Sunday, September 26, 2010

Baptized

My grand daughter, Amber, was baptized this evening. It was pretty special. She accepted Christ when she was four, and now she followed the Lord in water baptism.

It reminds me when I was baptized in water. It was back in about 1970. I had moved to Minneapolis to look for work and found cheap housing at North Central Bible College dorms. I had told them that I intended to enroll in school in the fall, but really had no intention of doing that. But one Sunday morning I slept in and skipped church. Feeling a little guilty I picked up my Bible and began reading at the first chapter of Matthew. I didn't put the book down until I had finished the gospel of John. Wow! four books I had read in one sitting. And i wept all the way through. That is when I accepted Christ as my Savior. And I did enroll in college that fall.

I was then baptized in one of the lakes in Minneapolis. We found a secluded spot and a dozen of us waded out into the lake and there Alan Scott baptized me. These were the days of the charismatic movement.

Another thing that was memorable about that day was the spot we had chosen. We waded out to about waist deep. But the silt at the bottom of the lake was so soft that we began to sink in the mire. After I was baptized and stood back up the water was up to my armpits. It was with great effort that I was able to free my feet from the bottom of the lake. The others had the same problem. Even after our feet were free, the black slime clung to our legs. Leeches also thrived there.

After the baptism we decided to swim and rinse off. A few minutes later I heard someone yelling for help. It was Alan Scott, whose chine was just above the water. I saw panic on his face. He had stepped off a drop off in the water. I swam over and towed him in.

It was a day to remember.


Monday, September 13, 2010

The Man In White

The man in white had been chased away many times.... but he always returned. I came upon him by chance.... or was it Providence? I was now sitting near a Starbucks while enjoying a Starbucks and some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard. I was not alone. My wife, Audrey, was sitting next to me and others also sat along the concrete steps looking, listening, and meditating with their own souls. The young lady sitting next to me had tears in her eyes. She said it was the most beautiful music she has ever heard.

The man in white had been in prison. No, not as a prisoner or an inmate..... but as a chaplain. His white suit contrasted with his black skin. His instruments, which were many, were lined up along where he had erected his stand and set up his amplifier and speakers. His sax music was the quality of Kenny G's. His versatility was that of Elvis Presley, and his voice was golden. His heart was pure and his mission was to tell us of Jesus Christ. His boldness put him at the corner and the crowd kept him there. And Providence brought us all the way from Denver to Seattle so this man could leave a lasting impression on my life.

There was no admission to see this guy. The crowd didn't just come an go, but rather it kept building. He played and sang for hours. People sat for hours. Some smiled, some applauded, some sipped their coffee, others wept. This plaza had become a sanctuary, a place where the Spirit of God invaded your soul.

At the end, the man in white gave his testimony.... told of his work.... told of rejection.... told of perseverance. I don't know his name and probably never will. But I will never forget him. He is one of my heros.


Thursday, September 9, 2010

Are You On Time?

"in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump of God, the dead in Christ shall rise, and we shall be changed..... we shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the clouds of the air."

Some things in life happen quickly and without warning. The Four Mile Canyon Fire near Boulder is an example. So far about 7,000 acres are burned and over 100 homes have become ashes. Many have only their car, laptop, and clothes on their backs. If they want to put fire protection around their homes, they are way too late. They were not prepared for this fire.

A lade one day came running into the train station. She wanted to take the 8:00 AM Amtrack. As she looked at the big clock across the street it said 7:58. She glanced at her watch and it said 8:00. But the clock in the train station said 8:01. She asked the clerk at the desk which clock she should go by. He replied, "You can go by any clock you wish, but you won't go by the 8:00 o'clock train because it just pulled away.

As an employer I wish I could be a little bit more like God, or Amtrack, at least. My subcontractors are almost always late to the job. They always have an excuse. It is a way of life for them. Perhaps it costs them nothing, but it costs me time, money, and other missed appointments. This is a big frustration for me. This really irks me because I am a person that is always on time and am usually early. It is a problem I will have to solve.

Amtrack has solved the problem. If you are not there waiting..... you don't go. God has also solved the problem, if you aren't ready, you don't go. I have a feeling there will be a whole lot of people not going. Being ready means you must accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. He died on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins. Have you accepted Him? Will you do so on time?


Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Coffee Without Cafein

In my view there are certain things in life that are absolute requirements. No, I'm not talking about getting a job or owning a house. Nor am I talking about food, clothing, or other such necessities. I'm talking about things like toothpaste, popcorn, toast, coffee, and love.

Take toothpaste for instance. To me, toothpaste is not real toothpaste unless it has that very strong peppermint and anticeptic flavor. It must also contain whiteners. It needs to feel strong in my mouth when I am finished brushing and rinsing. I shouldn't feel the need to swish with a strong mouthwash.

Popcorn is another thing. This 94% fat free popcorn just doesn't do it for me. First of all, popcorn basically tastes like nothing without butter and salt. I know, both those things are bad for you. But driving your car can be hazardous to your health also. What could be better than buttered popcorn and an ice cold Coke. Don't tell me 'warm bread pudding with caramel sauce', which could be a close second. That is also not good for you. Why do you think they provide all that butter and salt at the movie theater? If the movie is bad, at least you can enjoy your expensive popcorn and Coke.

Then think about coffee. No, I'm not talking about one of those girlie drinks they serve up at Starbucks. I mean, coffee, the way it was intended to be. This is one item that is best without all those harmful additives. You put additives in gasoline.... not coffee. Also, please don't remove the caffein. No wonder half the population falls asleep at work. I think God intended for us to drink 6 cups of coffee a day. Besides, they say coffee prevents colon cancer. I don't know if I believe that but it justifies my drinking a good hot cup of very black coffee. My heartbeat hasn't been very erratic lately, either.

Then there is toast. On this account to each his own. But, really, I don't get this white bread thing. I figure that if they have to add fiber and vitamins to it, is it really bread? When Jesus said, "I am the bread of life," I don't think he was referring to wimpy white bread. I like bread with some substance, a little grain and fiber. It's much more satisfying and makes great toast.

I think love is a lot like all these items list above. Like toothpaste it has to have a little pizazz. Like popcorn.... well, there has to be some flavor and savor. Like toast, there needs to be some substance. And like coffee, it needs to be pure and is just plain good for you.