Consider this statement written by Christian author Judith Pella:

It's late....quiet, other than the hum of my small fan...and I am thinking...dangerous for me....but its safe!

This weeks started out with the death of a 98 year old meeting eternity and it came to a close with the birth of a baby boy. Two extremes, yet continuous in the cycle of life.

But all that really matters about both ends of the extremes.....death and life....is being prepared for eternity....being prepared to meet God face to face.

One who died, among many who met eternity this week, spent there life getting ready for that moment that came. The one born today starts this journey of getting prepared.

We all have an appointment with death (Hebrews 9:27), but none of us know when we will be called to meet that date.

This should prompt us all to order our priorities. To the few it does, to the many it don't. I know because as a pastor I see so many that live careless and unconcern, not to even began to describe the ones who know better but live as though its a fable.

How do I know?

They wouldn't focus their time and energy on things that quickly pass and that will carry no eternal significance whatsoever.

What really matters is being prepared to meet the Lord.

So let me empty my heart just a minute...STOP being jealous over peoples success, promotions or honor from the Lord; STOP being judgmental about those who have failed (there go you or I but for the grace of God); STOP being a .................................................................well....STOP being so earthly minded that we don't even consider eternity. We needs to turn our hearts towards home...that is our heavenly home. Consider what really matters....getting ready to meet Christ!

Until my next blog confabulation...God bless!

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Today, September 30, has been set aside by the Center for Inquiry, as the National Day of Blasphemy.

Dr. Albert Mohler, the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, on his blog http://www.albertmohler.com/2009/09/25/why-do-the-heathen-rage-international-blasphemy-day/ writes, The choice of September 30 looks back to that date in the year 2005, when the publication of cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad's face sparked outcry and protests in the Muslim world and threats toward the West. Now as Religion News Service reports, the Center for Inquiry is planning a day of observances to mark the occasion. Ron Lindsay, a lawyer who serves as president of the Council for Inquiry International, said that the day was part of the group's effort to expose religious beliefs to investigation. In the words of the RNS report, the goal is "to expose all religious beliefs to the same level of inquiry, discussion and criticism to which other areas of intellectual interest are subjected."

The sad fact of this groups endeavors was the planned "blasphemy contest." They invite participants to submit phrases, poems, or statements that would be, or have been, considered blasphemous. The winners will receive a t-shirt and mug.

On their website, they give the INSTRUCTIONS: “You may damn yourself to Hell however you would like, but somewhere in your video you must say this phrase: "I deny the Holy Spirit." Why? Because, according to Mark 3:29 in the Holy Bible, "Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin." Jesus will forgive you for just about anything, but he won't forgive you for denying the existence of the Holy Spirit. Ever. This is a one-way road you're taking here.” (http://www.blasphemychallenge.com/)

It is my sincere hope that these individuals are doing what they are doing out of ignorance rather than malicious intent. I can't know the hearts intent only God. (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

However, the danger of such behavior does carry eternal consequences. Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is dangerous and unforgivable based on the following biblical passages:

Without the Holy Spirit no person can experience the New Birth. "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (John 3:3-6)

The Holy Spirit is the agent involved in ones submission to acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord! "Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." (1 Corinthians 12:3)

The Holy Spirit is the means where by men are made aware of their need of salvation because they are convicted of their sins by the work of the Person of the Holy Spirit. "And when [the Holy Spirit] is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." (John 16:8-11)

My prayer is that the Holy Spirit they blaspheme is done out of ignorance because their understanding needs to be enlightened. (Ephesians 1:18). And, "...the god of this world [Satan] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2 Corinthians 4:4)

I pray the Holy Spirit will break through the darkness of their mind and soften their heart to know the God they seek to blaspheme through satyr, criticism, cartoon, or whatever…that they may know He Love Them. John 3:16 is still the heart of the gospel…."For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

And for those who seek to be swift to past judgment on these dear souls as beyond the reach of God's redemptive power, may these two passages give us guidance: "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) And Hebrews 7:25, "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

Until my next blog confabulation…God bless!

Today is my daughter's 17th birthday.

How well do I remember this night 17 years ago at 7:27pm on 9/29/92....this little bundle of joy was added to the Douglas home. She had a head full of black curly hair and was a delight to have as an addition to our home. Her "big brother" was glad to have and even though they've had their "little disagreements" over the years, he still like for her to know he is the "big brother."

However, me and her mother are very proud of her. She is working hard in school and has goals set before her she is endeavoring to achieve. More than anything, that makes us proud parents, his her stand for Christ. She loves the Lord with all of her heart and seeks to honor Him faithfully and sincerely.

We went out and at seafood tonight; her mother, myself and her and her boyfriend (cookie-monster) and we had a great time. We laughed and enjoyed the time together. She loves oysters and was able to have some; of course so did daddy. She receive a lot of text messages today from friends wishing her a special day along with calls from family. One special treat...or two I should say, was the call from her Grandaddy Douglas who sung to her.....He wished her a Happy Buthday....you'd have to hear it to understand his lingo. And the second treat was the flowers....I'll share that for another time.

So to my daughter, who is very special to me....Happy Birthday...I love you!

Until my next blog confabulation.....God bless!

I preached tonight at a church that is holding revival with various ministers preaching each night.

I had been invited to come and in prayer felt the Lord direct me to Daniel chapter 10, In this chapter, with Daniel an elder statesman, he has an encounter with God in a powerful way. Beside the Tigris river, after three weeks of intense prayer, the answer to his praying came. Weak from fasting and wrestling in prayer he received a touch from God. It was a progressive touch. Three separate times he was touched, that resulted in a positive response in his life.

Friend, know God is real! He will touch your life if you seek Him. He will make Himself real to you....by a progressive touch. A touch that will pick you up from lying face first in the dirt; then a touch that enables one to speak with a testimony; it progresses to a touch where you are given strength. A touch that grants you strength to obey....strength to endure.

May you allow God to touch you by His Spirit in a powerful and personal way.

Until my next blog confabulation...God bless!

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The lights are turned off, the A/C adjusted, all the toilets flushed (?), hope so...and the doors locked.

Another Sunday is history. The rush of the week brought me to this Lord's day with such a hurry it is head spinning how fast the week has went.

From visiting the sick in the hospitals, counseling the concerned, preparing three messages, attending leadership meetings, deacon board meeting, doing catch up at the church office, attending a funeral, going on a 2 day trip with the Senior Adults of our church I found myself blowing in the morning worship like the dust storm that recently occurred in Australia.

I set on the platform, bible in one hand, notes in the other and felt so weak, ill prepared and tired.

I preached my heart both services. Don't misunderstand me, I'm honored, humbled and grateful to be a gospel preacher. It's a great blessing to declare the truths of God's Word. I preached this morning from Luke 5 on "The Healing of the Paralyzed Man." Tonight I preached the second message in the series on "Growing Deeper in Christ-Learning to be Content!"

In both services the Holy Spirit moved in a precious way, especially during the time of our altar service.

What should I have done differently today?

(1) I should have spent more time in prayer seeking God's wisdom and the Holy Spirit's anointing. Oh how I know I should have.....

(2) I should have given more quality effort to the preparation of the messages I delivered today.

What should I have done differently today? Prayed more....waited in His presence longer before I went before the people.

Why?

Communion with Jesus brings the anointing for effective ministry.

Until my next blog confabulation....God bless!

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