Peacemaking – An Act of Volition, A Change to Truly Be Embraced

I have known too few true peacemakers in my life. Why is this such a rare find when we all value peace so highly? It is true that in order to be peacemakers we must first turn away from all evil. Is this what makes true peace such a rare prize?

We enjoy our evil ways, we have since the garden.

We are unable to reject what we cannot see for something we cannot obtain apart from a cleansed heart that is given to us by the power of the Holy Spirit when we first believe the truth about the man Jesus Christ who is the Son of God. I know of no other way to be a peacemaker.

Those who have found this truth are unable to truly tell another who has not. This marvelous gift of love given to us by God, in order to be understood, the seeker must find it on his own. Words cannot describe the fullness here.

And this is a frustration for those who love, who deeply love others with the type of love that caused Jesus Christ to die on the cross as our Redeemer. As imperfect humans, perhaps we are incapable of such love. In loving for this capacity, praying for it, I do believe that we are given a taste. A taste of what is ahead for us.

Those who seek true lasting peace must come to that place of trust alone. The seeker must step off the cliff alone — and that is truly what it is like before that step, we fear that we are stepping off a cliff into the great unknown. Like Nicodemus, we ask how will we be changed once we are born again. We fear the upheaval such a change will bring to our lives — this is pride, soft pride.

We do not want this change.

We do not want to give up control.

But just like we are born alone, we die alone, we must come to that place of faith alone. And it truly is that evil veil over our eyes that lures us away from the decision and no decision is a choice away from peace and this choice to flee keeps us listening to the siren song that pulls us back from walking off that cliff into faith.

This fear must be rejected because it is what keeps us from finding true peace in our soul – the peace that can be shared with others. The spark of something so desirable but also so intangible. When we step out and off, we do not fall from the cliff, we walk across the bridge that is the cross of Jesus Christ, we walk to the other side — we walk into new life, we become born anew.

The barrier to peace is the human ego, and our pride can be such an evil thing. That beautiful angel Lucifer, the most handsome and desirous of all that was created in heaven illustrates for us how seductive evil truly can be. That desire to be right, to be seen as a step above one’s peers, to be praised, to be admired as a thing of beauty, a thinker, an intelligent academic, someone to be sought after, to be desired. We want the wrong kind of love, the love from our fellow man is valued above the love from God.

We want somehow to be more than God, we want to be like a god at least in our own lives or our own sphere of influence. It was this that caused Lucifer’s fall from grace. And it is the subtle siren song sung to us even today.

So many ships have crashed upon the rocks following the lure of that deadly song. How hard an illusion this must be to maintain—to constantly think so highly of oneself. What pressure, the antithesis to peace. The slightest mistake brings on a rush of fear that the illusion will be shattered.

This self delusion that is steeped heavily in our own fears of losing control, this is why I hate that false praise, I shun it because it wears my soul down. It steals all peace and robs me of my joy. Such an oddity I become when I deflect praise. I have heard my own words over the years and I know my friends have not understood my ways. This is my attempt to once and for all explain what has been on my heart.

How can we have peace with one another if we think more highly of ourselves than we do of each other? This is a barrier to true peacemaking. It is a desire for power over others that is the peace breaker. We see this reflected in the headlines of today and over the years. We see this in some of our politicians whose grandiosity would be laughable if it weren’t so sad, and so dangerous. There is that desire to control again, to be lauded. And this control, hopefully once it is recognized for what it is the allure will be gone, for it can be rejected.

After years of my own searching for truth I found only one true path…and it is narrow. It is this love story that I have spent years trying to tell my friends about.

What do we become if we do not recognize that a loving God has given us His Son as a sacrifice for the sin that we must reject? We become nothing. We remain empty shells at our very core. The hole in our heart remains. The one that is God shaped, God designed and can only be filled by God if we truly desire peace.

Yes, at the end of it all we become nothing if this void remains.

As for peace in this life, as I said above, my search has led me to realize years ago that it is impossible to have peace apart from a relationship with the true peace giver. This is the perfection of God. He knows us so well. He gives us a deep desire for peace and only one true way to obtain it, how brilliant.

When we finally see that perfect man, the Messiah who has come, we see how perfectly small we are. Our ego is not shattered, it is made whole. We are dead to our old self and born anew. All that we are, all that we have, all that we must become is found in Christ Jesus. He is the only true righteous One. He is the only bringer of lasting peace. And this truth applies to every person anywhere on this earth. Jesus died for us singly and corporately whether we embrace this truth or not. He did the work. We have only to recognize and believe this truth. God loves us all equally – that is peace.

In my belief I am not a barrier to peace. I say to reject all that is evil and that list is quite long. I am so busy spending my time attempting to remove the mote from my own eye that removing the splinter from yours is not high on my list unless that splinter is so grievous that it preys upon the innocent. And yes, there are innocents among us. There are some glaringly evil things that we do as human beings that must be rejected through a social conscience. And some may very well be on my list, although I believe that I have long ago rejected the worst of them and repented. But I do not forget their lure and I grieve for those still caught up in what is pulling at them. I am not above the human condition to sin, I recognize it in myself, and in others as the joy stealer that will always be with us to some extent at least this side of heaven.

When we fail to discuss evil, when we turn a blind eye to it civilizations fall. When a society cannot define that which is evil we have consciously decided to allow it free reign. Do not believe the lie that we must not judge that which is evil. There is evil and people are capable of doing evil.

It is Jesus Christ the Messiah who is the bringer of peace to all who believe. So I speak of His peace, and for that I am hated because there is a created one who despises and works against this true peace. That one is the liar, the soothsayer, the one who mocks this truth — he is the god of this world and an enemy of the One True God.

So is this truth, and the telling of this truth, peacemaking? I think that it is and it is with love and courage that I speak what is in my heart for all to see and all to accept or reject.

This truth is a sword that divides and it rends the heart of those who are not willing to give up their pride in order to see it. It seems so much like hatred but it is a gift of life and love. It is a truth that we recognize having crossed that barrier from death to life and a truth that we cannot communicate fully to others. It must be experienced in order to be grasped by the seeker of true peace — by recognizing fully the Messiah who has come, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

But do not take my word for this. These are the words of peace…..

"That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." ~John 17:21-23

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." ~Matthew 5:9

"Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." ~James 3:18

"He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." ~1 Peter 3:11-12

"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." ~Romans 4:19

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." ~Romans 12:17-18

"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." ~Hebrews 12:14-15

Once this truth is discovered, there is no turning back, there is no desire to turn back. How wondrous a thing it is to know that when you have truly forgiven all and have been forgiven all – past, present and future.

What joy!

What peace!

"Nothing is so cruel as the tenderness that consigns another to his sin. Nothing can be more compassionate than the severe rebuke that calls a brother back from the path of sin." ~Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

With Much Love,
Catherine "Jackie" Mitchell

Technorati Tags: Blessed are the peacemakers,Jesus Christ,Change,Deitrich Bonhoeffer

Message to Laodicea

(NASB) Revelation 3:14-21

"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. ‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.

‘Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.

‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’"

 

Jesus Christ tells us that the time that He is referring to will be characterized by the church whose deeds are neither hot nor cold….and that *church* will be spit out of His mouth.

The time will be characterized by a church who says it is rich, wealthy, and in need of nothing. But yet it is wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.

Our Lord Jesus Christ’s advice to us is that we buy gold refined by fire so that we can become rich. Rich in what? Rich in the knowledge that we need Him. Buy white garments so that we may cover our nakedness. What nakedness? We are not clothed in His righteousness. (Adam and Eve became naked when they ate the fruit of the tree – they became “worldly”.), And eye salve so that we may see. See what? His truth. the truth of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness.

Are we this church?

The seven letters to the seven churches has many applications. These were actual churches that existed at the time of that these letters were written. I believe that the purpose of the letters are that they address the heart state that each Christian has the potential to have, possibly at the same time or throughout our sanctification.

Each one of those churches could also depict periods of time in church history from Pentecost on through our Lord’s return. If you will allow, this is the gap between Daniel’s 69th and 70th week. The church age. The 70th week is coming. The Laodicean church is the Christian church in existence just prior to Daniel’s 70th week.

If we do not fear being Laodicean as a heart state and in the body of Christ today we may very well *be* in danger of being spit out of our Lord’s mouth. What does that mean? Hot water, as in a drink of hot tea is a pleasant beverage. Cold water is refreshing. Lukewarm water is good for nothing.

Can we pour out so loving as to not being pleasing to our Lord? Can we be immoderately *in* love with the world that we make allowances for evil? What were the warnings that our Lord gave to each of the churches? The warning to the Laodicean church is clear. We are in need of gold refined by fire. White garments because we have become naked. And eye salve so that we can see. When did we become impure, naked, and blind?

The book ‘Colossians’ references Laodicea. I believe the warning is to us today to not water down the message of the Gospel. How is the Gospel watered down? We forget to be like the Bereans and search out false teaching and stand firmly against it.

Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”

If Jesus Christ and His glory is not the complete and utter focus of all that the church does we are in danger of being spit out of His mouth. Even focusing on our own humility is an affront to Him, we are to be dead to this life. That is the gold. That is the white garments, that is the eye salve. We are nothing, our lives are about His truth. But this truth, His truth and all that He said, lived and died for, must not be compromised in any way. We are to not lie to one another. Is to deny the truth by approving of something against God, a lie? I believe that it is.

 

We are told to “put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him– a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.  ~Colossians 3:12-17

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

Do I bear malice toward Rick Warren for not taking an opportunity to walk away from that which is evil, the promotion of abortion in all of its forms (including partial birth, and post-birth) which is President elect Obama’s policy statement, no I do not.

I pray that God is glorified.

There is a warning to all of us. I include myself in this because I take the Word of God very seriously and I believe His admonitions to be both truthful and crucial to our lives today.

We are to admonish one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual psalms…which *is* thankfulness to God from our heart. His Word is true.

So I will end with this:

“Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, To practice deeds of wickedness With men who do iniquity; And do not let me eat of their delicacies.” ~Psalm 141:4

and

“For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; Preserve my life from dread of the enemy. Hide me from the secret counsel of evildoers, from the tumult of those who do iniquity, who have sharpened their tongue like a sword.

They aimed bitter speech as their arrow, to shoot from concealment at the blameless; suddenly they shoot at him, and do not fear.

They hold fast to themselves an evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly; they say, "Who can see them?"

They devise injustices, saying, "We are ready with a well-conceived plot"; for the inward thought and the heart of a man are deep.

But God will shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly they will be wounded. So they will make him stumble; their own tongue is against them; all who see them will shake the head.

Then all men will fear, and they will declare the work of God, and will consider what He has done.

The righteous man will be glad in the LORD and will take refuge in Him; and all the upright in heart will glory.”  ~Psalm 64:2-10

God is all-knowing, all powerful, He is a spirit and alive. He is personal, righteous, holy, just, all-knowing, alive, infinite, eternal, omnipotent, immutable, truthful, faithful, compassionate, patient, a provider, a grace giver, and He loves us.

He also rejects sin.

Should we not do the same in order to bring glory to Him? I believe so.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.” ~Psalm 111:10

I fear Him, do you?

 

Technorati Tags: Psalm 111:10,Psalm 64:2-10,Psalm 141:4,Colossians 3:12-17,Colossians 2:8,Laodicea,Seven Letters to Seven Churches,Revelation 3:14-21

A Novel Approach to Vaccination

Docs now have a way to prevent whooping cough

New vaccine for adults holds promise of blocking the spread of the infection.

BY COLLEEN LAMAY – clamay@idahostatesman.com

Edition Date: 12/12/08

For most of the past two decades, Idaho has had more pertussis ( whooping cough) cases per capita than the U.S. average.

But for the first time, public health officials have hope for beating the disease. The weapon is a newly licensed vaccine aimed at adults.

“I am so excited about this vaccine, because for the first time we can tackle getting pertussis out of adults,” said Dr. Christine Hahn, state epidemiologist. “We (adults) were the cesspool of pertussis giving it to the little kids.”

[Read the rest of the story here.]

This novel approach to whooping cough vaccination is something to think about for prevention of other disease outbreaks.

When it comes to pandemic influenza and what will amount to the dispensing of largely untested vaccines who should be the first to receive them?

Especially when it comes to our children, I have a fierce desire to “do no harm”. I also have an urge to protect them and keep them from these scourges but also I realize that some of our attempts at halting the virus may not yet be perfected.

So would this approach that they are attempting with whooping cough work for Influenza vaccination?

Vaccinate the children? Vaccinate the adults? How do we decide?

Adults probably spread influenza far and wide more than children do. We are the global and national spreaders.

Go to work and who knows where your coworkers have been or who they have come in contact with, and from where they have traveled. We adults travel roam the world and encounter others who do too. We spread these viruses around by bringing them home to the kids to spread in schools and day care.

Children are more local spreaders.

The question remains for me…

Are the adjuvants in vaccines less detrimental to adults? Only the one taking the vaccine can answer that for themselves.

If we refuse to be vaccinated, should we be allowed to go to work or elsewhere?

Sometimes I suspect that this is point where this debate is heading…and I am not the one who is leading it.

Influenza IS a scary illness, so are pandemics. And the devastation can and will be horrible. As each pandemic in history has indicated, most of us survive them. Will the next one be a civilization altering event like some scientists have suggested.

As for me, I turn to the word of God. The end times are described as having plagues and pestilences. I have found peace in knowing that even in the worst of times we can know the right way to live. I pray about everything. Trust that if you are His, you will know what to do when the time comes.

We have to be careful of who we can become as human beings especially when fear is the motivator.

Do not fear.

There are ways that will seem right to a man, but just will not be.

Proverbs 14:12

Technorati Tags: Whooping Cough Vaccination,Influenza Vaccination,Pandemic Vaccination

What Are We Being Prepared For? Its Sunday Why Not

Plagues and pestilences are foretold. They are coming. We do not know when just that they will come. Will H5N1 be the cause or something else? I do not know. H5N1 does seem to be the most likely candidate.

So many times these days it seems as if there is this overarching agenda, a plan, a method, something that is being accomplished behind the scenes. Is a pandemic something that will further accomplish an agenda. Is it a means to an end. I suppose it could be. I cannot do something about that which I have no control over.

I do have control over my families preparedness level, and to some extent my towns level in that I am part of the town. If I am prepared that is one less family, one less individual drawing from resources. We all have this responsibility, I think. I have always thought that my little voice speaking up loudly and clearly may help one more person. If I have reached ONE person then I have succeeded. Although I have wanted to reach as many people as possible.

Have we all realized yet that this world is in trouble? Beware of what we are building.

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
~ Romans 16:17-20

Another’s “agenda” really does not matter when what we do as individuals in our society is above reproach. Isn’t this the heart of the message that we teach. Personal responsibility and the desire to improve one’s behavior, is this not seen as an important moral standard by almost every culture and religious group?

“By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive”.

Don’t be naive. That is like saying don’t be apathetic. There is some effort involved.

We must be aware in order to not be naive. To become aware we must open our eyes. We must work to gather information, we must work to be able to make informed decisions. We must know these things so that we can make decisions for ourselves and our family, for those that we are responsible for.

Sit back and take stock of what you think that you know. I try to do this from time to time

I try to think about what makes me uncomfortable about the world that we are living in. I attempt to think about the direction that we are taking, who we are trusting, who we are looking to for leadership.

What are we being prepared for?

We are being prepared for the battle between God and Satan. A battle which has already been won but what has not been decided is the side that YOU will chose. Will you chose the losing side or the one who has already won? Funny to think of anyone choosing a losing side of anything. But that is what people do when they reject God.

Do you think that there is no war being waged?

We are witnessing a slow fade because of the haughtiness of our approach.

America has collectively turned its back on God and now God is turning His back on us. This IS the judgment and the repercussions will keep coming.

Is Christianity really saying to hate the sinner?

Think again.

Christians realize that we are all sinners, every single one of us. Not one of us is capable of living a perfectly controlled life. There was only one perfect man and our sin killed Him. He died to redeem us from our sin state. He died for each one of us and for all of us. Not one person’s sin, not one homosexual’s sin, not one abortionist’s sin, killed Him…my sin, all of our sin that is the reason that He died.

Our gracious God has given us a way out. Faith in Jesus Christ, Son of God yet fully God, for us who believe in Him we are redeemed. The price has been paid and we are now free from eternal punishment although not from the effects that sin has upon this world and what this world can and will bring into our lives.

I know that this seems so weak, so embarrassing, so belittling, so unintelligent, so, so, so, humbling. And that IS the point isn’t it? Humility. We need God. And God wants us to know this.

Think about the tower of Babel. Why was it built? (and think of the globalization effort that exists today). “Babel was a city that united humanity, all speaking a single language and migrating from the east; it was the home city of the great king Nimrod, and the first city to be built after the Great Flood. The people decided their city should have a tower so immense that it would have "its top in the heavens." (וְרֹאשׁוֹ בַשָּׁמַיִם). However, the Tower of Babel was not built for the worship and praise of God, but was dedicated to the glory of man, with a motive of making a ‘name’ for the builders: "Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.’" (Genesis 11:4).”

So what did God do? He scattered man and confused our languages.

Myth?

I don’t think so…although you might and that is your prerogative.

‘Mystery Babylon’ and all that it entails. That is hat we seem to be building today. It isn’t a “tower” its scope and reach far greater and it certainly isn’t being built to honor God as Creator. Mystery Babylon IS globalization of government, economy, health, science, religion, communication, etc. We are building it now and have been since 1948.

This is that generation.

Come out of it. Be overcomers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ask yourself why a person is capable of thinking about many different things and on many different levels would come to the end of their life and accept the Bible as truth.

Were they unwise? What did they know, what did they experience that gave them such confidence in God? I have that same confidence…do you?

• Nicolaus Copernicus: 1473-1543 Polish Astronomer – Developed the heliocentric theory of the solar system.
• Galileo Galilei: 1564-1642 Italian Physicist
  "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use."
• Johannes Kepler: 1571-1630 German Astronomer
  The 3 laws of planetary motion. Advanced Copernicus’ heliocentric theory.
  "Since we astronomers are priests of the highest God in regard to the book of nature, it befits us to be thoughtful, not of the glory of our minds, but rather, above all else, of the glory of God."
• Blaise Pascal: 1623-1662 French Mathematician
  "There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ." “But by Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ, we prove God and teach doctrine and morals. Jesus Christ, then, is the true God of men."
• Newton Isaac: 1642-1727 (born Dec 25) English Mathemetician
  Laws of gravitation and motion, developed calculus. Major contributions to optics, physics, math and astronomy. The solar system itself could not have been produced by blind chance or fortuitous causes but only by a cause "very well skilled in mechanics and geometry."
• Michael Faraday: 1791-1869 English Chemist
  Discovered Benzene, electromagnetic induction, lines of force, relationship between polarized light and magnetic fields. Strong believer in the literal interpretation of Scripture. Deacon and elder in his church. "Since peace is alone in the gift of God; and since it is He who gives it, why should we be afraid? His unspeakable gift in His beloved Son is the ground of no doubtful hope."
• Lord Kelvin: 1824-1907 (William Thomson) British Physicist
  First and second laws of thermodynamics. Absolute temp scale. Trans-Atlantic cable.
  "I believe that the more thoroughly science is studied, the further does it take us from anything comparable to atheism."
• Robert Boyle – “The gospel comprises indeed, and unfolds, the whole mystery of man’s redemption, as far forth as it is necessary to be known for our salvation.”
• George Washington Carver – “Our creator is the same and never changes despite the names given Him by people here and in all parts of the world. Even if we gave Him no name at all, He would still be there, within us, waiting to give us good on this earth.”
• Kenneth H. Cooper M.D. M.P.H. – "Father of aerobics" “To maximize life’s potential personally, professionally, and spiritually, you must know the zone in which you are the happiest and most productive. Most people never reach that utopian state because they do not know how to get there.” speaking about Christian author Max Lucado’s book Cure for the Common Life
• Michael Faraday
• Jim Irwin – astronaut, Ark Hunter
• Samuel Morse
• Isaac Newton – inventor, scientist
• Louis Pasteur
• Hugh Ross – physicist
• Francis Schaeffer – theologian and thinker
• Wright Brothers
• Arthur Eddington, mathematical cosmologist
• Georges Lemaître, proposed the Big Bang theory
• Henry F. "Fritz" Schaefer, theoretical chemists
• William Phillips – 1997 Nobel Prize in Physics
• Francis Collins – Director of the U.S. Human Genome Project
• Rustum Roy, one of the world’s foremost materials scientists, holds three chairs
• Jimmy Carter – former U.S. President
• Abigail Adams – first lady, wife of U.S. President Samuel Adams
• John Ashcroft – former Missouri Gov. & Senator
• Christopher Darden – Lawyer, prosecutor in O. J. Simpson case
• Elizabeth Dole – director, American Red Cross
• Stonewall Jackson
• Alan Keyes – U.S. Presidential candidate.
• Steve Largent – U.S. House of Representative
• Robert E. Lee – Confederate General
• Abraham Lincoln – U.S. President
• Don Nickles – U.S. Senator, Virginia
• J.C. Watts – U.S. House of Representative, former college football player
• Dan Quayle – former U.S. Vice President.
• Clarence Thomas – U.S. Supreme Court Judge.
• George Washington – U.S. President
• Oswald Chambers – author, My Utmost for His Highest;
• G. K. Chesterton – science fiction, mystery, non-fiction, Orthodoxy
• Tim Lehaye – author, "Left Behind"
• C. S. Lewis – author of fantasy, science fiction, and non-fiction religious books such as Mere Christianity;
• Catherine Marshall – author, "Christy".
• Norman Vincent Peale – author, Power of Positive Thinking;
• Frank Peretti – author, This Present Darkness;
• Charles Sheldon – author, In His Steps
• Charles Spurgeon – author
• Danielle Steele – author
• J.R.R. Tolkien – author, The Hobbit
• Joni Eareckson Tada – author, Artist & Speaker. Quadriplegic.

the list goes on and on and on….

Technorati Tags: globalization,famous Christians,shake off apathy,overcome rebellion,accept Jesus Christ

“Walk by faith, not by sight”

A pandemic will turn the world upside down.

So many other things are ahead…so many things that will destabilize this world.

When the world turns upside down people look for a navigator who will guide them into calmer waters and set them on the “right course” again. I believe that the One true navigator has already left us with an all-sufficient “chart” which will guide us through any stormy waters no matter the state of the world and its leaders. But to many people this is not enough. They seek new wisdom and a fresher vision. They follow after a feeling.

Test the spirits!

1 John 4:1-6
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

Just because someone claims to be a believer, a follower of Jesus Christ, does not mean that he or she is.

“Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God…”

We must learn to discern between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

On Human Compassion

We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.  ~Victor Frankl 

One of my greatest regrets in life is that I was not with my mother at her passing. I was not there to hold her hand, to ease her fears, to pray with her, to let her know that she was deeply loved even though we had our differences and problems. But because I was not there for her I have learned one of the most valuable lessons in life – the regret when we fail, for whatever reason, to be compassionate to others.

Why Bring Faith into a Health Issue?