A Passing Whiff

A Passing Whiff

“Apart from God every activity is merely a passing whiff of insignificance.” Alfred North Whitehead.
The writer of Ecclesiastes writing of this life said,

“What has been will be again,

 what has been done will be done again; 

there is nothing new under the sun”

Ecclesiastes 1:9

“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; 

all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”

Ecclesiastes 1:14.

One thing the atheist and Christians I think can agree on is life as we know it in the light of eternity is short. Most people will live and die within a few hundred kilometres of where they were born. Most will not be remembered to anyone other than their families within a generation.
On my computer is a picture of my paternal grandmother. I never met her she died when my father was seven long before I was born. All I know is her name that from what my father and his siblings said she was gentle and loving. I also know that she won a bible contest. I had for some time the Bible she won. But that’s all I know of her.
Who her friends were, what she liked, what she didn’t like, are all lost to history. Such is it with people.
One thing I’ve found in my life however is the truth Ecclesiastes states, “what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.”
Someone once told me the things people do are the same from generation to generation it’s just that in our day and age those things have become high tech.
The acts of man do remain the same. War may not be fought with swords and spears but war is fought. People still steal, cheat, lie, and do all kinds of negative things.
People still love, get married, do wonderful acts of kindness, are heroic and do many good things. But within a hundred years of our death for must of what we like or did will not be remembered.
I once asked a group of Canadians who Thomas D’arcy McGee was. They couldn’t tell me. Mcgee was a father of Confederation who helped form Canada as a nation. In 1868 became the first politician to be assassinated in Canada. He helped found Canada yet many Canadians if not most know nothing of him.
That’s the way it will be for all of us one day.
Whether people remember us or not is unimportant however in the light of eternity. It is whether or not that we know God that will count.
I as a Christian believe people need a personal relationship with God. We can have that relationship by accepting Christ as our Saviour.
John’s gospel records this,
“The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  
I and the Father are one.” 
Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” John 10:24-32.
Jesus told people plainly who he was the Son of God. One with God. Many in his day as now do not believe that. That was their choice. It is a choice you must make.
God will not force himself on you.
Jesus speaking to Martha asked a question we all must answer when he asked,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” John 11:25,-27.
Before you answer that question for certain, I would ask that you make an informed decision. Don't rely on what I have said, or some else has said, read the New Testament for yourself and see what it says about God, and Jesus, then decide.
Please think about it.

God and the Christian

God and the Christian
Lenny Bruce said,
“Every day people are straying away from the church and going back to God. Really.” Lenny Bruce, "Religions Inc."
What Bruce said, is not entirely incorrect. I as a Christian of now over four decades have seen many churches and those calling themselves Christians here in North America walk slowly away from God. It has been slow and gradual. So slow those it’s happening too have not noticed it.
Many have turned from the true purpose of the Church. The real reason Jesus came into the world.
For many calling themselves Christians church has become a social club. Or a group that protests against abortion clinics, gay rights and anything else they disagree with. This is not what God intended. Such things turn people away from Jesus, away from God.
Jesus speaking of Himself said,

“For God so loved the world

 that he gave his one and only Son,

 that whoever believes in him shall not perish 

but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world

 to condemn the world, 

but to save the world through him.” 

John 3:16,17.

Jesus speaking to His disciples and through them to us said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.   Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
This is the prime directive of the church to make disciple of all nations and teaching them all Jesus taught us.
Jesus made things clear about our attitudes toward other people when He said,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

For in the same way you judge others, 

you will be judged, 

and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 

Matthew 7:1,2.

The apostle Paul tells us,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?” 1 Corinthians 5:12.
We are not the judges of those outside our own faith. That is up to God. We are to judge those within our own faith making sure they are doing what is right according to scripture.
We are to present the good news of Jesus Christ to anyone who will listen to us and present it in a respectful and loving manner.
The other way some calling themselves Christians are falling short of doing what God wants them to do, is in doing good works.
Now don’t get me wrong THE CHURCH MUST DO GOOD WORKS. However that should be an outgrowth of our faith. We should be presenting our faith to the world in word and in deed. The apostle James said,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ?  
Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?  
You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.  
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.  
You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. 
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?  
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”James 2:14-26.
Christianity is not a religion as such. It is not a church building we go to once or twice a week. Christianity is a life committed to doing the work of Jesus Christ in word and in deed. It is a lifestyle that should show people the way to eternal life with God.
Francis of Assisi said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” Francis of Assisi.
Question: Are you a true Christian living you life and faith in a way that is pleasing to God?
Please think about it.

You and God

You and God
"I used to ask God to help me. Then I asked if I might help Him.  I ended up asking God to do His work through me." Hudson Taylor.
I think what Hudson Taylor said is true. Christians seem to go through various stages. The first is God help me. Many seem to stay here and see God as a servant or worse a “sugar daddy”. Someone to supply their needs.
If a Christian is truly progressing they then move on to the next step. They ask God if they can help Him as if God really needs help. Again many stay at this point. They wait for God’s reply and some do indeed help God in one way or another. Sadly however many wait their whole life waiting for God to ask them to help Him.
Again if Christians are truly progressing we go to the next step asking God to do His work through them.
It is only when we let God work through us that we can truly do His work.
Jesus just prior to his arrest and crucifixion while in the garden with his disciples said,
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”  
Luke 22:42. 
The key words being “not my will but yours be done.”
Someone once said,
“Most people wish to serve God — but only in an advisory capacity.” Author Unknown.
We must, if we truly want to do God’s work, be willing to let God work through us no matter what He asks.
Sadly too many Christians are not willing to do this.
The writer of Proverbs tells us,

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart 

and lean not on your own understanding; 

in all your ways acknowledge him,

 and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5,6.

The disciples did this and look what they did. Billy Graham said of the disciples.
“The men who followed Him (Christ), were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same.” Billy Graham.
We if we are willing to let God do His work through us can do the same.
Are you willing?
Please think about it.

The Christian and God

The Christian and God

“Most people wish to serve God — but only in an advisory capacity.” Author Unknown.
Jesus when asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
If you claim to be a Christian do you believe the words of Jesus I just quoted? Are you committed to Jesus, really committed to God. Does God take precedence in your life. Given a choice between a sporting event, a movie, a dance class, and God, does God come first?
There are times when we for family and other events will miss church but if it becomes a regular occurrence we need to question our commitment to God.
Most churches have bible studies and midweek things for adults and children. Do you go to them, or dose sports or dance classes or other things come first?
Now don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with sporting events, dance classes and other things in their place, but they should never constantly take place ahead of God.
Think about what you are doing. Especially if you have children. What are you teaching them with respect to God? Are you showing by your words and deeds that He takes first place in your life?
If you truly love someone you will want to be with them all the time. The Zohar tells this story,
“A man fell in love with a woman who resided in the street of the tanners.  If she had not lived there, he would never have entered this evil-smelling section; but, since she dwells there, the street seems too him like the street of the perfumers.” From the Zohar.
That’s how it should be between us and God. We should want to be spending time with Him both in church and in our home above all things.
It is said that when the Romans finally captured the Temple in Jerusalem the priests were so dedicated to God that when their world was literally collapsing around them they kept performing their duties until they were stopped by the Romans. Something that apparently impressed the Romans.
This is what we as committed Christians should be doing. People should look at us and not see fanatics but rather committed men and women of faith. A faith that is part of our life and lifestyle.
Take a few minutes and ask yourself and God if you are truly committed to Him. Then ask are you doing enough for God?
Please think about it. 

The Bible and the Whisky Bottle

The Bible and The Whisky Bottle.
There’s an interesting quote from Harper Lee the Author of To Kill a Mockingbird. She wrote,
“Sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whisky bottle in the hand of (another)...”Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird.
What she says is true. Throughout the years man and women have used the bible to justify the killing of thousand in the Crusades, to supporting slavery and segregation. To restricting the rights of those who lifestyle they disagree with, to robbing innocent people of their hard earned money. At least someone with a whisky bottle in his hand at worst dishonours himself.
Christians do not do a very good job of policing themselves and freedom of speech laws in our democracy allow for anyone to say anything. Thus almost anything can be said in the name of God and Christ even if it’s not true.
False teachers are not new. They’ve been around since the times of the apostles. The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2Timothy 4:3,4.
It’s easy to call oneself a Christian. It’s easy to take scriptures out of context and make them say what is not true. Jesus said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23.
We here in North America and the western democracies enjoy incredible freedoms. Freedoms that unfortunately are a double edged sword. It allows us to exercise our faith without fear. While at the same time allowing false teachers to arise and lead people astray.
It is therefor incumbent on each Christian to study the Bible for themselves to pray and ask God to show them the truths there in.
It is incumbent of Christians to find and fellowship with a Church that is founded solidly on the truth of the Bible.
Christians should not be afraid to ask their pastor evangelist or any Christian teacher questions about what they have taught on.
Christians  should not be afraid of pointing out any errors or perceived error to a pastor, evangelist, or Christian teacher. Remember they are only men and are fallible.
It is only by open discussion of things you may not understand or think that is in error that we get to the truth of the scriptures.
No good and honest teacher of God’s word will refuse to answer your questions. If they don’t. Have nothing to do with them.
Please think about it.

Thorns and the Christian

Thorns and the Christian
“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
Here in 2 Corinthians we have the apostle Paul admitting he has a problem, “a thorn in the flesh”. The majority of commentators I’ve read believe it was a physical ailment of some kind. Many think eye trouble but no one is one hundred percent certain.
What the problem however is immaterial to the fact that the Apostle Paul had an on going ailment. That he interpreted the ailment as being allowed by God to keep him from becoming conceited.
It’s very easy for great men, or for anyone, to become conceited. To take all the credit for their success.
Paul was a great evangelist a great servant of God. Paul could have taken all the credit for the success of his ministry, when in fact it was God working through him.
Over the years I’ve heard false teachers claiming to be Christian saying that Christians should be completely healthy all the time. That they should be wealthy. Yet this was not the case with Paul.
Paul wrote,
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  
I can do everything through him who gives me strength” Philippians 4:12,13.
The apostle Paul one of the greatest Christians leaders ever to live knew what it was like to be hungry, to be in need, and to have plenty. All of that in addition to having his “thorn in the flesh”.
Just because we are Christians does not exclude us from getting sick or being in need, or hungry or for that matter being wealthy.
We live in a world that throws a lot at us good and bad at us, but through it all we should be drawing closer to God.
Especially in the bad times we should echo the words or Paul who said, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength”.
Even in the good times we should be thanking God for what we have. All too often Christians fail to do that.
I know many people who are in wheelchairs, have mental health issues, or chronic problems of various types that serve the God faithfully.
Yes at times what they can do for God may be limited but they still serve him faithfully. Giving God the praise for all that is done. Something all who claim to be Christians should do.
Please think about it.

The Christian and Anger

The Christian and Anger

“My dear brothers, take note of this: 

Everyone should be quick to listen, 

slow to speak and slow to become angry, 

 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” 

James 1:19,20.

I have listened with alarm at those calling themselves Christians who get angry at anything that they feel God does not like.
I see and hear Christians particularly in the United States getting angry at as they would say the “homosexual” community and same sex marriage as well as same sex washrooms and it seems a myriad of other things connected with the LGBT community.
They get angry at elected government officials for passing laws that they object too. Saying God does not like such a thing.
They presume to know the mind of God and are trying to do his job when the apostle Paul specifically states,

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? 

Are you not to judge those inside?” 

1 Corinthians 5:12.

Jesus said,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged,

 and with the measure you use, 

it will be measured to you.” 

Matthew 7:1,2

We live in a democracy that by its very nature must be inclusive irrespective of what one group may think. The apostle Paul wrote,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”  Romans 13:1,2.
Thus according to non other than the apostle Paul governments are allowed to govern by God and by rebelling against a lawful, and especially, in my mind democratic government, we are rebelling against God.
James the half brother of Christ wrote,

“My dear brothers, 

take note of this: 

Everyone should be quick to listen, 

slow to speak and slow to become angry,  

for man’s anger 

does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” 

James 1:19,20.

Those who claim to be Christians and are getting angry at the government for passing laws that don’t harm them or restrict their rights or the rights of others should take stock of what they are doing.
Getting angry as James said, “dose not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
What brings about a righteous life and brings people to know Christ is expressed by the writer of Hebrews who said,

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; 

without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 

Hebrews 12:14.

The apostle Paul writes,

“But the fruit of the Spirit is 

love, joy, peace, patience, 

kindness, goodness, 

faithfulness,  

gentleness and self-control. 

Against such things there is no law.” 

Galatians 5:22,23

You can’t win anyone to the Lord with a fist in their face. Which is what your doing in trying to restrict the rights of anyone or demonstrating against them.
However if you are exhibiting the fruits of The Spirit you will win people to Christ.
As Christians we cannot do anything less than extend the hand of friendship to our neighbour, and even to our enemy. Only by doing so will we truly reach people for Christ.
As the writer of Hebrews tells us,

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; 

without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 

Hebrews 12:14

Is your life and actions exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit?
Are you living in Peace and living a holy life acceptable to God?
Please think about it.

Freedom and the Christian

Freedom and the Christian
“It is imperative that freedom of judgment should be granted, so that men may live together in harmony, however diverse, or even openly contradictory their opinions maybe.” Baruch Spinoza.
Freedom is what God gave Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.  It is what God grants to all people on the face of the earth. That freedom in order to be truly free needs to be meant God giving people the right to believe in him or not. It meant the right to do as they please and set their own rules whether they agree with God or not.
Christians I believe especially here in North America need to get this. God gives everyone a free will and whether we like what someone does with their free will, as long as it is harming no one we have no right to demonstrate against them or try to restrict their God given rights.
We live in a multicultural secular world that contains people who do things we may not agree with or like. Still as I said, if they are not hurting anyone then we have no right to stop them doing what they are doing.
Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.   Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
Jesus did not say go and restrict the rights of any lawful group. He never told us to judge anyone outside our faith. The apostle Paul said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Jesus told us,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
What Jesus said is true. By the same standards you judge others and in the same way you judge others they will judge you.
Remember Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
By speaking against anything that is lawful and not harming anyone in a democracy you are telling those who disagree with you that they can demonstrate against your rights.
The apostle Paul says,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone....
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  Romans 12:18,20,21.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
In a free and democratic country we as Christians must respect the freedoms of all citizens.
We must in love present our faith to anyone who will listen without judgment. We must obey the words of the Apostle Peter, who said,
"Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:11,12.
Please think about it.

Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord

“Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.” 

Psalm 150.

Here is something every Christian should do, praise the Lord.
Now I speak here as someone living with all the freedoms and peace North America has to offer. Which is all I can speak of as this is were I live.
Good Christians spend a fair amount of time praying to God and a lot of time asking for things. We even spend a great deal of time listening to praise music. But do we spend enough time just praising the Lord on our own?
We need to praise God. Not only does it relax you and get your mind off you and on to God, but wonderful things can happen when we praise God ourselves and not just listen to Christian music.
The book of Acts gives us an example of praising God in a bad circumstance. When it records that Paul and Silas, after having a dispute with some influential people they,
“...had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully.  
Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.”Acts 16:23-25.
When they were praising God they had no idea that there would be a positive outcome. That they would be released and not only that, that their jailor would be saved. They simply praised God.
This is what we need to do. We need to spend five, ten, thirty, or more minutes simply praising God and singing to Him.
Why not take a few minutes now to praise God.
Please think about it.

Christian Lifestyle

Christian Lifestyle
Jesus said,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

 and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

Matthew 11:28-30.

If you were in a position to give the people around you peace and rest would you? OR would you push people away. Tell them they are no good and don’t deserve what you are offering.
I think any person in their right mind would offer the peace and rest to all. Yet many calling themselves Christians push people away from the peace and rest that Jesus has to offer.
I hear it from non-Christians all the time. They say Christians look down on them or act like they have a “special sin”. They see some calling themselves Christians as judgmental prejudice and bigots.
They look at the lives of those claiming to be Christians and say “why should I become a Christian. I live as good a life as them if not better.
I as a Christian, with admittedly as many flaws as anyone can see were non-Christians are coming from.
Christians need to be careful with respect to how they act and speak. Christianity is first and foremost a way of life, a lifestyle committed to Christ, committed to God.
We are to do as Jesus would do and that means loving God, our neighbour, our enemy and praying for our persecutors. We cannot do less.
Christians are not to judge anyone outside their faith. Jesus saying,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”Matthew 7:1,2.
The apostle Paul telling us,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
We as Christians are to tell people about the love and grace of God through Jesus Christ. We are sinners as much as anyone. The apostle Paul reminding us,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23,24.
When Paul said “ALL”, he meant all you, me everyone who has ever been born. There is no big or little sin, no special sin. Sin is sin and sin separates us from God.
By judging someone outside of our faith we are sinning. Sinning is anything that is contrary to what God wants for your life.
An intense light shines on Christians. The eternal resting place of those we meet may depend on how we act and what we say to others. We cannot do anything less that show them love. Love the apostle Paul describes in 1 Corinthians, when he says,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

If we claim to be Christians we need to look at how we interact with others. We need to ask ourselves are we showing the love of God to all people or is our life, lifestyle and what we say turning people away?
Please think about it.

A Truth, Love

A Truth, Love
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  
‘But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:15,16.
The reason Jesus came into this world is to reconcile man to God. Jesus speaking of Himself said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”John 3:16,17.
Jesus speaking to His disciples and through them to all Christians said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
Notice Jesus did not say Christians are to judge the world. In fact Jesus said,
Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
It is only right that others can judge you by the same standard you judge them.
The apostle Paul makes it clear that Christians are not to judge those outside their faith. He wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Christians are called to Love God, their neighbour, and even their enemy. Only by doing this can we effectively tell people of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
How a Christian acts toward others may have eternal consequences. Someone calling themselves a Christian can do two things, force someone away from Christ, or bring someone to Christ. There is no middle ground.
If you consider yourself a Christian take a look at your actions. Do you truly love God, your neighbour and your enemy? It’s easy to say yes and give lip service, but do you truly love all people.
The Talmud while not a Christian book makes a good point when it says,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?” The Talmud.
Jesus told this parable,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”  Luke 16:19-31.
To my mind if you say you are a Christian and are not loving and showing the love of Christ to all people, friend, family and foe alike you are like that rich man.
Please think about it.

Stand with Olando

Stand with Orlando
Yesterday I heard a news report that anti-gay protesters from a church in Orlando were protesting against homosexuality at one of the funerals for one of these killed. They attended a church apparently and called themselves Christians.
As a Christian I am mortified that those claiming to be Christians would do such a thing. I do not know if these people are truly Christian or not. That is between them and God.
If however they are Christians they are misguided and insensitive to those who need to see the Love of Jesus. They exhibit the worst in Christians, which sadly seems to be the norm for many calling themselves particularly evangelical Christians both in the United States and Canada.
The apostle Paul said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
According to what Paul says those people who protested against the LGBT community are wrong in doing so.
Jesus makes it clear
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
If these anti-gay demonstrators claim to be Christian then they must believe what Jesus said here in Matthew 7:12. Which leads to the conclusion that they would like people to demonstrate outside their church.
I have been a Christian for over forty years now. I have taught the Bible for most of those years. I do not see anywhere, where Christ or the apostles spoke against those outside of their faith. I do not see where they ever demonstrated against anything that was against their beliefs or moral values.
Jesus and his disciples showed unconditional love toward all people. It was Jesus who said when asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Not only that Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”Matthew 5:43-45.
Love your God, your neighbour, and your enemy, pray for your persecutors. These are Christian values. Not standing with a placard judging people. That is not the role of any Christian.
Jesus said,
Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
These words are very true and I believe those who protested against the LGBT community at that funeral will be judged according to how they judged.
I as a Christian however extend my prayers and condolences to the families of those who died and all those who were injured both physically and emotionally from the shootings.
My God bless you and shine His peace upon you.
Yours in Christ.
Neal W.

Teach Love

Teach Love
The Talmud says,

“Whoever teaches his son teaches not alone his son 

but also his son’s son, and so on to the end of generations.” 

 The Talmud.

The writer of the book of Proverbs states,

“Train a child in the way he should go,

 and when he is old he will not turn from it.” 

Proverbs 22:6.

There is a need in the world today to teach our children tolerance, love and understanding.
Jesus when asked said,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”Matthew 5:43-45
The apostle Paul defined love when he wrote,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast,

 it is not proud.  

It is not rude, 

it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

We need to be people who are remembered for our love. Love, true unconditional love is a universal truth all faiths that even atheist can understand.
In a sermon in 1940 Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“There is one other fundamental difference between love and hate.  Love is always a refuge.  Hate is never a refuge.  Only a mentally sick person can find refuge in his hates.  But love is the enduring sanctuary of life.  Life may rob you of many things.  It often does.  But it can never bereave us of love itself.  That remains.” Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver.
There is a lot of hate in the world both from secular non-religious sources and sadly from people claiming to be men and women of faith. This should not be so.
In the light of what has happened in Florida at he night club in recent days with forty-nine dead many others injured it is incumbent on men and women of all faiths to come out strongly against hatred, bigotry and all forms of discrimination.
We need to be etching on the hearts of our Children, who are the future of the world, the need for tolerance and unconditional love for all. God, our neighbours, even our enemies.
Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
If we all did this the world would be a better place.
Please think about it.

Life, Liberty and Christians

Life liberty and Christians
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Words from the United States Declaration of Independence.
Freedom, perhaps mankind’s most sought after ideal. But freedom is much more than to be free to do as you wish. Freedom is more than freedom from government oppression.
Freedom is the ability to let others do what they wish no matter how much you disagree with them. That is provided that is they are not harming anyone or restricting another persons freedoms. As it has been said,
 “your freedom stops short of your fist hitting my face.”
Sadly many Christians especially here in North America don’t practice freedom that way. They operate under the delusion that the United States in particular is a Christian based county.     One look at the satanic symbols on the back of the money tell you someone forgot to tell the designers of the bills that.
Still the United States is a still great country despite what a certain politician would have you think. America is great and I say that as someone who is not an American and does not live in the United States of America.
America has been responsible over the years of being a safe haven for Christians and other faiths. It has allowed Christianity in particular to grow and spread it’s message around the world.
Unfortunately too many calling themselves Christians have used their freedom to restrict the freedoms of others.
The United States like all democracies in the western world is a secular democracy. Yes it is based on many Christian principles. But that does not negate the fact it is a secular democracy that does its best to cater to people of all faiths, beliefs and lifestyles.
One of the freedoms God gave to the world was Freedom.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
That freedom also lets a person believe in God or not. It allows them to live a lifestyle that Christians and other religious groups may object to.
The Apostle Paul writing to the Romans under the rule of the Emperor Nero who would eventually put him and the apostle Peter to death said this.
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1,2.
Think about it Paul wrote this from Rome a society that had a myriad of Gods. That had beliefs and practices that were far from what God would want. Still the apostles and Christ never spoke out against Rome or anyone outside their faith.
In fact the apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
There are thousands of things if not millions of things that Christians do not like ethically or morally that secular governments allow. Such is the nature of a free and democratic secular governments.
We will not win favour with secular governments if we are protesting them or protesting against groups we disagree with. We do however stand the chance of turning them away from the most precious gift God has to offer, Salvation, eternal life with God, only Jesus Christ can give.
The American evangelist Tony Campolo speaking about abortion made an interesting point when he said,
“In short, I'm not sure that the abortion problem can be solved by legislation. I think it can only be solved through moral persuasion.” Tony Campolo.
You cannot legislate morality if prohibition on alcohol back in the nineteen twenties taught us one thing is that you cannot stop people doing what they want to do by passing a law.
Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”Matthew 28:18-20.
Here Jesus tells us to make disciples of all nations then he states,
 “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded...” 
If we as Christian can teach our beliefs to others, rather than protesting and trying restrict their freedoms in a secular democracy. We will do far better. And subsequently our society and the world will be far better off.
Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
Simply put that means if you want others to respect and listen to you. You must be willing to do the same to them.
I believe each Christian must ask themselves, “ Am I treating others the way I want to be treated?”
Please think about it.

Christian Living

Christian Living

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, 

write them on the tablet of your heart. 

Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart 

and lean not on your own understanding; 

in all your ways acknowledge him, 

and he will make your paths straight.” 

Proverbs 3:3-6.

Are you truly a Christian? If so where is your faith. The writer of Hebrews tells us,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 

Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Hebrews 11:6.

Do you believe this? Do you truly believe this! Where is your faith?
Are you the kind of person who runs to God for help in the bad times but forgets about Him in the good times?
Is God truly an intricate part of your life and lifestyle?
Do you truly follow the teachings of Jesus?
There several key teachings I believe all Christians must follow.
First, Jesus when asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Second Jesus tells us,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew 5:43,44.
Thirdly
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:18-21.
Fourthly, the apostle Peter states,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12
Fifthly the writer of Hebrews telling us,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
Six.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12.
It is only when we truly follow these teachings having complete faith in Christ. Complete faith in God, that we can truly be effective in doing what Jesus called all Christians everywhere to do.
Jesus telling us.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”Matthew 28:18-20.
Please think about it.

Christian Lifestyle

Christian Lifestyle
The apostle Peter wrote,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12.
Dear Christian are you doing what the apostle Peter is telling you to do?
When people look at your life and lifestyle what do they see?

Do people see a life, and lifestyle Jesus would be proud of?  

OR 

Do they see at best a religious imitation of the secular word. 

OR , 

Do they see someone who is insensitive toward people of other faiths and lifstyles? 

OR 

Even worse

Do they see someone who is prejudice or even a bigot? 

What is your life, lifestyle, words and deeds telling the people around you?
Francis of Assisi said two things every Christian needs to consider. He wrote,

“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”

And

“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

Your actions as a professing Christian may and can have eternal consequences. By what you say and do, you will either cause people to at the very least consider comeing to know Christ as their Lord and Saviour, or push them away.
What are you doing?
Please think about it.

Christianity in a Democracy

Christians in a democracy
Perhaps nowhere else in the world are there as many freedoms as in America. Sadly however that freedom I believe has in many ways been detrimental to the purity of Christianity.
Too many Christians in America mix their faith with politics. Which is their right in a free and democratic country like America. However some one once said,
“Mixing politics and religion is like mixing water with gasoline. The gasoline is unusable and the water is undrinkable. Not only that, the mixture is flammable and destructive.” 
America offers far more freedoms to the individual that the Roman Empire offered to the disciples of Christ or Jesus himself. The disciples did not have a vote or the right demonstrate.
To demonstrate against the ruling authority of their day was to court death. Yet these men with out demanding “their rights” or speaking out against any group they disagreed with changed the world.
Billy Graham said of those disciples of Christ,
“The men who followed Him (Christ), were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same.”Billy Graham.
Think about it the emperor Nero was ruling. Nero persecuted Christians severely. He was the man who put the Apostle Paul and Peter to death along with many other Christian believers.
Yet the Apostle Paul could say,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”Romans 12:18.
He also said,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”  Romans 13:1,2.
Christians in America need to look closely at the teachings of the scriptures and what Jesus said before mixing their faith with their politics.
Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12.
Think about it this way. Are the politicians you support saying and doing what you would want to happen to you?
Are they espousing freedom for all even those people you disagree with?
Are they really espousing Christian values. For example politicians get excellent healthcare benefits and good wages in their job. Are they espousing that all employers grant to their workers equally, good healthcare, and good living wages? Are they willing to pass legislation that would ensure universal  healthcare and fair wages for all? Are they passing legislation that will truly help the poor and less fortunate of our society?
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”  James 2:14-18.
Who better to help those in need than a politician who has the power and wealth of a government behind them.
 Jesus when asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:43-45.
That says it all Love God, your neighbour, your enemy and pray for your persecutors. That to me means you cannot be against anyone.
You must be for God and for all Christ stands for if you truly are a Christian. That includes freedoms for all, even those we disagree with.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23. 
If you are a Christian, are people seeing these fruits in the life of the politicians you support? Are they seeing it in your life.
To the Romans Paul said,
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Romans 14:19.
Jesus said,
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9.
The apostle Peter wrote
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.’    1 Peter 2:9-12.
The writer of Hebrews make it clear what a Christian is to do,
 “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
Now I have used America as an example because it’s what I am familiar with. However all Christians everywhere need to consider what their lifestyle is telling others.
Christians everywhere especially in western democracies need to be evaluating their lives and lifestyle and saying “Am I truly Living a life Jesus would be proud of?”
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” Francis of Assisi.
What is your sermon telling people?
Please think about it.

Stand for Freedom

Stand for Freedom
As I wright this the worst mass murder in United States history has just taken place. At this writing at least 49 are dead and many, many more injured. All at the hands of a lunatic claiming ties to terrorist groups. Someone who hated Gays
I as a heterosexual Christian I recoil in horror at such an act.
I believe it is time for Christians to stand up against those who would not only try to restrict the rights of homosexuals but the rights of all others who are not hurting others.
Christians particularly in the United States need to realize that the government is a secular democracy. That within a secular democracy the government does its best to ensure the rights and freedoms of all people.
No matter what Christians feel about Gay rights, same sex marriage or any other group we have no right to judge them. The apostle Paul states,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
The way I see it Paul is telling Christians to refrain from judging anyone who is not Christian and getting rid of anyone who claims to be Christian and is not following the teachings of Jesus.
Jesus who said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12.
This means if you want to live in freedom with the right to practice your faith. Then don’t speak out against any group that is living in peace and not hurting anyone. Let them enjoy the same rights and freedoms you enjoy.
Jesus and the apostles lived in the Roman Empire a place that allowed almost any kind of practice. I’m sure the apostle Paul and the other disciples saw many things they would not have liked. Yet they didn’t speak out against them. Instead they presented the Love of Jesus and the Salvation only He could bring to the world.
Today especially, Christian leaders should be sending their condolences to the families of the dead and injured at that night club.
They should be standing up against bigotry, prejudice and violence in any form against any group. They should be extending the hand of friendship and love to all.
We must remember that to restrict the rights of even one person could ultimately lead to the restriction of our rights one day.
Martin Niemoller during the reign of the Nazis in Germany wrote,

“When they came for the Communists, 

I did not stand up, 

because I was not a Communist. 

When they came for the Jews, 

I did not stand up, 

because I was not Jewish. 

When they came for the Catholics, 

I did not stand up, 

because I was not a Catholic. 

When they came for me, 

there was no one left to stand up.”

As Christians who if statistics are correct, are the most persecuted group on earth at the moment we need to stand up for the oppressed.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”Tony Campolo
He is right. We need to stand up for the rights of all people irrespective of whether we agree with them or not.
God in creating man gave man a freewill to do as he wished. We as Christians in a democracy should be upholding peoples freedom and right to live as they wish as long as they are not hurting or restricting the rights of others.
I as a Christian for one offer my condolences to the families of those who died.
It is my sincere hope that those who were injured will make a full recovery in body, mind and spirit.
May God bless and keep you, and your families, strong in what has to be one of the worst times in your life.
            Neal W.