However the sense of the euphemism finally sank in:  we are all responsible and accountable for our words and actions.

As we are painfully aware, a maniacal young man took the life of six other human beings and wounded 14 more a week ago today in Tucson, Arizona.

Immediately after this heinous act of absolute malice many news agencies reported that the shootings were committed due to the influence of inflammatory political rhetoric.  Those reports were soon debunked as false upon the discovery that the killer was not driven by any political ideology.

I wish not to be flippant nor cavalier concerning this tragic situation and surely extend my condolences to the families of the victims.  I only use the title and the subsequent illustration to share what I have yet to hear through the national media:  the real cause of these unspeakable acts of cruelty.

Giving credit where credit is due, some in the media have rightly insisted that the murderer is solely responsible for his heinous actions.  But what has not been reported is why this person did what he did.  In the Epistle of James, the Bible says,

“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted  by God”;  for God cannot be tempted  by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.  But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.  Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin  is accomplished, it brings forth death.  Do not be  deceived, my beloved brethren.”  (1:13-16)

I do not suggest some religious connection to the murders, only that a person’s wicked deeds originate in his own heart and mind and because of his own sinful appetites.  Willful sin is the reason that funerals are being conducted and victims continue to struggle for survival.  Murder is the result of sin.  Sin always results in death.

My pastor was and remains to be correct.  Not only will “every tub sit on it own bottom”,  every sinner will stand before God.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8)

Come to think about it, that’s what Jesus said a long time ago – not that He would be back  just after New Year, although He could and maybe even might! – but rather that He would be back.

Speaking of that day Jesus said, “heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.  But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of  heaven, nor the Son of Man, but the Father alone.”  (Matthew 24:35-36)

See you soon – maybe in the air!!!

September 4, 2010

Fair Weather Fans – Again

Whenever I do something that the grandkids really get a kick out of they say, “again”, indicating that I should do whatever it is again.

I thought I would re-post this blog  “again” from July 2009.  It seems that the Cincinnati Reds have plenty of fan support now that they have an eight game lead, Chapmania, and Joey Votto vying for a triple crown.

Good.  In my estimation everyone ought to root for the Reds.  Go Reds.

But there is always a message . . .

July 23, 2009

fair weather fans

I’m a Cincinnati Reds fan.  Have been since I was old enough to remember.  Last night the Dodgers beat the Reds for the third straight game on a Manny Ramirez grand slam in the sixth inning.   Cincinnati has lost 12 straight in Dodger Stadium dating back to 2006.  What a bummer.

My wife had asked me Tuesday night when the Dodgers were thrashing the Redlegs to the tune of 12 to 3 when I was going to just give up on them.   I immediately began to give her my “fair-weather fan” speech.  Coupled with the fact that it was a west coast game (it was around midnight in Eastern Kentucky) and that she had heard the speech numerous times before, she simply dozed off into a restful sleep unconcerned about my status as a fan.

The shortened  version of the speech goes something like this.  There are thousands of “fans” who can reminisce about the last division championship in 1995, or the 1990 World Champion Reds, or the Big Red Machine of the 70′s.  And all with fondness.  Hey, some of us still remember 1961.   But catch them six games below 500 and fading quickly out of the pennant race and they get few and far between.

Aren’t you glad that Jesus isn’t a fair weather fan/friend.  The writer of the book of Hebrews quotes Him saying, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (13:5).  If we have established a relationship with Him by faith in His death, burial, and resurrection we can count on Him when everyone else is gone.  Everybody loves a winner but it takes a real friend to stick with you when you’re losing.  And Jesus is a “friend that will stick closer than a brother”.

With all due respect to people of all faiths, real Christianity leaves no room for compromise in regard to this essential doctrine.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

Daily Devotional.

I thought I would re-post this blog  “again” from July 2009.  It seems that the Cincinnati Reds have plenty of fan support now that they have an eight game lead, Chapmania, and Joey Votto vying for a triple crown.

Good.  In my estimation everyone ought to root for the Reds.  Go Reds.

But there is always a message . . .

July 23, 2009

fair weather fans

I’m a Cincinnati Reds fan.  Have been since I was old enough to remember.  Last night the Dodgers beat the Reds for the third straight game on a Manny Ramirez grand slam in the sixth inning.   Cincinnati has lost 12 straight in Dodger Stadium dating back to 2006.  What a bummer.

My wife had asked me Tuesday night when the Dodgers were thrashing the Redlegs to the tune of 12 to 3 when I was going to just give up on them.   I immediately began to give her my “fair-weather fan” speech.  Coupled with the fact that it was a west coast game (it was around midnight in Eastern Kentucky) and that she had heard the speech numerous times before, she simply dozed off into a restful sleep unconcerned about my status as a fan.

The shortened  version of the speech goes something like this.  There are thousands of “fans” who can reminisce about the Big Red Machine of the 70′s with fondness.   But catch them six games below 500 and fading quickly out of the pennant race and they get few and far between.

Aren’t you glad that Jesus isn’t a fair weather fan/friend.  The writer of the book of Hebrews quotes Him saying, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (13:5).  If we have established a relationship with Him by faith in His death, burial, and resurrection we can count on Him when everyone else is gone.  Everybody loves a winner but it takes a real friend to stick with you when you’re losing.  And Jesus is a “friend that will stick closer than a brother”.

The GrandBoy (my grandson) celebrated his third birthday last week.  At his party he received an abundance of gifts.

A few days later as he and his Gran surveyed the “loot” she asked, “where did your clock come from”, noticing a present that had heretofore slipped past her super-observant Grandmotherly eye.

The Boy answered, “the Post Office giv’d it to me.  Daddy took me to the Post Office and they giv’d him a box and it was in it”.

The Bible says that, “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights”  (James 1:17).

Children don’t always comprehend that.  Adults, however, should.  Tragically, all to often we behave as though we don’t.

There used to be an old country saying concerning people who were both unconcerned and unappreciative.  These were described as “hogs eatin’ under an ‘acorn’ tree, never looking up to see where their meal was comin’ from”.

Americans are the recipients of gifts too numerous to count.  God has been very good to America.  I wonder just how much we really appreciate what He’s done for us?

Our natural resources, our freedom, a standard of living found no where else on the planet.  Clean water and air and food and housing and recreation and on and on and on we could go.  His gifts to America/Americans are endless.

But more important than any of the above, God offers every American, for that matter, every person of every nationality or people group on planet earth,  the greatest gift of all.  The one that comes from above ( not from the post office) – His Love personified in Jesus Christ!

If you will “open the box” and take it out Heaven will be your eternal home.  Your life will receive a “clean slate” as He forgives any and all of your sins.

The Bible says to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).  Believe that “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Some would say that “seeing is believing” but the Bible testifies that “believing is receiving”.  Salvation is God’s free gift to those who receive it.

Have you?

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”  (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Spread the Word: 140 Days of Prayer.

As a consequence of this unusual snowy weather thousands of school districts have canceled classes.  For many getting to and from work became an impossibility and even unnecessary as many places of businesses didn’t attempt to open.  Even the federal government had to close till the blizzards passed.

So what do you do when you’re “snowed out” (or “in” depending on your perspective).  For the kids it’s no problem.  They head outside to sleigh-ride, build snow men, and make snow angels.

For adults snow days also provide time to catch on reading or watching a little TV.  These days can also be used to get a little extra rest and maybe just take a nap.

There is a fellow in the Bible that used a “snow day” for a most unusual undertaking.  His name is Benaiah.  He was a “valiant”  man who accomplished many heroic deeds and eventually became King David’s chief bodyguard.  You can read about his exploits in 2 Samuel 23:20-23.

What he did on a “snowy day”, however, became his signature accomplishment.  He killed a lion.

He just didn’t shoot it from long-range with a high-powered rifle.  Nor did he lure it into a trap and capture it and then kill it.  He didn’t kill it because he was backed in a corner and had no choice but to defend himself.

No, he purposely chased that lion down into a slippery slick snowy pit.  In spite of the obvious danger and tactical disadvantage, there he killed one of nature’s most deadly predators.

The Bible doesn’t tell us why Benaiah killed this lion.  However, we can rest assured he didn’t risk his life to take its life for some senseless cavalier reason.  He killed the lion because the it had become a threat to himself, his family or community.

There is a threat today to us and our families and communities.  He is our adversary, the devil.  The Apostle Peter describes him as a “roaring lion seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).  And he’s sounding louder than ever.

Benaiah’s struggle with his lion was a physical battle.  Ours is a spiritual one.  He depended on a club or sword or maybe even his bare hands.  We depend on the power and person of the Holy Spirit available to us because of our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Benaiah aggressively pursued the enemy when he heard it roar.

What are you doing on this snowy day?

I thought about adding my own “two cents” worth.  However I have chosen to post the following link to Dr. Albert Mohler’s blog who, obviously, can better articulate the matter.  Please read his insightful article “Does God Hate Haiti”at:

www.albertmohler/2010/01/14/does-god-hate-haiti/

There’s an old hymn that goes something like this:  “There’s a sad day coming,  a sad day coming, a sad day coming by and by, when the saints and the sinners will be parted right and left”.   And then the chorus asks the question, “are you ready for the judgment day?”

Are we?