In his best-selling book come before winter and share my hope, Dr. Charles Swindoll made the following insightful statement – “to start over, you have to know where you are. To get somewhere else, it’s necessary to know where you are standing.” Perhaps today you are assessing your life, acknowledging your needs and wanting to start over. Maybe you have finished running and ready to change your mind about a lot of things – your lifestyle, the next life, and God. If so, it is necessary to know where you are. The Bible tells us that we are all out of fellowship with our maker until Christ is in our lives. But when we want to start over, Jesus offers us forgiveness for the past and hope for the future. He says, “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice I will come in.”
Tag Archives: Jesus
August 1 – The Red and Blue Lobster
There are red lobsters and blue lobsters, but a lobster was caught recently with an almost even split between red and blue. Well if lobsters can have an identity crisis, this one is slated for trouble. Is he red or blue? The bible talks about folks who are “double minded” who can’t make up their mind whether to serve God or not. A divided allegiance will cause constant conflict until a decision is reached. One Old Testament prophet asked his people the following pertinent question: “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him!” Jesus gave a wonderful invitation when he said, “come follow me.” He was saying, “Make up your mind; will it be a life lived for self, or for God?” That invitation is still open to every one of us.
July 30 – Bullying an Old Woman
Four seventh grade students from Greece, New York mercilessly taunted 68 year old Karen Klein on the web, especially making fun of her weight. But they got caught – their identities leaked out on, you guessed it, the web. Sympathy for Klein was so strong, that when it became know what she had gone through, hundreds of thousands of dollars came in to support her. The four tormentors have received an onslaught of threats and abuse, and are under police protection. Surprisingly, in spite of the vicious bullying, police said Klein does not want the children to face criminal charges. There’s no question of their guilt – they were cruel and mean – but she doesn’t want them prosecuted. It reminds one of the Love of Christ. Of Him it was said, “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” And just as there was forgiveness for these mean young rascals, there is forgiveness for you and me.
July 27 – Rollo May’s famous quote
“It is an old and ironic habit of human beings to run faster when we have lost our way”, so said psychologist Dr. Rollo May. And philosopher Henry Thoreau declared, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” These words fit today’s world so well. Many run from their conscience, fears, past and commitments. They have tried and failed or have succeeded, some accumulating great wealth only to find it doesn’t bring happiness – running from one amusement to another, but still bored. Perhaps as you read today, you are on a quest – seeking answers, seeking peace. Jesus has promised, “My peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you.” Paul told us how to have that peace when he said, “Therefore since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
July 25 – PM’s Daughter Left Behind
British Prime Minister David Cameron’s office recently confirmed that the Prime Minister’s eight year old daughter Nancy had been left behind after a visit with friends and their children. Happily, she was only separated from her distraught parents for fifteen minutes. The parents had left separately, and each one presumed she was with the other. Often, in our world, people get overlooked and lost in the crowd. The underprivileged, those of a different ethnic origin, the handicapped or those who don’t fit the culture – we tend to pass them by. But our Lord never did – he touched and healed lepers, he talked with the immoral Samaritan woman, he ate with the despised Zachaeus. His invitation is open to all, ”if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in.”
July 20 – Rotating House
Do you want more sun? Tired of the view from your kitchen window? Well, a house now under construction in North Rustico in PEI will be able to rotate 360 degrees. The round house is designed by Mr. Luke Everingham. I wish the owners well. They will have a tremendous view of beautiful North Rustico. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could change our lives by pressing a button? No more boredom, uninteresting jobs, or troublesome relationships. Unfortunately this is not the case in the real world. But there is someone who can help. He doesn’t do it by changing our circumstances, but by changing us. The Apostle Paul described it writing, “If anyone is in Christ, he, or she is a new creation. Old things have passed away, all things have become new.” Please note – it is for those who are “in Christ” – having invited Christ into the lives by faith.
July 16 – Ken Wong’s Sacrificial Love
Ken Wong gave up his job, and his hopes of building his career. He chose to stay with his wife – just 46 years old, who suffers from early onset dementia. It has led to rapid loss of language and cognitive impairment. Wong does not know how long his savings will last, or when he will be able to work again – but he loves his wife and promised to stay with her in sickness or health. As great as that human love is, the bible talks of an even greater sacrificial love. Paul wrote of it, saying, “…while we were still weak, ….Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person – though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die – but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He did it all for you and me. What a Savior!
July 13 – Florence Green
Florence Green, the last known surviving veteran of the First World War, has died at the age of 110. She never served on the front lines, but with the women’s RAF as a waitress. It was not until 2010 that she was officially recognized as a veteran, after her service record was found in Britain’s national archives. Records are important in this life and in the life to come. Paul was inspired to write,” so then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Our all-knowing heavenly father makes sure everything about us is being recorded, which can be frightening or comforting, depending on our relationship with our maker. Happily, John the apostle wrote about those who have made their peace with God, with the words, “and this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son”.
July 11 – Costco for PEI?
Many islanders would like the retail giant Costco to come to PEI. Many even drive to Costco stores in either Moncton or Halifax. But why? One word: bargains. Most of us love good bargains. And speaking of bargains, Isaiah the Old Testament prophet was inspired by God to write, “come everyone who thirsts, come to the waters and he who has no money, come buy and eat, come buy without money …. without price.” What does this mean? You and I do not have anything to pay to have forgiveness of sins, because only God can do that. And we cannot buy our way into heaven; but though the wages for our sin is death, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.” Now that is a bargain none of us can afford to miss. It is open to all who will, by faith receive it. I did; won’t you?
July 9 – Rolex Watches in a Drain
In Essex, England, a street cleaner was surprised to find a $33,500 Rolex watch in a drain. He turned it in, but when he returned to the site with a TV news crew, they were all shocked to discover three more valuable watches. I suppose most of us, at one time or another, dream of finding hidden treasure. The Bible warns us about laying up treasures on earth which do not last, and invites us to lay up treasures in heaven, where they last forever. And of course the greatest treasure anyone can have is the knowledge that you have received the gift of eternal life. Paul wrote about both the dangerous situation without having God in our lives, but then the wonderful promise with Him. “The wages of sin is death (and that means spiritual death), but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our lord. And that’s a treasure better than a Rolex watch, one that every one of us can have.
Tools for HOPE 