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His Last Question

Chuck Mathews — 2010-07-25T09:00:52-06:00

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Something bigger is going on

Chuck Mathews — 2010-06-27T09:45:26-06:00

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Three great mistakes

Chuck Mathews — 2010-06-13T20:55:11-06:00

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Three great things

Chuck Mathews — 2010-06-06T20:54:49-06:00

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When you think God has forgotten you

Chuck Mathews — 2010-05-02T20:54:17-06:00

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Share the Good News

Chuck Mathews — 2010-04-18T17:26:48-06:00

I don’t know how you think about surveys, because we all know how they can be manipulated to a desired outcome depending on those conducting the questionnaires. However, there was one survey that was taken recently that, if nothing else, reveals the mindset of some folks around the world. According to twenty percent of people polled in a global survey aliens exist and they are living among us disguised as humans. The Reuters Ipsos poll of 23,000 adults in 22 countries showed that more than 40 percent of people from India and China believe that aliens walk among us disguised as humans, while those least likely to believe in this are from Belgium, Sweden and the Netherlands. More men than women -- 22 percent verses 17 percent -believe that alien beings are on earth. Most of those believers are under the age of 35, and across all income classes, the survey showed. Of those who do not believe, most are women.

Are you an alien? I am! This is not my world; not my home. I am from another kingdom. Okay, you already know where this is going. Jesus said that His kingdom was not of this world, and as a follow of Christ my kingdom is His kingdom and therefore I am not of this world. Yet, I still live here and have a mission to complete while I do so. My King has given me and you the task of making more “residents” of the kingdom of Christ. This assignment can only be carried out if we live as Christ and speak out the Good News about Jesus. If we are in the world and disguised to fit into world; looking and acting just like all other humans – we will accomplish only a failed mission. Failure in accomplishing our charge to make disciples will produce two things; sorrow and disappointment for the Lord, plus more lost souls destined to eternity in hell’s fire. Let each of us “aliens” life out in the open where humans can see the Lord living in us by the way we live our life and the eagerness to share the Good News about our Savior, Lord, and King.

A journey of a lifetime

Chuck Mathews — 2010-04-11T15:15:53-06:00

Okay I read Yahoo’s “odd” news again last Tuesday; and here is the latest and it is certainly “odd.” Police at the Liverpool’s John Lennon airport have detained two women for trying to smuggle a man onto a flight bound for Berlin, Germany. They placed him in a wheel chair, put sunglasses on him, and casually wheeled him to the plane. The man was a ninety one year old relative of the women. You may wonder why this incident has drawn so much attention. Well, the reason is that the man in the wheelchair was dead. The two women (41 and 66) were traveling with a corpse, and will be charged with “failure to give notification of a death.”
Some people that I have traveled with have been less than pleasant, and others I could travel around the world and back again. But, I would draw the line with traveling on a journey with a dead guy as my companion. There is not much conversation or interaction going to take place when your traveling partner is not alive. The trip with a dead guy would be very depressing, while the same trip with someone that is not a corpse can be an experience of a lifetime. As we take this journey of life there is a companion that drives, rides, flies, sails, and walks with us. He is no corpse, or at least not any more. He is alive forever more. Jesus said that He was our friend, and that He would be with us to the very end of the journey. At that end let’s make certain we are not charged with “failure to give notification of His life, death, and life.” He makes this journey truly a journey of an eternal lifetime.

Victory over death

Chuck Mathews — 2010-04-04T15:14:59-06:00

Each week I read Yahoo’s “odd” news, and you can draw any conclusion you desire about that. Anyway, this week a story of a California couple named Carlos and Donna Royal was posted. The news account was reporting the two year long epic of a backyard “birth” and eyewitness. Now before your imagination runs wild let me explain. The Royals erected a fifteen foot tall pole in their San Diego back yard, and atop that pole they placed a wooden box; an owl box. Then they hooked up a video camera to record and produce live pictures of the box’s happenings. Well sure enough a couple of barn owls made their home in the box and have started an owl family. The Royals have named the mommy and daddy owls Molly and McGee. On March twenty-first the first owlet hatched, and the forth little owl hatched last Sunday with only one remaining to make his/her internet debut. That’s right you can click on ustream.tv/theowlbox and witness the event. Since the site was posted it has received three million hits. More than seventeen thousand people watched the first hatching. So far the Royals have named the little ones; Max, Pattison, Austin and Wesley.
Think for just a moment of the mass of people that witnessed a small little feathery owl crack through the shell and emerge into the world. Now take another minute to think of who was there to witness the Lord Jesus crack the shell of the tomb and walk from deaths cold clutches to emerge alive for evermore. He had told his disciples, but where were they. The greatest moment in all of history, and they were not there. We cannot be at the tomb to witness His rising, but we can take advantage of what it means: Victory over death, Victory over sin, and Victory over satan. He died so we might have life, and He arose from death so we can have hope.

The door is open

Chuck Mathews — 2010-03-28T15:12:51-06:00

The Enemy of the world, Satan, was on the side of life’s road with a very large cage. The man coming towards him noticed that it was crammed full of people of every kind, young, old, from every race and nation." Where did you get these people?" the man asked. "Oh, from all over the world," Satan replied. "I lure them with drinking, drugs, lust, lies, anger, hate, love of money, and all manner of things. I pretend I’m their friend, out to give them a good time, then when I’ve hooked them, into the cage they go. "And what are you going to do with them now?" asked the man. Satan grinned. "I’m going to prod them, provoke them, get them to hate and destroy each other; I’ll stir up racial hatred, defiance of law and order; I’ll make people bored, lonely, dissatisfied, confused and restless. It’s easy. People will always listen to what I offer them and (what’s better) blame God for the outcome!" "And then what?" the man asked." Those who do not destroy themselves, I will destroy. None will escape me." The man stepped forward. "Can I buy these people from you?" he asked. Satan snarled, "Yes, but it will cost you your life." So Jesus Christ, the Son of God, paid for your release, your freedom from Satan’s trap, with His own life, on the cross at Calvary. The door is open, and anyone, whom Satan has deceived and caged, can be set free.

Your journey to eternity

Chuck Mathews — 2010-03-21T18:02:55-06:00

Terry Telford was just walking down his driveway in Wellington, New Zealand when suddenly he was run down by an automobile. As Mr. Telford was lying on the cold concrete the car that had just ran over him drove over him once again. The driver you may assume was a drunk that had spent the night in the local “pub” but you would be mistaken. Behind the wheel was Sandy, the loving wife of Terry Telford. Mrs. Telford did not see her husband as she backed over him the first time, and she didn’t realize he was the bump in the road the second time the car rolled over his body. Ambulance authorities said the husband suffered moderate head, chest and back injuries, but was "conscious and talking" after the incident. However, Sandy was so distraught and upset she could not even respond to police questions.
Jesus wasn’t unexpectedly run over by a passing donkey cart on the road. The Lord walked “resolutely” toward a worse fate than being an auto accident. He knew with each step he took toward Jerusalem was a step closer to the cross. However, He also realized it meant what was beyond the cross: the open tomb and the redemption of mankind. But take just a moment and put His trip in perspective. If you were Him would you go knowing what the future would hold for you? If you did decide to go, what would be running through your mind with each step? I don’t presume to know His thoughts, but I do know what fills His heart: which makes it me fairly confident to say what filled His thoughts was YOU and ME. He resolutely set His face to Jerusalem to give salvation for us by His life’s blood. Now think about this: who fills your mind and heart with every step in your journey to eternity?

How is your journey going?

Chuck Mathews — 2010-03-14T13:28:24-06:00

I liked Cheryl, at least as well as you can get to know someone by watching them on television. She seems as though she is a good person; caring, compassionate and devoted to her family. However, as I listened to her talk about her new changed life, I could not help being a preacher. I look at nearly everything I encounter and see a spiritual application. I suppose it is the preacher “curse.” When Cheryl said she had never been in this particular point in her life – I thought “none of have”, because every moment is virgin soil for us to tread in lives path. Tomorrow, or even the next minute, is the valley of the unknown for each and every one of us. Life is that precious untold voyage we are all on. Cheryl also said, “I’m going to live forever.” Well that is right up my alley as a preacher. Of course I am sure she was not speaking of eternal life, she was talking in the context of the physical realm. I’m sure she knows that this is impossible to live and never die, never have our bodies deteriorate, and never face the grave. Death is just as much a part of life as birth. Our life’s journey will end when our days run out, and only God knows that particular time. He desires that we understand life and what life lead to: the reality of eternity. There is never going to be enough time to preach every sermon I want, or teach every person, even do all the things I want to do in my ministry with the time I have left in my life. The Lord knows I have wasted so much of my life in worthless pursuits, and I know it too. I don’t know how much time remains on my untold story of life, but I want what remains to be working for the Lord and watching for His return for me. How is your journey going?

Last week Cheryl was voted off the reality show “Biggest Loser.” She had started the weight lose show at 227 pounds, and today she weighs a remarkable 164 pounds. She said the first thing she did when returning home from the “ranch” was to empty her closet of all the, now, oversize clothing. Cheryl also said that now because of the show she is a point in her life that she has never been before, and she plans to continue her journey. She has such encouragement from her husband, daughter, and grandchildren. In her departing video clip she said these words, “My life is not going to be cut short because of my health and because of my weight. I’m going to live forever.”

Joy that bubbles over

Chuck Mathews — 2010-03-05T21:39:17-07:00

The word is χαρα (CHARA) and is found frequently through the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, and especially in John, but only once in Mark. It is absent from the first letter to the Corinthians, yet it is used three times in the verb form (χαιρω). Paul employs the word frequently in the second letter as well as the verb form. No matter which modern translation us may use, the word is woven throughout the scriptures. I believe that this is no phenomena, because the scriptures produce this emotion by what the Good News reveals. Have you figured it out yet? The word so frequently written in the scriptures is “JOY.” Who could read of the saving power of Jesus, look at their own sinful life, and realize Christ made forgiveness and redemption a reality for every soul destined to Hell’s fires. To realize we do have hope in Jesus is such good news. With such hope it cannot help producing a joy that bubbles over; so when you see others smiling today they are just revealing the χαρα that is filling their hearts.

Time to get popping

Chuck Mathews — 2010-02-28T07:42:06-07:00

Have you ever set one of those bags in the microwave, you know with the popcorn inside. The movie is about to start and you tap your foot as those 2 minutes tick off the oven’s counter. Then the bell sounds and you grab the bag only to burn your fingers by the steam when you open it’s “easy to open corners.” Then just as the movie begins you pour those puffy white morsels into a bowl. Hey, wait a minute; half the kernels didn't pop. What a rip off! It just ruins the whole night; the movie isn’t as good and you feel cheated and more than a little bummed.
Well, now take a second and consider that you are the bag and each kernel represents a piece of your life to fulfill. You have great potential to fulfill your purpose because God has given you what you need to do so. Your responsibility is to act and not doubt…you are just supposed to “pop.” Perhaps it is hard for you to think about popping, when you are thinking about those lingering days of summer when you were on the stalk in the field, or maybe you are dreaming of what will happen when your folded up and thrown in the container under the sink. Is that why not all your kernels are not popped? Is this the reason many are just laying in the bottom of your bag. When we don’t fulfill our designed purpose for life we miss out on many of the promises of God. It takes heat to make those kernels pop just like it takes you being in the heat to bring out that golden potential hidden and untapped. God places so many “kernels” in us to grow His kingdom and further His cause. So, the next time you find yourself eating some good ole' popcorn check to see if all of the kernels popped and ask yourself, "Am I living out the potential to tap everything God has given me to do?" If you haven't, it's time to get popping!

He cares

Chuck Mathews — 2010-02-21T20:43:28-07:00

Zdenka Kopeckova, a sixty-six year old, continually complained of severe abdominal pain following an operation at the hospital in her home town of Ivancice, Czech Republic. For five months she has suffered and expressed her physical and emotional pain by saying things like, “I said that nobody helps me and I cannot live like this till the end of my life. I'll get pills, have a glass of an alcohol and hang myself.” This last week they finally removed an instrument that was left inside her during the surgery. This particular surgical tool is about a foot-long and is in the shape of a kitchen spatula. The hospital staff at first told her it was normal and prescribed pain killers. However, she tried her best to persuade the doctors to give her an x-ray, but they refused stating it would expose her to needless radiation. In frustration she told the surgeon, “If I had no pain I would not be complaining. I'm not a hypochondriac.” After the instrument was discovered the medical staff noticed that the instrument was missing off the final inventory list, but the individual responsible failed to report the absent tool.
My heart goes out to this poor woman; having to suffer great pain while those responsible didn’t seem to care at all. Most of us have never had a foot long spatula left inside us, but we can relate to feeling alone and that no one cares whether we live or die. It may never be true, but we still feel like it never the less. Of course we know that Jesus heart is touched by what we go through in life, and that He will lift us up by His power. Today’s sermon will touch on what touches the heart of Jesus. He is very aware of our life and the obstacles we encounter. To know this is a comfort in itself, but to realize He cares and will do something to help us is like having a spatula removed from our belly after five weeks.

Faces of love

Chuck Mathews — 2010-02-14T19:06:12-07:00

Last Wednesday, the 10th, a shipment of twenty-thousand roses arrived at the port in Amsterdam.. The shipment originated in Bogota, Colombia, and then stopped over in Puerto Rico. Somewhere along the route the roses gained a little weight; about twenty pounds to be exact. I know you are already way ahead of me. The extra little baggage was cocaine. The drug was found in cellophane packets hidden in boxes containing the roses. Once found and officials notified two men were arrested and an investigation started. The cocaine had an estimated street value of about 1.3 million euros, or almost 1.8 million dollars. The Netherlands is a major flower trading hub, home to the world's biggest flower auction house and is the source of 60 percent of the world's flower exports.
Valentine’s Day is a holiday that exudes Christianity, because it is the holiday of love. I suppose they have a point; after all God is Love. However, I am not so sure the world has the same definition of love as is displayed in and through Christ our Savior. There is more in love than just roses, candy, and dinner out. We can read John’s inspired words that reveal the hidden “faces” of love: "See what love the Father has given us! … God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him" (1 John 3:1, 4:9). Those characteristics of true love originate with Jesus, which (not by chance) is our sermon message for both services on this day of “love.” So this Valentines Day I pray the “hidden” faces of love will not be hidden any longer.

Attendance by persuasion?

Chuck Mathews — 2010-02-07T19:22:02-07:00

The Hebrew writer jotted down the following: “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Worship time together and with God is very important to the wellbeing of soul and spirit. However, I don’t think what a preacher in Alcoa Tennessee did was exactly the intent behind the Holy Spirit’s inspiring words. Joe Colquitt is the preacher at St. John Missionary Baptist Church. It seems that Mr. Colquitt was upset with his son, but more precisely about his son’s church attendance. So Mr. Colquitt “stimulated” and “encouraged” his son to start attending more regularly at the point of a gun. The son, Michael, has since taken out an order of protection against his dad. The younger Colquitt told police that his father pulled out a handgun when they met at the church building to discuss the father’s concerns. He told officers that his father pointed the gun at him and threatened to kill him, his wife, and the entire family.
Wow, I never thought of that before; filling the pews by way of 9mm persuasion. However, I don’t think threats and coercion is going to bring one lost soul to Jesus, or even to a single worship service. To come together each first day of the week and worship is a personal choice every person makes for him/herself during some point in their life. For me worship is something I look forward to for a number of reasons. First, it makes me stronger and more prepared to face the coming days. Second, I have the privilege to be with you; the people I love in this world. Third, I have the honor to come and praise Him for being my Heavenly Father and saving me from a fiery destruction because of my sins. But let me tell you this dear family: if I ever start neglecting the assemble; you have my permission to draw your gun and explain the alternative.

this Journey today

Chuck Mathews — 2010-01-31T10:50:44-07:00

The nights in Poland are getting down to thirty-one below zero this week, too cold for “man or beast.” However, for one beast the cold was only one of his worries. His misfortunate voyage started when he found himself stranded on an ice flow that carried him over one hundred miles along the Vistula River and out into the Baltic Sea. His story would have ended in tragedy except for the watchful eye of a sailor on a ship called the “Baltic.” At first the crew thought the shape on the ice may have been a seal, but with decided to determine who or what was trying to keep it balance to stay out of the frigid waters. Ship engineer Adam Buczynski managed to scoop the dog off the floe onto an inflatable dinghyand wrapped him in a blanket."He didn't even squeal. There was just fear in his big eyes," said Buczynski. It seems that the dog had not gone unnoticed in the beginning of his ordeal. Firefighters attempted to rescue him, but were unable and had to watch him float away to his presumable death. "We were in the right place at the right time," said Joachim, noting that they rescued him shortly before night fall. The crew is now trying to locate the dog's owner.
Many of us have felt the fear and hopelessness this poor canine experienced on the cold ice; perhaps not in a literal way, but in an emotional and spiritual context. When our life becomes out of control and we find ourselves attempting to make our own way, the only result is that things get even more fouled up. There is no way we can save ourselves from this mess we make of our life. Satan has tempted us and we have taken the bait and now we are “floating down stream to our death” while he glibly smiles and congratulates himself on one more presumed victory. We can cry, but our tears seem to only freeze to our cheeks. We can call for help; and there comes the turning point from certain death to rescue by strong hands. Jesus reaches into the cold darkness and “scoops” us up. He wraps us tightly in His loving arms and assures us He will never let go. This is a journey many have taken and some are on this very hour. Spiritually floating away in sin to their deserved eternal death – Jesus reaching out with scarred hands to rescue. Where are you on this journey today?

Jesus in our life

Chuck Mathews — 2010-01-24T21:51:16-07:00

We have all seen bumper stickers or at the very least heard someone say, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” However do you know the origin of the phrase? Well if you don’t know where it all started let me take just a moment and share it with you. Malcolm Forbes, know as the man who had everything, took a motorcycle “road trip” with his team through Egypt in 1984.. After Mr. Forbes had toured the tomb of King Tut, but afterwards seemed in a reflective mood about his own life. He asked one of the team members, “Do you think I’ll be remembered after I die?” For sure and for certain Forbes is remembered, because he is the one that coined the phrase we started with. However, it was not just a passing phrase, it became Mr. Forbes ambition in life. He managed to collect numerous motorcycles; a collection envied by biking enthusiasts world wide. He would pay over a million dollars for a “Faberge egg,” of which he owned ten. Mr. Forbes owned castles, hot air balloons and countless other “toys” that he can no longer access. Mr. Forbes died in 1990 of a heart attack, at his home in Far Hills, New Jersey. So did he win? Is he remembered?
Jesus gave us words of wisdom about Mr. Malcolm Forbes wisdom of life; “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul.” Our sermon text today is also from wise words of Jesus; “So therefore, no one of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.” To hear what Jesus says about material blessings and then understand and apply that wisdom to your life will make you a winner in the full sense of the word. All we have in this world is given by God. Every material thing is a blessing from His hand to yours. Therefore, we should never envy someone’s blessings, because God is blessing us with our own material gifts too. Jesus just wants us to know that will all the generous gifts from heaven, He is the greatest and He deserves or better yet, demands that He be placed above all things in this world. This is true wisdom. This is the way to be the winner. So, “he who dies with Jesus as the most in his/her life wins.”

Be courageous

Chuck Mathews — 2010-01-10T13:40:49-07:00

One dark night outside a small town, a fire started inside the local chemical plant. Before long it exploded into flames and an alarm went out to fire departments from miles around. After fighting the fire for over an hour, the chemical company president approached the fire chief and said, "All of our secret formulas are in the vault in the center of the plant. They must be saved! I will give $50,000 to the engine company that brings them out safely!" As soon as the chief heard this, he ordered the firemen to strengthen their attack on the blaze. After two more hours of attacking the fire, to no avail, the president of the company upped his offer to $100,000 to the engine company that could bring out the company's secret files. From the distance a long siren was heard and another fire truck came into sight. It was a local volunteer fire company composed entirely of men over 65! To everyone's amazement the little fire engine raced through the chemical plant gates and drove straight into the middle of the inferno. In the distance the other firemen watched as the old timers hopped off of their rig and began to fight the fire with an effort that they had never seen before. After an hour of intense fighting the volunteer company had extinguished the fire and saved the secret formulas. Joyous, the chemical company president announced that he would double the reward to $200,000 and walked over to personally thank each of the volunteers. After thanking each of the old men individually, the president asked the group what they intended to do with the reward money. The fire truck driver looked him right in the eye and said, "The first thing we're going to do is fix the brakes on that truck!" Many times in life we are thrust into situations that we have little control. What we do have is the choice to be cowards or heroes, stand or run, remain fearful or be courageous. He simply calls us to follow His lead with courage and resolve. Let s answer the call, because after all we already now the outcome if we stand with Jesus. Just know Him and that nothing can really hurt us it makes it very easy to be courageous.

Reward we can share

Chuck Mathews — 2010-01-03T13:33:47-07:00

According to a researcher at the University of Michigan, a program of good exercise may help a person fight off colds and infection. The theory is that a good workout puts the body in a condition similar to what happens at the onset of a fever. That's not all bad. Most biologists are of the opinion that a fever is the body's way of fighting back when micro-intruders get into the system. Increased body temperature seems to aid the white-cell defense system while slowing down the action of bacteria and viruses. Exercise, it is now thought, does the same thing. It releases chemicals into the blood that stimulate the brain to make our temperature rise. The Bible teaches that a regular course of good spiritual exercise is highly beneficial to the health of our soul. It shows us that sin is effectively warded off in a person who is walking in the light, one who is obeying Jesus each day. There is no greater ‌virus‍ known to man, or has taken more lives than that of sin. Getting in ‌Spiritual‍ shape and staying that way can go a very long ways in staying spiritually healthy. Perhaps at the beginning of this new year is a good time to take a personal inventory of our health. Paul encourages all to ‌Be strong in the Lord‍ if we are not then we are asking to contract the deadly virus. To get ‌fit‍ and stay ‌fit‍ is my goal, and I hope it is yours too. After all it is so much nicer to workout with someone else and the reward is something we can share as well.

Resolutions

Chuck Mathews — 2009-12-27T20:02:02-07:00

So here we are at the end of another year and at the beginning of a brand new one. This is the time for family and friends, parades and parties, bowl games and blizzards, reflections and resolutions. For many it is this time of year we make promises to ourselves to make changes to make ourselves and life better in the coming year. Some will resolve to eat better and shed more than a few pounds. This is when ‌health clubs‍ memberships grow, because we resolve to exercise everyday. To be honest last year I made six new years resolution, and I am very proud to say that I have keep every one. I have kept them in an envelope in my desk. Unfortunately, if we keep our resolutions that is the manner in which we ‌keep‍ them, or we simply don t persevere and our resolution relapse to our last year patterns. In some cases it matters very little if our resolution is kept diligently or in a drawer. Yet, the resolutions that we need to make, keep, and complete are those that deal with our spiritual life. Such resolutions will shape our life in ways that we never dreamed when we utter those words, ‌This year I resolve to…‍ May you and I make those resolutions that will change our life and keep us always walking in the footsteps of Jesus; not only for 2010, but for a lifetime.

Attitude of Love

Chuck Mathews — 2009-12-20T19:20:39-07:00

Last Monday something marvelous and almost magical happened in a small diner in Philadelphia. It started with a young couple paying for their meal, and then asking to pay for another couples dinner as well. The unusual thing was they didn t even know the couple, had not spoken to them, and asked that the cashier simply tell them their meal was paid for and to have a Merry Christmas. I know: it is such a wonderful story. However, that is not really the story. Remember I said ‌it started‍ with paying for the meal. The double ‌m‍ part (marvelous and magical) was that it continued for five hours. One after another as they learned someone had the heart to give, they in turn gave and paid for someone else s meal. ‌I had tears in my eyes because it never happened before. I ve been here for 10 years and I ve never seen anything like that,‍ said, Lynn Willard, a waitress at the eatery. The diner s manager said, ‌Not one person was concerned about price of the check -- which averaged between twelve to thirty dollars. Those who took the check also tipped the waitress. So nobody had to do anything other than pass it on and that s what they did. They just passed it forward.‍ What a great example of love and giving. This season people are drawn to look at the greatest act of love and giving known to man: God loving mankind so much that He gave Jesus as the sacrifice for sins. When we witness the extent of God s love for us it makes it easier to love others and give of ourselves as the Lord did for us. Is it just the season? Could it remain for each season, for each day, forever? It does with God s divine love, and He said for us to love each other as loves us. Let’s carry this attitude of love to everyone throughout the year.

Let's all be ready together

Chuck Mathews — 2009-12-13T18:48:25-07:00

‌Holy Cow!‍ At least that is what many are saying in Sterling, Connecticut. The focus is on a little calf named ‌Moses.‍ Moses is a light brown, Jersey/Holstein mix, milk calf. However, it is not his name or the color of his coat that has everyone in a frenzy. It all has to do with the white marking on his forehead, because it is in the shape of a cross. The chairman of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Dairy Science, Ric Grummer, says the cross shape is unique. Moses owner Brad Davis reassured the public that Moses would never become table fare. When asked about the cross on the forehead of Moses, Mr. Davis had these words to say, ‌I think marking is a message from above, but I m not sure what that message might be.‍ The message from heaven is not found on little Moses forehead, or on a dairy farm on the east coast. The message is found in the Savior that God sent to pay the penalty of our sins. The short time He spent from manger to cross was spent in His pursuit to redeem you and me. With His birth, life and death on the cross the door to heaven was once again opened to mankind. However, the message of the manger to the cross was not buried with Him in the tomb. He also said, ‌I am coming soon.‍ The most exhilarating message from Jesus is that He is coming back to the faithful to spend eternity with Him. Yet, sown through the message is an urgent plea to be ready for that moment in time where time will cease, and all men will find him/herself at the judgment seat of God. I don t know if Moses the calf is bearing a message from God or not, but I do know that the Lord s message is clear today I am coming quickly. Let s all be ready together.

Let Jesus be the center of December

Chuck Mathews — 2009-12-06T20:17:02-07:00

Tis the season to be … haughty?????? Well so it seems by the reports coming from our friends across the sea. Reporters in London have filed a report dealing with Christmas pageants preformed by children in their local schools. However, the story is not centered on the children, or even the child in the manger that inspires these theatrical performances. The focus of the report is dealing with the competitive parents that fork out hundreds of dollars for elaborate costumes for their child. It used to be burlap and bed sheets, but now these moms and dads are purchasing velour dressing gowns and luxury pashmina (I m so low class I don t even know what this is) shawls so their little one can shine like a star in the nativity play. They even have coined a phrase for landing a part in such school plays. Are you ready for it, are you sure? Well here it is; ‌manger chic.‍ One child wearing arctic fur throws for his part as a sheep. Some children are wearing bridesmaid dresses adorned with ivory. You guessed it; they are the angels on high. Ed Watson, form Debenhams department store chain, said, "The amount of money that some parents want to spend on their child's nativity play appearance would enable Baby Jesus to leave the stable and check into a five star hotel." Everyone wants to be the star, to be noticed, and to shine. I suppose it is our nature to want to stand out will trying to fit in. Mr. Watson also said, "While we applaud parents for wanting to do their very best for their children, we feel certain that the story of the Nativitycan still be told using very simple materials.‍Some where or some how people have lost their focus on the One that out shines all. The baby in the manger is not some plaster cast statue. This baby really was born in a manger. He grew and lived just like every one of us. The difference is that his focus was you, and His focus was me. He gave His life on a cross that was surely mine. The nails that held Him there were meant for me. The spear that pierced His side was my destiny and my punishment for the sins that I have committed. It is not just the Christmas season that brings us to look deep into His eyes: it is with each day we long to be with Him and strive to live like Him, so some day our dream, our hope, will become our reality. Let Jesus be the center of your December, as well as all the days that follow.

Experience new life

Chuck Mathews — 2009-11-29T15:18:58-07:00

Hundreds of thousands of Hindu believers gathered at a temple in southern Nepal last Tuesday to celebrate a long standing custom of their Hindu history. It is a festival that has drawn the attention of animal welfare advocates. This particular ceremony involves the slaughter of more than 200,000 animals. One noted Nepalese minster said it is the largest sacrificial slaughter of animals in the world. Many of the activists have protested the killing of these animals, but the Hindu organizers have refused to halt the celebration stating it is a tradition that dates back several centuries. The animals under the knife include buffaloes, goats, chickens and pigeons. They will be sacrificed to the Hindu goddess Gadhimai. This celebration is held every five years and the sacrifices are believed to end evil and bring prosperity to the believer. The slaughtered animals are taken back by devotees to their villages and eaten during a feast. The meat is considered blessed and consuming it protects them from evil. You and I, as Christians, celebrate every first day of the week a sacrifice that was given for each and every one of us. That death and spilled blood defeated evil forever and brought us an eternal prosperity to those that believe. Jesus became that sacrifice because of the sin in our lives; that evil that we allow to come into our life. Sin has but one outcome, and that is death. However, because of Jesus and His loving sacrifice we can rise from that death to walk in life. Throughout the centuries of time animals have been sacrificed, their blood running freely upon the ground: and it looks as if that practice will continue. If only those people could know Christ, could see that His sacrifice is what they need, could understand the love of Christ, could experience the new life in Jesus that awaits them. How can they know the answer is through us that do know.

THANK YOU, JESUS

Chuck Mathews — 2009-11-22T15:32:13-07:00

A. J. Cronin was born in 1896 in Cardross, Scotland. He was educated at Dumbarton Academy where he received baccalaureates in medicine and surgery. In 1914, he entered the Glasgow University Medical School, graduating in 1919. During World War I Cronin served as a surgeon in the Royal Navy. After the war, he worked as a ship's surgeon on a liner bound for India, and then served in various hospitals. In 1930, his health broke down and he turned to writing as a profession. In 1931 he produced his first novel, "Hatter's Castle," which became an immediate success. He followed it with several best-selling books including "The Citadel," "The Stars Look Down," and "The Keys of the Kingdom." Once Cronin told about a colleague who gave an unusual prescription to patients afflicted with worry, fear, discouragement or self-doubt. The doctor called it his thank-you cure. "For six weeks I want you to say thank you whenever anyone does you a favor. And to show you mean it, emphasize the words with a smile." Within six weeks most of the doctor's patients showed great improvement. Giving thanks not be a once a year event for us. It is practiced daily for all the blessings that we receive. Charles Jefferson said, "Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies." When we take a backward glace in the rearview mirror of our past all we see is the blessings of the Lord. Go ahead take this moment to glance in ours. Did you see just one face looking back? That man s face with tender eyes and a smile that lights up the universe. Did you see the face of Jesus? He has done the greatest favor by placing the sentence of death our sins demand. Salvation is found in that face. Saying thank you just doesn t seem enough, and even emphasizing it with a smile tends to fall well short. "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness" (Colossians 2:7). When we live daily living for Jesus it will produce a heart that bursts with thanksgiving. So smile dear family and shout from an overflowing heart; THANK YOU JESUS.

A hug

Chuck Mathews — 2009-11-15T15:31:38-07:00

In the fall of the year, Linda, a young woman, was traveling alone up the rutted and rugged highway from Alberta to the Yukon. Linda didn t know you don t travel to Whitehorse alone in a rundown Honda Civic, so she set off where only four-wheel drives normally venture. The first evening she found a room in the mountains near a summit and asked for a 5 A.M. wakeup call so she could get an early start. She couldn t understand why the clerk looked surprised at that request, but as she awoke to early-morning fog shrouding the mountain tops, she understood. Not wanting to look foolish, she got up and went to breakfast. Two truckers invited Linda to join them, and since the place was so small, she felt obliged. ‌Where are you headed?‍ one of the truckers asked. Whitehorse ‌In that little Civic? No way! This pass is DANGEROUS in weather like this.‍ ‌Well, I m determined to try,‍ was Linda s gutsy, if not very informed, response. ‌Then I guess we re just going to have to hug you,‍ the trucker suggested. Linda drew back. ‌I don t even know you. There s no way I m going to let you touch me!‍ ‌Not like THAT!‍ the truckers chuckled. ‌We ll put one truck in front of you and one in the rear. In that way, we ll get you through the mountains.‍ All that foggy morning Linda followed the two red dots in front of her and had the reassurance of a big escort behind as they made their way safely through the mountains. Caught in the fog: that is a clear description of our dangerous passage through life. What you need and I need is someone to wrap themselves around us. We need to be ‌hugged.‍ With fellow Christians who know the way and can lead safely ahead of us, and with others behind, gently encouraging us along, we, too, can pass safely. There is a closeness in God s church family. However, that closeness and the constant need for a ‌hug‍ is not supernaturally placed within its members. This is a relationship that is developed and continually evolving into a bond that will stand in the journey of life and remain through the halls of Heaven. There is nothing that feels better than a ‌hug‍ from your brothers and sisters. I could use one right now, how about you?

Travel on your knees- Sandra Goodwin

Chuck Mathews — 2009-11-08T10:37:32-07:00

Travel On Your Knees  Last night I took a journey To a land far "cross the seas; I didn't go by boat or plane, I trusted on my knees.  I saw so many people there In deepest depths of sin, And Jesus told me I should go That there were souls to win.  But I said, "Jesus, I can't go And work with such as these.' He answered quickly, "Yes, you can By traveling on your knees.'  He said, "You pray; I'll meet the need, You call and I will hear; Be concerned about lost souls, Of those both far and near.'  And so I tried it, knelt in prayer, Gave up some hours of ease; I felt the Lord right by my side While traveling on my knees.  As I prayed on and saw souls saved And twisted bodies healed, And saw God's workers? strength renewed While laboring in the field.  I said, "Yes, Lord, I have a job My desire Thy will to please; I can go and heed Thy call By traveling on my knees.'
-Sandra Goodwin

Dear family, few of us have seen the faces of those in Guatemala, but we have seen them in our hearts and while ‌traveling‍ on our knees. Hy will be here tonight to share news of the ministry in Central America. Let s encourage him as much as he and Byron encourage us.

Clothed with Christ

Chuck Mathews — 2009-11-01T20:06:08-07:00

The Army Chaplain Corp has a Latin phrase on their insignia - Pro Deo Et Patria, which is translated: For God and Country. It is their motto as an Army Soldier and as a Minister. I believe that this should be the motto of each and every American. However, Trevor Keezor found out that this doesn’t hold true at Home Depot where he “used” to work in Okeechobee, Florida. We have all seen the pins and buttons Home Depot’s employees wear on their orange aprons. Trevor was fired for wearing a button that the company said was not allowed. The button simply said, “One nation under God.” Trevor had displayed that button on his company issued apron for over a year in support of our country and our brave troops deployed overseas, including his brother. Trevor said that nothing had been said until he recently started bringing his Bible to read during scheduled breaks in the employee area. The management told him the button would have to be removed, but Trevor refused. Home Depot fired young Trevor citing he violated the company dress code. The company did issue this release by Mr. Craig Fishel: "This associate chose to wear a button that expressed his religious beliefs. The issue is not whether or not we agree with the message on the button. That's not our place to say, which is exactly why we have a blanket policy, which is long-standing and well-communicated to our associates, that only company-provided pins and badges can be worn on our aprons." Kara Skorupa, Trevor’s lawyer, is proceeding with a lawsuit against Home Depot. She noted that the slogan on the button were words taken directly from our pledge of allegiance. She also had these words to reporters, "These mottos and sayings that involve God, that's part of our country and historical fabric,"

I admire young Trevor Keezor for standing up for what and who he believes. He told reporters that he felt like he was being punished for loving his country. What would happen is we wore buttons proclaiming our allegiance not only to country, but our dedication to God? What if we took the motto of the Army Chaplain, “For God and Country” and wore it proudly? What if we took our Bibles to work and read the precious scriptures during our break time? Would we get fired for standing up for what and Who we believe and live for? Better yet, would they even notice where our allegiance lies? We don’t need to wear the button – people should easily see that we are “clothed with Christ and that we have been crucified with Him and it is no longer us who lives, but Him that lives in us and the life we no live we live for Him.

What have you done with your sins?

Chuck Mathews — 2009-10-18T15:57:37-06:00

Police in central Pennsylvania say they've nabbed a real pothead. They said an officer spotted 29-year-old Cesar Lopez inside a convenience store with a bag of marijuana stuck to his forehead. Investigators said Lopez was seen peering inside his baseball capearly Saturday morningin Lebanon, which is located about 75 miles northwest of Philadelphia. When Lopez looked up, the officer noticed a small plastic bagappearing to contain marijuana stuck to his forehead. Police said the officer peeled the bag off Lopez's forehead and placed him under arrest. He has been charged with drug possession. Inside the hat band of caps is a favorite place for many ‌users‍ to hide their ‌stash‍ of drugs. Mr. Lopez thoughts must have gone from ‌where could my pot have gone‍ to ‌why is that cop looking at me with that smile on his face.‍ The Bible plainly says, ‌O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you.‍ We make think ourselves cleaver and think we are getting away with something that we should. However, God sees our sins just as plainly as pot on the forehead. Yet, we can also see that God will take those sins away and allow us to appear ‌clean‍ and new. He reassures us, ‌Though yoursinsare as scarlet, they willbe as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they willbe like wool.‍ Can you imagine how imbarrassing to come to the eternal court and attempt to justify our sinful actions while all the time they as evident as if they are ‌stuck to our foreheads?‍ The only way to stand justified at judgment is through Jesus. There is no way to stash our sins, but there is a way to have them washed away and stand justified before God. What have you done with your sins?

Throw the flag

Chuck Mathews — 2009-10-11T15:56:38-06:00

and let the pigskin fly. However, the ball found its mark in the arms of Oakland Raider Chris Johnson. Mr. Johnson dropped to his knees in the end-zone and gave thanks to God for his fortunate interception. More than Chris Johnson s knees hit the grass after that play. One of the officials tossed the un-beloved yellow penalty flag, and Chris Johnson was charged with ‌excessive celebration.‍ The Raiders were given the mandatory fifteen yard penalty and Mr. Johnson can be fined up to ten thousand dollars for falling to his knees and raising his hands to the heavens. Later Mr. Johnson made this statement, ‌I'm just getting on my knees giving my respect to God. I don't see how that's a personal foul or anything like that."Of course the NFL s stance is that the rules are the rules. They dogmatically point to the 2006 ruling prohibiting NFL players from celebrating in the end zoneby "going to the ground to celebrate a touchdown or using the ball as a prop." The moment Chris Johnson fell to his knees the rule was violated. But don t give up yet. This last week someone dug up an old video clip featuring the NFL's vice-president of officiatingexplaining that a player isallowed to drop to his knees if it's in prayer. Mike Pereira told the NFL Network last year that there would be an exception to the "going to the ground" rule for players who did so to "praise the lord". He said he'd allowed this because he didn't want to be "struck by lightning". Perhaps this is just one of those rules that need to be broken. I don t play professional football, but it seems that the rule excessive celebration extends past the strips on the field and into the streets of our communities. People don t want us to praise God for what He does in our daily life. Even the mentioning of God in our workplace or the halls of our schools places us in jeopardy. So what will Chris Johnson do the next time he intercepts a pass in the end-zone? Well I suppose we will just have to wait and see, because that will be his decision to make. But what about you and me? What will we do next time we have a burning desire to yell out loud, ‌Praise the Lord?‍ You guessed it: that will be our decision too. My prayer is that when those times present themselves in our lives they will be forced to ‌throw the flag.‍

Fixing our eyes on Jesus

Chuck Mathews — 2009-10-03T20:20:57-06:00

We have all heard stories of pets being lost or simply missing large distances away from their homes, and yet finding their way back. Even Hollywood has tapped into the concept in 1963 and again in 1993 with their versions of the novel ‌The Incredible Journey.‍ The later remake stared a Golden Retrievernamed Shadow, voiced by Don Ameche, a Himalayancat named Sassy voiced by Sally Field, and an American Bulldognamed Chance voiced by Michael J. Fox. The animals belonged to the Burnford-Seaver family. Bob Seaver (Robert Hays) recently married Laura Burnford (Kim Greist) and merged their families: Peter Burnford (Benj Thall), Hope Burnford (Veronica Lauren) and Jamie Seaver (Kevin Chevalia) - owners of Shadow, Sassy and Chance respectively. The plot begins when Bob must take a one-year job in San Francisco, leaving the animals at a friend's Oregon ranch. But after several days, the worried animals begin to think their family must be in trouble, so they decide to go out and look for them. The three bicker and crack jokes as they set off on a truly incredible journey chock full of misadventures as they trek their way back to their owners. On their incredible journey across the ruggedly beautiful Sierras, they encounter unexpected surprises from man, beast, and nature alike. This flick generated forty million dollars and a sequel was produced a few years later. Can animals really accomplish such ‌incredible journeys?‍ If so how can they do that? Perhaps the answer is simpler than people give credit. I think they can make the journey, because it is in their heart to do so. God created hearts to long for home, so why wouldn t they do all in their power to reach it. Look at your own heart; it was created to long for home as well. This journey of life on earth is filled with all sorts of peril and surprises. Yet, we stay the course. You and I have a longing for home; the place we are supposed to be; the place we belong. The Lord keeps encouraging us to ‌trek on‍ ‌Let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.‍ Shadow, Sassy, and Chance set their heart and feet to reach home. Let s do the same as we journey always onward and upward toward home.

Chuck Luck

Chuck Mathews — 2009-09-27T11:34:18-06:00

Lately I have told you of my experiences in the mountains of Wyoming. Or perhaps I shouldn t say experiences, but more precisely ‌challenges.‍ First it was the atv and the pull starter I didn t know about. Then the transmission line on my truck that Ford says should never come off, because a special tool is needed for its removal; and then it is most difficult. Well, Vickie has noted that they just don t understand what she calls, ‌Chuck luck.‍ However this week I read about a fellow that seems to be cut from the same mold of fortune. His name is Juan Manuel Olivera, and he is a ‌striker‍ for his soccer team from Chile. He collided with the opposing team s goalie and was knocked cold. He regained consciousness in the ambulance, but when examined at the clinic he was ordered to spend the night in the hospital in Santiago. He was being transported by ambulance to medical facility when it was struck by another car. Fortunately, no one was injured, but Juan spent the next two hours waiting for a substitute ambulance which was delayed by rush-hour traffic. From some folks perspective Juan and I would be avoided like the swine flu, but looking deeper makes one re-adjust their opinion. I don t know about how Juan viewed his ordeal, but I know what I gained from ‌Chuck luck‍ on the mountain. I could see the greatness of God s love and care for me. I am certainly not someone special in the eyes of most people, but it is revealed in these experiences that God sees me special enough to take charge each and every aspect of my mountain experiences. Hiking back and forth from the atv was the most memorable and precious that I can recall in years: time with God and His great gift of my beloved wife. As for the Ford experience; my appreciation and faith in God grew by leaps and bounds. So if this is ‌Chuck luck‍ I am the most fortunate man on the planet. Don t you wish you had my luck too?

The secret to eternal life

Chuck Mathews — 2009-09-20T15:53:39-06:00

Gertrude Baines was born when Grover Cleveland was in office. She married while a young lady, or more precisely an older girl. Gertrude lived in the deep south where her life was hard and tested. She couldn t go many places other young women went, or eat in the same restaurants, or drink from the same water fountains. Yes, Gertrude s skin color was black. She had only one child, but her daughter died when only eighteen. Gertrude divorced and worked as a maid for the remainder of her working years. None of this gave her the recent fame she received. Here public notice came because she was the oldest living human being on the globe. You heard me right; I said ‌was.‍ You see, Gertrude died last week. Most people remember her during the election race for our forty-forth president. She had no qualms about revealing her vote: she said Obama was ‌for the colored‍ so he got her vote. Gertrude said she had only voted one other time in her life and that vote went for John Kennedy. When Gertrude Baines was asked by reporters her secret for living a long life, she would reply "Ask God." Just how long can a person live? In Gertrude s case she lived to be 115 years old. However, the real answer is that a person can live forever. Mrs. Baines knew the answer to long life GOD. He is also the answer to life eternal. The concept that is difficult for us is that we must die to live. Just think of it: we must die in this life before we can expect to live in the next. Of course I am speaking in spiritual terms. Paul reveals this process in our text for today: Romans 6:1-13. He says that at baptism we die and at the same time we begin to live then daily from that point on we manifest death and life in our Christian walk. If someone came up to you today and asked your secret to living an eternal life, what answer would give?  

Prepared for suffering

Chuck Mathews — 2009-09-13T15:51:49-06:00

It happened last August in Allenstown, New Hampshire. The city was celebrating ‌Old Home Day‍ as has become the custom in this sleepy little community of around five thousand residents. The township organized a parade, which meant blocking off some of the streets until the small procession had completed the designated route. One of those ‌Allenstownians‍ by the name of Paul Boucher was not happy about his street being one closed to traffic. The seventy-seven year old man was so upset that he was arrested on two felony accounts. It all started when Mr. Boucher refused to wait and drove through a barricade, and then being confronted by Police Officer Michael Debisz. The officer was then struck by Mr. Boucher with his car! The officer managed to reach into the car and grab the keys. Patrolman Debisz sustained injuries to his leg and was taken to the local hospital and then released.  Who would have imagined a sweet looking Grandpa type would perpetrate assault on a police officer? Certainly not Officer Debisz. However, that is the precise way suffering comes in our life; where we may least expect it. Because of this fact we must be prepared, take precautions, and be watchful. Being prepared for suffering will make it less intense and the duration be a great deal shorter. I bet Office Debisz will be a little more vigilant next year when the ‌Old Home Day‍ rolls around, so he doesn t get rolled over again.

Be prepared to act accordingly

Chuck Mathews — 2009-09-06T18:12:01-06:00

A couple of weeks ago a thirty-three year old man was arrested and remains held in the Clearwater, Florida jail on a ten thousand dollar bond. The authorities said the man was taken into custody at a local Clearwater strip club. No, the man was not arrested on charges of assault or intoxication. The charges were dealing with his conduct; not toward other patrons, or the women employed there. He was charged with two felony counts of child neglect. You see this guy decided to spend the night at the strip joint and leave a three year old and four year old in the car. Now this man will spend some time behind bars rather than in one.  I can only imagine what the children were thinking as the minutes rolled by; looking toward the door and hoping with each time it would open it would be him. Then the fear of what would happen to them when the police escorted him out of the bar and into a police cruiser. They suffered because of no fault of their own. Suffering is a fact of life and we all know that if we are not suffering today, just wait because it could change as quickly as the Wyoming weather. There are many causes for suffering in our life: some we can control and others are far from our reach. Even though suffering will inevitably come to us all, it is good to know where they come from. With this knowledge we can watch for them and be prepared to act accordingly.

A sticky situation

Chuck Mathews — 2009-08-30T16:54:00-06:00

What some people regard as humorous is to others hurtful. Think of visiting a restroom while shopping with your wife in the mall, and ending up being taken to the emergency room instead. That is exactly what happened to a fifty-eight year man in Cairns, Australia this last week. He sat down on the toilet only to find someone had smeared it with quick dry glue. The gentleman was not hurt by the prank, but was understandably humiliated by the sick joke. An ambulance was called and the attendants removed the seat from the toilet and transported the man to the hospital where the seat was removed with industrial solvents. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward so the jokesters can be prosecuted and no one else has to suffer what this gentleman had to endure. Sad to think of such things happening. What did this man do to deserve such a crude and malicious act perpetrated against him? The answer is nothing; absolutely nothing. He was most likely unknown to the individuals that did this. He was innocent and yet suffered. Unfortunately suffering pain and embarrassment is something we all must go through at times in our life. How we react is the key to making the experience a benefit or detriment to us. God Son was persecuted and suffered at the hands of people that didn t even know Him. That suffering continued and found it s zenith as Jesus felt the whip and nails. We cannot regard ourselves immune to suffering, if God Himself suffered. We must look for the good in the suffering and what benefit will come from it. That positive outcome may be for ourselves or it may be for someone else, but we must look for it and realize that there can and will be some benefit. After all you know that you will encounter some ‌sticky‍ situations as you travel through life. Just how will you respond?

WAKE UP!

Chuck Mathews — 2009-08-23T20:43:49-06:00

Police in Adelaide, Australia, rolled up on a man sleeping behind the wheel of a parked car. The 30 year old man was driving an Audi convertible into an automatic car wash Monday and apparently fell asleep. The service attendant called the police around three o clock in the morning, because the car hadn t moved for more than an hour. Once the officers woke the driver and started to examine the care they discovered the Audi had two different license plates. With further investigation they learned that the car was reported stolen in July. So now the driver is receiving the opportunity to get a lot of sleep on a jail cell cot. I bet this young man had wished two things. First, that he had never stolen the car in the first place. Second, he would have stayed awake while in the stolen car. Sleeping is a great thing; it refreshes our mind and body so we can function at full capacity. However, sleeping can also produce negative consequences if done in the wrong places at the wrong times. Spiritually speaking; being asleep can bring forth many undesirable effects and events. Over and over the Holy Spirit tells us be sober, be alert, be attentive. In other words we are to WAKE UP, because the consequences for sleeping spiritually can be eternal. That is what our sermon will speak of; waking up to what God makes available to us: Waking up and using the wisdom, understanding, and power that is ours. If we slumber through life we may just wake up behind bars.

Jesus saves the day

Chuck Mathews — 2009-08-09T18:16:00-06:00

Swiss cheese is supposed to have holes in it, not bits of metal. But what to do when you've lost a spring and you're pretty sure it's in one of the expensive cheeses you planned to sell? Well that is simple; take the cheese to the airport and pass it through security. The Bern-Belp Airport near the Swiss capital says it allowed a local cheese-maker to run seven cheese wheels through an X-ray machinenormally reserved for spotting bombs in luggage. Failure to find the spring would have forced the cheese-maker to forgo selling the loaves, each worth hundreds of dollars. Airport personal said the machine located the spring, allowing it to be extracted and saving the day as well as the cheese. The cheese-maker asked to remain anonymous, with good reason if he ever wanted to sell cheese again. Family we need to search out the unwanted and unhealthy things that have been added to our life, just like the spring in the cheese. When we mix worldliness with righteous living we end up contaminated and no longer living right with God. If the impurity remains it will spoil the entire whole of our lives. We are worth so very much to the Lord. The value Jesus has placed on each person is manifested in the suffering and death on the cross. He can locate and remove the ‌spring in the cheese‍, but only if given a chance. Has Jesus saved the day and saved your soul?

The gift of Grace

Chuck Mathews — 2009-08-02T18:05:00-06:00

There was a church that wanted so desperately to remodel their building, but was having financial problems meeting the goal to do so. The elders and deacons met to discuss how this difficulty could be solved. Many told the preacher to start preaching on giving and don t stop until the goal had been met. However, the deacon of finance told them that this would only cause more problems and that he was the one scheduled to head the table and offering the next Sunday, and he could at very least double the contribution. All the other men placed their trust in their brother and gave him their blessing. The next Sunday the deacon talked about how we show our inner being by our outward giving. Just before the plate was passed he said to the congregation, ‌During the offering I would like all to rise and as the plate begins to pass, just reach forward and take the purse or wallet from the brother or sister in front of you and give like you have always wanted, but could never afford to before today.‍ The contribution for the day did not double; it tripled. It is true that our giving to the work of the Lord s church reflects what we feel inside. Today s sermon will look at many of those reflections that shine through by what we drop in the plate. However, I promise you will not have to stand and snatch the wallet of your brother. God wishes that you give as He has blessed you. Giving is a joyful time in the worship for Christians, because we see what God has done in our lives and it affords us a time to give back in response to His blessings. It is a time of focus on the great gift of grace that was purchased on the cross. It is a time of fellowship with each other and with our Savior. Thank you dear Father for providing a time we can joyfully give as You have generously given to us.

In the eyes of God

Chuck Mathews — 2009-07-26T14:36:47-06:00

A Texas rancher driving through Vermont had to stop to let a farmer's cow cross the road. As the farmer passed in front of the Cadillac convertible, the rancher called out to him, "How much land you got, partner?" "Well," the farmer said, "my land runs all the way down there to them alders along the brook. On the meadow side, over there, it goes clean up to those larches on the hill." "You know," said the rancher, "I got a spread in Texas and I can get in my pickup and drive all day without reaching any of my boundary lines." "That so?" said the farmer. "I had a truck like that once." I have watch and listened to people of all ages and those types of actions and words are designed do just one thing; impress other people. Most of the time the individuals trying to impress others don t know them and will, most likely, never see them again. I see them in the Bible verse standing on a corner receiving the fleeting reward of self gratification. Someday, perhaps, people will understand that it matters very little what you look like or what you do. What defines a person is what's inside. If we could only look at the heart of people, like God does, then it would be easy to see a person for the person he/she truely is. Yet, I can tell you I have stood on my own corner at times in my life, but now I am looking for a much better, more long lasting, and deeper meaning reward. What I look like on the outside just keeps getting less attractive with each year, and I can t run as fast, or catch as well; in short I am just not as impressive as I once was: At least in the eyes of man, and that is just fine. I want to be beautiful, strong, and possess a heart of kindness and faith: if not in other s eyes, at most in the eyes of God. Just remember; a mule dressed in a tuxedo is still a mule.

When God wins, you win

Chuck Mathews — 2009-07-19T18:12:06-06:00

Historian Shelby Foote tells of a soldier who was wounded at the battle of Shiloh during the American Civil War and was ordered to go to the rear. The fighting was fierce and within minutes he returned to his commanding officer. "Captain, give me a gun!" he shouted.. "This fight ain't got any rear!"   Dear Family, this young soldiers statement rings true for each and every one of us today; ‌there is no rear in our battle.‍ I know that at times it feels that the enemy has surrounded us and the battle is as good as lost. But do your remember how a servant s eyes were opened to the reality of the battle. He saw that God s army was poised to fight and win. Faithful men throughout history have said words of truth, ‌For the Lord our God will fight for us.‍ There is no way that you and I can fight these spiritual battles alone. If we try, we die. The only way to win is to look to the Lord, and know with all assurance that He will fight for us, and He will win. Look up and see the power of God as He defeats the enemy that presses in on you each and every day. When God wins, you win.

God is my all in all

Chuck Mathews — 2009-07-12T21:30:45-06:00

Last week, on the fourth of July, we had family visiting and decided to go to the Wyoming Cavalry game and then watch the fireworks. We found our seats, once the lights had come back on from the pregame introductions. It was a great game if you were a Wyoming fan, which we all were. However, the Utah team had a dismal night. To say the Cavalry won is an understatement. The game was one sided from the opening kickoff to the final buzzer. The announcer said that anyone wanting autographs could make their way down to the field, so Joel took the kids and they got their new Cavalry tee-shirts that their Grandma Dorothy had purchased signed by one of the standout players for Wyoming. However, the signing was delayed for several minutes. Players and staff from both teams gather in a circle at mid field, knelt down, held hands, and prayed for the game they had just completed. It caused me to pause to see twenty or so young men praying and giving God the glory for the win as well as the loss. It was the most moving sight of the night – including the bursts of fireworks in the night sky.

Today’s sermon text comes from Proverbs 3:5 and 6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make you paths straight.” Football players on their knees acknowledging God for His greatness was a great reminder for this preacher to do the same with every step in life. Weather I win or lose from day to day; God is making my path straight; clearing the obstacles and helping me move forward. No matter what I do, or where I go; I will acknowledge that God is my all in all.

Jesus will come if you call

Chuck Mathews — 2009-06-14T13:25:21-06:00

After ten years of civil war the residents in Sierra Leone have returned to their homes in some remote villages and towns. This week they have asked the government to send troops and fire brigades to aid them in repealing another invasion. This time it is not rebels or soldiers, these people want to take back control of their police station that has been overrun by hundreds of poisonous snakes. Snake charmers have attempted lure the snakes from the building, but their efforts were in vain. Most of the almost four hundred snakes are cobras and vipers; some of the most deadly serpents on the planet. The police have tried to ‌smoke them out‍ and still the snakes remain fortified in the police station. Folks wanting to report crimes have grown too afraid to enter the building. One officer has said, ‌Even during work time when statements are being taken, these snakes come out in dozens. Inhabitants have found it difficult to report cases to the police.‍ The next attempt by soldiers and fire fighters will be to ‌flood‍ the snakes out, and hopes are that the snakes will be forced to retreat back into the dense forests. Dear family, we have invaders in our life much more deadly than cobras and vipers; the poison of sin creeps in and once there it is impossible to remove by our own efforts. It seems that our sins, like the snakes, just keep multiplying. Yet, there is hope. We can call on the only source to remove the plague of sin. Jesus is the answer to our sin problem. The woman at the well was beaten down by sin in her life, but one encounter with Jesus and her life changed for an eternity. How many ‌snakes‍ have invaded your life, heart, and soul? Dearest friend, the only way you can have them ‌flooded out‍ is by the power of Jesus and His sacrifice. He has told us through the pen of faithful men; ‌Arise and be baptized washing away your sins.‍ So if you have ‌snakes‍ in your dwelling place; call on the rescuer to come and free you from their coils. Jesus will come if only you call.  

That's for life

Chuck Mathews — 2009-06-21T13:23:53-06:00

Mary Marzec was waiting at a Tampa bus stop with her husband. The grass had grown very thick and overgrown the area, and was scratching Mary s legs. Mary swatted away the blades of grass from her legs, and accidently whipped her wedding ring off her finger and into the brush. She had wore that ring for over sixty years, and now this eighty-eight year old woman was on her hands and knees searching for the ring that meant everything to her. However, she had no success in locating the ring, so she went to the Chevron station on the corner and borrowed a pair of scissors. Mary cut the tall grass and crawled franticly searching for the ring. Her husband finally said, ‌Come on lets go. I ll buy you another ring.‍ Some times we husbands just don t get it do we. She shouted back, ‌I m not leaving until I find my ring.‍ A sheriff s deputy happened by and noticed this aged woman crying as she crawled through the thick grass. He had a business card of George Kollmer, a local treasure hunter who owned a couple of metal detectors. Unfortunately before Mr. Kollmer could arrive the Marzecs had to leave for an appointment. When Mr. Kollmer arrived he asked the gas station clerk where the ring had been lost, and the attendant waved out toward the bus stop bench. In a patch of overgrown grass between the sidewalk and a utilities box, Mr. Kollmer's detector got a hit. "Within 10 minutes," he said, "I had it in my hand." He called Mrs. Marzec, and then drove straight to their house with the ring. Mrs. Marzec was in tears, and pressed $50 into Kollmer's hand. The ring from her finger belonged with her heart. "If you promise yourself to someone," she said, "that's for life." Have you ever been in the same situation as Mary? Oh, I don t mean pitching a ring in the brush; something more precious, our soul lost in the depths of sin. No matter how extensive and exhausting our attempts we cannot retrieve our soul. We must call on the only one that can restore our lost relationship with God. If we answer the Gospel s call to repent, confess, and be baptized for the forgiveness of those sins; Jesus will redeem us and reconcile us to the Father. We will not have to shake out $50 from our wallet, because the price is already been paid in blood. Then in the same manner as Mary; Jesus will belong with your heart. Once found you can say the same words as Mary, ‌If you promise yourself to someone, that for life.‍

How will you react?

Chuck Mathews — 2009-06-28T13:22:01-06:00

Scott Fisher, a thirty-eight year old truck driver in New York State, climbed into the cab of his tractor trailer rig. Mr. Fisher was hauling a stinky load. No, really it was stinky because his manifest read, ‌Manure.‍ I can imagine Mr. Fisher was not at all excited about this run down the highway spreading the aroma through out the land. However, he could not fathom just how ‌stinky‍ his trip would become. Mr. Fisher was traveling through St. Lawrence County, near the Canadian border when his day turned from bad to worse. Mr. Fisher had rolled down the windows in the cab to get a little fresh air, and through that open window a wild turkey flew into the truck. While Mr. Fisher attempted to ‌shoo‍ the bird back out the window, the truck ran off the road and hit several fence posts, then smashed in to a utility pole, and slowly rolled onto its side in a ditch. Mr. Fisher was not injured in the accident. Police say the turkey escaped, leaving only a few feathers at the scene. Can you relate to Scott Fisher s day that was turned upside down? If we take a moment and think about it his day is similar to our life in this world. We can be going along life s highway, minding our own business, with things going fairly smoothly, and then something flies in our window causing all kinds of mayhem. It almost comes as a shock when all along Jesus has said that we can expect things to happen. However, it is not a question that stumbling blocks will come; it is how we react to them when they fly in. He tells us that even in our temptations He will be there reaching out to us to pull us to safety. We can get ‌rolled over‍ or we can ‌overcome.‍ It all depends on us if we end up ‌stinking‍ or smelling like a rose.

If you want to be saved-grab on

Chuck Mathews — 2009-07-05T13:21:23-06:00

She didn t know exactly what had happened, where her mother was, or how she got in the water. However, she found herself floating in the Indian Ocean clinging to piece wreckage from the plane of which she was just a passenger. She could hear other voices, but it was too dark to see and impossible to find them. The Yemeni Airbus 310 jet had crashed very early Tuesday morning. Bahia Bakari started her ordeal at one o clock in the morning and struggled to hold on for thirteen hours, until she waved to a rescue boat around three that afternoon. Bahia was near exhaustion when the rescuers arrived. She tried to grasp the life ring they tossed to her, but with a broken collarbone and the many hours trying to stay alive she had no strength. Sergeant Said Abdilai realized her condition and jumped into the sea to get her.. By the writing of this article no other passengers have be found, they are presumed lost; including Bahia s mother. What a hopeless feeling Bahia must have had floating around alone in the darkness, with waves tossing her here and there; calling for help and having no one come to save her. Those hours must have seemed like days, or perhaps even lifetimes. But then to see it in the distance, to hear the low purr of a motor, how her heart must have lifted even though her body was too weak. Can you imagine the feel of Sergeant Abdilai s arms around her saved! Safe at last! Rescued from certain death. Can we relate even in a small way to her ordeal and her salvation? You can if you have felt the saving power of Jesus. If you have felt His powerful embrace of your soul as He has pulled you from the darkness and snatched you from the sea of sin you were drowning; then maybe you can know how she felt as she was wrapped in a blanket aboard the rescue boat. If you cannot image then perhaps you are a drift right now. Your Rescuer is in sight, reaching down for you if you want to be saved grab on!

Duty demands it!

Chuck Mathews — 2009-05-31T21:44:59-06:00

On average the servicemen who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier spend about 8 hours to prepare for duty. Their uniform must be meticulously prepared. A logical question that someone might ask of the soldiers who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Solider is why they do all they do to guard a tomb that only ‌sightseers‍ will visit. Why go through such rigorous training? Why stand their post at a grave in snow storms and rain, in the blistering heat of summer and the freezing cold of winter? They fulfill this tedious and daily demanding task without wavering. WHY? What motivates these soldiers to do such a task? I imagine that for some it is the challenge of doing something few men are able to do that draws them to it. For others it may be the honor, pride, and tradition that goes with being a guard at such a sacred memorial. But over all I am sure that in each soldier there is a love for their country and appreciation for those who died in service to our country. It is their duty as a soldier to fulfill their obligation and responsibility that has been entrusted to them. Why? Because this is their duty, they have been ordered to stand this watch. Duty demands it! What is it that motivates you and me to live our lives worthy of the Lord? Why face the challenges of being a follower of Jesus? Why choose the narrow and difficult path of obedience over the wide and easy path of sin? Just how far will we go to fulfill the obligation and responsibilities that have been entrusted to each of us? What preparation do we put into our life of service to God? Are you standing your watch today, even in the turbulent times of life? Can we say without wavering that we are fulfilling our duty and faithfully obeying our Commander and Chief? Why do Christians stand their post? Why because we love our Lord and because ‌duty demands it.‍

Our Battle Cry

Chuck Mathews — 2009-05-24T20:52:32-06:00

It was February 23rd 1836 when Mexican President/General Santa Anna moved his troops into San Antonio and surrounded the Texas militia fortifying the mission called the Alamo. On March 6th the attacks began. The Texans repelled the first two attacks. The attackers kept pressing so that the militiamen retreated farther in to the mission. The battle became a room to room and hand to hand battle. At the end all the Texans were killed, over 200 men had died to hold Santa Anna long enough for the other militia to form and prepare. The fall of the Alamo and the heroism of its fighters caused mass enlistments and after Sam Houston s strategic withdrawal the Texans attacked on April 21. ‌Remember the Alamo‍ was their battle cry that motivated them to be victorious over Mexico and finding freedom for them and their families.

 It was Sunday morning on December 7th 1941 when 350 Japanese war planes bombed Pearl Harbor. The attack was a complete surprise; no declaration of war had been given. Eighteen American battle ships were sunk or destroyed. 200 airplanes were put out of commission. The killed and wounded numbered 3,581. The President said it was a day that ‌would live in infamy‍ but also motivated thousands of Americans to enlist in the Armed Forces to fight for freedom. The motto was carried through the war years ‌Remember Pearl Harbor.‍

 It was a sunny morning on September 11, 2001, when nineteen terrorists from al Qaeda hijacked four airliners and carried out the most heinous attacks on American civilians the world has ever seen. Two planes crashed into the World Trade Center Twin Towers, causing their collapse. One plane struck the Pentagon, while the other crashed into a field in Pennsylvania; its target was to be the Capital Building, but passengers attempted to retake the plane. Thousands died that day, and on October 7th 2001 troops moved into Afghanistan where the terrorists had their bases and protection of the country. Many Americans enlisted to fight terrorism and remain on the battle fields even today. Their, and our, war cry remains the same as it was in 2001; ‌Remember 911.‍ 

At the Lord s Table today, we too have a battle cry and it is: ‌Remember Jesus Christ.‍ 

Jesus is 'worth ship'

Chuck Mathews — 2009-05-17T14:28:35-06:00

Thousands of Hindus in Malaysia are seeking blessings form a group of unlikely ’boars.’ When I say, ’boars’ I’m not kidding; they are a group of wild pigs that the Hindu people believe possess magical powers, and can bestow on the worshipper a blessing of good luck that could be found no where else. People steadily stream to the shrine eager to feed and touch the dozens of boars that have taken up residency at the temple, first appearing there about a year ago. Busloads of devotees come from as far away as Singapore and Thailand. Many of these travel this distance to receive the luck of the boars to aid in the pursuit of winning their local lottery. A reporter, Ah Tong, said, People come to offer food and then rub a four-digit number on the boar s body to have better chances to strike it big. A visitor to the temple, Lai Chin Cheng, said she was not worried about any health threat from touching the boars, despite the outbreak of a new strain of flu that was initially thought to be associated with swine. "People say what is happening here is a miracle, so it is okay," said Lai.
 What makes these pigs worthy of people s devotion and worship? Has anyone won the lottery because of the swine? Just what is it the makes these particular pigs so great that human beings will fall to their knees and worship them as deity? I would venture to guess that if there was a way to trace the origin of these porkers, it would be discovered that they had escaped or freed from some poor farm years ago. The word worship comes from two words; ’worth ship.’ This means the object of our worship is worthy to be worshiped. We worship Jesus Christ, who is without question worthy. Today s sermon will deal with the worthiness of Jesus; the reason you and I devote ourselves to Him, and why we are here today because He is the Lamb that is worthy to be worshiped. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Chuck Mathews — 2009-05-10T18:21:18-06:00

She cooked the breakfast first of all, Washed the cups and plates. Dressed the children and made sure Stockings all were mates. Combed their hair and made their beds, Sent them out to play; Gathered up their motley toys, Put some books away. Dusted chairs and mopped the stairs, Ironed an hour or two; Baked a jar of cookies and a pie, Then made a pot of stew. The telephone rang constantly, The doorbell did the same; A youngster fell and stubbed his toe And then the laundry came. She picked up blocks and mended socks, Then polished up the kitchen floor. And when her husband came home at four; He said, ‌I envy you! It must be nice to sit at home without a thing to do!‍
  Thank you to all the moms that do all the things they do. On this your special day; we just want to say, ‌we love you through and through.‍

  

Happy Mother s Day!

Hold on to the Master

Chuck Mathews — 2009-05-03T21:35:29-06:00

She was just minding her own business when her life changed with a gust of wind. Tinker Bell was standing on a flat-bed trailer watching Dorothy and Lavern Utley set up an outdoor display at the local flea market in Waterford Township, Michigan. Suddenly a seventy mile per hour gust of wind picked Tinker Bell up and carried her out of sight. Don’t be so skeptical, it could and did happen last week. You must realize that Tinker Bell is a six pound Chihuahua. Then Dorothy and Lavern searched high and low for Tinker Bell (no pun intended). However, they couldn’t find her anywhere, so they called in a, now get this; “pet psychic” to find their lost pet. Now I don’t know if it would have been too hard to figure out that if the wind was blowing in a North Easterly direction that you could most likely find the little pooch in that direction, without being a psychic. But, they can give credit to whom or what ever they wish. Tinker Bell was discovered about one mile from her “launching point.” The little dog was dirty and scared but went wild when she was returned to the loving arms of her master.

There are a lot of strong winds that blow us far away from our Master. I am glad that there is a way back to Him, and to know that He is constantly looking for us and eager to welcome us back to where we belong. When you and I find ourselves far from Jesus we probably look a lot like little Tinker Bell did when she was found; all ragged and dirty. Yet when we are scooped up in the Master’s arms we are washed clean and given a new life to live. Yeah, we should be dead after being blown so far away, but as we return to Him we really have life and so abundantly. The only way to avoid being blown away is to hold on tight to the Master when you feel the wind begin to blow. Let’s hang on for our lives, because you and I know the wind never quits blowing.

Reach Out

Chuck Mathews — 2009-04-19T16:11:00-06:00

Many years ago I was working on a rigging crew in Wheatland, Wyoming, during the construction of the Laramie River Power Plant. Two co-workers and myself were hanging a bundle of tubes in the top of the firebox. I know that this probably doesn t mean much to you unless you have done this. It is a bundle of tubing used to produce ‌super steam‍ that will turn the turbine and produce electricity. This bundle is about 200 feet up, with nothing but air and a long way down to the concrete floor below. One worker and I were on the outside edge of the bundle when someone above us dropped a socket. The socket landed just in front of my co-worker and then ricocheted, striking him in the forehead. I heard the noise and looked to see this man teetering on the edge, just about to fall to his undoubted death. I ran the fifteen or so feet just in time to grab him and force him into the bundle. I called for the other co-worker to help hold the now unconscious man as we were slowly lowered to the ground. We all survived and as far as I know the man is alive and most likely a grandpa by now. I prayed very long and hard that night; for the man s recovery and thanks for protecting all of us that day and for the days that followed. It is so amazing to realize how God places us in certain situations and at different times to make a difference. Much like He did with Esther as queen, but also as savior of her people. To think that this very moment God has placed us in Casper, Wyoming, working at the jobs we have, encountering the people we do, and doing what we do every day; so we can make a difference. We have the opportunity every day to change a life or even save a life. So many people are falling and at the end of their terrible tumble is death and eternal destruction. God has arranged it that we are in the right place at the right time to do the right thing. Let’s all reach out today and each day here after.

Let's Celebrate!

Chuck Mathews — 2009-04-12T17:47:05-06:00

Last Wednesday morning in Jerusalem thousands of Jewish people gathered at the ‌wailing Wall‍ and on rooftops before sunrise waiting for the first glimmers of the sun as it became visible in the Eastern sky. They gathered together as they do every twenty-eight years to offer a blessing to the sun. The prayer is called Birkat Hakhama. Men, women, and children dress in white prayer shawls and sway back and forth uttering their prayer of blessing. Throughout Israel and the West Bank thousands more sought out hilltops and climbed to their roofs to recite the prayer at the sun s first rays. The blessing of the sun prayer is in accordance with a Jewish ‌tradition‍ that the sun is in the same position every twenty-eight years as it was on the day of creation more than five thousand and seventy years ago. There is more excitement this year because this twenty-eighth year coincides with the beginning of Passover, which began at sundown on Wednesday. All of these folks have come together for the ‌blessing of the sun‍. I don t know about you but I see this as very ironic. As they gather this week to celebrate the blessing of the SUN, millions of others around the world gather to celebrate the blessing of the SON. This is not just a ‌play on words,‍ it is also an occasion of heart wrenching emotion for me. Thousands of Jews celebrating the rising of a fiery ball in the sky, and not even acknowledging the Son of God that came ‌in the fullness of time‍ to us all; gladly sacrificing Himself to save every person from our sins that can cause an eternity in a fiery Hell. Others that will come to ‌Christian‍ churches to worship one of the few Sundays they attend; to worship Jesus Christ and yet not even knowing what ‌Christ‍ means (The Anointed One of God). Worse than not defining Christ, they don t realize they have no relationship with Him. I don t mean to dampen your celebration today. In fact my goal is just the opposite; I want you to celebrate the blessing of the Son. I just want you to know Him, love Him, and follow Him all the way to, and through, eternity. Let the celebration begin!

Don't Look Down

Chuck Mathews — 2009-03-29T10:30:00-06:00

Can you remember your first day of school? Last Monday marked an eight year old autistic boy s first day in the classroom of a special needs school in Bangkok, Thailand. This little lad became so scared that he crawled out an open balcony window and perched himself on the ledge. Teachers attempted to persuade the boy to come back inside, but he was having none of it. The fire-rescue was called and even they couldn t budge the boy. Then the eight-year old s mother told the school about her son s love for superheroes. When Sonchai Yoosabai heard this he rushed back to the fire station, opened his locker, and dressed in his personal ‌Spiderman‍ suit. Now before you let your mind run away, he used the costume for safety lectures at local schools. Mr. Yoosabai returned to the scene and said to the frightened boy, ‌Spiderman is here to rescue you; no monsters are going to attack you. Walk slowly towards me because running could be dangerous.‍ The boy immediately stood up and walked into the hero s arms. All his fears were gone and he was safe once again because of his hero, Mr. Sonchai Yoosabai, alias Spidey. I don t know about you, but in my life I have been out on a ledge; at least I feel like it was a ledge with a long way down if I fell.. Granted we sometime get ourselves on the ledge and other times we find ourselves there by no action of our own. And to be perfectly honest God allows us to teeter on the edge to learn lessons we could learn no other way. However, His motive is to draw us closer to him. Those situations make us search ourselves and produce a deeper faith. If we face the ‌ledges‍ of life with faith we know that God is the only real hero; because He will come to our rescue and we will find ourselves saved and resting in His loving arms. If you are on the ledge today take my advice; don t look down, just fix your eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of your faith.

Happy Ending

Chuck Mathews — 2009-03-22T20:00:02-06:00

It was Butch’s tenth birthday and all he had talked about was getting a puppy as his gift. He had picked out a name and every night would tell his family what he and his dog “Ruff” were going to do come summertime. Butch’s parents decided they could not dash the boy’s dream and visited the local pet shop. There were all kinds of pets to choose from, but as Butch sat on the floor surrounded by all types of puppies, he reached out and snatched up a pup that was jumping all around and wagging his tail furiously, but was the ugliest little mutt that has ever puddled on the carpet. His parents tried to persuade the boy to pick a different pup, but Butch had his mind made up; this little ugly mass of fur was going to be his “Ruff.” They asked, “Why would you pick him when there are so many cute little dogs here?” They were not expecting the answer Butch gave, “I want the one with the happy ending.” (If you didn’t get it – because of the wagging tail.)

The faithful follower of Jesus has a “happy ending” waiting for us. We know that because of Jesus being raised from the dead, God will raise us at His proper time. This we know because He has told us that He will. So many wonder what it will be like – what new body will we have? Super, because it will be like Jesus. Having that happy ending makes me have a “happy ending” today too (if I had one to wag); how about you?