THE EVIL THAT MEN DO

The world seems to be falling into chaos. Men's hearts appear to be growing colder and colder. Their acts are growing more vicious. It appears that the dogs of hell have been let loose. The murder rate in the city of Pittsburgh is near an all time high, and murder even in our own sleepy valley is growing at an alarming rate. Kids are killing other kids, husbands kill their wives, wives their husbands, children are killing their parents, kids are killing their grandparents. There seems to be no end. Does human life hold such little value in people's hearts that they can take a life with hardly a second thought? Has the world degenerated to such a place where killing has become commonplace? It would appear that it has.

But all hope is not lost. And we can't only confess the negative. I think of the movie, "Return of the King", the last in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. The Steward of Gondor possessed a pallantier (a seeing stone) and was overcome by the images of the "certain" doom of middle earth and the destruction of the kingdom of men. His confession of inevitable destruction fed into the plan of the enemy of middle earth and he became depressed and resigned. Without wanting to he became an emotional ally of Sauron and his evil servants.

We as Christians must confess the saving power of Jesus in a seemingly hopeless and ever-darkening world. We know of His power to save. We know that He can shine His brilliant and glorious light into the darkest places of this earth. His light can shine in the darkest areas of men's souls. And though they are sinners, seemingly without hope, they can experience the true love and light that is salvation in Christ.

Wouldn't it be wonderful?

HE IS THE ONLY ONE

Only one way to heaven. Its through Jesus. Buddha can't take you there. Yoga won't do it. Scientology is just plain nuts. Religion just gives you a bad taste. Meditation ain't gonna do it. Wishful thinking falls way short. Doing good aint good enough. Paying a tithe costs too much. Jesus, and Jesus alone paid the price and paved the way. Its through Him that we have salvation. He is the pathway to eternal life. Without Him we are lost and alone. Do you know Jesus? Does He know you? Are you going to heaven? Its only through Jesus can you find forgiveness and experience peace. Only through Jesus can you enter the gates of Heaven. He is the Way, the only Way.

FACED WITH AGING

Growing older has not been easy for me. As I enter middle age, I find myself experiencing pain in places that I never did before. Sore knees forced me to give up tennis this year, and it was an emotionally telling experience. I'm not as fast as I used to be, nor do I have the same endurance that I used to possess, and this all tells me that I'm changing into a different person physically. And for a person who enjoys competing, and excelling in certain sports, and whose body has always obeyed the brain that ruled it, the undeniable reality of a certain inevitability is downright painful to admit. But, life goes on, and we face with bravery and faith the challenge set before us. We are who we are, and God knows exactly where we are. He created us. And His love is constant and never-changing. So, if we grow older, or grayer, or slower or become less certain of our physicality, we can still be sure of God's love, and know without any doubt that He will be there holding our hand, and holding us up.

"The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to the men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all."
Ecclesiastes.

SURROUNDED BY LOVE

A few days ago I turned 44. And for some a birthday is just another day. But I have the priviledge of having friends and family who genuinely love me and care for me. And that means cake and presents. On Sunday Judy baked me my favorite cake: white with peanut butter frosting. It was absolutely delicious, and more than that, it was thoughtful as heck. Nothing says, 'I love you,' better than peanut butter in a cake. Thanks with all my heart, Jude. I got a few books, and my sister and my brother (who hardly calls anyone) called to wish me a happy day. And my parents took me to Olive Garden. So all around it was a pretty great occasion. It served to take the edge off of any mid-life difficulty I might be having.

Its wonderful to be loved, even without the presents and the cake and the birthday dinner. To be connected to people on an even level, and to learn to appreciate who they are is the greatest gift anyone can ever receieve.