Hello PapaPops,
Now I’m beginning to make some of the connections that various parts of the Bible must have with each other. I’m thinking especially of the connection you referenced of Jonah with Jesus’ Gospel teachings. Perhaps in time I’ll get some more insights.
I do remember singing that hymn “Christ Arose,” from years ago when I went to Easter Church services with my wife. She has been much more of a Church-goer over the years than I have, you know. I admit now that it’s rather sad that we men should leave so much of the “church work” to our wives. Actually, it should be equally as important to us men as to our wives and children, don’t you think? I wonder why we neglect that part of our lives….
I’m planning to take your advice and read that fifteenth chapter of the Bible book of 1 Corinthians. From what you say, that makes the resurrection of Jesus Christ of supreme importance, and I want to see for myself what it says.
Aren’t there some other possible explanations, though, such as one I think I’ve heard that he didn’t really die, but seemed to be pretty near dead, and that he revived later in the cold, damp tomb? Does that explanation hold any water, as the saying goes?
Well, PapaPops, that’s about it for me for now. “See” you again soon!
-- with my best wishes, -- Art
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Saturday, December 29, 2007
A Happy New Year Wish...
...for you, as expressed below:
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
A “Happy New Year” is our wish to you,
Dear family, and friends, and all of you who
Live near us in miles, or very far away,
Whose acquaintance we’ve made some other bright day.
Your year almost past now – happy has it been?
Think about it, please, as you wipe the slate clean,
To enter so soon a completely new year, --
We hope each day brings you true happiness and cheer!
Joy and real blessings may here fill our lives,
Through work, and accomplishment, husbands or wives,
Sports, recreation, concerts, and all
That transforms the humdrum, removes bitter gall.
But always we’re reaching for something that’s higher,
More beautiful or pleasing, our heart’s strong desire;
Whatever it is that we longingly want,
It can’t make us happy, and true joy it may daunt.
For all that this world affords us at times,
There’s something far better in Heavenly climes,
Awaiting each one who in God now will trust,
Approach Him through Jesus, His Son – that’s a must!
We meet the true God, and our Savior, His Son,
In the Book that God left us, finished and done,
Genesis to Revelation, one Bible, one God,
Salvation the theme, and Christ’s grace we applaud!
-- Poet Les
(12-29-2007)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
A “Happy New Year” is our wish to you,
Dear family, and friends, and all of you who
Live near us in miles, or very far away,
Whose acquaintance we’ve made some other bright day.
Your year almost past now – happy has it been?
Think about it, please, as you wipe the slate clean,
To enter so soon a completely new year, --
We hope each day brings you true happiness and cheer!
Joy and real blessings may here fill our lives,
Through work, and accomplishment, husbands or wives,
Sports, recreation, concerts, and all
That transforms the humdrum, removes bitter gall.
But always we’re reaching for something that’s higher,
More beautiful or pleasing, our heart’s strong desire;
Whatever it is that we longingly want,
It can’t make us happy, and true joy it may daunt.
For all that this world affords us at times,
There’s something far better in Heavenly climes,
Awaiting each one who in God now will trust,
Approach Him through Jesus, His Son – that’s a must!
We meet the true God, and our Savior, His Son,
In the Book that God left us, finished and done,
Genesis to Revelation, one Bible, one God,
Salvation the theme, and Christ’s grace we applaud!
-- Poet Les
(12-29-2007)
Monday, December 3, 2007
My Apology to Art
To Art,
Needless to say, I was saddened by your response to my last e-communication with you. If I have offended you by some way that I have expressed myself in writing to you, I apologize sincerely, Art. I am well aware that I am imperfect, and therefore I may be vulnerable to offending others. However, if you or anyone at all is offended by the Gospel of Christ our only Savior, then I really cannot help that.
I didn’t originate or formulate the Gospel. Instead, it came from God alone. What is the Gospel? It is the wonderful plan of our great Creator God, devised and implemented for our redemption. He revealed it to us in His Book, the Bible, and in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ. He is expressing His great love for you and me, Art, through that plan, -- His love for all the world!
Friend, I want to make it clear that I certainly do not pretend to be better than others, nor to have any special “in” with God, apart from His love and grace, which are available to all. I do know beyond the shadow of a doubt that I am now a child of God, by grace through faith in His Son. And I know that when I complete my earthly journey, I will be at home with the Lord. You, too, can know that, Art. Anyone can. I have NOT worked for it, because I couldn’t succeed in a million years, and neither can anyone else.
There’s more that I want to write you, Art, if you’re willing. You sounded very skeptical when you wrote me on the 27th. You had asked me about the end of the world. Would you like to know more? I don’t claim to have all the answers, but would be glad to pass along to you some of the Bible teachings that I have learned. They can be of tremendous comfort and encouragement to you, Art.
I sincerely care about you, as well as the many other friends that I have known over the years. My desire is to know that you will prepare your self now, to join me someday in the Heavenly mansions that our Savior went to prepare.
Sincerely,
PapaPops
Needless to say, I was saddened by your response to my last e-communication with you. If I have offended you by some way that I have expressed myself in writing to you, I apologize sincerely, Art. I am well aware that I am imperfect, and therefore I may be vulnerable to offending others. However, if you or anyone at all is offended by the Gospel of Christ our only Savior, then I really cannot help that.
I didn’t originate or formulate the Gospel. Instead, it came from God alone. What is the Gospel? It is the wonderful plan of our great Creator God, devised and implemented for our redemption. He revealed it to us in His Book, the Bible, and in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ. He is expressing His great love for you and me, Art, through that plan, -- His love for all the world!
Friend, I want to make it clear that I certainly do not pretend to be better than others, nor to have any special “in” with God, apart from His love and grace, which are available to all. I do know beyond the shadow of a doubt that I am now a child of God, by grace through faith in His Son. And I know that when I complete my earthly journey, I will be at home with the Lord. You, too, can know that, Art. Anyone can. I have NOT worked for it, because I couldn’t succeed in a million years, and neither can anyone else.
There’s more that I want to write you, Art, if you’re willing. You sounded very skeptical when you wrote me on the 27th. You had asked me about the end of the world. Would you like to know more? I don’t claim to have all the answers, but would be glad to pass along to you some of the Bible teachings that I have learned. They can be of tremendous comfort and encouragement to you, Art.
I sincerely care about you, as well as the many other friends that I have known over the years. My desire is to know that you will prepare your self now, to join me someday in the Heavenly mansions that our Savior went to prepare.
Sincerely,
PapaPops
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
End of the World -- a Reply
Dear Art,
That was a good letter from you. I could enjoy commenting on a number of things to which you referred. But probably the most salient aspect of your letter, as it appeared to me, was when you asked about “The End of the World.” That topic is significant because of the great pressures that exist today between peoples and nations, and various threats of aggression and retaliation, whether ostensible or actual. This seems of greater intensity today, compared to past times, because of the added capacity that exists to destroy other nations, and perhaps even civilization itself!
Now the Bible has two pictures of the future – one is a picture of immense fulfillment, eternal joy, and incomparable happiness, for all human beings who “go God’s way” in this life here and now. The other is a picture of terrible judgment, unbridled and unending wickedness, complete confusion, unmitigated regret, etc., for all who “go their own way” in this life.
Art, you asked in your recent letter, “Does God have a plan to bring about the end of the world?” In answering that, I would say “Yes.” But usually that idea is based upon an attitude of fear. Even the Bible speaks about a time to come when conditions on earth will be so difficult and prospects for the future so threatening that “men’s hearts will fail them, because of fear” (Luke 21:25, 26).
However, as Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon said so long ago about the true and living God, -- “[His] dominion is an everlasting dominion…and he does according to his will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay his hand, or say to him, ‘What are you doing’?” (see Daniel 4:34-35)
Certainly God is good. All that He does now and all that he will do in the future is according to His own perfect and righteous plan. I take that from a study of His being and character in the Holy Scriptures. If we know that He is in control and we trust Him, there is no cause for the fear about which I was writing!
There is no one else who has unlimited wisdom and ability as our great Creator God does. He doesn’t want any of His [human] creatures to face “terrible judgment, unbridled wickedness, complete confusion, and unmitigated regret.”
But God wants human beings to experience, instead, what I described as “immense fulfillment, eternal joy, and incomparable happiness.” The latter can be ours if we listen to God, i.e. if we pay attention to Him by reading and believing His Word the Holy Bible, which is His “Owner’s Manual” for human beings. And above all else that we may factor in, surely we need to focus on knowing and doing His will – being available to fulfill His plan for us, right here and now!
Art, my friend, the God of the Bible, Who is the great Creator and Redeemer, indeed has a plan for history. He is interested in you and me. His deep interest is in each human being on planet earth, now and for the future. He has made us in His image, and expects us to take responsibility for our decisions, especially for the decision whether we will “go God’s way” in this life and leave the results to Him!
Above when I wrote that perhaps human beings could destroy “even civilization itself,” I was only expressing a conjecture made by those who have an inadequate view of God and what He is like. He has given us in the Bible a trustworthy revelation of His acts and His plans, so far as we need to know them. And that Book indicates that God will someday in the future judge this world and destroy it, but will in its place create “new heavens and a new earth” (see Rev. 21:1).
So when you look at this scenario, there is nothing of man’s ability to destroy civilization in it. God’s Book shows that He is involved in His creation; and this aspect of His character is called His immanence. At the same time we see that He is above His creation and separate from it (i.e. not dependent on it for His own existence), and that is known as His transcendence. He is deeply interested in this world, and especially interested in you and me, so He sets up the rules, (surely we need to know our limitations), and we ought to keep them! At the same time, He is kind and merciful toward us, so that we can trust Him to be fair and loving toward us at all times.
Now, Art, this brings me back to the tremendous declaration of God’s love to all human beings in these words: “For God so loved the world [men and women, boys and girls everywhere] that HE GAVE His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him [GOD’S SON] will not perish [be lost forever at the end of life on earth] but have [has now, that is, and always will have] eternal life!” (John 3:16).
Then, Art, if you ask, “is the world coming to an end? I’d say “Yes.” If you ask, “Is it something to be afraid of?” I’d say, “Not if you rightly understand God’s program of the ages, and get in line with His plan of redemption!”
If you ask, as you did, I believe, “What is this world coming to?” I’d say, “It’s coming to Jesus!” Dr. Adrian Rogers used to put it that question-and-answer exchange on his radio broadcast, “Love Worth Finding”. And that is because the Lord Jesus Christ not only lived here on earth for thirty-three years, was crucified, and rose again, but He is going to return to earth to rule in perfect righteousness. And that is the best future this old world can ever hope to have, before it is finally destroyed, and a new heavens and new earth created.
I hope that this information is useful to you. And I trust that it gives you some reassurance about life on earth, -- that life and its outcome are not random, but that the great Creator God Himself is in charge! He has a wonderful purpose for all His creation. And He loves you and me, Art, so that He has a truly amazing plan for your life and mine!
Here’s hoping that you will recognize Christ for Who He is, and will give the allegiance of your life to Him.
Sincerely, -- “PapaPops”
That was a good letter from you. I could enjoy commenting on a number of things to which you referred. But probably the most salient aspect of your letter, as it appeared to me, was when you asked about “The End of the World.” That topic is significant because of the great pressures that exist today between peoples and nations, and various threats of aggression and retaliation, whether ostensible or actual. This seems of greater intensity today, compared to past times, because of the added capacity that exists to destroy other nations, and perhaps even civilization itself!
Now the Bible has two pictures of the future – one is a picture of immense fulfillment, eternal joy, and incomparable happiness, for all human beings who “go God’s way” in this life here and now. The other is a picture of terrible judgment, unbridled and unending wickedness, complete confusion, unmitigated regret, etc., for all who “go their own way” in this life.
Art, you asked in your recent letter, “Does God have a plan to bring about the end of the world?” In answering that, I would say “Yes.” But usually that idea is based upon an attitude of fear. Even the Bible speaks about a time to come when conditions on earth will be so difficult and prospects for the future so threatening that “men’s hearts will fail them, because of fear” (Luke 21:25, 26).
However, as Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon said so long ago about the true and living God, -- “[His] dominion is an everlasting dominion…and he does according to his will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay his hand, or say to him, ‘What are you doing’?” (see Daniel 4:34-35)
Certainly God is good. All that He does now and all that he will do in the future is according to His own perfect and righteous plan. I take that from a study of His being and character in the Holy Scriptures. If we know that He is in control and we trust Him, there is no cause for the fear about which I was writing!
There is no one else who has unlimited wisdom and ability as our great Creator God does. He doesn’t want any of His [human] creatures to face “terrible judgment, unbridled wickedness, complete confusion, and unmitigated regret.”
But God wants human beings to experience, instead, what I described as “immense fulfillment, eternal joy, and incomparable happiness.” The latter can be ours if we listen to God, i.e. if we pay attention to Him by reading and believing His Word the Holy Bible, which is His “Owner’s Manual” for human beings. And above all else that we may factor in, surely we need to focus on knowing and doing His will – being available to fulfill His plan for us, right here and now!
Art, my friend, the God of the Bible, Who is the great Creator and Redeemer, indeed has a plan for history. He is interested in you and me. His deep interest is in each human being on planet earth, now and for the future. He has made us in His image, and expects us to take responsibility for our decisions, especially for the decision whether we will “go God’s way” in this life and leave the results to Him!
Above when I wrote that perhaps human beings could destroy “even civilization itself,” I was only expressing a conjecture made by those who have an inadequate view of God and what He is like. He has given us in the Bible a trustworthy revelation of His acts and His plans, so far as we need to know them. And that Book indicates that God will someday in the future judge this world and destroy it, but will in its place create “new heavens and a new earth” (see Rev. 21:1).
So when you look at this scenario, there is nothing of man’s ability to destroy civilization in it. God’s Book shows that He is involved in His creation; and this aspect of His character is called His immanence. At the same time we see that He is above His creation and separate from it (i.e. not dependent on it for His own existence), and that is known as His transcendence. He is deeply interested in this world, and especially interested in you and me, so He sets up the rules, (surely we need to know our limitations), and we ought to keep them! At the same time, He is kind and merciful toward us, so that we can trust Him to be fair and loving toward us at all times.
Now, Art, this brings me back to the tremendous declaration of God’s love to all human beings in these words: “For God so loved the world [men and women, boys and girls everywhere] that HE GAVE His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him [GOD’S SON] will not perish [be lost forever at the end of life on earth] but have [has now, that is, and always will have] eternal life!” (John 3:16).
Then, Art, if you ask, “is the world coming to an end? I’d say “Yes.” If you ask, “Is it something to be afraid of?” I’d say, “Not if you rightly understand God’s program of the ages, and get in line with His plan of redemption!”
If you ask, as you did, I believe, “What is this world coming to?” I’d say, “It’s coming to Jesus!” Dr. Adrian Rogers used to put it that question-and-answer exchange on his radio broadcast, “Love Worth Finding”. And that is because the Lord Jesus Christ not only lived here on earth for thirty-three years, was crucified, and rose again, but He is going to return to earth to rule in perfect righteousness. And that is the best future this old world can ever hope to have, before it is finally destroyed, and a new heavens and new earth created.
I hope that this information is useful to you. And I trust that it gives you some reassurance about life on earth, -- that life and its outcome are not random, but that the great Creator God Himself is in charge! He has a wonderful purpose for all His creation. And He loves you and me, Art, so that He has a truly amazing plan for your life and mine!
Here’s hoping that you will recognize Christ for Who He is, and will give the allegiance of your life to Him.
Sincerely, -- “PapaPops”
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Letter to Art
To my old friend, Arthur D. Zee
Dear Art,
Letter-writing is so easy today, isn’t it? We have tools -- computers, word processors, and even the availability of an on-line thesaurus, and an on-line rhyming dictionary, -- maybe even “old fashioned” pen and paper, if one is so inclined!
But I fear that letter-writing is a lost art, or very close to it. We all get so busy, that even if we think of writing to a friend, it’s just too easy to “put it off,” isn’t it? That has happened to me – it’s been over a month since I received the last letter from you. Several times I’ve intended to reply, but just couldn’t find one of those little yellow disks that I’ve heard so much about -- a “round tuit”! (Note: Previous letters in this series can be found on the blog by going to “Previous Posts”).
Now I wonder, Art, what you have been doing recently for enjoyment? Have you done more traveling, or planned a new career? Have you found a good book to read, or gone to a symphony concert? Speaking of traveling, my wife and I took the opportunity to travel across these continental United States, and back. What a wonderful trip! The scenery was terrific. One of our favorite places was Bryce Canyon, to the north of the Grand Canyon. Spectacular views! And then I remember photographing Pike’s peak from the parking lot of a restaurant one day – amazing!
You raised an interesting question, Art, when you seemed to look askance at “relying on somebody else for a payment on our behalf.” I believe that you had in mind the teaching of the Bible that you and I could never in the world do enough, or live so perfectly, that to be fair, God would have to take us to Heaven on our own merits. Did I understand you correctly, Art?
You know, my friend, the Bible does make it clear that since you and I could never save ourselves from eternal ruin by our own efforts, God took upon Himself the initiative to procure our redemption. It is perfectly clear from His Book that He created us for a purpose, expressed in a plan that He knew would be best and most fulfilling for each one of us over the long haul. And He loved us enough, that He was willing to expend an astronomical sum to rescue us, thereby procuring our redemption, in spite of our own rash rejection of Him and His plan for our lives. Such rejection as this is very, very common.
But to live forever, in the presence of God, delighting in His boundless love and goodness, and enjoying unlimited gifts from Him, -- what a tremendous prospect that is! When I write about “eternal life,” I may scare you – don’t mean to do that! Perhaps you object, that it’s really too long for us to comprehend. And, besides, the way our bodies age, being subject to an increasing barrage of aches, pains and disease, we may not have a very great interest in anticipating an endless array of a life like that!
However, “eternal life” doesn’t mean an unending existence in this present human body, with its aches, pains, and other vulnerabilities. The body will die eventually, but the human person is much more than that, and what will happen to the immaterial side of a man or woman – the soul and spirit?
Apart from this wonderful redemption, so that we could be in His presence and thoroughly enjoy it forever, we would have no better prospect than endless loneliness, regret, meaninglessness and despair. And it would be filled with emptiness, -- it would be hollow, pointless and full of grief – all associated with great pain. Personally, Art, I don’t look forward to any such litany of futility. And I don’t think you do, either. But, the six million dollar question is, -- How does one avoid that?
What I have written above assumes, and I believe this to be true, that every human life is precious to God. He is that big! He has unlimited capacity to love and care for the people He has created, who live in every corner of the globe. And He desires each person to be on the best of terms with Him. No matter what his or her name is, whether Jack, Sarah, Todd, Nancy, William, Carol, Sam, Tina, Hank, Joanne, Dick, Rose, or…, God loves each one, and wants us all to be close to Him, and in harmony with Him.
In other words, He wants you and me to have a personal relationship with Him. If it is true that He is our Creator, and it is, and that He loves each one of us supremely, as the Bible says, and He does, then we can be sure that whatever He wants for you and me, is much, much better than our best plans can ever be. There’s an old quotation I’ve heard in the past, and it goes like this, “The chief end of man is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” What a great thought that is!
When I say “personal relationship” I’m thinking of something much different from religion. There are many different religions available to ordinary human beings like us! But the very idea of “religion” is built on a structure of work, self-help, positive mental attitude, individual reformation, etc. That seems entirely too impersonal, -- and far removed from any thought of “enjoying” God.
Some temporal good, of course, can be done through self-help, and certainly there is a wide array of higher education that can be beneficial to a human being, up to a point. But as good as these may be in the short run, what do they give to us that is really worthwhile, if we are not led to a right relationship with God, our Creator? God is truly personal, and He has a direct interest in each one of us. In fact, He made us to be personal beings, not robots, or mere mechanical machines. Doesn’t this make sense to you, Art?
The plan that our great Creator-God devised for our rescue from oblivion, -- the plan that would fit our individual need perfectly, involved a substitute, i.e. it required one who would “take the fall” for us in our disconnectedness from God. That way, you and I could be free to come close to God and receive an authorization to participate in His own [divine] life.
This substitute had to be able to “stand in” for many people, i.e. as many as would be willing to say “yes,” agreeing to the substitution for him or her. And the substitute also had to be suitable to us human beings. No animal or bird could begin to qualify in that way, -- no sheep, goat, ox, dove, bull, or whatever it might be. These two tests require a substitute who is both God and man. Only God could provide a sacrifice big enough for all human beings of all time who would fulfill the faith-condition. And only a man (i.e. a human being) could provide a sacrifice suitable for us human beings.
Now you may follow this reasoning, but still you may be wondering: Why does the divine plan for our redemption require a substitute? Why can’t we, each one, just take care of our own destiny? The answer to that is, -- the alienation from God from which all of us human beings suffer every day, must be overcome, if we are to be in harmony with God. There is not enough money in all the world, to buy our redemption. And you know, Art, you and I could never work hard enough to overcome the ways in which we have offended God, never in a million years! My preaching ministry won’t do it, and your business acumen won’t, either – no offence meant at all!
Because of this, a substitute is called for, if one who is adequate can be found! May I be so bold as to say that one has been found? It’s the one described in that famous Bible verse John 3:16 as God’s “only begotten son.” Art, I have taken this substitute as my own substitute, personally. And I hope you will consider making the same move, if you haven’t done so!
With warm regards to you and your family,
-- PapaPops
P.S. To the reader – If you’d like to see previous letters between my friend and me, just go to the bottom of the screen and click on “Older Posts.” You may have to repeat this process, to get back to the first “Open Letter,” posted on or about July 29, 2007.
Dear Art,
Letter-writing is so easy today, isn’t it? We have tools -- computers, word processors, and even the availability of an on-line thesaurus, and an on-line rhyming dictionary, -- maybe even “old fashioned” pen and paper, if one is so inclined!
But I fear that letter-writing is a lost art, or very close to it. We all get so busy, that even if we think of writing to a friend, it’s just too easy to “put it off,” isn’t it? That has happened to me – it’s been over a month since I received the last letter from you. Several times I’ve intended to reply, but just couldn’t find one of those little yellow disks that I’ve heard so much about -- a “round tuit”! (Note: Previous letters in this series can be found on the blog by going to “Previous Posts”).
Now I wonder, Art, what you have been doing recently for enjoyment? Have you done more traveling, or planned a new career? Have you found a good book to read, or gone to a symphony concert? Speaking of traveling, my wife and I took the opportunity to travel across these continental United States, and back. What a wonderful trip! The scenery was terrific. One of our favorite places was Bryce Canyon, to the north of the Grand Canyon. Spectacular views! And then I remember photographing Pike’s peak from the parking lot of a restaurant one day – amazing!
You raised an interesting question, Art, when you seemed to look askance at “relying on somebody else for a payment on our behalf.” I believe that you had in mind the teaching of the Bible that you and I could never in the world do enough, or live so perfectly, that to be fair, God would have to take us to Heaven on our own merits. Did I understand you correctly, Art?
You know, my friend, the Bible does make it clear that since you and I could never save ourselves from eternal ruin by our own efforts, God took upon Himself the initiative to procure our redemption. It is perfectly clear from His Book that He created us for a purpose, expressed in a plan that He knew would be best and most fulfilling for each one of us over the long haul. And He loved us enough, that He was willing to expend an astronomical sum to rescue us, thereby procuring our redemption, in spite of our own rash rejection of Him and His plan for our lives. Such rejection as this is very, very common.
But to live forever, in the presence of God, delighting in His boundless love and goodness, and enjoying unlimited gifts from Him, -- what a tremendous prospect that is! When I write about “eternal life,” I may scare you – don’t mean to do that! Perhaps you object, that it’s really too long for us to comprehend. And, besides, the way our bodies age, being subject to an increasing barrage of aches, pains and disease, we may not have a very great interest in anticipating an endless array of a life like that!
However, “eternal life” doesn’t mean an unending existence in this present human body, with its aches, pains, and other vulnerabilities. The body will die eventually, but the human person is much more than that, and what will happen to the immaterial side of a man or woman – the soul and spirit?
Apart from this wonderful redemption, so that we could be in His presence and thoroughly enjoy it forever, we would have no better prospect than endless loneliness, regret, meaninglessness and despair. And it would be filled with emptiness, -- it would be hollow, pointless and full of grief – all associated with great pain. Personally, Art, I don’t look forward to any such litany of futility. And I don’t think you do, either. But, the six million dollar question is, -- How does one avoid that?
What I have written above assumes, and I believe this to be true, that every human life is precious to God. He is that big! He has unlimited capacity to love and care for the people He has created, who live in every corner of the globe. And He desires each person to be on the best of terms with Him. No matter what his or her name is, whether Jack, Sarah, Todd, Nancy, William, Carol, Sam, Tina, Hank, Joanne, Dick, Rose, or…, God loves each one, and wants us all to be close to Him, and in harmony with Him.
In other words, He wants you and me to have a personal relationship with Him. If it is true that He is our Creator, and it is, and that He loves each one of us supremely, as the Bible says, and He does, then we can be sure that whatever He wants for you and me, is much, much better than our best plans can ever be. There’s an old quotation I’ve heard in the past, and it goes like this, “The chief end of man is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” What a great thought that is!
When I say “personal relationship” I’m thinking of something much different from religion. There are many different religions available to ordinary human beings like us! But the very idea of “religion” is built on a structure of work, self-help, positive mental attitude, individual reformation, etc. That seems entirely too impersonal, -- and far removed from any thought of “enjoying” God.
Some temporal good, of course, can be done through self-help, and certainly there is a wide array of higher education that can be beneficial to a human being, up to a point. But as good as these may be in the short run, what do they give to us that is really worthwhile, if we are not led to a right relationship with God, our Creator? God is truly personal, and He has a direct interest in each one of us. In fact, He made us to be personal beings, not robots, or mere mechanical machines. Doesn’t this make sense to you, Art?
The plan that our great Creator-God devised for our rescue from oblivion, -- the plan that would fit our individual need perfectly, involved a substitute, i.e. it required one who would “take the fall” for us in our disconnectedness from God. That way, you and I could be free to come close to God and receive an authorization to participate in His own [divine] life.
This substitute had to be able to “stand in” for many people, i.e. as many as would be willing to say “yes,” agreeing to the substitution for him or her. And the substitute also had to be suitable to us human beings. No animal or bird could begin to qualify in that way, -- no sheep, goat, ox, dove, bull, or whatever it might be. These two tests require a substitute who is both God and man. Only God could provide a sacrifice big enough for all human beings of all time who would fulfill the faith-condition. And only a man (i.e. a human being) could provide a sacrifice suitable for us human beings.
Now you may follow this reasoning, but still you may be wondering: Why does the divine plan for our redemption require a substitute? Why can’t we, each one, just take care of our own destiny? The answer to that is, -- the alienation from God from which all of us human beings suffer every day, must be overcome, if we are to be in harmony with God. There is not enough money in all the world, to buy our redemption. And you know, Art, you and I could never work hard enough to overcome the ways in which we have offended God, never in a million years! My preaching ministry won’t do it, and your business acumen won’t, either – no offence meant at all!
Because of this, a substitute is called for, if one who is adequate can be found! May I be so bold as to say that one has been found? It’s the one described in that famous Bible verse John 3:16 as God’s “only begotten son.” Art, I have taken this substitute as my own substitute, personally. And I hope you will consider making the same move, if you haven’t done so!
With warm regards to you and your family,
-- PapaPops
P.S. To the reader – If you’d like to see previous letters between my friend and me, just go to the bottom of the screen and click on “Older Posts.” You may have to repeat this process, to get back to the first “Open Letter,” posted on or about July 29, 2007.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
My Old Friend Art's Second Reply...
Dear PapaPops,
To go to my mailbox and get a letter from you as I did recently can really “make my day,” as someone famous once said! You are thoughtful, and I can see in your writing a genuine desire to impart a “new lease on life” to one who might be interested. You didn’t know what sort of reaction you would get from me when you first wrote, but you didn’t let that hold you back!
Now I really never thought of you as indulging in “wishful thinking,” but I do have to admit that what you tell me from the Bible has been pretty far removed from my own concerns. And I don’t know that I’m ready yet to go in that direction.
However, I don’t mind asking whether there is still hope for me – to have a greater purpose in living than I have had, and to have real assurance about life beyond the grave? How could I, or anyone, for that matter, come to believe that there really is a fantastic life beyond the grave? How could a person such as I be sure of having a “ticket” to that “wonderful life,” which you called it in your “Open Letter” to me?
PapaPops, I surely do appreciate your expressions of interest in me and my family. But how does it happen that you could have that sort of interest in one you simply call “an old and dear friend?” You and I haven’t visited together for many years; we haven’t gone fishing or hiking together; we haven’t attended a sports event together; or anything similar! Pardon me for questioning your motives, if that’s what it is. However, I do wonder WHY you seem interested in ME!
PapaPops, to continue our previous exchange of thoughts about life on Planet earth, so many people who think about earth’s origins, just seem to accept blindly an evolutionary hypothesis. That’s the environment in which I’ve lived and pursued business and community service. However, I can’t help but look up at the heavens on a starry night, or hear the booming roar of a great waterfall and see its majestic beauty, or see a majestic mountain top, without wondering, -- how could all this beauty and power have “just happened?” Interesting to contemplate, isn’t it?
But now, perhaps it’s most important for me to think about my own purpose and destiny, in addition to admiring the beauties of creation around us. I know you are concerned, and I don’t mean to treat your concern lightly. You have been respectful toward my business career, as well as other careers that are not part of the Gospel ministry, and I appreciate that. Many people who are friends of mine are involved in them.
Didn’t you present the thought that any career that is honest, ethical, and helpful to other human beings could be called “good?” And I do seem to remember at Sunday School, when I attended many years ago, hearing about people that God or His leaders designated to be musicians, builders, designers, manufacturers, etc. If that was a part of God’s plan back in those times, I suppose it could be considered so today, too. Agreed?
Before I close this letter, PapaPops, I’d like to ask you again about that favorite Bible verse of yours, called John 3:16. I think you designated it as, “The Gospel in a Nutshell.” What exactly do you mean by that? Is it a condensation, or a summary of certain parts and stories of the Bible? Or would you call it symbolic of something? Explain, please. That verse does have a great ring to it, doesn’t it?
What about the “solid hope” that you wrote about? I do admire the way you seem to be clearly “steering by the stars” so to speak, in your assessment of the satisfaction that life can bring here and now. My life has been given to me to live, and to no one else, so why shouldn’t I look for all the pleasure that I can get? Why shouldn’t I consider that “I am the Master of my fate…I am the Captain of my soul,” as the old and well-known poem “Invictus” expresses it?
Until we write again….
Art
To the reader: If you have not followed my exchange of letters with my old friend Art, but would like to see what has preceded this present letter, just scroll down, and click on "Older Posts." You may have to do this several times before getting to the earlies letter (posted on or about 7-29-07).
-- PP
To go to my mailbox and get a letter from you as I did recently can really “make my day,” as someone famous once said! You are thoughtful, and I can see in your writing a genuine desire to impart a “new lease on life” to one who might be interested. You didn’t know what sort of reaction you would get from me when you first wrote, but you didn’t let that hold you back!
Now I really never thought of you as indulging in “wishful thinking,” but I do have to admit that what you tell me from the Bible has been pretty far removed from my own concerns. And I don’t know that I’m ready yet to go in that direction.
However, I don’t mind asking whether there is still hope for me – to have a greater purpose in living than I have had, and to have real assurance about life beyond the grave? How could I, or anyone, for that matter, come to believe that there really is a fantastic life beyond the grave? How could a person such as I be sure of having a “ticket” to that “wonderful life,” which you called it in your “Open Letter” to me?
PapaPops, I surely do appreciate your expressions of interest in me and my family. But how does it happen that you could have that sort of interest in one you simply call “an old and dear friend?” You and I haven’t visited together for many years; we haven’t gone fishing or hiking together; we haven’t attended a sports event together; or anything similar! Pardon me for questioning your motives, if that’s what it is. However, I do wonder WHY you seem interested in ME!
PapaPops, to continue our previous exchange of thoughts about life on Planet earth, so many people who think about earth’s origins, just seem to accept blindly an evolutionary hypothesis. That’s the environment in which I’ve lived and pursued business and community service. However, I can’t help but look up at the heavens on a starry night, or hear the booming roar of a great waterfall and see its majestic beauty, or see a majestic mountain top, without wondering, -- how could all this beauty and power have “just happened?” Interesting to contemplate, isn’t it?
But now, perhaps it’s most important for me to think about my own purpose and destiny, in addition to admiring the beauties of creation around us. I know you are concerned, and I don’t mean to treat your concern lightly. You have been respectful toward my business career, as well as other careers that are not part of the Gospel ministry, and I appreciate that. Many people who are friends of mine are involved in them.
Didn’t you present the thought that any career that is honest, ethical, and helpful to other human beings could be called “good?” And I do seem to remember at Sunday School, when I attended many years ago, hearing about people that God or His leaders designated to be musicians, builders, designers, manufacturers, etc. If that was a part of God’s plan back in those times, I suppose it could be considered so today, too. Agreed?
Before I close this letter, PapaPops, I’d like to ask you again about that favorite Bible verse of yours, called John 3:16. I think you designated it as, “The Gospel in a Nutshell.” What exactly do you mean by that? Is it a condensation, or a summary of certain parts and stories of the Bible? Or would you call it symbolic of something? Explain, please. That verse does have a great ring to it, doesn’t it?
What about the “solid hope” that you wrote about? I do admire the way you seem to be clearly “steering by the stars” so to speak, in your assessment of the satisfaction that life can bring here and now. My life has been given to me to live, and to no one else, so why shouldn’t I look for all the pleasure that I can get? Why shouldn’t I consider that “I am the Master of my fate…I am the Captain of my soul,” as the old and well-known poem “Invictus” expresses it?
Until we write again….
Art
To the reader: If you have not followed my exchange of letters with my old friend Art, but would like to see what has preceded this present letter, just scroll down, and click on "Older Posts." You may have to do this several times before getting to the earlies letter (posted on or about 7-29-07).
-- PP
Sunday, August 26, 2007
A Reply to Art, My Old Friend
Dear Art,
Thank you so much for your reply to my Open Letter to you. Isn’t this amazing?!? Most people don’t write letters much now, but here we are sending off these missives to each other!
Hearing from you again felt like old times! We surely have taken diverse paths in many ways, but I still have a warmth in my heart for you, an old and dear friend. I am interested in you, your family, and your prospects for the future. I hope you can sense my sincerity in saying that, – I wouldn’t kid you in something like this.
To comment on your assertion that Earth is an amazing place, I heartily agree. And it takes us a good part of our lives to fully appreciate that, doesn’t it, if indeed, we can ever FULLY do! To me, Planet Earth is part of the rich, harmonious, multi-faceted provision of our great Creator God, for the use of mankind for as long as it pleases Him.
It sustains life in part because of the precision of its size, shape, distance from the sun, and its tilt and rotation, as well as the abundance of natural resources and the variety and complexity of plant and animal life, marine life, etc. But one of the most amazing aspects is the high degree to which it is suited for the habitation of mankind!
Art, my work in the ministry involves helping people in all the ways envisioned in the love that God has for mankind, as expressed so beautifully in John 3:16. Do you remember that Scripture verse? It has often been called “The Gospel in a Nutshell,” and it reads, “For God so loved the world [men, women, boys, and girls everywhere] that He gave His only [i.e. His Uniquely-begotten] Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have [now] everlasting life.”
You congratulated me in the work I’ve been able to do, and I thank you for that. What matters most to me every day is this, -- I want to know and do the will of Almighty God more and more perfectly in the few short years that I may have left here on earth. And I aim to help others find that kind of meaning in their lives, too, as much as possible.
Art, I don’t mean to boast in any way about the value of the work that I’ve been able to do, in comparison to your business career. In reply to your comment that perhaps my work has been more valuable in life than what you have done, I wouldn’t make that kind of a comparison.
The work of the Pastor, Bible teacher, and Missionary, i.e. those involved in the so-called “full-time” ministry of the Gospel is very important in the eternal scheme of things. But all types of work that are wholesome, above-board and ethical in every way are also of great importance and value. Where would we be without manufacturers, distributors, medical people, inventors, accountants, retail personnel, musicians, and a host of others? As I like to think of it (in the words of Scripture), “whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God!”
So I applaud you in the business role that you have played in your working career. I would like to think that you have aimed day by day, in the office, or in the client’s place of commerce, to seek for God’s plan, and to carry on your business as a trustee of God’s provisions. All that we are and have has come from Him. And it seems to me that it ought to be handled in ways that please Him, and further His plan for our lives. Is that your idea, too, my friend?
Now you wrote some of your thoughts and feelings about getting older and losing strength and mental sharpness perhaps, and all the downside aspects that any one may experience due to aging. And you said that you don’t like to think about that more than necessary. Then your question to me was, “Do you?”
No, I’d have to admit that I don’t relish that thought at all. On the other hand, I think I’m a realist about this, too. We were all born as babies, perfect but completely immature, so that everything has to be done for us at first. It seems reasonable that toward the end of life here on earth, much might have to be done for us also, since we are losing the strength and skills we were “building up” as we grew from infancy.
Perhaps you may think, “Oh I just want to keep a good healthy walk throughout life, and then expire peacefully in my sleep.” But, Art, my friend, we all know that no one can consider that to be a guaranteed prospect! What will make our last days on earth more tolerable is, -- if we know where we are going at death, and that we will be part of a Grand Re-union someday. That fills my heart with joy, in the face of all the heartaches and sorrows to which we can be subject here on Planet Earth.
And yes, the sort of “solid hope” that you asked about IS possible, Art. I wouldn’t lead you astray about that, for the world! My basis for writing as I do is not wishful thinking. It goes to the heart of the one and only Book that our great Creator God has given us as His “Divine Owner’s Manual,” the Bible.
Friend Art, I’m going to risk doing a little probing at this point: Have you spent some time in your own life with this Book, looking for answers to life’s most important questions? Personally, I have found answers in it that are truly satisfying. And I believe that you could find them there, too. Please know that I don’t speak with any sense of superior attainment on my part, but only with the desire to depend humbly on the Lord my God for wisdom as to how I can be of the greatest encouragement to you. I have received so-o-o much from the Lord throughout my years, and now I want to pass it on to you, if you are willing!
Well, it’s now time to “sign off.” I look forward to your return thoughts.
Sincerely, -- PapaPops
Thank you so much for your reply to my Open Letter to you. Isn’t this amazing?!? Most people don’t write letters much now, but here we are sending off these missives to each other!
Hearing from you again felt like old times! We surely have taken diverse paths in many ways, but I still have a warmth in my heart for you, an old and dear friend. I am interested in you, your family, and your prospects for the future. I hope you can sense my sincerity in saying that, – I wouldn’t kid you in something like this.
To comment on your assertion that Earth is an amazing place, I heartily agree. And it takes us a good part of our lives to fully appreciate that, doesn’t it, if indeed, we can ever FULLY do! To me, Planet Earth is part of the rich, harmonious, multi-faceted provision of our great Creator God, for the use of mankind for as long as it pleases Him.
It sustains life in part because of the precision of its size, shape, distance from the sun, and its tilt and rotation, as well as the abundance of natural resources and the variety and complexity of plant and animal life, marine life, etc. But one of the most amazing aspects is the high degree to which it is suited for the habitation of mankind!
Art, my work in the ministry involves helping people in all the ways envisioned in the love that God has for mankind, as expressed so beautifully in John 3:16. Do you remember that Scripture verse? It has often been called “The Gospel in a Nutshell,” and it reads, “For God so loved the world [men, women, boys, and girls everywhere] that He gave His only [i.e. His Uniquely-begotten] Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have [now] everlasting life.”
You congratulated me in the work I’ve been able to do, and I thank you for that. What matters most to me every day is this, -- I want to know and do the will of Almighty God more and more perfectly in the few short years that I may have left here on earth. And I aim to help others find that kind of meaning in their lives, too, as much as possible.
Art, I don’t mean to boast in any way about the value of the work that I’ve been able to do, in comparison to your business career. In reply to your comment that perhaps my work has been more valuable in life than what you have done, I wouldn’t make that kind of a comparison.
The work of the Pastor, Bible teacher, and Missionary, i.e. those involved in the so-called “full-time” ministry of the Gospel is very important in the eternal scheme of things. But all types of work that are wholesome, above-board and ethical in every way are also of great importance and value. Where would we be without manufacturers, distributors, medical people, inventors, accountants, retail personnel, musicians, and a host of others? As I like to think of it (in the words of Scripture), “whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God!”
So I applaud you in the business role that you have played in your working career. I would like to think that you have aimed day by day, in the office, or in the client’s place of commerce, to seek for God’s plan, and to carry on your business as a trustee of God’s provisions. All that we are and have has come from Him. And it seems to me that it ought to be handled in ways that please Him, and further His plan for our lives. Is that your idea, too, my friend?
Now you wrote some of your thoughts and feelings about getting older and losing strength and mental sharpness perhaps, and all the downside aspects that any one may experience due to aging. And you said that you don’t like to think about that more than necessary. Then your question to me was, “Do you?”
No, I’d have to admit that I don’t relish that thought at all. On the other hand, I think I’m a realist about this, too. We were all born as babies, perfect but completely immature, so that everything has to be done for us at first. It seems reasonable that toward the end of life here on earth, much might have to be done for us also, since we are losing the strength and skills we were “building up” as we grew from infancy.
Perhaps you may think, “Oh I just want to keep a good healthy walk throughout life, and then expire peacefully in my sleep.” But, Art, my friend, we all know that no one can consider that to be a guaranteed prospect! What will make our last days on earth more tolerable is, -- if we know where we are going at death, and that we will be part of a Grand Re-union someday. That fills my heart with joy, in the face of all the heartaches and sorrows to which we can be subject here on Planet Earth.
And yes, the sort of “solid hope” that you asked about IS possible, Art. I wouldn’t lead you astray about that, for the world! My basis for writing as I do is not wishful thinking. It goes to the heart of the one and only Book that our great Creator God has given us as His “Divine Owner’s Manual,” the Bible.
Friend Art, I’m going to risk doing a little probing at this point: Have you spent some time in your own life with this Book, looking for answers to life’s most important questions? Personally, I have found answers in it that are truly satisfying. And I believe that you could find them there, too. Please know that I don’t speak with any sense of superior attainment on my part, but only with the desire to depend humbly on the Lord my God for wisdom as to how I can be of the greatest encouragement to you. I have received so-o-o much from the Lord throughout my years, and now I want to pass it on to you, if you are willing!
Well, it’s now time to “sign off.” I look forward to your return thoughts.
Sincerely, -- PapaPops
Monday, August 20, 2007
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