Platform...

"You {children} have the world by the tail, on a down hill slide!" My grandmother used to tease us. I have never quite figured out what she meant--exactly. It seemed at the time to mean, 'you children have life just pretty well near perfect--it couldn't get much better'. 'Down hill slide', of course would mean it was going like a sled on a good sledding hill. Sometimes though, it also means 'going down hill fast' as in things are getting much worse--fast!

Two years ago I attended a 'writers' conference', and I first heard/read that as a writer I needed a 'platform'. I will admit that I'm still scratching my head, attempting to understand the concept. I thought as a writer I sat down and began putting words on an empty sheet (or computer screen) and voila'! I'm now a...

Luke 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

As a Christian, and as a Christian writer--what should be my platform? What is my 'Father's business'?

For the moment--because when we stop to think on it we have different nuances to that question--let's consider the Old Testament:

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 1Corinthians 10:6

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 1Corinthians 10:11

I enjoy reading and teaching about the Old Testament. There is much to learn from here. In the beginning it tells how the earth was created, how humans came to be sinful. Judges, Ruth, all the way through Esther shows how God deals with his children, all the way through the Old Testament scriptures it points to the Savior. And it does bring us to the New Testament:

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3:24

History--we should realize that history is full of people, and full of their stories. We break the word 'history' into 'His story'--and it tells us how God deals with us, and what our relationship is to God.

But does that bring me to a platform? Sigh...unfortunately, no. I gather that a platform is supposed to be like a 'soap box'. Something that you stand on, in like manner as a 'bully pulpit', and tell people something they need to know.

From the perspective of 'my Father's business' there are many things this generation needs to know.

Number one thing this generation needs to know? God~ The society that we live in has swallowed the myth of evolution to the extent that it denies there is a true God. The concept of 'god' therefore was something that history-- ie. ancient people-- made up to explain our existence. Wake up world! Evolution is not a fact. It has not been proven, and not only that there isn't even a shred of evidence that supports it. It was invented by people who did not want to believe in God, and since they needed an explanation as to how the world came to be--besides the one of Genesis chapter one...they invented something. That something just happened to be evolution.

Number two thing this generation needs to know? Jesus~ 'As it is written, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." Romans 9:33

There have been enemies of the cross; enemies of Jesus all the way back in history. Satan attempted to snuff out truth, and salvation all the way back to the garden. Cain killed Abel the righteous son; the world was destroyed for wickedness, but there was still Noah...still--we are given Jesus the 'righteous one'. If Satan can discredit Jesus...and so it goes.

But where oh where is my 'platform'!?

So, I get a short conference with an agent. Knowing that I need a platform--a type of voice that says something to my audience, I want to catch the agent's interest. "My message needs to be heard..." I begin an introduction...

"Oh," he says, "publishers really aren't interested in platforms/messages. They are interested in what will sell, and what will make money..."

Sigh...I think I'll go back to John the Baptizer and his message--Matthew 3:2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

And the message of Jesus; Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

It may not be a popular platform, but it is scriptural...

No Matter What...

Many Christian Hymns are lovely and inspiring. I enjoy the ones by S.E. Samonte on you tube, the ones recorded by the Mennonite choirs. Sometimes I take time to watch the pictures and read the words, and as I do I wonder...

Most songs, especially the more modern they are, have the element of encouragement, some call for introspection--looking within before looking above. The 'martyr' hymns are different. The hymn, "Faith of Our Fathers", speaks of 'dungeon, fire, and sword', it speaks of 'chained in prison dark', and like them 'die for thee'. We often sing songs without much thought of what we are singing. In watching some of the pictures that go with other Martyr hymns I wonder...

Quite honestly, I don't really think I would choose to be chained in a dungeon, burned at the stake, or any of the various means of torture devised by wicked and evil people. And you may wonder...

Would the numbers change, or would they remain the same? The numbers of the faithful and the unfaithful...

You may wonder what do I mean by that? Well, I use the term 'I don't think I would choose..." but Satan is a master at what he does. He tempts humans to deny God. He tempts them to turn away from the Heavenly Father. I pray that if I had to 'choose' between God or something less, I would --no matter what-- I would choose to do right. Satan may 'choose' the torture--dungeon, fire, sword; or darkness dressed in modern licentiousness, fire posed in pornography, sword sheathed in lies and dishonesty...

We bemoan the sad reality of people leaving the church, or people in general turning away from religion, but no matter how sad the reality, only the 'tried and true'-- those who have been through one fire or another-- will be found faithful. And that leads me to the wonder--no matter which test we undergo, would the faithful be faithful --no matter what?

To Walk With...

I think on the poem by Dylan Thomas, 'Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night'. When I was young I felt like I was fighting everything. As if I could never 'Go Gentle...into anything. The adults in my life did not have answers to many questions...at least not very good answers. They apparently were still fighting through their own set of problems. I sought for answers, and observing the problems the adults were having, I thought, there just has to be a better way.

When I found Christ and His Way, it was still a fight. There were some right things I had been taught as a young person, but now I had to try to sift through those things in light of what my Saviour taught through the scriptures. And now, I was the adult...according to the world's standards. And according to even my own ideas, I was supposed to have the answers and raise my own children, and yet it was still a fight.

As I draw nearer to the end of life my perspective changes with time. I do have the answers as it says in 2Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us...'all things that pertain unto life and godliness'...through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

The irony is that it is still a sifting. It is still a fight. There is so much dross in our lives today that there is a constant barrage of things that MUST be thrown away.

2Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

It SHOULD come easier as we grow older to throw away those things and escape the 'corruption that is in the world...', but alas, and I say this with a sigh, the 'lust' may change, but there is still the fight to distinguish the dross from the gold.

Yes, even growing older is still a 'growing' and 2Peter 1:5-8 exhorts us: And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6) And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7) And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8) For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Well, I have spent a life time trying to grow in this manner, yet it still is a fight, because like a little girl playing dress up in her mother's dress, trying to hold up the skirt seems like an un-do-able task. I get one thing where I want it, and something else slips to the floor.

However, even as I think on the past, present, and future I sense a change. Maybe even a hope. 1Timothy 6:12 says: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life...,

What I want--as I near the end--is to be able to say with the Apostle Paul in 2Timothy 4:6&7: For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7) I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith...

2Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

-- I want to be able to say, yes, I can go gentle. I want to be able to walk with a peaceful heart...into that good night-

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Who's It All About?

What matters in life? How do we know what matters in life? If you are a young person certain things seem to matter that people older would no longer understand. For instance if you ask a soldier just returned from a tour overseas, 'what about the pimple on my nose?' They would think maybe there were other things more important, but to a young person the pimple is a real problem.

Perspective...it matters who you are and where you are in life.

Matthew 19:23 And Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24) And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25) And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved?

Looking at things from different perspectives can be like viewing a precious stone in the light.

An older friend of mine tells me, "When I was first a member of the church I was so envious of some of the other members. I just thought they had perfect lives," but she goes on to explain, "Then I got to know them, and I saw some of their problems, some of their struggles..." she shakes her head. "You know, I decided then and there I would not trade my few paltry problems for theirs. I'll just keep my life, and what I have."

From the outside vantage point other people may appear to have perfect lives. However, we need to be thankful for the lives that we have. Some people have the opposite situation. Their lives come across as a constant soap opera with problems oozing out of every corner.

'The buck stops here.' I do not know where the phrase originated from, but I do know what is meant by it. It means 'I have the authority to do what must be done, and I AM GOING TO USE IT!'

After reading an article about a child that survived an attempted abortion that sentiment was used. The child had been adopted by an --apparently-- loving family, and had been raised to be a responsible adult. She was now married, and now was expecting her first child. When as a teenager she had discovered the facts about her adoption as well as the attempted abortion, she had a mighty struggle in her emotions. Many questions, much anguish, but she overcame those feelings because, 'the buck stopped here' attitude.

In the same vein, I know of several cases that after coming from 'bad' situations, children grow up and decide on their own--this is not going to be repeated in my life, with my family...it stops here.

In the gospel of Matthew Jesus had just spoken to the 'rich young ruler'. He had just told him 'one thing thou lack'. (I wish I only lacked one thing to be perfect--sigh...but I digress...) The disciples are astonished...how hard is it for the rich to enter heaven? Who then can be saved? Their perspective was that when someone was 'rich' God was blessing them for the good things they were doing.

"If you give her the gospel, that will do more to bring her life up than anything else."

This is the point. Wealth does not get you to heaven. Jesus did not tell the ruler that his wealth had bought him a ticket to eternal life. The man was not a 'bad' person. In Mark 10:21 the text reads: 'And Jesus, looking at him, loved him', but he did have something standing between him and the eternal life he sought--his unhealthy love of his wealth.

Another point--poverty doesn't get you to heaven either. While it is true that the gospel can change or upgrade a person's life, it only works to the degree that it is applied. It is like medicinal ointment. If it is only left in the jar, no matter how lovingly it is looked at or fawned over--it will do no good unless it is applied.

Pride can be a problem whether one is rich or poor. Some have suggested that the term, "needle's eye', refers to a small door in the side of the wall surrounding Jerusalem. It was such a small door that you could only enter with the clothes on your back, and a person had to bow down to squeeze through.

Matthew 23:2 "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, 3) so practice and observe whatever they tell you--but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice.

If you want to upgrade in life, begin by taking responsibility for your failures. Apply the gospel, like medicinal ointment let it work in your life. Some times it may be painful, or it may cause a struggle in our lives.

Life will have problems, just don't let the problems in life be self-inflicted. When we are obedient to God, we must let God lead our life. Not in miraculous ways, but in honesty and truth. When Jesus tells us, 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God,' that is what he wants us to do...seek first the kingdom of God...

Who Am I!

On a dark night, a night that has very little moonlight--how much bigger and brighter the stars in the nighttime sky appear! You can almost see the objects in the sky pulse and rotate around each other like beautiful dancers. How small and insignificant one human life gazing up at the creation of God seems!

Hebrews 2:6 But one hath somewhere testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him?
7) Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; Thou crownedst him with glory and honor, And didst set him over the works of thy hands:

'What is man'?--this has been asked many times, and even though there are many variations on the question--who am I? What am I here for? Where am I going? Usually the person asking is looking for answers that will clear up their clouded mind.

Yet for all of this and in spite of our smallness, our wonder, and our confusion it would be comical if it were not for the audacity--many people still try to tell God what he wants and needs.

John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers.
24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

From the worship of God to living and keeping the will of God, people have their own ideas--and God ought to agree.

Just how do I know that 'God ought to agree'? I can't even begin to tell how many times when talking to another person about what the Bible says I hear the phrase, "It's my opinion".

And if the scriptures tell them plainly something other than what they believe, 'but it's my opinion, that'--and suddenly that scripture doesn't count.

When I was young, the movie "Wizard of Oz" was scary. That old witch seemed real to me. I remember the scene in the City of Oz when Dorothy and her companions went before the Great Oz. The old man behind the curtain was pulling levers-creating booming sounds, smoke, and what was supposed to be his image--out front. Dorothy, Tin Man, Lion, and Scarecrow were all frightened--shaking in their shoes so to speak. Then Toto pulls the curtain back and reveals the originator of the smoke and mirrors known as the Wizard. Dorothy is incensed...how dare he perpetrate this fraud on the unsuspecting victims!

Look around us. How many today are using the same tactics? How many let themselves out to be 'intellectuals', either of learning or doctors, scientists, financial instructors? The list could go on of the intelligentsia that are qualified to 'tell us something'. For example the ones that can tell us how to raise our children--though they have none of their own, or at best have only begun to raise theirs. How to be healthy? No problem, just plug in the right formula, and voila! You're good to go...How about scientist telling us how life began? No God involved of course, just a big bang...

Job 38:2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel By words without knowledge? 3) Gird up now thy loins like a man; For I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. 4) Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding.

Where were these chief scientists when God laid the foundations of the earth?

I'm reminded of Dorothy and the Wizard, except...Dorothy was scared by the smoke and mirrors, until she learned the truth. I can not imagine how this would play out if you flip the scene.

What would happen if the 'All powerful' appeared in humble clothing, but in the end turned out to be--'All powerful'? Instead of attempting to frighten us with his smoke and mirrors what if he appeared as...

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

What if he was easily approached; as it were someone gentle and loving?

It is easy to be confident when boasting to your friends, family, or even to just lowly fellow human beings. However, what happens when a person is boasting about something, and then they realize someone in authority, or someone bigger than they are is right behind them ready to call their boast or bluff?

Would they find themselves in the predicament as Job did when he was confronted by God? Job 40:4 Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer thee? I lay my hand upon my mouth. 5) Once have I spoken, and I will not answer; Yea, twice, but I will proceed no further.

Here in lies the problem. We may think we know the answers, but quite often we don't even know the questions. Who do we think we are to give God advice? It seems fashionable that religion--Christ's religion--is out of style. Eastern mysticism? that's fashionable. Islam? yeah, that's fashionable. Some call these things 'ancient' religions. Under the humanist manifesto, however, Christianity--a much older religion--is a 'dead, decaying corpse'.

I have seen the 'O look', trick on old cowboy shows used to deceive the person holding the weapon. In an attempt get them to look away from the victim, or to look 'behind' them self they say 'watch out behind you!'. That trick is used to take the attention somewhere else. We also see it with the kingdom of Satan.

1Peter 5:8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,

Satan knows that if he can convince people that religion is irrelevant, or convince us that we can 'choose' our way to heaven (or better yet convince people there is no heaven, or hell), those people are no longer a threat to him.

Ephesians 3:10 to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God,

We must wipe away the smoke and mirrors to see the wisdom of God. Wipe away the smoke and mirrors that Satan uses. Come back to the Bible, the scriptures, and find what was originally intended. We must stop trying to tell God what he wants. We must stop it--and begin to listen to what He wants.

Gilbert K. Chesterton said it well: "Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried."

Genesis 3:14 And Jehovah God said unto the serpent,...cursed art thou above all cattle, and above every beast of the field;... 15) and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Jesus has dealt Satan a death blow. Satan, the prince of darkness, knows this, but is determined to take as many with him as he can. God has sent/left/given us the Truth, but the world chooses to ignore it, and thus seals it's own doom.

Ephesians 5:8 For ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light 9) (for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10) proving what is well-pleasing unto the Lord;

Christians were once part of Satan's kingdom, part of the darkness. But, thanks be to God who through Jesus sacrifice allows us an avenue of escape from that kingdom of darkness into the heavenly kingdom of light:

Ephesians 6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

And the refrain of the song, and the question runs in my thoughts: Who Am I that a king should come and die for? Who Am I that He would pray 'not my will, (but)thine for?

Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our message? and to whom hath the arm of Jehovah been revealed?
2) For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3) He was despised, and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we esteemed him not.
4) Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7) He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
8) By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who among them considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due?
9) And they made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10) Yet it pleased Jehovah to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Jehovah shall prosper in his hand.
11) He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many; and he shall bear their iniquities.
12) Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors: yet he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Indeed, who am I? Hallelujah--what a Savior!