The strange case of Craig

As I was running the track this morning I glanced at the school nearby and fell into a flood of memories about my high school years, to one of my wrestling teammates. When I first met Craig, I learned of his reputation as a pushy, mouthy, egocentric guy who liked picking on smaller people around him. Throught he months of the wrestling season, I became casually acquainted with Craig. He didn't bother me much, but I did see how he could get on people's nerves. He carried an air about him that rubbed people the wrong way. He dressed sloppily, never combed his long hair, and he was loud.

The wrestling season ended, and then the months of school flew by toward the summer. Since he was an upper classman, I didn't see much of Craig the rest of that year or in the summer months.

But in the fall as school started, I was surprised by what I saw. In fact, we all were.

Craig came into school wearing a short sleeved white shirt. His hair was cut to crewcut length. He sported a thin black tie. His black pants and shoes were immaculate. And he was quiet, polite, and reserved.

Ah, you think I'm going to say he became a Christian. No, not at all.

Craig had joined a cult. And in watching his change, i learned something about the Christian walk.

Craig avoided groups and kept to himself. He was mannerly, sure, but he and his sister stayed off to one side and carried an otherworldly gaze in their eyes. They finished up school neatly and reservedly, and we never heard from them again.

My point is this: whereas we saw a change in Criag, I don't think any of us really saw something we found attractive. Craig stopped befriending us. He avoided public gatherings and became withdrawn. He gave us no impression that we would want to be like him.

It helped me understand our Christian testimony's impact.

The Question of Compromise

I remember asking a Russian pastor, "What is it like to pastor a church in your country? Is it difficult?" The pastor responded, "No, it's easy because I know where everyone stands. But how can someone pastor a church in America, where compromise is so common and subtle?" Many so-called Christians want the world's acceptance and are therefore unwilling to take a stand for Christ.

The world is clever in its allurements, the flesh is vulnerable to temptation, and the devil is aggressive in his attack. So it's a battle to remain spiritually stable.

- John MacArthur, Seven Steps to Spiritual Stability

Some good sites

Here are a couple of great sites that I think you need to see:

a complete dramatized Audio Bible unabridged in MP3 Format. Listen to the bible anywhere either on your PC or portable MP3 compatable device. www.audio-bibles.co.uk


one of the best Bible resource places I know: http://www.blueletterbible.org/

Genuine Love of Jesus by a Christian

The love which (early Christians) felt towards the Lord was not a quiet emotion
which they hid within themselves in the secret chamber of their souls, and which they only spake of in their private assemblies when they met on the first day of the week, and sang hymns in honour of Christ Jesus the crucified, but it was a passion with them of such a vehement and all-consuming energy, that it was visible in all their actions, spoke in their common talk, and looked out of their eyes even in their commonest glances. Love to Jesus was a flame which fed upon the core and heart of their being; and, therefore, from its own force burned its way into the outer man, and shone there. Zeal for the glory of King Jesus was the seal and mark of all genuine Christians.

- Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening

Julianne on the move

Here are a few of the latest pictures of our little one, Julianne. Our 15 year old Peter took these pictures as Jill was traveling around the countryside, getting some chores done.

Revelation: The Truth About a Throne

Revelation 4:2 - "Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne."

The Greek word "thrao" (to sit) gives us the word "thronos"...a throne. It is designated as more than an ordinary seat. It's the place of authority, of power.

Here, the writer John has been given the ability to see Heaven and he sees the One who sits on that Heavenly throne, with authority over all. The rest of the book shows how the One shows His authority and how He deals with rebellion.

Here's my thought on this passage as I think of the world today:

Atheists say that there is no throne becasue they want no authority over them. Hedonists don't want anyone on the throne to which they must answer. Humanism would not have a problem with a throne, but they woould clearly state that man sits upon it.

As Ecclesistes chapter 3 states, every man has been given the knowledge of eternity in his soul. He thinks of the hereafter and the realm above his earthly life, and so he realizes that there is a throne. Question is, who does he let sit on the throne of his life? He will want someone to sit on that throne.

Maybe it's a political leader. Maybe it's a lifestyle of materialism. Maybe it's a pursuit of knowledge. There is only one that can be on the throne at one time. I have chosen to make it Jesus Christ, God Himself.