All God Requires

All God Requires
A. B. Simpson said,

“All that God requires of us is an opportunity 

to show what He can do.” 

A. B. Simpson.

Part of the problem I find with those who do not believe in God is that they do not give God a chance.
Many atheist that I have met have made up their minds and refuse to listen to even the most logical argument about the existence of God.
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.
True Atheist also set themselves us as the ultimate judge. A god if you will. They in effect say I know everything and have been everywhere. Because if they do not know everything and not been everywhere there exists the possibility that one of the things they do not know about is the existence of God.
Also if they have not been everywhere there exists the possibility that God is in the one place they have never been. And one place they have never been is beyond the grave.
The Psalmist states bluntly,

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

Psalm 14:1.

Likewise the Psalmist tells us,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 

Psalm 19:1.  

To my mind without extensively examining the existence of God with an open mind from all perspectives, both the prospective of an atheist and a believer in God. Without looking at the facts that are all around that point to the existence of God is simply a poor way of deciding there is not God.
The choice however is up to you. I as a Christian believe there is a God who gave each person a freewill to choose to believe and act as they wish. That freedom includes whether a person believes in God or not.
The two questions I always ask those who don’t believe in God is are you truly certain that what you believe is true? Are you so certain that you are willing to risk your eternal resting place on that belief?
Please think about it.

God, Eternity, and You

God, Eternity, and You
The other day I found this statement on the internet by and unknown author it says,

“Peace is not the absence of affliction, 

but the presence of 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.
As a Christian I have found this statement to be completely true. I have gone through many highs and lows in my life and at all times God has been there for me.
I know it seems odd to some people but it’s true. God truly cares for you the individual. 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 God I love and serve truly does care for the individual who would have faith in Him.
Do you believe in God? Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, God in the flesh?
Do you believe Jesus is the Christ who died for you sins, that you may have eternal life?
The Bible also makes it clear how we get to heaven. It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for,
Jesus 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 also said

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

No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

 John 14:6b

   Paul writing to the Romans said,
“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.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you in your life. Sin separates us from God.
Isaiah telling us,

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, 

and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; 

we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”  

Isaiah 64:6

  The apostle John noting,

“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.” 

1 John 1:9,10.

Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,

“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

Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,

“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

Faith defined as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.” 

 Hebrews 11:1

What do you believe?
Think about it.

A Truth

A Truth
Voltaire said

“I cannot imagine how the clockwork of the universe

 can exist without a clock maker.” 

Voltaire

C. S. Lewis said,

“We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade,

 the presence of God.” 

C.S. Lewis.
The Psalmist declares,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 

Psalm 19:1.

As I look around I see an ordered universe. One so well balanced so coordinated that it allows life as we know it to exist on this planet. I cannot believe this happened by chance.
To my mind it takes far more faith to believe the Universe as we know it simply came together by chance, than it does to believe in a God who created the Universe. As a Christian I believe the Apostle John who wrote,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ” John 1:1-4,14.
I believe God created the heavens and the earth. I believe that, that same God entered His creation in the form of His one and only Son Jesus to point mankind to Himself.
I believe that God has given everyone a freewill to choose whether or not to believe in Him or not. God did not make androids designed to follow his every desire without question.
God created each human being with the ability to think for him or her self. To decide whether or not God even exists. Whether or not Jesus is God’s one and only Son the Saviour of mankind.
Jesus speaking of himself gave all people everywhere a choice when he 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.
Please take some time to read the New Testament at the very least and see what the followers of Jesus thought and taught about him.
Please think about it.

Of Atheist and God

Of Atheist and God
Peter John Kreeft said,
“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.
The Psalmist states,
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Psalm 14:1.
Most people I meet who claim to be atheist simply haven’t taken the time to find out for themselves anything about God.
The ones I would call true atheist are as Kreeft put it “snobbishly saying nine out of ten people throughout history have been wrong about God”
They have made themselves judge and jury. In doing so they have essentially put themselves in the position of being a god. For to say there is no God is to say I have been everywhere and know everything.
For to say absolutely that there is no God one must have been everywhere because the one place the person may not have been may very well be the place God is. And we know for a fact no one living today has gone beyond the grave.
I make no apologies I am a Christian I believe there is a God that loves us and has prepared a place for those who would have faith in Him.
I believe God went to the extreme of entering the world he created in the form of His one and only Son Jesus to point mankind to Himself the writer of Hebrews telling us,
“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  
All it takes on our part to get to heaven is faith in Christ. The writer of Hebrews telling 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.

Faith being defined as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”  

Hebrews 11:1

I know for many who do not believe in God it is hard to have faith in someone you cannot see feel or hear.
Perhaps that however is the point. God knows those who have faith in anything are the true believers.
Please think about it.

A note about Christians

A Note about Christians
Jesus said,
“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 7:22,23.
Throughout the centuries until the present day there are many who call themselves Christians who are not. It’s easy to call yourself a Christian quote some Bible references and not be a Christian. Going to church or saying you are a Christian does not make you a Christian anymore than standing in a fire station and calling yourself a fireman make you one.
There are many sitting in every church around the world today that are not Christians. There are may preachers, pastors, evangelist, priests and other preaching from the pulpit, be it in the church or in the electronic media that are not Christian.
Evangelical Christians in a nutshell will tell you that in order to be a Christian you must recognize Jesus as the One and Only Son of God, accept Him into your heart and life. That you must confess your sins to God. And accept the Saving Grace God offers you through Jesus.
It’s a simple and true formula. However far too many who call themselves Christians follow the formula only. They fail to let Jesus lead them. They fail to follow the teachings of Christ. They do things that God never intended them to do.
A true Christian is called to love God, their neighbour and even their enemy to do less is to question if the person is a Christian at all.
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,...” Matthew 5:43,44
Note Jesus tells Christian to Love God, their neighbour, and even their enemy.
Jesus tells Christians
"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 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.
Christians are not allowed to judge those outside the church that is God’s job. Christians may judge those inside the church but that is to make sure the person is teaching the word of God correctly.
The apostle Paul tells Christians
“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.
Here the apostle Paul tell Christians what attributes a Christian should show in their life. Positive things, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Attributes respected by all people.
James the half brother of Jesus 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?” James 2:14-20.
What James is telling Christians is that Christianity while believing the individual is saved by the grace of God. That same faith should result in actions to help the needy and others.
The Writer of Hebrew tells Christians,
“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.
This is what it is to be a true Christian. To be and do less is to question if a person is truly committed to Christ.
Please think about it.

Who is Jesus

Who is Jesus?
         Here are a few things Christians believe about Jesus.
The gospel of Matthew states,
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.”  Matthew 16:13-17.
John’s gospel records Jesus speaking to Martha 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 11:25,26,27.
Earlier in John’s gospel, John records this incident in which Jesus is asked directly who he is. John records,
“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.
Note here that Jesus even when faced with possibly being stoned to death did not deny that he and God were one. Jesus left nothing to chance. He and his disciples claimed He was the One and only Son of God. The Saviour of mankind.
This is what Christians believed in the days when Jesus walked the earth. This is what Christians believe in 2016.

God, Believe in Him or Not,

God, Believe in Him or Not
Ben Zion Bokser wrote,
“I have not seen the robin but I know he is there because I heard him singing through my window from the tree-top outside.
I have not seen God.  But I have looked at my child’s eyes, and have been overwhelmed by the miracle of unfolding life.
I have watched the trees bedeck themselves with new garbs of green in the spring, and have been stirred by the miracle of continual rebirth.
I have looked at the stars, and have been overcome by the miracle of the grandeur and majesty of the universe.
I know that God exists, because I have heard the song of His presence from all the tree-tops of creation.” Ben Zion Bokser.
The psalmist states very bluntly,
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Psalm 14:1.
The Psalmist also tells us,

“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

To those who do not believe there is a God I would say you have a God given choice to believe in Him or not.
God when he created mankind gave man complete freewill to believe what he wanted and do as he wished. Even if that means not believing in God. The Choice is always the individuals.
I as a Christian however believe there is a God who created the universe and everything in it. I see a universe that is in perfect order to sustain life as we know it. I cannot believe this is purely by chance.
What I would ask to those who do not believe in God is to read the New Testament and see what the believers in Jesus believe about him and why. Even go to a Church and ask the pastor of the church to explain their faith to you. You have nothing to loose and everything to gain.
Please think about it.

God

God
         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.” Abba Hillel Silver.
God exists. Whether you believe it or not. He has given each and every person freedom to do as they wish. At the same time God has place in the hearts of all men universal moral absolutes necessary for civilization to exist. The ten commandments being the simplest example of those moral absolutes. Obedience to those simple ten commands alone makes our society a safer place for all.
Knowing there is a God who to whom we will have to one day answer, a God who will one day judge us, also keeps society grounded.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“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.
It is when men loose their fear of God, and individuals feel they can do as they wish, that bad things start to happen. We only have to look into our jails to see men and women who have no fear of God or the consequences of their actions. To state the obvious they are filled with murderers, thieves, and other criminals.
On a global scale there are terrorist who have twisted the absolute moral values to suit their own way of thinking. With no fear of God.
The apostle Paul speaking to the Athenians said,
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.  
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:24-31.
That Judge is Jesus.
While Jesus will one day judge the world. Jesus offers us all hope. Speaking of himself He 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.
Please think about it.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

“Worship the LORD with gladness; 

come before him with joyful songs. 

Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, 

and we are his; we are his people, 

the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving 

and his courts with praise;

 give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good 

and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues 

through all generations.” 

Psalm 100:2-5

Today is the Thanksgiving holiday here in Canada. A time when we give thanks for all we have.
As a Christian I praise God for all He has done for me. My life has not been a constant high. Even the American Evangelist Billy Graham said,
“The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'” Billy Graham.
Still in Good times and in bad times God has always been there for me. Helping me thorough the bad times. Giving me peace knowing that no matter what I am going thorough He is with me.
I as a Christian can honestly say with the Psalmist,

“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

Can you?
Please think about it.

Human beings, vegetables, cosmic dust

Human beings, vegetables, cosmic dust.
Albert Einstein said,
“Human beings vegetables  or cosmic dust. We all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible player.” Albert Einstein.
He was right as a Christian I believe that God created the universe and everything in it. The Bible makes a simple statement.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1.
Thus we as humans are built from if you will, the cosmic dust of the universe by God.
I believe there is a God no one can convince me otherwise. I have looked at the world around me and seen that everything is in order and has purpose, from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particles. I cannot believe this happened by chance. It all points to the fact there is a God.
I know there are many out there that do not believe in God. That is their God given right. For in creating man God did not create robots He created human beings with a freewill that allows them to believe and do as they wish. Even if it is not believing in God.
What I always ask an atheist especially, is are you willing to risk your eternal resting place on what you believe?
To say there is no God is to say that you know everything and have been everywhere. Because if you don’t know everything and if you have not been everywhere there is the possibility that where you have not been God just might be. And the one place no living person has been is beyond the grave.
What I would ask is that if you do not believe in God is at least read the New Testament. There are also good things on line. On You Tube there is teaching by Hugh Ross called “Genesis one and natural History”
I would also suggest you look up videos by William Lane Craig who gives very compelling proofs for the existence of God.
There is also an interesting video called the Ontological argument that I believe anyone who says there is no God should consider listening to.
Still the choice is up to you the reader.
If there is no God I have lived a good life and have no regrets. If on the other hand God exists as I firmly believe He does then those who do not believe in Him have a great deal to fear.
Please think about it.

A Candle

A Candle
Francis of Assisi wrote
“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” Francis of Assisi.
The Luke’s Gospel records
“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:4-7.
Johns Gospel records the incident this way
  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
In him was life, and that life was the light of men....  
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-4, 11-14.
On the day Jesus was born a candle was lit. Jesus whom we Christians refer to as the “The Word of God” God incarnate, entered the world He created. He came to point mankind to Himself. God realized that individuals on their own could not live lives pure enough to enter heaven. Thus in the form of Jesus He entered the world.
C. S. Lewis states,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”  C.S. Lewis.
In coming into the world God was saying to each individual “I love you.” to quote Lewis again.
“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 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.
Through Jesus God experienced all it is to be a human being first hand. We as individuals cannot stand before God and say “you do not know what it is to be a man, because you are all mighty.”
We cannot say that, because He did in fact enter our world. Through Jesus, God understands what it is to be loved by friends and family. He understands what it is to feel the day to day things, rain on your face, the sun, even the smell of dust.
Through Jesus he also understands what it is to be hated, accused of a crime he did not do. To suffer an inhumane beating and put to death wrongly.
  The apostle Paul writes,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!  
For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  
Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” Romans 5:6-11.
So the question to you the reader becomes who do you believe Jesus is?
Please think carefully about it. Please take time to read the New Testament and see what his followers believed Him to be.
Please think about it.

To be Provocative

 To be provocative

The other day I was listening to a Christian show. The commentator said that a young man in his church had come out to their small congregation and said he was gay.     To the surprise of the commentator people got up and hugged the young man.
Having said that here is something I want to put out to Christians and non-Christians that read my Blogs it’s from a book called images a book that portrays different scenarios in life.
While it does not portray a gay man. It does portray something else the church has to grapple with.
The book makes no commentary. It was simply written to make the reader think.
The title of this piece is simply Images of a Woman.
Think carefully how you would react then ask the question, what would Jesus do?

Images of a Woman

That morning, Margaret Elizabeth got up extra early, readying herself for the day.  She would get only one chance to make an impression.  To that end, she applied her makeup with extra care.  Chose the black ankle length wraparound skirt, white turtle neck top and black jacket, her children had given her as a gift, while in hospital.  She limited her jewelry to a simple pair of diamond studied earrings, that had been her grandmother’s and small bracelet given to her by her daughter-in-law.
Leaving that office, to walk to the pulpit was the hardest steps, she ever had to make.  Her heart pounded and by the time, she stood behind the pulpit she was visibly shaking.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Margaret Elizabeth Williamson and just before Christmas, I underwent Sexual Reassignment Surgery.” she said relief surging through her body, as silence engulfed the assembly.  I know that many of you, maybe uncomfortable with that.  That is why I have asked to speak to you, to give you my testimony and then allow you to ask questions.
I have felt like a woman trapped in a man’s body for my entire life.  I was married for over thirty years to a wonderful and accepting woman, who died several years prior to my coming to this assembly.  I have a wonderful family, all of whom support me and are here today.
Believe me, I did not choose this course of action lightly.  I did so after much personal anguish and a great deal of prayer.
For a little over two years prior to my complete transition, I have lived my life as a woman: I was doing so when I came to this church and I think I did it well enough that no one knew.  If so they did not commented.
I have no apologies to give for what I did, or for who I am, because I do not believe I did anything wrong.
I accepted Jesus as my Saviour over thirty-five years ago, and asked Him to remove from me, what at times, has been a difficult burden.  He has chosen not to and thus, I have accepted that I am what I am.  A child of God, who knew me according to the Psalms in my mother’s womb.
I have no intentions of preaching a sermon here today, only to ask you to accept me as I am.  In fact, the only reason I stand before you today, is because I want to be completely honest.
 I am very active within this congregation and wish to continue in my work here. 
Now, I will open the door to all questions and endeavor to answer them to the best of my ability.  After which, I will ask for a vote and abide by your decision.”
There were many questions answered, the then pastor came to the front.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time to take a vote.”  He said.  “If you wish Margaret Elizabeth to continue in her work here please rise to your feet.”
What would you do?
What would Jesus do?
Why do you think He would think that way?
Think about it.