The Strange Case of Walter Hunt

I became fascinated when I first read the story of the late inventor Walter Hunt (1796 - 1859). Mr. Hunt was a brilliant man who lived in New York, working as a mechanic. We could put Mr. Hunt right up there with the likes of Edison, because when you realize that Hunt invented the the streetcar bell, a hard-coal-burning stove, artificial stone, thefountain pen, sewing machine, safety pin, a flax spinner, knife sharpener, street sweeping machinery, the velocipede, and the ice plough, and even a forerunner of the Winchester repeating rifle ... well, you see how brilliant he was.

And then you realize how sorry his story is.

You see, Hunt raely if ever followed through to make his invnetions stick. He often created the product and then let it lapse. For instance, Hunt created the safety pin, yet sold the patent for a only $400 to a man whom he owed fifteen dollars. He fumbled about and failed to patent his sewing machine at all, wondering if it would put seamstresses out of business. The subsequent men who grabbed the rights to it made a fortune.

Hunt lacked conviction. He lacked drive. With all the talent he had, he could not pull though.

I wonder how many of us lack the drive to see God's great things done in our lives because we lack the convictions to see them through to the end? We have the faith needed to walk with Christ, for sure...but when it comes to the time to run with Christ, we wave our hand and shake our head. The blessing falls to someone else, simply because we did not have the drive.

Great time at UT campus

I had a fantastic time at the Bible study last night on the University of Tennessee campus. The main introductory topic was "Why Should I Believe That There is a God?" We had a good strong exchange, and the questions brought up were very good. The students at CAK loaded me with boxes of food to give to the college students - who were very appreciative! (Nothing like combining a good study in 1 Corinthians with a box of Little Debbie Snack Cakes) Next week I will be teaching about the "Problem of Suffering in the World - Why Does God Allow It?" Please pray for me as I work with the Campus Crusade Ministry in this study.

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"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling 'darkness' on the wall of his cell..."

- CS Lewis

Some great links

Here are some powerful Bible study links that I use regularly. Perhaps they could be of use to you, too.

Blue Letter Bible. Commentaries and Hebrew/Greek lexicons make this a daily favorite of mine

http://www.blueletterbible.org/

Study Light. Excellent place to find good word studies:

http://www.studylight.org/

Christians Unite. You'll find devotionals, study guides and even biographies on this fine site:

http://bible.christiansunite.com/

God and Science. Contains and excellent section on the prophecies of Christ:

http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/prophchr.html

William Lane Craig Debates. This is powerful stuff. Dr. Craig takes on all non-Christian comers in a stand-up debate that will amaze you on the truths of the Bible:

http://www.leaderu.com/offices/billcraig/menus/debates.html

Institute of Creation Research. Great site for learning scientific truth and God's Word:

http://www.icr.org/

There are numerous more fine places to study. I will be posting them in future weeks. I hope these help you as you lead your Bible studies or prayer groups.

Slow down and see Jesus

"You never hear Jesus say in Pilate's judgement hall one word that would let you imagine that He was sorry that He had undertaken so costly a sacrifice for us. When His hands are pierced, when He is parched with fever, His tongue dried up like a shard of pottery, when His whole body is dissolved into the dust of death, you never hear a groan or a shriek that looks like Jesus is going back on His commitment." - Charles Spurgeon

My greatest desire is to know more about Jesus and what He has for me to do on this earth. I have the chance each day to tell about Him in my Greek class - even in my Speech class I have the opportunity to share about the Savior. With each day, I want people to know how He's taken care of me and my family, leading us into both salvation and day-by-day care.

My passion, then, is to know as much as I am able about His will and His power in me and others. I want to know more about this Jesus! I am in total agreement with the Blaise Pascal who said "Not only do we not know God except through Jesus Christ; We do not even know ourselves except through Jesus Christ."

"To every toiling, heavy-laden sinner, Jesus says, ‘Come to me and rest’. But there are many toiling, heavy-laden believers, too. For them this same invitation is meant. Note well the words of Jesus, if you are heavy-laden with your service, and do not mistake it. It is not, ‘Go, labor on,’ as perhaps you imagine. On the contrary, it is stop, turn back, ‘Come to me and rest.’ Never, never did Christ send a heavy laden one to work; never, never did He send a hungry one, a weary one, a sick or sorrowing one, away on any service. For such the Bible only says, ‘Come, come, come.’" - Hudson Taylor

Time for me to rest in Jesus.

Does relativism make ANY sense?

I am puzzled by people who truly belief that there is no universal Right and Wrong, that anyone can make up his or her own standards. You mean to tell me that there is NO universal agreement as to what is to be shunned?

I quote CS Lewis: "Think of a country where people were admired for running away in battle, or where a man felt proud of double-crossing all thepeople who had been kindest to him. You might just as well try to imagine acountry where two and two made five. Men have differed as regards what people you ought to be unselfish to - whether it was only your own family, or your fellow countrymen, or everyone. But they have always agreed that youought not to put yourself first. Selfishness has never been admired. Men have differed as to whether you should have one wife or four. But they have always agreed that you must not simply have any woman you liked."

I went over to University of Tennessee campus for the first Bible study. Campus Crusade for Christ set up the meetings which are held in Hess Hall dormitory. We had 16 students show up and all are eager to participate. A few a new Believers attended, and one is not yet ready to make a decision for Christ. Please pray for the students and for the leadership as we strive to make this a powerful ministry. Every Wednesday we will be meeting in the dorm lobby and going over the big questions in life: Why is there suffering? Who is Jesus? What am I supposed to do in this life? These will be some of the topics we will address in the UT Bible study.

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THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE SHOULD WAIT ON GOD'S LEADING.

...just as I prayed about a college ministry as I continue to teach at CAK, I waited and the Lord brought this to pass. I have a lot of problems with waiting, but each year I see the wisdom in leting the Lord choose the paths, not me.

Oswald Chambers: "There are times when you cannot understand why you cannot do what you want to do. When God brings the blank space, see that you do not fill it in, but wait. The blank space may come in order to teach you what sanctification means, or it may come after sanctification to teach you what service means. Never run before God's guidance. If there is the slightest doubt, then He is not guiding. Whenever there is doubt - don't."

Hudson Taylor: "God's work done God's way will never lack God's supply."

James L. Christenson: "The purpose of Christianity is not to avoid difficulty, but to produce a character adequate to meet it when it comes. It does not make life easy; rather it tries to make us great enough for life."

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint. - Isa 40:31

but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. - 1 Cor. 9:27 (NAS)

The tests and appeals of a sinful world are enough to drive a Christian away from any profitable ministry. Paul was so adamant about wanting to be pure that he uses a powerful word here in the Greek. The word disipline means "I pummel my body."

The word is hupopiazo {hoop-o-pee-ad'-zo} and means literally = hit under the eye and figuratively knock out the bodily impulses.

What a powerful word! What a dedication of the soul and spirit to be able to want to cause pain to oneself in order to present oneself as pure and spotless before God! No, this is not talking about self-flagellation...this refers to self-denial, and the ability to turn away from lusts. The eyes of the Christian are on the bigger prize - that of pleasing Christ Jesus.

The puzzlement of profanity

I'm going to be disciplining a student today for profanity. This otherwise intelligent student is under the belief that the use of the f-word and other meaningless phrases of offensiveness is somehow going to make his stature appear greater. Besides being clearly against the rules of our school, he is presenting his speech as less than mature.

This has been a puzzle to me since my childhood. I find no sense in this whatsoever. For the life of me, I cannot understand those who delve into offensive language - especially Christians.

The use of profanity is really a surrender, linguistically. By using offensive terms you admit that your language IQ is limited. Or else you are freely admitting that you have no other course but to shock or offend. In either case, what does this say about the swearer?

I quote Nellie Ugarte (who teaches English at Montwood High School, El Paso, Texas) in an essay about the use of profanity in the classroom assignments:

"It does not take any real effort on the students' part to use vulgarity in writing. They are exposed to it daily by the media. The real test is to challenge them to find other ways to express themselves that have the same effect as these profane words.

Profanity in writing is at times merely used as a shock element. Some students actually believe it is an expression of their generation. They think their generation invented profanity. My students find it humorous when I tell them I can easily conjugate those words in more creative ways than they ever knew existed.

Students will argue that it is their right to express themselves as they see fit. They may be right in a way, but reality is colored quite differently. Young kids still need to be guided by the adults in their lives.

When they spill into the community as adults, they will have choices to make for themselves. Wouldn't it be fabulous if they had a wealth of words with which to express those choices?"

I say amen to that. And Believers, we are appointed to a higher calling of setting a moral example. That would call for us to present our communication in a mature way.

Source: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3617/is_200411/ai_n9460653

This is a print of Jean-Leon Gerome's The Christian Martyrs' Last Prayers. You might be able to see those on the stakes within the arena. They have been covered with pitch and have been set afire.

The early church writer Origen said that the populace was so enraged by the sound faith of the Christians that they "are greatly distressed at seeing those who bear outrage and torture with patience, but are greatly elated when a Christian gives way under it" (Contra Celsus, VIII.44).

Many fell under the spectacle of brutal torture and death in the arena of perversity. Yet they stayed fast in their faith.

Little needs to be said other than, in view of this picture of those who have suffered for the faith...do we really any reason to complain?

Mat 5:10 Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Bible

Two young men came to my home, wanting me to change my faith from Jesus Christ. They were polite and very articulate, but I could sense that although they claimed to hold the Bible as one of their main texts, they were wildly off the mark.

"I guess I'm confused about your approach to sin, friends," I said. "I don't understand how you take way Jesus' saving work."

"Well, it's kind of hard to explain, sir," said one of the men, "but, you see, God had to create sin in order for the human race to understand about sex."

"See," he continued, "God created the Tree of Knoxwledge of Good and Evil, which told about the proper relations between a man and a woman in sexual union. Remember, after Eve had taken of the fruit and Adam also ate of it from that very tree, God tossed them out of the garden but then said, 'Now go, be fruitful and multiply.'"

"Gentlemen," I replied, would you take your Bible and go to the book of Genesis?"

They did.

"Would you look at chapter 1?" I asked "Read through the passage and tell me where the Lord tells Adam and Eve to be 'fruitful and multiply."

They found it in verse 28.

"Please tell me," I continued, "according to the narration, if that was IN the Garden or OUT of the Garden - was it BEFORE they sinned or after they sinned?"

The first young man looked and was literally speechless. He finally said, "uh, well, they said it before they sinned."

"In other words, " I continued, "Adam and Eve were given the gift of sexual union - it was not the cause of a sin. Sexual union is not borne of a sinful decision."

Both young men were taken aback. Their faith had made a distortion of the facts of sin.

What I'm trying to say here is that if we're going to claim to believe the Bible, then let's go by what the Bible says and follow it in the context in which God is teaching us. Distorting and bending truths to make the Bible more palatable or more malleable is a dangerous thing.

The incarnation of Christ

Sure, Jesus was an incredible teacher. As a moral example, He is unsurpassed. In humility, you will find no equal.

But the foundational block upon all of this was His incarnation. This was and is, after all, the Son of God. And this Son of God came down to earth to reach across my sin and shame and save me as I called out to Him.

C. S. Lewis, in his book Miracles writes: “In the Christian story, God descends to re-ascend. He comes down, down from the heights of absolute being into time and space, down into humanity, down to the very roots and seed bed of the humanity which He Himself created. But He goes down to come up again and bring ruined sinners up with Him.”

He gives this illustration: “One has the picture of a strong man, stooping lower and lower to get himself underneath some great complicated burden, he must stoop in order to lift. He must almost disappear under the load before he incredibly straightens his back and marches off with the whole mass swaying on his shoulders. Or one may think of a diver, first reducing himself to nakedness, then glancing in mid air, then gone with a splash, vanished, rushing down through green and warm water into black and cold water, down through increasing pressure into the death-like region of ooze and slime and old decay. And then up again, back to color and light, his lungs almost bursting till suddenly he breaks the surface again holding in his hand the dripping precious thing that he went down to recover. He and it are both colored now that they have come up into the light. Down below where it lay colorless in the dark, he lost his color, too.”

“The doctrine of the incarnation is emphatically at the center of Christianity, that the Son of God came down... No seed ever fell so far from a tree into so dark and cold a soil as the Son of God did.”

That's as good a way to illustrate Jesus' incarnation as any I have ever heard.

Simple talent, serious dedication

Bertoldo de Giovanni is a name even the most enthusiastic lover of art is unlikely to recognize. He was the pupil of Donatello, the greatest sculptor of his time, and he was the teacher of Michelangelo, the greatest sculptor of all time. Michelangelo was only 14 years old when he came to Bertoldo, but it was already obvious that he was enormously gifted. Bertoldo was wise enough to realize that gifted people are often tempted to coast rather than to grow, and therefore he kept trying to pressure his young prodigy to work seriously at his art.

One day he came into the studio to find Michelangelo toying with a piece of sculpture far beneath his abilities. Bertoldo grabbed a hammer, stomped across the room, and smashed the work into tiny pieces, shouting this unforgettable message, "Michelangelo, talent is cheap; dedication is costly!"

(Gary Inrig, A Call to Excellence. )

"...he is a double‑minded man, unstable in all he does..." James 1:8

The power of the Scriptures

Are you leading a Bible study? Do you have a chance to share with others in some Bible class? Here is a good thought to bring forth:

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; - 2 Timothy 3:16 (NAS)

That's an interesting word - "inspire" - but aside from the lofty sound of it, what does it actually mean in this verse? In the Latin inspirare means "to breathe in," but the Greek word theopneustos means "God-breathed" and are breathed out, not in.

The Scripture is an apokalupsis, an opening of the lid to reveal universal truths. We see God showing Himself - His love for us, His wisdom for all ages, and His will for mankind.

Some days back I was stuck on a new program for our school grading system. The program was just not opening up for me and I found it quite frustrating. Then a good friend and fellow teacher came over and sat with me, showing me the key words and prompts that opened up the program and consequently cut my grading time in half.

That's how I find the Bible. Sometimes I might get confused at the sheer depth of it but along with good diligence, prayer and the assistance of helps, I am amazed of the incredible teaching I can receive. Let's not run from the Bible - let's run to it! God has breathed out the dynamics for our life.

This generation is coming dangerously close to being totally Bible illiterate.

This Book we read is absolutely dynamite from Heaven. It's above and beyond man's reasoning - the very words are God's.

"...which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual {thoughts} with spiritual {words.}" - 1 Cor. 2:13

Hello to all my new friends

Much to my surprise and delight, my tracking info shows that I have been having visitors to this page from American places as diverse as Texas to Michigan to Kentucky to Massachusetss, and international visitors from places like Britain and the Netherlands. I welcome you and thank you for stopping by!

"The best men know that they are very far from what they ought to be; and the very worst think that, if they were a very little better, they should be as good as they need be." - James Anthony

Can't wait to get to UT!

I'm extremely happy to tell you about my new ministry opportunity that's been added to my teaching duties at CAK. On Wednesday nights I will be heading to the University of Tennessee campus to be a weekly teacher for Bible studies sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ. It'll happen in two weeks. I love working with college students! I've been praying about this for quite some time, especially the chance to get on the UT campus. Please pray for me as I present the Word of God to new Christians and even some non-believers.
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John 8:12 - When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Light was an ever-present symbol in the Feast of Tabernacles, giving rememberance to the pillar of fire that gave light to Israel during the Exodus. Jesus uses the symbol of light applies it to Himself, saying "He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness: Jesus, being the light of the world, helps the Believer walk...

The Greek word for walk is peripateo, and it speaks of making progress; to take advantage of opportunities. The Hebrews added that the word meant "to regulate one's life, to conduct one's self ."

The passage says that those who follow the Light called Jesus will progress in the bright path, not move along in the confusion of darkness. ("I don't know where I'm going, but I'm sure making good time...") How often do we read aboout those who wish to stay busy, but really have no progress. They are enamored with activity more than accomplishment.

What kind of regualtion would you give to your car if nobody established rules or standards of how the car should run? Well, what kind of rules and regulations should this world have if there were no Universal Right by which we set our standards?

What is the purpose of life if we make no preparation for the eternity beyond it? If there is no reason to believe that we live beyond this mortality, then we're truly running onward through the fog. Jesus, however, shines the light that tells us of not only the next step, but the proper path way on down the road.

I headed up to Kroger's tonight to pick up and few odds and ends and met some fellows stranded on the side of the store's driveway. Their month-old car had cut out in the middle of the intersection and the two Spanish-speaking gentlemen were trying to tell me of their dilemma. Strange to me that in this crowded thoroughfare that nobody else stopped to try to help these men - even lean out and ask if they could put in a call via cell phone.

I'm not mechanically inclined but I offered the best help I could, ending in assisting them in pushing the car to a nearby parking lot and trotting over to a local auto parts store. Surprising to me, as I explained the situation to the on-duty manager I was met with a cold stare and a quick refusal to help: "We're not mechanics here. We don't do that kind of stuff."

You don't do what kind of stuff? Try to help a needy motorist?

I'm amazed at the diminshing desire to help our neighbors. We seem to treat others as strangers who should not be dealt with at any costs.

The story is told of Catherine Booth of the Salvation Army of years ago.

"Wherever Catherine Booth went," said Campbell Morgan, "humanity went to hear her. Princes and peeresses merged with paupers and prostitutes." She was known as the matriarch of the organization, and people loved her compassion.
One night, Morgan shared in a meeting with Mrs. Booth and heard her speak to a huge crowd of blue collar workers. Her message was powerful and brought many to Christ. After the meeting, Morgan and Mrs. Booth went to be entertained at a fine home; and the lady of the manor said, "My dear Mrs. Booth, that meeting was dreadful"

"What do you mean, dearie?" asked Mrs. Booth.

"Oh, when you were speaking, I was looking at those people opposite to me. Their faces were so terrible, many of them. I don't think I shall sleep tonight!"

"Why, dearie, don't you know them?" Mrs. Booth asked.

The hostess replied, "Certainly not!"

"Well, that is interesting," Mrs. Booth said. "I did not bring them with me from London; they are your neighbors!"

Greek word "allos"

This is a picture from one of my novels written for Focus on the Family's publication Breakaway. The serialized novel is titled The Silmarillion Weekend, and the science-fiction novel concerned two boys who accidentally brought back CS Lewis and JRR Tolkein through a laboratory accident.

Though the action in the novel concerned the two boys' challenge to get both men back into their own time zones before the 48 hour limit was up, the real story I embedded in the pages concerned how Lewis and Tolkein viewed the modern-day Christian movement. Both men questioned the authenticity of a teens' faith that was built on emotion and entertainment.

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I am arranging the Gatlinburg lodges for our second Theology Camp summer Bible getaways. If you are interested in saving a place, please contact me through my e-mail address: bradzockoll@hotmail.com
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The greek word ALLOS...

John 14:16 : "I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter." The Greek word "another" is the word allos, which means "another of the same kind." Christ is telling the disciples as well as every Believer that He was sending back His own Spirit. This means that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus Christ Himself. He wasn't leaving us and deciding on a future date to return. When He ascended as Jesus, He decscended as the Holy Spirit, to indwell the Believer and give him hope and comfort.

It's a very powerful way to explain why the writer said Jesus will never leave or forsake us (Heb. 13:5). He is with the Christian right now!

A bit of a problem for evolutionists

(To the right is the Glacier National Park in Canada)


I love to chat with evolutionists - I find that they are quite frustrated with many geological truths which cannot be explained by their own definitions. Take, for example, the layers of fossils (I speak briefly, here, because i'm not a scientist - I will recommend an excellent source for your further study) that range from the Cretaceous (135 million years ago) to the Cambrian Period (600 million years ago). These layers of fossils would be found in order, obviously with the older periods below the upper ones. What happens if the layers, though, are switched - for example, the Cambrian is above the Cretaceous? Evolutionists might say that because of upheaval (earthquake, etc), the layers could have been dramatically changed. If so, then geologists would find evidence of the violence - crushed rock, powder, etc.





But the evolutionists have a problem with the Glacier National Park in Canada. There is a place called the Lewis Overthrust which has these layers and strata in a jumbled order. The area was first recognized in 1901, a land area over 300 miles long and 15­50 miles wide. The problem is they have found Precambrian strata atop Cretaceous, throwing the "time table" out of whack! The fossils are way out of order. Here's the kicker: there is no crushed rock debris, no powder or evidence of violent action. The contact line between the two different strata is what is kown as a "knife-edge", showing that the strata were water-deposited in that order rahter than mashed and mingled.





The entire evolutionary time scale is in jeopardy. I would suggest you visit a report on this occurence at


http://www.rae.org/revev2.html

and read an excellent report by Douglas Sharp.


"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: 'He catches the wise in their craftiness'” - I Cor. 3:19


"Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important." - CS Lewis

New site for learning Greek

This semester brings two new classes for me at the Christian Academy of Knoxville Speech and Greek. My students will be learning both in-class and online. To get an early glimpse of our study material, click here:

http://drzockollgreek.blogspot.com/

We're taking it slowly, step by step.

Special prayer request

I was sent some very sad news this morning. Would you put Haley in yur prayers today and in the next months? Here is the e-mail from members of my home church (West Park Baptist Church of Knoxville TN):

"We ask that you would all be in constant prayer for our friend Haley Chitty. She is one of our singles at West Park and has been serving in ministry with Campus Crusade at UT for the past 2 or 3 years. Yesterday morning her dad, mom and two younger brothers were flying back home to Shelby, NC in their Cessna when the plane crashed killing all four of her family members. She was at an annual Campus Crusade meeting when she received the news. Please pray for her as she attempts to make funeral plans and as she tries to make sense of this terrible tragedy."

Please be in deep and serious prayer during this time of extreme tragedy for Haley.

Jer 16:19 O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction...

Happy New Year

How many of us will be martyrs for Christ in 2007?

Of course I'm not talking about the looking-for-a-glorifying- death definition of the word.

The word witness is marturia, whose definition is what one testifies, testimony, i.e. before a judge (Strong's 3141)

John the Baptist was sent by God for a specific ministry: "He came as a witness to testify concerning that light (Jesus), so that through him all men might believe." (John 1:7) The word martyr comes from that word "witness". John came for a specific purpose: to present the truths about the Lamb who was to come. He was obsessed with getting the message out. He had a purpose. He had a goal.

He had a life.

I was just talking with a young person who was mired in, well, nothing. That was the problem: he was settling for mediocrity. I asked him if he had any higher goals in life. What was his desire in pleasing God? What did he want to be doing 12 years from now? How would he set up his household to please Christ?

He had no answer. His life was one of text messaging, iPods and Playstation games. In other words, his life was an innner sanctum of mediocrity. He was not stretching out. He was not trying to witness.

Dwell on the Greek meaning of "martyr" and ask yourself whether you are ready to be a day to day martyr for Jesus Christ.

L'Engle's words

"I share Einstein's affirmation that anyone who is not lost on the rapturous awe at the power and glory of the mind behind the universe "is as good as a burnt out candle." - Madeleine L'Engle

End of the year thoughts

This is a picture of one of my sisters, Tammi, with her children following close behind. Tammi is the youngest in our family, residing in Pennsylvania near the lovely confines of Hershey. I haven't seen her in a few years and I miss her very much. Thank you for the picture, Tam!

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For those of my friends who will be taking my Greek class at school, please see our online tutorial page at http://drzockollgreek.blogspot.com/.

This will give you a step-by-step walk through our Greek class assignments and studies.

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I found it horribly fascinating in watching the eyes of Saddam Hussein in his final moments as the noose was slipped over his neck. What was a man like this thinking? Did he honestly believe that he had lived a life that was pleasing to God, or any god, for that matter? I wonder if he was repentent of the many atrocities her performed? I wonder what were the last words flitting through his mind as he stepped to the threshold of eternity?

"...it is appointed for men to die once and after this {comes} judgment..." Hebrews 9:27

TRUE LOVE

The best marriage advice I heard was when I was assisting in a wedding in Michigan. The preacher told the couple:

"You know, the are many kinds of marriage loves. One is the IF marriage love, as in,'IF you keep a good job, I will love you,' or 'IF you remain beautiful, I will still love you." Another is BECAUSE love, as in 'BECAUSE you are talented, I love you' or 'BECAUSE you have a great career planned out, I still love you.'"

The preacher went on to say,"The truest love is the IN SPITE OF love. It says 'IN SPITE OF the fact that you have had disapointments, I still love you,' and 'IN SPITE OF the fact that you have an illness that won't go away, I still love you." It's the love of 1 Cor 13 and it's a love that will make your marriage enduring and endearing."

How do evolutionists explain...?

Take a look at the above photos. This is known as the London Hammer, or London Artifact. In June of 1936 Mr. and Mrs. Max Hahn were hiking along the Red Creek near the small town of London, Texas, and found a small rock nodule with a piece of wood protruding from it. Later on, Max Hahn's son George broke open the rock and found the rest of the hammer, surrounded by a solid mass of cretaceous rock. The handle was partially PETRIFIED. The Hahns filed the metal to see if it was really metal; the spot has not rusted yet, even though it has been about forty-five years. The hammer contains 96% iron, 2.6% chlorine, and 0.74% sulfur.

The question is: is this hammer a hoaz? Numerous studies have concluded that it is not. What is its significance? That the rock/fossilization time frame cannot be as old as evolutionists and still coincide with their estimate of the origin of man. This hammer was supposed ly found in the Cretaceous layer, opening the argument that the introduction of mankind was not as old as evolutionists say.

Take a look at the information about this intriguing find.

A good reference page start would include:

http://s8int.com/page6.html

http://www.creationevidence.org
http://www.godrules.net/evolutioncruncher/default.htm

Chara Aneklaletos

1Pe 1:8
and though you have not seen Him (Jesus), you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

Chara Aneklaletos - joy inexpressible - the kind of joy that is so filling and powerful that you cannot describe it.

Think of the times you were so filled with joy that you could barely describe it...

...that surprise birthday party your family had for you.
...the reunion with your best friend after all those years.
...that special Christmas gift you thought you'd never get.
...the delivery of your first child.
...the award and recognition you received when you had no idea.

This same kind of joy is mentioned here as both when you first came to Christ and also as you realize what He can do for you. He's a Counsellor. Protector. Savior. Friend.

Especially friend.

A friend who forgives and forgets. A friend who listens, really listens. A friend who is always nearby. A friend who cries when you cry, laughs when you laugh, and picks you up when you've fallen.

I see why Peter gives the best possible explanation in this relationship: it can't be explained at all! It's a joy beyond words.

Steve came to my office, bitter and angry. But within the hour, he had his questions answered about Jesus, eternity, sorrow, love, and hope. Steve opened up his heart and let Christ take over. I will always remember the joy that came over his face. Steve was a changed man. He tried to describe the release, joy, excitement and hope he now had, but he couldn't get it out.

He didn't need to. Words wouldn't fit.

But his life helped make the description. Steve's life was one great big nonverbal description of his love and joy in Christ.

JOYOUS CHRISTMAS TO YOU!

Here is a picture of Peter and me taken some months ago. Believe it or not, this was on Halloween. We were part of a Trunk or Treat outreach to the city.

Each car was parked in our church parking lot (at least five acres of lot) and filled with enough candy to give away to little ones who came by. At my estimate there were 50 cars or more who participated. There was a decoration contest. With no theme in mind, Peter dressed in Steeler gear while I wore my graduation robe. The car? We grabbed about twnety strings of lights and covered the car. No theme in mind (which drive my wife Jill batty - "you're supposed to have a theme!")

Guess what? We won first place!

The reason I post this picture today is to remind us all of the fun memories we've had this year in the Lord's service. It has been great fun serving the Lord Jesus Christ. I think of the Theology Camp we had in Gatlinburg. I think of the times I've debated my students in class, preparing theme for the naysayers of the world. I think of the middle school kids I teach each Sunday. I remember the Christmas concert we've just presented to the community. So many enjoyable times with my family on trips and special evenings of clowning around or even having quiet Bible reading together.

Then, of course, we've enjoyed the day with Marlene and Robert, my in-laws. The Lord blessed the day with great closeness and relaxation.

May you have a wonderful day. Thank Jesus for His wonderful gift.

CHRISTMAS EVE

The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world of the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years... Underneath all the bulging bundles is this beating Christmas heart. - George Matthew Adams

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I believe we'll be having a pretty steady cold rain tomorrow morning and continuing throughout the day. Good! We'll sit inside and sip coffee and enjoy the warmth inside.

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Nicholas is in the front room assembling an early Christmas present from a friend: a camping tent. Yes, he'd going to try to construct it in our living room. Peter is upstairs sorting out his stocking stuffer gifts in order to pop them in everyone's stocking in a few hours. Jill is in the bedroom, taping up the final list of presents while Julianne sits and chats about Dora the Explorer. I'm going to go outside in a few minutes and start our "Yule Log" fire, even though it's mainly a tepee of wood from the yard, not an actual log. Our Christmas lights are on and the tree is lit. We'll be sitting down in a few minutes to enjoy a time in the fireplace room. I am so thankful that Jill has a temporary respite from her illness. The stress of college has left Nicholas temporarily, and Peter enjoys not having to study anything at all. Julianne is cooing over a tiny white tree with blue lights that I assembled just for her.

This has the makings of a nice holiday. Only five and a half hours to go.

Amazing to me...

The way that God chose to show us salvation's plan. It could have been by force, with a Messiah riding hard from the clouds, sword in hand and a fire-breathing steed beneath Him. God could have made salvation a high-intelligence attainment - a Rubik's Cube challenge with the afterlife as the prize for the intellectually gifted. God could have made salvation available through the arrival of an appealing personality with a velvet voice and a winning smile. Who doesn't love an attractive face?

Instead He came as a child among a brutish race. He made Himself vulnerable to the short-sighted and selfish race that populated this Earth. In doing so, He made it possible for every man, woman and child to see Him attainable. Race, color, creed - they all broke down in the pursuit of the carpenter's son.

He made it posslbe, and we celebrate this fact.

Don't ever let the gift-giving get in the way of this truth.

Eve of Christmas Eve

What a great time. Former students calling us and stopping by for cups of coffee and chatter. The final minute shopping. The Christmas concert tonight (I get to give the opening welcome and watch a tape of an interview I had with children about Christmas a la "Kids Say the Darnedest Things")

And Christmas letters.

I will tell you a secret.

I LOVE THEM.

I hear so many people complain about them. Send the letters to me. I love catching up with old friends.

Sure, some people brag a bit too much or give an embellishment here and there. Look, these letters are like the high school yearbook. It's a gentle ego thing and we all know it. Enjoy them! Brag about yourself! I promise I'll be impressed. Give me your latest news and your proudest accomplishments.

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you (Phil. 1:3)

I enjoy digging back into my memory and recalling your conversations, joys, challenges, victories and intelligence. I am gladdened by hearing of your growing strength in the faith. And, yes, you can throw in a few extra words about your kid winning a karate tournament or you bringing home the bowling trophy.

That's the stuff of friendship. That's the stuff I love.

Some reasonable thoughts

The family is in the hyper shopping-and-wrapping mode today. Hint: if you want to beat the crowds around here, go shopping around midnight. The boys and I have done it twice and it's not too bad.
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Thank you for your prayers. Jill is feeling much better. The current tests have come back with positive results and helps. We'll keep marching on and trust the Lord for Jill's strengthening. Two weeks ago, Jill collapsed at church and it has been the first priority to see her get the treatment she needs.
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HERE ARGUMENTS THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED ... AND YOU MAY, TOO.
Let's look at the statements:

"There are no absolute truths"

I hear this one quite often, and to be frank, it puzzles me. The statement that "There are no absolute truths" is an absolute statement itself! It is self-defeating. Why continue along that vein?

"What is true for you is not true for me and what is true for me may not be true for you"

But what if I believe that relativism is false, then would the truth be that relativism is false? If you disagree, then we have a universal quandry - somebody has to be right on this subject. Let's say you tell me that I am wrong - then relativism collapses and the statement above dies on the vine. You had previously said that everyone makes up their own right and wrong. But what if you say that i am right - then my assertion that relativism is false stands and the believe dies as well.

I simpy don't see how people can hold to relativism and call it a viable belief.

"Rome did not fall because of external forces such as the invasion by the barbarians. Rome had no sufficient inward base; the barbarians only completed the breakdown---and Rome gradually became a ruin."
Francis Schaeffer

The joy of apantesis

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. - 1 Thess. 4:17

To Meet, apantesis

Definitions:
as an action of encountering
to come near to and to meet, ...the word was the official welcome of a newly arrived dignitary
Colin Brown, ed., New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology: "The ancient expression for the civic welcome of an important visitor or the triumphal entry of a new ruler into the capital city and thus to his reign is applied to Christ. "Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord (eis apantesin tou Kyriou) in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord." The same thoughts occur in the parable of the ten virgins. The virgins leave to meet the bridegroom (eis apantesin tou nymphiou) i.e. the Lord, to whom they wish to give a festive reception (Matt. 25:1).

This word apantesis occurs three times in the New Testament, first used in the parable of the ten virgins: "Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him (i.e., welcome him in and celebrate his arrival)" (Matt. 25:6). The second time is when Paul was traveling and the disciples in Rome went out to to meet him and welcome him in.

Ah, then we have the 1 Thessalonians passage, where we (during the rapture) will welcome Him back and celebrate. We'll celebrate! This powerful word apantesis gives an idea of what part we will play in His magnificent return.

Praise God! Jesus is coming back. No Christmas celebration will equal the wild festivities of that day.

THE UGLIES

Luke chapter 2:

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

My favorite part of the Nativity story involves the shepherds. The shepherds were how many people would today consider junkmen or sewage workers: necessary but lowly. Unfair, but nevertheless the opinions of many. Shepherds stood out in the fields at all hours, working "overtime" with no special recognition or thanks. They did not get a chance to further their education or climb the corporate ladder. Shepherds were looked down upon in the first century that it is said that their testimony in court would not hold up due to the lowly status of their lifestyle.

Yet God chose the "lowly" to deliver the message.

I like that.

I identify with them.

Thank God for the "uglies." Thank the Lord for allowing those of us who are unattractive and menial to carry His word and have such a special ministry. These shepherds weren't vying for a new job or a higher reputation. Based upon who they were, they were "stuck" in a niche in life, yet they received honor along with the magi. isn't it interesting, just like the wise men, we would never know their names? Such is the honor of serving the Lord. The recognition comes from Him, the greatest audience anyone would ever want.

I like these fellows. Blue-collar, dirt-under-their-fingernails types of guys who were privileged to see a universal event in one moment. And, like the humble men they were, they didn't want to keep it to themselves They shared it.

So must we.

"I care not where I go, or how I live, or what I endure so that I may save souls. When I sleep I dream of them; when I awake they are first in my thoughts…no amount of scholastic attainment, of able and profound exposition of brilliant and stirring eloquence can atone for the absence of a deep impassioned sympathetic love for human souls." - David Brainerd

The above picture was from the franciscan cyberspot http://198.62.75.1/www1/ofm/sites/TSbtpict.html

The Prophecies

Would people dare to say that the Bible is not a supernatural book? The first thing I ask them is, how can you then explain the fulfilled prophecies, separated by centuries? I have yet to receive an answer from a nonbeliever. here are but a few of the scores of prophecies concerning Christ as found in the Scriptures:

JESUS WOULD BE BORN IN BETHLEHEM: "But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity." (Micah 5:2)

FULFILLED: And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.... And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:4-5, 7)

JESUS WOULD BE BORN OF A VIRGIN: "Therefore the LORD Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

FULFILLED: "Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.... And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus." (Luke 1:26-27, 30-31)

HE WOULD COME FROM EGYPT: "and out of Egypt I called My son." (Hosea 11:1)

FULFILLED: And he arose and took the Child and His mother by night, and departed for Egypt; and was there until the death of Herod, that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, "Out of Egypt did I call My Son." (Matthew 2:14-15)

HE WILL BE OF GALILEE: "...later on He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them." (Isaiah 9:1-2)

FULFILLED: "and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-- "The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great light, and to those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, upon them a light dawned." (Matthew 4:13-16)

TRIUMPHAL ENTRY ON A DONKEY: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9)

FULFILLED:And they brought the colt to Jesus and put their garments on it; and He sat upon it.... And those who went before, and those who followed after, were crying out, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord;"... And He entered Jerusalem and came into the temple; and after looking all around, He departed for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late. (Mark 11:7, 9, 11)

...these are just a few of the many, many prpheices. As time allows, I will show you more. Copy these down and share them with others!

AGE OF MANUSCRIPTS

Through the years there have been many arguments over the age of the New Testament manuscripts. Some would feel that later Bible writers may be exagerrating the age, or some may even have faked the writings. Here is a powerful bit of information from the Hyde Park Fellowship concerning the manusript of Matthew:

"...importance are the manuscript findings of Mark and Matthew! New research which has now been uncovered by Dr. Carsten Thiede, and is published in his newly released book on the subject, the Jesus Papyrus mentions a fragment from the book of Mark found among the Qumran scrolls (fragment 7Q5) showing that it was written sometime before 68 AD It is important to remember that Christ died in 33 AD, so this manuscript could have been written, at the latest, within 35 years of His death; possibly earlier, and thus during the time that the eyewitnesses to that event were still alive!

The most significant find, however, is a manuscript fragment from the book of Matthew (chapt.26) called the Magdalene Manuscript which has been analysed by Dr. Carsten Thiede, and also written up in his book The Jesus Papyrus. Using a sophisticated analysis of the handwriting of the fragment by employing a special state-of-the-art microscope, he differentiated between 20 separate micrometer layers of the papyrus, measuring the height and depth of the ink as well as the angle of the stylus used by the scribe. After this analysis Thiede was able to compare it with other papyri from that period; notably manuscripts found at Qumran (dated to 58 AD), another at Herculaneum (dated prior to 79 AD), a further one from the fortress of Masada (dated to between 73/74 AD), and finally a papyrus from the Egyptian town of Oxyrynchus. The Magdalene Manuscript fragments matches all four, and in fact is almost a twin to the papyrus found in Oxyrynchus, which bears the date of 65/66 AD Thiede concludes that these papyrus fragments of St. Matthew's Gospel were written no later than this date and probably earlier. That suggests that we either have a portion of the original gospel of Matthew, or an immediate copy which was written while Matthew and the other disciples and eyewitnesses to the events were still alive. This would be the oldest manuscript portion of our Bible in existence today, one which co-exists with the original writers!"

Hope

This is a picture of our son Nicholas on the left. Next to him is Pete McClain, his roomatte at East Tennessee State.

Nicholas will be home with us this Saturday for the holidays. He'll be with us for a month, so the fatted calf gets slaughtered on Saturday - our boy has returned! The big event in the Zockoll household occurs on Saturday - we go out and buy the Christmas tree!

Nothing in the world - no fame, fortune, corporate climbing, talent, sports championship - could ever match the power and joy of a close-knit family. Nothing.

And so now we see the holiday in a much closer view. One of my favorite passages is Luke 2:25-36 where it says
"a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon and this man was righteous and devout, looking for for the "Consolation of Israel " and the Holy Spirit was upon him and it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ (Messiah) and he came in the Spirit into the temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to carry out for Him the custom of the Law then he took Him into his arms and blessed God and said:

"Now Lord, You are releasing Thy bondservant to depart in peace, according to Thy word for my eyes have seen Thy salvation which Thou have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES and the glory of Thy people Israel"

What a great passage!

Look at the name CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL. Jesus is the fulfillment of the hope that Someone would come and finally bring an answer to the grief that plagued the people. HOPE. His name was HOPE, and His reach would extend beyond the Jews to include the gentiles. That's me.

HOPE.

As a poverty-stricken student trying to make it through college (many of my friends and roomates never realized that I was called in to the business office and told that I was the finanacially neediest student on campus in a university of almost 7000 students) I was constantly in hope for financial deliverance from the worry of being asked to leave because of my school bill. It wasn't like I wasn't trying; because I attended a nonpublic Christian university, I was not eligible for grants, so I held down three jobs: night cleanup, weekend yard maintenance for an elderly couple, and haircutting in the dorms. I took jobs wherever I could find them, but deep down I wished I would one day be delivered and given a reprieve from the money stress.

The day came in my Junior year when the school said I would need to leave because of my school bill, and I was crushed. I called to the Lord, hoping that there would be a miracle...

...and one came. A farmer in Virginia had set up a financial memorial for needy students - in honor of his late daughter- , and I was one of four receipients of a private gift - enough to see me through graduation. I thanked the benefactor and I thanked the Lord my Hope.

And I still see Him as my Hope.

The story is told that the well-known atheist Jean-Paul Sartre stated just before his death that he has such monstrous feelings of despair that he would tried to convince himself by saying...

“I know I shall die in hope.”

Then in profound sadness, he would add...

“But hope needs a foundation.”

Here is my hope: Jesus. I KNOW my Redeemer lives and I am going to Heaven when I die. This life is not the end of it all.

Jeremiah 29:11 Jehovah states: "I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."

My salvatio is secure because "The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." (Romans 11:29).

This is my joy this Christmas season.

I mean it.

A Different God

This is the last day of classes before exams start and the semester ends. For me, this will be the last time I get to teach some of the seniors at Christain Academy of Knoxville, and it's like seeing your kids head off to a foreign land. You're happy, but you know you're going to miss them. Terribly.

Jill will be taking her third day of medical exams. So far things seem to be going well. Please keep her in your prayers. Last night a good friend, Sharon McDuffie, stopped by and cheered her while Peter and I took care of things around the house. Earlier in the day, Marilyn and Christy Gillman kindly took little Julianne for the day, babysitting so that Jill could be at the doctors while I was at work.

That's a funny way for me to describe my job - work. It's hard for me to consider it that way. It's a missionary experience, and most of all, it's a joy. I don't don;t use those words lightly. God has allowed me to be part of life-changing opportunities. I get to make a difference - you absolutely cannot top that in my book. Sharing truths in the Bible that are of eternal consequence - it's fantastic.

Peter, Jill and I had a great devotional time last night, and Jill shared the strength of a friendship with God. We were looking at the love of God.

Psa 17:7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust [in thee] from those that rise up [against them].

Think about this - are the Hindus' gods loving and kind? Can the Islamic god Allah be known as kind? Will Buddhists think of their lives awashed with kindness by any overseeing source? No - study all their doctrines and you will see spiritual oversight that doesn't include love. Yet, Jehovah God is love.

Jer 32:18 Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands

During these times of stress, I have seen God walk me through the fire and lift my head. What a devotional adventure I've enjoyed!

My family and I have personally experienced God's love in these past few months - mainly through God's children. When we were sick, fellow Believers rushed to our aid to help us along. When the bills started mounting up, secret gifts helped us carry on. When depression hit me like a bulldozer, there were plenty of gentle hands lifting me up. These were God's people, my friends. These were Christians who have the heart to listen to God's leading, and act. You can see it, too. You can read their hearts and see their compassion and as I look, I see Jesus written all over them. Best graffiti in the world!

Psa 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness

Seriously, now - is any other god known as loving? This is one of the great truths that separates and lifts Jehovah above and beyond. He cares. He loves.