Lewis thought

"I am perfectly convinced that whatever the gospels are they are not legends. I have read a great deal of legend and I am quite clear they are not that sort of thing....Christ bent down and scribbled in the dust with His finger. Nothing comes of this. No one has based any doctrine on it. And the act of inventing little irrelevant details to make an imaginary scene more convincing is purely a modern art."
-C.S. Lewis

Prayer request

Please pray for the ministry at school. More than one student has come with a concern, wanting prayer for a difficulty they are enduring right now. Some are openly witnessing for Jesus Chrsit. Others are facing persecution for their stand in Christ. One girl is even receiving undue pressure from her parents because of her Biblical stand. Please pray that I may be the proper leader and mentor, but most of all pray that these teens see Jesus and His power during these times of trial.

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"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
--C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

Because of His Name

October will be a busy month for me. I will be teaching an adult study class called "Cults, the Canon, and Koine Greek." I will also be teaching two Thursday night classes for teacher credit about ideas for the classroom.

Julianne is now speaking more than a few words. She will be turning 2 on October 121th. Her favorite show? Dora the Explorer.

Jill is decorating the house for the fall season. We love it when the leaves start to change. If you're from Tennessee you know what I mean.
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Why would God want to forgive us? We Christians can mess things up pretty bad sometimes. Why does He show us such compassion?

Because His very name is based on compassion. Let’s look at a very special word that is a name of God. It is one of the most carefully mentioned word by the Hebrew worshiper today. It is the name “HaShem”, and it literally means “the Name.” Using this name is a respectful way of speaking about God, and it is considered so special that it was pronounced only once a year in the Temple by the High Priest on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

The Name, as we read in Numbers 6:27, was used in the Temple by the Priests as they blessed the people: “They shall place My Name upon the Children of Israel, and I shall bless them” (Numbers 6:27). The priests were to bless the Children of Israel with the specific Name, and it was only pronounced within the Temple.
This special four-letter Name as used in place of the Tetragrammaton evinces the Divine attribute of rachamim, which is compassion. The Hebrew teaching states that whenever the name HaShem is used, it characterizes the Divine dimension of compassion.

Two examples found in the Old Testament are found saying “HaShem, HaShem, Compassionate God” (Exodus 34:6 and Deuteronomy 3:24).

This is the striking point: God forgives because His very special name means compassion.

Yet, warns R.A. Torrey, don’t take this to mean that anyone who flippantly calls for assistance from God will receive it: “...it should be remembered that while God is absolutely sovereign in the exercise of His mercy, while no one can dictate upon whom He shall have mercy, in point of fact He wills to have mercy on all upon whom He can have mercy...God's mercy is manifested toward those who fear or love Him: His servants, who walk before Him with all their hearts..God isn't a voice-operated appliance that fulfills every request on demand. He requires true acceptance, not mere empty words...God isn't a voice-operated appliance that fulfills every request on demand. He requires true acceptance, not mere empty words.”

What is God's will for my life?

You ask about knowing God’s will for your life? Our Sunday night Bible study dealt with this question and the Bible writer JI Packer gave a good clarification, and I'll try to adapt it to this country.

Lots of people think knowing God's will is like a New York subway system signal box, where you look at the electronic map and see all of the subway cars glowing with little lights, locating where they are on the map. Well, that’s the wrong view of God’s will. He does not give you the picture of the rest of your life.

The first thing I can tell you is that you start seeing His will when you start taking steps one by one and the way starts opening up. So what is he saying? Little steps. Bit by bit. God will hand to you enough to continue on with Him. You just keep moving in the right direction. Some people want a glamourous presentation and some bright flashy directional signal, but that’s not really it.

Bit by bit. Just enough lamplight for us to see the next bend down the road.

WHAT BRINGS REVIVAL?

Some early thoughts about personal revival:

How do you bring about personal revival? Well, the idea of "bringing about" revival is a concern itself. We can't artificially introduce revival any more than we can force someone to become a Christian. Revival comes about when God reveals to us true condition, which could be brutal and might even bring His judgment. While bringing about a powerful result in the end, the process is often harsh. Revival comes when people want to get right with God so desperately that they will humble and discipline their lives in order to restore a right relationship with Him.

Revival is when the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Truth) shows us how we really are and shows us what God is really like.

Let me quote Bible teacher Penn Clark:

"Revival usually causes us to prioritize our lives around God’s business or what He deems important.

I don’t think we can simply “will” revival to come, otherwise, we would be able to boast that we brought revival by our own efforts. There is something sovereign about every revival that I have read about. However, if we yearn for it, ask for it, expect God to change our hearts and priorities, and will place ourselves at God’s disposal, perhaps He will hear us and come in a more evident way in our midst.

It is important to realize that God does not bring about revival because we are finally spiritual enough, or because we have found the right combination that finally opens it up for us. To the contrary; He brings revival because we are needy. We will not be able to say we merited revival because of our holiness or prayerfulness, God sees our true condition and sends revival to bring us back to Himself."

"You are mine"

Here's one of my former students from Grace Christian Academy, Caitlyn Gibson, during one of her more intellectual moments.

Seriously, I loved having Caitlyn as a student and am thankful that the Lord spared her in a recent automobile accident. Caitlyn was riding with Bradley McDuffie while helping her folks move furniture to a new home on the other side of Knoxville. Bradley hit a small ditch while on a rural road and overcorrected the car, sending it into a spin. The car rolled off the highway, top-to-bottom more than five times. Both teens emerged sore and slightly injured but not seriously, which was a miracle, considering the amount of heavy equipment that was flying around loose in the car.

In the years that I have known this special girl I have always seen a heart that is tender and a spirit that wants to serve the lord every day. Caitlyn has not only been a great testimony for the Lord, she has encouraged me on many an occasion.

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I think one of the wondrous things about our God is that He’s a God of miracles. He does things that we cannot even begin to comprehend. One of my friends Lauren Phillips is a missionary to Eastern Asia. She’s in her twenties and is energetic in wanting to see the Lord work in and among the people of Eastern Asia. Last Sunday she read aloud a letter given to her from one of the missionaries to a place she was aiming to serve at. They are called the Dao people and the letter from her friends is enough to shock anyone. The new missionary couple came into a totally new area, the letter said, and yet when they arrived, the men of the village greeted them warmly and let them sit by the fire. While one of the men fiddled with his nose bone and smoked a cigarette, he mentioned casually that his father, now dead for almost two decades, said that the missionaries would come.

"Long ago, when I was a little boy, my father was waiting for you to come, He told me you would come," said the man.

The man, in his late thirties, said that there would be people with white skin who would come and tell them about the truth about God and the way to get to see Him.

"We had never seen a white person, so he told us all, don’t be afraid of their white skin! They look very different but they will become like our own brothers and sisters. They will be one family with us. They will bring a talk about God."

When the young couple added up the years, they realized that the father had told the message to his village the very year the missionaries were born!
As the missionary heard these amazing things, he thought about the passage in Ephesians 2:10 which said "God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing."

This is the God that we read about in the Scripture and we talk to in prayer. He’s not a far-away God. In Isa. 43: 1-4 we read of a compassionate God whom nobody could have ever imagined. A God who openly pursues us with His love and His care. Listen to this passage:

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you...you are precious in My sight...you are honored and I love you."

Being crucified with Christ...and still living

Much as it is now with many college students, money was hard to come by when I was taking my university training back in the late 70's. At that time we were scrambling for weekend jobs which would net us $10 or $15 an afternoon. Imagine my excitement, then, when my roommate Kent approached me and told me that he had a new boss who would pay us over $25 a day... maybe even $30.

Six of us scrambled over to sign on with the man, a local roofer in the town. We spent the day in 40 degree rainy weather, assembling aluminum carports over customers' driveways. We had the itinerary of the whole day's list of assembly spots throughout the town.

"Come on," my friend Kent chattered through the continuing drizzle, "lets see how many of these we can do for the owner!"

So in the rain we doubled our efforts and put up carports across town - we took no break for lunch or resting.

The man told us that he would send our paychecks through Kent. The next week Kent came to me, sickened. "The owner pulled a fast one - he won't pay us for anymore than the first house. He's drummed up a technicality about being off the original location!"

"But that's not fair," I cried, "he knows we've doubled his normal output!"

"No matter," said Kent, "hes found a technicality and refuses to pay us more than a couple of dollars." Even now, more than 20 years later, I can recall the bitterness I felt when I phoned the owner who breezily claimed to be a Christian yet freely admitted he had us over a barrel and that, yes, he was cheating us out of money. You might think I'm exagerrating, but this is the actual response I got on the phone.

"If you don't like it, send me back the rest of the money," he taunted.

I hung up the phone and swallowed hard. Would it be easy to forgive? No.

But did I forgive? Yes.

And you know, all these years later, it still remains a hard memory....but I believe I have learned to forgive and let the Lord take charge. It's taken a load off me.

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the {life} which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” - Galatians 2:20

Big feet

Here is Julianne trying to fill her daddy's shoes - literally!

Book signing party!

Great news!

Cedar Springs Bookstore here in Knoxville, Tennessee will be having a booksigning party for my latest book, Fireside Psalms, due out in November!

Cedar Springs is one of the largest independent Christian bookstores in America. They will be having a little party to go along with it: cider treats and prizes to hand out, etc. The date of the booksigning will be the Saturday before Thanksgiving, which will be November 18th.

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I just received a very nice e-mail from a former youth group member Rebecca Noland! Rebecca graduated from NAU in May and is now a registered nurse at Phoenix Children's Hospital. She is involved with Scottsdale Bible Church. Thank you for writing, Becca!

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Speaking of former youth group members, Lydia Hodak also wrote me. Lydia was an elementary school student whom I had taught in a children's church years back. This little red-haired girl graduated from Chicago Lakes Baptist High school in Minnesota and is now a student at Northland Baptist Bible College. It's wonderful to hear from you, Lydia!

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GIVING MY LIFE TO CHRIST - a reality check

"To give my life for Christ appears glorious. To pour myself out for others. . . to pay the ultimate price of martyrdom -- I'll do it. I'm ready, Lord, to go out in a blaze of glory.

"We think giving our all to the Lord is like taking $l,000 bill and laying it on the table-- 'Here's my life, Lord. I'm giving it all.' But the reality for most of us is that he sends us to the bank and has us cash in the $l,000 for quarters.

“We go through life putting out 25 cents here and 50 cents there. Listen to the neighbor kid's troubles instead of saying, 'Get lost.' Go to a committee meeting. Give a cup of water to a shaky old man in a nursing home.

“Usually giving our life to Christ isn't glorious. It's done in all those little acts of love, 25 cents at a time. It would be easy to go out in a flash of glory; it's harder to live the Christian life little by little over the long haul."

- F. Craddock

In the face of persecution

1 Timothy 1:7 tells you, Christian, that you have been given the gift of boldness…of power.
Today, more than any other time I have known in my life, there is a call for Christian heroes. We’ve all been witnessing a building of aggressive intolerance against virtually every aspect of the Christian faith. It’s almost a paradox, that in today’s world we may witness the growing, dynamic works of God's Spirit around the world in seeing people’s conversion to Christ, enjoying the expanded use of the mass media and the new technologies for sharing Christian views, there has also been social, legal and political pressure placed upon Christians either to conform to the dominant cultural views or, at the very least, to shut up.

This growing social pressure is very real. Whether through the arts, the media, or government, the message is clear: Christians, are being cast in the role of extremists, zealots and idiots. Ordinary Christian beliefs of our traditions long and even recent past are now described by some as hate speech. We face persecution that is growing.

A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court Appeals in Richmond, Virginia has ruled that the Virginia Military Institute’s tradition of having the cadet chaplain read a prayer before dinner is unconstitutional.

In Waring Elementary, a 280-student magnet school in midtown St. Louis, a teacher spotted fourth-grader Raymond Raines bowing his head in prayer before lunch. The teacher stormed to Raymond's table, ordered him to stop immediately and sent him to the principal's office. The principal informed the young boy that praying was not allowed in school. When Raymond was again caught praying before meals on three separate occasions, he was segregated from other students, ridiculed in front of his classmates, and finally sentenced to a week's detention.
Before snack time in her kindergarten class in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., little Kayla Broadus held hands with two of her classmates and recited this prayer: "God is great, God is good, thank you, God, for my food." The alert teacher pounced on Kayla, severely reprimanded her, and reported her to the school administration. In short order, the principal sent a sternly worded letter to Kayla's parents advising them that Kayla was not allowed to pray in school, either aloud or with others. The school board then issued a press release crowing about its victory over a kindergartner praying before snack time.

Lynn Lucas Middle School outside of Houston, two sisters were prevented from bringing their Bibles into a classroom. The teacher stopped the students at the classroom door and marched them to the principal's office. The sisters' mother was called and warned that the school intended to report her to Child Protective Services. When the mother arrived, the teacher threw the Bibles in the wastebasket, shouting, "This is garbage!"

At the same school, Lynn Lucas Middle School, school administrators snatched three students' books with covers displaying the Ten Commandments, ripped the covers off, threw them in the garbage, and told the students that the Ten Commandments constituted "hate speech."
After the massacre at Columbine High School, students and families were invited to paint tiles above student lockers. The school district had earlier sent an army of secular "grief counselors" with – believe it or not - teddy bears to counsel students after the attack. Nonetheless, some students painted their tiles with so-called "objectionable" messages, such as: "On April 20th, 1999: Jesus Wept" and "God Is Love." The school could not stand it; they removed 90 tiles with offending religious messages. A federal court upheld the school's censorship of the religious tiles.
In Tupelo, Miss., school administrators methodically purged all Christmas carols of any religious content.

In Texas, a U.S. District judge decreed that any student uttering the word "Jesus" at his school's graduation would be arrested and locked up. Judge Samuel B. Kent said, and I quote "… make no mistake, the court is going to have a United States marshal in attendance at the graduation. If any student offends this court, that student will be summarily arrested and will face up to six months incarceration in the Galveston County Jail for contempt of court."

2 Timothy 1:7 gives us – and it’s good to consider this in the light to today’s anti-Christian climate – that we are given a sound mind – an intelligent mind – one that can witness, and reason, and endure. To speak out, not to shut up.

Please pray

I am counseling with some kids who are suicidal, seriously so. They're not students at school; they're kids I've had contact with outside of the campus. These kids are really hurting. Our rapport has just opened up.

Random thoughts and practical atheism

Here is my son Nicholas along with some of his classmates from the Christian Academy of Knoxville. All three young people are in college now. Please pray for God's guidance in their lives. The fellow seated is Mason Booth. Theyoung lady is Megan Prince and Nicholas is on the right. I miss the three of them greatly and I pray that they are growing in maturity and in the grace of the Lord. Nicholas and I text each day and probably talk every three days or so.

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The poison ivy hit me pretty hard but I am coming out of it all right. It's rocketed all around my wrists and arms and I have plenty of scars to deal with. In high school this stuff never bothered me. Now, it gets so bad that often I have to head to the doctor for a radical cure.

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How real is your faith? Here's an excerpt from one of my novels, Guffman's Universe, and in it the lead character, an Einstein-caliber atheist named Guffman confronts Aaron, the Christian. In this scene, there is a siege at the radio station and the staff could be attacked at any moment. The question of the reality of Christianity comes up:


I hid some shivers and tried to sound casual. "Come on, Guff, we’ll be okay. Someone gets carried away with some pranks and, yeah, they shot too close to you, but nothing’s happened since. We’ll be all right."
His back shook. He was laughing at my comment. "‘We’ll be okay,’ you say. Boy, that’s a rational thought. Who’ll take care of us...your God?"

I could feel my blood rising. "Y-yeah, for that matter. He will."

"How could you know? What would he care about you, let alone us?"

"Because... I’m His child," I began. "I’m part of His family."

He sipped again. "Very noble words, sir. I just don’t believe them."

I coughed lightly and tried to remain calm. "Then, please tell me, if you don’t believe them, then who am I?"

He turned and I could see him staring at me, even in the dim light. "You, sir, are a practical atheist."

"A what?" I started to get up. "You know full well I told you I’m a Christia-"

He held up his hand. "You know the definition of an atheist? Someone who says there is no God, right? However, a practical atheist claims there IS a God, but just acts as if there were no God. That’s you." I started to open my mouth but he held up his hand.
"Let me finish, then you can speak. A practical atheist professes to be a Believer, but isn’t into the Bible like a regular Christian." He tilted his head to one side, thinking. "A practical atheist just doesn’t act like God directs him all the time. He seems to be more devoted to contemporary culture, and wants to move with the times. That’s the way I see you, sir. Now, look at me. I’m an atheist, and my worldview shows it. I live for the here and now, and at least I’m consistent with my beliefs. You, my man, profess to believe in God, but your philosophy of life and values seem to be in touch more with American culture than the Bible."

"I’m committed to Christ," I answered, though rather weakly.

Guffman shook his head. "Look, at least I know where I stand. You don’t even realize you’re thoroughly secularized. Remember a few weeks ago? Ken asked you a question about the Bible’s view on sin and trouble, and to this moment, you’ve not given him an answer. Sid asked you about God’s protection, asking where the Bible tells about God watching over us, and, my man, that was over two weeks ago. You have never even tried to show him any answer. I’ve never seen you pray, never seen you read your precious Holy Bible." He pointed out the window. "You’re like that deer that Tinny saw. It looked like a deer, stood like a deer, and felt like a deer, but guess what? It was a shell of a deer, just a statue. Look at you. You look like a Christian, walk like a Christian..."

"Stop it," I hissed. "Just stop it. I don’t need some self-righteous humanist to tell me where I stand."

Guffman leaned back and laughed. He got me, both he and I knew he did. I could see his eyes gleam, even in the dark of the room.

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Fellow, Christian, check your walk with God. Are you a practical atheist? What proofs do you show that you aren't?

The Hand of God in hard times

Back in 1981 when I received my university degree, threw all my belongings into the back of my 1964 Stepside Chevy pickup and headed for my ministry in central California, I was filled with idealistic dreams of the ministry. I imagined myself walking over the hills of California, side-by-side with fresh-faced teens who were eager to know Scripture truths. I could see myself sitting in my office, sharing the Scripture and a Pepsi with a committed young person who poured out their desire to serve Christ. Ah, things were going to be great with all the resources and opportunities I would enjoy.

Well, it didn’t work out that way.

I mean, not even close.

Instead, I found out that I was to be a full-time school teacher in a school of about ninety children. I was a part-time janitor. I was not allowed to have teen activities or Bible studies. My pay was so low that I actually qualified for the government’s free cheese and butter program. I had three changes of clothes – that was all I could afford.

My office – and I kid you not – was a five-foot-square upstairs closet. My desk was a plank resting on two cinder blocks. My lighting was a tea lamp hanging on a nail.

I was devastated.

But as I look back I cannot say it was bad. For in the midst of the losing all my expectations, I gained something else: an appreciation for the little things. I learned how to be thankful for a child’s hug. A teen’s prayer. A pat on the back. A conversation with a man who had just spent the day digging ditches.

I got a look at reality. It was good for me.

Doesn’t seem that way in the world today, does it? Most of us think the sign of the Lord’s blessing is an easy and laid-back life, and struggles as a sign of Satanic cursing. Well, that’s not really accurate. God has a beautiful future laid out for and often it is in ways that we could never ever predict. The French sculptor, Rodin, gave a good view of God's care in artwork he crafted. He shaped two small statues and put them side-by-side in a display. The first statue is made of smooth marble and is soft and sleek-looking, showing a human figure cradled in a hand that portrays complacency, peace, and quietness. The human figure seems to be free of any distractions. Rodin called this work "The Hand of the Devil." The second piece, however is rough and harsh. Rodin designed a powerful-looking hand holding a figure of humanity and carrying it, rising upward to new life. The artist called this work "The Hand of God."

Rodin's message is that while Satan wants to lull us into complacency, but God's intent is to mold us for the life ahead. His care and desire may seem rough and unsettled, but His desire is a higher calling. Challenges are what hones the Believer. The diamond must be cut in order to show its beauty.

"Why are you in despair, O my soul? And {why} have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him {For} the help of His presence. " - Psalm 42:5

EASILY SWAYED

Psalm 119:18 - "Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law."

An Army psychology student drew kitchen detail and decided to apply some of his studies and theories to his work. He was stationed at the end of the chow line, assigned to hand out apricots.

Apricots were not exactly a favorite among soldiers. He asked the first soldiers that passed by, "You dont want any apricots, do you?" He calculated that 90% responded with "No."

He then tried a different angle. The next shift of soldiers were asked "You do want apricots, don't you?" Approximately half answered, "Yes, I guess so."

Finally he tried an old selling technique. This third time he asked, "One dish of apricots or two?" In spite of the universal dislike for Army apricots, 40% took two dishes and 50% took one!

People of allwalks of life - even Christians - can be easily swayed by smooth talking. We need to place our priorities to heed the Truth on Gods Word.

THANKS FOR THINGS I HAVEN'T GOT YET

My latest book, Fireside Psalms, is complete and is in the editing room. Publication date is the week before Thanksgiving. To God be the glory for this devotional book's completion. It will be a Thanksgiving-to-Christmas devotional that you read each night of the holiday season up to Christmas Day.





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PSALM 42:5
5 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And {why} have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him {For} the help of His presence.

The word in verse 5 for praise is the word towdah (pronounced to-daw). This word for praise means to give worship in the form of a thank-offering. This word is commonly found in connection with anticipation of the blessing from the Almighty that goes beyond the material world. The Intervarsity Acacia University Bible study says:

“Towdah literally means, ‘an extension of the hand in adoration, avowal, or acceptance.’ By way of application, it is apparent in the Psalms and elsewhere that it is used for thanking God for ‘things not yet received’ as well as things already at hand.”

One of the powerful ways we can show our sincerity and even dependence upon God while praising, then, is to thank Him for blessings yet to come.

This isn't that unusual...you've exercised this in your earthly life. You've looked under the Christmas tree and found the gift that is yours. The tag tells the name of the giver, and you go and thank them...and you haven't even opened the gift yet, but knowing the character of the giver, you know it will be good. That's the towdah teaching... you know God will give you good gifts. Have you thanked Him for blessings you haven't received yet? Our God enjoys praise that does more than thank Him things seen, for He delights in praise that is joyful with things not seen.

PEACE WHEN WE NEED IT MOST

Jerry, our handyman, just left our house and told us that the previous owner had wired the outlets in such a way that the Jerry can't even tell where the connections go. We'd been sorting out the switches on the breakers - they're all mislabeled. As I worked with Jerry, we found that one downstairs outlet is not connected to the one next to it, but rather to an overhead lamp. Some outlets in the same room are on different breakers, and shouldn't be. Worst yet, all of the downstairs outlets on the inside walls have gone out and we don't even know where the power source is - none connect to the house's breakers!

I groaned as he told me this. How much will this cost to fix? Every time I turn around we have another bill. Can't I get some peace?

Then I realize that, yes, we all can have God's peace in the midst of trials, bad grades, conflict at home, persecution during witnessing, or a bad relationship. Writer Selwyn Hughes says that his research about the word "peace" helps us understand what Jesus gives us:

"William Barclay says that the word "peace" (Greek: eiriene) came into the New Testament with a great history. It is a translation of the Hebrew word shalom, meaning peace. In classical Greek, 'peace' was mainly negative, implying freedom from war or hostilities, but in the New Testament, the word gathers up positive elements such as are seen in shalom. The central meaning is serenity and harmony. 'Peace' occurs eighty-eight times in the New Testament, and it appears in every book." The writer Hughes wants us to remember that the Bible shows us that Jesus gives peace as we need it.

And as I sit here and pray, a peace starts to settle in. It'll be okay.

CHRIST IN THE PSALMS

From the outset, we have the announcement that the Messiah will come and be victorious. Psalm 2 tells us that this Gift from God will be most terrible to those who reject it. Read verses 1 through 6 to get a good idea of what is going on.

Then we see the promise that Jesus will indeed rise after His suffering and crucifixion: "For thou wilt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption" - Psalms 16:10. David told of His resurrection in this passage. This anointed One was to speak and teach in parables.
Psalms 78:2 - I will open my mouth in a parable... Indeed, Jesus was even questioned by His disciples for sharing so many puzzling parables.

We reach the amazingly accurate portrayal of Christ on the cross in Psalms 22-24. This passage is now as the Messianic Psalm passage, telling of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The very words Jesus cried out are found here (v. 1), a full 700 years before Christ was born in Bethlehem: My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? His piercing was predicted centuries before the Romans had borrowed the idea of crucifixion from the Persians (v.16) : They pierced my hands and my feet... Even the act of gambling for Christ’s clothes were predicted (v.18): They divide my garments among them, And for my clothing they cast lots.

Imagine you were able to accurately fulfill a prophecy from 700 years ago. What year would that be? ___________

The Psalms give an advance view even to astonishing detail. We see a view of Christ’s ministry in Psalms 113-118 , known as the Egyptian Hallel . Surprisingly descriptive words concerning Christ’s anguish are found in 116: 3 The sorrows (literally ropes ) of death compassed me, and the pains of hell got hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. We also see Him in victory in 118: 22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. 23 This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. 24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

We see Christ’s painful agony and deep sorrow in Psalm 88 in the Garden, a pain that goes above the physical realm: 18 Lover and friend has thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness. This verse alone could be meditated upon indefinitely, for there are few things on earth as painful as utter loneliness. The most hardened criminals are given one of the most severe punishments short of death: solitary confinement. Christ willingly took on the loneliness of all ages when He agreed to go to the cross for our sins.

Yet Psalm 89 is His speaking of the Father's love and faithfulness: "1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations."

Does God love us? A tell-tale sign is by the quality of gifts given to the recipient. Jesus himself said, "Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he?" (Luke 11:11) There are no substitutes here; the Father needed to get the proper gift at the right time, in the right place for the right reason - and it was done.

HOW CAN WE BEST DESCRIBE GOD?

Aw, man. I think I picked up some poison ivy. I was weeding over the weekend. It's spread across my hands.

Well, considering all the other ills of the world, this seems like a really minor thing. It is itchy, though.


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How far do we go in trying to describe who God is and what He is all about?

Some would consider putting God in "a box" and saying that He must forgive, is to restrict Him and therefore disrespect Him. Through the ages this area of study has been a sticking point in itself. How does a person try to describe God?

The fourth century Cappadocian leaders stated their belief in God in what was known in Latin as Via Negativa, the "Negative Way." This belief was an attempt to describe God in negative ways. For example, He was not definable in terms of space, so the key words were "infinite" and "invisible", nor was He even within the realm of understanding ("incomprehensible"). This theology, also known as apophatic theology, states that it is not possible to know God’s essence beyond what is openly what is revealed, and does not assume anything past this boundary.

Conversely there is a presenting of the cataphatic side of theology, which makes positive assertions about God, stating that God is loving, God is righteous, and God is good. Which, then, is the correct way to describe God? I believe that both sides need to be presented in a careful balance, lest on one hand we say that God is beyond any comprehension, but on the other hand describing God as simply the perfect human being. Yet God does allow us to know about Him, and invites us to learn about Him through the many parts of Scriptures including the Psalms.

I will venture even further: I have no doubt that this mighty God wants us to walk, even run toward Him. I use that in the seeking sense, that we would pursue God. It’s not that God is hiding, but He’s given us a free will, and with that He desires that we choose to come closer and see the many joys that He has for those who love Him. It’s more than a one-time call for deliverance from hell, however. God continually reminds the reader that he wants everyone to approach Him without ceasing. As I read the Psalms, I see that there is an open contradiction to people who would say "God is so far off that nobody could ever find Him," or to those who say "God wants to remain distant, He is so far above and beyond us." In studying the Psalms from beginning to end, you will find that the main theme in the Psalms is to seek God no matter what is happening around you or what your station in life.

Latest on the family.

Nicholas is doing well at ETSU and is enjoying the Campus Crusade ministry. He called me today and said that in one of his classes he had the privilege to touch a human brain. Now, I'm not really sure which class would actively promote this kind of activity. I'll have to wait until he gets home in order to ask him about this latest adventure. The picture ont eh right was taken of him during a senior class activity at CAK last year.

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Please be in prayer for one of my students. Kellen Leland came to me this morning and told me that his dad had suffered a stroke. Scott Leland is 50 years old and actually suffered three strokes total. He is having no movement on his right side and is having grat difficulty speaking. Please pray that Jehovah Rapha - God the Healer - would bring this man back to health.

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The old imsomnia is hitting me hard again, along with the monstrous nightmares. These have been coming back within the past two or three weeks.

How is your church?

Is your church in the danger of marketing itself? Are you getting the satisfaction of worshipping God or is like like a trip to McDonald's...you're being treated as a consumer?

Writer Wayne Jackson states:
"A recent article in World magazine addressed this phenomenon. Note this quote:

‘Nothing is more characteristic of evangelical church meetings at the end of the 20th century than their orientation to the consumer, especially the unchurched one. Churches decide what their ‘market niche’ is; they study their ‘target audience’; they design the services to appeal to the consumer.’
In a word, ‘worship’ services have become ‘us-centered,’ rather than ‘God-centered.’
Would you rather have your Sundays free to camp, play golf, or visit with family? Fine, we’ll implement a "quickie," convenience-service for you at some other time so your conscience will be mollified, and you can enjoy your weekends. A news program recently featured one group that has a Sunday drive-through communion facility to accommodate those who prefer not to get out of the car on their way to the beach, etc. "


Wayne Jackson, "Disney Church" Christian Courier Publications,
http://www.christiancourier.com/penpoints/disneyChurch.htm(Monday, August 2, 1999)

One of our "grads" at work

This is a picture of one of my former "grads" from our youth group at West Park Baptist Church. The blonde-haired young lady in the back row is Lisa Giesler, missionary to Bangladesh, with some of her "girls" (and a little fella as well.) Lisa works in a medical facility where she can care for the villagers both physically and spiritually. My wife and I consider Lisa one of our Christian children in the faith.

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. " - 3 John 4

Struggles in this world...can make us better

I came home exhausted.

Not one of my free periods - before-school period or planning period or lunch period or even my time after school - remained available for me. Each time there was a tap on my door. A student needed advice or counsel. Literally, from the moment I stepped in the door of my schoolroom until I left at 6:30 p.m., I had been talking with students. I was worn out.

And you know something? I loved it.

I'm seeing God work, and He's giving me the privilege of being His channel. How could I be upset witht that? Give me a busy day over a boring day any time. I don't like complacency.

Often we will equate an easy and laid-back life as definitely blessed by the Lord, while those who might find struggle as being cursed by Satan.

The French Sculptor, Rodin, gave a good view of God's care in artwork he crafted. He shaped two small statues and put them side-by-side in a display. The first statue is made of smooth marble and is soft and sleek-looking, showing a human figure cradled in a hand that portrays complacency, peace, and quietness. The human figure seems to be free of any distrations. Rodin called this work "The Hand of the Devil." The second piece, however is rough and active-looking. Rodin designed a powerful-looking hand holding a figure of humanity and carrying it, rising upward to new life. The artist called this work "The Hand of God."

Rodin's message is that while Satan would try to lull us into complacency, God's care and desire may seem rough and unsettled, but it is in His desire to carry us into an eternal joy and higher calling. Challenges are what hones the Believer. The diamond must be cut in order to show its beauty.

WE'LL SEE GOD FACE-TO-FACE

An artist asked the gallery owner if there had been any interest in his paintings on display at that time.

"I have good news and bad news," the owner replied. "The good news is that a gentleman enquired about your work and wondered if it would appreciate in value after your death. When I told him it would, he bought all fifteen of your paintings."

"That's wonderful!" the artist exclaimed. "What's the bad news?"

"The guy was your doctor."

Death is the great reality of this world. It’s the great equalizer and the final truth of every man’s existence. Some fear it, others laugh at it, but all must face it.

Death plays no favorites, either. A legend tells of the great philosopher Diogenes looking through a heap of bones when Alexander the Great came to him. Alexander was puzzled by Diogenes’ interest in the bones and asked what he was seeking. Diogenes replied, "I am searching for the bones of your father, but I cannot distinguish them from those of his slaves."

As is true in all men, once we die, on earth there will be very little difference between the rich man and the beggar. Humanly speaking, we all have the same finality: death of the body. It’s easy to forget this fact, yet, it’s a truth none of us can escape.

Where should we turn to see the truth about being in the presence of God? Do the Psalms have anything to say about this? Sure they do:
Psalm 11:7 "For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face."
Psalm 16:11 "In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures
forever."
Psalm 17:15 "As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake."

Psalm 16:11 and Psalm 17:11 give us an interesting insight into being in God’s presence in the words "Fullness" and "satisfied." In other words, God’s presence will not inspire fear or trepidation, but rather peace and contentment beyond anything the earthly realm can comprehend.

If a servant fell on his face to make a petition before his king or master, the master would raise the man’s head as a sign that the petition would be fulfilled. To lift someone’s face came to mean primarily to grant a favor, and it gives us a good idea of what God will have in store for His children in His home: the granting of the greatest wish of any Christian, to be with the Lord forever. God will lift the face of one person, granting him favor.

Bible scholar John MacArthur says:
" We can begin to understand why Peter, after seeing only a faint glimpse of that glory, wanted to make a camp on the Mount of Transfiguration and stay there permanently (Matt. 17:4)... In heaven we will actually see the Lord face to face. This is impossible in the earthly realm. After all, God said, No man can see Me and live (Ex. 33:20, NASB). John 1:18 and 1 John 4:12 both say, No one has seen God at any time. First Timothy 6:16 declares that God alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. Indeed, God is of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness (Hab. 1:13). As long as we are tainted by sin, we cannot see God. The view of such perfect righteousness would destroy us."


John MacArthur adds:
"In heaven, since we will be free from sin, we will see God's glory unveiled in its fullness. That will be a more pleasing, spectacular sight than anything we have known or could ever imagine on earth. No mere earthly pleasure can even begin to measure up to the privilege and the ecstasy of an unhindered view of the divine glory.

Matthew 5:8 says, ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.’ The Greek verb translated ‘see’ (horao) is in a tense that denotes a future, continuous reality. In heaven we will continually be seeing God. Kings generally seclude themselves from direct contact with their people. It is a rare privilege to have an audience with a king. But believers in heaven will forever have perfect, unbroken fellowship with the King of Kings.

And Philip, speaking for all the disciples, said to Christ, ‘Show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.’ (John 14:8)."6 Rightfully so - the presence of the Father in His glory and majesty would surpass any treasure in the universe.

Revelation 22:3-4 seals the promise: The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve him. They shall see his face (emphasis added). David wrote, ‘As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness’ (Ps. 17:15). ... The redeemed will be able to see God. "