Sacrifices are Messy

Walking through the American Veteran's Cemetery at Maastricht on Easter, I once again considered the blood and carnage of war and the thousands of bodies that lay in honor in the land they had fought to liberate from evil.  Their deaths were not in vain, but  Maastricht was the first town in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe was freed from the oppression and savagery that Hitler had devised.  Though over 17,000 Americans were once buried here, around half were repatriated to America for their "final" resting place.  Christ's victory over death also provides hope for the fallen.  Not to be forgotten were many thousands of British soldiers as well that Operation Market Garden on September 17, 1944 cost.  


Books, movies and personal witness have over and over told of the suffering, the blood shed, the loss of life and limb for the purchase of freedom.  Mel Gibson's life is a shambles; few would argue with that statement, but the film, The Passion of Christ, was spot on of the messiness of the sacrifice of Christ's humanity.  But The Passion, or any other medium, can not express the divine dimension that went on during that Passover weekend that culminated in the resurrection of Jesus.  Jesus' call to His Father to "let this cup pass from me" was not His inability to endure the human dimension, but the divine one; the gathering of ALL SIN, past, present and future were placed on Him and He would be separated from His Father; that was His sole purpose.  His purpose was being about the Father's business and doing exactly what He was told to do.  Jesus did not want to face that separation even for a short-time.  The sin Jesus took on Himself for you and for me is enticing, but in the end, demands a payment.  Jesus changed all that; He paid the price.


Hundreds of soldiers' bodies have yet to be known even 60 years later, but they will still rise in the end.  Wars are filled with sacrifices that are messy and the war between good and evil is no exception.  There was a price to pay and a willing Man of God to pay it.


Christ's redemption gift reminds us that we have been bought with a price and we are no longer our own.  The soldiers' crosses remind us that good people gave of themselves the ultimate sacrifice, messy and permanent for freedom and redemption; may we not forget either sacrifice.  Our obligation is not just of a human perspective but also a divine one.

The Disconnect in the World

Tomorrow is Easter and I'm ready for the joyous celebration!  Glory in the Highest, HE IS RISEN.  I'm on a river in Holland headed for God's creation of flowers and in the process seeing a number of man's attempts of drawing attention to himself.  From man's perspective, there are beautiful buildings, glamorous gardens, magnificent statues, unbelievable works of art and don't forget the Belgium waffle and Belgium chocolate.  I have seen the latter in forms that you would blush around your children.  It was interesting that the most recognized statue in Brussels is Mannikin Pis, a little boy urinating.  But the little ducklings just out for their first swim and the swan plucking out its own down to prepare the nest of two of her eggs; now there is life and beauty that man has yet to match.

Europeans know how to celebrate Easter; not just in their days off, but they decorate everything and prepare for the economic ring of the cash register, then close EVERYTHING on Easter.  We have seen homes and hotels decorated in every window with eggs, bunnies, and everything that is far from HOLY.  I'm sure that I probably missed the holy preparation for Easter, but the churches I've walked in are beautiful, ornate, hallow, empty and missing the Spirit of the Risen One.


I was watching a video called Easter, the Promise Kept this morning as the ship we are aboard has nothing scheduled for the most influential day of history, the day that hope, forgiveness, and when death was conquered by Christ's resurrection.  The ship's staff were more than happy, they put it on a TV for us and then to my surprise, to announce a viewing.  What surprised me even more is they asked if they could keep it and run it on Easter at 3:30 when most of the entire ship's guests would be on board; not just on the lounge, but available in every room of the ship!  Praise the Lord alone for opening hearts and saving souls.


In considering the movie, I was struck by this passage later in my reading: 
“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”   Luke 21:34-36  NLT


I understand the part about not letting your heart be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, BUT what about "the worries of this life"?  There are times I am so guilty about letting my heart be dulled by "the worries of this life".  It is good to get away and take a look from a distance of your own life and what it is filled with.  It is easy for me to see the disconnect of the world when I see how God has been put in his place.... no let me rephrase that, see how people have forgotten about God and all that He has done by being dulled by "the worries of this life".  I look at my life and I can momentarily have my mind crammed full of the world and only because of my love of Christ and that my chains He has broken to set me free, do I quickly come back to Him.


Generations here in Europe have had their hearts dulled by the carousing and drunkenness and the worries of this life; America isn't far behind them as I see what they/we are doing and the change that is occurring.  The disconnect in the world has come because we have not listened to some of Christ's last words as He spoke to the people of Jerusalem.  


Look at Jesus' words again: "Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”  


I pray that I might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.  I pray that for you as well.  Celebrate Easter as the first Christians did, in gratitude, joy, humility, and the hope that He has promised.  He is Risen....He is Risen INDEED!  

Lost in France

If you are wondering why it has been so long since I last posted a blog, it is because, the hands of the clock move even if I don't.  My bride and I are lost in France currently while someone rips and polishes our house.  Our goal for nine days was to just unwind and be a couple experiencing some back roads of France together.  We have done that and have new roads yet to discover.  Thanks to our friend, V, we have a Garmin and when she works (ie, we figure out how to properly program her) she does pretty well.  Sometimes her lefts, rights and go for it's are not the easiest to follow and thanks to her, we have found some single lane paths through mustard fields and grain fields, beside cozy rambling brooks and tree-lined tunnels or mini-Arch de Triumph.  We've seen more back roads and no toll-"free-ways" today than most Frenchmen see in their lifetime.  Our goal is to get lost and still find ourselves eating good bread, cheese and a little red wine.

A barn we found that has been out of use for a while

So that is what has happened from Beaune to Ribeauville, France.  We drove over a 1000 meter pass with a bit of snow along the roadside and the chairlifts standing quiet.  We stop in little villages that tourist never venture in and the locals speak NO English.  We have managed to eat the plate de jour a few times, order Pain Chocolates and Pain Raisins for breakfast without damage the international relations between France the the U.S.  We find ourselves in the French culture, ordering cafe au'lait or just cafe straight up for a morning and afternoon hit.  We been waking a fair bit, but I see not balance of the calories consumed and the calories burned, so I have to trust God's grace to burn them off in my sleep.

After driving over the beautiful mountain range and seeing the sleepy houses that line the roads, many standing hundreds of years and often ready for some new roof tiles, we wound down to lower plains.  One of the many villages had a sign for frommage direct and we jumped at the opportunity to get further off the beaten path.  Buy the cheese from the dairy; we bought fresh munster cheese (nothing like munster in America) in Munster at this beautiful dairy farm with a very high standard of cleanlyness.  Next was going in to pet the bull calves ready to be sold off; they were so fun and I'd love to have a half dozen back home.

The fields that we had experienced from the Loire valley to Burgandy were half mustard seed in full bloom of yellow and the other half of wheat in dark green (it was a U of O dream) and we couldn't believe that there was such a need for mustard as we saw thousands and thousands of hectars of blooming mustard.... it was beautiful.


While in Munster, we picked up a loaf of fresh bread, some girkens (little pickles), olives, apples, and some local red wine.  After our three-course "plate de jour", our groceries would serve up as our dinner and an early rest in bed.  OH, the munster was stinky, but once aired, it was very good.  


We have been driving an Opel diesel car and it has done very well.  It fits our needs well, but diesel runs 1.45 euro/liter, so between fuel and toll roads the first couple of days of chateau viewings, we will walk much of tomorrow.  Exploring is on tap and trying to interface with more and more locals.  We have found the Alsatians very friendly, and as a whole everyone in France has been very hospitable even with our lace of language skills.


Yesterday in Beaune, the "capital of Burgandy", we saw a hospital that dates back to the 15th century, it was called the Hospice of Beaune, but better know as the Palace of the Poof.  It ran until 1971 as a hospital that cared for the poor and rich alike, side by side.  It was amazing to see and we didn't even know it was there except we were lead by our hearts to explore the city and see what was in it.  This multi-paneled painting done by Wagner 1399-14something was incredible to see the detail and grasp of  man's choice.

We have seen a number of churches, but unfortunately, they are now memorials to a faith that was once very vibrant.  The buildings lack people and the Spirit of God in them and it isn't improving with the future generations. Past generations knew of the Master and the transformation of lives; those lives willing to care for the poor, tend the sick and comfort the helpless.   I don't know what it will take, but God does.  People can be so blind to how much they are loved by the God that created them.  

Crazy Times and the World Seems to be Crashing

We are living in crazy times and the world seems to be crashing on many fronts, politically, financially, environmentally, morally, and spiritually.  Fear, greed, poverty, wealth, oppression, power, hate, lust, addictions, jealousy, sickness, and unrest are just a few of the drivers, not to mention natural events.  Many seem to want to hide from it all as unrest surrounds us in the news and discussions.   As bad as it seems, it's going to get worse.  I'm not a dooms-day type person.  I only know it will; the book of Revelation says so, and I believe it all to be true.

"Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"  Revelation 6:15-17 NIV



This picture may be how you are feeling right now; ready to be crushed beneath the giant rock.  "I can't keep holding this thing up for much longer!!!"  The reality is that we have so little power over anything.  We pretend that we are in control, but we control so very little.  Today, a sweet Japanese young woman spoke telling how she was wondering the streets of a town they had just moved to when a woman approached her to tell her of a nearby church where she could learn English.  With her mother's encouragement she attended and later, as she told it, the Holy Spirit moved her even though she didn't understand all the words that were spoken of Jesus' love for her.  Oh, the pain and suffering in Japan; though this woman's family and friends are "safe", she says they don't yet know the peace that she has in Jesus Christ.  I cried listening to her thank us for praying as she knows, she said, that our prayers change things in Japan.  This is faith that I wish everyone who heard her would embrace.


Over and over I see it, read about it, and have experienced it; though you don't have all the answers, faith in the one true God, is enough to sustain the weight of the crushing world around us.

My two best friends (other than Jesus & my wonderful wife)

It may be a crazy time in the world and in your life, but going though the tough stuff in life is easier when you have friends to help carry you, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.  Even distance does not stop prayer, cards, calls, and words of encouragement or an ear to listen when all seems lost.  I've found crying together is better than crying alone as a friend leans in to hand you a tissue and lift your spirit.  Even when my friends are miles away, I am never without Jesus.  My closest friend on earth is my gracious loving wife.  She is my greatest cheerleader, supporter, critic and so much more; I need all these gifts from her and the love she shows me every day is really unfathomable.  I know that God crafted her with me in mind.  


My friends have also been crafted, but in a different way.  I just know that when I need them, they will be there in anyway they can be.  I have often commented that you should be able to name your pallbearers while you are still alive; those men that will carry you even when you are alive.  These two guys would be leading the pack and I know I have a number of others that would grab a handle when called on.  I am very thankful for them all.


So, in this messed up world, get your life squared away by living like Jim Elliot said long before he was speared to death trying to share Christ's love,

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."

Elliot's peace and purpose was placed in something greater than what the world has to offer; it was placed in Christ and real hope that conquers the fears that come our way, even the fear of death.  Once you get this part of your life squared away by asking Christ to be your master, then and only then, can you love your neighbor more than yourself.  When you do that, it doesn't matter if the world is circling the drain; you are given peace that is from the creator of the world with confidence that what He has made, He is in control of.

Jesus is speaking, "But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative — and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit — he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you.  I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again." John 14:26-28 NLT

With AARP just waiting for a reply, I continue to enjoy the wife of my youth, my first wife, and my children.  I feel that I am a very blessed man and I have many worldwide experiences in places and people that I cherish from the chair I write.  I have witnessed world strife, terrorism, and wars but even in the midst of danger, I have hope that is anchored in Christ and the plans He has for me.  

Very Hot Tom Kha Soup in Thailand

Some folks reading this blog like to hear the personal parts so to that end here is one.  I love to cook and I love to eat.  Taste and presentation are both important and the small herbs and spices make all the difference in my enjoyment of the ordinary to the very fine.  The food's texture, smell, feel, and freshness is also extremely important.  A favorite challenge is to eat a new food and try and guess what is in it and how it is made.  Cooking without a recipe is like painting on a blank canvas without any sketch lines.  I have a dear friend, John, that is a foodie and as a chemist, he takes analysis to a molecular level ;-)

We are going to be traveling to Europe soon and the bread, cheese and wine combination in one of the countries is calling my name.  We plan to stop in small towns and meet the people and savor the local fare.  Many thanks to dear friends that got us a Garmin so we could get lost and yet meet up with them on time.  This is some vacation time and time to explore new and diverse regions of the world.  There are many things to hold us where we are and many that have us travel.

Here is a newspaper quote from today: "A big difference, right now, is how interconnected we are. We can view these horrifying events in Japan online within minutes of their happening. Thanks to YouTube and smartphones, we can watch a tsunami wave devastate a town as if it were happening across the street and check a nuclear reactor's status on Twitter. 

The world learned of the Chernobyl disaster, mind you, two days after it occurred, after tracers picked up radioactive elements on the clothing of nuclear reactor workers -- in Sweden. A day later. 

That kind of relentless, disturbing news can prey on our psyche, and -- if we're not careful -- our pocketbooks. Worry affects our ability to make judgments and, ultimately, decisions -- even financial ones, experts say. 

It's why you need to take some steps these days to ground yourself before you make any wholesale changes to your retirement investments or escape from all this with a shopping spree." Oregonian 3/20/11

Today's news discusses the affect that global unrest in Libya, Yemen, and Egypt along with tsunami and earthquake damage in Japan; the threat of radioactivity, and even local crime or events can shake a person's mental status.  It is true and yet, I for one, know that my prayers to an all knowing and all powerful God, those prayers can affect much in ways through God's hand than if I had not prayed them.  This is not to say God requires my prayers, but that He has directed us to pray and He listens.  Something that is not on the same  level as these disasters and political changes is a small book, recently released, called Love Wins.

For a number of years I have enjoyed the ministry of Rob Bell through the Nooma video series.  I own a number of the DVDs and one year, as a family, we sent the ministry financial support.  But the words we speak (or write), mine included, can and will follow us determining the influence and impact that we have in this world.  Though I once considered Bell to be cutting edge in communication of faith, I better understand the position he takes; a position that I can't agree with.  My words here are more to state my position than to criticize his.

I wanted you to know that I am greatly disappointed in the position Rob Bell has taken.  Although I have not read the book, Love Wins, and will not, his interview on MSNBC YouTube was sufficient for me to hear that he does not see the gift of the sacrifice of Christ as the point of transformation and that a person's decision is made in this life, not available postmortem.  I believe his assertion is both a danger to those who might think that they will have a second chance and profoundly post-modern in his inclusive universalist hope.
Though I am far from a theologian, I find his comments hermeneutically unsound and his desire for God's love to over-ride God's justice (or any other part of God's character) totally unfounded.

I find Bell's position most unfortunate in so many ways.  After researching Bell further during a discussion with my pastor, I have not utilized the Nooma series and find myself now with a box of DVDs that are worthless because of his stance.  Though my pastor did not agree with me, we agreed to use watchful eyes and accurate teaching to bring this to light.

So before you stop reading as if this doesn't have anything to do with your life, let me say this as firmly as I can.  Everything matters about what decision you make while you are alive on this earth; who you say Jesus is to you?

"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many." Hebrews 9:27-28 NKJV  

It doesn't say all; it does not say you get a second chance.  Let's just say, I wouldn't bet the farm that you will get a second chance after death to decide to love God... God doesn't change, He has always loved you.

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved . For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."   For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved ." Romans 10:9-13 NIV

God's love is such that He sent Jesus to live among us; He has revealed it to us in specific and general revelation (see Psalm 19).  If Bell's position is right, why have millions of people risk everything in order to share the gospel?  Why did Jesus come and sacrifice Himself to take on the sins of the world past, present and future for you and me?  Why did Jesus command us, 

"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."" Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

Don't be fooled, the decision is yours to make but you must make it before your earthly body dies for love to win.

Saigon Street = Life Decisions

If I were to write a book it would be more aptly titled, God Wins!  Of all the denial in the world it does not change the fact that God wins.

A Farmer of the King

Check out the phone on the right!

I recently celebrated another birthday, long past this picture.  Age has certain privileges, one of which is the wisdom that experience brings. 

Confucius is quoted of saying:  "By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”  I have tasted these three and also a fourth.  James, the half-brother of Christ writes: 
"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But he must ask in faith without any doubting..." James 1:5-6 NASU

I have walked 48 years with Christ on a road, working out my faith and salvation, yet I know that salvation was and is a gift God so desires to give so we can have an un-restricted relationship.  He has also given me wisdom both in times of need, and in my walk in general.  It is not my abilities that are tested, but the power of the third member of the Triune God, in me.

It is difficult for me to describe the Kingdom, but I know the King; He is my Father, my sovereign, my God.  He is perfect in every way; His character never changes.  He is all loving, all powerful, all knowing, not bound by time or space, righteous and pure; His is just and jealous, demanding, and forgiving.  Yet in these and many more attributes, He remains loving and merciful, just and demanding all at the same time.  No one attribute over-rides the others but are held in unity and harmony. 


His Kingdom, as we see it on earth is not perfected or complete, yet it remains.  It is the very thread that makes up the fabric of the universe.  Those that are followers of Christ and by Him have been transformed to be heirs of God's family, dwell in this universe while living on the earth.  I, like others in the Kingdom, face an evil foe who desires our glory, but glory belongs to none other than the King of Glory, Yahweh. 


The Kingdom is filled with many and Yahweh is the judge and ruler of those subject to Him.  As in Middle Ages, there are those that sit just inside the gate, those that tend the gate, those that are more like Knights, and many who shepherd the flocks and plant and harvest the fields.  Yahweh God loves all of his subjects equally, but some choose to receive the power from Him and answer the King's call to their station in life.


"And now let the voice ring out with great gladness—we won ones may be the pathway back to God for the others. That is His earnest desire. That should be our dominant ambition. For that purpose He has endowed us with peculiar power.
There is one inlet of power in the life—anybody's life—any kind of power: just one inlet—the Holy Spirit. He is power. He is in every one who opens his door to God. He eagerly enters every open door. He comes in by our invitation and consent. His presence within is the vital thing.
But with many of us while He is in, He is not in control: in as guest; not as host. That is to say He is hindered in His natural movements; tied up, so that He cannot do what He would. And so we are not conscious or only partially conscious of His presence. And others are still less so. But to yield to His mastery, to cultivate His friendship, to give Him full swing—that will result in what is called power. One inlet of power—the Holy Spirit in control." (Quiet Talks on Prayer by S.D. Gordon 1904) This powerful book can be read at  Quiet Talks on Prayer.

The unfortunate truth is that in our world, there are wolves in sheep's clothing, calling themselves by a name and tarnishing what the name once stood for.  Case in point in our media today, the Westboro Baptist Church which is not even remotely connected with any Baptist conventions or associations; nor do their members (71 in 2007) resemble Christ's love of people.  Yet some have referred to them as Christians.  The term, "Christian" has been bastardized to both extremes like Westboro Baptists on one end and the dilution by the hordes of Americans that consider themselves "Christian" as a default religion, because they are none of the others, on the other end of the term.  Therefore, the actions of those that call themselves "Christian" but do not follow God's Word in speech, action, and deed, has tarnished the term.  Today, I will often refer to myself as a "follower of Christ" rather than be confused with the world's dilution of "Christian".

As I said, the Kingdom of God is difficult to describe, but I know I am part of it.  To that end, I will work the fields, not in my own strength, but in the power and strength of my King.  The Apostle Paul wrote:

"As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."   For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."  

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:11-15 NIV


So I live in a Kingdom, that is in the world, but no tof the world; I live in a body that has been called a "tent" that is fading away:
"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands." 2 Corinthians 5:1 NIV 
"So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.". 2 Peter 1:12-15 NIV

My tent is broken and worn, but I shall use the assets of His that I steward over to bring honor and glory to my King.
"He [Jesus] told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves." Luke 10:2-3 [observation, mine] NIV

While I live, and as I was born again, I shall be a most dependent farmer waiting instructions and obeying.

The End of the Age

We have three, what I consider to be, exception children; all of which shall eclipse their parents in ways too numerous to count.  May I share with you as minute slice of how wonderful God has designed them and the processes they are in; our son is getting his PhD in Astrophysics.  He thinks, talks, teaches and works on things beyond our galaxy. My wife and I look at each other in wonder, knowing that he probably didn't get this from either of us and it had to be an extra touch from Heaven.  I have often suggested he discover the "warp drive" that would give all Star Trek fans hope for the future.  He smiles at his father.

Hubble Photo of the Eagle Nebula

There are certain mysteries that the universe has, man will always pursue; and, not to disappoint them, there are many mysteries which they will never understand or their explanations they theorize shall fall short of the truth.  Though this will not dissuade them, which I am grateful, their theories require more "faith" than I could find.  There is neither a tree of all knowledge that is available nor should we ever be so contemptuous to not believe that God's design and  His creation of the universe is fathomless and beyond our grasp as mere mortals.

There are many Christians that follow the notion that they can hasten the end of the age and bring back Jesus by making sure that everyone on the planet has had a chance to hear the gospel; a notion of which I respect, but can't quite agree with.  I see this as only difference of opinion on a minor theological interpretation.  This is the text of Scripture that they hang the task of worldwide evangelism on.

"As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."  Matthew 24:3-14 NIV

First of all I am on record that I believe every word of this statement by Jesus Christ regarding the end of the age.  Some people have said that the rise in earthquakes, unrest in the world, and other markers are ushering in the end times.  Frankly speaking, to me it doesn't matter if it is or not; I am and will live my life as if He can and will return at any moment (regardless and in spite of any "predictions").

What I question is not Christ's teaching to His disciples and thus to the entire world, but the notion of man's total responsibility for bringing about the results and therefore the end of the world as we know it.  Should this notion be true, it puts the return of Christ, which will happen, on the backs and responsibility of man and not on God's sovereign knowledge and timing.  I remain in the camp that we should endeavor to be about the Father's business and share the Gospel; as we are doing this, whether I live to see it or not, the Father will again send the Son back for His bride, the Church [this includes the living and dead follower of God's Son]. The commission and power that Jesus gave was this: 
 
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:18-20 NIV

Please do not get me wrong, I applaud and support the work that is being done by every true follower of Christ to reach out to the lost wherever they may be found in every nation, people group and tribe and I also believe that God grants supernatural power to accomplish His love of mankind.  It is not God's desire that any man, woman or child not choose to love Him, but for this, He has given a choice.  

The end of this world as we know it is true and yet I don't know or understand how all the events will unfold, Christ's roll-out of the future is sure:
Matthew 24:30-31 NIV

For now, I am content to follow King Solomon's wisdom:
"Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God." Eccl 2:24-25 NKJV  

Our twin daughters

One daughter brought me a wonderful apple pie made from scratch by her; we ate last night and enjoyed the company of good friends.  My other daughter travels through Israel; experiencing things for the first and second time.  My wonderful wife prepared a feast with friends and today I go to worship the King Almighty and hear of His great love for me and forgiveness that I so desperately need and before I leave the building, I shall join with God in communion at His table.  Yet, an hour scarcely passes that I do not consider the remaining lost of this world and I pursue the opportunities that unfold before me.  For I breath and live at His pleasure and when I draw my last air, my pleasure will be to be in His presence for all eternity.