The Clash Of Titans

It has amazed me how the world is filled with clashing concepts that threaten to destroy modern civilzation as we know it. When these thoughts are coupled with religion the effects are very potent indeed.

With Pope Benedict's recent visit to Turkey has come a glaring admission of the Islamic World. They mollify those who even make a joke about Mohammed, but placards in Turkey prior to the Pope's visit read, "Jesus is not the Son of God. He is a prophet of Islam!" This would demote our Lord to less than God and subservient to Mohammed!! Even though such pronouncements cut at the heart of what Christianity is all about (as Christmas shows us), these ill-informed radicals denigrate quite freely Jesus the Saviour of mankind. It is a good thing that Christianity is motivated by love and not hate or revenge. As a result, we do not seek to make the Muslim world suffer for their lack of understanding about who Jesus really is!

All this clash of beliefs should show us how important what we believe really is. Five hundred years before Mohammed came and wrote his Koran, Jesus lived among men. His life even under the closest scrutiny was a life of selflessness and perfection, lived in love by faith. Instead of raising armies to spread His dogma, Jesus urged His disciples to practice love even to the point of loving one's enemies. At the cost of His own life on the cross, Jesus sent His disciples forth to advance His kingdom through love. Whole civilizations have been built on the outworking of His love. The West, apart from what is contrary to His teachings advanced by those who do not know Him, has established some of the most wonderful places on earth to live and raise one's family. Women are equal with men and the rule of law prevails. This has surely not been the case in the Muslim world where women are denigrated and the harshest of penalties are practiced for even minor infractions of the law.

As Christmas approaches, I once again will rejoice in the coming of a child sent from God. His Name was to be, "Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace"(Isaiah 9:6). He is no secondary prophet in another religion, He is the Son Of God, God the Son, part of the Holy eternal Trinity. He stands out as the Creator God Who came in the flesh (John 1: 1-5) and Who has a name that is above every name. Someday, at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father"(Philippians 2:11). Fight as they may, other conflicting ideologies will be utterly unable to prevent Jesus from taking His rightful place as ruler of all. Have a great Christmas. Remember, it will be most wonderful as you give Jesus His rightful place as Lord and Master of your life.

What a brilliant stroke of genius that God should solve the problems of mankind by sending a helpless baby. Recently God has given us two more grandsons. We now have ten grandsons and five granddaughters. These little ones bring such joy to our hearts. How glad we are that they will be raised in an environment where Jesus is honoured and highly lifted up. As they are taught the Holy Scrptures they will have unusual opportunites to become like Jesus and serve Him faithfully - Praise His Name! Pray for us.

Christ Died For YOU

In Canada, Remembrance Day (Nov. 11th) is just around the corner. We have thirty or more Canadians to remember this year as they gave their lives this past year in Afghanistan. We are so proud of them and their self-giving sacrifice on behalf of freedom and democracy. In the United States many more heroes who died in Iraq and elsewhere this past year will be remembered, too. We simply must get used to the idea that democracy and freedom are precious commodities which have cost the blood of our soldiers and peacekeepers as well as missionaries and aid workers. If we would be free, we must stand on guard for our wonderful nation.

There is a freedom. however, that is much more costly than the lives of soldiers and others. It is the freedom from sin and its counterpart, ultimate entrance into Heaven. You see, for us to go to Heaven someday and to live here on earth in touch with God, the sin question must be dealt with once and for all. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but by Me (John 14: 6)!" He linked our eternal destiny with Himself. One will not go to Heaven by the good works he has done or dying a martyr's death for Islam, or trusting the gods of other religions. No, Jesus is the Way to Heaven. I urge you to trust Him and accept Him into your life, crown Him King of all, and receive in Him eternal life forever.

The Bible makes it clear that Jesus had to die for each one of us in order to make our salvation possible. John 3:16 puts it best, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Jesus died the just for the unjust that He might bring us to God! Scripture tells us that "He (Jesus) is the peace offering for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.(I John 2:2)"

Recently we had two more grandsons born into our family. Their names are Scott (in August) and Noah (in October). Now we have ten grandsons and five granddaughters. How we thank God for each one of them. For any one of these lovely grandchildren to lay down their lives for the cause of freedom would be a great hardship on us all as a family, but especially their parents. This Remembrance Day remember God gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice for the punishment of the sins of mankind. Won't you come and lay your life at the feet of Jesus for His great sacrifice for you.

Remember, Christ died for you!