My New Sister In Christ

I became friends with a wonderful lady about a year ago. She attends my Sunday school class regularly with her sweet husband. Now this lady is probably one of the most sweet and thoughtful people I have had the pleasure to know... She is the first one to give comfort when needed.... the first one to volunteer when needed.... She is the mother of two cute little girls.... She has the best shoe collection of anyone I have met - puts Carrie Bradshaw to shame... seriously... I only wish my feet were that tiny..

This loving beautiful person was fearful of accepting Christ as her Savior.. As I got to know her better - I learned that her life had been filled with a lot of tragedy.... abuse.... the supernatural.. and she was confused... I know several people would approach her and tell her she should be saved... I think it got to a point - where she was tired of people approaching her about her walk.... about her soul... about her salvation... and I think it might have pushed her away for a while...

I believe that the seeds had been planted.... and it was time for prayer..... I know there were many people praying for this incredible person..... A few weeks ago - God spoke to her.... she accepted God on her terms.. no one elses... she became a follower of Christ when she knew it with her heart and her mind, and her soul that is was the right thing for her to do.. No guilty pressures... Just her personal relationship with Him.... no one else.. and that is beautiful to me..

She told me on a Friday night at Bunco about her decision and that Sunday she was dunked..... My friend.... is now my sister in Christ......

There Is Only One Road to Heaven...

One of the things that Oprah Winfrey said in a clip about "her church" that I shared with you recently is that all roads lead to what we may believe as god.. some people call it the light... some people call it peace... it doesn't matter what road you take.. as long as you end up with love and peace.. many of the women in the audience disputed what she said.... she would not address them... Oprah only said that there has to be different roads to "god"... and the women were saying no no no.. there is only One road and Oprah shook her head like they were nuts....
There is a common belief today that "All roads lead to God." Although it sounds good to respect each other's religious faith, the Bible teaches that the only way a person can be with God.. is on God's terms... not society's terms.... It seems to me that people will often just agree with this idea of all roads lead to a "god" -because it is easier that way... people are more friendly towards you because you are "open minded" and not some Jesus freak... but keeping our mouths closed isn't doing anyone any favors...
The Bible is the only inspired Word of God. Historians and archaeologist both agree that the Bible passes the test of time. Written over 1,500 years, by 40 authors on 3 different continents and contrary to popular belief, the Bible was completed with 99.99% precision... that definitely convinces me to it authenticity. In addition there are 330 specific prophecies about the coming Messiah in the old testament that Jesus fulfilled with 100% accuracy...
The resurrection of Jesus is the main belief in Christianity and the historical evidence is conclusive - actual eyewitnesses - people who loved Christ and people that despised Him.... Why would someone that hated Christ admit to His resurrection?
Jesus claims to be the ONLY WAY to eternal salvation... Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" Our life in Heaven depends on our belief and our faith in the Jesus Christ..
It cannot be true that "All roads lead to God" When we consider the different teachings about God from different religions, we see that they cannot all be true.. Many contradict each other or themselves in critical areas.. God does not make mistakes.... God does not change... He is and He will always be....

My Friend Sandy

I have a friend named Sandy. I see her at Church every Sunday and she is very active in our Church's outside activities. Two of her younger children play in our Upward Basketball program, they go to our Church's school, and she is always involved in Vacation Bible School and our Annual Harvest Festival. She is a Godly woman, who has an enormous heart for the Lord and for everyone around her. She is also very sad... Many things in her life are not good right now. Both she and her husband have lost their jobs and are having a hard time finding employment. Her eldest child has had many runs ins with the law and it has broken Sandy's heart... In many ways Sandy feels alone. Her husband David refuses to come to Church with her because he believes organized religions are after his ten percent and many people are hypocrites. Sandy does believe that David believes in God, he just won't accept God. I know Sandy spends many days and nights praying for David's salvation and many of us , her friends have also been praying. It is difficult to live with someone who you love with all your heart...but does not share your faith...or your gift of salvation.
God's word does give us hope... 1 Peter 3:1-2 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. I think the word submit brings up many ugly thoughts...especially in today's society. The Dictionary defines submit as "To yield. resign, or surrender to power, will, or authority. The words Yield, Resign, and Surrender... If you look at the word submit in the context it is used, you will discover that it does not mean to be a doormat to your husband...What Paul was saying in the Bible is that there must be a structure in the home for it to work. By making the husband authority of his wife is the same way as parents have authority over their children.. Christ has authority over the Church, which is to work together as an unified body with Jesus as the head.. Without having someone in authority than it would be impossible for there to be order, structure, or obedience. Another thought is God tells the husband to love his wife as Jesus loves the church - unconditionally... and we are to submit to Jesus and He showers us with blessings and love. So we all have our roles and when we follow them as God has described things just work....
It has been many years that Sandy has been praying for David. Sandy knows that she cannot convert David, but she is planting those seeds. The saying "Actions Speak Louder than words" is the very key, in my opinion to planting seeds. I also believe Sandy is doing exactly what God wants her do. She is that beacon of light in her husband's life, her friends' lives, and her children's lives.
So I say, Sandy, don't be sad...You are loved and God is not unjust - he will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. God bless you Sandy, girl....

Does God Accept Fire Insurance?

I first heard the term fire insurance at a Christmas party several years ago. The comment made was something like, "I'm glad he was saved right before he died..even if it was fire insurance." It took me a couple of minutes to figure out exactly what they were talking about....Fire....Hell....Fire insurance - going to Heaven with flames flicking at your back side. That's how my mind saw it at least.
It got me to thinking... Does God really care if you accept him into your heart just so you won't get burned? Will there be any jewels in your crown? Will you even get a crown? Is there a certain expiration date on accepting Christ as your Savior right before you die? I think the only answer that makes sense to me is God sees our hearts. If we truly ask for forgiveness and truly accept him, He will always open the door. He loves us so much that I can actually see God cry a happy tear and say welcome home, son.. or in my case daughter...
The reason I bring this up is that my dad died last summer.
My dad was diagnosed with tongue cancer about 8 years ago. His complete tongue had to be removed in 2004. After the surgery he had a heart attack and a stroke. We didn't think he would make it. By the Grace of God and my dad's Irish stubborn nature - he made it through all of it very well and was able to lead a pretty normal life...not counting the feeding tube and breathing tube in his neck.
One morning last summer my dad suddenly felt like he couldn't breathe. I was on vacation and my mom had gone to her sisters for a few days. So my sister, Debbie rushed my dad to the hospital. There he was put on a ventilator. The first few days, everyone was optimistic that dad would be taken off the ventilator and be able to come home. That was before he started having mini heart attacks and mini strokes... It became obvious that he would never be able to come off the ventilator and he would never be able to come home.
I was on a road trip over a thousand miles away when all this was happening. I had several phone checkups each day with my mom and sister. When I finally made it to the hospital, I could tell my dad was dying. He could no longer see and he wouldn't close his eyes. It's so hard to see your daddy like that. He's always been the "Master of the home" the "Tough Guy". When I walked into the ICU room my dad heard my voice and put out his hand for me to hold. I told him, I was sorry it took so long to get there. "It's okay," he said..."You're here now."
My sister Debbie had been praying with my dad during this time. She wasn't sure if Dad had made peace with God or if my dad actually had accepted God. We just didn't know. Seeing our dad slip away put a sense of urgency in Debbie that she had to do everything in her power to make sure dad went to his Father knowing that mom was going to be alright, that we loved him, and that we forgave him for the past and asked him to forgive us also.
The day before and the day of my dad's death he kept lifting up his hands. He would have this peaceful smile on his face. Mom asked him why he was smiling and if he was happy. My dad couldn't talk so she asked him many questions until she got the answer. He said that he saw his mom and dad who went to Heaven before him and right before he died he lifted both hands and told my sister he was reaching for Jesus' hand.
Did my dad get fire insurance those last days? I don't know... Do I think he is in Heaven? I do. I think my dad found the peace he had been looking for. I also know that my daughter, Krystal who went before him is holding his hand and listening to all his stories that she never got to hear.