I believe there are lots of ways to arrive at the decision to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. In the Bible Jesus says that He is the Way and the Truth and nobody comes to the Father except thru Him. This is non negotiable. Jesus is the Way. However, there are many, many stories about how one arrives at this decision—to believe that Jesus is God. Some people believe when they are quite young some when they are quite old and even others in their last days. For me, the light went on when I was 38 years old. I was in the middle of an 8 year Bible Study program when I really accepted Jesus on purpose. Before that I was just kind of hanging around Jesus not really committed to a decision. I think what really moved me forward was my job as a high school biology and human physiology teacher. As I taught high school kids how the human body works it became more and more clear that each one of us is a miracle. We are a miracle of God’s creation period. Charles Darwin is quoted as saying, “to suppose that the human eye could have been formed by natural selection is absurd in the highest degree.” This is coming from the “father of evolution”. I believe he’s 100% correct. We are miracles created by a greater miracle—GOD! Jesus is my God and the mystery behind all of the above I accept based on faith. I don’t need a scientific proof. For last 30 plus years I have been pursuing God through His teaching, reading countless books, and following His word in the Bible and I have been Blessed. I still have years to go and Jesus is not done with me yet. I believe it!

John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

When my daughter was around 10 years old and was acting up I exclaimed, “Allison, act normal”. Her answer was, “what’s normal Dad”. That answer stopped me cold and actually made me smile as I thought…..”what does normal look like”. The dictionary defines normal as, “conforming to a standard; usual, typical or expected”. Well, based on that definition who wants to be normal. I don’t think I want to be remembered as usual or typical. I think I would rather be unique, different or one of a kind. I think of Jesus and usual does not come to mind. Words like unique, awesome, different, one of a kind, and revolutionary come to mind plus many, many other words. Jesus was an unbelievable individual. He was completely unique. No human has ever come close to being like him through all of time. Was it normal when he healed people, was it normal when he was resurrected. Every day is Easter Sunday for me because of Jesus. Thank God for Jesus and by the way, my daughter is 36 years old and has not been normal a day in her like and I am thankful for that.

Psalm 139:14 – I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

In the Bible, it is said in Philippians 4:7 that the peace of God transcends all understanding. One our major hang-ups is that we try to answer everything. Speaking for mankind I think it is obvious that our scholars, experts and even ordinary people like me want answers. However I am reminded time and time again that when you are dealing with God, there are not always answers. Some things are beyond our understanding. Its hard for a lot of people to accept, but we just can’t really believe that we can figure out the of mind God. Somethings we just need to believe and have faith that some day in the future there might be an answer. But again there might not. That’s life! I believe this also ties into another scripture from the Bible. In John 15:4-10, we learn about abiding in Jesus Abiding is defined as remaining faithful. We don’t have to have all the answers all the time. And just because we don’t understand something, that doesn’t make if not true. I believe every word of the Bible is truth and I have a peace that I don’t need every answer. It doesn’t bother me. I don’t have to know how everything in the grand scheme of the universe works. I just stand in awe of it. I want to abide in Jesus always and go from there The beauty of God’s creation is “beyond all understanding”.

Philippians 4:7 – And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

John 15:4-10 – Remain is me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain on the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish , and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

God Bless You and have a great week…….

What exactly is “The Gospel Of Jesus”. Specifically speaking, The Gospel is the Good News about Jesus. The story of who He is and what He did. Saint Francis of Assisi, as far back as 1181 A.D. said, “Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary, use words”. Implicit in this saying is the understanding that often the most powerful sermons are unspoken. When we have integrity and live consistently by our standards, people notice. When we radiate joy and happiness, they notice even more. Amen.

1Peter 1:8 – Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious Joy,.

Life was never promised to be always like a trip to Disneyland. Most of the time life is work. A lot of times hard work. Things happen that can get us down, way down. When this happens to you and it will, you should focus on Jesus, put your head down and keep moving forward. And keep praying. Jesus has his own time table so don’t expect immediate answers. Focus on the word perseverance. Pray, trust and believe. The Bible has answers to our problems and when you combine all of the above into your life, things will change. God’s not finished with you yet. He has plans to prosper you. And one last word of advice. Don’t shy away from hard work. The result is very satisfying. Hard work leads to accomplishment which leads to high self-esteem. Son don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.

God Bless you and I pray your life is filled with a joy that can come only from Jesus.

2Chronicles 15:7 – But You, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak for your work shall be rewarded.

On this Memorial Day I would like to share the lyrics of a song by Twila Paris. This song, “What Did He Die For”, says it all about God and Country. Following are the lyrics…..

He was 21 in 1944./ He was hope, and he was courage on a lonely shore./ Simply remind his mother, with love beyond her tears./ Just a young American who chose to rise above his fears./ And as I watch him struggle up that hill without a thought of turning back./ I can not help but wonder./ What did he die for, when he died for you and me./ Made the sacrifice so that we could all be free./ I believe we will answer each to heaven./ For the way we spend a priceless liberty./ Look inside and ask the question what did he die for?/ When he died for me./ To the darkest day in A.D. 33./ Came the mercy and compassion of eternity./ Sent there by a Father with love beyond His tears./ Blameless One, the only Son ./ to bear the guilt of all these years./ And as I watch Him struggle up that hill./ Without a thought of turning back./ I cannot help but wonder what did He die for?/ When He died for you and me./ Made the sacrifice./ So that we could all be free./ I believe we will answer each to heaven./ For the way we spend a priceless liberty./ Look inside and ask the question./ What did he die for?/ He died for freedom./ He died for love./ And all the things we do not pay Him back./ Could never be enough./ What did He die for?/ When He died for you and me./ Made the sacrifice./ So that we could all be free./ I believe we will answer each to heaven./ For the way we spend a priceless liberty./ Look inside and ask the question./ What did he die for?/ When He died for me.

God Bless America! Take care and stay safe this week.

I am told that if you take all of the information that human beings had up until 1900 and call that a unit, that unit has now doubled every ten years to present. That’s doubling over 120 years or 12 times. Wow! Way too much information. That’s why we are dealing with such high levels of anxiety and confusion today. Throw in social media and the internet and one can see the huge negative effect it has on children and ungrounded people…..total confusion. So what is one to do. Well I think to combat this crazy world of information, one must learn about his/her self. So where do you go or who do you talk to? There are hundreds and hundreds of books written on the self. From psychology to self-help books, the list is endless. So who is right? Dr. Phil? My choice is Jesus and His Truth as written in the Bible. For me the Bible is the one and only truth about human existence. Jesus is the greatest teacher who has ever lived and He is my go to person on all things that cause me confusion. He is the final Word. I put my total trust in Him.

Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and to not lean on your own understanding

Ever made a bad casserole? Sometimes its just perfect. Tastes out of this world. But sometimes its very average and once in a while you just want to throw it out and start over. The ingredients are not the problem. The cook (ME) is the problem. Sometimes my faith is like that. It is not very good. And sometimes I feel like I need to throw it out and start over. The ingredients (Jesus) is not the problem. The recipe (The Bible) is the same as it has always been. The problem is me. I just sometimes have a bad day, week or even month. I wander away from Jesus and my life sucks. It just happens. I’m broken. My Lord Jesus is not. His word is righteous and His love is unconditional and His Grace is epic. I’m just a bad casserole sometimes and I need to get back at it and know that I can make things right again just by keeping my eyes on Jesus in all circumstances. He is the way. And I can make that perfect casserole again. Along with some stumbles along the way. He is The Way. And I can make that perfect casserole again. Along with some stumbles along the way.

Hebrews 12:1-2 – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith……..

In the Holy Bible there are many passages that refer to our doubting of Jesus. We doubt who Jesus is and we doubt what He is capable of doing. From the beginning of the Bible and creation to his death on the cross and resurrection it seems like an impossible story that leaves us with questions and doubts. Jesus knows this and continues to love us unconditionally and meet us where we are at. Faith is big word in the Bible and if we don’t lean on it big time we will have a difficult time understanding Jesus and who He is and how He relates to our lives. I just feel that it is impossible to understand the greatness of the great “I Am”. We need to be alright not knowing everything because Jesus is alright with us not knowing everything. We don’t need all the answers. We just need a lot of trust and boldness to enter “into the mystery” of a great and wonderful and loving God.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

There are a lot of folks who believe that living a good life, believing in the Ten Commandments, not sinning, treating people well, giving (maybe even tithing) to charities, etc. are the keys to God’s Kingdom. While these are all good things they in themselves are not the keys to God’s Kingdom. The key is Jesus. Jesus plus nothing equals everything. Jesus is the way. The only way into God’s Kingdom. I know that people don’t want to hear this but it is the Truth. We don’t make the rules……Jesus is everything. He is the King. He loves us unconditionally. He extends endless grace. He is the absolute truth. If one wants to live a life full of purpose and meaning then Jesus and his teachings are the answer. Jesus is everything and nothing at the same time. He will give us what we need and not what we want. So if you are asking Jesus for money and fame then you will probably get nothing. If you are asking for his will to be done in your life then you will get it. Welcome into the mystery!

John 14:6 – Jesus answered, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.