Hot Enough For You

As we finished up the hot & humid season thousands of churches have dropped the “Christianese” talk of how hot it has been and reminding us Hell is so much hotter. Therefore we wouldn’t want to go to Hell. If Hell is all about being hot then Heaven must be a paradise of central air.

 Actually many people like hot weather (yes insanity)  and some of those very same people are planning to “party in Hell” with that not too nice hot weather. Our Christianese talk is similar to the church billboards. They have watered down the true meaning of Heaven and Hell and all that is in between. What makes Hell –Hell is a complete void, absence of God. This life we live on earth is a mix of both as in we know only in part what awaits us in Heaven and Hell. But we do know Heaven is all about God, Jesus and all that is good. And Hell is the absence of all those things.  A destination set only for Satan and the fallen angels. But many (wide is the road) will choose to walk pass the beaten bloody Savior on the cross saying “thanks but no thanks”

The torment, the depths in the agony of Hell leads me to believe the temperature will be the last thought that comes to mind. It’s not the hot weather that reminds me of Hell but it’s the daily news of killings, wars, cancers, diseases, abortions, hatred, for these are the reminders of the reality of hell.

“Hell is hot” rings about as much truth as calling God the “big man upstairs”, or the loved one passes away and becomes your guardian angel.  So lacking it’s not worth uttering from our lips it’s more like a folklore. So let’s talk about Hell (it’s not talked about enough) it’s a place one can only earn by denying the saving grace of Jesus Christ. And Heaven is the place you enter because God gave His son Jesus Christ to die for you and me. Grace is getting what we don’t deserve and mercy is not getting what we deserve. And that is the difference between Heaven and Hell. The world needs a lot less clichés and a lot more Truth.

If this Jesus, Heaven and hell thing is not for you then realize this life is the closest thing you will ever know of Heaven. But if you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord  & Savior then this life is the closest thing to Hell you will ever see. Heaven awaits you, even so come Lord Jesus, come.

..the least of these

     

We are just a day away from returning to the states and I've been reminded of just how bad we have it. I mean according to all of our problems we post on Facebook, we are the unfortunate ones. But I believe for many believers the worst problem is the F word "FEAR". I’m not talking about the Godly fear but the godless fear. We trust Him within our imaginary walls of church, family, work, friends, hobbies and the world of FB, but are scared that the next politician will rob you of who you really are (making the president out to be more like a messiah).  The thought of leaving this man made comfort zone is just too much. God is not interested in keeping you where you are at not by a long shot, and that leads to a good/bad FEAR. If you would trust God in stepping out of your comfort into a third world problem, it would be life changing. Just minutes of walking through the slums or listening to their problems God will ruin you. By making the things of this world truly grow dim. Although they have next to nothing their smile reminds you they have hope. Our forgotten Christian brothers and sisters won't be going on any vacation, taking in major sporting events, or trading in houses and cars for that better life. I see all the things they are supposedly missing out on and I swear it's us that is missing out. The opportunity to speak into ones’ life and change it is there right before you, if only for a moment or two but perhaps for a lifetime. As a friend who once lived in the slums (now in England) told me "Few people know the beauty of stepping out of their comfort zone".

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of THE LEAST OF THESE brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matt 25:40

The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “GO AND DO LIKEWISE. Luke 10:36

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward Matt 10 42

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     Okay so this is like a personal journal. But I must admit I really thought the last entry would get a few comments. I mean every (Every) person I have met definitely has a opinion about everything(Well almost everything). Anyway we leave Tuesday for Kenya and I will once again attempt to blog about whats going on with Life in Kenya. Meanwhile I may take a roll call to see who is present. Hope to hear from some (or all) of you readers soon. Like my answering machine says my wife is away right now and we have caller ID so Im not answering but leave a message if you want to..
See you in Kenya....blessings...

In Your Presence

Part of my job is to listen for new music and make additions for my program (Worship 180). While reviewing the new CD from Sonic Flood, I came across a song that I think puts clearly into words what this Beautiful Ache is all about. The song is "In Your Presence." Here are the words:

There is pain among the beauty and broken things behind this mask of gold
And my life, merely ashes...Dust that the Maker gently holds
His hands form a diamond and forgot that it was once a piece of coal

Yeah, You change me and You give me a new name

In Your presence there is strength for the weak
In Your power I fall to my knees
In Your touch you heal my disease
In Your presence hold me, hold me

If I have value in Your eyes, well sometimes it's so hard to comprehend

That I'm made in Your image when it seems I'm just another grain of sand
and why You treat me with such love I don't think I'll ever understand

Yeah, You love me and You give me a new name

I stand amazed at this great love
I can't explain...how You know my name
In You my soul is complete
Freedom from the darkness

Today, see yourself as loved by Him. Even through this Beautiful Ache, He has not forgotten you. There is value in your life because He says so.

1 John 3:1

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we're called children of God! That's who we really are. But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he's up to.--The Message