When Cross and Crescent Meet???

"....let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." --- Apostle Peter speaking in Acts 4:10-12

"When Cross and Crescent Meet" is the title of a recent article in The Interpreter, a United Methodist Church publication. The cover featured a photo of a group of Muslim women having prayers at Heartsong United Methodist Church in Cordova TN. Imposed on the photo was the title of the article which details how United Methodists and Muslims in some areas have been getting together.

The central issue is whether a United Methodist Church is to permit any kind of activity whatsoever to take place within its walls, or is there a line to be drawn and a "No!" to be addressed to certain individuals or groups wanting to use the premises?

We pretty well know what the response would be if a group wanted to use the church for a beer party or someone wanted to turn the church into a brothel for an evening with some prostitutes on site doing business! Then again, with changing standards the past few years and the unthinkable now being acceptable, who knows what might happen further down the road?

The United Methodist Church Book of Discipline does contain information as to how a United Methodist Church is to be used. The basic standard is that no individual or group which advocates doctrines and teachings that conflict with the doctrines of the Christian faith should be permitted to use the premises of a local United Methodist Church.

The trust clause of each UMC underscores the fact that the property is to be used in such a manner as to honor God through His Son, Jesus Christ, as Savior and Lord. This is basic in our faith. Those who practice a lifestyle and adopt doctrines contrary to the mission and purpose of The United Methodist Church forfeit the right to make use of UMC property.

The picture of Muslim women having a prayer time in a United Methodist Church is in violation of stated use and purpose of a United Methodist Church. It is highly doubtful that they are praying to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob through the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is God revealed in human form!

This is not to say that they are not welcome to attend a United Methodist Church worship service or other functions taking place within the church. The view must always be that these are people for whom Jesus Christ died on a cross to make forgiveness of sin possible. The motive must be to reach out in love to these folk in the name of our Lord Jesus but at same time not to convey the idea that their "religion" is as valid as Christianity. It definitely is not.

However, there are those who take the position that other religious expressions in the world are legitimate when it comes to addressing the issues of life, its purpose, and its eternal destiny. So, in that view, bring in whoever has some kind of deity or combination of deities (Hindu) and let them worship the same in a United Methodist Church, in spite of violating the standards for proper use of United Methodist Church property!

Christianity is a very radical faith when honestly viewed in light of Jesus' statements about Who He is and why He came into the world. The Gospel of John lists a number of His statements that begin with "I am..." In examining these claims one is forced to admit that Jesus allows for no other person or deity to do for us humans what He does. It is quite well summed up in His statement in John 14:6 -- "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Not even Allah is given consideration here.

But equally radical is Jesus' statement about honoring God. Think a bit upon this one: "For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." (John 5:22-24).

Only God is to be honored -- but when you honor Jesus, you are honoring God. On the other hand, if Jesus is merely a human being and nothing more, then to worship and honor Him is a vain and deadly act in which to engage.

All who claim to be Christian in faith also have to settle the issue of Jesus' parting commandment to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. Those who respond are to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. That commandment has not been rescinded. That means that all citizens in this world are to be confronted with the call to repent of sin and receive Jesus as Savior and Lord of their lives. There are Muslims who have become Christian in faith, though in many instances at a very high price. Likewise it is so with other religious expressions. I have a pastor friend in India who was a Hindu before becoming a Christian. In his congregation are persons who formerly were Hindus and Muslims, but are now dedicated Christians.

Muslims acknowledge the fact that historically, Jesus did really exist. They regard Him as a prophet but that is it. In fact He does not rank as high as Mohammed in their list of prominent persons in the world of Islam.

What to expect in the future? There are and will be the efforts to sit down to the table and "dialog" about religious issues. Again, the assumption will be that all participants have a legitimate claim to addressing the issues of life, its purpose and its eternal destiny.

So that leaves one who professes to be Christian in faith with a very critical question -- are these who are traveling the road of "dialog" right, or is Jesus Christ correct when He claims to be the exclusive way of salvation and hope -- absolutely the one and only, thus shutting out Allah, Vishnu, Shiva, and all other deities in whatever form they exist?

The Crescent must bow down before the Cross -- that is, if there is to be any hope for time and eternity! And why is this? Consider seriously and honestly the following statement and then do the same with Jesus' parting commandment when He left the surface of this planet 2,000 years ago........

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. --- Philippians 2:9-11

Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. --- Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus Crucified? It Only Means Something If It Goes Beyond the Head!

Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. And the inscription of His accusation was written above: THE KING OF THE JEWS. With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And He was numbered with the transgressors." And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, "Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!" --- Mark 15:25-30

Today is a very special day in the lives of a limited number of persons in this world of confusion, conflict, and fear. I say “limited number” because for the majority it holds no significance and Good Friday is just a combination of two words, stirring no emotions nor memories in which life has been dramatically impacted and transformed!

Earlier this AM in my daily journal I noted some things about Good Friday and why my life is different because of what happened in the city of Jerusalem a little over 2,000 years ago.

I knew about God and Jesus dying on a cross at a very early age due to having been brought up in the church by my God fearing parents. I learned a lot of facts about the Christian faith in worship services, Sunday School, and Bible School. Those items were stored in the memory bank of my brain, but that was as far as it went for a few years.

The teen years and early 20’s were what could be appropriately called the “rebel years” – graduation from high school, a year of college, some time in employment, and three years in the U. S. Marine Corps. It was the experience of a “prodigal” in a far country – but I could still tell you there is a God, that His Son was crucified on a cross and came back from the dead three days later! But it didn’t mean a thing to me in terms of my way of life.

But the day came when God in mercy began to deal with me about my way of life and opened my eyes to the fact that I was guilty of countless sins. My final destiny because of this was a horrible Hell. But God did not stop at that point leaving me suspended with a sense of hopelessness and condemned – He went on to show me that when Jesus was crucified on that Roman cross He took all my sins upon Himself, satisfied the demands of God’s justice, and paid the penalty of those sins in full so that I could be totally forgiven!

I received Jesus as my Savior and my Lord – my life was transformed and I experienced peace with God for the first time and had the positive assurance of possessing eternal life! The knowledge of Jesus’ crucifixion moved from my head to my heart, and my life was miraculously impacted by that. It’s never been the same since that day many years ago.

Today, Good Friday, will not pass by without those few who follow Jesus Christ remembering and again giving thanks that He was willing to leave the splendor, purity, and serenity of Heaven, come into this sin-saturated world, and ultimately be nailed to a Roman cross on behalf of each member of the human race.

The tragedy is that the vast majority of the members of the human race living in the world today do not realize that nor do they in the least bit appreciate it!

How about you? Has the reality of Jesus’ crucifixion moved beyond some facts in the head to the heart and life is radically different and most hopeful because of that experience?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. --- 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

If There Were Other "Ways," Why Did He Do It?

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him... For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: "Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth"; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. --- 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:21-25

For a minority of persons, this is a special day -- we travel back in time and remember a brutal execution just outside the city of Jerusalem. This was no run-of-the-mill execution carried out by the Romans -- they were doing this sort of thing all the time!

But this one involved a very unique individual -- God Who chose to take on human flesh, bones and blood. He was guilty of no crimes against the Roman Empire -- in fact, He was not guilty of doing anything wrong ever -- He was pure and without sin and blemish so far as character was concerned.

Somehow in that act of dying on a Roman cross all my sins -- all of your sins were transferred to Him, and that opened up the way by which every human being can be totally forgiven of all offenses committed, no matter how horrible they may be!

There are those who say that one religion is as good as another -- just pick and choose what delights your particular fancy!

Ask yourself -- if it doesn't make any difference, then why did God give up His Son and why did Jesus go through the brutality and humiliation of execution on a Roman cross, if "one way is just as good as any other" when it comes to religious expressions in this world?

No other religious expression apart from Christianity has the reality of God taking on human form and then sacrificing Himself for the sins of the entire human race! And by repenting of sin, receiving Jesus Christ by faith as Savior and Lord, and committing to a life of obedience to Him, a person is forgiven and looked upon favorably by Almighty God!

For some of us -- we continue to be lost in a whirlwind of amazement -- that the Creator of this great universe was willing to give up His life for the likes of us so that we in turn could be forgiven and have the assurance of living in His eternal Kingdom forever!

As a side trip, take a look at:

God Dressed Up in Bones, Flesh and Blood!

A link at the bottom of that area will bring you back to this place.

Again, if there are so many different "ways" to God and His eternal Heaven, why did Jesus go through what He did?

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me... But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. --- John 14:6; Hebrews 2:9

For Christians Only!

Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what advantage is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?".......... "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." --- Luke 9:23-25; 14:26, 27

Huge numbers of people consider a bunch of resolutions upon launching into a new year. Even Christians consider how they may do some things diferently as they start off a new year. 2008 will certainly be no exception.

How about adopting the following conviction as powerfully expressed by an African pastor two years ago?

December 31, 2005

I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me - my banner will be clear!

Anonymous African Pastor – Statement Nailed to his wall.

This is a most challenging statement and leaves no doubt as to where this Christian stands, does it not? It requires more than a tad of soul searching for us who are used to soft living in these United States and where at times we may drift all too easily into a Laodicean way of life in our profession of being Christian in our faith! (Read through Revelation 3 for more defined details about the Laodicean way!).

I suggested to the members of my congregation this past Sunday, December 30th, that we place the above statement in our Bibles and that we intentionally read it time after time as we move through 2008.

If you are not a Christian, the above statement as well as the quote from Jesus at the very beginning has absolutely no meaning to you whatsoever. But that can be changed by a deliberate decision on your part. Review How to Become a Christian! -- a link at the bottom of that area will bring you back to this place. If you have questions please email me at cdharriger@hotmail.com

Don't forget.....only a Christian can live each day with the assurance of ALL sins forgiven, the living presence of Jesus with him/her, and in possession a solid hope for the future -- not just in terms of time, but for all eternity!

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. --- 1 John 3:1-3

Have You Graduated Beyond the Bunnies & Eggs Thing?

Just as it is at Christmas time, the competition is fierce -- ads coming at you in all directions trying to persuade you to buy new clothes and lots of sweet stuff as you prepare for Easter. Of course those selling other kinds of merchandise are reminding you that it's spring time and you need a lot of their products for making it a much better spring than you've ever had before! And if you're hurting for some reason -- maybe you skinned your toe on your neighbor's uneven sidewalk, there's a zillion lawyers out there with repulsive ads telling you to sue and get "the money you deserve for your pain and suffering!" That way you can give your neighbor an Easter present he won't ever forget.

What is your reason for celebrating Easter, if you have managed to move beyond such stuff as that mentioned above? Are you able to lift your vision far beyond the little bunnies, chickens, and eggs -- the jelly beans and the flowers?

After gazing for a time on a central cross outside the city of Jerusalem with the body impaled upon it now removed, are you a bit excited? Does the excitement become more intense as you remember again that the grave was unable to hold Him in its deadly grip and that Jesus came out of that tomb three days after His slow and painful death on a Roman cross?


Even within churches claiming to be identified with the Christian faith there has at times been skepticism displayed when it comes to the literal bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. For a few of us, that comes as no surprise -- each century has produced a number who seem to take delight in denying that Jesus is alive, but our response is simple -- "You are badly mistaken -- I'm in daily contact with Him and we have conversation about many things. You can't carry on conversation with a dead person successfully!"

Let the skeptics ramble on in their blindness and stupidity, we know better as we continue to walk in fellowship with Him Who is King of kings and Lord of lords! So this Easter, let's check our vision again -- how far can we see? Do we see Him Who was dead for a brief moment and placed in a stone tomb, but is now alive and some day in the future will return to rule this world forever?

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know." Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." --- John 14:1-6

If you are still at the bunny, chicks, eggs, and chocolate level, slip on over and take a look at How to Become a Christian -- you life just might be changed forever!

Why Did He Do It?

Want to upset some people in a split second? Just ask them to tell you why Jesus Christ died on a Roman cross! Of course, this assumes a rather important fact -- that you know beforehand by personal experience as to the reason, and that you haven't fallen for some of the heresy floating around this world as to why Jesus was executed on that cross.

Be aware that some of the heresy has penetrated the ranks of those who claim to be Christian in faith! There are those who say Jesus was just an ordinary human being such as you and I, and not God in human form -- that He set a rather noble example for us to follow and that is about the extent of it -- oh yes, He taught some pretty good principles which we should try to practice, if we should feel inclined to do so! And the main reason He ended up on a Roman cross as a common criminal is that He caused some trouble and if He had been smart, He would have kept His mouth shut and high-tailed it out of town, avoiding all that confrontation stuff!

Let's consult the divinely inspired record as to what it was all about -- just read a few statements which spell it all out:

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. --- 1 Timothy 1:15

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures....--- 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4

For the love of Christ constrains us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. --- 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: "Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth"; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. --- 1 Peter 2:21-25

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (satisfaction) for our sins. --- 1 John 4:10

Today is Good Friday -- a very special day for those who are followers of Jesus Christ, as we remember again His sacrifice of Himself on our behalf, give thanks and praise, and renew our commitment to do His will each day so long as He gives us breath to live in this world.

What does it mean to you?

Review How to Become a Christian and give thanks again for God's overwhelming love for each of us.

Have a glorious time this Sunday in celebrating Jesus' victory over sin, death, and Satan and his forces on our behalf!

More on Issue of God and His Judgmental Wrath!

"But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country. Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Cursed shall be the fruit of your body and the produce of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out. The LORD will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the wickedness of your doings in which you have forsaken Me." --- Deuteronomy 28:15-20

Roland in his comment on the post just below this one mentioned one reason why God should not bring judgment and that is love.

God's love is far beyond our limited minds to comprehend. Heavy is the emphasis on His love and mercy throughout the Scriptures. Perhaps that is one reason why things have gotten badly out of balance over time -- the focus has been totally on and emphasis given to God's "love" to the point in some cases of denying the reality of Hell as a place of everlasting torment.

Perhaps you have heard it in one form or another -- "God is a God of love and He would never send anyone to Hell!" Plus a heresy which is also a back door approach to denying the existence of Hell -- we're all going to end up in Heaven which is commonly known as universalism.

Truth demands that we look at this thing in the light of a coin with its "head" side and its "tail" side. God is a God of love beyond doubt and we are at that time of year when Christians review again the proof of His love in the giving of His Son, Jesus, for the sins of the entire human race -- His death on the cross was the perfect sacrifice for every sin you and I have ever committed in our lifetimes! And so mercy and forgiveness are offered on the condition of repentance and faith placed in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

But, God is also a God of judgment and wrath, and this too is clearly spelled out in the Scriptures, beginning with the "biggie" -- the flood at the time of Noah! What isn't realized is that mercy was offered for about 120 years before that devastating judgment took place. It is noted in 2 Peter that Noah, in addition to constructing the ark, was also a "preacher of righteousness." Except for his immediate family, no one else listened.

God's methods in dealing with cultures of people are mainly two -- when His Word is not heeded, He begins a series of chastising actions which may extend over quite a period of time. This is suggested in some of the Old Testament prophets. As long as there is chastising, there is hope for revival, healing and reconciliation. You see mention of God's efforts in this matter in the book of Amos.

However, if the chastising doesn't produce the desired results, then God's agenda changes and judgment is initiated. That means all hope is gone -- nothing but devastation and destruction will result -- God will not respond to the prayers that are uttered at such a time. Before you jump on that with "God always answers prayer!" thing, check Jeremiah 7, 11, and 14 for statements in which God explicitly says not to pray because He will not hear! Note again in the post before this one regarding the reference to 2 Chronicles 36 and the statement "till there was no more remedy!" That meant in no uncertain terms that they had crossed over the line -- no more chastising actions which offered hope of forgiveness and reconciliation with God -- now it was total destruction and NO HOPE!

I urge everyone who reads this to spend a lot of time with Jeremiah and Ezekiel (who was a contemporary of Jeremiah, but among the earlier captives) and see what was pointed out by way of spiritual, moral and ethical shortcomings. You will be amazed at how up to date these two are! But it's also a bit discomforting as well -- it might cause us to conclude as King Josiah did when words were read to him out of a long neglected dusty scroll -- "We're in a heap of trouble with God!" (that's a paraphrase, but that's precisely what he meant!).

"Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God: blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country...... --- Deuteronomy 28:1-3

Jesus' Bones? Can't Be -- I Was Just in Conversation with Him This Morning!

And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. -- 2 Thessalonians 2:11,12

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. -- 2 Peter 2:1,2

Seems like just about everyone is jumping in and splashing around -- some major networks such as Fox News and NBC are really caught up in the excitement as they wallow in the cesspool of unbelief. But then that is to be expected in chaotic times such as these!

The alleged discovery of burial boxes containing the bones of Jesus and His son caused people on the NBC Today show to speculate that this could be the biggest story of a lifetime -- ah, one could alter that by saying it would compete with one of the biggest lies of a lifetime!

But as noted in the headline above, those can't be the bones of Jesus -- He and I were in conversation earlier this morning -- only when the other person to whom you are talking is alive is the conversation two way -- you can try to talk to a dead man, but there is no response, whether it's a dead body or bones in a box supposedly centuries old!

Yes, the Christian experience and absolute knowledge that Jesus Christ is alive is basically a faith experience and limited to just a few persons in comparison to the 6 billion plus population on this planet.

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." -- John 17:1-3

So when something like the boxes of bones is discovered with claims they are Jesus' bones and that of the son He had with Mary Magdalene, mass media people will be so excited and push it with throttle wide open, having fallen for a big lie!

When you have made your personal acquaintaince with Jesus such stirrings in the mass media cesspool as we are now witnessing is simply a reminder of how the majority of people have been deceived.

Why such high profile publicity on this? Actually it's a simple thing -- for century after century there have been efforts to claim Jesus was never resurrected from the dead -- whether flat out denial, or the intentional teaching of such in seminaries where future ministers are trained, or the mess of "discovering" boxes of bones in the 20th or 21st Century! If you have a dead Christ, then you don't have to worry about ever facing Him, having Him scrutinize your life on earth, and then render a judgment upon you which determines what your eternal destiny is going to be -- a trouble-free paradise in heaven or indescribable torment in hell, which the human mind cannot possibly grasp!

But as the very famous Gomer Pyle was fond of saying, "Surprise, surpise, surprise!" That is what it will be for the vast majority of the members of the human race when life here in this world reaches its conclusion and one by one, each gives a personal accounting to the Creator of this universe and ultimate Judge of all, Jesus Christ!

So play with your little boxes of bones and have your big publicity fling about it -- it's sort of like a meteor in the sky -- for a while you see a big flash of light and then it is extinguished and all that is left is dust -- lots and lots of dust!

In the meantime a few of us will continue to be in conversation with Jesus, expressing among other things our appreciation for what He has done for us by way of His personal sacrifice on the cross, for the inner peace and confidence He provides 24 hours a day, for His presence with us each day, and for the rock solid hope He gives us for time and eternity!