Quote Contemplations

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” ― Leo Buscaglia*

 

While our mission on behalf of the Lord is to share the gospel, there are many behavioral traits that can empower those you encounter each day. Leo Buscaglia sums that up with his quote at the top of the post. You’d be amazed how a simple act of kindness can lift a fallen spirit or encourage someone to keep going when they feel they cannot take another step. Our ministry doesn’t always have to be verbal; it can be simply a hug or taking someone’s hand in yours. It provides comfort, support... perhaps exactly what was needed by the hurting person at that particular moment. 

A historical illustration is when British Statesman Winston Churchill was on his death bed and his good friend US General Dwight D. Eisenhower visited him in his hospital room. No words were exchanged. Eisenhower simply held his hand in silence. His presence was enough. 

It’s important to know when the Holy Spirit is speaking to you. The above actions can easily be orchestrated by the Lord. It’s a simple way to bless others by showing love, concern, and/or support. You need to be able to read the signals. What is appropriate and what isn’t. God knows and we don’t always know.  Trust God and your words and/or actions will be a blessing. Until next time, walk with the King & treat others the way you’d like to be treated.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

* American motivational speaker and writer (1924–1998). A man who incorporates Christian themes in his books and talks was raised as a Roman Catholic.

 

Quote Contemplations

 

“Loneliness does not come from having no people about you, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to you or from holding certain views which other find inadmissible.” - Paul Jung 

            I equate this quote with the loneliness a believer can sometimes feel when he or she is labeled as a “Christian”. Some folks hear that you’re a Christian and every bad experience they’ve ever had with Christianity or Christians themselves comes to mind, making you some sort of pariah (outcast) in their mind.

            Christianity is considered to be something that sucks the fun out of life, by those who assume things that are simply not true. Ignorance is no excuse since research is so easy to come by. But their ignorance can spell loneliness for the believer.  You may even actually be nervous regarding sharing your faith for fear of rejection or ridicule. Something believers need to understand and accept is that the rejection is toward God, not them.

            “Talk is cheap”, & “Actions speak way louder than words” are two catch phrases that 

reveal what should be effective as a means of sharing one’s faith. Live it and try not to be too wrapped up in your acceptance by those outside the faith. Technically, we are never alone, as the Holy Spirit dwells within us since our conversion. Focus on that truth instead of wallowing in self-pity regarding how lonely you think you are. Love God and serve Him faithfully. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Note:  Paul Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist, psychotherapist, & thinker. The founder of the school of analytical psychology.

Quote Contemplations

 

“To trust God in the light is nothing, but to trust him in the dark. That is faith.” – Charles Spurgeon

 

            We are bound by our ability to see. It’s like a ball and chain around our neck, because we can see we are shaken when the unknown visits us. Being in a familiar setting is still a bit of a struggle, but it’s even worse when you’re unfamiliar with your surroundings. Not knowing what is coming next can be a debilitating event. 

            The Christian knows or at least SHOULD know that God dwells within us in the person of the Holy Spirit. God reveals this us in 1 John 4:13 (NIV)... “This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.”  

            Okay, so who is the Holy Spirit to us? “The Holy Spirit is not a force or impersonal influence, but a personal, divine Person who actively works in the lives of believers to reveal Christ, guide, comfort, sanctify, and empower.” ^[1]

            We have all the tools we need to succeed in this sin torn world. The Holy Spirit came to lead and guide us toward the things of God and away from the things of the enemy of our soul. But having faith enough to endure darkness without panicking is tough, especially if you have a propensity to have anxiety issues. Certain events trigger that. It’s all mental. I’ve lived thru it and it’s not fun. 

            Since the Lord lives within us we must always trust Him to take good care of us. Only that which God allows will happen to us, unless we insist on going off on a tangent. God allowing us to have a free will permits us to wander off anytime; however, consequences for our actions WILL ensue whether we like it or not. Trust the Lord and follow His prescribed path for you. Then you’ll be able to trust Him even in the dark. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] www.biblebasedliving.com

Quote Contemplations

 

“Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them.” - Elisabeth Elliot

 

            Life is filled with questions; however, not all questions have answers. The very nature of faith resides in the idea that you believe something that cannot be experienced with your senses. Faith doesn’t require facts or proof, because that, in and of itself, negates the need for faith. 

            There are so many folks who have the attitude that if only there was some proof, some hard, fast evidence that could be experienced by them, they would believe in God. They will be disappointed because faith is required. Faith, and faith alone. Is it blind faith? Perhaps it could be looked at that way. 

            Piggybacking on faith is trust. If you place your faith in Almighty God than you now have the One who can provide the answers you seek. You must understand though that certain things will never be explained. I believe that is because our relationship with God is based on faith and trust in Him and not on our understanding. There are many things about God and Christ and biblical doctrine that we will definitely understand and hopefully apply to our daily lives... I mean, that’s the point to it all isn’t it? But things like the specific date Christ will return will NEVER be revealed. Does that cause your faith to waver? It shouldn’t because as long as you live as if He were coming back any day, then you’ll always live ready.

            So ask God anything you want to, but don’t doubt His existence if you don’t get an answer or you don’t like the answer you get. Trust God to do for you all that needs to be done to complete you as a person in Christ. He knows all we are capable of and is able to take us there. Have patience and trust the Lord. He KNOWS what He’s doing & is in complete control.

            Until next time, walk with the King & be kind to others.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Note: Elisabeth Elliot (1926 – 2015) was an American Christian missionary, author, and speaker.

Thoughts from a Random Mind 

 

Do you understand that God can’t bless what He has no part in? If you don’t seek the will of God with regards to the decisions you make, then why would you ever think that you can ask the Lord to bless it? The life of a Christian doesn’t work that way. 

God has a plan for each one of us, but for some odd reason some of us think they can do what THEY think is right and after the decision has been made and in some cases is irreversible, we either ask for a miracle or get mad at God when it doesn’t work out the way we envisioned. 

Yes, walking down the Lord’s path isn’t easy, but it isn’t as hard as we make it. The Lord is like a flashlight in a dark place. He’s like a service dog for a blind person. HE knows where He wants you to go and what He would like you to say and do, but if you shrug Him off and exercise your free will, then don’t be surprised if things blow up in your face. 

I tend to get frustrated fairly easily. When that happens the worst side of me comes out. If I would only think and pray prior to whatever I’m about to do I just betcha things wouldn’t get so frustrating for me. I’ve been walking with the Lord since my conversion back in March of 1979 and I am STILL a work in progress. How about you? 

When we think we’ve arrived, that’s when pride and arrogance start to hang out on the fringes of your disposition. DON’T let that happen to you. Involve God in whatever you are doing and stay in touch with Him consistently. To NOT do that is like trying to teach yourself how to drive a car all by yourself, without any instructions. Lean into God. He wants to be your EVERYTHING. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Thoughts from a Random Mind 

 

Recently I had a chance to share the gospel message at a local restaurant with a couple we know. After I shared for about 15 minutes, we began to collect our things, pay the bill, and head out the door. On the way out the husband said to me, “Geez, Rich, I didn’t know you were a Christian.” I stopped & stood there in dumb silence. The statement left me numb. My mind was racing. “How is that possible?” “I try to imitate Christ each day.” “How could he not know.” Hmmm. Very disconcerting. Time for me to make another spiritual assessment. 

Instead of getting preachy with everyone I meet, which I don’t believe is the correct approach, I’ve been trying to practice the St. Augustine approach: “Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.” What can I do so people know without a shadow of a doubt that I am a Born Again Christian without being intrusive? I don’t believe there is anything in my makeup that causes me to be “in your face” about anything. I’ll have to do some very specific praying about this.

 There’s obviously something I am doing or not doing that caused that to happen. I don’t know, but I aim to find out. How about you? Do people you know realize you are a Christian? Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Thoughts from a Random Mind 

            There is a school of thought that proclaims that cremation is a sin. They base this claim that we will be raised in our bodies, but that isn’t possible if there is no body in the grave. To me this is faulty thinking. Why? Because they are saying that the creator of all things is unable to make ashes into a body again. Didn’t He create Adam from the dust? Yes He did. Genesis 2:7 tells us, "Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." 

So you’re telling me God is incapable of doing that again? And what about all the godly souls who died thousands of years ago. What happened to their bodies. Didn’t they eventually turn to dust in their graves? “Within minutes of death, cells begin to break down due to a lack of oxygen. The accumulation of carbon dioxide makes the cellular environment more acidic, causing membranes to rupture and releasing enzymes—especially from organs like the liver and brain—that digest the cells from the inside out. This process, known as autolysis, is the first stage of decomposition.” ^[1]

            And what of our skeletal structure, does that turn to dust?  “While bones are more durable than soft tissues, they do not last forever. Eventually, they decompose into fine mineral-rich particles—effectively becoming dust.” ^[2] Okay, so those bodies that passed on centuries ago have returned to dust. Can God not replicate the creative process He invoked at the beginning. I dare say there is NOTHING that is impossible for Almighty God.

            So with all this being said it would seem that the whole notion of cremation, or essentially turning a body to ash (dust), is a sin would be debunked.  If God can do it once, He can do it again; in fact as often as He needs to. Cremation is not a sin. In fact cremation isn’t mentioned at all throughout scripture.  If you cremated a loved one, as I did my father, you may put your mind at ease. It is NOT a sin. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: www.gotquestions.org

^[1] www.chemistryworld.com

^[2] www.iflscience.com