“In ancient days, in times that long have past;
God chose a man named Abraham to bless.
‘Leave this land. Go to Canaan. Possess.’
So Abram went and pitched his tent and cast
His lot with God.”
Thus begins the story of a covenant, a promise of a kingdom that passes on through many generations, right up to the present time; a covenant that encapsulates the greatest story in all of history. Read “The Kingdom Story” in the sidebar.
Matt 16:1-4
The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You knowhow to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” NIV
There has been much discussion over the years about “the signs of the times,” especially as it relates the the second coming of Christ. I heard it once said that things are going to get horribly bad right before things get wonderfully good. This is a case where the words “awesome fear” actually fits. We stand in wonderment and awe at what He is about to do; yet with trembling fear at what is about to take place. Matthew 24 and I Thessalonians 4:13-18 both speak of this event, but from different perspectives. Read “The Sign of His Coming” in the sidebar.
The thoughts we ponder are important. Every thought leads to another and eventually takes us down a path that leads somewhere. But, do we want to go where it leads? Our ponderings are not irrelevant. Thoughts have consequences. Read carefully the ideas set forth in the poem “Thoughts Have Consequences” in the sidebar.
I f you do this then that will result. If you believe this then that will be the consequence. An “if” seems to require a “then”, even if it is unwritten, as in Rudyard Kipling’s famous poem, “If”:
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
A series of “ifs” is followed by:
(Then) Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it.
And–which is more–you’ll be a Man, my son!
There are some very potent ifs in the Christian belief system that if we adhere to, result in some very specific thens. Read and ponder them in the new poem to the right: ” If all that we see. . .”
For the past two Sundays, Pastor Ron Hoffman (see Circle Community Church link in Blogroll- sermons now available online) has been speaking on the subject of temptation. The New Testament Greek word for temptation is also translated as trials or tests. God doesn’t entice anyone to sin but He does allow trials and testing in our lives, without which we could not mature or grow in character. These trials, often in the form of temptations, cause warring or raging battles deep within our beings. Read “You’re Only a Man! (or Woman!)” on the sidebar.
The Book of Genesis in the Old Testament is a book of beginnings; the first of many things, including the first man and the first woman and the story of how they unite in the first marriage. Read “I Thee Wed” in the sidebar.
“A New World Dawning”
Acrylic by: B Autry Collier
Bible prophecy is an exciting topic. However, because of over speculation about the particulars, many have become gun-shy, and rightly so. These who, what, when, and why speculations can interfere with ones perception of the big picture. “The Scroll” attempts to summarize the Book of Revelation from a big picture perspective, leaving out speculations and side issues. Marvin Rosenthal, editor of Zion’s Fire Magazine remarks, “insightful, and biblically accurate, you have set to poem the Book of Revelation.” Read “The Scroll” in the sidebar.
These two men and this snake play a critical role in the history of the world. Who we are and what we become is dependent on how we view these three. Read about it in “The Man God Made” in the sidebar.
Is there more than one way to God? Many have suggested that it is arrogant and intolerant to suggest that there is only one way. So, rather than say it, I will let the Bible speak . Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Before we write this off as narrow-minded, consider the logic. It only makes sense that the God who created man would have, not only the right, but the authority to tell the man that He created how He is to be approached. And it doesn’t stay only in the realm of logic. For this Father God deeply loves His man and provides the way for him, at great personal sacrifice, to become a part of His Kingdom and eternal home. Check out “Only One God, Only One Way” in the sidebar.
