May 17, 2000-Flashy Promises and Fine Print
I received another credit card offer in the mail the other day. It was full of flashy promises
that, on the surface, sounded great. It offered 2.9% APR, no annual fee, and all sorts of
other goodies. Sounds great, doesn't it? Here's the catch: the fine print. In order to receive
the 2.9% APR, you have to transfer a balance from another card. If you don't, you get a
19.8% variable rate. Also, the low APR only lasts until the first billing cycle. After that,
you're stuck with that 19.8% rate. This card offer reminds me of the world. It offers flashy
promises with fine print. "Everybody's doing it." "You won't get pregnant." "All you need
is use a condom." Here's the fine print: "What do you mean I'm pregnant?" "What's my
family gonna think? Flashy promises: "Hey, one beer won't hurt." "You can still drive."
Fine print: "I heard he didn't even see the car coming." "What a waste." "He was so
young." All of these are flashy promises with fine print. Want to hear a better offer?
God offers eternal life in heaven through his son, Jesus. I know what you're thinking.
"What do I have to do? Where's the fine print in this deal?" That's the best part.
This deal has no fine print. Here's the full package. First, you must admit that you are
a sinner. The bible says "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
-Romans 3:23 Second, believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins. "But God demonstrates
his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."-Romans 5:8
Third, be baptized. "Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name
of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit."-Acts 2: 38 If you want to take advantage of this offer, or if you have
questions to ask about salvation, e-mail me and I will try to help you any way I can.
God bless you.
April 4, 2000-Building a house
I just got back from helping Casas por Christo build a house in Mexico. If you've never tried it, it's
fun. First, we mixed and poured the foundation. This was the most important step. Next, we put up
the wall and roof frames. Then, we nailed on the blackboard and plywood that formed the bulk of the
walls and roof. Next, we put on chicken wire to form a base on the walls. Finally, we slapped on stucco
to finish and seal the outside. Jesus is helping us to build a home in heaven. First, we lay the foundation.
This happens when we accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior. Next, God helps us to put up
walls of strength. However, our walls usually have cracks in them. God seals those cracks by helping
us endure through trials. Also, God provides a roof of protection. Once our house is completed, God will
call us home to receive the keys. The best part is, like the homes built by Casas, our home is free.
If you have never known Jesus as your foundation, Lord, and Savior, please visit my page on salvation .
God bless you.
Feb 2, 2000-Who is this man?
Mark 4:35-41 contains the story of Jesus calming the storm. After Jesus calms the storm, the disciples
ask each other, "Who is this?" I thought about this question last night at bible study. Who is Jesus?
Here is what I found. Jesus is all things to all people. To some, he's a bank account, a genie whose
sole purpose is to grant wishes and desires. To others, he's a myth, a fairy tale told to children to make
them feel better about the world. He's been called a madman and a devil worshiper. Who is Jesus?
Who do you say he is? To me, he's been a savior, a friend, a brother, a healer and a shepherd.
These don't even begin to describe my lord. Need a friend? There's no one closer than Jesus. Need
to know that someone is in control in this world? Talk to the King of Kings. Been wandering
for a while and don't know how to get back? Listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd. Got a lot
of turmoil in your life? Come visit the Prince of Peace. Need someone gentle who knows what
it's like to be put down and ridiculed? Behold the Lamb of God. Don't think anyone can forgive
you for THAT, AGAIN? He loved me enough to die for my sins and forgive me. He loves you, too.
He's just a prayer away. If you've never known the kind of peace that can come from a personal
relationship with God, please visit my page on salvation .
God bless you.
Jan 13, 2000-Like a tree
I was thinking about a verse in Psalm 1 today that says "He is like a tree planted by streams of water."
If you think about it, Christians are like a tree. As a tree draws its life from water, Christians draw life
from living water-the bible. A tree also receives strength from standing in the presence of the sun. When
we pray, we stand in the presence of God's son. From this communion, we receive strength. A tree will
take in carbon dioxide gas as part of it's nourishment. We, as Christians, take in the Holy Spirit to refresh
our spirit. Once a tree has received the food and water supply it needs, it will give off oxygen that helps
other organisms to live. As Christians, we should be giving off love, hope, and joy so that others can see
Christ living in us. I urge you today to become like a tree, to have strong roots, to take in the spiritual
nourishment you need, and to give nourishment to others.
God bless you.
Jan. 3, 2000-the art of sand drinking
I know what your thinking. Why would anyone drink sand? Well, I've been drinking it for a
long time. Let me explain. The gospels contain the story of the woman at the well. As Jesus
speaks with her, he offers the woman "living water." I thought about this concept for the last
few weeks. Water gives life. In most cases, it is constantly on the move. Think about a man in a
desert. To him, a supply of pure water is better than gold. It gives the man life, and it sustains
his life. Without water, the man will die. We, as humans, are in a spiritual desert without Christ
as our lord. Even though Christ offers his water freely, we prefer to drink the sand. Even as a
Christian, I find myself going back to the sand many times. The sand is familiar. We have
grown accustomed to the taste over the years. The taste of pure water is strange to those who
have been drinking sand for so long. It is the living water offered by Christ, however, that we
need to survive. The beauty of this water is that it will never run out. Any source of water on the
earth will eventually dry out, if it is not replenished. Christ's supply of living water will never
dry out. It will never even start to run low. If you've been drinking a lot of sand lately, let me
urge you to try Christ's water. It is so much better than what we have. If you've never known
Christ as your savior, please visit my page on salvation. Just click on this link
God Bless you
Dec. 21, 1999- formalistic impersonality
Max Weber once produced a theory in political science called "formalistic impersonality." The
basis of this theory is a belief that businesses should treat everyone formally with no special
treatment or familiarity. This theory, unfortunately, has carried over into the Christian lifestyle
For some Christians, God is still behind the veil in the temple. He is only to be approached with
special care at special times. For these Christians, an intimate fellowship with their creator is
not to be realized. He can only be found in church, or in a special ceremony. It seems that we
have forgotten about the torn veil. When Christ died, the curtain guarding the entrance to the
Most Holy Place was torn in two. Literally, it was ripped in half. God didn't peek out from
behind the curtain and say "Come in, if you want to." He ripped the veil in half. He tore it back
as if he were shouting "Come in!! The door is open; the price has been paid!! I want you to
know me as intimately as I know you." God doesn't want to just be our Lord and master. He
wants to be our daddy. He wants to talk with us every day. He wants us to tell him what's going
on in our lives. He wants us to crawl into his lap when we are sad or hurt so he can love the
pain away. If you've fallen into the trap of being strictly formal with God, you aren't alone.
I'm dealing with this problem in my life. Go to him today. Talk with him. Walk into his living
room, take a seat next to him, and tell him about your life. It doesn't have to be anything big;
God wants to hear about the little things too. Just talk to him like you would with a friend. By
the way, he is your friend. And he will never be too busy to talk.
God bless you.
Dec. 13, 1999-Lessons from a pop tart
I was eating breakfast with my niece the other morning when she saw my pop tart and asked
for it. I told her she couldn't have it yet because it was too hot. That got me thinking. We, as
Christians, see something we want and ask God for it. "Lord, if you'll just give me that new
car." "Lord, if I could just find that one man/woman, I'd be happy." "Lord, if you'd just give me
. . . " But, God often says "No, you can't have that yet." We don't quite understand why He
says no; we just accept it. One thing I've learned from my life is God knows a lot more about
what I need that I do. He knows what I need and when I need it. He knows if what I'm asking
for is too "hot" for me to handle right now. If it is, He tells me to wait. He may give me what I
want later, or He may take away my desire for it. Our problem, as humans, is we don't like to
wait. If we choose not to wait for God's timing, we get into trouble. Ever hear of teen
pregnancy, AIDS, drug abuse, or robbery? They came because someone wanted something and
chose not to wait. Anytime we choose not to wait, we get burned. Today, if you have
something on your mind that you want, ask God to give it to you. If He asks you to wait for it,
please take His advice. He may have something better in the works that you don't even know
about yet.
God bless you.