The greatness of a man is determined by the cause he lives for, and his willingness to pay the price to achieve it! Source; Pastor Charles E. Blair (1920-2009) Calvery Temple, Denver, Colorado.
Month: March 2011
What is the church?
A very controversial question with many,many answers—— You know the text in Matthew 16 when Peter made his confession and Christ promised, I will build my church—– I decided that the church was whatever Christ meant when he used the word “church” and the church is what Christ is doing in history.Whatever Christ meant when he said “church”, whatever he is building in the world, that is my definition of the church. Begging the question? I think not. According to his own testimony, Jesus entered history to do the Father’s will— an agreement they had arranged before the foundation of the world. He said, “I will build my church!” I believe it! The church is the body of Christ!The church is the bride of Christ. It is what he is building in the world. He said something else—fundamental to understanding the church as He meant it: ‘The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” In obedience to the Father’s will He is building something in history that is indestructible—the church! It is inconceivable that Jesus would refuse to do the Father’s will—and it is inconceivable that He could fail in what he is building! What humans build is temporal—vulnerable—perishable. That which Christ is building—whatever it is—is permanent and eternal. The Church is what Christ is building in the world. My desire is to be part of that. Matthew16:17-18 “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Source; Wisdom of the Church by Richard C. Halverson Published 1995.
Christmas Story will not save you!
It was around Christmas time in New York City. It was a cold night with light snow showers. Christmas carol’s were being sung around the city. An old man was walking down the street in Brooklyn. His mind was on his past and the mess he had made of his life! So many bad decisions and wrong choices. His thoughts were where will I go when I die? How do I get rid of my past? As he walked by a church he stopped turned around and knocked on the front door of the church. The Pastor opened the door and invited him in. The old man asked the Pastor if he could join the church? The Pastor said he could if he can answer one question correctly. The question is, “Where was Jesus Christ born?” The old man thought a minute and said, “I think it was Philadelphia?” The Pastor told him he was sorry and he should find another church. So the old man went down the street until he came to a Catholic Church. He knocked on the door and a Priest opened the door and invited him in. Old man asked Priest if he could join his Parish? Priest said he could if he could ask one question correctly. The Priest asked the old man where Jesus Christ was born? The old man said.” I think it was Pittsburg!” The Priest kindly asked him to join another Parish. Discouraged but not defeated he continued down the steets of Brooklyn. After a few blocks he came across a Synagogue. He knocked on the door and the Rabbi invited him in. He asked the Rabbi if he could join his congregation? The Rabbi said yes you can! The old man asked the Rabbi if he was going to ask him any questions? No said the Rabbi. We will take you just as you are! The old man was puzzled? Do you mind Rabbi if I ask you a question? The Rabbi said yes you can ask me any question you would like. The old man said,”I was just curious where was Jesus Christ born?” The Rabbi replied Bethehem! The old man just shook his head and said, “I knew it was in Pennsylvania some place?” The Christmas story cannot save us but Jesus Christ can! Merry Christmas!
Good Intentions at Windsor Castle
A young man had a deep desire to find God! A friend suggested to him to join a monastery. So he went to Windsor Castle and spoke to the Head Monk. This monk encouraged him to sign up for the 30 year program. The monk explained to him the hard work and discipline involved with this program! Long hours working around the castle in the crop fields! Strict rules about talking to others! In fact the Head Monk told this young recruit that he can only say 2 words every 10 years! This young man felt he was up to the challenge! First 10 years came up so Head Monk send a written message to this young man asking him to take the Light House stairway up to his office in Ivory Tower number three. While in his office Head monk asked young man to say his two words. Young man said, “Bad Food !” Another 10 years pass by and 20 years concluded. Monk asks middle age man to say two words. He tells the Monk, ” Hard Beds !” This now old man at Windsor Castle completes his 30 years. Head Monk presents him his 30 year pin and gives him permission to say his two words. His two words are I quit! Head Monk says that this does not surprise us because you have been complaining ever since you have been here!
Discontented Wife Number 2
A new science is now proclaimed by organizations that claim by their programs you can live to be 125 years old? Rich people are laying down their money to sign up! I have a friend who is a medical doctor who wants to sign up. He asked his wife to join him and sign up for $20000. dollars for the first visit. She told her husband that she only wants to live to be about 70 years only and then go home to the Lord. Besides she said, “I do not want to see your face for 125 years!.”
Concerned Priest!
A local Parish had a concern for one of it’s members? This Parish had statues of twelve revered Saints; Lucy,Luke,Martin of Tours,Monica,Nicholas, Padre Pio, Peter,Rita,Philomena, Matthew, Mary Magdalene and Michael the Archangel. On Friday’s this member would kiss every statue before leaving. The problem was the last statue before the entrance door(Michael the Archangel), had his right foot on Satan’s head. This man would kiss Satan’s head last of all just before leaving? The Priest cornered this man and asked him why was he doing this? This man explained to the Priest that if all these Saint’s fail to rescue me at least I will have one friend in Hell!
Love Demands a Choice!
God gave Adam and Eve a choice. They made a wrong choice. God gave His Son Jesus Christ a choice. He made the right choice and chose the Cross for you! He could have walked away but He chose death to give you life! Any religious or political system that denies you a choice is not Love! All wicked systems of world history whether Nazism, Facism, communism, Islam all denies choice! These systems say if you do not agree with me I will kill you! Please exercise God’s Love in our Democratic system and vote. Choose this day who you will serve! Overcome evil with good! Thankyou.
Contented Husband
After I showed my wife the kitchen she shared with me that her credit card was stolen by a thief while we were touring Delhi, India. So I went on-line and checked the charges on credit card over past 30 days. To my surprise this thief was spending less money than my wife does on this account! I have decided to let this thief keep the credit card!
Discontented Wife
I took my wife to Paris,London,Rome,Delhi,Moscow,Hong Kong,Manila,Bangkok,Singapore,Sidney,Tokyo,New York,Seoul,Madrid,Stockholm,Athens,Warsaw,Peking, Jerusalem and Cairo. We returned from Amsterdam late last night. This morning my wife asked me if I could take her to a place where she has never been before? I took her to the kitchen!