Saturday Song: Gary Numan, "Cars"

Easter 2020 was one unique situation for Christians. Due to social distancing regulations, nobody could worship in church.

But enterprising pastors came up with a solution, namely holding services in parking lots. Tony Perkins of Washington Watch reports that Pastor Ernest Custalow preached to his congregation while they were parked in their vehicles at the lanes of Dominion Raceway.

British punk rock musician Gary Numan discovered the protection of his car when a crazed man attacked him on a London street. Gary had to drive on the sidewalk to avoid that lunatic.

Listen to the song which that incident inspired here.

What a blessing it is that we can worship God anywhere, any time, and facing any particular direction. We can kneel, stand, raise our hands to heaven, or whatever.

For example, we read of one saint's civil disobedience in Daniel 6:10 (BBE) which reads, "And Daniel, on hearing that the writing had been signed, went into his house; (now he had windows in his room on the roof opening in the direction of Jerusalem;) and three times a day he went down on his knees in prayer and praise before his God, as he had done before."

John 11:41 (BBE) shows how Jesus prayed when he raised Lazarus from the dead. "So they took away the stone. And Jesus, looking up to heaven, said, 'Father, I give praise to you for hearing me.'"

Paul was chained to a Roman Soldier when he wrote in 2 Timothy 1:3 (BBE), "I give praise to God, whose servant I have been, with a heart free from sin, from the time of my fathers, because in my prayers at all times the thought of you is with me, night and day."

These are but a few examples of how saints prayed in the past. So why not worship the Lord while parked at the church parking lot or a raceway?

Thanks to Roger Brannon of Tallahassee, Florida for indirectly inspiring this post.

On Monday, provided Christ doesn't return first, I hope to post about resurrection and the hope of a tree.

Our Ultimate Hope

I'm sure all of us had times in our lives when we awaited some great event. Whether it was graduation from high school or college, or a visit from a long-lost friend, there's that anticipation that kept us on our toes. We didn't get involved in activities which took up our whole attention but kept in mind the approaching event.

Christ's return as the King of Kings is one event all born-again believers long for. As Paul wrote in Titus 2:13 (BBE), we must be "Looking for the glad hope, the revelation of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ;"

The Apostle Paul also admonished his readers, and us too, to be watchful and not distracted by pleasures like our worldly neighbours. We read in 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (BBE), "But let us, who are of the day, be serious, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and on our heads, the hope of salvation."

We also read about staying alert for the Lord's return in 1 Peter 1:13 (BBE)which says,  "So make your minds ready, and keep on the watch, hoping with all your power for the grace which is to come to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;"

Though we don't like to admit it, we're in a war with Satan and his demons. That's why Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:3-5 (BBE), "Be ready to do without the comforts of life, as one of the army of Christ Jesus. A fighting man, when he is with the army, keeps himself free from the business of this life so that he may be pleasing to him who has taken him into his army. And if a man takes part in a competition he does not get the crown if he has not kept the rules."

We also have those wonderful promises in the last book in the Bible. Revelation 21:4 (BBE) promises us, "And he will put an end to all their weeping; and there will be no more death, or sorrow, or crying, or pain; for the first things have come to an end."

On Saturday, if Christ doesn't return first, I hope to post about a beautiful song and a pleasureable activity I remember from childhood.

Hope for the Best but Plan for the Worst

In my post last Thursday, I mentioned being misled by people regarding the heavenly Father's character. They gave me the impression that I had to have great faith to get anything out of the Lord.

Since nobody taught me how to read the Bible, I fell for the lie that I shouldn't save for retirement as Christ would soon come. As a consequence of that error, I didn't save any of my wages in a retirement plan.

Christ's disciples also assumed he'd return quickly to make them leaders in his physical kingdom. They also appear to have misunderstood what the angels meant in Acts 1:10 and 11 (BBE). "And while they were looking up to heaven with great attention, two men came to them, in white clothing, And said, 'O men of Galilee, 'why are you looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come again, in the same way as you saw him go into heaven'".'" But no time was given for that event to happen.

We also note that the "last days" only started in the first century. As Peter preached in Acts 2:16 and 17 (BBE), "But this is the thing which was said by the prophet Joel; 'And it will come about, in the last days, says God, that I will send out my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will be prophets, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams:'" Nobody then knew how long it would take for the end of this age to arrive.

This is why I believe Paul wrote what he wrote in 2 Timothy 3:1 (BBE). "But be certain of this, that in the last days times of trouble will come."

It was actually kind of the Lord not to tell his disciples how long the last days would last. That's why he said in Matthew 25:13 (BBE), "Keep watch, then, because you are not certain of the day or of the hour."

So, how do we live with this tension between watching for Christ's return and planning for our futures? We must be ready for his coming but sock away retirement funds in the event that we retire before then.

I wrote about how I failed to plan ahead in my book, How I Was Razed. Had I known how to handle the seeming contradiction of Christ's soon coming verses him not coming in my lifetime, I'd have a much larger nest egg in the bank.

If Christ doesn't return by Thursday, I hope to post about his reappearance.

Saturday Song: The Eagles, "Hotel California"

This is perhaps the most controversial song by The Eagles. Certain evangelical leaders claimed that the lyrics praised Satan. For example, the line about not having that spirit here since 1969 was supposedly referring to the founding of the Church of Satan. Gathering in the master's chambers and not being able to stab the beast to death was supposedly a reference to the Antichrist. These  people also spun  other songs backwards, searching for hidden messages.

Listen to the song here and decide for yourself.

I don't know if this is true about the song or if it's just another conspiracy theory. What I do know is that sinners are locked into a dead end life. Seeking pleasure isn't satisfying since the feeling wears off. Furthermore, God can give permanent joy which the world can't give.

Psalms 4:2 (BBE) tells us, "O you sons of men, how long will you go on turning my glory into shame? how long will you give your love to foolish things, going after what is false?"

It's true as well that sinners are prisoners of their own device. They actually work hard to go to hell. Romans 6:23 (BBE) explains what they earn. "For the reward of sin is death; but what God freely gives is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord."
And though the person couldn't leave the hotel, sinners do have somebody who can rescue them. Acts 2:38 (BBE) holds the answer. "And Peter said, 'Let your hearts be changed, every one of you, and have baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will have the Holy Spirit given to you."

Surrendering to the rule of Christ and asking his forgiveness for sin is thee only way to be freed from a dead-end life. After all, is Champaign on ice and mirrored ceilings really worth an eternity in hell's agony?

Christ told a parable of a rich man and a beggar, both of whom died. The rich man in hell begged Abraham in heaven for a little relief from his torment. Here's Abraham's reply in Luke 16:25 (BBE). "But Abraham said, 'Keep in mind, my son, that when you were living, you had your good things, while Lazarus had evil things: but now, he is comforted and you are in pain."

Heaping up riches won't protect anybody either when God takes us out of this life. As Psalms 39:6 (BBE) reminds us, "Truly, every man goes on his way like an image; he is troubled for no purpose: he makes a great store of wealth, and has no knowledge of who will get it."

And at the end of this age, those who trusted in anything other than Christ's salvation will suffer for ever in eternal torment. Revelation 20:14 (BBE) warns every one, "And death and Hell were put into the sea of fire. This is the second death, even the sea of fire."

Thanks to Roger Brannon of Tallahassee, Florida for indirectly inspiring this post.

On Monday, provided that Christ doesn't return first, I want to post about why we must hope for the best but plan for the worst.

My Sony TC-105 and Materialism

I've noticed something about myself as I've aged. Material things become less and less important. When I was a twenty-something, I wanted things like a colour TV, a stereo, and an electric guitar. Since I was renting, I didn't have any house payments or repairs to worry about.

One device I longed to have back in 1975 was a Sony TC-105 open reel tape recorder. Having used ones loaned to me by the CNIB, Though they were on loan for me to hear recorded class assignments, I also made many recordings on my own tapes of local radio stations.

Since the church I attended wouldn't help me by lending me the money, I scrounged together $250 and bought my own recorder.

Though I was born again, I still felt that I needed those material things. I also knew what Christ said in Matthew 6:19-21 (BBE) about possessions. "Make no store of wealth for yourselves on earth, where it may be turned to dust by worms and weather, and where thieves may come in by force and take it away. But make a store for yourselves in heaven, where it will not be turned to dust and where thieves do not come in to take it away: For where your wealth is, there will your heart be."

I felt back then that God was stingy, giving sparingly of the things which would help me enjoy my time on earth. Nobody told me then about how Luke 12:28 (BBE) showed God's care for his children. "But if God gives such clothing to the grass in the field, which today is living, and tomorrow will be burned in the oven, how much more will he give clothing to you, O men of little faith?"

I know now that our heavenly Father does provide for us and that people had lied to me about his character. That's why such liars must heed Matthew 18:6 (BBE) or risk being sent to hell. "But whoever is a cause of trouble to one of these little ones who have faith in me, it would be better for him to have a great stone fixed to his neck, and to come to his end in the deep sea."

It's also why I wrote my memoir, How I Was Razed. My hope is that deceived people will break free of their false teachers and learn what God has actually said.

And if the Lord doesn't return by Saturday, I plan on posting about the dead-end lives of worldly people as well as their eternal fate.

The Disciples' Misplaced Expectations of Christ

I believe we shouldn't be critical of the way Christ's disciples behaved while he was still with them.  We tend to misplace our expectations too, especially when it comes to electing politicians or trusting friends.

In the first century, Rome ruled over Israel with rigger. Israelites felt especially affronted by these pagans bringing in their images and their false religions. They took seriously what God commanded in exodus 20:4 and 5 (BBE). "You are not to make an image or picture of anything in heaven or on the earth or in the waters under the earth: You may not go down on your faces before them or give them worship: for I, the Lord your God, am a God who will not give his honour to another; and I will send punishment on the children for the wrongdoing of their fathers, to the third and fourth generation of my haters;"

People at that time expected the arrival of Messiah. Consequently, we read of Peter's excitement in John 1:41 (BBE) when, "Early in the morning he came across his brother and said to him, 'We have made discovery! It is the Messiah!' (which is to say, the Christ)."

The Jews of that time remembered Daniel 9:25 and 26 (BBE) which prophecied, "Have then the certain knowledge that from the going out of the word for the building again of Jerusalem till the coming of a prince, on whom the holy oil has been put, will be seven weeks: in sixty-two weeks its building will be complete, with square and earthwork."

But they didn't understand Daniel 9:26 (BBE) which said, "And at the end of the times, even after the sixty-two weeks, one on whom the holy oil has been put will be cut off and have no ...; and the town and the holy place will be made waste together with a prince; and the end will come with an overflowing of waters, and even to the end there will be war; the making waste which has been fixed."

The crucifixion of Christ was such a shock to them, even though he said plainly he would die and be lifted up again. That's why Acts 1:6 (BBE) says, "So, when they were together, they said to him, 'Lord, will you at this time give back the kingdom to Israel?"

They didn't understand that Christ spoke of a spiritual kingdom which they were a part of.

On Thursday, unless Christ returns, I hope to post about my youthful materialism and how I've changed since the seventies.

Saturday Song: Simon and Garfunkel, "Richard Cory"

This song shows how riches by themselves don't satisfy. The man in the song envied the owner of the factory where he worked. But when his boss committed suicide, he couldn't grasp why anybody with wealth would ever throw it all away.

Listen to Simon and Garfunkel's story song here:

The Bible has much to say about wealth. Chiefly, wealth can't save a person. Matthew 16:26 (BBE) Reminds us, "For what profit has a man, if he gets all the world with the loss of his life? or what will a man give in exchange for his life?"

Long ago, God reminded Israel that he's the one which allowed them to gain riches through the plunder of the Canaanites. Deuteronomy 8:17 (BBE) informs us, "Say not then, in your hearts, 'My power and the strength of my hands have got me this wealth.' But keep in mind the Lord your God: for it is he who gives you the power to get wealth, so that he may give effect to the agreement which he made by his oath with your fathers, as at this day."

Remember that Solomon asked for wisdom in that dream when God asked him what he desired. The Lord's answer is recorded in 2 Chronicles 1:11 and 12 (BBE). "And God said to Solomon, 'Because this was in your heart, and you did not make request for money, property, or honour, or for the destruction of your haters, or for long life; but you have made request for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, so that you may be the judge of my people over whom I have made you king: Wisdom and knowledge are given to you; and I will give you wealth and honour, such as no king has had before you or ever will have after you."

So, should we live in abject poverty to avoid the traps of riches? We read a wise prayer in Proverbs 30:8 and 9 (BBE). "Put far from me all false and foolish things: do not give me great wealth or let me be in need, but give me only enough food: For fear that if I am full, I may be false to you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' or if I am poor, I may become a thief, using the name of my God wrongly."

On Monday, provided the Lord doesn't return before then, I hope to post about Christ's disciples' misplaced expectations.

Why Wealth Won't Satisfy

Have you ever played the lotteries or games of chance? Have you ever invested in a pyramid scheme with the hope of reaping a huge windfall? I certainly have and in both cases too. My hope was that I could quit my dead-end job and live in luxury.

The trouble is that "easy money" isn't easy to come by and it easily escapes any one who receives it. Proverbs 13:11 (BBE) certainly explains that fact. "Wealth quickly got will become less; but he who gets a store by the work of his hands will have it increased."

Solomon also wrote in Proverbs 23:5 (BBE), "Are your eyes lifted up to it? it is gone: for wealth takes to itself wings, like an eagle in flight up to heaven."

And even if a person gains wealth righteously, how can a parent know if the children will be wise with their inheritance? As Solomon noted in Ecclesiastes 2:21 (BBE), "Because there is a man whose work has been done with wisdom, with knowledge, and with an expert hand; but one who has done nothing for it will have it for his heritage. This again is to no purpose and a great evil."

Remember too what Jesus said regarding riches. Matthew 16:26 (BBE) reads, "For what profit has a man, if he gets all the world with the loss of his life? or what will a man give in exchange for his life?"

But is it wrong to accumulate riches if one is a Christian? Poor people can't give as much as the rich. Look at what Solomon wrote in Proverbs 11:24 (BBE). "A man may give freely, and still his wealth will be increased; and another may keep back more than is right, but only comes to be in need."

So, what's the best level of wealth for us? We read the answer in Proverbs 30:8 (BBE). "Put far from me all false and foolish things: do not give me great wealth or let me be in need, but give me only enough food:"

What I hope to post on Saturday is right in line with this post. Wealth alone won't satisfy.

What's Wrong With Happiness?

As I wrote previously, the problem with happiness is it doesn't last. Our good feelings are dependent on happenstance and are lost when we experience adversity.

We feel tempted to envy those wicked, rich people, assuming riches make us glad. Everything goes well for them and they feel no oppression. But we find out in Job 21:13 (BBE) that their good times don't last. "Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld."

And though we disagree about politicians, we can all say "Amen!" to what Proverbs 12:19 (BBE) says. "True lips are certain for ever, but a false tongue is only for a minute."

The joy we feel inside, even when things go sideways for us, is because we know who will give us eternal bliss. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:17 (BBE), saying, "For our present trouble, which is only for a short time, is working out for us a much greater weight of glory;"

It seems contrary to logic but we can be glad even in persecution. James 5:11 (BBE) reminds us, "We say that those men who have gone through pain are happy: you have the story of Job and the troubles through which he went and have seen that the Lord was full of pity and mercy in the end." What a reassurance!

Better still, following the Lord keeps us out of activities which would only harm us in the end. Proverbs 28:14 (BBE) tells us the fate of those who rebel against God. "Happy is the man in whom is the fear of the Lord at all times; but he whose heart is hard will come into trouble."

Paul certainly learned the secret of being content. As he wrote in Philippians 4:11 (BBE), "But I will not say anything about my needs, for I am able, wherever I am, to be dependent on myself."

I fondly remember a CB radio saying back in the seventies. "I send my signal out 26 miles and God does the rest. Let's do what we can but let God take care of what we can't handle.

On Thursday, Christ's return not withstanding, I hope to post about why wealth won't satisfy us.

Saturday Song: Amon Düül II, "Liquid Whisper"

Have you ever blown soap bubbles on a warm, spring afternoon? It's one of those childhood experiences which never loses it's appeal.

A German band called Amon Düül II recorded a song back in 1974 about this pleasurable pastime. Listen to it here.One of many blessings God gave us is colour vision. While many creatures see in only shades of grey, we have the added advantage of seeing light in all its splendor.

The rainbow is a wonderful treat to see. Rain drops become prisms, dividing white light into its component colours. And since it's such a striking sight, God used it to "remember" his covenant not to drown the world again.

We read of this in Genesis 9:13 (BBE) which says, "I will put my bow in the cloud and it will be for a sign of the agreement between me and the earth."

Since we appreciate colour vision, it naturally suits our desire for fashion. Check out what Genesis 37:3 (BBE) records regarding the giftJacob  gave his son Joseph. "Now the love which Israel had for Joseph was greater than his love for all his other children, because he got him when he was an old man: and he had a long coat (of many colours) made for him."

Coloured garments were worn by nobility as they were costly to make. Purple was the most costley of them all, therefore kings and queens became associated with it.

That's why we read in Mark 15:17 (BBE) that the Saviour was dressed in purple to mock his claim of being a king. "And they put a purple robe on him, and twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on him;"

When the New Jerusalem, which I believe represents the people Christ saved, comes from heaven, it is described in terms of precious stones. John, Christ's beloved disciple, tells us in Revelation 21:19 and 20 (BBE) that, "The bases of the wall of the town had ornaments of all sorts of beautiful stones. The first base was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst."

No matter which sort of "gem" we are, may we shine the Lord's light into this dark world until that blessed day.

On Monday, provided Christ doesn't return first, I'll post about what's wrong with happiness.

What is True Joy?

The pursuit of happiness is common to all of us. Even grumpy folks pursue the perverse joy of making others feel bad and being a martyr to whatever cause they support.

The joy which worldly folks enjoy is short. It evaporates the moment trouble looms. Job 20:4 and 5 (BBE) says, "Have you knowledge of this from early times, when man was placed on the earth, That the pride of the sinner is short, and the joy of the evil-doer but for a minute?"

We who belong to Christ have a joy which never ends. Why so? Our God is on our side, not on our backs. Psalms 5:11 (KJV) proclaims, "But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee."

Just being in the Lord's presence gives us great jubilation. Psalms 16:11 (BBE) says, "You will make clear to me the way of life; where you are joy is complete; in your right hand there are pleasures for ever and ever."

And as I wrote before, the trials sinners cause us can't rob us of our holy glee. Psalms 27:6 (BBE) tells us, "And now my head will be lifted up higher than my haters who are round me: because of this I will make offerings of joy in his tent; I will make a song, truly I will make a song of praise to the Lord."

Even when we're punished by God for giving in to sin, it results in our growth and happiness. Psalms 30:5 (BBE) explains, "For his wrath is only for a minute; in his grace there is life; weeping may be for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

Whenever we feel down, we can pray Psalms 51:12 and 13 )BBE). "Give me back the joy of your salvation; let a free spirit be my support. Then will I make your ways clear to wrongdoers; and sinners will be turned to you."

So we understand the multiple purposes of righteous joy. Happiness doesn't last but the exhilaration of belonging to the Lord is eternal.

On Saturday, provided Christ doesn't return first, I hope to post about a childhood pleasure and a beautiful song by a German band.

Will War Ever End?

It was on this date in 1970 that four students at Kent State University were shot dead by soldiers brought in to quell student violence. Some reports were that the students provoked the men while others say that the provocation was deliberate. Whatever the cause, war will always be with us in this age.

Jesus certainly had no illusions of human-managed peace. As he said in Matthew 24:6 (BBE), "And news will come to you of wars and talk of wars: do not be troubled, for these things have to be; but it is still not the end."

War has been around for a long time. As we read in Revelation 12:7 and 8 (BBE), even angels and demons fought one another. "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels going out to the fight with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels made war, And they were overcome, and there was no more place for them in heaven."

And though war is murder on a vast scale, there were times when God used humanity's propensity toward violence for his own ends. Exodus 33:1 and 2 (BBE) show the purpose for Israel's conquest of Canaan. "And the Lord said to Moses, 'Go forward from this place, you and the people whom you have taken up out of the land of Egypt, to that land about which I made an oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, "To your seed will I give it." And I will send an angel before you, driving out the Canaanite and the Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite:'"

Other nations were also punished by warring with Israel as they likewise were by other nations. Joel 3:10 (BBE) reads, "Get your plough-blades hammered into swords, and your vine-knives into spears: let the feeble say, I am strong."

A time will come when Christ will reign and war will be gone forever. Isaiah 2:4 (BBE) promises, "And he will be the judge between the nations, and the peoples will be ruled by his decisions: and their swords will be turned into plough-blades, and their spears into vine-knives: no longer will the nations be turning their swords against one another, and the knowledge of war will be gone for ever."

On Thursday, provided Christ doesn't return before then, I hope to post about what true joy is.

Saturday Song: Rupert Hine, "House Arrest"

What an unprecedented situation the world faces. Never has the population of the entire planet been quarantined or restricted socially. Plagues have broken out over vast areas of the planet throughout history, yet the entire globe has never feared a flu.

Since it feels like we're all under House Arrest, here's a song by Rupert Hine regarding that condition. Listen to it here:

Believe it or not, the Apostle Paul was placed under house arrest. Luke tells us in Acts 28:30 and 31 (BBE), "And for the space of two years, Paul was living in the house of which he had the use, and had talk with all those who went in to see him, Preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ without fear, and no orders were given that he was not to do so."

Thanks to that house arrest, many people heard the gospel in Rome. In fact, we read how far up the chain of command the gospel spread in Philippians 4:22 (BBE). "All the saints send their love to you, specially those who are of Caesar's house."

Paul also realized the advantage which his incarceration brought to his preaching ministry. Philippians 1:12 and 13 (BBE) reads, "Now it is my purpose to make clear to you, brothers, that the cause of the good news has been helped by my experiences; So that it became clear through all the Praetorium, and to all the rest, that I was a prisoner on account of Christ;"

Thanks to Paul's many imprisonments, he wrote many of the letters which we now have in our Bibles. Not being able to visit churches or preach to crowds, he had the time to pen epistles to congregations and individuals alike.

The most poignant letter of those is Second  Timothy. We read in chapter four, verses nine through eleven (BBE),  "Do your best to come to me before long: For Demas has gone away from me, for love of this present life, and has gone to Thessalonica: Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and take him with you; for he is of use to me in the work."

So if your plans are squashed by being confined to your home, you can do like Paul and encourage others with a phone call, text, or e-mail. Even an old fashion letter would cheer up folks.

On Monday, provided Christ doesn't return first, I hope to publish a post about war and when it will finally end.