LIFE IN THE BUILDING

 Or do you not know that your

body is the temple of the Holy

Spirit, who isin you, and

whom you have from God, and

you are not your own.

I Corinthians 6:19

With job changes, moves and all, Brian and I had the privilege of being members of more than a few churches.  In thinking back to the various worship centers we sat in for services and even special events, all were different in size and even decor.  Each large auditorium had it's own personality, depending often on the geographical area of it's location.

Each of the auditoriums we were privileged to be in, however, had just about the same things as any other worship center one might visit.  These auditoriums have pews, carpeting, nice light fixtures, and usually windows of various sizes.  The platform is usually a little higher than the main floor upon where there might be chairs and a pulpit.  Many churches in our day have given up on pulpits.  Pastors like to prance around with a computer in hand while trying to get at least one spiritual pinciple over to the people.  Most churches still have a choir section although in many places, choirs aren't THE thing anymore.  Usually a piano is present and maybe an organ.  Other instruments may be seen on or near the platform.  Some facilities are more ornate than others but all are supposed to serve the same purpose.

Let me say that no matter how lovely and even ornate, that huge room sits hour after hour in dimness or darkness, nothing happening and as dead inside as anyone's clothes closet.  There it sits, nothing happening.....UNTIL...

the temples begin to arrive.  Yes, that's we believers bearing IN us the Holy Spirit of God.  In Old testament days, God's Spirit resided in a wilderness tabernacle or a beautiful temple of Solomon's building.  Our New Testament temples are soooo much better.  Nothing can light up and warm up a church auditorium like the arrival of temple after temple, with the warmth, love, chatter, laughter along with a good number of hugs.  God in unique form, in those moments, has arrived and hopefully, we are ready to be blessed in abundance.

So from one temple to another....see ya Sunday.

Thank You Father for the honor of our having Your Holy Spirit in we believers.  May we be aware of the honor and yes, responsibility of being Your temple.  In Jesus' precious name....Amen

NOT AGAIN

How beautiful are the feet of

 those who preach the gospel

of peace, who bring glad tidings

of good things.

Romans 10:15

It's been a tough week in our country.  One week ago today, life was pretty normal for people, if we can define NORMAL anymore.  We went about our daily business with few  questions about anything.  It's amazing the ways we can be yanked out of what we consider to be our norms.  A young man, Charlie Kirk was assisinated before a crowd of young people on a college campus.  Such a setting wasn't new to Charlie.  He has been talking to and encouraging college-age young people for some years with a listening ear and a strong message of faith.

At my age, my mind drifted back to other times.  I was working in a Christian center in a very needy area.  One day, I was called from my apartment in the center to the one and only TV we had in the building.  President Kennedy had been killed by a sniper.  The feeling was daunting and breath taking.  Little did I know then that I would also see assasinations or attempted ones times over:  Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, Martin Luther King, President Kennedy and then his brother Bobby.  

Evil doesn't need a reason for what it does through it's followers.  Reasons for such behavior  is often impossible to explain....politics, race, money, influence, etc.  In these years, it's been heartbreaking to see how evil has multiplied in so many areas of our culture.  

The culture I live in now is so incredibly filled with a darkness it's hard to make our way through.  Few of Satan's tactics have changed.  Humanity has just given him more permissin to do his own thing.  The saving grace in all of this is Jesus.  He was Charlie's main message delivered wherever he went, without hesitation.  Folks will debate why this happened to this young man.  He wasn't a threat socially or politically.  He WAS a voice for the Lord He loved and wanted others to know His Savior.  Even much of the culture we live in today, doesn't want to hear that message.  An evil culture is much more threatened by Charlie's life message that was getting through to a young generation and it had to be snuffed out.

Charlie's voice is silenced physically but will still be heard.  What about the rest of us?  How bold are we in speaking of our love for Jesus when given the opportunity or when not.  What is our personal responsibility to speak the name of Jesus boldly.  I have as much responsibility to speak of my Lord to others as any young person. May we feel it a privilege to speak of Jesus whether in the presence of friend or foe.  We all have that blessed privilege.  Thanks Charlie for your encouragement.

Father, give us a boldness in these days to stand for You, speaking Your name often.  Thank You for the message that backs up Your name.  Thank You for Charlie's life and influence.  May we be willing to be used by and for You at every opportunity.  In that precious name, Jesus....Amen

KEEP RUNNIN'

Therefore, we also, since we e

surrounded by so great a cloud of 

witnesses, let us lay aside every

weight, and the sin which so

easily ensnares us, and let us

run with endurance the race that 

is set before us.

Hebrews 12:1

My Sunday school lesson was wrapped up for Sunday.  It is the first of a new series on the Israelites heading out for the Promised Land.  It was timely.  I had noticed posted signs in our neighborhood regarding a half marathon race that was going to be happening.  The participants were to run passing my front porch. I hadn't witnessed such a thing but thought I would sit on the porch and watch the spectacle.

 I'm not sure where the race started because many racers looked like they had been running for awhile.  The interesting thing for me was in seeing the variety of racers.  Some I was concerned about racing because they looked like they should have been on a front porch like me.

The variety of racers  was a good example  of common ordinary American citizens.  The youngest racer I figure to be in first grade.  Her daddy was right there with her.  There were others who were younger.  They were in strollers on riding on their dad's shoulders.  The oldest racer I would guess to be around 70 years of age.  There were very few of those.  Some racers were in good shape, looking like exercise was a part of their lives.  A few even seemed to be on the professional side of running.  Most were just average folks.  Some looked like they were wondering what they had gotten themselves into.  There was obesity represented that caused concern.  Three ladies, good friends were dressed alike in their pink ballerina outfits with decent length skirts.

Some folks ran, some walked apace while others shuffled for a time.  Many stopped to bend over.  I was surprised at the number of folks who ran while doing something on their cell phones.  That's pitiful but it's their thing, not mine.

I doubt very seriously the Israelites were a part of such a spectacle.  They and our racers had a few things in common...they were  headed for the finish line while maintaining life in the meanwhile.  Along with the is always the need for God's direction in lives.  As God directed His people back then, so is His desire to do the same in our day.  We don't have to be just running or walking though life.  He wants to direct us every step of the way.

Father, we are so blessed knowing You are always with us every step of our lives.  You desire our obedience in this life.  May we realize that our race in this life can be even more fulfilling with Your hand of love and leadership in our every day of earthly life.  In Jesus name....Amen

Death Scares

For me, to live is Christ,

and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21

I have been amazed in recent days, ads or words of advice regarding the coming death of older citizens.  I've seen two articles, each predicting the death of an oldler person that could be coming within a year or less. These articles appeared on commercial advertisements.   When I first saw these articles, I knew right away that God didn't have anything to do with them. 

One article gave five indicators to watch for and the other listed six things.  Both were very similar in content.  In viewing these lists, many of the predictions or conditions can be found in most adults of any age but it's all coming at we older folks.

Death, we know, is something we all face unless Jesus returns soon.  I view many of my acquaintences who have long gone over the DEADline or expectancy of three score and ten years the Bibe mentions.  I recall when in grade school, ladies of age in my church who didn't have much time left, if you know what I mean.  Most were 65 to early 70's in age and weren't expected to be with us much longer.

I have noticed that such ads have also been intended to frighten anyone who views them on their computers of television sets.  Various medications are presented in threatening ways...we better order them or trouble is ahead.  Such thngs are often pushed by well-known healty-looking people  of some fame.  Such meds or even types of equipment are pushed to the point of being rediculous.  We can watch and hear such things only so long until we may begin to bite on it all.

Bottom line is that God is totally in charge of when I will meet Him in a very personal way.  I realize I need to take care of myself and be as healthy as I can be.  I also realize that God is still in charge of your life and mine.  We may take some meds prescribed by a doctor but I've never had a doctor do that in a threatening way.

I love the above verse.  Sometimes it might be a little hard to accept but it's a fact.  Paul enjoyed living for Jesus while here on earth, but also saw all the benefits of getting to be with the Lord looking toward Heaven.  Let's remember that God is still in charge of our lives and knows what He's doing all the time.  He is the all-knowing One we can listen to and trust in, no matter what the advertisers say.

Father God, I so thank You that I can rely on Your wisdom regarding my future.  As long as You want me on the earth, may I serve and love You faithfully.  I pray for Your strengthening right now and praise You for Your goodness and care.  In Jesus' precious name...Amen