Thoughts on Romans 2

I just finished reading Romans 2. Paul is warning the Jews, the religious conservatives of his day against hypocrisy. Much of what he says can be applied to modern conservative Christians, like myself. Paul warned his hearers against a spirit of pride where we judge the unbelieving world and turn around and do the same thing. We can be so proud, and consider ourselves the ones who have the answers and have to straighten everyone else out. But then we can be no different ourselves. What are we called to do? We are called to respond to God's kindness and mercy by repentance.

I have seen too many times in the Christians circles I have been around over the years and indeed in myself. Once we forget about God's grace, pride and self-deceit take over and we become modern day Pharisees. The unbelieving world gives no credibility to our message when we are phonies. It is a sober warning to us not to forget God's grace.

Thoughts on immortality.

Yesterday as I was doing a homework project, that involved some beginning web page design. The teacher gave an example of how to create a link by giving a link to a Youtube video of his favorite science fiction writer. In this video this author described his idea of achieving immortality by creating a virtual presence of yourself on the Internet, that would continue on after you die. He acknowledge that he had struggled with the fear of death and this was his dealing with it. He even hoped that he could create an artificial intelligence agent which would continue making blog post for him after he died. This is one of the most sad and pathetic things I have ever heard. The idea that the Internet could give you immortality is silly and absurd. The Internet can do many things but it can’t give you immortality. It can store information about you life but it can’t store your life itself. Even if you could somehow upload your soul into Cyberspace, some day the computers would die and you would die with it. This poor person was really grasping at straws. He had to admit that the Internet really didn't literally give immortality but only something that resembles immortality.

I could help contrasting this with what I experienced during the memorial service last weekend for Delores Carlson. Before Delores went home to be with the Lord she wrote letters of encouragement and asked Pastor Mike to share her hope during the funeral service. Delores has a real hope that radiated out during the service. She didn't have to grasp at straws and engage in fantasies.  She knew that she had true immortality. She wasn't afraid of death because she knew Someone who had defeated death. Delores’ hope is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 :

"For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”

The triumph of Jesus over death is historic fact not science fiction. Last night at men’s group we were challenged with the question, “If you were to die tonight, do you know where you would go.” I like, like my sister Delores, know the answer:

John 17:3

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

Thriving young people.

Girls receiving Bibles.

Today we spent time with two sisters who are missionaries in Korea. Last summer they spent time visiting Pastor Malay’s churches in Cambodia. It was encouraging to see what God is doing. They reported that teenage girls in the village of Bangbaset were showing growing spiritual maturity. They showed a great hunger for God’s Word. The missionaries provided Bibles for these young women. They describe how the kids in this village seemed to be thriving, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I consider this to be a profound work of God. He has done remarkable things in this poor village. I first visited this village about ten years ago. I was shocked at the deplorable condition of the children in this village. Many showed signs of severe malnutrition. Many had discolored hair, which is caused by extreme protein deficiency. When I saw these kids I doubted that they would even survive long enough to grow up. But God had plans for these kids. God has given them life, both physically and spiritually. Praise Him!

Christmas celebration in Cambodia.

Celebrating Christmas in Bangbaset

This is a picture of the Christmas celebration in the village of Bangbaset. There are many, many kids in this village. Praise God that they are hearing of the gift of his Son!

That's my King! Video

That's my King!

This is an inspiring video that I saw in church today. Pastor Mike shared on Philippians 2:6-11.

6 Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Christ humbled himself by becoming human. Some day as a result God will exalt him above all. This Christmas let's respond to his coming by bowing before him and calling him Lord.

Kids celebrating Christmas in Cambodia.

Kids celebrating Christmas in Cambodia

This is a picture from one of our sister churches in Cambodia. Praise God that these children are hearing about the coming of their Savior! Please pray for the outreach this December to other villages. Pray that others will welcome Christ into their lives.

The term is done!

I finished my term! Yay!