My Thoughts

My Thoughts on Christianity and Other Things

Archive for the month “July, 2013”

22 Jul 2013

Telling Others About Jesus

Mark 16:15-16
15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.
New Living Translation

I try to do this, but it’s hard to do at times. Most of the time I’m quiet. I say nothing. However sometimes I do speak up and tell others about Jesus. I defend the scriptures. However unlike some with other religions; I don’t defend God because I rely on Him to defend me. But this too is difficult. I am human with a sinful nature.

I have never gone to a Bible college, or a seminary. I have never had any Bible training at all. (except for some home Bible studies) basically I am untrained in speaking, teaching, preaching, or anything about the Bible. Compared to many of you, I am uneducated.

However I have many times over the years told people about Jesus. I have told people about Heaven and Hell. About God’s judgment and more importantly His grace. Grace that we can not earn but can have freely from God. I have talked openly about the true Living Lord Jesus to anyone who comes to my door.

So if I, an uneducated man, have done this, and if many of you never have; what is your excuse for not telling others about Jesus? So many of you are much more qualified than me.

Some may say “What if I mess up?” All of us mechanics as well as Do-It-Yourself people have scraped our knuckles. Does that stop us from ever working on something again? No of course not. We love building or fixing things. What if someone on a bicycle (there are lots of people riding bicycles in the Northwest) take a tumble on the road or the trail? Would that person never ride again? If that person loves riding, of course he or she will ride again. What about those of you who loves baking? If you burn something you will still keep baking? Of course you will.

Years ago I asked someone why he didn’t tell people about Jesus. He said that here in America everyone has already heard the Gospel. They already know the truth and just need to believe. That’s like saying that since everyone has already heard of Ford and Chevrolet, these companies no longer need to advertise. Right now I’m sure that the CEOs, and business owners, and managers are laughing at the idea of not advertising. We must not keep God’s word a secret.

John 3:16-18
16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.

One day a Mormon asked me, “Would a loving God send anyone to Hell?”
To that I answered, “YES, because of our sins, our wrong doings. That is why He sent us Jesus. To save us from our sins. (our wrong doings) If we believe in the true Jesus, the Lord Jesus, we will be saved from Hell. But only through Him and Him alone.”
Of course he didn’t like my answer.

A long time ago I used to have a canoe. Since we used to live only a few hundred yards from Puget Sound, I would often go canoeing after work. One day a childhood friend of my wife wanted to go for a canoe ride but was afraid. She had heard that all canoes were tipsy and that she would tip over into the water. My wife and I told her she was safe, but she wouldn’t believe it. Once when she finally got into the canoe with me, the canoe rocked back and forth. She was scared. I told her to turn around and face me. She did. I told her to hold on tight and watch. I then rocked the boat just as hard as I possibly could. The water came up to about two inches from the top and no more. “See? We won’t tip over.” I told her. She then turned around and enjoyed the ride.

If we believe in Jesus, we too will be safe. From judgment.

I believe so much in this, that I almost got out of the National Guard because of it. Back in the 1980s I thought if I went to war, (there was no war then) and if I shoot and kill someone, I could for the most part, be sending that person to Hell.

I must add that a pastor that I knew and respected from British Columbia said that it is a good and honorable thing to protect your country and your love ones. If I wanted to stay in the military, it’s OK. Those who choose to not believe in our Lord has made their choice. But don’t stop telling others in love about Jesus.

If a Christian dies, then that Christian will go to be with Jesus. However if a non-Christian dies, the that person is judged for their wrong doings. (Everybody has done wrong. That is why we need Jesus.) The non-believers will then be thrown into a lake of fire.

We must tell more people about Jesus in hope to save them from God’s judgment. And yet as I type this, I am reminded that I too have fallen down on the job, way too much.

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06 Jul 2013

Hoo Hoo Hoo-aaoo

Is it ‘hoo‘ or ‘hoot‘?

Leviticus 19:14
“Do not insult the deaf or cause the blind to stumble. You must fear your God; I am the Lord.
New Living Translation

Once in a while someone would ask me about hearing loss. There are so many things I could say, I have no idea where to start.

First, even though I do have problems hearing, I’m not deaf, and there are lots of different kinds of hearing loss. The kind I have is different than most. People with severe hearing loss are at times mistreated. And the deaf are treated worse.

Imagine being in school and your teacher gives you homework. The next day you find out that you did the work wrong. Either you did the wrong questions, didn’t read what you should or who knows. You just got it wrong. Now you’re labeled stupid, lazy, or both. Some of your friends may think of you as stupid even though an IQ test shows you’re not. Also, in high school, even though you may want to take a certain class that you know you would really like or go into a certain field of work you are told “Don’t bother”. I know a woman with severe hearing loss who wanted to be a nurse. Her nursing teacher told her not to bother because she would never make it. Well she did and even retire from being a nurse after many years. This was a long time ago before accommodations for disabled people were as standard as as they are today. Thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Once I had a temporary job at a place where all we did was removed old printers and replaced a few with new ones. One day a man asked me something. I was busy and didn’t understand the question. He asked again. I stopped and then realized he was asking why I was taking away ‘his’ printer. I knew he was the supervisor for that part of the office, which means he was the one that passed out the memo from the corporate office to people telling about us taking away the printers. He should have known what I was doing and why. So, why should I stop what I’m doing and concentrate on his blabbing? Thinking he was an idiot, I simply said “Because I was told to” and continued with my work. After all; why should I waste my time explaining it to him? He was supposed to know. A few months later I found out he told a few people that I ‘wasn’t too bright’ because I couldn’t understand his question and because I gave a simple answer.

But right now I’m thinking of the deaf and what they go though. According to www.silentblessings.org “Nearly 95% of all deaf children have hearing parents and only about 10% of those parents ever learn enough sign language to hold a conversation with their children.” I believe it, and it’s not acceptable. There are people out there who can’t even ask their deaf brother or sister if they want a cup of coffee.

I have known deaf people both from college and socially. In both cases people often ignore them. I have seen socially, where the deaf would just sit off to the side by themselves. Once in awhile someone would try to communicate with them using a paper and pencil. This is good that they try to communicate, but I wonder about some who have honestly known a deaf person for over 50 years and still can’t ask if they would like some coffee using language. I know I will be in trouble for writing this; but it’s true. The deaf are alone.

The hard of hearing (I have to remember to add the word ‘of’ in hard of hearing) have another problem. They’re not hearing and they’re not deaf either. This often cause other problems, both emotionally and socially. They can often hear some things but not other things. Many people don’t understand this.

Mark 16:15
And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.

Christian have been going all over the world following this command. We have learned new languages and cultures and have been willing to sacrifice to tell others of Jesus. All this is good. But, what is our excuse for not reaching out to the deaf?

I don’t like talking about myself, but as I have said earlier, my hearing is different than most. All through my life I could hear noise but not always understand what it was. Yet I have served 14 years in the US military, been a mechanic for many years, was even certified in electronic technology, and ran my own business. Still in high school I got a ‘D-‘ in music, and was about to fail. Even though sometimes I like to hear music, it’s not the same for me as maybe for you. Only a few years ago I was told that I may have Auditory Processing Disorder. I don’t like talking about this. But I was told that as I get older my hearing will get worse. Because of my type of hearing loss, hearing aids are of little or no value. I tried it once and I honestly couldn’t tell the difference, except when the hearing aid tech finally cranked up the volume so much I got feed back as I climbed into the cab of my pickup.

So if I loose more of my hearing, will I became isolated or shunned by people? I don’t know. My wife and I have talked about this from time to time. I should study more ASL. (American Sign Language)

Oh, by the way; about the title of this post. “Hoo Hoo Hoo-aaoo” is what I hear sometimes on TV. But sometimes I’ve wondered if it was Hoot, Hoot, Hoot-Owl. Trying to be wise and solve a crime may seem to fit the show if you use your imagination. Close Caption shows it as Who, Who, Who are you. It’s part of the theme song for CSI. I tried to find a website with the captioned theme song, but I couldn’t. Maybe some of you can. So I will end this with:

Mark 16:15
And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. (including the deaf)

Posted in Christianity, Hearing Loss and tagged , , , , | Leave a comment
01 Jul 2013

They Came to My House

Last week, there was a knock at the door. Thinking that it was a customer coming to pick up a part I’ve ordered for him, (I repair lawn mowers at home part time) I went out through the garage to meet him. But instead of finding the customer; I found two Jehovah Witnesses. A man and a woman.

Now what? I know many people would politely or not so politely close the door on them. But what should we do as Christians? Well all through the New Testament Christians were going out into the world spreading the Word. But what do we say when the Jehovah Witness or Mormons comes to our door? First be nice and show respect. After all most of them are respectful, and so should we. We must also stand firm on God’s true Word. And remember these people are not the enemy; these people are in the need the true Jesus.

The true Jesus? If I told you that I believe in President Obama because he’s a fine Chinese-American man who grew up in Texas; you could say that I really don’t believe in him, because I don’t know the first thing about him. Well it’s the same with the Lord Jesus. Many claim they believe in Him and yet don’t know the first thing about Him.

I heard once that both the Jehovah Witness and Mormon are trained to answer questions; that they are suppose to teach. Good, we’ll start there.

The man of the Jehovah Witness said something about doing good. I quickly interrupted and asked, “What if I have done bad all my life, and then got sick. What if because of this sickness I am laying on my death bed unable to do anything? Is there any hope for me?”

Both the man and the woman had no answer for me. The man was thumbing through his Bible hoping to come up with some kind of answer. He then said something about Jesus. (for those who are new to my blog; I do have a hearing loss)
I interrupted again, “Who is this Jesus?”
He calmed down some and said Jesus is son of God.
“Son of God? What does that mean?” I asked.
He started thumbing through his Bible again. He clearly didn’t know the answer. Finally he came to the book of John and said Jesus is the word.
“Who or what is the ‘word’?”
He answered saying the ‘word’ is a god, and then he showed me John 1:4 in his bible.

In the last few minutes something has happened to this Jehovah Witness. I was asking questions he couldn’t answer. And since he’s trained to teach; in a panic he was looking for answers. Any answer. His mind is now open for the truth. Or more open anyway. Right then I told both of them that I’m getting something and will be right back.

I went into the living room, grabbed my laptop, told my wife the Jehovah Witnesses are here, (she always prays for me, which is very important) then I went back out to the garage.

I opened the Bible software on the laptop and went to John 1:1-4.
1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.

I read it again slowly. “In the beginning the Word” I held up one finger. “The Word was with God” I held up another finger symbolizing God. “The Word was with God” I said again as I moved the two fingers together. “Word was God.” I then wrapped my hand around around the two fingers symbolizing they’re one. I continued, “And in verse 4 says nothing about ‘a god’. In fact it says the Word, ‘Jesus’ gave life. Only a true God can do that. Jesus is God.”

The man was looking over my shoulder at the laptop. I showed him New Living Translation, American Standard Version, New King James Version, and The Message. Each time I showed him the thing with my fingers. The man now realize there is a problem with his bible. Again I reminded him that there is only one God, therefore Jesus can not be just a god because He is God.

Then I did something I have never done before. I went back to the first part of Genesis. “In the beginning God created.”
Right then the woman spoke up “I know, God created us in His image, which means we’re gods.”
“No. Not true.” I answered. “We were created in His image as in representative.” I pointed to the closest logo. “See that Tecumseh logo? That logo is not the company itself, but only an image or representative of the company with that name.”

This logo is an image or representative of a manufacture

This logo is an image or representative of a manufacture

I went back, “In the beginning God created. When Adam and Eve sinned the Lord walked through the garden calling for them. I believe this is God in the form of Jesus. But before all of this you have the Spirit of God going over the water in the beginning. So now you have the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

I wanted to talk more and so did he, but now there is a car sitting in front of my house waiting to pick them up, they really had to go.

So if a Jehovah Witness or Mormon comes to your home, don’t slam the door in their face. Talk with them. Listen to what they have to say. But keep this in mind:
No matter what you hear, remember Jesus is Son Of God. He is Lord. He is 100% God and yet 100% man.
Our sins (our wrong doings) have separated us from the very just God. Our sin has made it absolutely impossible to be good enough to be right with God. The wages of sin is death. We are saved only through the grace of Jesus.
Jesus died and on the third day rose physical back to life with is own body.
Another thing to remember is even though the person who comes to your door uses scripture to back their claim; it is often out of context.

Here is an example.
One day I was talking with someone about a hernia operation, and how the incision broke open. A woman who was eavesdropping only heard part of it and laughed at me said something about how I should have followed doctor’s orders and not be doing something stupid. She laughed again and left. What she heard was out of context. The truth is I was driving when someone pulled out in front of me. I slammed on the brakes and the seat-belt broke the incision open. I did nothing wrong.

If you would like to read more about how I have talked to people about Jesus (and how some have talked to me about Jesus) please read my book, A Whole Mess Load of Grace.

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