truth

My brother Brent reminded me of my newspaper editor days while at Delmar High School back in the 70s. Not content with the sterile environment of the school's newspaper, the Wildcat, because much was left out of many articles, I launched into an underground newspaper which I proudly called Cry from the Dungeon with all the usual arrogance of a ninth grader. I soon realized, as I gathered a "staff", that we could print the while truth without offending anyone (why is it that so many reporters believe that true news must be offensive and gutter-level?) and have a great time doing so. I added a Q & A column to a cartoon figure ("Fred Peaky"), a weekly vote on favorite sports stars and current events, and serialized fiction, among other things. Before two months were out, we were outselling the school newspaper!

I wanted to be able to tell the truth. We all want to hear the truth, especially whe it comes to spiritual matters. John 1:9 tells us that Jesus was - and still is - the True Light.

alēthinos

part of Biblical definition: opposite to what is fictitious, counterfeit, imaginary, simulated or pretended

b) it contrasts realities with their semblances

c) opposite to what is imperfect defective, frail, uncertain

2) true, veracious, sincere

Note: opposite of simulated. You can't make up what Jesus is. You cannot add to Him or take away. He is what He is. And I believe more Christians would have dynamic spiritual lives if they would get back into the Word and simply see who Jesus is, and follow Him.

Communication

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person-such a man is an idolater-has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

My professional career has been centered around communication. I've worked in radio stations in Ohio, North Carolina and Tennessee; I've written nine novels and have been an author of textbooks, press releases, online adventure series and even animated cartoons. Communication is a big part of my corporate life.

I can recall one time when I hosted a midnight call-in radio program and we had a guest who claimed to be a Christian and yet disavowed the validity of the Bible and denounced the deity of Christ, merely calling him a "super-scientist" in order to explain His miracles. The phone lines were flooded and some people even wanted to come to the station and confront this man on some of the blaspheming statements he was making - at 2:30 in the morning! You see, communication - good or bad- can stir people into action.

I'm committing my speech to emphasize thanksgiving more. The word in Ephesians 5:4 is eucharistia ...it simply means to have a mouth that gives thanks. It is a speech that uplifts and does not tear down. With some of my professional writing assignments this past year I have faced people who have skipped without paying me, others wanting to short-change me in other ways, and I end up griping and grousing about it - surely a justifiable action! But I find out it trains my speech to travel down that avenue in other areas. I want to complain about the car, my dinner, a TV show, the neighbor's dog, a late assignment... and on and on. Yet when I start to train my tongue in thanksgiving, I find the habit both enjoyable and refreshing for me and those around me. And I feel that God is pleased as well.

ADVENT ADVENTURE STORY BEGINS TODAY

Dear friends,

I want to wish you a wonderful and joyous Thanksgiving. My gift to you is the chapter-a-day family adventure story STAMPEDE CHRISTMAS that starts today and continues through to Christmas Day. I've designed this to be a read-aloud to your children, with Christ being the central theme as you draw nearer to December 25th.

Please go to

http://www.stampedestorytown.com/

and read the first chapter or the prequel story ("Mr. Kauffman's Bright Idea") tonight as everyone is together.

Again, Happy Thanksgiving and may God bless you greatly today!

Debates: Does God Exist?

If you have some time - and you should make time for this - then click on this link and read the debate between Quentin Smith and William Lane Craig on the existence of God. This debate took place at Harvard University on April of 2003.

Well worth the time to read:

http://www.leaderu.com/offices/billcraig/docs/craig-smith_harvard00.html

500th blog

This post marks the 500th post since I started blogging back in December of 2005. I've written about some pretty exciting experiences during that time. I've also written about some of the darkest days of my life. In looking back through the scores of entries, I've been able to say that in my mountain top experiences as well as the very shadowy days of grief, that Jesus Christ has been there to guide and comfort me.

During my college days I played fraternity soccer - wasn't very good at it, but enough to start on good ol' Chi Alpha - and in an on-field accident I ripped the tendons in my right knee, an accident that still affects me today.

I can recall that first night in the hospital, lying in the bed and sweating profusely from the pain, wondering how I would ever make it through the first night. The medications did no good whatsoever, and I prayed and groaned as each minute passed by on the clock, asking the Lord to help me handle the agony as I watched my knee swell o the size of a watermelon.

It may seem strange to you, but that was a very profound time for me - in pain, alone and in prayer. Nobody else around, and no distractions. I think it was the beginning of my finding out how solitude can intensify prayer.

Through the years I have discovered that the power of being alone and in total focus with the Lord makes prayers much, much more real.

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud:and he shall hear my voice. - Psalm 55:17

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears. - Psalm 18:6

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. - Matthew 21:22

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Prayer for the Zockolls:

Nicholas Zockoll - stationed in Biloxi with the Air Force and newly married to Alexis, pray that he might be able to complete his studies successfully.

Peter Zockoll - pray for his walk toward the Lord and that Jesus would become amazingly real to him.

Julianne Zockoll - pray for her continued growth in the Lord at our new church in Oak Ridge.

Jill Zockoll - pray for new friends and for a possible ministry opportunity.

Brad Zockoll - pray for new writing assignments and new ministries through writing.

quotes on prayer

"Ten minutes spent in the presence of Christ every day, aye, two minutes, will make the whole day different." - Henry Drummond

"Prayer strikes the winning blow; service is simply picking up the pieces." - S.D. Gordon

"The most important thing a born again Christian can do is to pray." - Chuck Smith

"Prayer - secret, fervent, believing prayer - lies at the root of all personal godliness." - William Carey

"If any of you should ask me for an epitome of the Christian religion, I should say that it is in one word - prayer. Live and die without prayer, and you will pray long enough when you get to hell."
- Charles Spurgeon

"Shut the world out, withdraw from all worldly thoughts and occupations, and shut yourself in alone with God, to pray to Him in secret. Let this be your chief object in prayer, to realize the presence of your heavenly Father." - Andrew Murray