeing 10% of "the iceberg," so to speak.

I'm not a conspiracy theorist. I just see news headlines and find myself asking questions. (My favorite question is "Why?" and my favorite statement is "Follow the money.")

Here's a word to ponder as you consider this theory of mine. Conflation - a fusing together; a merger of two or more things or ideas into one.

And one more word. Technocracy -  government by technicians. Specifically : management of society by technical experts.

As we watch gas prices rise we can read headlines like this and begin to ask "Why?"

Saudis Warn Oil Going to $180, Gasoline to $7 at Pump

Oh, it's war the with Iran, Israel bombed an Iranian oil field, or Iran bombed a UEA oil field. Saudi Arabia has cut production. All of those are true, but here's where my conflation theory comes in. What are we NOT seeing and hearing? Why would someone WANT to see oil prices rise? Could it actually be God's will? I have no idea, but read this:

“Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” -Revelation 6:6

Does that sound like inflation to you? And "do not damage the oil?" Trump just told Israel "Don't do that."

I recently listened to a podcast by a panel of five men, all of them are pastors who specialize in eschatology. One of them brought forth an article he had written about Donald Trump, what's happening in the world today, and The Board of Peace.

Did you know that Trump is the self-appointed head of the BoP? And did you know that he is the chairman? FOR LIFE? Yep. You can check it here.

These present-day events are a reflection of scriptural prophecies in the Bible. If these events that we are seeing today are just the tip of the iceberg, we will probably be leaving soon. And for those who remain after our departure, repent, believe, and forever receive.

In the meantime, keep reading your Bible so that you are not caught unaware. These are crazy times, but also exciting times as we see the day approaching.🙂☝️

Prophecy Roundtable