ABC To Air Show Titled"Good Christian Bitches"

If you are aware of a person's intent to come into your home and attack you family, your children -- what would you do to prevent this type of "home invasion"? Would you defend your family? Well, it is time to take a stand to defend your family, your family values, and your Christian values.

ABC television's upcoming Prime Time show "Good Christian Bitches" is in the works today. And, the show features the tagline: “For Heaven’s sake, don’t let God get in the way of a good story!”

Critics Slam ABC Pilot "Good Christian Bitches": http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2011/03/04/critics-slam-abc-pilot-good-christian-bitches-inappropriate-damaging-title/print

Can you imagine the world uproar if their show was named "Good Muslim Bitches" or "Good Jewish Bitches" or even "Good Buddhist Bitches"? Then, why shouldn't the Christian world be in an uproar demanding the same respect for our Christian faith?

Many years ago, I loved the show "The Flying Nun" starring Sally Field, who also starred in the family friendly television series "Gidget." Yes, for many years, Sally Field was a role model for family friendly values on television. Then, in 2007, at the Emmy Awards, while accepting her award -- Sally Field, on world-wide television -- cursed the name of God. Since then, I cannot stand to see her on television. If even a commercial comes on featuring Sally Field, I will change the channel.

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Fox Explains Censorship Of Actors At Emmys: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/18/arts/television/18emmy.html

Ms. Field used an expletive in saying that if mothers ruled the world, there would be no wars. She won the Emmy for her performance as Nora Walker, a liberal matriarch whose son is headed to Iraq for combat duty, on the ABC drama “Brothers & Sisters.”

Backstage after her acceptance, Ms. Field said she “would have liked to say more four-letter words up there.”

But she added that she “probably shouldn’t have said” the word that was censored. “If they bleep it, oh well, I’ll just say it somewhere else,” she said.

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Kathy Griffin's Jesus Remark Cut From Emmy Show: http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/09/11/us-griffin-emmys-idUSN1144512920070911

In 2007, comedienne Kathy Griffin, in her Emmy Award acceptance speech declared, "A lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus," an exultant Griffin said, holding up her statuette. "Suck it, Jesus. This award is my god now."

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This was so offensive that the secular Emmy Awards Show producers edited it out of the taped version. But, unfortunately, not before millions had seen it on television. Today, I will not watch any show, period, on which this woman appears. I would rather go to a barn and shovel manure -- than to see her on any venue.

Personally, I boycott any and all shows which include Sally Field or Kathy Griffin. Does my boycott cause them any loss of money or fame? No, but, it most certainly allows me to respect myself -- and, I personally feel that it pleases God.

But, just imagine if ALL CHRISTIAN believers are offended and personally boycott all shows and commercials featuring these two ladies -- what an impact that would have on these ladies and on all businesses who advertise on shows which feature these ladies.

Yes, my Christian brothers and sisters, we CAN impact who and which "home invasions" enter our homes via the television. Are you willing to do it, to protect your family, for you own personal self-respect, and to please the God we serve?

Another more immediate thing YOU can do, right now, is to visit the "American Family Association Action Alert" web page and sign their petition. I have. Will you join me?

A Petition To ABC And Parent Company Disney http://secure.afa.net/afa/activism/signpetition.asp?id=1920

This message is my plea for all Christians, world-wide, to join me in telling the secular television and media "money worshiping" bosses, "We Christians demand the same respect you give to Muslims, Buddhists, Atheists, Secularists, and all other world religions. Stop defaming our God and our faith!"

It is time that we stand and tell the secular world, "We are tired of your attacks on our Christian faith -- and we won't take it anymore!"

If you agree with me, please share this with ALL your Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors -- all your FRANs. Let's all stand tall in our Christian faith

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Gianna Jessen: Abortion Survivor! - Video

Today, a young lady, a Christian sister, shared this video on Facebook -- and I have to continue that sharing on every venue God has given me. This video is the most important I have ever watched. And, I urge you to watch it and to share it.

GIANNA JESSEN - ABORTION SURVIVOR:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOWMmx6eBjU
SHARE THIS VIDEO WITH THE WORLD! -- I thank my dear sister in Christ, Valerie Zin, for making me aware of this video.

In the late 1990s, my wife, Dory, and I attended an anti-abortion fund raising concert hosted by Dr. David Hocking and Pat Boone at Calvary Church in Santa Ana, California. The two special guests were Joni Eareckson Tada and a teenage girl in a wheel chair who had survived a Saline Abortion.

For those not familiar with saline abortions -- to an unborn baby it is like giving it a bath in acid. This method of abortion is intended to burn the unborn child to death in the womb. At the concert, this teenage girl in her wheel chair sang a love song to Jesus Christ. That teenage girl we saw at the concert -- is the beautiful lady in this video, Gianna Jessen.

Who can better speak, in person and in her life -- against abortion, all abortions, than this lady? Who can speak of the glory of God's love -- louder than this articulate lady? Who should we, the world, be listening to -- this lady blessed by God with life -- or the abortionists who get rich by killing, snuffing out the lives, of millions of unborn babies each year?

I thank God for Gianna Jessen; I thank God for her brave stance against the infanticide of millions of babies each year via legal abortions; I thank God for Gianna Jessen's life and courage.

This could be the most important sixteen minutes of your life. This sixteen minute video -- just may save the life of ONE UNBORN BABY! Share this video and this message with the world!

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill Gray

Why Do Non-believers Post So Zealously On The Religion Forum?

Do atheists and secularist really believe there is no God? Or, is that their desired belief? While I do understand that there are people who can commit heinous crimes, murder, rape, child abuse, etc., with no apparent feelings of guilt, i.e., with no guilty conscience -- I suppose I want to believe those are the exceptions, the human anomalies, and not the norm.

So, when a large number of people tell me that they do not believe God exists -- I have to wonder how many of these are the anomalies, and how many only want to deny God exists, because they do not want to allow Him to be master of their lives?

Once again, I want to believe that the majority are in the latter group -- and there is still a chance to bring them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Maybe I am naive; but, I know that my God exists -- and I know that He can save even the most stubborn and hopeless people. He proved that with the apostle, Paul, in Acts, chapter 9.

If you agree, share this with your Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors -- all your FRANs. Let's keep telling the world about the love of God; about His Word, written just for them; and the Gospel of Jesus Christ who wants all to be saved. Let's keep telling them all -- until He returns.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill Gray

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Hi to all my Forum Friends,

In the discussion titled "So Does God Decide Who Goes To Hell?" begun by our new Forum Friend, or an old Friend with a new posting name, Everlasting Godstopper (what does this posting name tell you?) -- there has been a running dialogue between Jan, a declared atheist, and Peter, a Christian believer.

As usual, Jan, and all of our atheist Friends, are comparing our belief in God to children's belief in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy. She tells Peter, "A child believes in a Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, right? However, when they grow up most put those kinds of fairy tales behind them and realized that they are not real. Some kids apparently only grow out of certain fairy tales and hold on to others. You seem to be one of those kids that held on to the biggest one of all.

So, because some of us other kids grew up and read a science book or two, we got past all those childhood falsehoods. Including your scary god figure that knows when we are sleeping, that knows when we're a wake, who knows if we've been bad or good. Oh for goodness sake!

And, Peter responds to Jan, "(Since) you think of God in the same way you think of Santa -- why are you wasting your time on a Forum about God?

Seriously! I don't care if you think of Him as a sky fairy. That's your choice. And, if I'm correct in my beliefs, you will have to deal with that choice one day. But why do you continue to scream from the mountain tops that the 'sky fairy' isn't real? Do you do that about Santa, the Tooth Fairy, or the Easter Bunny? NO? Didn't think so. God is so irrelevant to you, (yet) you sure do seem to spend a ton of time and energy discussing Him."

Peter, as long as the atheists can close their eyes (spiritual eyes) and keep repeating, "He is not real! He is not real! He is not real!" -- they can pretend, and, I imagine, even to some degree, convince themselves that He is not real.

I am reminded of a time when my brother and I were young boys in Sheffield. One evening, we were home alone and in bed -- when we heard someone opening a window and coming into our home. So, we did the intelligent thing -- we pulled the blanket over our heads! Hey, if we could not see him -- surely he could not see us! Right? Wrong!

When I was a young adult, believe it or not, I was, not necessarily afraid -- but, very nervous in the dark. I suppose I was imagining all the things lurking in the dark which could jump out and grab me. But, there I was -- a young adult -- and, basically afraid of the dark.

Then, I read a book by John Steinbeck, "Travels With Charlie." Steinbeck, who came from the mid-California Monterey area, had written about America for years and decided it was time to get on the road and see America again. He had a camper put on his pickup truck -- and, with his large poodle, Charlie, set out to see America.

Normally, he stopped at camp grounds so that he could interact with people. But, one evening there was no camp ground available; so, he pulled off the highway and parked for the night. In the middle of the night, he began to hear all sorts of night noises. He became nervous, got his gun, and went outside to see what was up. As it turned out, it was just that -- night noises and noises from the camper settling. So, once he had assured himself that all was well, he slept well.

Reading this, I thought to myself, "Self, if a manly man such as John Steinbeck can be afraid of the dark -- then, why are you so worried about this silly fear?" And, believe it or not -- from that moment I have never been nervous in the dark. As a matter of fact, I cannot sleep well unless it is very dark. If there is light seeping into the room where I am sleeping, I have to get a night mask to prevent the light from keeping me awake. Quite a reversal.

And, I sense that our atheist Friends fear that same kind of spiritual reversal, i.e, if they acknowledge God -- they will be accountable to God. Then, they could not be "masters of their own world" -- they could not be their own gods. So, the more this idea of a true God of the Bible tends to seep in through the cracks -- the bigger their night mask must be to keep Him out.

How can this dilemma -- this fear that there could be a real God and that He would take control of our lives and we would be His slaves -- be prevented? Well, I would suggest that we begin by teaching our children about God and His love when they are very young. Then, they can grow up understanding, feeling, and growing in the love of God -- rather than in fear of God.

Let me give you a good example; once again using my brother and me, and our childhood. When we were young -- 9, 10, 11, 12 -- we were both tall and skinny. Even though he is three years older, we were always about the same size. Yet, when we did things -- he was always the best, he always won. When we went into PeeWee Football, he was always the first string player -- and I was his second string backup. With the young ladies -- even those I had a crush on, always seemed to like my brother better.

Needless to say, I grew up feeling second best. How could this have been prevented? If only my mom, or some other adult in the family, would have set me down and explained that Bob is three years older and should be stronger and more mature; very likely things would have been different. No one ever did this and consequently I grew up feeling second best.

We even carried this silent competition into high school. Bob was the star of our Sheffield High track team. He was, with no doubt, the best 440 Dash runner in the state of Alabama at that time -- and was offered a scholarship to the University of Alabama. And, I have no doubt that, had he pursued this, he would have gone to the Olympics. Instead, he got married while still in high school.

Yet, this I will declare, again with absolute certainty, his wife for 56 years, Mary, is a far greater prize than any Olympic gold medal.

In high school, I played varsity basketball. I would go to Bob's track meets and cheer my head off for him; but, no way would I allow him to know this. In the same way, he would cheer for me at our Sheffield basketball games. But, in person -- you suck!

My point in this personal excursion into the past is that, if some adult had set me and Bob down as young boys and explained to us about our bodies, how he was supposed to be stronger and more mature because he was three years older -- very likely we would not have developed that competitive sibling rivalry which carried over into our adult lives. Today, praise God, that feeling is totally dead. But, I mourn the lost sibling camaraderie of those young years.

In the same way, if parents and grandparents are Christian believers, if children are raised in Godly Christian homes and environments -- they will grow up loving God and not fearing Him. That should be the goal of all parents and grandparents. But, of course, the parents and grandparents need to be Christian believers -- before they can raise the children to love God.

Assuring that all children will have this kind of Christian home environment in which to grow in God's love -- by witnessing to and evangelizing non-believing adults who are parents and grandparents, and young adult who will become parents -- should be our highest priority for all Christian believers. We can help plant the "seeds of salvation" which can turn a secular home into a Christian home -- and into a Christian environment in which children can grow into God loving, God worshiping, young adults. Can you think of a more effective way of assuring the eternal happiness of our children?

Of course, our atheist Friends will answer that last question by replying, "Yes! Just leave them alone and let them develop their own ideas and morality." That, my Friends, is called Moral Relativism and is the rallying call of all atheists and secularist -- and was the driving motivation for Madelyn Murray O'Hair and the ACLU in 1963 when they had God and prayer evicted from our pubic schools.

We all have witnessed the happy results of that 1963 decision by the Supreme Court: an explosion of drive-by shootings and teenage crimes; runaway teen pregnancy; rampant drug use among young children; children in elementary schools now routinely having sex; and, the highlight of the secular world view -- the "politically correct" teaching and indoctrination of homosexuality and same-sex marriage in our public schools, beginning in Kindergarten.

How has America and our families benefited from the secular Moral Relativism? How has America and our families benefited from God and prayer being evicted from our schools? In absolutely no way! Since 1963, it has been all down hill.

Since 1963, the only bastion for Positive Moral Values, i.e., Christian Values -- are our Christian homes, our Christian churches, and our Christian schools where children can escape the indoctrination of the secular schools -- and grow in the love of God and Godly families.

What is next on the secular/atheist agenda? What is the next move in their attempts to deny God?

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Who Is To Blame - God Or You?

So many non-believers want to blame God -- instead of looking within themselves. They will ask, "How can a loving God condemn anyone to spend eternity in hell?" And, the answer: God does not condemn anyone to hell.

Each person, individually, either chooses salvation and eternal life in Jesus Christ -- or they choose eternity in hell with Satan.

Each person's eternal destination depends solely upon the decision he/she makes in this life. Each person must decide to receive eternal life in Jesus Christ -- or to reject Him. Everyone who is in Hades/Torment and who goes to hell for eternity -- can only blame himself or herself -- not God.

That is the heart of the discussion below: Who is to blame -- God or you?

Share this with your Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors -- all your FRANs. Let's keep sharing the Word of God, let's keep reaching out to the unsaved and the unchurched, sharing with them the Gospel of Jesus Christ -- until He returns.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill Gray

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Hi to all my Forum Friends,

In the discussion which I began titled "Using 'OMG' And The 'F Word On Public Forums" -- our Forum Friend, HoldenMyOwn, told me, "Mr. Gray, Assuming you believe in the Bible... Your Bible states numerous times that I do not deserve to live and that I will burn in hell for all eternity. I say "OMG." And you say that "I" am the one that is being disrespectful? Does that honestly make sense to you?"

Holden, if the city, county, or state where you live has a law which says that driving 90 mph through a school zone is against their law -- and you do it anyway; who is to blame -- them for having and enforcing the law -- or you for breaking that law?

In the Old Testament, God gave the people of Israel certain laws -- and He gave them the punishment for breaking those laws. If a person still broke His laws; who is to blame for that person being punished -- God or that person?

God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments and His Laws expanding upon those commandments. He knew that no one would be able to keep all of His commandments all the time. Why could they not keep those commandments? Because, when Adam fell into sin by disobeying God, from that moment on -- Adam and all his descendants have a sin nature. Man, by his very nature, is sinful.

But, on the other hand, God being a loving God and wanting all people to come to repentance, gave man a means of atoning for his sins, i.e., atonement for breaking the Law. He gave them animal sacrifices they could do to atone for their sins. These animal sacrifices were the precursor for the real "Once For All" Sacrifice which was to come -- Jesus Christ.

The Old Testament Jews had to keep offering animal sacrifices, over and over, to continually atone for their sins. When Jesus Christ came, He became the final Sacrifice, once for all. He was the Perfect Sacrifice -- and, in that respect, the Law had been fulfilled.

Once the Law had been fulfilled in Jesus Christ; He brought us into the dispensation of Grace, the era or period of Grace. We read in John 1:17, "For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ."

So, from the time Israel was given the Law at Mount Sinai, until the Day of Pentecost, the world was in the Biblical Dispensation of the Law and needed continual sacrifices to atone for their sins. On the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) the Christian church, the body of believers, began with the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the 120 disciples in the Upper Room.

And, this was the initiation of the Dispensation of Grace. We will be in the Dispensation, or Period, of Grace until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ at the end of the seven year Tribulation. At this time, He will establish His Millennial Kingdom and thus begins the Kingdom Age, the kingdom of God on earth.

Now that Jesus Christ has brought us into the Dispensation of Grace -- by the Grace of God, through FAITH in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9) -- every person has an opportunity to be forgiven and to receive His "free gift" of salvation, eternal life in Christ.

So, Holden, when you tell me, "Your Bible states numerous times that I do not deserve to live and that I will burn in hell for all eternity."

No, the Bible tells us that if you continue to reject the "free gift" of salvation, which has already been purchased and "paid in full" by Jesus Christ on the cross -- YOU are condemning yourself to burn in hell for eternity.

Up until your last breath in your mortal body -- you can repent, i.e., turn from following the world and turn to following Jesus Christ. Once you have breathed that last breath in your mortal -- your eternal destination is set in concrete. At that point, absolutely nothing can change your eternal home.

If, before you die, you do repent and receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior -- you will spend eternity in the glorious presence of God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and all of your loved ones and friends who have died as believers.

If, when you die, you have not received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior -- you will spend eternity in the horrific, evil presence of Satan, eternity in hell.

The ONLY unforgivable sin is to die without having Jesus Christ in your heart, without a saving relationship with Him.

Up until that last breath -- there is always a chance to repent and follow Jesus Christ. But, the danger of waiting that long -- is that none of us know when that last breath will occur. We could be in the best of health one minute -- and dead the next.

When I was 25, I worked of Ramo Wooldridge (early version of TRW). One Friday we had a party and I became good friends with one of our programmers, a guy my age. He was excited because he was getting married the next week. His parents were out from the Mid West and all things were "Go" for their wedding. Sunday morning his parents went to his apartment and found him dead. He had died of a heart attack in his sleep. Absolutely no indication of any problems before.

Several years later, I worked for Scientific Data Systems in Santa Monica. One Monday morning I went to the tool room to get some new tools -- and the young man who worked there, 21 years old, was not in the tool cage. I was told that he had died of a heart attack over the weekend. Once again, no indication of any problems -- until they found him dead -- at 21 years old.

None of us have a guaranty of that next breath. So, Holden, and all of my Forum Friends who are not yet Christian believers -- do not gamble that you will always have more time. There is no guaranty. The only promise, the only guaranty, you have is: If you die as a believer, you WILL spend eternity with God -- and, if you die as a non-believer, you WILL spend eternity with Satan in hell.

So, why gamble with something so important? Take that "sure bet" and get right with God -- right now -- while there is still time.

Is this a "hell-fire and darnation" sermon? No, my Friends, just the truth -- shared in love. I want so much to meet you in heaven one day. Please do not disappoint me.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

What Is Jesus Christ's Message To Us In Luke 18:18-30?

Often, when sharing with others, in person or in writing, we often are asked questions and do not really know the motive behind those questions. Is this person a believer and truly seeking to better understand God's Word? Or, is this person a non-believer and only trying to lure us into a "Gotcha!" situation?

Regardless, the best way to respond is with the best Biblical answer we have, in Christian love, and with the intent of pointing this person toward Jesus Christ -- or helping a fellow believer become closer to Jesus Christ. I pray that I was effective in doing this in my response to my Times Daily Religion Forum Friend, Blue.

If you find this useful, please feel free to share it with your Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors -- all your FRANs. Let's keep sharing the Word of God in love, keep sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ -- until He returns.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill Gray

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Hi to all my Forum Friends,

In the discussion begun by Blue titled "So Much Controversy, I Am Right, Your Wrong, Your Right, I Am Wrong" -- Blue and I have sort of a running dialogue. In an earlier post, Blue wrote, "Guess we won't know until we are gone, for me I believe in CHRIST, what have I got to lose, I will take my chances on HIM."

And, I replied, "Hi Blue, From your statement, it sounds more like you have bought a lottery ticket. Question: Do you have a saving, personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

To this, you respond, "Bill, you know I don't play the lottery and the casinos don't pay 98% more like 5% on them machines."

Blue, I am not sure I really understand your response. We both know that I was not talking about literally playing the Lottery -- but, that you seem to be approaching Jesus Christ and salvation as though you are just placing a "win, place, or show" race track bet on Him -- just in case. That is not the meaning of Ephesians 2:8-9, which tells us, "By grace you are saved through faith" -- faith in Jesus Christ -- not, "Let's place a bet and see what happens."

Next, you say, "Then again one who stands on a ball field does not make them a ball player, no more than one who attends a church makes them a Christian."

So true. One is not saved by attending church; nor is one saved because of the church he attends. We are saved ONLY by having a personal, saving relationship with Jesus Christ. And, that is why I asked you, "Do you have a saving, personal relationship with Jesus Christ?"

Then, you tell me, "I have read the Bible through and through from the beginning to the end seven times, read the Koran once, have not tried reading the Zoroastrian Bible yet."

Reading the Bible through a thousand times will not make a person a Christian believer; it will just give him strained eyes. And, yes, you may have read the Qur'an and other holy books from various world religions; but, that is not the point.

It all goes back to the question I asked you in my earlier post, "Do you have Him in your heart, spiritually -- not in your head, intellectually?"

The scholars who make up the Jesus Seminar intellectually know the Bible; most of them are professors, Bible scholars, and theologians. However, from the "fruit" or, more appropriately, "lack of fruit," we can see in their work -- personally, I would not want to be any of them when it is time to stand before Jesus Christ in judgment.

These so called scholars have publicly denied about 95% of what the Bible, the Written Word of God, tells us that Jesus said and did during His earthly ministry. Yes, these guys have intellectual knowledge of Biblical writings -- but, they have no spiritual knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Blue, do not be like those intellectual know-nothings. It is better to read and spiritually know God's Word once -- than to read it a thousand times and only know it only intellectually. That is why I asked you, "Do you have Him in your heart, spiritually -- not in your head, intellectually?"

Finally, you suggest, "Bill, go read St. Luke Chapter 18 verses 22-30."

The passage you are suggesting in Luke 18:22-30 is the story of the Rich Young Ruler:

Luke 18:18-21, Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'!" And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth."

Luke 18:22-25, So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Luke 18:26-27, And those who heard it said, "Who then can be saved?" But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."

Luke 18:28-30, Then Peter said, "See, we have left all and followed You." So He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life."

Blue, I am not quite sure I understand what you are asking in your reference to this passage in Luke 18; but, I will make the assumption that you are implying that just because I write about Biblical issues and beliefs on the Religion Forum -- this does not make me a Christian believer or a Christ Follower. That is very true. I could write volumes about Biblical issues and beliefs -- and still not be a Christian believer.

But, praise God, that is not true. I am a Christ Follower, I am a Christian believer -- because, by the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8) -- I have believed and received (John 1:12) His "free gift" (Ephesians 2:8) of eternal life. And, I have His personal promise on this in John 6:47, "He who believes HAS eternal life" (also in John 3:16, 36, and John 5:24).

But, Blue, we do have proof of your premise in the Jesus Seminar and in stacks of scholarly books written by Bible professors, scholars, and theologians who only know Jesus Christ intellectually.

And, these writings can be harmful to new believers and to those just beginning to seek God. When I was a new believer, I read a book written by a Bible professor from the University of San Diego. Basically, his writings worked to tear down faith in much of the Old Testament writings. He wrote in his book why he believed Moses did not write the first five books of the Bible; he wrote why he believed that the book of Isaiah was written by multiple writers instead of by the single writer.

And, on and on, he systematically ripped apart the Word of God -- and, because he was a "Bible scholar" -- at that stage of my early Christian infancy -- I almost believed what he had written. At that stage of my Christian life -- that could have led me down an entirely different path; not to condemnation; but, to having no "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).

This is why I caution Friends -- when you buy and read a Christian book, even a Bible, make sure you know who wrote it, how and why it was written, and to the best of your knowledge, where those writers stand on conservative Christian theology. Let me give you a good example. About fifteen years ago, Dory and I had an older friend we were trying to get to come to church with us. Mary kept dragging her feet; so, I decided to buy her a good study Bible as a gift.

I went to a reliable Christian book store and began to browse the study Bibles. I found one which really looked good. But, then, I looked at the list of contributing writers who had written the study notes. It read like a Who's Who of the "Name It And Claim It" Prosperity Theology preaching crowd. Needless to say, I put that Bible away and found a more appropriate study Bible with a list of contributing study note writers whom I knew to be dependable and who, to the best of my knowledge, believe and teach a solid Christian theology.

But, Blue, to get back to the Scripture passage you recommend, Luke 18:22-30 (better yet, Luke 18:18:30). In this passage Jesus is approached by a rich young ruler (meaning that, in their culture, he was well versed in Old Testament Scripture) who asked what he had to do to gain salvation.

Jesus first referred him to the last six of the Ten Commandments, our relationship with others -- and the ruler declared that he had done this since childhood. Doubtful, since no one can truly live the Ten Commandment without failing -- but, that is not the point Jesus was leading toward.

Next, in Luke 18:22-25, Jesus leads the young ruler to the first four of the Ten Commandments, our relationship with God. Here Jesus tells him to sell and give away all his riches -- and become a Christ Follower. The young ruler could not do this -- for his worldly wealth was his god; just as many of our atheist and secular Friends makes science their god.

And, finally, when asked how a person could do this, Jesus tells them that, "With God all things are possible" (verse 27).

Basically, Jesus is not telling anyone that he must leave his family, leave his job, give away all of his material things to be a Christian believer. What He truly is telling us is that we must place Him first in our lives. What does this mean? Well, how many times have you wanted to watch the Super Bowl or another popular event -- but, it was on during your church worship service? Did you go to church?

How often have folks taken a better paying job, even though it meant having to work on Sundays -- just to gain more material things? It is one thing if your normal job requires you to work on Sunday and there is no way to reschedule. However, to voluntarily take a job that called for Sunday work -- just to make more money -- is not putting Jesus Christ first.

When a friend asks you to go to the beach on Sundays, or go to the Nascar races on Sunday, or to go fishing on Sunday -- where do YOU go on Sunday? This is the teaching that Jesus Christ was giving to the young ruler and to us; not that we have to leave our wife, children, family -- and run away to preach the Gospel.

Wherever we are, whatever we are doing, whoever we are with -- we can always put Jesus Christ first in our lives. And, if we do, we have His promise of greater rewards and eternal life "in the age to come" (Luke 18:30).

Blue, I pray that I have answered your question. If not, let's continue our dialogue.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Using "OMG" And The "F" Word On Public Forums

In the past few weeks, my heart has been burdened. I am seeing a proliferation of people, mostly young, but some not so young, who I know to be Christian and who I know come from good Christian families - flagrantly posting two very offensive words/phrases on Facebook. What are these that I find so offensive? First, is the initials "OMG" and the second is the "F" word.

Why are these so offensive to me? Well, OMG is texting shorthand for "Oh, my God!" - which is taking God's name in vain. God takes His name and His glory very serious. That is why He wrote in the Bible, "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, . . ." (Exodus 20:7).  So, just because it is abbreviated; makes it no less offensive - to God and to all Christian believers.

Creating slang versions of His name is the same, i.e., saying "Geez" or "Jeezus" - is just as bad as using, "Oh, Jesus!" as an exclamation.

Most of the people I have seen writing these have relatively good education - and I am sure that, if that person tries just a little, he/she can find a more appropriate word to use to vent their frustration, to highlight their point, or to make an exclamation.

And, what does surprise me the most - is that 95% of the people I have seen recently using these offensive words on public forums - are female.

When we, especially we Christian believers, post on public forums such as Facebook - we are representing all Christian believers; and we are representing our Lord. We are told in 2 Corinthians 5:20, "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

When I read this Scripture verse, I am reminded of a story my good Friend and mentor, Pastor Sam Lacanienta, told us many years ago.  When Pastor Sam was a young pastor in the Philippines, one Sunday a relative who also was the Philippine Ambassador to England, came to the worship service.  After the service, Pastor Sam asked him what it meant to be an ambassador for his country.  He told Pastor Sam, "My main job as an ambassador to England - is to not embarrass my nation while doing my job."

As Christian ambassadors for Christ when we write on public forums, and even when in private discussions - we should be very aware of not embarrassing our Lord.

For my young Friends, when you post such words on Facebook and other networking channels - keep in mind that you are representing first, your Lord; then, yourself - and, very important - you are representing YOUR FAMILY, your mom, your dad, your siblings - all your family.

So, please, I know that you do not purposely want to be offensive - and I know you do not want to embarrass your family or yourself.  Therefore, when you write on Facebook or other networking channels - write your message as though you are writing it to your mother.  Write messages you would not be ashamed to have your mother and father read.  And, write messages which will glorify our Lord.

And, to my non-believing Friends, while you may or may not find these words offensive; keep in mind when you post on any Forum or network channel - that those things are offensive to we Christians.  So, as a courtesy to us, please do try to find other words or phrases to use.  For that, we thank you.

Thank you and God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill Gray

What Happens When A Believer Dies?

Have you ever had to explain to others, believers or non-believers, the Biblical teaching of what happens when a Christian believer dies? While many Christian believers do not share my belief in a PreTribulation Rapture; others will also argue that the believer goes to a temporary place, or that believers stay in the grave until Christ resurrects us just before taking all believers into eternity. Surprisingly, even among Christian believers -- there is great disagreement about this very important issue: What happens when the believer dies?

My Religion Forum Friend, B50, recently told us that she is a New Age/Christian/Wiccan -- so, it is not surprising that she is confused. The New Age and Wiccan world religions are polar opposites of Christianity. A person accepting the teachings of these world religions most likely will not be mature in Biblical knowledge. Otherwise, he/she could not be lured into those religions.

However, her question has given me an opportunity to explain Biblically what happens at death -- and the difference between a believer dying now and a believer who lives to see the Rapture occur.

If you find this useful, please feel free to share this dialogue with your Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors -- all your FRANs. Let's keep sharing the Gospel with the world -- and by sharing, help all of us grow spiritually and, daily, become more mature in our knowledge of God's Word. Until He returns; share the Gospel.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill Gray

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Hi to my Forum Friends,

In an earlier discussion titled "VPLee123....Thank you!" -- I wrote, "We believe, from the Bible, that when a believer dies -- he/she is immediately in the presence of Jesus Christ and God the Father."

And, B50 asks me, "I thought you had to wait for the Rapture, Bill. So heaven immediately or not?"

Good question! Glad you asked. True, for all Christian believers, upon death, the next moment they are alive in the presence of Jesus Christ -- more alive than ever before. Our mortal bodies are in the grave; but, our spirit, the true essence of all people -- will have a great "Home Coming" celebration -- and all Christ believing loved ones and friends who have gone on before -- will be standing with Jesus Christ -- to greet us -- to welcome us home!

Yes, Jesus Christ is coming one day, a day no one knows. This is why we call it imminent, for it could happen at any moment -- or it might not happen for many years. We just have to be ready (Luke 12:40). His coming will be in the air, in the clouds, and He will call all Christian believers, His church, His Bride, to join Him in the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). This is the Rapture.

For all believers who have died in Christ, i.e, died being believers in Jesus Christ -- their mortal bodies will be in the grave; but their spirits are with the Lord. For all non-believers, their mortal bodies are in the grave; but, their spirits are in the Torment side of Hades -- where they will stay until they are resurrected to stand before Christ at the Great White Throne Judgment.

These Christian believers whose bodies are in the grave will rise, be resurrected, first. Then, a split second later, we who are still alive will join them in the air to meet our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. At this time, we all will receive our immortal bodies and will be like Him -- not divine, but in our immortal bodies (1 John 3:2).

Now this is a point where many people, believers and non-believers, will ask, "Bill, that works for those who died and were buried. But, what about people who were cremated? What about people who were eaten by animals, by sharks, etc. -- their bodies no longer exist. Their bodies are ashes or part of animal or fish waste. How can they be raised from the grave to be Raptured?"

That is a very valid question. Yet, we are told in Luke 12:6-7, "Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows."

God created us; God knows every hair on our head (for some, just a memory); God knows every cell which makes up our bodies -- for He created those cells, those bodies -- so, I have no doubt that, in His omniscience, in His omnipotence -- He will have no trouble bringing together all the required elements to create our immortals bodies.

Jesus, when He ascended into heaven, was in His immortal body with the nail scars and the sword scar still evident. After His resurrection, but, before His ascension -- he was in His immortal body which closely resembled His older mortal body. This is why He could eat with His apostles after His resurrection (John 21:12-15). We believers will have such an immortal body also at the Rapture (1 John 3:2).

So, to clarify: For believers who have already died, their bodies are in the grave -- but, their essence, their spirit, is in heaven. When Christ returns to Rapture His church -- their bodies will rise from the grave, or wherever, and will become immortal bodies, once again reunited with their essence, their spirit.

Then, a brief moment later, we believers who are still alive when Christ returns in the air to Rapture His church will rise -- we will not taste death -- but, will go to meet Him in the air to gain our immortal bodies.

Is this described in the Bible? Yes, in 1 Corinthians 15:49-54 we learn that we, our bodies, will be changed in the twinkling of an eye -- pretty quick -- from mortal to immortal, i.e., our glorified bodies. We we be in our glorified bodies just like Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:49-54, "Just as we have borne the image of the earthy (mortal), we will also bear the image of the heavenly (immortal). Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory."

And, in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, we are told that we believers who are still alive, will be CAUGHT UP to meet Christ, our Lord, in the air. In the Greek language, the English phrase "will be caught up" is the word "harpazo" meaning: "to snatch out or away."

When the Pope commissioned Jerome to translate the Bible into Latin, the language favored by the Roman Catholic church, the Greek word "harpazo" became the Latin word "rapiemur" -- from which we get the English transliteration RAPTURE. So, yes, the word "Rapture" -- the prophecy of the Rapture -- and the description of the Rapture -- are all in the Bible.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, "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."

Yes, B50, we have His, Jesus Christ's, promises of eternal life for all who believe (Matthew 19:29, John 3:15, John 3:16, John 3:36, John 4:14, John 5:24, John 6:40, John 6:47, John 6:54, John 10:28).

And, the apostle John writes to us in John 20:30-31, "Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 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."

So, yes, eternal life in Christ is assured, by Jesus Christ Himself, for ALL who, by grace, through faith, believe in Him and receive His "free gift" of eternal life. Based upon His promises, we have eternal security in Him -- and whether we die before He comes to Rapture His church, or whether we are still alive -- ALL believers will be Raptured to be with Him forever.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Are New Age, Wicca, And Christianity Compatible?

So often, over the years, I have heard people say, "I'm a Christian, but, I see nothing wrong with psychics, astrology, and superstitions." That is basically what my Forum Friend was saying when she told us she is a New Age/Christian/Wiccan. Sorry, no way. New Age and Wiccan are the antithesis, the total opposite, of Christianity. One cannot be short and tall, one cannot be fat and skinny -- and one cannot be New Age or Wiccan and be a Christian believer. Yet, on the Religion Forum I am chastised for pointing this out to my misguided Friend.

Yet, we all know that when we share the Gospel, there will be many who will disagree, many who will attempt to discredit us and the Gospel. Jesus told us, in Luke 6:22, "Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man." And, in 1 Peter 4:14, we are told that this brings us blessings. So, praise God -- I am blessed!

Please feel free to share this with your Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors -- all your FRANs. Let's all keep sharing the Word of God, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ -- until He returns.

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Hi to my Forum Friends,

In another discussion begun by O No titled "Why We Are Here" my Forum Friend, B50, wrote, "It was a humbling moment. So I guess God can work through a New Age/Christian/Wiccan."

And, I responded to her with, "Not that I want to burst your bubble -- but, there is NO WAY a person can be New Age and Wiccan -- and be a Christian believer. The two are totally polar opposites. If you think you can wear both coats -- you are only fooling yourself."

Then, O No tells me, "I truly do believe that Bill, wittingly or unwittingly, IS working for the other side. The way he slams people who he KNOWS are believers, the way he insults people and tries to denigrate them. We all KNOW that is not Christian behavior! Bill pushes people AWAY from Christ by his actions and his venomous words."

O No, my Friend, when B50 tells us that she follows the New Age religion, this is what is meant:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Age

The New Age (also referred to as the New Age movement, New Age spirituality, and Cosmic Humanism) is a decentralized Western social and spiritual movement . . . It includes aspects of Occultism, astrology, esotericism, metaphysics, alternative medicine, music, collectivism, sustainability, and nature.

The New Age movement includes elements of older spiritual and religious traditions ranging from atheism and monotheism through classical pantheism, . . . New Age practices and philosophies sometimes draw inspiration from major world religions: Buddhism, Chinese folk religion, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism; with particularly strong influences from East Asian religions, Gnosticism, Neopaganism, New Thought, Spiritualism, Theosophy, Universalism, and Western esotericism.

When B50 tells us that she follows the Wiccan religion, this is what is meant:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca

Wicca is a Neopagan religion and a form of modern witchcraft. It is often referred to as Witchcraft or the Craft by its adherents, who are known as Wiccans or Witches. Its disputed origins lie in England in the early 20th century, though it was first popularized during the 1950s by Gerald Gardner, a retired British civil servant, who at the time called it the "witch cult" and "witchcraft", and its adherents "the Wica." >From the 1960s the name of the religion was normalized to "Wicca."

Wicca is typically a duotheistic religion, worshipping a Goddess and a God, who are traditionally viewed as the Triple Goddess and Horned God. These two deities are often viewed as being facets of a greater pantheistic Godhead, and as manifesting themselves as various polytheistic deities. Nonetheless, there are also other theological positions within the Craft, ranging from monotheism to atheism.

So, anyone telling us that he/she can follow a New Age religion, can follow the Wiccan religion -- and still be a Christian believer -- has NO idea what it means to be a Christian believer. As I have said many times before, New Age/Wiccan and Christianity are polar opposites.

One cannot be both. That would be analogous to saying, "I am going to spend eternity in heaven and in hell." No. Not possible. Sorry, my Friend -- that is totally impossible. One has to make a choice between the two -- just as one HAS to make a choice between world religions and Christianity.

O No, if you consider what I write to be "venomous words" -- I must suggest that you confuse the Gospel with "venomous words." And, as the apostle Paul tells us in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. . ." The key words here are "everyone who believes" -- and one cannot believe in and follow Jesus Christ while following antiChristian world religions.

My Friend, you accuse me of serving the wrong side. Do you think that, maybe, by trying to hold hands with all sides; you may be doing just what you accuse me of doing?

Joshua 24:15, "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

If you still disagree with me, you might want to do more research on the New Age, Wiccan, and other world religions -- and their relationships with Christianity. And, just possibly, you might want to take an introspective look inside to see if it is Bill Gray with whom you disagree -- or God.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Two Extremes: Calvinism & Arminianism - Let's Meet In The Middle!

Recently, a Friend sent me a message asking, "I have been reading a lot lately about theology. What is your view regarding Calvinism and Arminianism? Where do you stand on both -- and why?"

Where do I stand on Calvinism and Arminianism? Pretty much in the middle between the two. While there are teachings in both theologies which I agree with -- there are issues in both which I believe are not Biblical. Let's take a look at each:

CALVINISM: The doctrines and teachings of Calvinism are defined by the Five Points of Calvinism which are usually illustrated by the acronym T U L I P.

T -- Total Depravity: Sin has affected all parts of man. The heart, emotions, will, mind, and body are all affected by sin. We are completely sinful. We are not as sinful as we could be -- but we are completely affected by sin.

U -- Unconditional Election: Some are elected into salvation, others are not (Rom. 9:15, 21). God chooses to save people unconditionally; that is, they are not chosen on the basis of their own merit. The reason it is called Unconditional Election -- is because there is "no condition" through which man can choose, of his own "free will" -- to follow Jesus Christ and have eternal salvation. Those saved are chosen arbitrarily; like in a lotto; some win, some lose.

L -- Limited Atonement: The sacrifice of Christ on the cross was only for the purpose of saving the elect, those "predestined" -- chosen before the Creation to be saved. His death was not meant to offer salvation to all people. Jesus died only for the elect. Though Jesus' sacrifice was sufficient for all, it was not meant for all. Jesus only bore the sins of the elect.

I -- Irresistible Grace: When God has chosen to save someone, He will. When God calls his elect into salvation, they cannot resist. God offers to all people the Gospel message. This is called the external call. But to the elect, God extends an internal call and it cannot be resisted.

P -- Perseverance Of The Saints: You cannot lose your salvation. Because the Father has elected, the Son has redeemed, and the Holy Spirit has applied salvation -- those thus saved are eternally secure. Those people God chooses cannot lose their salvation; they will continue to believe. If they fall away, it will be only for a time.

The doctrines and teachings of Calvinism which I believe are not Biblical are:

U - Unconditional Election, which is another name for Predestination -- lotto style salvation; some win, some lose. Nothing a person can do to gain salvation if he/she was not chosen before the Creation. How secure does that make YOU feel?

L - Limited Atonement, which teaches that Jesus Christ did not die for all people as we are told in John 3:16; but, only for those chosen, i.e., predestined, before the Creation to be saved. If you were not chosen before the Creation -- on the cross, He did not know you. Can you believe that Jesus Christ -- did NOT die for YOU on the cross? If you believe Calvinism -- maybe He did not. But, how are YOU to know?

I -- Irresistible Grace: When God has chosen to save someone, He will be saved, whether he wants to be saved or not. In other words, man does not have the "free will" to choose to follow Jesus Christ or to deny Jesus Christ.

Calvinism teaches Predestination, that ONLY those people chosen before the Creation to be saved -- will be saved. And, it teaches that everyone chosen before Creation to be saved -- will be saved, regardless. They will have no choice. In other words, Calvinism teaches that we do not have the "free will" to choose to follow Jesus Christ or to deny Him.

Ephesians 1:13 tells us, "In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the Gospel of your salvation — having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise."

This tells me that those who heard the Gospel being preached and believed -- were saved, sealed in Him by the Holy Spirit. Are the Calvinists telling us that God closed the ears of those He did not want saved -- so that they could not hear the Gospel and believe?

Calvinist, themselves, do not believe this -- for under Irresistible Grace above, we are told, "God offers to all people the Gospel message." If God offers the Gospel message to all people -- and some believe -- can they not be saved as Ephesians 1:13 tell us? Not according to the Calvinist doctrine of Predestination.

I do not believe my God would do that to a person who sincerely wants to hear and believe.

Where I agree with Calvinism is their teaching of Total Depravity, that man, with his sin nature inherited from Adam, is lost in sin and only the Holy Spirit can lead him to salvation in Jesus Christ. Yet, I will state that I believe Jesus Christ gave us the Great Commandment (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15) because we are to be Sowers of Salvation Seeds -- to all people, not just those predestined to be saved. And, when we are evangelizing; how do we know who was predestined -- and who was not?

I believe that we Christian believers sow seeds of salvation through our evangelism; that others water and nourish those seeds through their evangelism -- but, only the Holy Spirit can harvest those seeds and bring the person to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

If we witness to people not predestined to be saved; aren't we wasting the Gospel on them? Would it not be better to put all of our witnessing effort toward evangelizing only those predestined to be saved? But, how do we know the difference?

And, I agree with Calvinism that one cannot lose his/her salvation. Yet, Calvinism teaches "once saved, always saved" only for those arbitrarily chosen by God before the Creation. I believe that ALL can, by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, be saved. And, once saved, always saved -- for if a person can lose his salvation this makes a liar of Jesus Christ who tells us, "He who believes HAS eternal life" (John 6:47).

Calvinism says: because of man's sinfulness, God must predestine people into salvation -- or none would be saved. This is because Calvinism denies the gift of "free will" which God gave to man.

ARMINIANISM: The Five Points of Arminianism are:

• Human Free Will: This states that, though man is fallen and will always have the curse of his sin nature -- he still has the "free will" to make a choice to follow God and be saved. His will is not restricted and enslaved by his sinful nature. All people have the God-given attribute of "free will" -- the ability to choose to follow Jesus Christ or to deny Jesus Christ.

• Conditional Election: God, in His omniscience, knows all things; there is nothing He does not know -- from eternity past to eternity future. Therefore, in His "foreknowledge" -- His knowing what you and I will do throughout our entire life -- He knows who will follow Jesus Christ -- and who will deny Jesus Christ. Those who will follow Jesus Christ -- are predestined to eternal life with God.

• Universal Atonement: Jesus Christ died on the cross to offer salvation to ALL (". . . whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" -- John 3:16) -- who will, by the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ -- believe and receive His "free gift."

• Resistible Grace: That because God had given man the gift of "free will" -- man can choose to resist the grace of God and reject salvation in Jesus Christ.

• Fall From Grace: The Teaching that a person can fall from grace and lose his salvation.

While I agree with the first four Points of Arminianism; the last, to fall from grace and lose your salvation, is totally unBiblical.

Arminianism teaches that everyone can be saved -- if we will, by grace, through faith, believe and receive His "free gift" of salvation. However, the Arminians go over the cliff on the other side -- saying that a person can loose his/her salvation by sinning. If that were true -- absolutely no one would be saved -- for we all sin (Romans 3:23).

And, since we are told in Ephesians 4:30, "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" -- the teaching that we can lose our salvation makes a liar of God. God, in this Scripture verse, tells us we are sealed for, or until, the day of redemption. Yet, the Arminian teaching tells us that this is not true -- and that, if one sins, he/she will lose his/her salvation.

Personally, I stand where I believe the Bible stands -- right in the middle between these two teachings. I agree with Arminianism that Jesus Christ died on the cross to make salvation available to everyone who will, by grace, through faith -- believe and receive His "free gift" of salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9).

And, I agree with the Calvinist that once a person is saved, sealed with the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption, he/she cannot lose that salvation. Salvation is a "free gift" from God -- and God does not give a gift -- and then take it away.

Several points come to mind regarding Calvinism:

Calvinist believe that God predestined before Creation, i.e., God arbitrarily decided before He created the heavens and the earth -- who will be saved and spend eternity with Him. And, He arbitrarily chose before the Creation who will spend eternity in hell with Satan.

If that is true, YOU have to ask yourself: If God created man for fellowship, to love, worship, and honor Him -- if He created man from His love; why would He allow Satan to have the "free will" to turn from Him; but, will not allow man to have that same "free will"? Does this sound like the God of the Bible, where we read, "God is love" (1 John 4:8, 4:16).

If Calvinism is true and God did indeed predetermine, before the Creation, who will be saved and who will spend eternity in hell -- how do YOU know that YOU were predestined for salvation? Do those who have been predestined for eternal life with God have a special mark on them?

Does the Holy Spirit give the chosen people a "special revelation" telling each chosen person that he/she has been saved? If this is true -- have YOU been given that "special revelation" -- that special message from the Holy Spirit? If not, do you really believe that God has turned His back on you and that you cannot be saved? That is what Calvinism teaches.

Calvinism will tell you that if, in God's foreknowledge, He predestined people according to His foreknowledge of the choice each person will make in his/her lifetime -- then, that negates "free will." First, Calvinism tells us that they do not believe God gave us "free will" -- then, they use the loss of "free will" to allow them to negate His foreknowledge. They seem to want their cake and to eat it, too.

Romans 8:29-30, "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; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified."

This tells me that God foreknew who He would predestine. What does this mean, to foreknow? It means that God knew from the foundation of the earth who will choose to follow Jesus Christ and who will reject Him. Calvinists will say that this takes away our "free will" to make a choice. No. It says that God foreknew -- it does not say that God fore-destined. Man still has the "free will" to believe or deny; nothing changes that. However, since God is omniscient -- He foreknew the decision YOU will make regarding Jesus Christ. Now, doesn't this sound more like the God you have chosen to worship?

Regarding Arminianism:

If, as Arminianism teaches, we can lose our salvation if we sin -- and given the fact that we all sin (Romans 3:23) -- how can anyone know they are saved, how can anyone be saved?

1 John 1:8, "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us."

1 John 1:10, "If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us."

REGARDING BOTH CALVINISM AND ARMINIANISM: Let's take a look at the teachings of Jesus Christ:

John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son HAS eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, HAS eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but HAS passed out of death into life.

John 6:47 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes HAS eternal life."

John 3:15, "So that whoever believes will in Him HAVE eternal life."

John 3:16, "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."

John 6:40, "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will HAVE eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day."

1 John 5:13, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may KNOW that you HAVE eternal life."

Does anyone see, in any of those Scripture verses, a single instance where it reads, "will have eternal life IF. . ." or "may have eternal life IF. . ." or "could have eternal life IF. . ."? No, Jesus Christ is telling us that, ". . .he who believes HAS eternal life."

Notice that these verses do not say, "He, who was predestined before Creation, and believes, HAS eternal life."

One point I would like to emphasize: When interpreting the Bible, i.e., hermeneutics, if you have several Scripture verses or passage that you believe say one thing -- but, you find another verse or passage which you know says something different; you do not have the correct interpretation.

While both Calvinism and Arminianism base their theologies on Scripture verses and passages -- both are establishing their theology by ignoring other verses and passages which contradict their interpretation. The Bible cannot contradict the Bible. So, when Calvinism quotes Scripture passages which they use to support their doctrine of predestination and limited atonement -- they are refusing to look at other Biblical verses and passages which absolutely deny that doctrine.

And, when Arminianism quotes Scripture verses and passages which they use to support their doctrine of salvation lost, they are ignoring other Biblical verses and passages, shown above, which absolutely deny that doctrine.

The Bible shines light upon the Bible -- however, the Bible NEVER contradicts the Bible.

Although a person may teach Calvinism or Arminianism; this does not mean he is not our Christian brother. However, Jesus Christ came to assure us that "whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but HAVE eternal life."

Romans 5:1, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

How can a Calvinist have "peace with God" if he does not know for sure that he was elected, chosen, before Creation? How can this person have "peace with God" and want to follow Jesus Christ -- if he does not know if he was predestined before Creation to have eternal life with God?

How can an Arminianist have "peace with God" if he is always worried that he will sin and lose the salvation which Jesus Christ purchased with His blood on the cross? How can an Arminianist have "peace with God" -- if he cannot accept that Jesus Christ "paid in full" his sin debt to God when He died on the cross?

In Hebrews 2:17 we are told that we have a High Priest, Jesus Christ, to make propitiation for the sins of the people -- not just the elect -- but the PEOPLE -- all who will, by grace, through faith, believe and receive Him.

Hebrews 10:19-23, "Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."

I cannot accept either Calvinism or Arminianism -- because I do have a High Priest in Jesus Christ, and with a heart in full assurance of faith -- I look forward to eternal life with Him -- "for He who promised is faithful."

I pray that YOU have that same assurance of faith -- and that you will share it with your Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors -- all your FRANs. Let's keep sharing the complete Word of God; let's keep sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all we meet -- until He returns.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill Gray

How Would You AnswerA Question About Suicide?

Late last night, unable to sleep, I decided to have a yogurt while I watched my local PBS station on television. The program was a documentary about a man, fifty-nine years old, who was in the advanced stages of ALS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease). The program, taped in 2006, followed this man and his wife in his decision to commit assisted suicide.

The couple were Americans, living in England; a very intelligent, educated man -- who faced nothing but further deterioration, until he reached the point where he would not even be able to move a muscle to alert a care giver that he was in pain or needed anything. In other words, he would be just a living corpse, lying there, waiting to die.

The man explained that he did not want to put his family through this. And, he did not want to put himself through this. So, he had chosen to travel to Sweden, where Assisted Suicide is legal, and end his ordeal.

The man was not in obvious pain; but, he could not do anything for himself -- he could not feed himself, he could not brush his own teeth, he could not even lift his arm or hand. All he could do was to sit in the chair where his care giver, his wife, had placed him -- and talk. Yes, he could still talk. But, that was about all he could do -- and, soon, he would not be able to do this.

This program, and this man's situation, was very sad for several reasons. Yes, it was sad that he had chosen to end his own life. But, what disturbed me the most was when he told us, "I do not believe there is an afterlife." With that statement, he was saying that he did not believe in God. So, it was obvious that he was soon to enter the afterlife in which he did not believe -- without God. This broke my heart.

Was his choice to end his own life wrong? Yes and no. Some will say, "He should have waited, for who knows when a cure will be discovered" -- or "He should have had more faith in God." Well, for one thing, he obviously did not believe in God. That is the sad part. Several times during the show, he said, "I am scared." And, as his wife pushed his wheel chair toward the limo to fly to Sweden, we heard him say several times, "I am scared." That is very understandable; for he was entering the unknown, eternity, without God.

Was his choice to end his own life wrong? In 1938, doctors at the Mayo Clinic diagnosed Lou Gehrig with a very rare form of degenerative disease: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Lou died in 1941.

The Phoenix Neurological Associates web site: http://www.phoenixneurology.com/als_cure.shtml tells us this about ALS:

As there is no known cause for the disease we do not have a cure yet. Once the disease begins the average life expectancy is 3-5 years. Patients pass away from an inability to swallow effectively or breathe effectively. At present there are numerous research trials looking to explore avenues to find cures.

So, I can empathize with this man. The world, and the world of science, has been acutely aware of this horrible disease since we lost the renown Lou Gehrig to it in 1941. Yet, we are told today that science still does not have any idea of a cure.

Could God have healed this man? Absolutely. There is no doubt in my mind that God could have healed him. I have read about and personally seen and experienced God's miraculous healing. Yet, this man did not believe in God. So, how could he have hope that the God he does not believe exists -- will heal him?

I can understand this man's decision to end his life while he could still at least speak. I can understand this man's desire to not put his family or himself through the horrible final stages. And, most acutely, I can understand the man's fear when he said, "I am scared." -- for he was leaving this life without God.

So, was his choice to end his own life wrong? Suicide is most often wrong; it is a sin -- but, it DOES NOT separate a person from God, it does not cause a person to loose his eternal life with God, it does not cause a person to loose his salvation.

I know, I can hear many Friends, especially my Roman Catholic Friends, practically screaming, "Bill, how can you say such a thing?"

First, let me say that I do believe that suicide is wrong. For it really hurts the ones left behind. People are left with the unanswered question, "What could I have done to prevent this?" or "Why didn't I see this coming?" or "Did I do anything which caused him/her to do this?"

And, for the young children or grandchildren, it is even worse -- for they have yet to understand death. And, now, they have to face this self-inflicted death of someone they love. Suicide may solve a person's immediate problem -- but, it creates a mountain of problems for his/her loved ones left behind. For this reason, suicide is wrong.

Yet, for this man in the documentary, I have a level of understanding -- for he faced a hopeless future; his disease has no cure, just a continual deterioration; and he did not have God. So, this man had no hope whatsoever. Could a Christian have come to him, witnessed to him, and led him to the Lord? Yes, that is possible.

Yet, recall what happened to Pharaoh. In Exodus 8:15, "But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not listen to them, as the LORD had said."

And, again in Exodus 8:32 and Exodus 9:34, we are told that Pharaoh hardened his heart against God. And, finally, in Exodus 10:1, God basically tells Pharaoh, "You wanted to harden your heart against Me -- fine, I have completely hardened your heart." God allowed Pharaoh's heart to be hardened past the point of salvation. We read the same of King Zedekiah in 2 Chronicles 36:13, that he had hardened his heart against God.

There is a point where a person can so harden his heart against God -- that God will allow this to become permanent. Keep in mind that we are speaking about non-believers hardening their hearts against God and losing all opportunity for salvation. This does not apply when we are speaking of Christian believers.

When a person has become a Christian believer, a Christ Follower, he/she is indwelled, sealed with the Holy Spirit. And, no one or nothing, can evict the Holy Spirit. We have the promise of Jesus on this, in John 6:47.

And, I believe, from listening to this man in the documentary, that, because of his previous world view and mindset, solidified by his disease, that this man would have rejected any attempt to share God with him. Of course, only God knows that for sure.

The subject of suicide is very hard for most pastors and mature Christians to discuss; for very good reason. On the KWVE Christian Radio show "Pastor's Perspective" -- I have heard Pastor Chuck Smith, whom I admire very much, dance around the question when asked if suicide is a sin and will cause one to lose salvation. Over the past twenty-three years as a Christian believer, I have heard many pastors dance around that question.

Why? Because one never truly knows the person's reason for asking the question. Is he/she asking the question -- looking for justification which will allow him/her to commit suicide? If we say it will not cause a person to lose his salvation, will this encourage this person to commit suicide? It is a very difficult question.

Yet, as mature Christians, we are called to share the "truth" of God's Word. And, the truth is: As horrible as suicide is, as much as it hurts so many, many people -- it does not cause a Christian believer to lose his/her salvation.

In all my years as a Christian, I have only heard one pastor, Dr. Harold Sala, of Guidelines International Ministries, answer this question in a direct manner. In his Guidelines radio commentary, he said clearly, "No. Suicide does not cause a believer to lose his/her salvation." And, to the best of my knowledge, no one has ever committed suicide leaving a note that Dr. Sala gave him/her permission.

On the other hand, I have seen harm come from answering the question wrong. About eighteen years ago, a visitor came to our Bible study, a young lady in her twenties. During the study, she told us that she recently had a friend who had taken his own life and she wanted to know how this affected his salvation, did he lose his salvation?

One of our members, a young adult in our College Ministry, immediately told her, "Yes, he did lose his salvation!" And, to support this, he quoted 1 Corinthians 6:19, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?"

This young man was right and he was wrong. Yes, he was right that our bodies, when we are saved and have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, is a temple of God -- for God, the Holy Spirit, is living within us.

But, where he was wrong was in not aligning that Scripture verse with other parts of the Bible. Scripture cannot contradict Scripture. So, when we build a theology, or a doctrine, upon one Scripture verse -- and there are other verses or passages which tell us something different -- we must align the two to more fully understand what God is telling us.

Yes, this Scripture verse is telling us that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and as such, is holy. Yet, we are also told, in John 1:12, that all who have believe and received Jesus Christ, are children of God. God does not adopt us and then renege on it.

We are told in John 6:47, "He who believes HAS eternal life." That means that we HAVE eternal life; not "could have if" or "will have if" or "may have if." No, it means that we HAVE eternal life in Jesus Christ. And, we are assured, in Romans 8:1, "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

We are told in John 10:27-30, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

Taking all these Scripture passages together -- we know that our body, indwelled by the Holy Spirit, is the temple of God and should not be destroyed; particularly by self destruction. Yet, we are also assured that when we believe and receive Jesus Christ -- we HAVE eternal life and no one, nothing, can snatch us out of His hands or out of the Father's hands.

So, how do we reconcile this difference?

We are told in 2 Corinthians 5:10, and it is confirmed in Romans 14:10, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

One day, we will ALL stand before Jesus Christ in judgment; believers to a judgment of rewards, or lack of rewards; non-believers to a judgment of punishment. In the believer's judgment (Bema Seat Judgment), we will have to answer to Jesus Christ for every deed and every word committed in this mortal life. At that time, I feel sure, He will ask, "Why did you destroy your body, the holy temple of God?" Would you, could you, have a satisfactory answer for this question?

We are assured in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 that the Foundation of the Christian church, and the Christian believer, is Jesus Christ. And, depending upon how we build upon that Foundation, our Christian fruit, our Christian life -- either with indestructible stones, metals, and gems -- or with destructible wood, hay, or straw -- our fruit, our Christian life, will be tested when we stand before Jesus Christ.

It will be tested by the holy fire of the Refiner, Jesus Christ, and if we have built our Christian life upon destructible, worldly things -- it will burn up. Yet, we are told in 1 Corinthians 3:15, "If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."

So, while my College Ministry Friend in our Bible study was right; he was also wrong. And, this wrong answer hurt this young lady. That night, I could see the anguish in her face. And, what hurt most was -- she never again came to our Bible studies. Was she already saved? Was she only seeking? Did she find another Christian fellowship where she could continue to learn, grow, and mature in God's Word -- or to receive Jesus Christ? We do not know -- for she never returned.

Yes, the question of suicide is probably the toughest question a pastor or other mature Christian will ever be asked. But, we are obligated to share the "truth" of God's Word. However, beyond that, we are also obligated to further explain to this person asking the question, God's full view of this very wrong action and salvation -- and to help him/her through whatever caused the question.

What we should have done that night, in our Bible study eighteen years ago, was to forego the planned Bible study lesson -- and concentrate on this young lady, her question, and her anguish over losing her friend in this horrible way. We should have taken her hand and made sure she was walking with Jesus Christ. We did not. We just gave her a blunt, wrong answer -- and went on with our business of Bible study. One day, we will have to explain this to Jesus Christ -- face to face.

I pray that this sheds light on this very touchy subject; that we all have a better understanding of the issue and what God's Written Word, His full revelation to us, tells us about the sin of suicide and the need of the person asking the question.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill Gray

The Seasons Of Our Lives! - Revisited

In 2005, I wrote and posted the article below on the Sheffield High School Class of 1955 50th Reunion web site.  And, now in 2010, I am posting it on our Bill & Dory Gray Christian Ministries Blog site.   Coming upon it today, it seems appropriate to share with all my Friends - for we all are in a season of our lives.

For some of my youthful Friends, it is still Spring.  For others, maybe Summer is in full bloom. Or you may find yourself enjoying a relaxing Fall with the cool breezes, awesome colors of nature all around, maybe frequent strolls on the beach hand in hand with your life-mate. 

But, Winter is coming and we all must be sure we are prepared for this rewarding season of our lives.  With those thoughts, please allow me to share these thoughts with you.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
  THE SEASONS OF OUR LIVES

When we think of the seasons:
Spring - Summer - Autumn - Winter  We can relate these to seasons of our lives.
However, I probably have a somewhat different perspective on that association than many people. My wife, Dory, often asks me, "When are you going to grow up?"  And, I always reply, "God willing - never."

Spring is when the young buds begin to sprout, tender and fragile.  But, nurtured and loved, those young buds soon burst into a beautiful, colorful life of joy.  That was us, the Class of 55, in the early 1950s at Sheffield High School - young, full of life, bursting out in youthful enthusiasm, ready to take on life with all our being.

Yes, I see Spring as a time when the new warmth puts life into our spirits and a spring into our steps.  Spring fever is not a myth; it is that time of year when we want to feel, to experience, to enjoy, to burst forth.

I recall a Spring day in 1953, sitting beneath that large old Oak tree on the lawn at Sheffield High School, feeling the sun warming my soul.  My friend, Roy Green, joined me under the tree and was also afflicted by Spring fever.  One of us suggested that a swim in the Tennessee River was a much better way to spend such a beautiful day, than sitting in stuffy classrooms.  So, off we go in Roy's car, park on Montgomery Avenue, then with inner tube in hand, we walked down to Whippoorwill Hollow on the Sheffield side of the Tennessee River.  What a glorious day for a swim.

Being in high spirits, the decision to swim the river was a natural.  On the first leg of the swim, from the Sheffield side to the Florence side, I paddled the inner tube while Roy swam. Then, on the return trip, I swam as Roy paddled in the inner tube.

Everything was fine until I was about thirty yards from the small cove where we had to go ashore at Whippoorwill Hollow.  All of a sudden, no matter how hard I swam, I could not move.  The river currents were too strong.  Looking up, I saw that tiny cove, that narrow beach, and everything beyond that was just sheer cliff.   If I could not swim into that small cove, I would be swept downstream where I would not be able to get out of the river.  I can only say that it must have been God who brought me ashore; for it was not my strength nor my swimming abilities.  Even then, God was there for me, although I did not know Him at that time.

Yet, Roy and I were in the Spring of life.  Small problems such as that possibility of drowning easily pass and are forgotten.   The next day, we were back at Sheffield High without a thought of what could have happened. That is one of the symptoms of youth; the inability to learn from experience.

The Summer of our lives.  We were all building careers, building families, running the race - not always sure where it was taking us.  We were in full bloom.  Watch out world, here we come!

I don't know if, in the 1960s, you saw Anthony Newley's Broadway play "Stop The World, I Want To Get Off."  But, I was fortunate enough to see the original when it was a new hit on Broadway.  And I will never forget it.  Newley's character in this play was initially a young street lad in London, out to woo, win, and seduce all the girls.  He meets a young lady named Evie, the daughter of a leader of industry.  Seeing his golden opportunity, he marries Evie and goes to work for his father-in-law's company.

The play was sort of a comedy; yet it really made you think about life.  It was a comedy, yet it gave a better perspective on life than most dramas ever could.  Newley's character, throughout the play was dressed in a mime costume; but this did not detract from the message.  Periodically, as life's pressures would build too high, Newley would walk to the edge of the stage, look at the audience, and announce in a high pitched voice, "Stop the world. I want to get off!"  Haven't we all felt that way many times?

Initially, when Newley's character went to his father-in-law's office; he had to stretch very high over his head to reach the door knob.  As the play progressed, the lad increased in stature within the company, until eventually the executive office door knob was at his waist level.  He had arrived.

Now, it was time for Dad to retire and Son-in-Law to take over the family business.  Newley's character was exceedingly successful in growing the company into an international giant.  In the meantime, Evie kept having babies - until at one time, he tells her, "If only all of our plants were as productive as you!"

Newley's character becomes a world leader in industry; rubbing shoulders with world leaders, presidents, prime ministers, the top of the world.  And, as he traveled around the world, he continued to meet and woo women in every country.  In the play, each female conquest in the various countries was always played by the same girl who played his wife, Evie - which lent an ironic twist to his affairs.  He was looking all over the world for love; yet, each time he found it, it looked just like Evie.   Life is often that way.

Then, came the Autumn of their lives.  He and Evie retire to a rich resort island, lived the life of luxury.  Then Evie dies.  That is when he walked out to center stage, with a pathetic, defeated look.  In spite of the vast material wealth he had gained, you knew his life was empty.  That is when he sang the beautiful song "What Kind Of Fool Am I?"


WHAT KIND OF FOOL AM I?
Words & Music by Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newly

What kind of fool am I, who never fell in love?
It seems that I'm the only one that I have been thinking of.
What kind of man is this? An empty shell,
A lonely cell in which an empty heart must dwell.

What kind of lips are these, that lied with ev'ry kiss,
That whispered empty words of love, and left me alone like this?
Why can't I fall in love, like any other man,
And maybe then I'll know what kind of fool I am.

What kind of clown am I? What do I know of life?
Why can't I cast away this mask of play and live my life?
Why can't I fall in love, like any other man,
And maybe then I'll know what kind of fool I am.
Although it was in the 1960s when I saw this play during its Broadway debut, and later saw it in Hollywood with Joel Grey playing the lead - I have never forgotten the impact this play, and especially this song, had on me.

I knew that the good life I was living in California and in my travels - the exciting career, the night life, and the parties - were just like Newley's character in "Stop The World."  Playing the clown and never finding true value in life.

However, God stepped in.  Actually, He had a beautiful Filipina lady named Dory step in, under His guidance.  And my life has never been the same since.  Praise the Lord!

Now, we are all in the Autumn of life - and to me, this is an exciting time.  Gone is the youthful, mindless Spring of life; gone is the hot, often disastrous Summer of life.  And now, we can walk in the cool shade of the Autumn of our lives.  We can actually take the time to stop, to see, and to smell the roses; we can stare in awe at God's gorgeous display of colors as we watch the flowers bloom, the trees become many colors.  Life is in full display all around us.

And, because it is Autumn, it is cool and pleasant to walk among and enjoy all of His wonders.  We are in the best season of our lives.  And I pray that you are enjoying your Autumn.  For that is His plan, laid out from time eternal, that you will have an exciting, exhilarating, wonderful Autumn of life.

Winter will come.  But I know that you have given thought to that and have realized that Winter need not be an ending.  It can be the beginning of a new, eternal season with Him. Winter is not a season to fear - if you have stored up your treasures with Him.  Have you done this?

If not, don't you think it is time to really consider your relationship with Jesus Christ?  For He is your promise of an eternal season.   Don't allow your Autumn to turn to Winter, without being sure of your relationship with Him. 

It is never too late - unless you allow Winter to take you before you truly know Jesus.   If you are not absolutely sure that you have that saving relationship with Him, that you have His assurance of your salvation - then, I urge you, no, I beg you - take the time to seek and find Him now, today.

Throughout all of these years, I have been privileged and thrilled to be your classmate, a part of the Sheffield High School Class of 1955.  I look forward to seeing all of you at our 55TH CLASS REUNION in 2010. 

This time, God willing, I will be there - and so will you.

God bless, Bill