Category Archives: Bread And Spirit

Why Christmas? Why War?

“You will never know what prayer is for,
until you know that life is war.”
John Piper

The answer to those questions may be the same. Because there is war, Jesus came to restore hope, peace, justice, love, and give power to overcome an evil enemy. Because Jesus came, the evil enemy is stirred up to inflict as much pain, destruction, and havoc as possible because he hates Christ, Christ’s followers, and humans in general. He also knows his time is short—the King has come, the King’s Spirit is here, and the King’s powerful, personal second coming is near.

The King

I grew up a Baptist, and I grew up in the United States of America. Both are strikes against me coming to see Jesus as King. As I’ve lived, continuing to read the Bible and study history, it’s clear that the Bible story and human history is the story about a King and His Bride—Christ and the Church, God and Israel. Read Psalm 2, Psalm 24, Isaiah 9:6, Micah 5:2-4, Numbers 24:17, Zachariah 9:9, John 18:33-37, John 19:19, Luke 1:32-33, and The Apocalypse also called The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Christ means “anointed one,” “Messiah,” “King”), or my first book, A Friend of the King.

Understated

God, our Creator, is so understated in how He chooses to mysteriously move in history and in the individual lives of men and women compared to what He obviously could do, and has done a few times in history, e.g. The Exodus from Egypt. Why the mystery? Have you ever pondered that? I think it’s to give us plenty of room to believe what we want to believe, without overly influencing our decisions or desires—in a word, “choice.” I love what A W. Tozer said about God’s ways, “They are secret, but it’s an open secret.”

The Magi

The most loved and complete Christmas story is recorded in Luke chapters one and two. It’s filled with love, beauty, simplicity, mystery, destiny, and joy. But my favorite story from Jesus’ birth is that of the king makers from the east.

Their mysterious story is only recorded in Matthew’s Gospel (Matthew 2:1-12). Why would they come from Persia, modern-day Iran or Iraq? It’s over 500 miles away, a journey taking months to complete. The best conjecture is that Daniel, a gifted Hebrew prophet, and the chief of the Magi in Babylon after 605 BC, told them of a most important future king. The magi were an ancient college of king makers, training young princes from antiquity in the sciences, politics, and how to rule. It’s surmised that Daniel told them a secret they treasured and passed down for centuries, “If you see these signs in the heavens, follow the star and it will lead you to the King of Kings.

They knew the stars well. They studied them nightly and recorded their movements for what could be learned about nature, about the future, and about God. The movement of the stars are like the hands of a giant clock, predictable and mathematically precise. That God would arrange the planets and stars to signal the coming of His Son the King and cause these prestigious and powerful people to be aware of the occurrence, making a sacrificial trip to honor Him with extravagant gifts as a toddler in Bethlehem overwhelms me.

Every year I watch a documentary The Star of Bethlehem by Rick Larson to refuel and add to my wonder of that happy event. Larson is a lawyer who became interested in these things, taking clues from Matthew and then using modern astronomy software to “puzzle it out.” I highly recommend it. In the same vein, I recommend this short YouTube video remarkably capturing some of the mystery, humility, and majesty of what happened in Jerusalem and Bethlehem 2025 years ago.

Christmas shalom to all.
Christ, the King is born…
Noel! ✨

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“The Lord is good,
A stronghold in the day of trouble,
and He knows those who take refuge in Him.” (Nahum 1:7)

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.’” (Matthew 2:1-2)

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There are two chapters on soul care and spiritual warfare in my latest book God Stays Near, Faith and Flight. They are entitled “Prepare for War” and “Israel–A Time for War.”

IDF Soldiers on Mt Hermon 2025

Eschatology Important?

Eschatology, Who Needs It?

It’s interesting that I’m writing about the second advent of Jesus Christ, on the first day of Advent 2025, when Christendom starts celebrating Christ’s first advent—His first “coming.”

Jesus second coming to Earth and the study of events surrounding that cosmic event is called eschatology. But who needs it? Maybe we all do! I’ll repeat the eschatology being taught us recently from Luke, Daniel, and Revelation, and I’ll also include thoughts on personal eschatology. I’ll call that “Solomon’s Eschatology” from the book of Ecclesiastes. There we see what the wisest thought about the end of our lives with inspiration and insights from the Holy Spirit. We all will have a personal end-times, if the Lord doesn’t come back first. We should give that equal thought and live with it in mind. You can read Ecclesiastes 12 for Solomon’s perspective and conclusion, but I’lll get to that.

Why is eschatology important? Four reasons come quickly to mind:

So you won’t be confused or disillusioned when the end time events start happening. You will be at peace and able to make some sense of it all knowing God is in control and He told us about it before hand.

There will be a lot of deceit involved and flying around like there was in 586 B.C., 70 A.D., and nearing 2026 A.D.. Jesus started one of his end-time’s discussions like this, “Let no one deceive you.” Paul said essentially the same thing before 70 A.D. as recorded in II Thessalonians 2:4-11. That’s important to know as a sign to the approaching end times, and as a deterrent to lethargy and hurtful surprise—being caught unaware.

So you will continue to put your trust in God who told you these kinds of things in the past through His prophets and recorded them in His Word. They came to pass. God is 100% faithful to His Word and plan (Isaiah 46:9-10).

It’s a part of the process of having faith, and growing in your faith, confidence, and love of the Lord. In reading the book of Ezekiel anew, I noticed the phrase, “Then they will know that I am the LORD” was often stated. I asked the AI engine, Grok, how many times that phrase was in Ezekiel, and was quickly told 63 times!

Thumbnail Sketch of the End Times

Ben Wilson, our Cambridge-educated, PhD, Pastor recently taught on Luke 20 through 24 a message series entitled, “The Week That Changed the World.” Within it, he outlined the timeline of biblical prophecy. In theology the study of end-time events is called eschatology and is mostly taken from the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, Daniel, Revelation, and the words of Jesus in the Gospels. Jesus addressed the subject during His final week on earth with some prophetic insights and predictions. Peter, Paul, John, and Jude, were New Testament prophets and apostles who added to the clues under the Spirit’s inspiration.

Ben mentioned that all Christians believe that Christ is coming back, in the resurrection of the dead, and in the judgment. He emphasized that in eschatology, where the doctrines of the Bible are more complex, we should employ the same straightforward reading of scripture to order the predicted events most accurately.

Then Ben said that the future events of the end times are important because they give us hope, a focus on God, His promises, and His character. A thumbnail sketch, or timeline of those future end-time events that come from the straightforward reading of scripture would look like this:

[1] RAPTURE (Christians meet Christ in the air, spared the wrath of the tribulation, and live forever with Jesus — Luke 7:43-35, Matt 24:40-41, John 14:1-3, 1 Thess 4:13-15 & 5:9).
[2] TRIBULATION (A time of violence, intrigue, evil political powers, and judgment; the 70th week of Daniel, it ends with Satan’s defeat, the battle of Armageddon and the return of Christ as King — Daniel 9:24-27, Matthew 24:4-28, Revelation 6-18, and Zachariah 11-12).
[3] MILLENNIAL KINGDOM (Christ reigns on the Earth for 1000 years from Jerusalem with the Saints who died during the tribulation—Revelation 20:1-3).
[4] NEW CREATION (Believers experience a new heaven and a new earth with Christ forever—Revelation 21:1-4).

The discussion of personal eschatology will have to wait for another blog. This has become lengthy enough and I want to keep the timeline and the reasons for having a timeline simple, so it’s meaningful and easier to recall.

Summary

The complexity of the subject comes from the fact that the pieces of the puzzle are spread over 4000 years of Bible history scattered through many epochs and eras. But they do fit together in a grand, cosmic, mysterious story our Creator wished to make known—one that is hard to ignore if one wishes to look at the puzzle pieces searching for truth and honoring the tug of a God who put “eternity in our hearts.”

I’m learning to use AI like the rest of the world, and consulted my favorite AI engine Grok for a summary. Here’s my question and Grok’s answer:

Q: What’s the most commonly taught eschatology or sequence of end-time events?

A: Probably the premillennial dispensationalist view-top dog in evangelical circles. Jesus comes back before a thousand-year reign, raptures the church first, then there’s seven years of tribulation with the Antichrist, Armageddon, and finally Satan’s defeat. Folks teach it heavy in seminaries and churches-big on literal timelines from Revelation, Daniel, and Matthew twenty-four.

I hope this helps you to remember or serves as a starting point for your own investigation of the facts the Bible and history provide about the end times and Christ’s return. Godspeed on your journey to truth, and knowing God better each year of your journey. Shalom in Jesus, “The author and finisher of our faith,” the Son of God, Prince of Peace, Bright and Morning Star, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth;
and after my skin is destroyed, this I know,  that in my flesh I shall see God,
Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”
(Job 19:25-27)

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3)

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John…” (Revelation 1:1)

A 2018 Blog About the End Times

A PDF with more end times references and explanations South Fork, Colorado 2025

Grace & Scott Weston

Grace and a Wrecked Four Wheeler

Speaking of grace, if I could tell only one story about my friend Scott Weston, it would be this one—it’s outrageous.

Our family had two, very used four wheelers on our little farm that we rode around the place and in the nearby Ozark National Forest. Scott and his family enjoyed these versatile and fun little machines too, and he asked me to recommend one. Soon the family owned a new 300 Suzuki Quad, one of the finest little ATVs ever made.

One beautiful fall day, I borrowed Scott’s almost-new four wheeler to take our pastor’s son Benjamin on a ride in the national forest. After a beautiful day and successful adventure, we were driving home out of the mountains on a steep curving highway, and the unthinkable happened. Going around a curve to our right at about 50 miles per hour, I happened to glance in my rearview mirror and saw Scott’s new, green, pristine four wheeler fly off the trailer and disappear over the embankment and into the trees below. It was a very shocking, sickening, surreal feeling.

I got our truck and 16-foot trailer stopped on the shoulder of the highway. Then Ben and I jogged back up the hill to see what had happened to Scott’s machine. I knew it wasn’t good. It had stopped on its side at the edge of the trees after rolling or tumbling several times down the steep embankment. We turned it over on its wheels and hoped to drive it back up to the trailer, if it would start. But the key was missing. After a brief search, Ben miraculously found it in the tall grass beside the highway. It started and wobbled back to the truck on bent rims and a twisted frame, then climbed the ramp back onto the trailer.

I called the service manager at the Suzuki dealership and told her I had a 911 case I was bringing in. She said they would have their triage team ready. I dropped Ben off and headed over there. She came out with a box of tissues for me, and after seeing it wobble off the trailer pronounced it, “Totaled.”

I was taught by my father that whenever you borrowed something, you must return it in as good or better condition than when you borrowed it. I also was taught that people were more important than things. That material possessions were only wood, hay, and stubble—or in this case, steel, rubber, and plastic. I simply had to buy Scott a new four wheeler, after a sincere apology for destroying his. It was only right. It was a good chunk of money, but I would do it, whatever it was.

He was gracious when I told him, and not visibly upset, even though I knew he had come to really like that machine. I told him of my plan to shop for that exact same model, and make sure that it was agreeable to him before I bought it. He nodded his head in agreement.

But when I took Scott to see the four wheeler I found, he said it was fine and then quickly started writing a check for it on the sale manager’s desk. By that time I had my checkbook out and exclaimed, “What are you doing!?” “I’m buying this four wheeler.” “No, you’re not! That’s not right! And not what we agreed!”

By this time, we were bumping each other away from the desk in a scuffle while writing our checks, and knocked a pen holder off of the sales manager’s table, scattering pens and pencils across the floor. “Why don’t one of you buy me a four wheeler?” the sales manager exclaimed, with an incredulous grin on his face.

Scott had a head start and finished writing his check first, even with the scuffling, and handed it to the sales manger. A bit embarrassed by the whole scene, I said, “Well OK, for now, but this is not going to stand! It’s just not right! I ruined your new four wheeler, and I’m going to replace it!” The two of them just smiled at me and shrugged their shoulders as I bent down and started picking up pens off the floor.

A few weeks passed, as I thought about the situation and how I could make Scott take my money. Then one day I was at my parents home, visiting with my brother. I told him the whole story ending with, “And he wants to pay for the four wheeler—for my mistake!?” My brother quickly piped up, “Well, you’re not gonna let him, are you!?” At that moment, some clarity, humility, wonder, and grace flooded over me. It was something that transcends common sense and what’s right. And for the first time, I had the thought, and voiced it to my brother, “I think I am.”

Grace is hard to understand, and hard to deal with. I don’t think we really do until it comes our way, face-to-face, or heart-to- heart. Grace and mercy seem connected, but they are distinct—two different things. The best definitions I’ve heard are these. Mercy is not getting something bad that you deserve. Grace is getting something good that you don’t deserve. Grace is more about the giver than the recipient. Scott really wanted to pay the price for my mistake and bless me. I could continue to resist due to pride or what’s right. Or, I could accept his gracious, loving, extraordinary gift, and the heart and mind and soul behind it. Next to the Lord Jesus, Scott taught me and modeled for me the biggest lesson on grace I ever received. It changed me. It opened doors for me that I continue to walk through, and hopefully help others walk through. That is the nature of GRACE. That is the soul of my treasured friend Scott Weston. I miss him.

Last Words

If I were asked to say or read something at Scott’s graveside or celebration-of-life service, it would probably be this:

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

If Scott were to choose or write something as his epitaph, it would be something like John wrote as his motive for writing his Gospel:

“But these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31).

I guess that’s where Scott learned about GRACE. It changed him, like it changes everyone. And those who know Scott best know it was the most important thing in his life.

Rest in peace, Scott Weston. I’ll see you in the morning. You were a true and beautiful friend, and will be forever. I am blessed.

“Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, 
but a faithful man who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6 ESV)

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Are you ALL IN ?

“ALL IN” seems to be a timely word — for what the Spirit is saying and doing in the earth, and certainly in His Kingdom. Are you ALL IN to what you’re committing your time and life to? I hope so. The opposite is being lukewarm, which is something Jesus decried in His teaching, and far from what He modeled in His life on earth.

My good friend Ron has been mentoring four men for about five years next door. We meet once a week and this fall he chose the topic, “ALL IN.” We’ve discovered that Mark Batterson, a well-known author and pastor in Washington DC has a series of teachings from the Bible entitled, “ALL IN.” One of our elders taught Sunday about Jesus noticing the woman in the temple who put in only two small coins, but it was all she had. She was “ALL IN.”

With the events of recent weeks, Charlie Kirk certainly comes to mind. He was “ALL IN” by any metric. He was admired by his following of mostly young people — friend and foe, for his ideas, faith, work ethic, intellect, kindness, entrepreneurial spirit, and love for the truth.

He founded Turning Point USA in 2012 when he was just eighteen years old. He was self-educated mostly by correspondence courses from Hillsdale College, reading books (about fifty per year), and seeking out mentors. He would debate students and faculty in colleges far and wide, including Oxford and Cambridge. The Spectator asked him to write about his UK experience. They reported this, “The result was this well-observed, funny and now strangely prophetic-sounding piece about the condition of England.” They went on to say, “Charlie Kirk believed in free speech. He died speaking freely. RIP.”

To get a tiny grasp of how great this young man was, one only need watch his memorial service put together eleven short days after his murder and attended by 100,000 people according to police estimates. Over 100 million people watched on line according to a Grok search polling major TV networks and streaming services. Of course you can still watch it in segments or the whole on YouTube, which I highly recommend. You can decide for yourself what kind of young man he was.

To be only thirty-one years old, and have the President and Vice President of the United States, along with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War speak at your funeral or celebration of life service is incredible. Also to hear from his young, beautiful widow and new CEO of Turning Point USA, only days after her devastating loss was as touching as it was insightful into Charlie Kirk’s life and legacy.

With so much deception, sensationalism, and propaganda in our news media these days, I do not watch the news. I find it more peaceful to hear what I need to know from my friends, and to research newsworthy items on the web. So I’m a bit embarrassed to say I didn’t know who Charlie Kirk was. But as soon as I became aware and watched some of his debate and speaking clips, I was refreshed with his truth-loving — truth-speaking courage and candor. And I thanked God for a young man speaking to his generation and culture, in fact all generations and cultures, about a Biblical worldview of the Kingdom of God and how it relates to our personal lives and the political institutions that govern the way we live. I recently wrote a book on a Christian and Biblical worldview called Puzzling 2020. It’s the ancient path that got us to the good way we have enjoyed for so long, and holds the keys to its preservation.

Rest in peace Charlie Kirk, and may your movement and organization prosper and succeed in its mission a million times more than your wildest dreams. May God bless your organization and your family with success unimagined and peace.

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“A good name is better than a good ointment,
And the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.” (Ecclesiastes 7:1)

“Thus says the Lord,
‘Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths,
Where the good way is, and walk in it;
And you will find rest for your souls.’
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.'” (Jeremiah 6:16)

Charlie Kirk Shorts #1 (chosen because of so many views)

Charlie Kirk Shorts #2 (I’m a soul accountable to one Being)

Charlie Kirk Shorts #3 (giving your life to Christ)

Charlie Kirk Shorts #4 (about the LGBTQIA2S+ Community)

Remembering Charlie Kirk With Mike Huckabee, Franklin Graham, Matthew West, & More

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”
— Pericles, Greek orator

Following Christ

H.D. McCarty — Following Christ

I attended my first board meeting this week of Ventures for Christ. The meeting was lead by the 92-year-old H.D. McCarty who is still leading the way in exalting Christ, pleasing Christ, and becoming like Christ — for the joy set before him and all who believe.

H.D. McCarty’s mind is razor sharp. His heart is ablaze with passion for the King and His flock. His vocal cords, and his ability to speak or communicate this reality and passion, are affected by the polio he experienced in his youth.

This week he assembled a group of men, spiritual and distinguished in their careers and lives, for lunch in order to exhort them to follow Christ in a disciplined, sacrificial, “lay down your life” way — the way of the cross.

All of the men are older. About half are in their 80s and about half are in their early 70s or late 60s. All are successful doctors, lawyers, businessman, bankers, even a rogue pilot, who could go their own way, so to speak, and live lives of relative ease.

Indeed, there was small talk before and during lunch at Noodles restaurant about golf courses, vacations, and health discussions typical of retirees. But there we sat, loving the one who called us together, admiring him, and wanting to be loyal to him to the end — and as devoted to his Lord as he is.

He shared a few things with us as best he could. His beautiful and precious daughter Karen joined for a brief time and helped us understand some of his utterances that were unclear. But his main focus was that we get to know each other, and love each other like he loved us individually. And that we all pledge ourselves anew to die to ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Christ, Who is worthy and still showing Himself to H.D. in his 90s as ever before and as never before. His name be praised.

He left us with three sheets of printed material to read and meditate upon, after holding up a book by Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest. He intimated the book was special to him among the hundreds he has read.

One sheet was selected scriptures, front and back, that expressed the spirit and vision of Ventures for Christ, his ministry moniker in this chapter of his life. The other two sheets were copies from the Chamber’s book for November 1 through November 3, with H.D.’s personal notes scribbled around some of the text with insight and feeling.

I think you could sum up this unlikely, unusual, and sacred meeting like this:

“Rise up, O men of God! Have done with lesser things; give heart and soul and mind and strength to serve the King of kings.” (William Merrill, 1911) Or in the words of Jesus of Nazareth, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me (Matthew 16:24-26).

I wrote on the bottom of my copy, “if you don’t first pick up your cross, there is no need to follow.” This truth came to me in the moment and perhaps has been lost on our affluent culture with a lukewarm church in many quadrants. May the Lord help us. He will, IF we do what He says. Amen.

H.D. wants us to be points of light for others, and disciple them in the way of the cross. I found on his website where he expresses this sentiment and passion in his own words:

“We are all to be men and women sent from God.” II Corinthians 2:17b
Our Ventures for Christ Mandate
The Ventures ministry is our Spirit led attempt to shepherd as many Christians as the Lord might give us into a Cross Disciple life! Our efforts are aimed at those who hunger to be contented warriors for Christ. Our goal is to teach others to continuously practice thinking, feeling, and acting with the Mind of Christ. We must grasp and internalize the practical presence of the Godhead ─ our triune Creator, Redeemer, and Perfecter ─ and respond increasingly, urgently, and precisely to the mystery of our New Creation birth in Christ. This can be done as we bring His thoughts into our minutes and learn the empowerment of His perceptions and promises! We “capture” His Mind, then “embrace” His Heart, and then “sacrifice” for His Will!
Carrying the Savior’s Cross for our individual earth adventure begins with a passion to live out one’s life increasingly directed and consumed with the Mind of Christ.

Get to know H. D. McCarty — An interview with a curator of the Arkansas Air and Military Museum in Fayetteville, AR. [Photos above were taken in his office during this interview.]

A good many things could be said about H.D. McCarty, but to those who know and love him and have had their minds, souls, and spirits directed up to Christ by him, certainly these verses come to mind.

“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history…” (Acts 17:26 NIV).

“Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation …” (Acts 13:36).

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:28-31).

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

In my latest book, God Stays Near, there is a chapter called “Grey Eagles” about aging with the Lord. In the board’s estimation, H.D. is the grayest and the greatest we know. May our gracious God continue to be the wind beneath his wings.

Quickly approaching ninety-three, he’s working on a second book. His first came out last year, His Cross and Ours. It’s a needed word in our generation and culture.

Recent Ventures for Christ Board Meeting with H.D. McCarty

Choose or Be Chosen?

We are made in God’s image, all humans, but we are not like Him — no one is. God is quite different from His creation or any created thing. He’s the paragon of power, truth, and beauty — all that is good.

I have a friend named Pablo. He says he’s “tried” to believe but just doesn’t feel what the rest of us feel in the community of faith. He also says he can’t get on board with a God who sends people to eternal damnation just because they are something like Hindus.

Well, that’s another issue with thousands of books and articles addressing it, just like the topic of this blog, “Choice.” I will say quickly and quietly, that subject may be several levels above our pay grade to understand or decide, especially at the beginning of our faith journey. Also, “eternal” damnation as described in the Bible may not be what you think it is or have been taught in many of our churches. You can read chapter 23 in my book, Puzzling 2020 or, Hell, A Final Word , by Edward Fudge, or watch the movie, Hell and Mr. Fudge for a different Biblical perspective.

More importantly, ask yourself, “Could I get on board with a God who made every human in His image, gave them breath, a beautiful earth and creation to enjoy, and the freedom to experience it all as they program their souls as they see fit? That may be the better question or way to approach God, with less pride and hubris and more gratitude. But approach Him as you wish. He allows you that amazing choice.

Ephanay? Paradox? Choice?

The Bible teaches that if you will choose God, He will choose you. And He knows your heart better than you do. He’s willing to be patient with you, to let you work out what you want to believe over time.

There is another important piece to this puzzle. There is a domain of dark, delusional, deluding spirits who fit into God’s plan in some way ambiguous to humans. They are constantly leading humans astray or deceiving us about truth, who God is, who they are, and who we are. And you? You get to decide or choose what you want to believe, as one caught up in this cosmic battle for your soul. At stake is eternal life, the ability to forge deep relationships, and know truth — also the Holy One.

Choose wisely. Dig deeply into the person and purposes of God by reading the Holy Bible for yourself with an open heart and mind to know truth if God will reveal it to you. It’s the perennial best-selling, most-widely-published book on the planet. It also makes the claim that it is inspired by the Spirit of God Himself for the purpose of making Him known to us, us known to ourselves, and us known to Him.

The Spirit and Your Faith

Now for the mysterious and mystical part of the equation — God’s Spirit. There is a whole branch of theology about how one comes to faith. It’s called soteriology. I find it as fascinating and mysteriously beautiful as it is simple. Jesus told his disciples to come to God the Father like a little child or don’t bother coming at all (Matthew 18:3). The way is simple enough for all, the young and old, the simple and wise — everyone.

It’s just that you don’t control it all. You only control your part, which is to believe and have faith like a child. Go ahead and ask the hard questions, the harder the better. Be intellectually honest of course. But be honest and respond in childlike fashion when revelation and answers come. I love hearing how people come to faith. You should ask people who believe how they came to faith when you see the Spirit of light in their lives. I tell the stories of three people coming to faith in my latest book, God Stays Near, Faith and Flight.

Landing the Plane

Read the Gospels over and over. Thomas Jefferson had only one book beside his bed, the words of Jesus lifted from the New Testament. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). We have the written Word, the Bible. We have the Word of God in the flesh, Jesus the Son of God (John 1:14). He sows the seeds of faith and shows us the way to the Father, our Creator God (John 14:8-21).

Read the Gospels often and much, in silence and solitude, until you hear that still small voice that leads to faith. Reading shows your heart, that you desire to know the truth. Then leave the revelation part to Him. He will answer. But own your part and responsibility — your faith.

It’s instructive and insightful how often Jesus said, “Go in peace, your faith has made you well [or saved you]” (Luke 8:48, 7:50, 17:19, 18:42, and others). The Spirit of God does the major lifting, the heavy part, but at some point faith springs from you up to meet God, like a silent lightning strike, that seals and starts a new life — forever.

Shalom and Godspeed on your journey with Him to “Joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1Peter 1:8).

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“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

How should we view predestination? Are there people He just doesn’t call? “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29).

You must choose what you think and believe about this. Then the seeming paradox will become more clear as you journey. In the words of St. Augustine, “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.”

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:16-17).

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV).

“Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16).

For Freedom

It’s the 4th of July! Of course everyone’s mind is on freedom and liberty, and the gift of a freedom-loving form of government God gave us through our forefather’s wisdom, sacrifice, and passion. But the desire for freedom has much deeper and personal spiritual roots in us all than political. You might be surprised how often this need and quality of life is addressed in the Bible.

The phase, “For freedom you have been set free,” came to me early this morning as I began to listen and ponder in my meditation and quiet time.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1 NIV).

Judged Already

I just received a message from a good friend of mine, Dwayne Russell, in the river valley that was related to what I was reading, hearing, and thinking. He quoted John 3:17- 20, the verses after the most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16, and then went on to his missive entitled, “Judged Already.”

“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved hrough Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed” (John 3:17-20 NASB1995 Emphasis Added).

“Judged already! The light has come but sadly we love darkness, because we can’t hide our stuff in the light. It is exposed. But when we see the light and embrace it, the exposure brings forgiveness, love, and strength we didn’t know we had, because it’s Him in us (Col 1:27).

Jesus will stand at the end of time and have the final say to those who love darkness. The light will win and one day there will be no more darkness except in hell itself.”

Walk In the Light and Live Free

Love light! Walk in light! Confess sin, and let the light shine upon it and in your hearts. Then it’s easier to repent and win over sin experiencing God’s forgiveness (washing) and power for living free—His Spirit! “…and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32).

That’s a summary, the over-arching truth, and the key to freedom and joy for all who will call upon the Lord. That is also the substance and summary of our pastor’s message Sunday from Galatians five. Dr. Ben Wilson said the apostle Paul gave us in Galatians (Chapter 5) two distortions about freedom and a path forward.

The two distortions:
(1) Moralism or legalism leads to slavery (v1-12).
(2) License (everything that feels good, do it) leads to death (v13-20).
The path forward:
(3) Walk in the Spirit and fulfill the law of love (v 13-26).

Avoid “the trap of sin and shame” as Martin Luther called it in, The Freedom of the Christian and the Bondage of the World.

Ben entitled his sermon, “Fully Convinced! Following Christ with Conviction in a World of Confusion.” Before ending with two verses from Galatians 5, here are some of his salient quotes:

“We must understand our freedom in Christ, which is true freedom.”

“God’s law gives you an excellent picture of righteousness, but it can’t make you righteous.” “It can’t set you free from sin and shame.”

“There is a Latin phrase from the reformation that can be translated ‘not able, not to sin.’ License does not equal liberty. Do not use your liberty to cast off restraint.”

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25)

Ask!

Does asking God for things boldly in prayer equal faith? Apparently God thinks so, or you can make a case for that from Jesus’ words in Luke 18.

“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). Then in the same context we read, “…when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8 ESV).

Pray! Ask! Boldly! Ask with enthusiasm and determination and tenacity! Of God, no less! “And…Don’t loose heart!”

Why should we pray like this? He tells us to do so, and invites us to do so! It pleases Him and has purpose!

In this famous, unusual parable Jesus ties this kind of prayer to our faith — the kind of faith He hopes to find when He returns. No pride or entitlement, but humbly, boldly, honestly, continually praying for what’s on your heart. Will the Son of Man find faith like that when He looks at you?

Ask!!

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“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17).

“I cry out to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me” (Psalm 57:2).

“In my distress I called upon the Lord;
to my God I cried for help.
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry to him reached his ears” (Psalm 18:6).

“This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles” (Psalm 34:6).

“The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry” (Psalm 34:15).

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me” (Psalm 50:15).

“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26).

“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission” (Hebrews 5:7).

“Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father’” (Glatians 4:6).

“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you” (Romans 16:20).

New Book – God Stays Near

Here in the mid south we are in a deep freeze that’s a bit unusual for us with 4-8 inches of snow blanketing the area and temperatures near 0º F or -18º C! It’s a great day to stay by the fire and read.

I’m announcing the arrival of my new book, God Stays Near – Faith and Flight, which became available as a paperback from Amazon February 17th. A hard cover and eBook version will follow shortly. The short blurb on the book’s cover reads:

“A former American Airlines captain and USAF fighter pilot tells stories about faith and flight during the retirement chapter of living and how God has stayed near for joy, protection, and adventure. Included are stories of flying to Alaska, Idaho, Honduras, and picking up a new airplane from the factory in the Pacific NW with a friend—all flying adventures he never saw coming when retiring professionally. Intermixed are stories of current and past faith adventures that continue to shape flight through life as God stays near. Woven in the mix is advice to peers and the next generation on how to experience God and enjoy life to the full until the end via the spiritual disciplines—the habits and rhythms of the ancient-future faith in Jesus Christ. You will enjoy these stories of faith and flight and be inspired to adventure in your realm.”

The book is very real and personal too, as it may be my last, except possibly photo books, for meditation and devotion. I tell about an airplane crash I had in January two years ago, about some of my most personal spiritual experiences, and God’s faithfulness and leading through these chapters of life — staying near.

The cover is from a painting by a treasured friend Ralph Irwin (1936-2019), an artist who did the art work on my first book, A Friend of the King, and was by my side on many kingdom missions in our communitty of faith in Fort Smith, Arkansas, as well as in Belize. I had a strong spiritual impression to use this artwork even before I knew which direction the book would take. The book is largely about “soul care” or practicing the ancient spiritual disciplines or habits and rhythms that serve to keep our souls healthy, vibrant, and knowing God better each day and year of our sojourn. There are spirits involved, angels light and dark, from a different realm, but active in our realm and interacting with us, many times without our notice, especially if we neglect these practices and fail to maintain spiritual sensitivity.

I think when you read the book, you’ll get it as you go. We’re all on a journey, to enjoy and live the gift of life and choice that is magnanimously given by our Father in heaven. We travel, as the title to Ralph’s painting suggests, “From Portal to Portal.” There are spirits involved. It’s best to understand how they operate, especially those who are enemies, and stay connected to the Father of Lights.

Here’s a quote from the book: “As an international airline pilot, I had the opportunity to spend many days in Paris, London, and Madrid. I would frequent the Louvre, the National Gallery, and the Prado art museums. The number of paintings of angels and demons in conflict from the early Middle Ages to the Enlightenment in these world-famous art repositories is staggering. I used to think, ‘Wow, these people were superstitious!’ But now I think they were more in touch with reality and the spiritual realm than modern humans.”

That’s a tiny, but important aspect of the book. I hope you’ll give it a look and profit from it spiritually for the rest of your soul and the rest of your days. Reading is a spiritual discipline, as is solitude, slience, meditation, and taking time alone to think and hear from God. So stay warm, cozy up somewhere with a blanket or cup of coffee, and read a good book. Godspeed on your journey.

Click here to order

Joyful Epiphany 2025

Yesterday was Epiphany, but it’s never too late for an epiphany while you have breath–the gift of life and your spirit from our Creator God.

I like history so I spent some time this morning researching “Why January 6th?” What the western chruch celebrates on January 6th each year is the wise men from the East who were the first Gentiles to have an epiphany, realization, revelation that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the Annointed One–the King of the Jews, and the Lord of Heaven and Earth (Matthew 2:1-12).

It was interesting research leading me to chruch councils in the first millennium, the differences between solar and lunar calendars the ancients contrived to track our days on the planet, and more. It’s interesting but still a mystery to me, and perhaps it’s meant to stay that way. The fact that it happened, was recorded in the Bible, and has been celebrated for two millennia is significant and fun to ponder.

I do think the mystery of the December 25th date we celebrate Christmas may have been solved by a lawyer with presently available astronomy software, and I gave you a link to that information in my last blog. It doesn’t take away any of the mystery, but only adds to the awesomeness of our Creator, Redeemer God—His power and His plan.

So I finished my history research amazed at the infautation of God’s family with knowing Him, and all the bread crumbs, along with the interaction with His Holy Spirit, that blows among us like the wind in our quest to know God, ourselves, and our destiney. I watched the three YouTube videos below in the order I share them as I worshiped the Holy One.

Listen, quietly, in stillness, and see if you have an epiphany.

Godspeed and Bon voyage in your journey to know God, yourself, and your destiney better in 2025.

Megan Woods – The Truth (Official Lyric Video)

Casting Crowns – Praise You In This Storm (Live from YouTube Space New York)

My Deliverer – Rich Mullins

“for He says, “At the acceptable time I listened to you,
And on the day of salvation I helped you.”
Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”—”

(2 Corinthians 6:2)