Do You Consider Yourself A Good Person?

Seriously...Do you consider yourself a good person?

Everyone I've asked this question says yes. Which is interesting. Are we good? To what standard are we judging ourselves when we call ourselves good? Is it by the list of good deeds that we do? Is it by what the world considers to be a good person? Is it because we haven't committed an egregious crime (grand theft, rape, murder)?

After having my eyes truly opened, I don't consider myself a good person.

Goodness is a subjective measurement. Let's take a look at our goodness versus one of the oldest measuring sticks ever to exist, the 10 commandments.

Have you ever lied? What do you call someone who tells lies? You got it, a liar.

Have you ever stolen anything, no matter how small or long ago? What do you call someone who has stolen something? Right again, a thief.

Have you ever used God's name in vain? That's called blasphemy. Basically you've used the name of your creator as a filth word.

So, just using 3 of the 10 commandments, I'm sure you can see where this is going. By your own admission, you're a lying, thieving, blasphemer at heart. I am too.

If, and this is a big IF, God were to judge you on the 10 commandments alone on the day of judgement, would he find you innocent or guilty?

If you're being honest, you'd see he'd have no choice but to find you guilty. "But I think God will forgive me if I say I'm sorry," you say. Interesting. Let's look at it this way. You've just been found guilty of some heinous crime. The judge is getting ready to sentence you to life in prison and asks if you have anything to say. "Well, judge, by the law I'm guilty, but I'm really sorry."

If the judge just overlooked your crime because you said you were sorry, he'd be a terrible judge. God is the perfect judge, so He certainly won't overlook your transgressions against His perfect Law.

So...If God found you guilty based on the 10 Commandments alone, would you go to Heaven or Hell when you die? God's Word says that liars, thieves, and blasphemers will never see the Kingdom of God.

Now, given that you see that based on ourselves, we deserve nothing but the fires of hell, ask yourself this question...Does that concern you?

God doesn't want to send anyone to hell, but he must based on his Law. HOWEVER, do you know what God did for everyone so that you don't have to spend eternity in hell but actually in His presence?

God sent his only son, Jesus, to Earth in human form. He sent Jesus to Earth to bear all the sin of the world and take God's wrath for our sin by dying a terrible, excrutiating death on the cross.

Christ Himself said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

What does that mean? It means that we must accept God's sacrifice. We must repent from our sins (actually turn away from our sin) and have faith in Jesus as our Savior. This isn't as easy as believing in Christ. Demons believe in Him and shudder. We must actively reject our sins and fully have faith in Christ's promise of salvation.

Why do I write all of this? Well, it's pretty simple. God told us to tell others of His plan of salvation. Also, I have several people that read this blog that I care deeply about. I want to make sure that they know the only way to heaven.

If you've read this far, thanks. Please feel free to comment.

Brian the Dragon

"I'd really like a drink," said Belinda when she was sitting down to do some work for her online corp. accounting class.

Knowing that Belinda doesn't really drink alcohol, I knew that was my cue to get up off the couch and go get her a Diet Dr. Pepper. No problem. I was thirsty too.

As I stepped outside, I heard a voice shout out, "Don't get freaked out man! I'm just over here trying to figure out how I'm gonna walk around in my dragon costume next weekend."

"Say what?!?"

"I said, 'I'm just over here trying to figure out hos I'm gonna walk around in my dragon costume next weekend.'"

By this time my eyes had adjusted to the darkness and I could see a figure sitting at one of the picnic tables across the street in the park.

"Cool," I said. I drove off to CVS to get me and Belinda a drink.

On the way, I felt the tapping on my skull from God. He said something like, "You know, Chris, it would be cool to get that guy in the park a drink too. Would be a great opportunity to tell him about Christ."

Sure. No problem God. I'll get a drink for a guy I don't know who's out in a park in the pitch black worrying about some dragon costume. Sounds completely normal.

Well, I ended up getting him a drink.

The conversation went many places. Brian, the dragon guy, new some things about the Lord. He also had some out of left field ideas about the Bible, but that may have been the Natty Lite talking.

My overwhelming urge to tell others about the only way to avoid hell through Christ has put me in some interesting places and conversations. Brian ranks up there as one of the most colorful, thus far. I can only pray that I shed some light for him on how he can avoid the terrible plight of those that don't know Christ as their savior when they die.

God bless!

Let's Hear It for Jerry

So I work close to Chesterfield Towne Center. I've been going to the mall at lunch with the intent to try to witness using the Way of the Master method of evangelism.

Let's just say that I've not been very successful (essentially I've been a big freakin' chicken)

Today I promised myself that it would be a different story.

So in I go. I walk around the mall for about 10 minutes. Nothing really seems to be presenting itself as opportunity to strike up a conversation. I pass by a mall worker who's emptying trash cans and say to myself, "I should talk to that guy. Nah. I don't wanna bother him while he's working. Well, maybe if he decides to take a break and sit down." I continue to walk for about 5 minutes. When I turn back in the direction of the mall worker, guess what! You got it...he's sitting down on one of the benches in the mall!

*TAP* *TAP* *TAP*

God says, "What was that you were saying Chris? You gonna talk to him? I mean he is sitting down, after all."

"Ok. Let me just walk by one more time"

I begin repeating Philippians 4:13. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

So I sit down. I ask Jerry, that's his name come to find out, if he's gotten one of the billion dollar bills. He says nope. I go on to witness to him using the Law to convict his heart and then bringing on the Gospel.

Much of it is still a blur. We chatted for a good 10 minutes. Jerry blessed me incredibly through this encounter. I hope I've helped him as well through Christ.

God bless you Jerry.

Where is the grace in today's world?

I look around and see so little grace. So little grace in today's political landscape. So little grace when it comes to dealing with people in the office. So little grace in dealing with friends. So little grace in dealing with my kids. So little grace in dealing with my wife.

I heard an AWESOME version of "Amazing Grace" on the way in to work today. Nothing original, but still as powerful as ever. Please take the time to read the full lyrics below. What an awesome, awesome thing my Lord did for me, you, everyone.

Amazing Grace Lyrics
John Newton (1725-1807)

Stanza 6 anon.

Amazing Grace,
how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snaresI have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

McCain is a Nazi

According to the newest episode of The Family Guy, Nazis would have voted for the McCain-Palin ticket.

This type of crap is ridiculous. Whether you hate a candidate with all of what you hold dear, to equate them to Nazis in the name of humor is stupid. And before you say, "Oh Chris, get a grip," remember that McFarlane, the creator of The Family Guy is a staunch supporter of Obama.

And for anyone that says, well I thought it was funny, think about what's really being said here. McCain, a Vietnam veteran, is being equated to a political group that single handedly was responsible for the extermination of millions of Jews.

Pathetic. And to think that if anyone mentions anything negative about Obama, you're nonchalantly lumped in as a racist. Doesn't seem to be fair does it?

Well, it doesn't matter. Neither of the candidates will be able to accomplish much of what they're saying they will. Those that will worship their political celebrities will continue to do so. I guess in that crazed state of mind, they can then see how someone would on a national television program call someone a Nazi. That makes perfect sense.

Great Concert This Weekend

You should go to this. You'll be a better person this weekend. Plus if you see a guy looking like Yukon Cornelius, say, "Hey!" That will be me.

Indian Christians In Trouble as Well

I wrote last time about Americans not really having any ground to stand on when complaining about being "persecuted" for their faith in Christ.

Here's another example:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/164081

By the way, for the commenter (usually anonymous) that will read this post and then blather on about the Crusades, please don't waste the electrons. In case you can't tell, I'm commenting on how being a Christian in America is easy as pie. This is not a commentary on the wrongs done by the "Church". But to stave this off, A BUNCH of bad stuff has been done in God's name before, even in the time of Christ. That's why Christ went on about not being like the Pharisees.

Thanks.