"Only Thing We Have To Fear Is....

Fear itself."  FDR (our 32nd President).  Those now infamous words have been used countless times.  The reality is we don't even have to fear, fear. 

Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV
It is the Lord  who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."

That is easier said than done at times, but that does not negate the truth of Gods promises.  Fear is crippling, demoralizing and depressing.  Like the little train...Yes you can!  Through Christ all things are possible!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx9xO98kcBU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

The Light At The End Of The Tunnel

Did you ever wonder if you would ever see the light at the end of the tunnel?  The other day I was driving up interstate 77 and you will never believe what happened!  I saw the light at he end of the tunnel!  There have been those moments in life when I didn't think I would ever see the light,  circumstances were overwhelming and there was seemingly no hope in sight.  There is a light that always shines bright even in the darkest of tunnels, where there may be no end in sight. Jesus said I am the light of the world... John 8:12 ESV

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

So even in the darkest tunnel there is light even without the end in sight.

Senator Portman's Happiness and the Erasable Bible

On the eve of critical Supreme Court decisions in regards to the Defense of Marriage Act and California's Proposition 8, Senator Rob Portman of Ohio has thrown in the towel. Senator Portman's son has been living a homosexual lifestyle.
The desire for his sons happiness and the now the supposed contradictions of Scripture have caused senator Portman to change his long standing traditional biblical values.

The senator said he "wrestled with how to reconcile" his Christian faith with his desire for his son to have the same opportunities to pursue happiness and fulfillment as his two other children."Ultimately, it came down to the Bible's overarching themes of love and compassion and my belief that we are all children of God," Portman wrote.

Since when does someone's happiness and our own personal opinion trump the absolute truth in God's Word? And I must remind senator Portman we are not all children of God unless we have repented and received Jesus Christ, and living a life that demonstrates we are followers of Jesus Christ.

This is not about beating anyone up who is deciding to live in sin.  But let's take personal responsibility for our behavior and quit trying to make excuses for it or anyone elses sinful behavior.

Remember what Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery when all of her accusers had left... He said with great compassion and love go and sin no more

Stressed?

I had a stress test yesterday (and a free spot body wax...OUCH!)  Ever feel the pressure.  Deadlines in the office, test to take at school, company is coming over and the house is a mess, bills to pay and the monies not there, need to be in three places at one time with your children, the wedding is coming and all the details are not completed, the car broke down and your late for work, your supposed to give that speech and you don't know what to say.......HELP I'M STRESSED OUT!  Life is going crazy sometimes...what are we going to do?

Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:25-34(Read!)
"Don't be anxious about stuff!" (Hubbard mini paraphrase)

1 Peter 5:7 ESV
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Psalms 127:2 ESV
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.

My Rules...My Way

I like to play by my rules.  If I could have just convinced the referee of that in High School I would have not fouled out of so many games. Or the time I put my finger in the chest of the soccer referee in High School, he just didnt appreciate my "point" of view.  And the silly little Higway Patrolman who pulled me over for "speeding" in the church van, after all I am a "man of the cloth".  Hello why cant I just go the speed I need to go? If I could get my wife to understand that....okay that's not going to happen. 

You see we want to establish the rules based on what we think and what we want to do.  We do the same thing with God. 

Romans 10:3
Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

God is not amused with our attempts to establish the rules we want to play by!  Submit to Him!

Watch Out You Might Stumble

Ever been walking down the sidewalk, people all around and then it happens...the big stumble
...maybe even the humiliating fall.  You catch yourself,  look around to make sure no one saw you.  But they did and you walk away mortified, while everyone else is snickering and laughing. 

Interesting the Bible talks about stumbling.  One of stumbling verses  is particularly profound.

Romans 9:33 (see Isaiah 28:16)
as it is written, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."

When it comes down to it the bottom line is the person of Jesus Christ.  He is the stumbling stone.  Either He is God in the flesh(deity) or He is not.  As C.S. Lewis said, He.is either liar, lunatic or Lord.  Fill a room full of various world religions and the greatest argument will always arise on the topic of Jesus. 
So Jesus has either made you stumble and your still lying there in disbelief...or you have received Him for who He is and the only thing you have to worry about stumbling over is that crazy sidewalk.

Compassion Check Up

There may be no other statement by any human being that expresses any greater compassion for people than that of the apostle Paul in Romans 9:1-4 He says and I quote...
"I speak the truth in Christ I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit. I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people...."

Can you imagine the gravity of that statement?  Willing to give up your relationship with God and all the heavenly benefits so that someone else could have your eternal benefit plan and you would go to hell in their place.  What great compassion!