Put your hand in His wound.

  I had an experience many years ago, and at the time of my life I was at what some would consider a very low time.  When I look back it was one of the highest points I would ever be blessed with.
  This is the day we as Christians celebrate as the most wonderful benefit of a Crucified Christ, His Resurrection.  For all have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God; Being justified freely by His Grace through the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  Whom God has set forth to be a Propitiation through Faith in His Blood, to declare His Righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;  To declare, I say, at this time His Righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus. Romans 3: 23-26 (KJV).  That if you confess with your mouth The Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.  For with the heart man believes unto Righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation. Romans 10:9-10(KJV).
  In October of 1970 I found myself in the state hospital of South Dakota, in the alcoholic ward:
too much drinking.  I came to the place where drinking was more important than life.  One night after I went to bed, I was praying and thanking The Lord for the things going on in my life.   It felt good  to be sober.  I was at the point of dozing off.   Suddenly I was wide awake, and there was someone standing beside my bed.  I was amazed because I knew it was Jesus! For a period of time we just looked at each other and I experienced a peace that I cannot explain.   After some time I asked Him "Why are you here beside me?"  "I'm here because I wanted to tell you how much I love you."  Did we talk to each other out loud?  No, but our spirits were communicating as though we were.  I asked The Lord,  "What would have happened if I had died in my worst condition?"  He replied. "I would have come and taken you home." When others would have condemned me to death, the one who paid the price for my soul would have rescued me.
  I told this experience to a preacher one time, and his response was, "I'd be checking out that spirit!"  Because his belief was based on Holiness, or works there was no time for Grace, and Mercy.
  I, like most Christians, am a work in progress. I won't be complete until I pass from this life to the next, when we will know our great hope, in Christ Jesus.
  When Jesus resurrected from the dead all the disciples believed, except one Thomas, and he was called the doubter.  He said unless I can place my hand in His wound I won't believe He was resurrected.  Jesus then came, and showed Thomas His wound, and invited Him to place his hand into it, and Thomas believed.
  We as Christians suffer from wounds, whether inflicted by others, or by ourselves.  Our Resurrected            
Savior, still comes to us today, and invites us to put our hand in His hand, so He can heal our wounds.
  We, like Thomas, have our doubts about how much He cares for us, but the invitation is always open.  It was made real to me when I asked why He would come to me, at a time when all had given up, including me.
  The answer is always the same:  "Because I love you!"    

From dust to dust (VI)

  Mary, the mother of Jesus, had some questions, but Faith of a great portion.  Her faith changed history for all eternity; it made possible the redemption of all humanity that would place their Faith in the Son of God.  Jesus two in one, God, and Man.
  Then said Mary unto the Angel,  How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?  And the Angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:34-35 (KJV)  These Scriptures tell us the way it would happen, but when?  And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of The Lord; (be it unto me according to your word.)  And the Angel departed from her. Luke 1:38 (KJV)
  The Holy Spirit ministered through the Angel, and when Mary placed her Faith in that spoken word, and said be it unto me, the conception of Jesus happened.  Mary still had to make the choice, and when she did God was Faithful.  The stage is set for the Redemption of mankind.
  We don't hear about Jesus' childhood, other than when He was traveling with His parents for His protection.  When Jesus was twelve, they had gone to Jerusalem for Passover.  Jesus stayed behind, and when they found Him he was in the temple about His Fathers business.  After that time the word say, "And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but His mother kept all these sayings in her heart."  For eighteen years we don't hear about Jesus.
  At the age of 30 Jesus began His earthly ministry.  In three and a half years after His ministry started, He did what He came to do for mankind, and went to The Cross, as our Sacrifice to shed His Atoning blood.
  I was reading the genealogy of Christ according to Luke, and it went from Joseph (as was supposed or adopted father) back to Adam, and at Adam it concluded, which was the Son of God.  Adam the created Son, Jesus the only begotten Son.
  The difference.  Jesus came into this world the same as you and I, but He was sinless, and could pay the price required of The Lord God, one introduced sin, the other perfection, because He (Jesus) was perfect, we do not have to go from dust to dust.  We will die if The Lord tarries, but still we go from condemned  to  the Redeemed of The Lord, when we believe that what He did on the Cross is sufficient for the lost condition Adam left us in.
  The Lord created paradise for us in the beginning.  It was the condition He wanted us to live in and when all is said and done, Paradise is where we will spend eternity.
  This is Easter week, and His resurrection is our great hope, we celebrate this great hope with those who believe likewise.







   

From dust to dust (V)

  Have you ever read genealogies in the Bible?  They always start with the name of the male, and talk about his begotten, and end with, " and he died."  The only exceptions are Enoch, and Elijah.  And Enoch walked with God:  and he was not; for God took him. Genesis 5:24 (KJV).
   When Eve had Cain, she said I have gotten a man from The Lord.  She believed the Covenant that God gave.  And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; it shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel Genesis 3:15 (KJV).  She knew that Jesus was coming, but she didn't know it would take 4000 years.  We know the story of Cain, and Abel, after Abel was dead Eve had Seth.  For God, said she, has appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain killed. Genesis 4:25 (KJV).  She started out with faith that Cain was the redeemer, but time weakened her faith.  Little did she know that Seth was the lineage of Jesus.  Jesus is the perfect man, that paid the price of our redemption.  He didn't pay the price to Satan, but satisfied The Lord.
  In the Jewish calendar when Jesus was crucified, there were two Sabbaths one the Passover, the other Saturday.  Passover was on Thursday, and Jesus was Crucified on Wednesday.  We celebrate His Crucifixion on Good Friday, and thats ok, but He had to go to the grave for three days.  When you do the Jewish days, He had to be there for three days to be dead, and His body was gone for three days, but He was about His Fathers work, taking captive to captivity, and telling fallen angels their eternal reward, for their sin.
  Tomorrow I will review the price He paid for our Redemption.  The only Perfect Man, the only begotten of the Father, The Word that dwelt among men, as stated by John, and He would come to the world through the seed of a woman.      
  

From dust to dust (IV)

  The course has been set for a period of time, you shall surely die, because of disobedience.  I want to share a scripture, about why Adam, and Eve were expelled from Eden.
  And The Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of Us, to know good and evil:  and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever: Genesis 3:22 (KJV).
  In one of my past writings, I wrote about the Omniscience of God, He knows everything.  Because of His Omniscience, He knows about evil, but He is not evil.  When Lucifer came against God, he became evil, and everything that is evil, Satan controls, he knows no good.  Lucifer, the fallen angel, and the one third of the angel's that agreed with him, are all evil, but he (Lucifer) is the prince of darkness.
  In the study's that I have done, and heard, we as human beings, are created just a step below God.  If we have a pie God is the top crust, we are the filling, and angels are the bottom crust.
  Angels are told by God what to do; they are His messengers.  When Mary was to conceive Jesus, a angel appeared to her, and made the announcement of the Messiah.  They are a free will creation, that   do God's directives, but have no Redeemer.  When Lucifer decided to go against God, God knew he would, and because of how Lucifer was created, and disobeyed, He and all of the angel's that agreed               with Him were separated from God for eternity, no redemption.
  We as the human race are made different; we are created in the image of God, but we aren't gods.  We can partake of the things of God, but we can't create things.  We have a soul that God breathed life into, and were created to worship God, but not ourselves.  All of creation worships God because it was created to.  We can chose to worship God, or Satan, and that makes us different from all other creation.  
  There is a prerequisite to be able to enter into the Kingdom of God.  When Jesus was talking to Nicodemus (John 3).  He said that he must be born again, but first we have to be born, and that is the prerequisite, a living soul born from parents, to living souls producing a living soul.  Nothing in creation can produce a soul, except humans.    

(To be continued...)

From dust to dust. (III)

  How many of us have children, or have been around children.  A child will at sometime, or another ask the age old question. "Why?"  If we know the answer we will tell them, but if we don't know, we say because "I said so!"  What is different about The Lord, and  how dos He answer our "Whys?"
  I was studding the first chapter of Genesis, and a question came up that I asked The Lord.  In the Word I read.  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1 (KJV).  My question was when did you create heaven, and the earth?  He answered with a question.  "How old am I?"  Much the same way he talked to Job, when He (God) asked him where were you when I formed the earth?
  When all of the questions come up, that some will base their belief systems on, we have to remember only God knows.
  Did prehistoric man exist, the evidence is there. The question did he have a soul, and was he created by God from dust, did God breath life into his soul?  Only God knows, there could have been life on this planet called earth, and again only God knows.  If it is something  we need to know The Lord will show us when we get to Eternity.
  To all of the fish, and all other creatures, God said be fruitful and multiply, but only to Adam, and Noah did He say, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.   Could it be a clue as to what this earth could have been before humanity?  The missing link of prehistoric, and historic could be, "and God breathed life into the soul."  I believe that creation happened just like Scripture says.
  If we are trying to explain to other's the Gospel, and hold fast to what we have been told, it doesn't make sense, but if we say that there could be a gap between the first, and second verse of Genesis it may answer questions they have.  (to be continued)       

Bitter Days

"Here are the laws for you to obey when you arrive in the land where you will live.  They are from The Lord our God.  He has given them to me to pass on to you.  If you obey them, they will give you a reputation of wisdom and intelligence."  Deut. 4:5-6  TLB
   I was reading this wonderful chapter this morning, where Moses is exhorting the people of Israel on what they should do as they prepare to cross into the land The Lord was giving to them.  It seems so simple:  Do not worship false gods.  Don't use God's name to make a vow you don't intend to keep.
Keep the Sabbath holy.  Honor your father and mother.  Don't murder.  Don't steal.  Don't lie.  Don't burn with desire for another man's wife.  Don't envy another man's possessions.
    Moses warned the Israelites that they would forget.  That they would fall away and worship false gods.  He told them God would let them be scattered among the nations.  "But you will also begin to search again for Jehovah your God, and you shall find him when you search for him with all your hearts and souls.  When those bitter days have come upon you in latter times, you will finally return to The Lord your God and listen to what he tells you.  For The Lord your God is merciful--he will not abandon you nor destroy you nor forget the promises he's made to your ancestors."  Deut. 4:29-31 TLB.
     There has been a movement in our nation in recent years away from the Ten Commandments;  they are no longer allowed to be displayed in many locations.  In my opinion, they should be displayed on every street corner!  Wouldn't it be a benefit to all of us if they were respected and obeyed?  Can you imagine what it would be like to live in a place where you could let your children play outside without worry that someone would swoop down and grab them.  Or if you could leave the keys in your car, without fear it would be stolen?  Or you could go out in public and not have to listen to bad language?  What would it be like to live in a world where people were not motivated by jealousy?
     God wanted us to know these things, and follow his commandments for our own benefit!  He wanted us to know how to conduct our lives so we could live peacefully!
     "And you must think constantly about these commandments I am giving you today.  You must teach them to your children and talk about them when you are at home or out for a walk;  at bedtime and first thing in the morning.  Tie them on your finger, wear them on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house!"  Deut.6: 6-9  TLB
      Do you think that it is possible that we are facing those "bitter days" Moses spoke of?  If that is the case, and even if it isn't, we need to seek God and listen to what he has told us!

From dust to dust. (II)

  I want to talk about paradise.  Can we even think for a moment what true paradise is.  Just imagine waking up in the morning, and not even thinking what will I wear today?  Walking out from where you slept, and eating the first good looking peace of fruit, or herb.  You don't have to go to work all that you do is talk to God, and tend His garden.  You would see a animal, and God would tell you what to name it.  Everything is perfect, and you don't do anything wrong, because you don't know what is good, or evil.  God's plan was paradise for the human race.
  Everything was created, a perfect environment, food, fish, birds, animals, and the last to be created was man, in the image of God.  The difference between man and all of the other creation, He (God) breathed life into man's soul, and with that came free will.  Because of free will, He (God) had to give man a choice to make on his own.  Thus the tree of knowledge of good or evil.
  When God finished creating something He always said,  "I looked upon it, and it was good."  Was there evil in His paradise, and why?
  I want to share a thought that I have had for some time.  God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the Earth. Genesis 1:28 (KJV).  God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the Earth Genesis 9:1 (KJV).  True I am 65 years old, but I am not repeating myself.  One commandment given at two different times, the first was to Adam, and Eve, the second was to Noah, and his sons.  Reading the account of Noah everything that breathed through it's nostrils died, but the fish didn't die.
  In whom the god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ, Who is the Image of God, should shine unto them. II Corinthians 4:4 (KJV).  When was Satan made the god of this world?
  Searching the Scriptures, there is no mention of the time that this happened, but reading the Scriptures it is evident that it happened.  Going back to the tree of good, and evil, God is the only one who is good, and Lucifer is all evil.  We have no indication how long this battle has been going on, but it started when Lucifer declared he could do what only God could do.
  What we do know is as soon as Adam, and Eve disobeyed God the first blood was shed to cover their nakedness, so the shedding of blood changed their appearance to God.  As the result of their disobedience of God, they were driven from paradise, and the curses were placed upon them, and all of their descendants.      (to continue)
                                                         
                                   

From dust too dust. (I)

  It's been a while since I have shared a thought of the spiritual kind.  As the title too this blog, it makes a point, and it's biblical .  From dust you were created, and to dust shalt thou return. Genesis 3:19.  Was that Gods plan?  Why would God put that curse on man?
  I was watching cable news, and the conclusion that they came to was, we live in a changing world.  That is a true statement, the world is changing at a rapped pace, technology in overdrive heading forward, spirituality in overdrive heading backward.  They referred to us as the evolving society, but I see the world as a failing  morality.
  All blessing comes from God, and every curse also comes from God.  Loving , and kind, but just.  When I was reading the text in Genesis it was right after Adam, and Eve disobeyed God.  God alone has the power to keep dust alive, after the fall man chose to keep dust alive on his own.  It took 900+ years to find out that the physical body would die, but seconds to know the spiritual body was dead.
  After the curse of God was given, He immediately went and killed innocent animals, and covered their shame.  Telling the world then, and now, innocent blood is  the only answer for sin.
  I always know when the Spirit is speaking, somehow, much of what The Lord was saying was lost due to technology  I will pray and ask The Lord to restore the thoughts that He gave me, and continue this teaching, as He gives the revelation.
  When I am driving the bus I sing songs for the students I always tell them to listen close it's a one time song, because I won't  remember it tomorrow and my sermons are like my songs.  I reread blog's many times, so I learn what The Lord was saying at that time to me. 

Keep your eyes (and your heart) open!

     Have you ever stopped to think about how little it actually takes to acknowledge and encourage another person?  This has come to my attention through a couple little incidents that occurred in the last few days.
     In my job, there are many customers that I speak with on a regular basis, but have never met face to face.  A couple weeks ago, I was reading an obituary, and recognized the name of a woman I worked with when I was a teenager.  One of  her daughters turned out to be one of my customers.  I hesitated to give my condolences because I thought maybe that would be considered strange or maybe unprofessional.  But today, I decided to speak up.  I said that I read in the paper that her mother had passed away, that I remembered her mom from when I worked with her many years ago.  I was really surprised with the reaction I received:  this lady was so touched and pleased that I had remembered her mother!
     Well, this showed me that when I feel that I would like to acknowledge something that someone is going through, I should just do it!  I wonder how many times The Lord has put someone in my path, and I have totally missed my opportunity to show love to that person.
     The other incident involved Del and his new parttime job as a cab driver.  Much of his job involves driving people who are not in shape to drive themselves to bars or casinos, or back home.  One of his fares got in the cab, and in the course of the conversation stated that he didn't feel comfortable at the bar because he had taken meth.  I don't know how the conversation went, but when  the guy got out of the cab, he gave Del his tip, and said, "I appreciate that you listened to me and didn't judge me."  We, who are Christians, always want to help people, and sometime we "help" by casting our judgements on others.  We've all done it.  But, that night, Del's witness to a young man who called himself an atheist, was acceptance.  What a small thing that was, but somehow it spoke to that young man.
     Dear Lord, as I go though my day, show me where my "appointments" are--help me to recognize when someone needs a little encouragement, or a little acceptance.  

The Godless?

    My life has taken on a new aspect, a different view that I haven't experienced for some time.  I drive a taxi cab on Friday and Saturday nights.  Some would say why would you want to be a servant to the world of alcohol.  My question is why not?

    The word of God says,  "If you do this to the least of these my brethren you do it as unto me." Serving the people that have the problems, that cause the most pain in our world, are the ones that need to be served more than the most righteous.

    Sin is a terrible malady that affects to great a number of today's society, and to few are willing to become a ministering tool that The Lord can use.

    When I pick up a fare, do I have to say something that will change their lives?  "No!" But I can treat them with respect, and show them love.  I am not the final judge of their salvation.  I am a servant, who needs to love them, when all others have given up on them. Too many times we as Christians are ready to judge, when all we are asked to do is love.  The least of these are sometimes drunk, and at the lowest capability of making right decisions, and they need to be loved even if they aren't lovely at  that time.

    I had never considered driving a cab as a ministry to a dying and hurting world, but after one night, I can see that, love is still the thread that will bind us to together. 

  I don't know what effect driving a cab will have on our city, but I know that all things work for good for those that love The Lord and it will never change, because it is the Word of The Lord.   All I have to do is be a servant, and love.

   

  Lord I pray that your love will shine through me, and that you would show others how your love can shine through them, because love is still the most powerful thing we can posses.  

                     

A new day.

    To the world there is a new spokesman for the church.  Some of us are Catholic, some are not, but the world will look to Francis I as the spokesman for what they believe the Christian faith stands for.  I listened to his first mass, and was impressed.  He preached without notes, and from the heart.  His main message was Christ and Him Crucified, and I agree totally with that.
    The church, I believe is moving into a new time.  I believe that new time is a unity that it hasn't experienced yet.  We must be cautious, however, to adhere to the foundational doctrine of Christ and him crucified.
    The Church may find that some of the doctrine that Francis I brings back may have a strong tone to it:  caring for the oppressed, stressing family, and returning to the basics.
    I was glad to hear that when he checked out of where he was staying, he picked up his own luggage, and paid his own bill, something that most wouldn't do upon attaining the power that was given to him.
   He is a very charismatic individual, and soft spoken, it will be interesting to see how he will direct one point five billion souls.
   When he was selected I wept tears of joy.  I have no explanation for that except the Holy Spirit was speaking something to my spirit and soul.
   We are all in the same boat, the church, the bride of Christ, and all wanting to go to our eternal reward.  When the new leader of the Catholic Church says that Christ Crucified is the way, our prayers should always include a prayer that he remain strong.
   This is a encouragement to our friends to pray for Francis I, the same as we pray for our Government, and all other leaders that have a influence on so many souls.  Souls depend on leadership that will direct them in the right direction, and it is imperative that The Holy Spirit direct leaders.
  We as individual souls need to know what The Lord wants us to do for him, and be anchored in Him.  When Satan comes against, and challenges our Faith, we need to be grounded in the Word, and led by The Holy Spirit, so we reach his earthly reason for our soul.

  Lord we pray for guidance, and direction for those placed in leadership.

Biblical Church.

   This is a question that is vitally important.  When we think about this,  many answers come to mind.   Once my pastor asked me, "what do you see as the main problem of the church?"  They don't understand who they are in Christ.  It was a quick reply that I didn't understand, so I thought about it.    They don't understand?  Do I understand?  I was taught that when I believed Jesus to be the savior of my soul, that we became one, me in Him, Him in me, one.  I knew that it was the truth.  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh EPHESIANS 5:31(KJV).

    First, the church is referred to as the Bride of Christ.  We become one, yet are still individuals. This is covenant, not contractual, big difference.  Covenant are vow's that are made in the presence of God, contracts are made between two people, when a contract is complete both parties can walk away, not so with a covenant, it lasts till one or the other party dies.

  We have  everlasting covenant with Jesus., He is alive.  We also are eternal beingsand we get to choose where we will spend eternity.  We who believe, with God, those who don't believe ,in hell.(so blunt, but it is the truth,and the truth can set you free. 

   And this is the Will of Him Who sent Me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on Him, may have Everlasting Life: and I will raise Him up at the last day.  JOHN 6:40 (KJV). How do we become the church?  That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.ROMANS 10:9(KJV).  This is the wedding ceremony, how we become the Church.  We who believe don't conceive how simple it is, and how great the reward, covenant with the Great I Am, Who Was, Who Is, and WHO Shall Ever Be.

   When the true church starts to let this go to the heart, it  changes our perspective.  What  we really are a  part of, married to Jesus the son of God, wanting His will in our lives, sharing the Gospel with others:  when you become the Bride of Christ,  one with him, this is the Church.

  We are also a part of the body of believers also the church.  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another: (in the Faith) HEBREWS 10:25 (KJV)  The Faith is what we believe, and what makes us the church, individually, and corporately.  A service could go this way: "I want to testify Jesus died so I can have everlasting life",

" I want to testify my sins are forgiven", " I want to testify God raised Him from the dead".,   The list could go on a long time because the true church are saved individuals, living, in real communities, telling others about the only Living God! 

 So the next time you go to your house of worship, remember I am the BRIDE OF CHRIST, I am who He Died for, I have covenant relationship with Him, I know who I am in Christ.  AWESOME!!!!!

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Biblical Gospel.

 
  The first point I want to make is what is the church.  I believe that every individual believer is the church, and also that where two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus also is church.  When the body of believers gathers, that is a congregation in church.  Different numbers, but all the church.
  As the individual church I need to be very cautious.  When I stand before God, I will stand alone, and be judged by His Word, and my faith.  His Word is infallible, and the only true book of instruction to mankind. Everything that is taught by any part of the church, has to line up with the Word of God, if it doesn't, it's heresy, and heresy will destroy one's faith.

  I want to share Martin Luther's  tower experience.  Here is one man, and the Biblical Gospel.  What a difference the truth can make.  

Martin Luther's Tower Experience

By Dr. Richard P. Bucher
In the minds of many, the Reformation began not when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Castle Church door, but when he rediscovered and believed the Biblical Gospel.
This discovery is often called Luther's "Tower Experience," because in one of his "table talks" he mentions that he was studying Romans 1:17 in the heated room (his study) of the tower of the Black Cloister in Wittenberg when the light broke upon him. (The Black Cloister was the monastery of the Augustinian Hermits, and later, when all the monks had voluntarily left, it was Luther's home).
Luther makes it clear in several places that this, not the Theses, was the pivotal event of his life. The most important of these appears in his Preface to the Complete Edition of Luther's Latin Writings of 1545. Several other mentions of the event are recorded from his "Table Talks," one from 1532 (LW 54:193-194), one from 1538 (LW 54:308-309), and one from 1542-43 (LW 54:442-443).
When we examine the above mentioned texts, and especially the 1545 Preface, the following observations beg to be made.
(1) Luther's conversion and breakthrough involved the correct understanding of God's righteousness. The phrase "[in the Gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed" (Romans 1:17) had become the focal point of his struggle with God. Luther had long struggled to blamelessly keep God's Law in order to become righteous. He knew that this is what God demanded of him and all people. Time and again he failed to keep God's Law and achieve the righteousness that God demanded.
Luther's struggle with God came to a head as he was wrestling with this Romans 1:17. He tells us that he was extremely zealous to understand Romans but that this phrase about God's righteousness stood in the way. This phrase, which to us is so clearly good news, was for Luther bad news.
Why? Because the phrase "the righteousness of God" like most Biblical terms (e.g., grace, faith, justification, etc.) had been reinterpreted by scholastic theologians of the high and late Middle Ages 1100-1500 A.D. (esp. Gabriel Biel, Duns Scotus, Peter Lombard, Thomas Aquinus) to support a theology of Law and works. For centuries the Church had taught that the righteousness of God was God's active, personal righteousness or justice by which he punishes the unrighteous sinner.
This, Luther informs us, is what he had learned. Therefore whenever he came across the phrase "the righteousness of God" in Scripture, it terrified him ("struck my conscience like lightning," "was like a thunderbolt in my heart") because he knew that he was an unrighteous sinner who fell far short of God's righteous (perfect) demands.
Even worse, Rom. 1:17, filled Luther with anger and hatred toward God. "I did not love, yes, I hated the righteous God who punishes sinners." Is it not enough, Luther tells us he murmured, that God crushes us miserable sinners with His law, that He has to threaten us with punishment through the Gospel, too?
After meditating day and night, finally the breakthrough came when Luther gave heed to the words at the end of 1:17, "He who through faith is righteous shall live." Then he realized that the verse was not talking about the active righteousness that God demands, but the passive righteousness that He freely gives to those who believe the Gospel. The sinner is justified (declared righteous) by God through faith in the work and death of Jesus, not by our work or keeping of the Law. Put another way, the sinner is justified by receiving (faith) rather than achieving (works). Later Luther would say that we are saved by the alien righteousness of Christ, not by a righteousness of our own doing.
(2) The tower experience, according to Luther was a conversion experience. When he had discovered that God gives His righteousness as a gift in Christ, he felt that he "was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself through open gates . . . that place in Paul was for me truly the gate to paradise." Now his conscience was at rest, now he was certain of his salvation. Before there had been only unrest and uncertainty.
How did Luther now feel about the word "righteousness of God"? "I extolled my sweetest word with a love as great as the hatred with which I had before hated the word `righteousness of God.' Thus that place in Paul was for me truly the gate to paradise." Thus fortified and converted by the Gospel, Luther was now a ready instrument to be used by God for reformation!

The Bus (Patriot)

    The final bussie I want to write about is Joe.  Joe is a skilled wood shop student, and one day he brought a jewelry box on the bus.  He told me he made it for his grandmother.  At that time I said that  I wished that I could find a flag box. and it was the last I said about my need.
    This story began October 1941.  My father- in- law was in basic training when the attack on Pearl Harbor happened.  He was drafted to a infantry division.  About the same time the local national guard unit from his home town was activated.  His father asked if it were possible to have his son transferred to the guard unit.  The powers- that- were put in for his transfer, and it was granted, so off to war they did go.  He left a sweetheart behind as many did.
    He was part of the 34th signal corps, and they were responsible for stretching wire so communications could be kept with the front lines.
    His first stops were Ireland, and England, for training. Then off to Africa to do what he was trained to do. Then after north Africa they went to Italy, where they were part of the Anzio invasion.  During his forty month tour of duty, he and his sweetheart would write each other;  he said a letter a week.  They had decided through correspondence, that they would marry when he returned.  He came home on furlough about five weeks before the war was over, got married, and had children, one whom is my wife Pat.
    In 2012, Pat was corresponding with a friend who is serving in Afghanistan.  She mentioned that she could arrange for flags to be flown on missions to honor people.  Pat asked that a flag be flown for her father, so she could give it to him on his 95th birthday.  It didn't make it in time for his birthday, but came shortly after.
  It was a Friday, and Joe came to get onto the bus, I noticed he has something made of wood in his hand.  It was beautifully- colored walnut, and shaped like a flag box.  He came onto the bus, and handed it to me.  "Here, this is for you."  I was so pleased that a high school student took the time to make something for a man he didn't know, and made it as lovingly as if he had known him all of his life.
  I couldn't complete this series without recognizing the patriots that made this post possible:  Marv, my dad in-law, his supportive sweetheart Mary Lou, my wife Pat, Casandra, our naval officer friend, Maj. Richard Hebb, Capt. William  Meister, TSgt. Justin Larson , SSgt. Joshua Martin, (the officers on the mission),  and Joe Ries, the one who made the Flag box.  "God's richest blessing to you all!"
"Give honor to whom honor is due." Rom. 13:7

The Bus (Christmas)

    This is one of my fondest memories of bus happenings I call it,  "The Christmas dress."
    The first time I met Gracie, she was a kindergartner, and she rode my bus for four years.  Every year the classes would take turns doing the school Christmas programs, and this year it was the third grader's turn.
  Gracie and I hit it off from the very beginning She always had a comment about a friend, or what would be eaten for lunch that day.  If it was pizza she would tell me how much she loved pizza.  If it was corn dogs, she would explain why she had sack that day.  (She always called it sack.)  If there wasn't a seat open within ear shot of Mr. Del (that's me) she would ask a student if they could move, because she had something important to tell Mr. Del.  That went on until she became a third grader.  She explained though.  " I'm in third grade now, and have some new friends, so I'll sit with them further back in the bus."  I told her that would be fine, but if she needed to tell me something to be sure and let me know.
    She would come on the bus, and if she had sack, she would hold it up so I could see it;  I would say "corn dogs", and she would smile.  We had a way of talking about the important things of the day.
    It was getting close to Christmas, and this day Gracie was the last one off of the bus, I figured something was up because she never was the last to leave.   Here's how it went:
    "Mr. Del did you notice my dress?"  "Oh, that's a pretty dress!  "It's my Christmas dress!"  She unzipped her coat, and put it on the seat, then turned completely around.  "Isn't it pretty, and so red!"  "It's beautiful, and such a pretty red," I agreed.   " Do you know why I have my red Christmas dress on today?"  "No Gracie, I don't."   "Well, today we are having our school Christmas programs, one at ten thirty, and one at one thirty. Well,  I have to go!"  Gracie put her coat on and went to school, and I had been invited to her school program, and she never said a word.
   That day I had so much to do and a school Christmas program wasn't on the list, but the picture in my mind wouldn't go away.  It's one twenty, and I still had so much to do, but the picture was still          looming in my mind.  I finally gave in, and went to the Christmas program.
   As I was entering the school, the children were just going onto the stage, and Gracie was looking around to see who was there, back and forth over the audience.  Finally she saw who she was looking for and she waved.  I smiled and waved back.  The program was starting to have a value, and it hadn't started yet.  Gracie went to the lady in charge, and they talked a few seconds.  Then the program began.  When it was time for the third graders to perform, the teacher in charge had a announcement:  "I've been informed we have a special guest today. Would Mr. Del, the bus driver,  please stand?  We  appreciate you for taking the time to come to our program.  Especially Gracie she said,  'I knew my Christmas dress would get to him!'"
    Gracie works at a local deli during the summer, while home from college, and whenever I see her I remind her about the Christmas dress.  She knew how to get things done, and never had to say a word!        

The Bus (love)?

    I want to write about the age old story, love.  The subjects of today's blog are Ryan, Jason, and Ashley.
    Ryan, and Jason were best of friend's: where one was usually you would see the other, and Ashley was the little dweeb.  The boy's weren't very nice to the dweeb.  When they started to ride my bus the boys were in the 8th grade, and the dweeb was a 3rd grader.  Older children would ride toward the back, and younger toward the front, and everything was going fine with that arrangement.  As time went on, and days turned into years, the dweeb started to move back in the bus.  The boys thought that she was starting to invade their area, and the problems started.
   They would complain about Ashley, and ask that she would be moved to the front.  I told them she is older, now and her friend's are sitting back further, and she could too.  One day Ryan said; "It's bad enough that we have to put up with her at Jason's house, couldn't we at least not have to put up with her going to school?"
   I had Ryan come to the front of the bus one morning, and had a talk with him.  "I made a decision, Ryan you can sit by me a few days."  While he was sitting in the front I engaged in conversation with him, and found out what he disliked about Ashley.  One day I told him she is young now, but someday  she will be older, and you may want to date her, so be nice to her.  He laughed, but I told him my wife is five years younger then me.
  Soon after I allowed him to go back and sit with Jason,  Jason bought a pickup, and the boys didn't ride anymore.
  As the years went by, I was working at Wal Mart, and I saw Ryan for the first time in quite a few years.  He was on the other side of a produce counter, and I couldn't see who was with him.  I said hi and asked Ryan how he was doing.  "Fine!"  He came around to my side of the counter with his friend, and to my  surprise, it was Ashley, and they were holding hands!  Well I said, "I told you so" and  she couldn't wait to hold out her hand, and show me what Ryan bought her for her birthday.  I asked Ryan when are you getting married?  In a couple of years I want her to finish collage before we start a family.  I haven't seen them since then, but maybe they will move back, and some day Ashley will be standing beside my bus with a little dweeb!

The Bus (sorrow part II)

    Just a short note about Jack, he did go out the back door of the bus, but it was parked, and he was reprimanded, the next year he couldn't ride for 30 day's.
    Jill.  Jill was a child that came to our city from a big city, her mom was a crack mom, (so Jill told me) and Jill came to live with her grandparents.  She was in a unsupervised home, but her mother knew it was unsafe for her daughter, so she was placed in grandparents care, and that's where our friendship began.
    I was told that I would have a new rider that year, and where to pick her up.  A little out of the way, but part of my job.  As I was thinking about a new precious soul, I asked The Lord to help me be a testimony to her.
    It was the fall of the year a new school year, and children coming back to school.  Jill was my first pickup.  She came on the bus I introduced myself, and asked. "Who are you, and how are you today?"
   She was a little hesitant, but opened up in a way I wasn't used to.  I found out about her history in just a few short days.  I believe that God has people cross paths for a reason.
   Jill always sat in the front of the bus which is unusual for a 7th grader, but she had someone to talk to, and that was me.  In one of our conversations I asked if she had ever gone to bible school in the big city.  She said no, I spent most of my summer's hanging out with other kid's, and it was getting me into trouble, that's why I'm here.  Do you go to church?  No just camping, and staying home with my dogs.  
   The road to Jill's house was a winding country road,with a small river beside it, I was concerned about the So. Dak. winter and this road.
   There was a time that the Holy Spirit gave the same opportunity to share with Jill the same as with Jack.  "If you ever get into trouble, the Word says "If you cry out to The Lord you will be saved."
   One night a few years later, when Jill was a 10th grader,  she was all excited, because her friend got a car, and grandma said she could go for a ride.  She left the bus excited about going for a ride with her friend.  It was about twenty minutes later, and they were going to town, and as the friend was going around the winding road he lost control of the car, and it went into the river upside down.  Jill did what all riders should, she put on her seatbelt, but she couldn't get it loose,  and drowned as the car was filling with water.  I pray that she had time to cry out to The Lord.
  As I was thinking about Jill, how nice it would be to be able to tell Jill,  "Don't put that cherry chocolate lipstick on in the bus it smells, and some of us are allergic to certain smells!" In reality I would tell her put that smelly stuff on when ever you want to.
  Friend's that leave unexpectedly, and way too soon, still live in my heart today, their precious little souls.  R.I.P. Jill you added friendship to my life.

The Bus (continued)

Sorrow.  Over the years I have encountered many bussies, and established many friends.  It hurts when someone you know comes to a untimely end.  I want to tell you about two of these friends.
  I won't use their names, just Jack and Jill. I have driven bus for eighteen years.  On an average day I transport about two hundred children, if you do the math, I have been in contact with these children six hundred and eighty thousand times over the years.  I have gotten to know some of them very well.
  I want to tell Jack's  story first.  I took over a different route, and part of the prize was Jack.  Jack was a unique individual, and I knew we would get to know each other well.  He was the youngest of five children, and had learned their ways well, but he was a precious soul.
  After having him on the bus for five years we established a friendship.  He would always go out of his way to look me up at Wal-Mart just to say hi Dale how are you?  The funny part of this is my name is Del, but Jack called me by the wrong name as long as I knew him, and it was always followed by that cocky smile.  I knew deep down, it was his way of saying I realy like you Del.
  One day at the store, I asked Jack how he felt about spiritual matters, he said  "I've been baptized, but rather go fishing on Sunday. all that religious stuff, I don't get." I told him if you ever have a time that you need God, His word says cry out to Me and you shall be saved.  He asked what do you mean?  If you get into a place where you may die, cry out to God "Oh!" It was the only thing that I ever shared with Jack about The Lord.
  Jack turned twenty-one, and  just a few days laterr,  he and a friend were driving in the country.  The friend lost control of his vehicle, and hit an approach, which caused the vehicle to flip over. Jack was killed.
  I went to the funeral home the night of visitation, there were many bussies there.  Most were surprised to see me.  I greeted them, and Jack's family, and the moment came that I regretted most, time to say goodbye to my friend.
  I stood by his casket and reality set in:  this would be the last time I would see Jack.    It would have been so good to be able to say sit down, "NO YOU CAN'T JUMP OUT THE BACK DOOR!" and have him say why not "DALE?"  I believe when we had that small time when I told him to cry out to The Lord, the Holy Spirit knew why he wanted to let Jack know, and when the time came reminded him about that brief encounter we had.  R.I.P. Jack one of my precious little souls.
     Tomorrow I will my story about Jill...