Know Peace

Know Peace
“Peace is not the absence of affliction, but the presence of God.”Author Unknown.
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.

Knowing Jesus as one’s Saviour does indeed give us peace, as anyone who has undergone persecution or health issues can tell you.
Someone once said,
“No God, no peace. Know God, know peace.” Author Unknown.
This is true. I have found it in my life and Christians the world over will tell you they too have found it to be true.
In my life I have undergone many tragedies but through it all God has been there for me. He has indeed been a Rock in times of trouble.
The writer of proverbs writes,

“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 Psalmist writes

The LORD is my shepherd, 

I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

He leads me beside quiet waters, 

He restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil, for You are with me; 

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

 and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 

                                                                                                    Psalm 23

Never was there a truer statement. With Christ in your life you can go through anything.  You can know peace in the most stressful and disturbing circumstance.
All I can ask of those who do not believe this is to read the Bible in particular the New Testament and let God prove to you that He is real. Pray and ask Him to reveal himself to you.
Don’t rely on others to tell you about God, read for yourself.
Please think about it. 

God

God
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.” 
C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain.
Many say there is no God. They are however in the minority. But they have the right to their opinion.
Peter John Kreeft states,
“Atheism is cheap on people through because it snobbishly says nine out of ten people through history have been wrong about God and have had a lie at the core of their hearts.” Peter John Kreeft ph.d.
God’s finger prints are all over creation. From the smallest subatomic particle to the largest galaxies. God created them all. Scientist are slowly proving they are all mathematically linked even if we do not have the formula yet.
The Bible states,

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 

Genesis 1:1.

The Bible does not debate the existence of God. As a Christian I firmly believe God created the universe and everything in it.
That God gave each person a freewill that includes the right to believe in God or not.
I respect the right of an atheist to say there is no God.
However if someone says there is no God they are essentially saying I know all things, I have been everywhere, and see everything. Because if they haven’t then there still exists the possibility that where they haven’t been, God could be.
Atheism is as much a faith as any religion. They steadfastly believe they are right and the majority of people who live and have ever lived are wrong.
Still like I said they have the right to their opinion.
The question I would ask of any atheist is, Are you so certain your beliefs are right that you are willing to risk where you will spend eternity?
I believe there is life after death. An eternity and a heaven and a hell. I believe that we decide here in this world where we will spend eternity. That we must believe in God to get to heaven.
The writer of Hebrews talking about God states,

“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.

Jesus speaking of himself gave each person a choice saying,
“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.  
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18.
Thus the choice is yours.
Do you believe in God? If you don’t how sure are you about your beliefs?
Please think about it.

Jesus

Jesus
St. Augustine said,

“I have read in Plato and Cicero sayings that are very wise and very beautiful;

 but I never read in either of them: 

 "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden."  

                                                                                                 St Augustine.
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

This is the call of Jesus to the world. Jesus offers peace for your soul even in the middle of turmoil and strife.
There are many good programs in the world today that tell you how to live a good moral and ethical life. But non offer true rest for your soul. Only Jesus makes that statement. Only Jesus can offer it.
Jesus said,
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.  
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:9,10.
Having Jesus in your life does bring peace even in the worst of times.
Speaking for myself I am glad that I have Jesus in my life. For many years I had undiagnosed Bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder or manic depression causes you to have vast mood swings from very high highs, the manic phase. A time when you feel better than superman. When you feel you can do it faster, better than anyone around you. You do multiple tasks at the same time and get nothing done. All the time you feel fantastic. It’s a real emotional high.
At the other end of the cycle the depression stage you sink into very low, lows that in many case caused me to think of suicide. And many people do commit suicide when they are in the depression phase.
I firmly believe it was my faith in God, that stopped me from committing suicide. It was God who gave me peace and assurance that I could get through it.
I also believe it was God who directed me to the right doctors to get the right treatment that has made me stable today.
I believe Jesus can and does give rest to all those who would accept Him into their lives.
Still the choice is yours. Please take sometime and read what Jesus and the apostles said in the New Testament. And even though you may not believe in praying. Take time and pray and ask God to show himself to you. You will never know if prayer works or not unless you try.
I would also ask that you take time to visit a church. I recommend Baptist churches around the world. Go in during the week and ask to talk to the pastor. Visit on a Sunday and see what is being said about Jesus and about God.
Ask as many questions as you wish of the pastor. A good honest pastor will take time to speak with you and answer your questions.
If they don’t have nothing to do with them and go and talk to a pastor at another church.
They key is to read the Bible ask questions. It is only through doing so that you will truly find the truth about Jesus and the rest for your soul He can bring.
Please think about it.

That they might have life

That they might have life,
Jesus said,

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; 

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” 

John 10:10.

The writer of Hebrews states,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.
This is what Christians believe. That Jesus is the Son of God. God incarnate. That he came to the earth to offer salvation to each and every persons.
C. S. Lewis states,
“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis.
The apostle Paul makes it clear when he says,

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith

—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  

not by works, so that no one can boast.” 

Ephesians 2:8,9.

God in sending Jesus into this world reached down and offered us Salvation free of charge. All we have to do is believe in Jesus.
The writer of Hebrews states,

“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

   Jesus speaking to Martha said,
“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 11:25,26,27.
This is a question each individual when presented with Jesus must decide for themselves. God however wants each person to make an informed decision that’s why He inspired the writing of the Bible.
Please before you decide who Jesus is at least read the New Testament.
Please think about it.

Because

Because

Because...

“He (God) first loved us.”

1 John 4:19

I will...love God

Because...

“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, 

that whoever believes in Him should not perish 

but have everlasting life.”  

John 3:16

I will...love God

Because... 

Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, 

that you love one another; as I have loved you,

 that you also love one another.  

By this shall all know that you are My disciples.  

If you have love for one another."  

John 13:34,35

I will...love my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Because

Jesus “...you shall love the LORD your God 

with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  

This is the first and greatest commandment.  

And the second is like it: 

“You shall love your neighbour as yourself.  

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Matthew 22:37-40

I will love.

Because...

Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 

bless those who curse you, 

and pray for those who spitefully use you.”   

Luke 6:27,28

I will...love my enemies, bless those who curse me, and pray for those who spitefully us me.

Because...

The Bible says, “Love suffers long and is kind: 

love does not envy; loves does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, 

is not provoked, thinks no evil; 

does not rejoice in iniquity, 

but rejoices in the truth; 

bears all things; believes all things, 

hopes all things, 

endures all things. 

 I Corinthians 13:4-7 

I will...I will love.

Because...

The Bible says, “Now abides faith, hope and love, 

these three; 

but the greatest of these is love.  1

 Corinthians 13:13

I will...Have faith and hope in God and I will Love all people unconditionally.

Because 

The Bible says  ...by grace you have been saved through faith, 

and not of yourselves; 

it is a gift of God, not of works; lest anyone should boast.”

Ephesians 2:8,9

I in accepting Gods Grace have a home in heaven with God...

Do you?

     Please think about it

You and God

You & God
Charles Stanley said,
"We are either in the process of resisting God's truth or in the process of being shaped and moulded by His truth." Charles Stanley.
God has given each person complete freedom. That freedom includes choosing to believe that He exists or not. It includes the freedom to follow what He wants us to do and obeying His word as presented in the Bible or not.
Only the individual can decide for themselves if God is real and if they are willing to follow Him.
And just because a person does not believe in God does not mean he doesn’t exist. C. S. Lewis said,
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.” 
C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain.
God is always near us all we have to do is acknowledge Him.
Believing in God is an act of faith. The writer of Hebrew defining faith as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.” 

 Hebrews 11:1.

The writer going on to tell us,

“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.

There is no middle ground when it comes to believing in God. You either believe or you do not.
God has given us a choice. The write of Hebrews speaking of Jesus explains,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.
The apostle John records Jesus as speaking of himself saying,
“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.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18.
God wants all people to enter heaven. However they have a freewill to do as they wish. That choice is an act of faith on behalf of the individual. Only they can decide.
Thus the choice is yours do you believe in God?
Do you believe Jesus is His one and Only Son, the Saviour of Mankind?
You must decide.
Please think about it.

About Jesus

About Jesus

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,” 

Colossians 2:9.

There is a uniqueness in Christian belief that is in no other faith anywhere in the world. We Christians believe that Jesus is God. That God through His One and Only Son, Jesus entered the world to point each and every person to Heaven. That God became a man.
The writers of the New Testament do not debate this point. The apostle John recording Jesus as saying,

“I am the way and the truth and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

John 14:6.

That is a pretty definitive statement.
The Writer of Hebrews states,

“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times 

and in various ways, 

but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, 

whom he appointed heir of all things, 

and through whom he made the universe.  

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory 

and the exact representation of his being, 

sustaining all things by his powerful word. 

After he had provided purification for sins, 

he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” 

Hebrews 1:1-3.

The writer make a pretty clear statement that Jesus made the universe.
1/That Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory.
2/The exact representation of his being.
3/That he sustains all things through his powerful word.
4/That He provided purification for sins.
I know it sounds farfetched even the apostle Paul noted,

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, 

but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  

For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; 

the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 

Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? 

Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, 

God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached 

to save those who believe.  

Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  

but we preach Christ crucified: 

a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,  

but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, 

Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, 

and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. 

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Unfortunately man tries to make God conform to his way of thinking. He says God should do things their way.
Even when Jesus was on the cross there were those who scoffed at him and would not believe who he was unless he came down from the cross.
At the crucifixion of Jesus we have essentially the choices all people must who hear the story of Jesus must make. We have in microcosm how people react to Jesus,
Luke’s gospel records,
“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.  
When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.  
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 
The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” 
The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 
There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” 
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:32-43.
As we look at crucifixion we see several things happening.
1/ Jesus praying to God and asking God to forgive those who are crucifying.
2/ People doubters in the crowd sneered at Jesus wanting to see Him save himself. 
3/ The soldiers mocked Him and like some in the crowd demand Jesus save himself.
4/ One of the Criminals being crucified with him hurled insults at Him and said “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
5/ The other criminal did what we all must do to enter heaven. He believed Jesus was all He said He was by faith. He then confessed that he was guilty of his sins. Then asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus came into His kingdom.
6/ Jesus told that criminal that he would be with Him in paradise that day.
This is how it is in the world today. Some people do not believe Jesus is who he says he is. Some demand signs from Him. Others mock Jesus and those who believe in Him.
Then there are those who believe Jesus is all He said He is. The Son of God, the Saviour of mankind.
You dear reader have a choice today. You can act like the crowd the soldiers and the one criminal and doubt Jesus. You can ask for signs showing who Jesus truly is.
The other option is you can believe Jesus is The Son of God the Saviour of mankind. You confess your sins to Him and accept Jesus into your life by faith.
This is a choice each individual hearing about Jesus must make.
C. S. Lewis said
“He (Jesus) died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis.
He also said,
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C. S. Lewis.
The choice is yours.
Who do you think Jesus is?
Please think about it. 

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.

Fallout shelters and God

Fallout shelters and God,
“We need not join the mad rush to purchase an earthly fallout shelter. God is our eternal fallout shelter.” Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength to Love, 1963.
I grew up during the cold war predominantly in England. There were nuclear weapons stationed all over the United Kingdom at the time. But I cannot remember people wanting to build fallout shelters as was the case in the United States.
Not that a fallout shelter would have done much. Later I found out that my home in England was I believe about seven to ten minutes away from nuclear missiles launched from the Soviet Union. Even in a shelter someone once said, “ a nuclear missile could ruin your whole day even your life.”
There were all sorts of scenarios discussed at the time some credible some not. The bottom line was a nuclear war was not good for mankind as a whole.
Fortunately it, so far at least has not come to be, and I feel safe sitting on my patio here in Canada.
Still a lot of things have happened so far this year in 2016. There’s been the Paris terrorist attack, the Brussels attack, the attack on Pulse night club in Orlando in the United states. Now an attack at Turkey’s main airport.
Still you are more likely in the United states to be killed by gun violence than terrorist.
Martin Luther King Jr. Said,
“We need not join the mad rush to purchase an earthly fallout shelter. God is our eternal fallout shelter.” Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength to Love, 1963.
Today in the United States people are not advising we buy fallout shelters but in light of all the violence some are advising people go out and buy a gun for protection. Not that they will help, and besides most people even in the United States will never be touched by gun violence.
What people need to consider however is where will they spend eternity. We know for a fact that we will not get out of this world alive. Whether we go with a bang or a whisper we will all one day enter eternity and stand before God.
What will you then say to Him?
I suppose an Atheist will say I don’t believe in you so you don’t exist. Not that it will negate the fact that God does exist.
Others may say other things, but what you say to Him will not really matter. The only thing that will matter is do you believe in Him or not. Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for your sins.
I as a Christian believe Jesus when talking 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.  
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18.
We have a choice here in this world to believe in Jesus or not.
Christians believe that through Jesus, God reached down to mankind and said I love you. The apostle Paul writes,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
 We believe that here and now you can know where you will spend eternity. By accepting the saving grace God offers.
Christians believe what the apostle Paul writes,
“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.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
Christians believe that sin is simply falling short of God’s ideal for our lives. That we do wrong things from time to time. That, that wrong separates us from God and we must confess that sin. The apostle John stating,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” 1John 1:9-10.
Thus we as Christians believe it is easy to spend eternity with God. We must first of all as I said, believe He exists. The writer of Hebrews stating.

“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.

We must then as John said sincerely confess our sins directly to God. Then accept Christ into our hearts and minds.
The choice is up to you. What I have said is what Christians believe.
C. S. Lewis said of Christianity,

"Christianity, if false, is of no importance,

 and if true, of infinite importance. 

The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.

C. S. Lewis.

Please think about it.

May be?

May be

“Maybe the atheist cannot find God for the same reason a thief cannot find a policeman.” Author Unknown.
Over the years I’ve met many atheist and I respect their views even though I disagree with them.
I disagree with them because the majority of atheist I’ve met have set themselves up as a biassed judge and jury. Even when presented with the facts either from inside or outside the bible they refuse to listen.
In saying there is no God they are saying I know everything and have been everywhere. You cannot possibly know for certain there is no God unless you know everything and have been everywhere.
Peter John Kreeft states,
“Atheism is cheap on people through, because it snobbishly says nine out of ten people through history have been wrong about God and have had a lie at the core of their hearts.”Peter John Kreeft ph.d.
Atheism is as much a belief system as any religion. A belief system that refuses to look at the facts around them.
The Psalmist states,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech; 

night after night they display knowledge. 

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.” 

Psalm 19:1-3

     The Psalmist is right. Mathematics is showing how everything is in order. We may not have all the formulas yet but the resounding evidence is that the universe from the largest galaxy to the smallest subatomic particle have order. An order that I as a Christian cannot believe developed randomly.
I believe there is a God who created the universe and everything in it. Whether God created that universe in six days or in billions of years is irrelevant to my faith. The fact is the universe has order. And it is made in such a way as to sustain life as we know it here on earth.
To say there is no God period, is to me foolishness. Even the Psalmist says,

“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” 

Psalm 14:1.

The Bible while not a book of science does tell us the universe has a beginning. It told us that long before man theorized the universe was created by the Big Bang. Something I believe God could have and may have quite probably used to create the universe.
God asks people to believe in Him through faith, but not blind faith. He says look around at the world around you. See how perfect it is. He says read the Bible and learn of me don’t just listen to what others have to say about me be they Atheist or Christian or anyone for that matter. Look around and make your own decision.
What I would ask anyone who considers themself an atheist, is to look more carefully at the facts scientific and biblical. Read the Bible for yourself. Read the New Testament and see for yourself what Jesus and the apostles said about God. Then decide if God is real or not.
Please think about it.

God and you

God and you

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” C.S. Lewis.
I have met many people over the years that have been very successful only to find for all their success they still feel empty inside. It doesn’t seem to matter what field they are successful in they still have this need inside that isn’t filled by success.
People no matter who they are have this need. They may try to suppress the need. They may try to fill it with drugs, alcohol, fast cars philosophy or many other things legal and illegal  but they never seem to fill it.
Blaise Pascal said, 
“There is a God-shaped vacuum in every heart.”
This vacuum can not be filled with anything other than God.”
 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.
Those of us who have accepted Jesus into our hearts and lives can testify that having Jesus in our life does indeed bring peace.
But all my words may not convince some people.
Still I would ask that if you don’t believe me. Take time to read the New Testament for yourself. Pray and ask God, that if He is real, and I know He is, to show himself to you.
 Please at least think about it.

A Just God

A Just God
Thomas Jefferson wrote,
“Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.” Thomas Jefferson.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
I believe we all will have a lot to account for when we stand before God. And the more power we have the more we will have to answer for. The Talmud states,
“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.
This not just a Jewish concept. 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.
God will one day judge the world. Whether you believe in Him or not.
C. S. Lewis said,
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.” C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain.
If I am wrong about the existence of God and His righteous judgment then you have nothing to fear. If I am right and I firmly believe I am then the individual has a lot to fear.
I believe the more power we have in this world the more we will be held accountable for.
In the parable of Jesus I quoted above the rich man could have just as easily been a politician. A politician with the power to see that even the poorest in our society has enough to eat, a roof over their heads and good medical care. All basic human rights.
 Even our religious leaders should be calling on all people in power to do what is only right before God.
As individuals, we should be doing what we can to help those around us. We as individuals should be calling on our politicians to provide at the very least the necessities of life to all people.
We are our brothers keeper whether we like it or not.
The Talmud tells this story,
Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?”  He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.” The Talmud.
Question: Are you making this world a household of love?
When you stand before God what will he say about you and how you dealt with your fellow man?
Please think about it.