Wednesday, December 24, 2003

CHRISTMAS “KOOKIES”

A church that attempted to put a notice for their Christmas concert up on a public library bulletin board in Britain was told it could not do so because it might offend non-Christians, reports the Daily Telegraph.
Officials from the same library in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, however, held a party to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid at the end of Ramadan only a few days earlier.
Bridget Adams, 57, a school teacher and a member of the choir at All Saints church in High Wycombe was refused permission by library officials to display a poster stating the dates and times of its Christmas services.
Margaret Dewar, the city official in charge of libraries, was furious that folks from the church made a stink about the incident.
"I am appalled at the attitude of these so-called Christians making such a fuss about this policy," she said. "It is quite a different thing having a party organized by a library to promote cultural understanding and accepting notices for religious services."


The Central Michigan University affirmative action office’’s attempts to ban Santa Claus backfired after noel-lovers stood up for their rights, reports the Saginaw News
The office posted a "Christmas Warning" on its online calendar warning against displays of Christmas cheer. The advisory, entitled, "How to celebrate Christmas without offense" said it "is inappropriate to decorate things with Santa Claus or reindeer or other 'Christmas' decorations."
"Good ideas for decorations during this time are snowflakes, snowpeople, poinsettias to give a feeling of winter," the notice said. Other cultural or religious holidays in December such as Hanukkah or Kwanzaa did not have similar warnings attached, the paper said.
The university took down the warning after fielding complaints from the Catholic League in New York. The office replaced its warning with a softer "suggestion" advising the campus community to "please be sensitive and respectful of others of all cultural traditions."

(via www.tonguetied.us)

Its that time of year again, tis the season to ....try to shut down Christmas. It seems that of all the holidays this country celebrates, Christmas is the time of year where people like the ACLU try to “rub it out” in just about any place in the U.S.A.
It seems that these Scrooges will only be happy when we all celebrate Christmas inside a closet, alone and with barely a Ho Ho Ho!
What is so “bad” about Christmas? What stirs up such hatred for what is usually a time that families get together, give each other gifts, total strangers talk to each other, peace on earth is at least talked about, and people do give each other good will. What makes people strive to blot out a holiday where people are motivated to give to others?
The problem is that Christ is the first six letters in the word Christmas. This is what has some people’s bowels all in an uproar.

Jesus said about two thousand years ago, ”But that the Word might be fulfilled that is written in their Law, "They hated Me without a cause." (John 15:25) which pretty much sums it all up.
He even says it more than once in John: “He who hates Me hates My Father also.”
(John 15:23). Then the question is why?
Again, Jesus answers: “Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they have kept My saying, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.”
(John 15:20-22)
When we walk with Jesus and talk about Jesus and do things that bring Jesus to everyone’s attention, their sins are self-evident, and they do not like that at all.
Since Jesus isn’t around to persecute, we are the next best target. And if we can’t be touched, then our celebrations are attacked.
Today it is holiday decorations, Christmas songs and signs that say Merry Christmas. The next day it may be no services here, or no home studies without a license, or no church schools or maybe more active persecution against Christians.
So this brings to mind the question, “What are we to do?”
Again, Jesus has the answer for us: “And when the Comforter has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He shall testify of Me.”(John 15:26)
God will send us a Comforter to take care of us as Jesus tells us in John 14: “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, so that He may be with you forever,” (John 14:16)
So, whatever the world sends our way, we are covered.
Take comfort in the fact that in spite of any persecution, Jesus is always with us.
Until next time On My Front Porch.

(p.s. Merry Christmas)









Monday, December 08, 2003

RUN FOR YOUR LIFE

There are two worlds out there in the wild, the hunter and the hunted. The carnivore and the herbivore, the meat eater and the grass eater.
All over the world these two meet daily in their contest of wills, run fast enough or be eaten.
The strongest and fastest win the race, the weak and sick fall to the fangs of fate.
Most predators, be they lions, wolves, tigers or coyotes prey on the weak and slow of foot. They do not try to catch the strong, it takes too much energy and risks injury.
The prey stays in a herd, in the herd is protection and early warning (the white of the white tail deer). Stray from the herd and you place yourself at risk.
It sounds harsh, but that is the way the lion gets its Big Mac©.
“ Be sensible and vigilant, because your adversary the Devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone he may devour; “(1 Peter 5:8)
This verse is a great one to describe how the Devil makes his way about our world, looking for “victims” to devour. What is the devil looking for?
“Therefore, submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you.”
(James 4:7) This is the first way, refusal to submit to God. If submitting to God causes the devil to run away from us, then a refusal to submit to God will allow the devil to come closer to your heart.
“For people who go to sleep, go to sleep at night; and people who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober. We must put on the breastplate of faith and love, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. “(1 Thessalonians 5:7-8)
The next step is to fall asleep. Have you ever watched a deer as it lays in its bed? It never seems to quite go to asleep like a human, its nose and ears are constantly twitching, always seeking that danger signal that will save its life.
Third, get drunk on the sins of this world. Live in the night and the devil will soon seek you out. Run to God, receive your armor and the devil will flee from you.
“For this reason, take up the whole armor of God so that you may be able to take a stand in that evil day. And when you have done everything you could, you will be able to stand firm. Stand firm, therefore, having fastened the belt of truth around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, “ Ephesians 6:13-14)
Fourth, do not stand fast in your faith, but let it waver. Ignore or reject the truth that is given to you, do not take up the armor. Let the arrows of the evil one penetrate you.
“Pray in the Spirit at all times with every kind of prayer and request there is. For the same reason be alert with every kind of effort and request for all the saints. “ (Ephesians 6:18)
Fifth, quit praying, for any reason, and as a result you will not be alert for the requests from the saints.
We have looked at how the Devil can catch you, devour you, like the lion catches its lunch and devours it.
Take the first verse we looked at: “Be sensible and vigilant, “ is what we need, for the lion is seeking the last one in the herd to snatch. But all is not lost!
“Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the devil's strategies. “ Ephesians 6:11)
God will be with us, who can be against us?

Thursday, November 27, 2003

Everyone who writes a column always writes a holiday column about Thanksgiving or Christmas or whatever. Without fail these columns are written and it must be by the thousands. So not to be left out or to bow to peer pressure, I too have decided to write a holiday column.
I have decided on the very original title:
“THANKSGIVING”

Cool huh? And of course I have to make a list of what I am thankful for.

1) I am thankful for a God that loved me so much that He died for me, a sinner.
2) I am thankful for my family, given to me by that same loving God.
3) I am thankful for my “church family”.
4) I am thankful for the men and women who have taken the fight to the terrorists.
5) I am thankful that my parents and parents-in-law are still here to share in my family’s lives.
6) I am thankful for coming home to my family.


Nice list huh? That is the nice thing about lists, you can write what you feel really quickly.

Now He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for eating, may He supply and multiply your seed, and increase the fruits of your righteousness you being enriched in everything to all generosity, which works out thanksgiving to God through us.
(2 Corinthians 9:10-11)

Why are we thankful? Just because it is the Thanksgiving holiday and it is the annual chore to be thankful? Or is it because of this holiday you are extra aware of the blessings you have received? I hope you think of the latter and not the former.
We walk in this life surrounded by so many blessings that we are aware and not aware of. Remember how the song goes, “count your many blessings, name them one by one”?
Have you ever tried to that just that? If you are honest, you cannot count or name them. God is indeed a generous God. That much is worth thanksgiving!
Well, my annual thanksgiving column is about over, and that I am thankful for! But, it doesn’t hurt to be reminded of what is important in life and to be thankful for it.
Happy Thanksgiving!


Sunday, November 23, 2003


When my son was younger, Michael Jordan was the star of the NBA and playing for the Chicago Bulls. Michael Jordan, at that time was leading the Bulls to several NBA championships, was the star of the team and seem to be able to do it all....score, pass, rebound, play defense, and win games. So successful he was that the slogan “be like Mike” came about.
Young basketball players wore copies of his jersey, emblazoned with the number twenty-three and wore out many basketballs trying to be like Mike.
But as all things that must be, Mike came to pass. Time caught up with the NBA superstar and now he is just like the rest of us and watches NBA games from the sidelines (except that he can afford the tickets!) The body aged and the quickness slowed, the shots didn’t fall as well and the jump didn’t have the same height as it used to. Time marches on.
Today my son is older and no longer are there Michael Jordan posters hanging in his room, the cards, posters and jersey are packed away in a box and life, as always, has moved on.
In our lives, it is better to be like Christ and not like Mike.
Christ came into our lives to:
1) give us eternal life “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
2) to give us a better life “I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”(John 10:10)
3) to give us peace “And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 4:7)
4) to give us hope “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, so that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”
(Romans 15:4)
5) to sacrifice Himself for us “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given Himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.”
(Ephesians 5:2)

It was fun to watch Michael Jordan play basketball, but that has come and gone. It is much better to “be like Christ” and keep my eye on Him.
Remember, instead of “Don’t Be Like Mike, Be Like Christ”
Until next time on My Front Porch








Friday, November 07, 2003

The Grey Ghost
Quiet, ghostly, grey against the trees of the forest. Walking slowly towards you...
What! Is this another Hollywood horror flick? No, it is a white tailed deer in the woods.
It is fall in our little part of the world, the leaves are down and the forest trees have taken on that grey look that comes at this time of the year.
As I stood in the woods looking across the way, there he was, almost as if he appeared out of nowhere..he was just there...
During the fall the fur coat of the deer changes color from the summer tan/brown to the grey of the fall. A deer can stand beside a clump of trees and just disappear from sight, almost as if by magic. With the stealthy footstep and camouflage the deer does seem to be a ghost appearing out of nowhere—especially if you don’t know what to watch for.
Look closely and you will see the outline of the deer against the tree, the eye, the twitch of the ear, the wag of the tail, the slow movement of the head. If you are a careless observer than you will not see him!
While a deer is an animal that just is out looking for acorns and the farmer’s corn and his camouflage is a method of protection, there is an enemy that uses camouflage for our destruction.
This creature uses deception also to hide in plain sight, to tempt us, to lure us away from the right and lead us to the path of destruction...this creature is Satan.
“ For the mystery of lawlessness is already working, only he is now holding back until it comes out of the midst. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the breath of His mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceit of unrighteousness in those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, so that they might be saved. “
(2 Thessalonians 2:7-10) “For such ones are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. Did not even Satan marvelously transform himself into an angel of light? Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works. “(2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
Satan practices deception, that is his greatest power over us. With Christ in our hearts, he cannot touch us, but by deception—deceiving our ability to think and resist. When we turn our eyes from Christ and listen to the lies he states, then we fall into his trap.
“Let no one being tempted say, I am tempted from God. For God is not tempted by evils, and He tempts no one. But each one is tempted by his lusts, being drawn away and seduced by them. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin. And sin, when it is fully formed, brings forth death. “(James 1:13-15)
Satan tries to hinder God’s work (I Thess 2:18) and keep the lost, lost.
Satan tries to hide in plain sight, to deceive us and camouflage his motives, to hide from us his true message. But, with the knowledge of God’s Word we know Satan’s agenda and can resist him.
“Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world's rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Therefore take to yourselves the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Therefore stand, having your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, take the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching to this very thing with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. “(Ephesians 6:10-18)

Monday, November 03, 2003

Two People, Two Lives

I had two uncles, Uncle Bill and Uncle Tom, both of whom served in WWII. Uncle Bill served in North Africa, was captured by the Germans while Uncle Tom served in the Pacific Theater.
I can remember both men, now deceased, and the contrast that their lives were.
Both men sacrificed for their country, while not the ultimate sacrifice, they both gave up a great deal for their country.
Uncle Bill spent about three years suffering in a Nazi POW camp. He came home, built a family was successfully employed all his life and left this world after suffering from kidney failure in his later years. (I often wonder if the travails he went through in the POW camp had anything to do with his kidney failure.)
Uncle Tom also went when his country called. During his service in the Pacific, he was wounded, contracted TB and malaria. When the war was over he returned to home and didn’t build a family, have a successful employment—in fact I mostly remember him sitting in his chair in the living room or on the porch, in his mother’s home. Over the years he slowly went blind and slowly went to drink. Many an afternoon he would walk back from the legion hall or I should say staggered.
All of this came to me after I became an adult. When I was a kid these two men were giants to me. The fought in the war! Now looking back I see the contrast their lives were.
Both sacrificed a great deal, both went when called and both returned and there their paths diverged. It is strange how two people dealt with the adversity that life gave them.
As Christians, we also, have to make sacrifices. Some are easy, some are very hard. How do we react to those times?
I don’t want to put down my uncle, I know there could be reasons for the life he lived, but others have made the grade and moved on. The saying “problems is just another word for opportunity” is not just another cliche.
How do you react to the challenges in your life? How much are you willing to sacrifice as a Christian? Could you give it all as Christ did?
It may be easier to give it all and “go out in a blaze of glory” than to live out a life time of sacrifice. To daily struggle with the pain.
How will you walk when your time comes?
Jesus informs us of the meaning of His parable of the sower:
“The sower sows the Word. And these are those by the wayside, where the Word is sown. And when they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the Word that was sown in their hearts. And these are those likewise being sown on stony places; who, when they hear the Word, immediately receive it with gladness. But they have no root in themselves, but are temporary. Afterward when affliction or persecution arises for the Word's sake, they are immediately offended. And these are those being sown among thorns; such as hear the Word, and the cares of this world, and the deceit of riches, and the lust about other things entering in, choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful. And these are those sown on good ground, who hear the Word and welcome it, and bear fruit, one thirty, one sixty, and one a hundredfold. “
(Mar 4:14-20)
The same conditions, four different people, four different outcomes.
When it comes to sacrifice, are you ready?

Until next time on my front porch.

Thursday, October 16, 2003

The Blank Page

Remember when you had that English composition due and all that you have for your efforts is the dreaded blank page? Writer’s block is what it is called I believe...
The same goes for this columnist. Often the idea will not form, the concept will not jell or the words just won’t come.
It is just too bad that I don’t have the help that Paul, Timothy, Peter and Luke had!
As Paul wrote: “For I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin. For I did not receive it from a man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. “(Gal. 1:11-12)
Also Paul writes to Timothy: “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. “ (2Ti 3:16)
It is sad to note that some people go so far from this statement to question the accuracy of the scriptures in an effort to deny the inspiration of God’s Word. Probably, if you do so, you then can ignore scriptures that you don’t like! Note that God tells us that scripture is profitable for correction, for instruction...if you don’t like to be told that what you do is wrong, then well, just state that the teacher is wrong!
Again, Paul wrote to Timothy:”For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth. Men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further. For their folly shall be evident unto all men, as theirs also came to be. “
(2Ti 3:6-9)
The re-writing of scripture to fit human wants instead of learning from God is not a new thing to happen. Men and women have done this since Paul’s time.
But also, people have turned to the scriptures knowing that the words are the true source of comfort, hope, faith, love and salvation.
God’s word is true, inspired by Him, or as some versions translate, God breathed. While Paul’s pen wrote, God inspired!
Now wouldn’t that be just great for that English paper! Until next time on My Front Porch.




Sunday, October 12, 2003

Beam Me Up Scotty!

When I was a kid, back in the ‘60's, I watched Captain Kirk on the television show “Star Trek” flip open his little radio and send that famous line to his engineer on the spaceship, “Beam me up, Scotty!” (He never said beam me up, Fred!)
Just about forty years later, I also flip open my little phone, but I don’t say “beam me up!”, usually it is to take a call from my wife or daughter or to call one of them.
What amazes me, in case you are wondering where I am going with this; is that what was a t.v. prop in the 1960's is now a real to life communication device. On Star Trek they were called communicators, not radios, which they were, to sound futuristic and all.
Today we call them cell phones, but really, you could still say “Hand me my radio, please”.
Cell phones sounds so much more modern.
Another scene in the t.v. series was with some futuristic salt shakers. The shakers where so future looking that they had to insert the line” pass the salt shaker please” into the show to identify the salt shaker! (They ended up as Dr. McCoy’s famous medical scanners.)
T.V. shows that portray the future are common, so are people who like to be serious and try to figure out what the future holds for all of us. But, it might as well be used on Star Trek for all the good it does.
James writes to us in chapter four, verse 14: “You do not know what tomorrow will bring. “
The future is hidden from us, what is in store for us tomorrow is not for us to know. All we need to know is that Christ died for us and we will, in the future, be with Christ in heaven. There is a future that you can be certain about!

Monday, September 01, 2003

Mary, Mary...

Many years ago,, when I lived in Oklahoma City, I was part of a puppet team at church and once a month we would visit a nursing home and entertain the residents and visit with them.
Once resident still, after all these years, stays in my mind. Her name is Mary. Mary was not a resident that was at the end of life’s highway, but a relatively young person who had an unfortunate event in life.
Mary was in a car that was struck by a train. She survived but the consequences of the accident had caused a stroke in her brain and left her deeply in need of full term care. She had limited use of her arms, couldn’t use her legs, and had very little speech left. Very little was left of the young mother of her children that sat, strapped, in the wheel chair.
Mary was married, she had children and she had a life to live. But a split second changed all of it, and here she sat, her arms tied to the chair’s armrest and a large seat belt holding her in the chair. This sounds cruel, but without this she couldn’t sit up and stay in the chair. Her head tilted all the time to the left and she constantly drooled onto the lap table attached to the chair.
Her hair needed combed and when she tried to talk, it took her ten minutes to say hello. But, while exteriors where a wreck, inside there was still the mind of a woman.
Probably a very sad woman, whose husband decided she wasn’t worthy any more of his love. A man who lied when he said “in sickness and health” at the altar of commitment. A man who divorced the woman he said “until death do we part”. Talk about commitment.
Commitment. Something not very popular in this country. Take a Hollywood minute, and get married and get divorced. Problems arise? Shuck it all and start over. Feel bad? Take a pill and it will get better! Now, now, now. Not later, later, later.
Commitment to many is a dirty word, but to the one who said “faithful is He who called you” (1 Th 5:24) commitment is not something taken lightly.
“But God commends His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. “
(Rom 5:8) Talk about commitment. Not very many of use will do that for just anyone, but Christ did for us.
And Christ isn’t just around for the good times, the young times, the fun times, but He is here for all times; “God is faithful, by whom you were called to the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1Co 1:9)
God is with us, in the good times and bad. Beautiful, ugly, ultra athlete or cripple, rich or poor, famous or unknown, Jesus died for all of us and He stays with us. Unlike Mary’s husband, He will never, ever leave us nor forsake us.
I don’t know what ever became of Mary, times and places have changed since then, but knowing her condition, I have no doubt she has no physical pain or suffering any longer.




Monday, August 25, 2003

Remember the Titans

I watched the movie, “Remember The Titans” the other day. This is an inspiring movie about two races of people learning to live together, the story of black and white athletes, families, people and townspeople uniting behind the town’s football team. True to Hollywood tradition, the film portrays the problems very simplistically with the traditional bullies and heroes. People are stereotyped in the predictable roles and you know way before the movie ends, how the film will end. But still it is a good, inspiring movie to watch.
It would be so nice it people would just lay down their differences and “just get along” but it just isnt’ true.
One scene in the movie the coach takes the players to a graveyard at Gettysburg (I wondered during the film how they got onto the battle ground by running through the woods onto the park) and points out how people died there for their freedom today. On the other hand, the battle for racial equality still goes on, and will go on for now and forever (sounds pessimistic doesn’t it?).
Only by one way will people truly be free. “ There cannot be Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is no male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. “ Galtians 3:28
And how can we be free? “Therefore if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.
Only through Christ can we be free and only by giving up your “freedom” can you be free. This isn’t double speak but it is how it works. By allowing Christ to be “your boss” can you be truly free. Free from worries, cares and free from the fear of what life holds for you when it is over.
Unity with your fellow Christians where there is no black, white, yellow, or red.
Have you ever noticed the color of your blood when you have cut yourself? The blood Christ shed for you is the same color, and so it is also in the person beside you. In Christ, we all the same.

Live In The Moment

I live in a generation that lives for the moment. But this is not a new thing to know. I suspect that my parent’s generation lived for the moment and that their parent’s generation also lived for the here and now. I mean, it is highly likely that every generation past, present and future has or will live just for the moment.
Live for the moment, the here and now, with little preparation for the distant future, no thought for the morrow. Remember the moral of the ant and the grasshopper? The ant worked and worked to prepare for the harsh winter that would be coming, while the grasshopper played in the summer sun with no thought of the winter to be. And what happened, the ant survived the winter and the grasshopper suffered when the snows came.
“ And the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, and the people gathered themselves to Aaron. And they said to him, Up! Make us gods who shall go before us. For this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him. “(Exodus 32:1)
Moses goes up Mt. Sinai to get the law from God and the people left down below get impatient and decide to make their own gods. Isn’t strange that they have already forgotten the God that had brought them out of the land of slavery, saved them from the Egyptians and look what happens.
The people had actually seen God and heard Him speak to them, in Exodus 20:19-21 we read “And they said to Moses, You speak with us, and we will hear. But let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said to the people, Do not fear, for God has come to test you, and so that His fear may be before your faces, so that you may not sin. And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. “
The people had heard God and had trembled so much in His presence that they asked Moses to be their intercede for them with God. And then, just a short time later, as Moses listens to God on the mountain, they live for the moment and not for the future and produce the golden calf to worship. A false god born of false hope or false fears.
Humans have this trait. We cannot help but live for the moment. We cannot see the future, we cannot know what tomorrow brings, we can only see the past, and we often do not heed the lessons learned from history.
If we truly could see the lung cancer that we could have, we would not take up smoking.
If we could see the heartbreak and loneliness of old age, we would not commit adultery and stay faithful to our husband or wife.
The wasted life won’t happen to me, so we take up drinking or drugs and lose that life we could have lived.
We cannot see with the eye of faith so we will not “be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev 2:10)
Being short sighted is not at any time a good policy, and living for today is not a good idea either. The Lord gives us a wonderful “insurance policy” to follow and He guarantees it! Through Christ, all things a possible. Through Christ, salvation is to be had. A future is guaranteed.
I would rather live for tomorrow and all its promise that God has provided than to live for today and all its problems.



Monday, July 14, 2003

Am I In Control?
I left my little farm to take a trip by airplane the other day and of course the thought of “why are people afraid to fly?” crossed my mind. I tell you the truth, it doesn’t bother me to fly, except for the ear popping as you go up and down on landings and takeoffs, but the fact that if the engines stalled at 10, 000 feet just doesn’t bother me.
There is not much you can do, I mean, you can’t pull the plane over and pop the hood and wait for a tow truck can you? So if it goes down, it goes down. In reality, take off and landing are the times for things that go bump to happen. So once your are up, you’re half way there! (sorry, no pun intended).
Just think about it, we get in a 2-ton, 65 mph accident waiting to happen, with no thought and then breakout into a cold sweat as soon as the feet hit the plane’s floor. What gives?
Here is something to think about----when you get in your car, you are in control, when you are in a plane you are not---someone else is in control. They make all the decisions, they will determine
everything about your safe arrival. Then just add about 10,000 feet of altitude.
Again, I think the issue could be control, we like to run our lives, to control every facet of our daily lives, waking or asleep. We do not want to lose control of anything. Hence the fear. Maybe some people have a real fear of heights, flying etc. but I think (in an unscientific opinion poll of 1) that this could be it.
You know, people have had trouble with control issues all along the historical path. Beginning with the Hebrews in the desert to the rejection of the Messiah by the Pharisees, and continuing to today.
We read in Romans 8:9 “You, however, are not of the flesh but under the control of the Spirit, since God's Spirit lives in you. “
Here is the answer to the control issue. God has given us the Spirit to control us, to “run
the show” so to speak. Now this is not to say that we are off scott free to do what we wish for
Paul tell us to show self-control: “Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is helpful.
Everything is permissible for me, but I will not allow anything to control me. “ (I Cor. 6:12) and
again he writes:” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”( Gal. 5:22-23)
Life is hard enough without us trying to run it. God gives this day, so use it to its fullest, and
don’t fret about the day or the morrow. There are so many stories of people trying to run their
lives from the control room only to have it disappear in a moment. Let the world worry about
tomorrow, let God take the stick and fly you around.
Until next time on My Front Porch.

Wednesday, July 09, 2003

THE GREAT CHASM
These people belong to the world. That is why they speak from the world's perspective, and the world listens to them. I John 4:5

I have never been to the Grand Canyon out west, but I have been the “grand canyon” of the east, the New River Gorge. It is an impressive sight, standing on the edge of the gorge and looking out across to the other side. Any season of the year, the view is one of a kind.
To get to the other side of the gorge there is a modern bridge spanning the gorge at a narrow point. It only takes a few minutes to drive from one side of the gorge to the other.
Looking way, way down at the New River running through the gorge you will see the old bridge that once was the only way across the gorge. You had to drive all the way down to the bottom of the gorge, cross this old narrow bridge and then drive all the way back up. It took at least on hour (I was told) to cross from one side to the other. And before any bridge was built, people on one side were separated from those on the other.
Look at today’s verse and the analogy holds for people and God. When people belong to the world, see the world with the world’s eye then they are on one side the “great gorge” and God is on the other side.
Again in first John (4:6) we read “We belong to God. The person who knows God listens to us. Whoever does not belong to God does not listen to us. “
As a member of Christ’s body, our outlook on life is quite different than one who denies Christ or does not know Him. Just look at the decisions many people make in their life, ones they do not think anything about, but to a Christian the same decision would not be made.
As I have said to others before, what happens doesn’t surprise me, it just disappoints me. These two verses teach us that there is a grand canyon between God’s people and the people of the world. Two different view points.
No wonder Christ said :” You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can't be hidden. “(Matthew 5:14)
Until next time On My Front Porch

Saturday, June 14, 2003


For the mighty man has stumbled against the mighty, and they have both fallen together.

Do you remember (or know of) Jack Tatum? Mr. Tatum played defense for the Oakland Raiders football team and was a graduate of Ohio State University, where he also played football. Tatum was known for his hard hitting player on the field throughout his career. Many a quarterback or running back can attest to his play during his football career (1971-80)
During his day, he was indeed, quite famous, football-wise.
Today, twenty-three years later, I read in the sports pages that the once mighty Jack Tatum has lost his lower left leg. Due to complications of Type-2 diabetes, surgeons had to remove his leg to preserve his life. (Diabetes is a serious problem among Americans today. Take heed that you know how it is caused. Take this as a health warning.)

Ah, when we were young! So fast, furious, full of grace and skills. Isn’t it ironic that as time passes and we accumulate knowledge and wisdom we lose the physical skills to apply some of that wisdom?
Ever been behind an old person driving? Notice that an elderly person has a great fear of falling? Need glasses now? Can’t hear so well, don’t like your daughter’s music or style of dress? Have you bought a new car and selected one for its suspension, size and comfort not its speed and looks? I hope you don’t pull your pants up past your waist, yet!
Yes time has past us by, youngsters now run the fields of contest and we watch or coach. We hire contractors to do the work instead of doing it ourselves. We start reading the obituaries in the paper...
Time takes its toll on all of us, physically, but what really important is that we grow in Christ as we age physically.
Ephesians 4:15 “But that you, speaking the truth in love, may in all things grow up to Him who is the Head, even Christ;”
Without Christ, all those years of accumulated knowledge is just plain wasted.
With Christ all things are possible, even growing up, with or with out legs.
Until next time on my front porch.

Tuesday, May 20, 2003


Recently I heard on the radio a report about the dearth of live births in Japan and how this country has reached a negative population growth (more deaths than births, the population is shrinking). The commentator somehow used this to illustrate the ability of Japanese women to have an abortion.
I am adamantly opposed to abortion, but I have serious trouble with this person’s conclusions.
Japan is a prosperous nation, highly education, with a rising female educated work force. It is a trend for highly educated couples to have fewer children or elect to not have any at all (Double Income, No Kids, DINKs). I think that there are more causes for the effect of negative population growth to occur than just abortion.
I liked the message against abortion, but I don’t like the very weak argument or suspect conclusions. Truth or fiction? Yes and no.
There is no suspicous statements from God. No deciding if it is the truth or fiction.
1Th 2:13 “ And for this cause we thank God without ceasing, that when you received the Word of hearing, of God, you welcomed it as the Word of God, not as a word of men, but as it is, truly the Word of God, which also effectually works in you who believe.”
When you read the Bible, the facts contained within it are not twisted to mislead you, but are written so that you can learn the truth about yourself, about God, about Christ and about salvation.
2Ti 2:15 “Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. “
When you read the Bible, the previous verse says it all. Just as God doesn’t lie to us
(Tit 1:2 on hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the eternal times, ),we cannot lie to ourselves or to God about what we read. We cannot twist the Word of God to achieve our own goals or agenda.
Think about it.





Tuesday, April 22, 2003

HOTEL LIFE

A friend of mine was telling me about the renovations at the church he attends. The foyer was designed as a hotel foyer instead of the traditional church foyer. The reason for this design was explained by this “we are just passing through this place and are here for just a short time”.
How appropriate for Christians!
In Matthew 24:35 we read “The heaven and the earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away.”
We walk a short walk while on this earth and this place we call home we need to call our hotel, a place where we are just staying for a short while.
In Luke 12:16-31 Jesus tells us the parable of the man who tears down his barns to build larger barns only to find that “your soul shall be required of you” (verse 20). This is a familiar parable to us, but later Jesus explains why we don’t worry about accumulating for the future, that God will take care of us.
In Luke 12:23 we read that” Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.”
Just like a hotel room, we spend the night, enjoy the breakfast bar and journey on. We leave the furniture behind, the silverware, the sheets, the cable t.v., the pool, the building and just leave with what we brought.
Our walk with Christ is so similar. We walk with Jesus daily, enjoy the blessings each day and leave this life with what we brought with us.
The best way to end this week’s thought is to let Jesus do the talking:
“But rather seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Luke 12:31






Saturday, April 12, 2003

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
This scripture (John 8:32) has been played out this week in the events in Iraq. When the people of Iraq learned the truth about Saddam and why the U.S.A were there, well, the scenes on t.v. are telling the story. People wanting to be free don't fight the liberator.
Another story of how truth will change things is the article in the New York Times by Eason Jordan concerning CNN's conduct while reporting information from Iraq before the war (Times site requires registration). It has started a fire storm among many people about reporting, fairness and objectivity of reporters.
It is always that way. The truth will make you free. Sometimes learning the truth is not easy. As these two examples have shown. Truth will enlighten or humble, rejoicing or repentant, happy or sad. When the truth is told there should be 100% winners, but often there are losers, people who cannot or willnot hear the true
Jesus faced just that type of person. Many rejoiced at the freedom that His truth gave them, while others plotted to deny the truth and get rid of the teller of truth.
"But now you seek to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth which I have heard beside God;" John 8: 40.
" And because I tell you the truth, you do not believe Me." John 8:45
Telling the truth is hard. Just watch a little child struggle to tell the truth. Truth telling is not a human trait, but a learned one. It is easier to tell the truth, no matter how hard the consequences are, than to not tell the truth and deal with the consquences later, but humans still opt to hold back the truth.
Jesus told the ultimate truth, that He will set you free. That by His death and resurrection you will be free. Free from sin. Free from the death that sin brings to all people. Free from the curse of death that haunts men and women of all time.
Free from the question "when I die, what is next?"
People in Iraq are dancing in the streets with their new found freedom, while others are cursing and plotting to take it away, to stop the advance of freedom.
Where do you stand in the march of spiritual freedom?

"For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness" Romans 1:18

Friday, April 04, 2003


“a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;” writes the preacher in Ecclesiastes 3:4. And now is a good time to laugh.
Sent, via e-mail from my father-in-law, and off obviously the internet the following situations:
The police of a certain city were trying to talk a distraught man out of a house, where he had barricaded himself. After firing tear gas into the house (10 canisters) the police discovered the man was standing beside them, shouting out to give himself up.
A would be bank robber uses his finger and thumb to simulate a gun in a holdup. Usually you put your hand in your coat pocket. He did.
After his house burned down due to a faulty fire alarm system short, the man exclaimed, “This is worse than last year, when someone stole my newly installed security system!”
On the phone with 911, “My wife is pregnant and her contractions are only two minutes apart!”
“Is this her first child?” asked the 911 operator.
“No!” replied the anxious husband, “this is her husband!”

Laughter is great. It sure beats crying. Maybe sometimes it is best to laugh about it instead of crying about it. Just recently, researchers are stating that talking about problems just doesn’t help. That people who just get on with their lives cope better. But then others say no, no, we must have counselors and talk about it. Who knows?
Anyway, a good joke is worth the time to listen to and enjoy. I do find it interesting, using my electronic Bible, and searching for laugh, laughing, and laughter, that many of the uses of the word is used in a negative sense. Like you laughter will turn into tears, etc. There are not a lot of returns on the search for laughter.
But joy, wow! There are a lot of verses on joy and happiness.
And there is the real message today.
Laughter is fleeting, a moment in the sun that comes and goes. But happiness and joy are deeper. Down in the bones of the soul.
“And may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
Verse after verse about joy, you read how Christians counted it all joy in situation after situation. Only deep faith and trust in God will allow a person in any circumstance be that joyful.
Laughter can turn to sorrow in a heart beat, but joy will be there always.
“ But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy” (Galatians 5:22)
Laugh today, enjoy the day, remember, joy is here to stay.


Saturday, March 15, 2003

Mother’s Milk
The weather is getting warmer, up here on our little ridge top farm. The snow is melting, and the ground is thawing. Soon the flowers will bloom, the leaves will be budding and the babies will be here.
While we don’t have any pregnant animals on our little farm, many farmers do and soon, if not already, the little ones will be here (usually the worst night in March).
As soon as they are delivered, the babies immediately head for their mother’s milk. The first feeding is very important for the newborn animal. It gives them all the materials needed by the animal to survive the first few hours on earth. Animals that do not get the first feeding from their mothers are often doomed, even if they get a feeding of milk later on!
Their mother’s milk is important for the survival of the animal. The protein for muscles, calcium for bones, sugar and fat for calories to stay warm, and other ingredients that helps the baby to grow.
It is no wonder that the scripture uses the same word picture to describe our relationship with Christ. In I Peter 2:2 we read: “desire the sincere milk of the Word, as newborn babes, so that you may grow by it”.
God’s Word is the milk that we need to grow up in Christ until the time for us to partake of solid food, the meat of the Word
“ I have fed you with milk and not with solid food, for you were not yet able to bear it; nor are you able even now.” (I Corinthians3:2) While this verse illustrates that the readers of I Corinthians are not ready for a diet of meat, the implication is clear, we need to grow (mature) in Christ and begin to “eat” the meat of the Word. We cannot just survive on a liquid diet of milk and expect to grow in Christ.
In Hebrews 5:12 we read “ And you have become in need of milk, and not of solid food. “ The writer of Hebrews tell us quite clearly to move on to the meat of the word.
“For everyone partaking of milk is unskillful in the Word of Righteousness, for he is an infant” (Hebrews 5:13). I don’t think you want to be a infant your entire life in Christ.
Just like the calf won’t grow if he doesn’t start eating grass and leave the milk alone, as God’s child you need to leave the milk and start a high protein diet of meat.
And remember, this meat is good for the heart!


Tuesday, February 25, 2003

The Shield of Faith

The land Jesus stood on when He physically walked with us was ruled by the Roman Empire. At this juncture of human history, the Romans were the strongest power in the Meditteran area. From Spain to Israel, Rome ruled supreme over nations and city states.
One tatic the Romans had developed was highly effective. Each foot soldier carried a heavy wooden shield that was covered with leather that could be used for protection from spears, swords and arrows.
The Roman infantry was organized around the decade (10) and century (100) just like modern infantry is organized around squads, platoons, and companies. Each unit marched into battle with strict organization. When attacked the shields were used to protect not only the individual soldier, but others beside him. In essence, this tatic produced a tank on the battle field. As long as the formations remained intact, the Romans were almost unbeatable in battle.
One thing the soldier did before battle was to soak his shield in water to water-log the wood and leather. This would protect the soldier from flaming arrows fired at them.
This was just one piece of armor on the soldier to protect him in battle.
“Above all, take the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” (Ephisians 6:16).
Today, as Christians, we hold a shield that performs the same function. A shield that will quench, or put out, the arrows or darts of the wicked. Notice that Paul calls this shield the shield of faith. Not a shield of hope, or shield of grace or shield of love or shield of maybe it will work. In Isaiah (21.5) we read about annointing the shield. This was done by putting oil on the shield to make the arrows slide off when it hit the shield.
The question is, are you using your shield of faith? Are you letting it put out the flaming arrows or making them slide off your shield? Is your shield annointed?
But were does this shield of faith come from? What gives our shield strength? The following scriptures will answer this question:
In Genesis 15:1 “ After these things the Word of Jehovah came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram, I am your shield and your exceeding great reward. “
”Jehovah, the shield of your help” (Deuteronomy 33.29), “Our soul waits for Jehovah; He is our help and our shield.” (Psalm 33.20)
So, today, use your shield, just like the Romans did.


Tuesday, January 21, 2003


The Jar We Live In

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us;”

Our bodies are so fragile. A careless moment while peeling the potatoes and off we go for a band-aide. A wondering thought and your car careens into a tree. A slip on the ice, and the doctor wraps that arm in plaster.
Our earthly lives are not finite, but extremely limited. That is the nature of life on this planet.
Just like a jar made of clay, once dropped, once broken.
I can remember dropping a beaker in chemistry lab one day. It bounced up (an in slow motion, just like the movies!), and my clumsy grab missed. Again, it hit the floor and bounced up, but to no avail, just missing my outstretched hand. The third time, it didn’t bounce at all, but ended it’s life as a beaker there on the laboratory floor (the fore-runner of three strikes you’re out laws?).
Jars of clay, fragile, holding inside all of what we are on this earth. Ligaments, tendons, muscles, organs, cells, tissue, nerves, and blood.
Literally from dust to dust we travel on this planet. The way it was meant to be...
Then God decides to visit us, to be one of us, to be like us. To put on this jar of earthen dirt and walk beside us. To die for us, to remove from us our sins. To give us something beyond the breaking of the earthen vessel.
Read on in 2nd Corinthians chapter 4 to verse thirteen:”For we, having the same spirit of faith (according as it is written, "I believed, and therefore I have spoken"); we also believed and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus shall also raise us up by Jesus, and shall present us with you. (author’s emphasis).
Need I write more? That we will live outside this earthen vessel, that we will be raised up in time? That we will live??
Not biologically, but eternally. Not with corruption, but with incorruption. With life shall we live.
Until that time, see you on my front porch.





Sunday, January 12, 2003

Sunrise, sunset

Upon the ridge top that GOD has so graciously allowled me to
live, I get to see both the sunrise and sunset. You may ask, "so what?" You just have to see it to believe it. I can really see the sunrise or the sunset. Unobstructed views abound, 360 degrees of hill top panorama. Add a little bit of cloud cover and sit back and enjoy the pinks, reds, yellows and be in awe!
I have hear that some people make a big deal of getting up early, seeing the sunrise and making some big production out of the whole situation. You know, the 'religious' experience type of thing.
Well, for those of use who rise before light on a daily basis, seeing the sunrise is nice,but it would be nice to sleep in once in a while...but those sunsets! What a glorious end to the day GOD has given us!
Like the ! at the end of a sentence, the 'ya!' when a child opens their birthday present, the "ahhh", the 'pop-pop, fizz-fizz oh what a relief it is' kinda thing it is.
God says to us, the day is over, I've been with you the whole time, always there, leading you, carrying you, helping you, watching you, protecting you, hearing you, guiding you, and now here is my ! to finish your day.
Did you think to thank HIM for your gift of today?
Next time you see that sunset, think about the ! that
GOD has sent to you...and thank HIM for this day you
had. It will not be by again...

Thursday, January 09, 2003


GARDENERS IN THE FOREST
Come and sit with me under the tall oaks at watch. Here the squirrel comes, scurrying down the tree, acorn in his mouth, doing its job.
Squirrels have a job? Yes, they do. In the great design of things, squirrels are gardeners in the forest. As they hurried about the forest floor, during the fall, burying nuts to eat this winter, they are helping the oak, walnut or other trees reproduce.
The squirrels do not remember where they buried their “stash”, and now that it is winter and they are looking for a meal, they sniff it out with their nose and dig up their dinner. But sometimes they can’t find the nut and it remains buried in the forest floor.
So, in the spring the tree sprouts and up comes a new oak tree! All because a squirrel “forgot” where it buried its food!
Isn’t God like that? No, not like a squirrel, but He forgets as well as forgiving us (Romans 4:7-8; Jeremiah 31:34). Our sins are buried and forgotten and a new creature is born! Just like an acorn becomes the oak tree, we go from hopeless to hopeful, lost to saved!
And, can’t we do the same with others? It is easy to forgive, but harder to forget. Not only with others, but with ourselves. Forget—a nice word to remember! Forgive someone today, and forget what they did, just like the squirrel forgets and most importantly, just like God forgets.

Wednesday, January 01, 2003


Y2K REVISITED

Happy New Year! It is now 2003 and another year has come and gone. Remember another new year’s day, just a short three years ago? When the world waited with baited breath for the millennium to come? Remember all the hype and hoopla about the Y2K bug and how we must buy gold, stock up with groceries, water, generators, even fill up your car before New Year’s Day because the pumps may not work?
It turned out to be just another new year’s day and now it is three years later.
This is a good example of how we cannot control the events of our lives, no matter how hard we try. What tomorrow brings, we will not know, every day really is a new day, full of adventure or sorrow.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow; for tomorrow shall be anxious for its own things. Sufficient to the day is the evil of it. (Matthew 6:34) “
”Behold the birds of the air; for they sow not, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns. Yet your heavenly Father feeds them; are you not much better than they are? “ (Matt 6:26)
We try and try to be in control of our lives. We research what the doctor tells us, purchase daily planners to control our time, read books for success, watch our weight, exercise to lengthen our time span, and the Lord tells us, “Which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his stature?”(Matt.6:67)
Do we listen to the voice of the Lord telling us to not worry about tomorrow or are we still preparing for “Y2K+3"? The question is, who is in charge of our lives?
This is the day of New Year Resolutions, and the best one to make is to put God back in the pilot seat. Let Him take the wheel and be in control.
Then when you arise in the morning, you can say “whatever the day brings, I know my God is in charge of this day”
Save your generator for those stormy winter nights when the lights go out...