I Don't Like You

Racism is not what it used to be. People think racism is a few words in a heated exchange or someone looks at them "funny". We have progressed. Racism still exists but not to even a scintilla of what it was in my generation or my father's generation. While at University in western NY state during the late 80's, I recall being called racist names. In fact, the hate was so vile that one of my own fraternity brothers made it clear to me, after I was initiated, that he did not "like" me. He did so with the bravery of a gun at his side and after a few drinks. He is a dinosaur in a world of progress? Not sure. I feel that we cast aside people who have not progressed. In fact, we don't think the devil exists anymore...but the devil lives in us, if you read the papers and follow the movies. No, the devil is more powerful and real than that. If we don't believe that, we are delusional. We need to be on guard. The devil knows we don't like him when we take a stand on the cross of Christ. So rest on our savior's power.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

After Heaven, Then What?

Good morning. As we get older, we probably think about crossing the "finish line" more often. In our teens and twenties, we are immortal and pursuing our dreams. In our thirties we reflect on whether we are pursuing and living our dreams and start to mature a bit...some of us in our forties, well, we start to feel the consequences of the other generations. We start to think about and feel the aches and pains and the overall breaking down. Yes, break out the violins now before senility sets in!! No, I think about heaven more not because I fear or think I am near the finish line but because our eldest is in her first year of meaningful Children's church and is immersed in stories about Jesus and the Bible. She asked me about Heaven and wanting to see Jesus there. Then she said, 'daddy, after we go to heaven to see Jesus, do we come back home?' It is one of those incredibly precious yet difficult moments in life. It is great to know my little girl is learning about God and heaven at an early age. As an amateur theologian and parent in training, I could only muster a "we all get to stay with Jesus in heaven and that is wonderful, like a long vacation". But she still wants to come "home" after being with Jesus in heaven.

John 14:2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.