Is There Life After Death?

I once had a conversation with a man who was convinced there was no such thing as life after death. I put forward a simple proposition, "If I can exist now, in this world, why could I not someday exist in another world? If I know I am here now why could I not be self aware in a world beyond this one?" The light bulb came on and our conversation took a decidedly different direction thereafter.

Self awareness is a reality science cannot explain for it belongs in the world of the meta-physical. Meta physics being the "branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world." Man has always done his best to answer questions such as, "Why am I here? How did I get here? Where am I going when I leave here?" Such questions should be asked by each and every one of us. However, it is important to begin any attempt to answer such questions from the place we exist right now; I exist, am aware I exist, and can be concerned for where my life is going. This starting point not only gives context but also defines the parameters by which conversation on such matters may take place.  The sheer facts of what we know about our existence qualifies the conjecture, assumptions and conclusions we make about any potential future. Without a starting point all conversation is purely speculative at best and complete fairy tale at worst.

I know there once was a builder of the building in which I sit for the building itself gives evidence to such. My existence is evidence a creator once made me. If I accept such hypothesis as fact the real question becomes who created me and why? Fortunately the Bible gives me a clear, irrefutable answer to both questions. Clear, because God states as much and irrefutable because there is no possible way to deny the veracity of such a claim. 

God created me so I might glorify Him and enjoy Him forever....

James

Christian Faith: A Faith Built on Facts

Christians are called to a very unique kind of life. This life is unique for its scope (eternal), potential (endless) and cost (everything). Jesus calls us to give up our everything in order to receive His everything. This exchange is infinitely to our advantage but the advantages are not always tangible or physically seen; we are therefore prone to take for granted or overlook our blessings.

We may not be able to see, hear, feel or taste the salvation, love, blessing and grace of our God but our lack of physical perception does not make these realities any less real. Many of our spiritual blessings are experienced through faith in Christ rather than the five physical senses. Faith is seeing what we cannot see with our eyes and hearing what we cannot hear with our ears. Faith is belief and trust in truth even when we cannot verify its existence with our five senses.

Scientists tell me I am the product of molecules which are the product of atoms. Actually, I am the product of an astronomical number of atoms, around 7 followed by 27 zeroes! All of these atoms are uniquely aligned to create my physical body by something called DNA. I trust the truth of these facts although I have never seen my molecules, atoms or DNA. My trust is based upon what others have testified to have seen, heard or experienced. Part of what I believe about Christ is also based on what others have seen, experienced or heard. Luke wrote in his Gospel he was writing to make an orderly account of what others had seen, heard and experienced so we (his readers) might know with certainty the things we have been taught. 

God never leaves us to blind faith nor is our faith built upon fantasy or imagination. God has given us facts, some seen and heard personally while others are seen, heard and recorded in Scripture. Together these facts, seen and unseen, are the revelation upon which our faith in Christ is built.

We never check our brain at the door!

James

The Greatest Tragedy of The Obama Administration

President Obama did not want a terrorist attack to cloud his reelection efforts so he attempted to cover up the al-Qaeda attack on our ambassador to Libya on September 11. This atrocity is far worse than the cover up which led to the resignation of President Nixon, if for no other reason, four men lost their life to facilitate the cover up. Recently released information indicates the administration knew the attack was organized and of a terrorist nature well within their opportunity to provide military help to those under attack. This makes the administration culpable in the deaths of these men. Nixon did not have blood on his hands when he was forced from office. Can Barrack Obama face any less consequence when the facts of this case are properly investigated by Congress?

President Obama wants what all first term presidents want, a second term in office. Like President Nixon, Mr Obama will go to great lengths in order to procure his reelection. While Nixon covered up the burglary of democratic headquarters in Watergate, Obama is apparently covering up circumstances surrounding the murder of our ambassador to Libya and three Americans with him. Power can be an awful corruptor of even the best men.

The Obama administration must be held accountable for this atrocity on their watch...even if Obama does not win reelection.

James

Romney Versus Obama: Where is The "Righteous Disagreement"

I do not like many of the policies of President Obama. My dislike for the policies of our president has absolutely nothing to do with the color of his skin. Some may be surprised by that statement because many in our nation believe you cannot disagree with the current president and not be a racist. Yet, I have always had friends of every color. I grew up surrounded by hispanic, black, asian and white friends. We enjoyed the differences our race and culture brought to our friendships. Mine was one of the first generations to have integrated schools and we benefited greatly from the experience.

I disagree with Mr Obama on healthcare, abortion, gay marriage, military spending, welfare reform, immigration, taxation, national debt and many other important issues to the future of our country. I oppose the man because I believe him to be of the wrong opinion concerning these important issues. Yet I can still love him, want the best for his life and hope he changes his mind on these particular issues. I can pray for the president to have wisdom from God as he leads our country.I can disagree and yet not be disagreeable.

As Christians, we should always practice the discipline of "righteous disagreement." We must love those with whom we disagree even when that disagreement is strong. Jesus said we are to love our enemies so we certainly should love our fellow Americans with whom we occasionally disagree. We should pray for those who hold views other than our own and look for ways to bridge the gaps which so often exist between us. One of the great tragedies of our politics today is the absence of those who would lead our political parties to practice "righteous disagreement." 

This political season has been a difficult one for our country. We have not seen much "righteous disagreement" from the two major political parties. As believers in Christ let us join together in setting the example for how we might disagree and love at the same time. May the American church lead the way this political season and show our nation how to practice a politic of love rather than a politic of hate.

James

Obama Owes Romney an Apology

The President of the United States today told the American people his opponent in the upcoming election is a "bull-----er." See Story Here What a profound grasp of the english language this man has. How articulate and mature of him to launch such a charge against a man who has been the governor of a Massachusetts, graduated Harvard and had a distinguished business career. Is it any wonder Obama is one of the least respected men on the planet today by those who have faith or morals of any kind?

This country needs leadership and we are not going to get it from Barrack Hussein Obama. Time and again he has proven his ineptitude and disdain for the job he was elected to do in 2008. This latest tirade comes on the heels of a debate in which he threw around quips and one liners like a schoolyard bully looking for a fight. Rather than taking the opportunity to put forth a plan or vision for the country's future Obama used the debate as a launching pad for personal attacks against Mr Romney. How pathetic and sad.

The language and attitude of Mr Obama are unacceptable and an apology to both Romney and the American people is in order. There is no place for this type of discourse in American politics.

James

Does God Have a Right to Your Life?

Does God have a right to your life? 

Have you ever stopped to think where you would be had God not decided to create the universe or even just you in particular? Have you ever considered what kind of predicament you would be in if God had not decided to save you from sin? Our life is the product of God's choices and the character which produced these choices. 

God has always been in control and always will be in control. Our idea of control or self governance is a permissible luxury at best and a figment of our imagination at worst. God has given us the gift of free will but our will cannot usurp His own. The very fact we have a law of gravity by which we are limited proves as much! Ultimately it is God's will which guides, constrains and directs our existence. Yet, God has chosen to give us the choice to recognize His rightful place as our God or reject Him altogether. 

So, back to the original question, "Does God have the right to ask you for your life?" The answer is not one to be taken lightly nor is it one we answer just once in our lifetime. While coming to faith in Christ as our Savior is a once and forever decision the decision to let God be Lord of our life is a daily one. Who or what will be your God today?

What will be your answer?

James

Sending Notice to The Parties of Romney and Obama

We are not defined by the moniker Republican or Democrat. We are not happy with either party. We are people of conviction and faith who have, for far too long, been abused and taken for granted by those who brand themselves "conservative." Neither party has advanced the social agenda we believe in and we are tired of empty promises on both sides of the aisle. There is no constitutional amendment concerning marriage, abortion is still the law of the land and obtrusive government is still a part of our daily life. We are fed up! We will no longer stand idly by as the land is ruled and subsequently destroyed by godless leadership. 

We made the mistake of putting our hope in politicians, party and political process for the revival so desperately needed in the United States. We cowered in the face of threats to our tax exempt status and remained quiet as our land and people were led like sheep to the slaughter. We will cower no more! We fear God not man; we will preach the truth and shine God's light on this land. If your deeds are darkness you will be exposed by God's light; God is your judge. God's Word is the measure of your soul and your actions. We will proclaim and teach what God has said is true and right. If you have a problem with God take it up with Him; if you are offended take your offense to His throne in prayer.

It is high time for the church to be the church and occupy its rightful place as the moral conscience of our nation; for far too long we have abdicated this responsibility. We apologize to our nation for this great sin against you and our God. We choose to repent from all of our sin, turn our heart to God and believe He will intervene on behalf of our sin sick church and nation. We believe He will do this because, we, His people, have humbled ourselves and turned to Him.

James

How to Overcome Our Many Mistakes

We all make mistakes; such a simple statement yet one pregnant with meaning. All of us have this basic fact in common with every other human being who has ever lived; we...make...mistakes. We all fall short.

The dictionary defines a mistake as, "An error in action, calculation, opinion or judgment caused by poor reasoning, carelessness, insufficient knowledge, etc." A mistake is something we do which has been judged wrong. However this begs the question, "By whom or what have I been judged?" Who ultimately determines what is right or wrong? Do we possess an innate ability to discern the difference? Is there an objective truth by which we "know" an action to be correct or  incorrect? The very idea we could make something called a "mistake" necessitates an answer to the question, "How do we know what actually is a mistake."

Perhaps the greater question is one of accountability. If we admit the possibility a person can make a mistake, we necessarily concur with the idea of something or someone to whom we are held accountable. Man can do what is right in his own eyes but his "rightness" must somehow be defined and that definition, regardless of how personal, must be true beyond the one who establishes it. For instance, we can say the sky is brown but this does not change what is true, the sky is blue. We can call a horse a pig but our new name for horse never changes the true nature of what has been termed a "horse" by generations of people before us. Accountability, whether we admit it or not, is a fact of our existence. We are all simply looking to what or to whom we are being held to account.

Jesus made a bold statement when in John 14:6 He said, "I am the way, the truth and the life." What He teaches here is, "I am the standard by which life is judged." Our life is judged right or wrong by the truth and truth is Jesus. All of our thoughts, words and actions are determined right or wrong by Him. We are held accountable to what the Bible calls "righteousness" which in simple terms is "God's way of doing things." Unfortunately for us, the Bible says all have fallen short of God's standard. So again we are confronted with a question, "If we have failed is there a way to be forgiven and made right?"

Jesus went on in John 14:6 to say, "I am the way, the truth, the life, no one comes to the Father but through me." The way we are forgiven and made right before God is through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the Cross in order to pay for our mistakes(which the Bible calls sin). He paid the price! However, in order to take advantage of what Jesus has done for us we must pray to God the following: "Jesus, I recognize I have made mistakes and fallen short of Your perfect standard of right and wrong. I believe Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for my mistakes. Please forgive my sins and mistakes. I give you my life and ask for a new life from you." 

Have you ever really prayed such a prayer to God? Have you ever dealt with the many mistakes you have made in life which offend a holy, perfect God? Someday there will be an accounting at which we will all be held accountable for what we say, think and do. If you have never genuinely sought the forgiveness of God and given your life to Him why not pray this prayer today and begin a new life as God's kind of man or woman?

James