My Thoughts

My Thoughts on Christianity and Other Things

Archive for the tag “Bible”

21 Dec 2020

We Are Not Alone

I should say if we are Christians, we are not alone. Not really.

With this season of Covid and Christmas, many of us feel alone. We miss being with family and friends. The house or apartment is quite. Yes physically we maybe very alone.

But it’s Christmas! I know there are a few out there who are thinking, “So?” A few years ago my wife got sick. Because I could no longer take care of her, she is living somewhere else. But not far from home. I visit her often. I miss her being at home with me. I am physically alone. The house is quite. I have always been an introvert, but even this is a bit too much.

Many of you are feeling the same way. Some of you have it even worse. Your loved one died and you are really alone. Plus with Christmas, it all just seems worse.

God created us to be social creatures. We were never meant to be alone. This is why it is so difficult to avoid crowds. I know some can do a good job, but some can not!

But God loves us. Ge loves us so much that He sent his Son to save us from our sins. It works like this. John 1:1-2 says: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. In John 1:14 it says: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. The word, who is the Son of God, is Jesus Himself! It is His birth that we celebrate on Christmas. But there is more. Many of us know John 3:16. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. That means really believing Him. Remember how a few months ago some of you really believed in and loved your choice of presidential candidate? Well you have to believe in, and love Jesus more. Romans 10:9-13 says it best.

Jesus promises that if we belong to Him, we will never be alone. You can read this in John 14:15-19.

Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of our savior. So that whoever believes in Him will have ever lasting life. Ever after we die. This I believe is the most important part of Christmas. Much more so than Santa Claus, and some boring romance movie. (Hey. I’m a guy. Those movies bore me.) Anyway, I wish you a Merry Christmas, even if you are physically alone.

Posted in Christianity and tagged , , | Leave a comment
02 Jun 2020

Riots

Many years ago, back in the 1968, there was a riot in Kansas City. I remember watching TV news where they showed dead people in the trees. Some of these people were just sitting or laying across the branches. I remember two more things. One, being told to come straight home from school. And two, my Mom was a nurse. I remember her telling me that since she was a nurse, she has seen the inside of many people. She said that EVERYBODY looks the same on the inside.

People this rioting that is happening across the country and what that man did to Mr George Floyd, is a sin problem. This is a hate problem. Even though hate for different skin color is common, there is also hate for different nationalities. From different parts of the world.

People of God, listen up! John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”. He does not care what color your skin is. He does not care what language you speak. Or what part of the world your ancestors came from. He does however care about sin and righteousness.

Posted in Christianity, Uncategorized and tagged , , | Leave a comment
25 Apr 2020

How Odd

US Navy Oxygen Breathing Apparatus
source unknown

Many years ago when I was in boot camp, we had a lesson on OBA (Oxygen Breathing Apparatus) which is used for fire fighting onboard a ship. The instructor picked a ‘volunteer’ from the class. I was that ‘volunteer’. To be honest I did not volunteer, but was ordered to stand in front of everyone so the instructor could show everyone how to use it. He put the mask over my head and pulled the straps tight, creating a prefect seal around my face. Instantly I realized I couldn’t breath. I tried to pull the mask off but it was too tight. Panic started to set in. Then he calmly said, “This is what can happen if you don’t know how to use this. If you can’t breath, press this button here.” He pressed the button to show the class and instantly fresh air came in. I could breath again. Then he said “To make it so you can go into smoke filled compartments on the ship, pull this cord. The canister will then start a chemical reaction, producing oxygen.” He let go of the button cutting off my air supply again. Then with a quick yank of the cord. The two bags on the side inflated. Then I could easily breath the newly produced oxygen. I could now enter hazardous smoke filled areas of a ship safely.

This happened over forty years ago. And even though this guy may not have been nice, (Boot camp is not a nice experience.) I was never really in any danger. I was not going die, and I was not harmed.

Now fast forward to about six weeks ago. I had a little shortness of breath. But not bad. The next day it was worse. I didn’t know why. No medicine seemed to help. The next day was even worse. Why? I was beginning to wonder if I should see a doctor. But I decided not to. Right or wrong, maybe it’s just a guy thing, but I didn’t want to bother a doctor over nothing. But that evening my breathing was bad. I knew I should maybe go to the ER. But the way I felt, I didn’t want to drive all that way at night. I decided to go in the morning. Who knows, maybe it would get better.

The next morning I could hardly breath. I was weak. I was cold and achy. I knew I should get up to take some medicine. But I couldn’t get out of bed. I knew I should get up and for some reason I believed I should have some protein. It took everything I had to get out of bed and get dressed. I made it in the kitchen and forced myself to fry some eggs and sausage. After I ate, I sat in the recliner in the living room with a blanket on me and slept. By evening I felt a little better. Someone called me on the phone. After talking a little, this person insisted that I call the doctor. I did. It was after hours when I called. Yet they were so busy from so many people panicking over COVID-19, they said they would have to call me back. I slept some more.

The next morning, I felt amazingly good. Unbelievably good. About mid morning the doctor called. I told him how I felt. He said I may have had the virus, but somehow got over it. I have not been tested so we may never know. I also have not been tested for the anti-bodies yet.

When I looked back to how sick I was, I noticed something odd. I had no fear. No worries about my well being. I had a very strange peace. How odd. I am over 60, and I have health issues. Yet, I had zero fear of death. I knew it was bad. I knew I could die, BUT I also knew I could live and be well. And like I said, a very odd peace. Please understand. I was not giving up. I guess the best I could say is, I was trusting God.

I remember hearing about this same odd peace from other people. I know of two people who have had open heart surgeries. They both said they knew they could die, and yet they had this peace with them. Both of these men were Christians and they were trusting God.

Normally when I am hurt or sick I fight to get better. When something breaks or somehow goes wrong I get stressed out about it until it’s right. I was greatly stressed out when my wife got sick. Yet I had complete peace when I got so sick, six weeks ago. Will I get stressed out again in the future? Most likely yes.

But we must keep in mind John 14:27-28 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am.”

He does this for those who are right with God. But how do you become right with God? We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. Romans 3:22

It also says in Romans 10:9-13 “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

If you are not saved, you will be like the chaff in Mathew 3:12. This will be much worse than any virus.

Biological and Chemical Mask

Posted in Christianity, Uncategorized and tagged , , , , | Leave a comment
01 Jun 2019
3 Comments

I Like The Book Of Job

I know many people think the book of Job is depressing. It’s not very popular. First there is a rich man named Job, who fell on some very hard times. Not good. Then some wind-bags get together and yak, and blah, blah, blah. And then, in the end, Job becomes rich again. This is basically the whole book. All 42 chapters. Minus a lot of details. But, it is because of these details, that I like the book.

First Job was rich, but because of fire, theft, and a house collapsing, killing his sons and daughters… Well things were not good for Job. Then, to make things worse, his health failed. Yet, he never cursed God. Being a care-giver to my wife, I know what stress is. But I don’t know if I could handle what Job went through. All this happened in the first two chapters of the book of Job.

Most of the rest of the book is about Job’s three friends coming to talk with him. The four of them talked about how righteous Job is, then how sinful Job is. They also talked about how righteous and just and powerful God is, and also how unfair He is. They talked like they all knew it all. But when you pay attention, you’ll realize they don’t. My Dad would call this “Just flapping their jaws”. Basically these were just four men talking like morons. God even said so to Job. OK, God did not use the word moron. I did. To make things worse, I know there must have been some moronic things I have said or done in the past.

I have read the book of Job several times in the past. Some say it was written 4500 years ago. Yet, in it I have found ancient mines in it. In fact Job 28 1-11 goes into great detail about these mines. But what about verse 11? If we were talking about modern times, we would says it’s a small hydro-electric dam. There are other things in this book that seems out of place.

But even though all this is true and very interesting, (to me anyway) I am getting off the topic I wanted to talk about. Chapter 3 is hard for me to read. Is this how my wife feels? Her health started to fail last year. I have been her care-giver ever since. She remembers how things used to be. How her body and her mind used to be. She knows how things are now, and she mourns for those days in the past. I do too. Her body is a shell of what it used to be. She knows the stress I’m under. Even though I try to hide it, I know I fail. By the end of June, we will be married 40 years.

Job with all his suffering, said he needed a mediator. Job 16:18-22 Sounds like he is referring to Jesus. John 16:6 says, Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. Jesus said to trust Him. I do trust Him. But to be honest, I am also sad and sometimes angry about what is happening to my wife. I know we have a mighty and awesome God. I have seen miracles. I have seen God heal! But just like Job, there is so much I don’t understand. All I can do, and all I have done, is call out to God and trust Him.

Maybe I like the book of Job, because I can relate to it.

Posted in Christianity, Uncategorized and tagged , , , , ,
09 Apr 2019

God With Us

Orion Spitzerlrot photo by NASA

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,
“I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you.”
Hebrews 13:5

In my last post, I said I have become the care-giver for my wife. I must say, at first I was a bit over whelmed. I had no idea what was going on. Our lives changed quickly. I was bombarded with questions and forms to fill out. People would call me on the phone, and with the stress, my hearing went down. For those of you who are new to my blog, I have problems hearing. Have had problems hearing for most of my life. All of this that was happening was very stressful, and so of course talking on the phone added to the stress.

Fortunately, we have a fantastic support system. My wife’s brother and his wife are wonderful. Plus a whole lot of people were praying for us, and still are. But to be honest, I still have stress, but it’s not nearly as bad. One night as I laid in bed, worrying, I had a dream. I would like to tell you that dream.

I dreamed there a small house, all alone in the middle of an open field. The house was worn and battered from the weather and neglect. There were no longer any paint on the outer walls of this house. Suddenly I found myself in the living room of this old house. In the living room was a large pile of rocks. These rocks were like stones found in a river. They were smooth and clean with no sharp edges.

I picked up two stones. One in each hand. Both stones had the same writing on them. But I couldn’t read them, because they were written in Hebrew. And I don’t know Hebrew. Under the Hebrew, were English letters. But I still couldn’t read it because it was written so it would sound Hebrew phonetically. Then, one word lit up. Yahweh. At that moment, a single thought came to mind. “God With Us.” That was the end of the dream.

You can have a lot of different thoughts about that dream. Even though God will not leave us or forsake us, we will leave Him sometimes. The Bible is full of people who have done that. The first to do this was Eve. The second was Adam. Since then, everybody has done this. You, me, everybody.

I must remember, we all must remember, “God with us”. Also Psalm 118:8-9 says:
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in humans.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes. (Even the government)

Posted in Christianity and tagged , , , | Leave a comment
11 Aug 2017

What Is Going On?

Democrats are against Democrats. Republicans are against Republicans. And of course they’re against each other. What is going on? Why is this happening?

It seems like there are Americans who want to tear America apart. Why? I believe I know why. And what’s more, I believe God even warned us about it.

“I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2-3

The nation of Israel belongs to God. Yes He has punished that country from time to time, but He also said He would curse any who shows contempt towards Israel.

The Lord your God will inflict all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate and persecute you. Deuteronomy 30:7

I was amazed at how people were reacting about the presidential election back in November 2016. When Trump won the election, many people were very upset. On the west coast of the United States, people in Washington State, Oregon, and California said they wanted their state to leave the nation. Why? If you ask them if they love their country, they would most likely answer ‘Yes’. So why would they want to tear their own country apart?

Many if not most of these people believe that Israel must be divided into Israel and Palestine. Many of the same people as well as government officials work hard for this ‘two state solution’. Some will do whatever they can it seems, like to make Israel the bad guy. They may say they support Israel. But their idea of supporting Israel is tearing that small country in two. So now The Lord God put it into their hearts to tear their own country in two. And it seems they don’t understand.

I heard that before the election Trump was the only candidate who signed a paper claiming he supported Israel and will move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, saying that all of Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. I don’t know if this is absolutely true, but if it is, it would explain why Trump was elected. God kept His promise. “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:3

The way the United States has been treating Israel, I’m surprised we haven’t fallen yet. I’m glad we haven’t. But from what I’ve seen from the presidential election in 2016, I wonder if when God does judge us and we fall, how many Americans who claim to love America, will be OK with this. How many will not understand.

God may seem slow in keeping His promise, but He does keep them. The God of Israel is God. He is Lord. I believe in the God of Israel and His son Jesus Chirst.

Flag of Israel

Posted in Christianity, Uncategorized and tagged , , , , | Leave a comment
04 Jul 2016

Who Should Be President?

Cat photo downloaded from Google

Cat photo downloaded from Google

I don’t know. Like many people, I haven’t found anyone who is worthy. I almost feel like the best candidate should be Hank The Cat. For the fun of it, I made a small poster saying Hank The Cat For President For 2016. I downloaded the cat photo form the Internet. I then brought it to a locale Hearing Loss Association chapter meeting. People loved it.

But seriously, as Christians who do we vote for? I don’t know. But I do know what God’s word says in Genesis 12:1-3 NLT:
The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

Before Israel even became a nation on the map, Egypt made slaves of them and treated them harshly. God then in return, treated the Egyptians even more harshly. This has been repeated several times throughout history with different countries and people who abused Israel. So many countries who went against Israel and then fell.

During World War II, before there was modern day Israel, the Nazis tried to wipe out all the Jews. They failed. There are still Jews, and now there is even Israel. But, where is that Nazi army? They’re just gone. They fell.

Now it is true that Israel did fall from time to time. But only because of the sin they did. Also God aways brought Israel back to life. Where are the other armies? They’re still gone.

With all this in mind, why would any Christian who believes in God’s word, want to vote for anyone who would wants to hurt Israel. I know they will say they support Israel. But they also they want a two state solution for Israel. What they are saying is, “Why yes I support Israel. I support Israel so much, I would like to rip that little country in two and give half to their enemies.” Wow, I hope I don’t have friends like that.

I believe anyone who votes for someone who wants to harm Israel is like saying: “Lord please destroy us! We’re morons!” To be honest, I’m surprised we’ve haven’t fallen yet.

I know of many countries all around the world are against Israel. And I know some may argue, “Is God going to make all those other countries fall?” My answer is “Why not?” I wonder if enough countries fall, if that would bring in the Anti-Christ. If enough countries fail and if people get desperate enough; they may become willing to follow someone who will lead them. That person will deceive many. That person will be the Anti-Christ. Then later a very large army will come up against Israel. And that’s when Jesus Himself will come and defeat that army. Revelation 19:19-21 That army will be defeated. They will fail and they will die.

I’ve talked with people who have said that this Israel shouldn’t be here. And yet there it is, and there is nothing anyone can do to change this fact. I do not believe the LORD will not allow this Israel to be conquered, period.

So who will I vote for? I honestly don’t know. But, I will not knowing vote for somebody who will harm God’s country. In my mind, that’s just stupid. And that is my thoughts.

By the way Hank The Cat For President wasn’t all my idea. I got the idea from an Alaskan cat that was mayor. Here’s the link.

Posted in Christianity, Prophecy, Uncategorized and tagged , , , | Leave a comment
15 May 2016

First Love Cooled?

Revelation 2:4-5
“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.”

Did you read that? Does this apply to you? I hope not. But think about this. Are you still on fire for God? Or has your love gone a bit cool. I’m not asking if you still love the Lord. I’m guessing you still do. Are you still willing to live for Jesus? Do you still have love for others? Or is it more self-centered?

I know that this is for the church in Ephesus. However I also believe that it could apply to us individually.

About removing your lampstand from among the churches? You can say it applies only to churches, or not. But, do you really want to take a chance? Do you want to disappoint our Lord? I don’t.

There is more written to the church in Ephesus. Most of it is good, but I suggest reading Revelation 2:1-7.

That’s my thoughts.

Posted in Christianity, Prophecy, Revelation and tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment
28 Mar 2016

Earning Your Way To Heaven?

Are you earning your way to Heaven? And if so, how are you doing it? What if you’re wrong?

What if a man murdered someone else, and then is caught, arrested, and put on trial? His defense attorney says, “This is basically a good man. His good deeds out weight his bad.”

The prosecuting attorney says, “He is a murderer and here is the proof. He should go to prison.”

Defense attorney says, “But this man who did murder is a nice guy. He gives to charity, sings in the church choir, he is a pillar in our society. He’s a great husband and father.”

But because the man is a murderer, he went to prison. All the good he did in his life didn’t matter.

Right now many of you are saying, “I didn’t murder anyone, so I’m OK. I’ll still get into Heaven.” But there is one problem with this thinking. This is what Jesus said in Matthew 5:21-22, “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.”

So now, how many of you believe you’re good enough? Remember in this society, once a murderer, always a murderer. Just like once a sex offender, always a sex offender.

By the way Jesus also said, “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Mathew 5:27-28

Face it, there is no way you can earn your way into Heaven. But what if it was given to you as a gift? Would you accept it? Your sins must be paid for somehow. After all, if you don’t go to Heaven, you will go to Hell.

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

Cross

Jesus came to pay our way into Heaven. It is a gift. We can not earn it. John 1:1-5 and John 1:14 explains that Jesus is God. He loves us enough to go through, being mocked, punched in the face, spit upon, whipped. Imagine having the whip digging into your back and ripping away bits of your flesh. Imagine having a crown made of thorns shoved down on your head. Now there is blood and sweat running down stinging your eyes. Then in front of everyone you cry out in pain, and yet no one helps you. You’re in pain because nails are being pounded through your hands and feet. And then more pain as the weight of your body tears at holes in your hands as the cross they just nailed you to is being righten up in the ground. And as your family and friends watch… you die.

Also keep in mind that Jesus could have stopped this anytime He wanted. Matthew 26:53-54 says:
“Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”

He Is Risen - The Graffiti Bridge, on Facebook

He Is Risen – The Graffiti Bridge, on Facebook

This is how much God loves us. Then three days later He rose from the dead, physically with His own body.

So you have a choice. You can try to earn your way to Heaven, and you will fail. Or you can believe in the Lord Jesus. Ask Him into your heart and to forgive your sins.

Ephesians 2:8-9
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Posted in Christianity and tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment
25 Feb 2016

Are You Sure?

Question_mark_(black_on_white)

When you die, will you go to Heaven? Are you sure? If you say you’re good enough, how do you know? What if you believe that homosexuality is good because Jesus never talked about it. Are you sure that what you believe is correct? I’ve heard Jesus was much like Buddha. The guy telling me this was very sure. But was he correct? If so and if you do believe you can be good enough, then how do you explain Ephesians 2:9 or even Matthew 7:21-23

Two men were arguing about which way was north. Only one was correct. Why? He looked at the compass.

I’ve noticed that many people don’t think about what they believe. They certainly don’t test it. Why?

When I was in maybe eighth grade in school, I had a teacher who told the class that there is no life above the Arctic Circle because it’s too cold. Even as a kid I wonder if she ever heard of Eskimos and polar bears. What about people living in Northern Norway? In my early twenties I was on an ice breaker, and we went north of Point Barrow, Alaska. There’s a lot of life up there.

Some people say that if Jesus was here right now He would be a Democrat. Are you sure? Really sure? Right now I’m guessing that there people that are grinning, thinking “Of course not. He’d be a republican.” Really? Are you sure about that?

Here’s a question for you. With everything that’s been happening, why would The Lord of the universe be impressed with either party?

If Jesus returns right now, what would He do about the Middle East? Would He split Jerusalem and give half to the Palestinians? Would He insist on a two state solution? Maybe even destroying Israel? And are you sure? If you say ‘Yes’, are you sure the person would even be Jesus?

Revelation 19:11-21 talks about Jesus returning and fighting for Israel. And He wins.

Also when He returns, He wouldn’t be interested in our petty little political system. He Himself, will be king. Mark 15:2 Revelation 1:4-6

So how can we be sure of things? More important, how can we be sure we’re going to Heaven? John 3:16 says For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

So do you really believe in Him? Only you can answer that question.

Let me ask you this. Do you believe in Hillary, or Trump? If you’re an American, you’ll either say “yes” or “no”. If you say “yes”, that would mean you believe in everything that person stands for. You’ll stand by that person through thick and thin.

This is how you should believe in Jesus. Even more so. Please get to know Him if you don’t. Start in Matthew and read through Revelation. Then to know Him more, read the Old Testament. Be sure.

Posted in Christianity and tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Post Navigation

← Older Entries