MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

In honor of Black History month I give you several quotes from the late, great Martin Luther King, Jr.

"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope." 

"The time is always right to do what is right." 

"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend."

       I am grateful for this man's life. Even in death his words resonate wisdom and purpose. He was a man of God who sought to put an end to racial inequality and bigotry between whites and blacks. We have all been created by one God. We are to love our brothers and see no difference in the color of our skins. Variations in skin color is a beautiful thing and let's be honest, under the skin we are all the same, in spite of any cultural differences. God loves his entire creation. God is color blind as are we to be also. rlkeller

CS LEWIS

"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell."

C. S. Lewis

Quoting MARTIN LUTHER

LADY GAGA

     With Gaga doing the halftime show for the Super Bowl this year I thought I'd check out some of the lyrics to her songs.  I didn't have to go far to find that, in my opinion, her lyrics are largely meaningless.  I actually think she has a pretty good voice and the beat of her songs is not all that bad. I watched a couple of her videos and I found them to be in some ways decadent, highly sexual, and somewhat bizarre.  Now if those in their late teens & twenties want to watch and listen to all that then that would be their choice to make.  Personally I see no redeeming value in any of it.  She has a right to create whatever she so desires, however her desires scream out confusion and chaos.  Or perhaps I just don't get what she's trying to say.  My objection comes from the lack of self-policing of her work that can be seen by very young kids and no doubt is.  This type of influence is leading kids down the slippery slope of unfulfillment.  

     One example of the arbitrary nature of her lyrics is found on her debut album from 2006. The song "Wish You Were Here" has a line in it that doesn't seem to fit at all. It caught my eye because it mentions God.  The line goes "Sometimes I wonder if god hides out in cities to set us free ... cause yeah, this room is crowded. But I am so alone in it, help me please. Where is home, I want you to know." Huh?  Now I realize I have plucked several lines out of context, but seriously, is that supposed to mean something?  Oh well, to each his or her own.

     To many folks Christians are seen as hypocritical, homophobic, judges who are rigidly trying to impose their way of thinking on others.  The saddest part of all that is that might be true in many cases.  It's not true with me. I believe everyone has a choice to make in their life.  You don't have to believe in God if you don't want to.  You can believe whatever you want to believe.  Having said that there can only be one truth.  There is only one way to heaven and not many.  Christ died for the sins of all mankind, not just a chosen few.  And every choice a person makes comes with resulting consequences.  So live as you like, say what you wish, do as you please, but understand that if there truly is a God, and I believe that there is, there will come a reckoning one day and I am deeply concerned that many people will be caught ill prepared for that day.  Consider Christ and all he stands for.  Step away from the unfulfillment that comes from the choices you've been making for so long and step into the light of the one truth that can revolutionize your life.  It's your choice. Choose wisely.  rlkeller

WHAT THE LORD REQUIRES

Micah 6:8 New Living Translation

“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

         Micah was what is referred to as one of the Minor Prophets.^[1] There were twelve of them in the Old Testament. Micah lived as a contemporary to the great Prophet Isaiah. In Micah’s writing God warns against Israel’s disobedience and his impending judgment.  There are many things the Lord has hatred for and four of them are listed in this writing. God hates unkindness, idolatry, injustice and empty ritual, all of which the Jews were participating in. The plan to redeem his people was already available and was what it always has been; to live righteously in God’s sight, to love & practice mercy & walk humbly with the Lord during this life. 

      An interesting point to note is that we are not asked to walk humbly before our God or follow behind him in a humble spirit, but rather walk humbly with him. Once we are redeemed we are completely and totally righteous and sanctified in a positional sense.  We haven’t achieved that status and never shall this side of heaven, but by God’s grace we are seen by him as if we are literally that way. To live as if that didn’t matter is to trample on God’s grace.

         What was true then is still true today. Saying you’re righteous and holy is a whole lot different than living like you are. People should notice the difference without you telling them.  That is a key to humble living. Jesus was neither arrogant, nor a braggart, therefore, neither should we be.  Showing people Jesus thru our actions rather than our words will have a greater impact than saying a whole lot that ends up being nothing in comparison to the way you act.  Study the life of Jesus and emulate him with the help of the Holy Spirit.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

^[1] “There are twelve books in the Bible known as the Minor Prophets. The difference between the major and Minor Prophets is not an issue of importance, but rather the length of material written. The twelve books are all in the Old Testament consisting of Hosea, Joel, Amos Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.” - https://www.raptureready.com/faq/faq557.html

NEW YEAR Ramblings

       Well, here we are in another new year.  2017! Wow! Time flies ... I'm off work today and have been battling something like a cold or whatever ... hacking cough. Washed out feeling. It's fun. All part of life.  We were never promised a problem free life.  But you know what?  God is still on his throne and prayer changes things.  I learned that many years ago when I heard that statement as the opening for The Southwest Radio Bible Church.  It's a true statement.  Our bodies are frail, susceptible to sickness and even death.  "Life is what you make of it" is how the saying goes and I believe that to be true to a certain extent.  There are also consequences that must be accounted for and the condition of one's heart.  I don't mean the physical condition, but rather the spiritual condition.  While it's important what we do, it is equally important why we do it.  Do we do it for self-aggrandizement or do we do it for other more noble reasons?  The Lord wishes for us only the best and asks for our full and unflagging allegiance.  What are your other options?  How do they stack up with God's offer?  Sadly, too many people choose other options that seem more appealing or rewarding only to find out much later that the eternal value of these things is nil.  It's never too late to consider the afterlife.  Where do I go from here?  Am I really sure?  God can provide assuredness if we ask for it.  This world lies with no remorse or regret.  Find the cross and cling to it.  Ignore the empty gestures of weak minded people.  Seek God and him alone for it is with God that we shall find true and eternal fulfillment and that is far more important that temporal happiness.  May you all have a happy and healthy New Year!  rlkeller

HOLIDAY RAMBLINGS

          I noticed something this year that seemed more extreme than I remember it being in recent years.  Christmas decorations appeared in stores the early part of November.  I can recall years ago when I was a kid that Thanksgiving weekend marked the beginning of the Christmas season.  The malls put up their decorations, towns adorned their light posts and store fronts with lights and wreathes.  Not anymore.  The music doesn't speak of Christ's birth at all.  It's all about reindeer and Santa and peace on earth and Christmas Christmas Christmas ... or should I say Happy Holidays.  Wouldn't want to offend anyone.  

          The removal of Jesus Christ from our culture is happening at a startling rate.  I do not get too flustered by this since everyone is entitled to celebrate as they choose.  If you want to dismiss Christ as a myth or fairy tale, go right ahead.  Until they make it against the law to Celebrate the birth of Christ and praise God for his incredible mercy and grace I shall continue to do so.  If and when they ever do make it against the law I suppose I will go to jail for my beliefs.  

          I still have my cd's that play for me the old Christmas standards which mention Christ and God and his birth and salvation and forgiveness and miraculous happenings over 2000 years ago.  Our younger generation is having Christianity slowly extracated from their minds by the media and the entertainment industry.  College professors scoff at God's existence and mock anyone who has faith in the Lord.  Educators who exhibit any faith oriented talk or actions are reprimanded publicly or even fired.  

          It's a sad world we live in, but that doesn't change what Christians believe to be the truth.  That God sent his Son over 2000 years ago to save a world that was created by him, yet is largely oblivious to his existence.  I often say that God saves us from our sin and ourselves because we are our own worst enemies.  Having a free will we can make any choice we would like.  Sadly any choice that doesn't incorporate God will lead us down a dark path to nowhere.  Don't take Christ out of Christmas.  Stand up for whatever belief in God you may have.  Don't succumb to the world's atheistic bent.  We have the right to believe in God just as much as they have the right NOT to believe in him.  Their intolerance reveals their true agenda. The eradication of all things related to Almighty God.  Is it conviction that they might be wrong? Perhaps.  Who knows for sure.  I'm going to enjoy my Christmas holiday in spite of those who mock our faith.  I can live with that.  rlk