TRYING TO DO MY PART

          I am wrestling with what my next book will be.  I started two projects simultaneously and at first went in the direction of a book on divorce from a male perspective.  I have been listening to a preacher (Pastor Joe Focht of Calvary Chapel in Philly) on my way home from work each night and have really liked his study on the gospel of Matthew.  Because of his nightly messages, I am beginning to lean toward the idea of working on my project re: obedience.  I'll be praying about which direction to take going forward.  I have all the time in the world.  My book isn't going to alter the course of nations, but it might minister to one person in need of hearing what I have to say.  I believe God is using me through my devotional blog and my books.  One soul saved or one person encouraged, blessed or edified is a success in the eyes of God.  God knows what He's doing ... I'm doing my best to follow along. rlkeller

PICKING & CHOOSING

          I read a portion of an article about a well known TV personality who grew up in a Christian home.  She considers herself a "devout Christian".  I thought, well I didn't know that.  That's great!  She's been through a very difficult time health-wise over the last few years and her faith has helped her immensely.  In the next paragraph I read that she is a lesbian living with a life partner.  I shake my head.  That is a major contradiction.  Both the Old & the New Testament declare that homosexuality is a sin.  This individual must be one of the folks that cannot believe that God would cast into a lake of fire those who say they are Christians yet practice sin.  They obviously don't view homosexuality as sin.  This is a lie from the pit of hell.  If God declares something to be sin, then when is sin not a sin?  When man declares it not to be?  Must be, cause I see no addendum's to the Bible proclaiming that God no longer considers same sex relations to be sinful.  I am not a homophobe, nor do I hate or even dislike homosexuals.  Neither does God hate them.  But He does hate their lifestyle.  Picking and choosing what scriptures you believe, while ignoring either their context or the balance of scripture on a subject is foolhardy at best.  Accept it all as God's word or accept none of it, but don't pick and choose.  You are only fooling yourself.  rlkeller 

OUT WITH THE OLD - IN WITH THE NEW

    My Bread of Life Ministries website (www.breadoflifemin.net) has been shut down temporarily and will re-emerge as a new entity ... it will look completely different, serve a different purpose and have a new link address.  No longer will I offer my books from the website, although I will show them and tell folks how they can get them (Amazon.com, christianbookdistributors.com, etc.).  I will make it more streamlined and hopefully more useful.  The new site is under construction now and will be up as soon as I can get it the way I like it.  In all I do I try my best to honor the Lord and do His will.  As always, may He be glorified by my efforts. rlkeller

THE CONVERSATION

          I had an interesting conversation with one of the supervisors in training the other night.  While not a Christian, he has been to several Jesus festivals.  His sole purpose for going was to hear the music.  He says he believes in God.  He also claims to have studied a wide variety of religions and has picked out the parts of each that he likes.  I shared with him that the only thing Christianity has that no other 'religion' has is Christ on the cross.  He seems to think we aren't alone in the universe and that this whole creation has been tried before.  He isn't interested in becoming a Christian due to the hypocrisy that he sees in the church.  I told him people needn't compare themselves to others around them, but rather to God Himself for all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.  If you compare yourself to another sinful person you are bound to find someone who you feel isn't as 'good' as you are.  I explained that Christianity isn't a religion, but rather a personal relationship with God.  I will be praying for this guy that God will soften his heart to the truth of the gospel. rlkeller

WHAT IF THERE IS NO GOD?

          What if there is no God?  What standard would we all live by?  Who would set that standard?  The Federal Government?  Each state?  Think about it.  We have laws to follow, but is there a greater law in existence that involves ethics and morals?  The Bible wouldn't exist either so where would you turn?  Some people have said Christianity is a crutch.  If it is, I will lean as heavily on it as possible, because I see nothing in this world worth following over this God that so many want to discount or remove from man's consciousness.  He has set a standard that is fair and just.  I will stick with the Lord.  Nothing else makes sense to me.  Do as you will, I will serve the Lord.  My faith is irreversably pledged to my God.  Where do you stand?  rlkeller

YIELDING TO THE SPIRIT

       The love of Christ for mankind is unparalleled.  Why is it we don't embrace this fact and allow it to alter our lives?  We are supposed to be Christ's disciples.  His representatives on this earth.  Why do people not see Him in us?  Are we missing something?  Are we too self-absorbed?  Maybe, but there's still time to make it right.  We are human, there's no denying that.  And God knows all our weaknesses as well as our strengths.  We must yield to God's spirit and allow the Him to make important alterations to our character and behavior.  It is essential, even critical that we allow this or the world will never see Jesus in us.  We are too painfully human for that to ever happen by itself. rlkeller

LET GO & LET GOD

     I am of the opinion that while things may not be exactly how we would like them and could be better, they could always be worse ... much worse.  I figure if I'm I wake up in the morning and am still above ground and breathing it's gonna be a good day!  Sure I wrestle with allergies.  Sure my hip aches a lot. But I have a new opportunity to bless someone and that's no small thing.  God will bless me not simply so I can accumulate blessings.  I seek blessings from God so that I can disperse them to those around me.  I seek to be a blessing to all I encounter on a daily basis.  I ask the Lord to use me whatever way He would like and then roll with it.  God knows what He's doing all the time.  I only think I do.  

     There is an old saying that believers used to say ... LET GO & LET GOD!  I take that to mean, let go of all you believe to be true and let God enrich your life.  Let go of all your trials and burdens and let God give you peace.  You can plug in just about anything ... Let go of your fears and worries and let God give you hope.  rlkeller

CHRIST DIED FOR ME

I don't like to have needles jabbed in me at the doctors or when I give blood.  I can't even imagine what it would be like to have 7"-9" long square iron spikes driven through my flesh.  Christ died for me, I will live for Him. rlkeller

HOMOSEXUALITY & THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

         The Presbyterian Church as a whole passed a resolution to allow gay marriages to be performed in their churches.  I believe it has been left up to each individual church as to whether the head minister would want to perform the ceremony or not.  While touted as a great achievement in the annals of the church as a whole, it is in fact just the opposite.  Homosexuality is a sinful lifestyle.  God loves the sinner but hates the sin.  It's that way with every man, woman and child.  Nowhere that I am aware of does God go back on His stance against homosexuality.  He condemns it in both the Old & New Testament (Leviticus 18:22, 1Timothy 1:8-11).  They are considered law breakers.  The question I have and have always had to those who practice a homosexual lifestyle is: When is a sin no longer a sin?  God never changed His mind, therefore whether man has or not is inconsequential.  I have no problem with gays as people and leave the doling out of the law to God. However, I will always stand up for God's word as I believe it is the lone true standard for living a peaceful, fulfilling life.  I do not hate or judge anyone, nor do I condemn them.  Unfortunately, they have condemned themselves by their own life choices. rlkeller