is it soon?

I haven't posted in a while, busy with my work, and I think...why post if there are no readers?? I'm told to hang in there, sooner or later someone will stumble across this blog. Stumble is probably right.

So I am listening to all the news coming out of our wonderful gov'mt leaders, and things don't look good. According to them. Much of the media isn't reporting the truth about what is being done to us. I think if people quit watching American Idol and paid scant attention to the fiscal mess, there would be a revolt coming. Maybe there will be.

The Bible speaks of this...a time of trouble unlike anything we've ever seen. I'm sure many periods in history thought the same thing when they went through colossal trials. But this one is different in that the whole world seems to be experiencing the same things. Economic meltdowns, job insecurities, weird weather, strange events. Jesus promised to come again one day. Is it soon? We may be in our very last period of history. Lots of things fit prophesy. In fact, most, if not all, has been fulfilled.

The Bible speaks of someone who will appear on the world's stage, seemingly with all the answers. The whole world will buy into his solutions. We may be witnessing a forerunner of that person now, someone with mass followings who cling to his every word. It shows how foolish people can be to think that some other person can solve all their problems.

Is it soon? Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Fixing what's broken

I heard Limbaugh say yesterday, about the economic meltdown, that nobody can fix it, "God can't fix it". I beg to differ. Jeremiah 33:3 would be my response if I could talk to Rush. Of course, the verse begins with the giant word "IF". We are a stiff-necked people, we Americans. The particular verse only addresses Christians, however. "If MY people,which are called by my name..." If the Christians could get it right, then God would heal our land. But we're too busy living worldly lives, caught up in fads, materialism, worthless tv programs, and ourselves.

How to fix what's broken? The same as when Jesus came....give our lives to Him, and then watch things begin to happen. Healing comes. Nothing new here. But will we?? What do you think?

pc world

As mentioned in an earlier blog, Texas is experiencing one of the worst droughts in years. I often write letters to our local paper and am usually published. I don't make a habit of it, just commenting on some outrageous thoughts of others, usually.

A year ago I published a request for people to pray for rain. It was published, but then promptly ridiculed by a few. Big deal. This year, I wrote again, asking those who believe to call upon their pastors and leaders to pray for rain within their houses of worship. I also elicited a response from non-believers, asking them to express their concern in whatever manner they thought best.

Didn't get published this time....perhaps I stepped over the line by mentioning the distinction between believers and non. Whatever the reason, I will fuss at the editors anyway. What's the matter with a simple request for prayer when in critical need? Not politically correct, I suppose. It's sad that this country has come to this point when believers have to be whacked across the knuckles for expressing their beliefs. But what the newspaper doesn't realize is that God is not dependent upon their little paper to act upon the prayers of those who love Him.

time off

I'm often thought of by a few as being a workaholic. Not true. I love my work as a Christian camp manager so much, I don't think of it as work. It is never the same day to day, I build, I maintain, I take care of campers, variety abounds. It's mostly having fun. Putting up buildings is much like an artist with a canvas, the structure evolves according to what I think about at the moment.

However, even the staunchest of workaholics finally need a break. My wife and I took the weekend to travel to Austin TX, one of the most lovely parts of the world, with all the hills and valleys, lakes, streams, and mostly short trees. It's a place of not-too-abundant rainfall, sort of a transition between the timberland east and the mesquite and cactus covered west part of Texas. The area, as is most of Texas, is suffering from a long period of drought, with Lake Travis down some 30 feet.

I got to thinking, my life has suffered a long period of drought as well. My wife remarked to a couple we had met on a train ride that I didn't know how to play. Not really, I responded, as I consider my work playing. But she had a point. I'll try to do better. But probably won't, habits are hard to break. Still, I promise to try. Drought leaves things stunted, and life is too full for it to become stunted. Maybe your life could use a little rainfall as well??

I'm following you, you're following me.....

As mentioned in my first official blog, I am new to this social networking stuff. I've had several people indicate they are following me and invite me to follow them. I'm just not sure about this. Most of my life, I've not been one to follow other people. I'm pretty independent. What's to follow? I'm sorry, it seems a little arrogant for someone to say I should follow them. I know, it's certainly not meant that way. One person said he hoped he could add some value to my life. I'm sorry, but I live a pretty full life and don't lack for value as I find that as a child of God through Jesus Christ. Add value? Does this mean my life needs value? I would never mean to offend this person, but I'm ok, thanks anyway. I responded, but didn't hear from him again. Probably because I asked if he was a leader of a cult that I should follow him (joke, joke...)

I clearly have much to learn about twitter and such. What does twitter mean anyway?? I've used that word concerning birds. They're all a twitter fussing over their nest of young ones. Maybe we're supposed to be all a twitter over one another? Again,I'm as independent as one comes, so social networking isn't coming easy for me. But I'm working on it.

ONE last thing....how am I being found anyway? No comments on any of my posts. I didn't even know I was on twitter. Maybe my marketing agent did it for me. I'll have to search for me. Funny, I didn't know I was lost.

economic mess

Someone asked me recently my thoughts on the economic mess and what's going on in Washington, D.C. Space doesn't permit all I think but basically it's a reflection of where the heart of man is. Nothing new about that. The Bible is clear that where our heart is, there our treasure is also. So many lust after mammon. Materialism. Got to get the latest PlayStation, or upgrade this and that. We are no longer content with what we have. We spend and spend like there's no limit to our money. Debt is choking us. I know a lot about that, but am recovering.

How can our govt. spend trillions of our money when our deficit is through the roof already. Lust for more power, greed, control and imagined self-security are some of the reasons. The real problem is within the heart. Change we need, but not the way our leaders are going about it. As mentioned in my book, they try to fill the hole in their heart with more and more of the things of the world. It is creating an enormous sinkhole that is bound to suck us all down with it when it opens up.

A heart change is what is needed in Washington, and thank God there are a few Christians up there, though probably not many. We need to pray for them to be strong. For those who don't know Christ (and they seem to be legion), we can engage in combat. Not with guns and swords, but with the power of prayer. For we wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with powers and principalities. The god of this world, satan, has the political leaders right where he wants them. His mission is to steal, kill, and destroy. He's very good at it.

But, we must remember that greater is He that is within us. This really is a spiritual battle. It's all-out warfare to the very end. Time is short. Pray for heart transplants to sweep through the country. It's our best, and likely only hope at this time.

Addictions

Someone asked me if I believe God can overcome various addictions that people have. I have never personally had any kind of addiction, but can cite a couple of cases. As I mentioned in my book, I once hired a man who had a smoking habit, and I told him that before he could work for me as a maintenance man on the camp I was operating, he would have to stop smoking. He readily agreed, stating that it had long been his wish to do so. We prayed about it then and there, and he said his addiction left him immediately. He never had the desire for nicotine again, in fact, could not stand the smell of cigarettes after that.

Another case involved my father. Long a smoker, he would go through a couple packs a day. As he aged, he developed emphysema. Many times he tried to quit, but developed severe shaking fits each time he denied himself the drug. He did manage to cut back to less than a pack a day. Finally, I prayed with him that God would heal this addiction (it's actually the one and only time I ever prayed with him, long story). Within two weeks, Dad passed away on the surgeon's table after bypass surgery. The surgery was successful, but due to his damaged lungs, he couldn't purge the CO2 from his body and literally was asphyxiated. Was he healed? Well, he died. But, with the certainty of his arrival in heaven, I know the addiction was forever cured.

If you personally have an addiction, or have family or friends dealing with any type, do you not believe that Jesus can take that away? Faith must be employed. Take the addiction to Christ and let Him deal with it. He will. One way or another.

What's the problem?

I am new to blogging, I am not even sure why I am doing this....other than I am trying to promote a book I have written that is available at the major chain bookstores. It's called "What's the Problem with Jesus". I am an older guy, and have witnessed a tremendous change in this country in our collective attitude towards God, or perhaps things "religious", and it has not been for the better.

The hope for this book is to create change. Hope and Change....sound familiar?? The only real hope we have as human beings is found in Jesus Christ, and the only real change that can occur is when we believe in Him and accept what He offers to us: forgiveness. Forgiveness? For what? How about we exchange our sin for his forgiveness? Christ gave his forgiveness to us on the cross 2,000 years ago. He paid the penalty for your sin and mine.

By God's grace, I was forgiven and changed at the age of 13. That was 46 years ago, and I have never regretted it. Check out the book.