:: Narrow-minded simpleton ::

:: Sunday, March 31, 2002 ::

 
He is Risen. He is Risen, indeed!

Notice it is not, "He has Risen," because that implies it could have changed since then. (e.g., "He has Risen, but died again." Or, "He has Risen, but now He's off making supernovas and doesn't have time for us peons.")

NO! He is Risen! And still Risen this very minute as you are reading this, interceding at the Right Hand of the Father for those of us who have placed our trust and faith in Him. (Hebrews 12:22, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." [NIV])

We say "He is Risen" because of the empty tomb. Jesus has risen from the dead! He is alive! He was crucified for my sins and your sins, but just as He prophesied, He was raised in three days.

No other religion claims a risen savior. No other religion has an empty tomb.

If the resurrection is false, as some claim, or if Judas died in Jesus' place, or if He just swooned, or if someone stole the body, or if all the eyewitnesses were lying, then all of Christianity is a sham, a farce.

If the resurrection is a lie, then Christianity itself is a lie, because Christians proclaim that God Himself was raised from the dead. What blasphemy and lying it would be to claim that God did something so extraordinary on our behalf and for it to not be true!

But lives were changed that day on which He arose! Fearful, doubting Thomases proclaimed Jesus as God. James, the brother of Jesus believed He was God after His resurrection. Apostles and disciples suffered horrible and cruel deaths because of their proclamation of Jesus as the one, true, living God after His resurrection.

Would they all die for a lie?? Would you??

The historically documented fact is that Jesus was crucified for all sin and that He was raised on the third day, just like He said He would.

Believe on Christ Jesus today by asking Him to come into your heart to be your the Lord of your life and the Saviour of your soul.

He is Risen. He is Risen, Indeed!

:: Julie 3/31/2002 10:25:00 AM [+] ::
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What will people do when they see that I'm a "Jesus Freak?"

This line, from a popular dcTalk song, can be answered by one word: leave.

I've noticed in the hitlog for this blog that most visitors stay about one second. They see that I'm about Jesus Christ, and they don't want to have anything to do with that.

What a shame.

As Christians around the world celebrate Passion Week, there are non-Christians (and some "Christians") totally ignoring this awesome occurrence.

What a shame.

Why is it that folks do not want to deal with Jesus Christ, Y'shua HaMaschiach? Why is it that they want to turn to Mother Earth, or Buddha, or the teachings of Mohammed or David Koresh or Joseph Smith or Charles Taze Russell instead?

The amazing thing about people turning away from Jesus Christ is that He said it would happen. Narrow is the way to Heaven through Jesus Christ and wide is the path of destruction to an eternity apart from Him.

Y'shua ben Yosef ben David ben HaShem came 2000 years ago as the sacrificial lamb for all people for all time for all sin. Perhaps folks who visit this blog don't want to face the magnitude of their own sin and thus can't get past that to see the beauty of the free gift of absolution from those very sins through Jesus. Perhaps it is uncool to believe in Jesus. Perhaps people don't like to be told what to believe.

Perhaps people reading this blog don't understand the magnitude of their missing out on the free gift of Jesus. Perhaps they've been lied to before by someone in the church or hurt by a trusted Christian friend or pastor.

There are many excuses. There are many reasons to reject Christ Jesus. But that does not change facts. He came to save us all. And those that don't choose Him will be separated from Him and His goodness, lovingkindness and mercy forever.

What a shame!

:: Julie 3/28/2002 08:23:00 AM [+] ::
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"What will you do with Jesus?"

This is a line in the Easter drama we'll be doing on Easter Eve.

Jesus life can historically be confirmed by writings outside the Bible, such as Josephus. He lived and died on this Earth.

He was born of woman and followed Joseph into carpentry.

He did all these normal human things: He wept, He got angry, he was tired.

So, in that case, Jesus of Nazareth was quite ordinary. He experienced all the emotions we experience.

He also happens to be the only person in history that fulfilled the prophecies concerning Messiah in the Old Testament. How many of us can claim that? How many have claimed that over the years and have fallen away, e.g. Shimeon Bar-Kochba?

Jesus was not only human, He is divine. He is God.

And yet, as He boldly stands at the door of your heart and knocks, He will not force Himself on you. He wants you to open your heart to Him and reach out to Him. You are not His puppet, but He wants to be your King.

What will you do with Jesus? It really is the most important question of your life. If you choose Him, you will live eternally with Him in Heaven. If you reject Him, you will live eternally apart from Him in Hell. It really is that simple.

What will you do with Him?

:: Julie 3/19/2002 04:19:00 AM [+] ::
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I haven't posted lately, because I've been in a major funk.

The frustrating thing about my funk is that I can't figure out why I'm in it in the first place!

Is it my anger (see next post) over the death of an innocent 7 year old girl? Is it the building frustration I have at work, creating seemingly endless plans and schedules, only to not have the personnel to support those plans and schedules? Is it the fact that we're doing some major remodeling at home?

Or is it my disappointment and utter frustration at my seeming inabililty to make a difference in anyone's life for Christ?

The deep, very deep well of sorrow and hurt over those that do not have Christ Jesus in their hearts overwhelms me sometimes. I feel this way because I believe the Bible is very clear: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved..." (Acts 16:31). Therefore, those that don't believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will not be saved from an eternity separated from God. They will die and face eternal torment and the inability to be with God.

Some may say, so what? Big deal! Hell is just a place for pitchforks and partying with the other non-believers for eternity. How could that be so bad?

That's just what Satan wants people to believe, that Hell is just a place like that.

But Hell is actually a place where those who choose not to accept Christ into their hearts go after they die. No second chances. A place totally void of love, peace and light. Where wailing and gnashing of teeth go on forever.

And just what am I doing to encourage people to choose Christ?

Perhaps my funk is because I'm not doing enough.

:: Julie 3/07/2002 03:47:00 AM [+] ::
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They've found Danielle Van Dam's body. Danielle was apparently abducted from her home by a neighbor and killed.

For some reason, this crime evokes great anger in me, moreso than other similar crimes. Why is that?

I feel such un-Christian-like anger toward the alleged abductor that it frightens me. I sometimes feel like I literally want to kill him with my bare hands. To inflict great physical harm to him, especially to his gonads.

Perhaps this situation reminds me subconsciously of something that happened to me when I was 7 years old? Something I've buried very deep because I cannot face its horrible reality?

Or perhaps this situation reminds me of the sinfulness of us all and how evil pervades our society and spirit. We started in the Garden of Eden and we've continued since then by willfully and purposefully committing acts of vileness and horrible atrocities that are shameful and not worthy of the Image in which we were created.

How can we overcome evil? How can we overcome Satan? The Bible is clear. Resist Satan and he will flee from you. All we must do is resist him and he will flee. By keeping our eyes on Christ.

By loving our neighbor.

How can I love someone that commits heinous crimes? By looking past their facade and into their lost soul and realizing they need help. If they refuse help, then punish them according to the laws of the land.

And remember that final justice is in these words, "Revenge is Mine, saith the Lord."

:: Julie 3/01/2002 03:50:00 AM [+] ::
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