24. June 2009 by PawBill.

We will all die one day – some peacefully, some violently and some, somewhere in between. For most people when they awake to begin a new day, thoughts of death are not on their mind, nor should there be. Death is not a topic easily discussed, and is feared by many.

But, death will come for all.  If you knew you were dying, what would your deathbed wish be?  Would you pray for additional days?  To whom would you pray: the God of the Bible or to some other god or gods? Would you seek forgiveness for any wrongs done to your fellow man?  Would you be afraid?  Would you be angry? Would you have peace?  Just what would your last wish be?

Most will not get a last wish.  An accident, murder, heart attack or some other event could take their life in an instance.  Is their death more tragic in that they did not get a “last wish.” 

Hezekiah, a king of Judah who reigned in Jerusalem, when told he was dying cried out to God to remember all the good he had done. As he lay on his bed weeping bitterly, God heard his prayer of anguish; I do not want to die.  God granted Hezekiah fifteen additional years of life, and the prophet Isaiah was sent to announce the good news; he also applied a medical potent on Hezekiah’s wound, which had healing results.  As proof that God had spoken, the sun’s shadow was made to reverse itself by going back ten steps.  This was quite a miracle in both cases: a physical body healing and a supernatural cosmic event. You can read about it for yourself. The story can be found in the Bible: the Book of Isaiah, chapter 38 and the Book of 2^nd Kings, chapter 20.

For believers in Jesus Christ death is but a passage to a new life.  Death is not to be feared but to be welcomed.  I have heard many ask why the good or young have to die so early.  I take comfort in words found in Isaiah 57:1-2, KJV: “The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Has Has your life been such that God would grant you additional years?  Would God be listening if you did cry out?  Does God even know who you are?  In whom do you believe: God or god(s)? Do you know the difference? Try reaching out and talking to God; it is never too late. Maybe he will hear your call.

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16. June 2009 by PawBill.

A year or so ago my wife and I took a trip to Israel.  We were traveling with a church group of approximately seventy people, but it was well organized.  We had a great time and got to know people we had only known as church acquaintances.  We look forward to a return trip one day.

At one of the evening meals we were seated with Martin and his family. I’ve changed his name to protect his identify and integrity as he was one our church’s newly elected deacons.  He and his family were young and energetic and seemed to be enjoying life.

While making small talk at our evening meal the topic of travel came up.  You know the conversation; is this visit your first trip to the Holy Land?  How many other trips have you been on? And so forth.

Why I don’t know, but when I had only Martin’s attention I was suddenly being led (my wife said I became possessed) to tell Martin about my wife’s “trip tattoos.”  You see, I remarked, “when my wife and I travel she always get a small tattoo to commemorate our trip.  Some wives buy things, but mine likes to get a trip tattoo.”

As his eyes widened, I began to elaborate.  She usually has the tattoo placed where it will not show, as she does not want to appear to be “one of those.”  Not that there is anything wrong with body tattoos from the world’s perspective.

While I continued to describe the various tattoos in terms of their size, shape, body location and significance to our trip I waited for the inevitable “why a tattoo” question.

He finally bit.  Looking him straight in the eyes, I said, “there are times when my wife and I want to relive the good times we have had on our many trips. It is fun to journey between and amongst the tattoos as I simply retrace our trips with my fingertips as we lie in bed together.   It is quite romantic and we laugh and giggle about all the great times we have had.  When we get older and can no longer travel we will still have memories.  But, my wife is running out of room so I am encouraging her to add a few extra pounds so that there might be a little more space for when we make additional trips.”

“Would you like another slice of cake or some more ice cream,” I turned and nonchalantly asked my wife. “I would be happy to get you some more,” I said. 

Turning back to Martin I continued. “I would recommend trip tattoos for all married couples,” I said, as he stared at me not knowing quite what to say.  Before I could get more graphic and erotic with my description, my wife apparently had overheard enough of my conversation with Martin to quickly remark, “quit telling those stories, someone is going to believe you.” I simple smiled, changed topics and took another sip of my coffee.

From that evening on and for the rest of the trip, whenever our paths crossed Martin would always smile and ask if my wife had gotten her trip tattoo.  I would always remark that we were still looking but she planned to get one before we departed Israel.  Maybe a small cross or menorah, I thought.

My wife still gives me that wifely look every time I ask to look at her trip tattoos.  “Dream on,” she says; “it will be a cold day before I live out that fantasy with you.” In reality my wife does not have any tattoos.

As I pondered on this story that is actually true except for the tattoos, of course, I’m amazed at the details provided in the laws and commandments written in the book of Leviticus. Having a tattoo is actually addressed in the book of Leviticus 19:28 (NIV), “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves, I am the Lord.”

It is not that tattooing is wrong in and of itself, it is simply that this was a pagan practice, and God wanted the Hebrews to be identifiably different; practices and customs of pagan society were strictly forbidden.  The commandments and laws were given to the Hebrew children as they were wandering in the desert to set them apart from the pagan Egyptian society they were leaving and the pagan societies they would encounter in the Promise Land.

The Hebrew children were never able, due to their own stubbornness, to adhere to the Law and sacrificial system instituted for their physical and mental health and for the forgiveness of their transgressions (called sins).

The God of the Bible gave the ultimate gift of Grace to his children by the sacrificial offering of Jesus Christ.  Freedom is found only in Jesus Christ with ones acceptance of his gift of salvation by a simple act of faith and belief.  Pray that God will call you to accept his Son as your Lord and Savior.

Your soul is the most important possession you possess.  Don’t cast it away by following worldly ambitions and desires.  Seek God and find the peace that surpasses all understanding. 

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3. June 2009 by PawBill.

Have you pushed the off button on your TV set in response to the latest trends in reporting or should I say “news entertainment?”  These trends have been creeping slowly into our home sanctuary much like the politically correct social agendas of many television programs.  You know, the unbridled bias, outright lies, mix-it-up formats and sensationalism to name just a few.

Who thought it was a good idea to present two opposing sides to every issue?  It has gotten out of hand.  The journalist, reporter, host or whatever they call themselves delight, apparently, in allowing double-talk between or among their guests.

It has gotten to the point where it all sounds like mush: loud boisterous talk, unsubstantiated claims, all talking at once behaviors, mean spirited accusations and so on.   No one is ever “put on the spot or called down” for lies they are expounding.  And of course, we have the “talking points.”  Why not just publish party talking points every morning and save everyone from having to listen to every political party guest rehash the same words.

I say enough is enough already.  It is time to let broadcasters know you will not be listening to their dribble and probably most important, you will not be listening to those TV commercials that pay for their broadcasts. Take a stand by turning off offensive programs.  You do not have to listen or watch “social programming” meant to lull your minds into accepting agendas of complacency, dependency, godlessness, immorality and fear: all in the name of entertainment.

Big government is not your friend, and Hollywood producers are not your friends.  They have an agenda and that agenda is to compromise your heart and souls to accept change.  What is that change you ask?

You are being programmed to accept a one world government, currency and religion.  Your laziness and complacency are destroying this great nation.  Do you care enough to take a stand?

Resist change before it is too late!  Start thinking for yourself.  Turn off and refuse to watch politically correct propaganda.  Write your political leaders at all levels and demand that America’s Christian values be restored.

Our Constitution and Bill of Rights are too valuable to be compromised and destroyed by its enemies, many of whom are political leaders and judges who have been blinded by their own feelings of superiority and greatness and who call themselves great Americans.

There is still time. Don’t procrastinate.  Join the moral majority and let your voice be heard.  Let’s cast out the immoral minority before it is too late.

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2. June 2009 by PawBill.

Let’s settle a question that is not widely discussed but is a source of multiple opinions and controversy when considered by the multitude.   The question is this, “Is a belief in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior the only way to heaven?”

If you accept the Bible as the inspired word of God and the truths contained therein, the answer is YES.   The Bible teaches there is no other way!

I really do not care what you think regarding your god or my God.  I am not trying to force my beliefs about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit on you.  I am not condemning you or your beliefs.  I am not going to tell you that you cannot get to heaven based on your beliefs; however, I am telling you that the Bible points to Jesus Christ as the only way to heaven.

Take the Bible and Jesus out of the world and the world will turn toward man and his ways.  Do you need proof?  Look only at the United States.  We are removing God and his commandments from our culture, and no one is stepping up to challenge the influences that are leading this country astray. I will pray for your soul.  Are you praying for my soul? One of us is right.  I’ll take my chance on Jesus.  If I am wrong, so be it. 

Now, if you do not agree with my answer then that is ok.  You can decide for yourself what actions on your part or that of your god will get you to heaven.  But, you cannot go to the heaven that the Bible states awaits those who place their trust and salvation in Jesus Christ. 

Are there other gods who have heavens? If you believe there are, you can support your position based on the books written about or by your god or gods about their heaven and how to get there.  You cannot, however, justify your beliefs by quoting from the Bible since you do not believe in its teachings.  To do otherwise makes you out to be a fool.

Followers of Islam will not have a problem with my belief in Jesus as long as I am not trying to convert them. After all, I am just an infidel who should be killed.  That’s right, unless an infidel is willing to convert, the god of Mohammad would condone their death by decapitation.  But, the majority of Muslims are peaceful.

Wait a minute you say, did not the God of the Bible tell the Israelites to slay men, women, children and animals conquered as they entered the promise land.  Yes, they were instructed to kill a population of pagans who practiced child sacrifice, fornication, wickedness and other evil practices so that they would not be influenced by them.  The Israelites did not do as their God commanded and were led into sinful practices of the people they conquered and were punished for their disobedience. 

But wait another minute.  Don’t the citizens of the United States practice child sacrifice (abortion), fornication (adultery and other acts of the flesh), wickedness and other evil practices (lying, cheating, idolatry)?  Read and study the Bible under the influence of the Holy Spirit and all of this will be made clear to you. 

Let’s continue. Atheists should not have a problem with my belief; after all, they don’t believe there is a God or gods so what is heaven to them.   Atheists believe the world would be better off if God and religion were removed.  Man would do what is right according to man. No need for this God stuff.

The only groups that may have a problem with my belief are people who call themselves Christians, but who do not believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven.  This group of church going people represents over half of the people who call themselves Christians. These Christians, and they include Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterians, Catholics, Episcopalians and others groups, must have books that support multiple ways to heaven because the Bible certainly does not.  I do not consider myself to be a part of their group. 

Herein lies the problem.  People who believe that Jesus is the only was to heaven and call themselves Christians are lumped in with other groups who call themselves Christians but who do not believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven.  So how do we resolve this problem? One group needs to call themselves by another name.

In my opinion those who believe Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven should change their name to “Disciples and Followers of Jesus,” and their group name to  “Fellowship of Believers.”  Their mission is simply to be salt and light to an unbelieving world.  Their example should lead others to want to be like them, not to hate them. 

Believers in Jesus Christ have not been saved to change the political system but simple to change lives that will lead to a change in the political system as they vote for candidates who have like beliefs.  In other words, get government back to the way the founding fathers established it. 

If you have never read the Bible or even if you have, follow me as I attempt to present my reasons for believing that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven.  It might change your life but if it doesn’t, to hell with you.

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