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11/20/2008
"THE WORLD IN CRISIS: THE ANTI-CHRIST COMETH?"
As an avid student of history, I've recently been reading and researching World War II. I'm
amazed at the human sacrifices, bravery and toll that war produced on all sides involved. Death estimates range from
the 60 million mark to over 70 million dead as a result of the war.
People much smarter than I have tried
to figure out exactly what led to the events of such a war, but no matter who started it or why...the result was the worst
human carnage in history. What goes without saying is that each nation involved in W.W.II felt justified by their actions...as
they will in the coming conflict.
Frighteningly...what I see on the horizon of our current world situation
could cause World War II to pale in comparison.
Now I certainly don't want to be known as
a "gloom and doom" preacher, but I know full well that the Bible predicts a violent and horrible future, although
temporary, before the return of the Lord. I must admit that I never thought I might see these biblical events unfold
in my lifetime, but recently...I'm not so sure.
I am a firm believer in the Bible and therefore, I find
myself viewing the current world picture through that lens. Relying solely upon optimism or "feel good theology"
would cover the truth like an ostrich with it's head stuck in the sand. Besides, anyone who reads the final chapters
of the Bible will see that it relays a message of hope and renewal unlike anything seen before, so it's not all 'gloom
and doom.'
Now, there are several reasons for my feelings here. No one has to look far to see that our
world has become a very small place and nations rely heavily upon other nations for their success, protection and future.
The current financial crisis is not only affecting American's, but it is affecting the Global Economy as well.
The fact that the nations of the world are now so tightly woven together sets us up for a World-wide conflict unlike anything
history could gauge. History does teach us that what nations cannot obtain through commerce...they will attempt to obtain
through war.
Secondly, the tension between world governments continues to increase as human efforts and wisdom
have failed to bring peace. The hatred grows and nuclear weapons become the silent voice of threat. A line has
been drawn in the sand and nations are once again choosing sides...much like in the years and months preceeding World
War II.
In short, our World is quickly moving into an extremely dangerous situation where radical leaders
are working tirelessly to obtain nuclear weapons and would feel completely justified in their use in order to acheive their
goals of world domination.
The relevation of these truths coupled with fear, generated throughout the world
could easily set the stage for a savior...someone who would present a dynamic plan of action to bring peace and safety to
all. The problem is...this person is not a savior at all...he will be the anti-Christ.
The world is seeking
a leader to bring it peace and present a plan for harmony among us all. The door is opening for the Anti-Christ
and many will fall head-long into his deception and ruin.
My precious brothers and sisters...the Bible is clear.
I pray for us all that our faith will increase in the days ahead and that the Holy Spirit will grant us wisdom to see and
know the truth...and how to identify the "signs of the times."
I love you all,
Reydon
2:29 am cst
11/11/2008
"DON'T TAKE LIFE TOO SERIOUSLY"
The Bible reminds us that our life is "like a vapor...it is here and then gone."
Now that might seem like a blunt statement, but sadly...it's true.
As I look in the rear-view mirror of my
life it seems like everything has gone so fast. Seems like childhood goes so slow...but adulthood is a fastrack to the
undertaker.
It just doesn't seem that long ago that I held my two newborn sons in my hands and now one is sixteen
and over six-foot tall and the other is about to be a teenager. As for me...the face in the mirror has changed as well.
As I child I never imagined that I would have to say goodbye to grandparents as they grew old and frail and then
passed from this life into eternity. I never imagined I'd have to stand over the lifeless body of my mother or sister
as they too ended their journey and went home. Now...Dad is gone too.
Life goes by in a big hurry...just
in case you didn't notice. (He said grinning and throwing a wink). Which brings me to the point of this
article: "Try not to take life too seriously." You and I were built for eternity...not the few years
we have here. Our biggest and best days are ahead when we enter into the eternal life that Jesus
died to purchase for us. When that happens, all the short-term fears, sorrows, tears and darkness will be gone forever...a
very distant memory.
Sometimes it helps to look into the "back of the Book," in order to remind ourselves
that the current struggles we face are very short and very temporary, in light of our eternal future.
Imagine
sitting around a table someday and reminiscing with family about things that happened to us 10 Billion years ago. That's
a distinct possibility in light of our eternal future. Even ten thousand years from today, not a single one of us will
be worried about retirement accounts, the price of gasoline, the aches and pains of a worn-out body...or even dying.
All those things will be a very distant memory.
Knowing how our story ends...or begins...as it were, we should
take every moment of this life to enjoy it as much as we can with humor, hope, peace and rest. After all, nothing that
we are going through at this moment will matter in even a hundred years. It will all be past...over...finished...done.
I am a melancholic personality by nature and I tend to worry and stress over so many temporary things that I often
feel weighted down, frustrated, blue and confused. Let's face it, this life has many hard miles to travel...but
I find great comfort and rest in knowing the end of my story is life, peace and joy.
I'm not sure who I'm
writing this article too but if you're lonely, feeling blue, worried, stressed, anxious, frustrated, confused, full of
pain, sorrow or depression...TAKE HEART! The King of Kings has written your name down in the Lamb's Book of Life
and has big plans to get you out of your mess. Your biggest and brightest days are ahead of you. Be encouraged
and know that "Life without Sorrow," is on the way to you.
I love you All,
Reydon
10:43 pm cst
11/7/2008
"ARE WE INSANE FOR BELIEVING IN GOD?"
Anyone who knows me well knows well...that I have a 'expanded' sense of humor and find
many things funny. That sense of humor has been known to get me in trouble from time to time for appearing 'insensitive'
to certain 'delicate topics,' but my whole family is that way so I'll just blame it on my upbringing. One
thing I do know is that using humor to purposely offend people is not humor...it's just mean.
I have noticed
lately that several popular comedians are going to greater links to gain headlines by attacking deeply personal topics and
beliefs and are constantly increasing the viciousness by which they attack these topics. In many cases this is an attempt
to draw attention and larger audiences to their shows, thus making more money...but in other cases, I believe it is a way
to use their popularity to vehemently attack society on issues they disagree with.
One such comedian is
Bill Maher who has gone on record several times blasting religion and all who follow a belief in God. Some of his comments
go way beyond the line of comedy and are meant to do one thing...offend. He has called the Pope a Nazi and accused the
Catholic Church of 'organized pedophilia.' Those comments only scratch the surface. Recently, he also
produced a film entitled: "Religulous," which openly attacks all organized religion.
According to Maher,
organized religion is due to a "neurological disorder" that prevents people from thinking. In other words...all
believers are insane.
In all honesty...I don't care what Bill Maher thinks about religion or God. My
personal opinion is that he does this for money, media attention...and in a true search for truth. It's not uncommon
at all for someone to dispute everything, in an honest search for the truth. Bill might honestly think he's smarter
than the rest of us, but I doubt it. I think he's found a 'money-machine' in religion and is playing it
for every dime he can get. In truth, he probably doesn't care what anyone believes.
In many ways...Maher
is accurate in his assessment of organized religion. It is true that many wars have been fought and millions have died
over religious views held in the name of God. It is true that there is hypocrisy in much of religion and that some people
have used religion as a means to bring pain and suffering to innocents. But...that still doesn't mean that those
of us who believe in God or Jesus Christ are insane or have a neurological disorder, nor does it mean that faith fails more
than it succeeds.
According to Maher...intelligence will eventually be the end of all belief in God. This
is the irony of what he says. Increased intelligence is known for drawing people away from faith...but intelligence
is a fleeting insurance plan at death.
Maher seems to believe (or at least portrays it this way) that the more
intelligence we have, the less God makes sense. Maybe thats why Jesus warned us to become "like little children,"
rather than intellectuals? I say it depends upon the accuracy of the knowledge.
It's hard to believe
that Maher, in his fifty something years on Earth has managed to gain enough credible knowledge and intelligence to completely
and accurately dispel God as a total myth and 'wishful hope' of the insane. In fact...I doubt it completely.
Now, if Maher can create a flower, a mountain, a river, cure cancer, AIDS, or a bring comfort to a family at the
loss of a loved-one...I'll eat my words. If he's "intelligent" enough to do any of those things, I'll
gladly agree with him and call myself insane. Until then, I'll dismiss him as a bitter and less than humorous man.
Belief in God doesn't take a small brain...it takes a big heart. It takes having
enough humility to realize we don't know anything in comparison to the One who created us and the planet we live on.
Faith is the realization that we did not...nor could not...create ourselves.
Faith is an inward call to love one
another more than we love ourselves. Faith is the realization that we are all equal, in that we are all born...not of
our own will...and we all die...also not of our own will. Kings and kingdoms will all pass away...and the intelligence
of them. Long after their gone...God, will still be God. To think less...is closer to insanity than anything I
know.
I love you all,
Reydon
3:40 am cst
11/4/2008
"AND MY VOTE FOR PRESIDENT IS..."
...I'm not supposed to tell you. I'm a minister...pastor of a Church that has the benefit
of being a non-profit organization, the same right afforded to many organizations in America that have certain agendas...some
very loving and wholesome, others as fronts for not so loving or wholesome agendas.
Due to the "Separation
of Church and State," I am not supposed to use my pulpit, nor my influence to promote a certain candidate or try and
influence voters, because it is seen as a breech of the law.
In other words, guys like me need to just shut-up
and let the media and the political pundits help us decide our votes because they are smarter and wiser than the rest
of us...have only our best interests at heart...and have nothing personal to gain by promoting their agenda. And...horses
can fly.
I'm not one to try and shove my political beliefs down anyone's throat anyway. I respect
a person's right to choose who they want...for reasons that are their own. I have friends...and members of our Church
who are faithful and staunch supporters of both candidates, and I honestly respect and love them all...my friends, not the
candidates.
HOWEVER...
...although I'm not supposed to say publically who I'm voting for,
I can tell you what matters to me and what ought to matter to all who serve in Government from the local level to the White
House, and what should matter to everyone who is voting...humility.
I must admit, I'm always a little nervous
about anyone who wants to lead or rule over others so badly, that they endlessly promote themselves as something great...someone
who is wiser, smarter, or more powerful than the rest of us. I don't care if it's a policeman, a minister, a
college professor, a judge, or a room-mother at the local elementary school. Anyone who craves power and
rule over others...can simply be very dangerous...and creepy.
According to the Bible...and God...the
most humble man ever was Moses. Moses was a great leader who, with the help of God, almost single-handedly delivered
a Nation out of slavery. What made him humble? HE DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT! He tried with all his might
to get God to change His mind and choose someone else. In my opinion...that's what made Moses a great leader.
He was chosen based upon his heart to save hurting Hebrews...not rule over them.
Another humble man was the Apostle
Peter. Before he became the premiere apostle of the Christian Church, he was a lousy fisherman and an admitted sinner.
When Jesus worked a miracle before him, Peter fell to his knees and begged Jesus to leave him, because he felt so unworthy
to even be present with Christ. That humility...made Peter a great leader, because he could relate to sinners...like
us.
Another man who "didn't want to do it," was Sargent Alvin York who...because of his Christianity
and opposition to war and killing, did not want to join into World War One. Nevertheless, he ended up in the War and
during a horrible attack by German forces that were killing his fellow-soldiers with machine guns...he single-handedly attacked
and forced the Germans to surrender...some 132 soldiers. His bravery earned him the Medal of Honor as well as numerous
other awards. Even when approached about making a movie (a great a famous movie) about his life, he was very hesitiant,
because of his humility.
Now...back to the Presidential election.
Who is humble enough to lead us?
America desperately needs someone who cares more about the future of each American...than their own place in the history
books. America needs another Moses...another Peter...another Alvin York. We need someone who views themselves
as one of us...not the ruler of us.
I've never met Barack Obama and I've never met John McCain.
All I know is what they've said about themselves and what history has said about them. America needs a humble
man...let's all hope and pray, we choose the right one...for all our sakes.
I love you all,
Reydon
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