Category Archives: General

The Poor Butterfly

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If you look at my book cover, you will see a butterfly divided into two parts, representing good and evil.

The idea was inspired by a beautiful photo taken by a friend. With her permission, we posted it on our personal homepage.

During the production process of my book, my cover designer asked for our ideas on how the cover should look. My wife pointed out that she thought we should try to show the contrast between the beauty and goodness of God and the evil of the devil. She offered the butterfly photo as an illustration of God’s beauty.

What do you see when you look at the cover? Does it communicate to you? I’d love to hear your comments.

My short book trailer video is also based on the butterfly from the book cover. It is very brief so there isn’t much time to communicate the message. Once again, I would enjoy hearing your comments on its effectiveness.

God’s Work Requires Supernatural Power

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Last week, I enjoyed some time away from work. My wife and I spent time together and also enjoyed visiting with some dear friends. We encouraged one another to persevere. At times, the evil in the world seems overwhelming. Even God’s people are divided and confused. Some believe that God is in control of everything, so they just need to sit back and enjoy the show. Others are discouraged because they believe they need to partner with God to bring his will to earth, but they fail to see how their small contribution can make any significant difference.
In our discussions, I told my friends that I believed I had a message of hope to teach through my book. When we become children of God, we are transformed. We become supernatural people. In an earlier post, I shared that the significant issues in life originate from the spiritual realm. For this reason, we need spiritual power in order to succeed in life. David didn’t defeat the giant because he hit him with a stone. He defeated him because he was backed by almighty God!
As I read and listen to the news, I am often frustrated and even angry as I observe evil men and women gaining more and more power on earth. Many Christians believe that God’s judgment is bringing this evil upon us. Really? My bible says that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all! In Ephesians chapter five we are told that we are supposed to expose the works of darkness. This doesn’t mean we sit back and take our punishment. Jesus took everything we deserve upon himself. Too often we are deceived into believing that God is doing terrible things when it is actually coming from evil forces. If we can be tricked to stay out of the fight, evil simply continues to increase.
In my book, I systematically show you how and why we are in our current situation. But I also give you some practical information on how to become a child of God and begin to function in the supernatural world. We must learn to recognize and oppose evil and we must do it with supernatural power!
The news is filled with injustice, violations of privacy, lies, abuse of power in government and more. No matter what anyone tells you: if an action, initiative or law seeks to steal, kill or destroy our health, wealth or freedom, then it is based in evil. These are the criteria which Jesus set forth in the bible in John 10:10.
My mission is not to list the specific current events which are good or evil. Instead, I am giving you the means by which you can think for yourself, using godly standards to categorize things accordingly. Then, it becomes a matter of promoting that which is good and opposing that which is evil.

Celebrating Our Freedom

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As we celebrate another year as a nation, I am thankful for the men and women who have sacrificed so much to secure and preserve our freedom. It is easy to take our quality of life for granted. Instead, we should pray earnestly for God’s hand of blessing to remain upon us. Our prayers accomplish amazing things. As workers together with God, we can literally change the course of our nation.

And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
Ezekiel 22:30

This verse, taken from the Old Testament, gives us some insight on the power of our prayers. If you read the verses preceding this one, you see a glimpse of the evil which was taking place in the city. Yet, God, by his proclamation, shows us that the fervent prayer of just one person could have saved even this land which was filled with corruption. Now that Jesus Christ has come and paid for our salvation, how much more can we accomplish when we partner with God through prayer?

There is a great deal of corruption in our nation. We are surrounded with moral decay, spiritual weakness, economic termoil and greed in government and business. Nevertheless, we need men and women who are willing to stand with and for God in prayer, knowing that as we remain steadfast, our God will bless us.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
Psalms 33:12

Comments: Library Presentation

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My book signing at the library on Thursday included a presentation in which I gave an overview of my book, its message and the motivation behind it.

Most people reacted positively to it and there were some good questions. One man asked why he felt like his fight was against flesh and blood, even though I had mentioned the reference in Ephesians 6:12 where we learn that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces in high places.
This is a good, honest question. I explained that indeed, on the surface, our battles involve people and physical things, but that there is a spiritual component behind them. The origins of both good and evil are in the spirit realm.

At the end of the presentation, another person in the audience had a much different view on what she had heard. She was rather annoyed and her comments were, to say the least, haughty. She sharply proclaimed that mature Christians do not ask why because God is sovereign. Her implication was that god does everything and does it the way he wants it done.

I did not respond to the comment because at the time, my words would not have been properly measured. Rather than giving an answer of anger, I will now give an answer of truth based on scripture.

I would like to show you three verses which, I believe, are related on this topic. This is a major reason for my book. Basically, we can summarize these verses by asking three questions about God: What does he want us to do? What does he want to do for us? What kind of relationship can result?

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
James 2:23 (KJV)

In the verse from Hebrews, we see that God wants us to believe that he exists, and that he is able and anxious to bless (reward) us as we diligently seek him. As we observe and experience things in life, we must consider why they occur, and how we are supposed to respond to them.

In Jeremiah, we clearly see that God’s nature and plan for us is to prosper us and not to harm us. Therefore, in seeking to know and love God, we must also ask why there is so much death and destruction taking place in this world. Based on this verse, we know that it can’t be God who is doing these things.

The verse in James refers to Abraham as the friend of God. The way to become friends with someone is to visit with them, get to know them and talk with them. You can’t cultivate a friendship with God by merely sitting back and assuming that everything in life comes from him. If we believe that God’s desire is always to prosper us and never to bring us harm, then we must diligently seek to understand why there is so much sickness, death and destruction in the world at times. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t become very good friends with anyone who would love me at one turn and destroy me at another! Yet, many people who believe in God are presenting him as that kind of being. Their descriptions make God impersonal and distant.

There is a great deal more which can be written on this topic. Jesus said that he always did the will of God. He always healed people and brought them joy. He never harmed anyone. That is the standard and that is the nature of the God I serve!

Soothing Music

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We all have days when it is difficult to be peaceful. Life can deal its share of stresses and sorrows. One of God’s prescriptions for calming the soul is quiet, soothing music. I often find relaxation in sitting at my piano and simply playing a couple of songs. At other times, I pick up my MP3 player and headphones, and sit quietly, listening to some of my favorite selections. When I settle down, it is much easier to think, pray and otherwise function.

The past few days have been difficult. In times like this, I need to experience things such as beautiful music so that I can focus on God and his goodness. I would like to share some of my music with you for your enjoyment. I hope it will serve to settle and quiet your heart.

Click here and enjoy!

Greetings!

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Welcome to my blog!
I have been a Christian for many years, and have recently written a book on Christian living which is a major focus of this site.
Since I am involved in a variety of activities, this blog may head in many interesting directions.
I enjoy music and play the piano. I am an Amateur Radio (ham) operator and appreciate it as a hobby as well as the value it adds in public service.
I am looking forward to posting and hope others will contribute as well.