Dear Readers,
I have struggled from time to time with parts of the Bible where God takes vengeance on people. Like the time that God destroyed all the people, save Noah and his family, in the flood. Or the times that David and Joshua, at God’s command, killed everyone of the enemy force, sometimes even women and children.
And Jesus, although thought of as the bearer of a new, more peaceful approach, talked a number of times about people being sent to hell. In Revelation 21:8 John had a vision of Jesus saying, “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur.”
There’s a lot of talk these days about sexual orientation, atheism, abortion, and the origin of the universe, and people with religious beliefs being bullies or haters if they do not go along with certain standards. There is much pressure put to bear on people to conform, in the name of civil rights.
But I think there is a much deeper issue in play here. It is where people end up. If the Bible is true there is no amount of campaigning to make people conform to a certain standard that will thwart it.
My goal with this blog post is not to condemn anyone, and it’s my sincere desire to love everyone, as Jesus commanded. My conformation to a standard set by a group of people is not the main issue at stake here. Rather it is where people go at the end of their lives...not to mention what they experience here on earth. (“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10)
We can argue until the cows come home about whose standards are right, and what is God’s will. I only know that I have seen a fairly large number of family members and friends die in my sixty year lifespan, and it is hugely evident that life on this earth is finite.
This finiteness leads me to trying, to the best of my ability, to encourage as many family members and friends as possible, regardless of the orientation or cause they might have, to end up in an eternity with a God that loves them infinitely more than I ever will.
See you next time,
Arlen
Dear Readers,
I just watched the Creation Science versus Evolution debate. Ken Ham, the founder of the Creation Science Museum in the Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky area squared off against Bill Nye, longtime PBS television show host known as “Bill Nye, The Science Guy”.
I could expound on my feelings about the pros and cons of the debate, but I feel there is a more important issue at hand. Bill Nye questioned a number of times how could people be so led astray to follow the non-scientific, backward ways of creationism. But toward the end of the debate he brought up crux of the matter. It is the following: How can a loving God condemn well-meaning people to an eternity in hell?
I’ve struggled with that question as well. It seems a paradox that such a good man as Jesus could ever send anyone to hell with fire and eternal torment. Isn’t the mission of Jesus to bring joy and harmony to the universe?
Well, when we read the Bible Jesus didn’t circle around the edges of the topic of hell. He went right to the heart of the matter. I counted eleven times in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke where Jesus mentioned the word “hell”. Several other times he mentioned terms like “eternal punishment”.
Jesus indicated how serious the issue of hell is in Matthew 5:29-30 where he told us to “pluck” out our right eye, or “cut” off our right hand if either of them causes us to sin, “for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.”
Wow! What a statement! Let’s take a deep breath and actually think about what he said. He meant that our entire life is in the balance, and we have a choice to make. It would be a gruesome sight to see a person pluck out their eyeball or cut off their hand. But it would be much better than ending up in a real hell.
See you next time,
Arlen
Dear Readers,
Today I’m tucked away safely in our sun/family room. Outside I hear the wind fiercely blowing the snow into large piles. Tonight we are supposed to dip to subzero temperatures.
Memories of my youth pop into my head on days like these. I remember days when Mom, Merv, and I would wake up in anticipation of a possible “snow day” off school listening steadfastly to the radio on the kitchen counter. Mom listened just as intently as we did. When the news came of school being cancelled for the day I remember our feeling of excitement, and Mom with a big grin.
I don’t remember exact details of what we did on every snow day…I more remember the feelings I had. Sometimes we went outside and trekked up, and slid back down the hill with our sleds. Sometimes we shoveled the driveway and sidewalks. One of my favorite things to do on a snow day was to make paths in the deep snow with creative intersections in our yard and field. We many times played “Fox and Geese”, a tag game, on the paths.
Dad was long at work, perhaps on a trip to faraway places in his truck. Marlene and Robert were in Columbus at work and school respectively. Craig was a toddler and stayed in Mom’s loving care inside the house where it was safe and warm.
When we went back inside to get respite and rest from the cold Mom would make us lunch, perhaps some hot chocolate, grilled cheese sandwiches, and tomato soup. We felt safe, warm, and content.
We were not a perfect family, but we had our needs met with a hardworking Dad, and a Mom who was always there. She did not drive, nor do I think she felt the need to drive. She stayed at home, and was our shelter from the storms of life.
Oh, and by the way. Today is Mom’s birthday. If she were living she would be 97 years old today. Happy birthday Mom! I can’t wait to see you again!
See you next time,
Arlen
Dear Readers,
I think it would be safe to say that Jim Brown was and is my friend. You see, I inherited his family and his home. I only met Jim once before he died. But he made an impact on me then, and he still makes an impact on me today.
Jim was an avid, longsuffering Cleveland sports fan like me. Also, I hear Jim’s voice on videos, and I see his pictures in our home. At Christmas time a prominent picture of Jim smiling widely adorned his parent’s wall by the front door. In a way I felt like Jim was part of the family gathering and having fun along with us.
Jim was not a perfect man, but a passionate one. He was not skilled in outdoor things, but he more than made up for that by his computer genius. Jim was the main computer guru in the city school system where we live. Dee said that his goal was to retire early, and start up his own computer or software business.
The main things Jim and I have in common are our relationships. We both have Dee and Joseph as a wife and a son, and Christ as our Savior. He was a proud husband and father. You can see it in his pictures and videos with Dee and Joseph. His smile and fun-loving nature were evident. And his journals give vivid evidence of his tenderness toward Christ.
Yes, I am very glad and proud to call Jim Brown my friend!
See you next time,
Arlen
Dear Readers,
My Bible and book readings lately have led me to think about what if Jesus would return in 2014. I’m not saying He will…but just saying “what if?” Jesus said himself in Matthew 24:36 that “no one knows the day or the hour” of His return.
The term “rapture” generates numerous debates. There are proponents of a pre-tribulation rapture, some a post-tribulation rapture, and others believe there will be no rapture at all.
What do Paul’s Thessalonians writings really mean?
“Don’t you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you? And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way.” 2 Thessalonians 2:5-7.
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
I think that whether you're a “pre-tribber”, a “post-tribber”, or a “no-tribber”, there is little doubt in the statement Paul made in 1 Thessalonians 4:18, “So encourage each other with these words.” I think Paul means that thinking about meeting Jesus gives us very much encouragement at ANY time…but what if it happens in 2014?
See you next time,
Arlen
