Wanna Get High?

http://fieldnotes.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/17/8370150-support-for-legalizing-pot-hits-all-time-high

Support for marijuana legalization is at an all time high (no pun intended).  However, so is depression.  What bothers me is that there is that Marijuana is still considered a schedule one drug, which means that it:

"(A) The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.

(B) The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.

(C) There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision."


In other words, this drug has ZERO positive effects.  Oh sure it might help you relax (until the paranoia sets in), and might make you laugh (at things that really aren't funny), but pretty much all of us also knew (or currently know) someone who has become so addicted to the drug that is has negatively affected their lives in numerous negative ways.  


I am convinced that deep down, people use this drug to escape reality and fight a sense of emptiness or depression (whether they know it, or accept it or not).  


People who abuse this drug want to feel good, they want to get high. All of us want to feel good, to get a "high" if you wiil...


But... 


To quote the Christian Rap Group Frontlynaz: "WHAT'S HIGHER THAN HEAVEN?!?!"


I can tell you as a person who was saved by Jesus Christ, there is no better feeling than knowing that no matter what happens, heaven and Christ is waiting for me.  I want to tell you about heaven and how to get there.  But before I can do that, I need to tell you about the harsh reality.


God has standards (laws) that he requires us to obey.  I'm sure you have heard of the ten commandments.  Let's take a look at just a few of them:


Have you ever stolen something?  Lied?  Used God's name as a cuss word?  Lusted after someone?  If you have, that means you are guilty of breaking God's laws.  So if you died right now and stood before God, that would make you guilty.  And since God is a good judge, he wont be bribed by our "good deeds" and must make sure that justice is served.  That means that if you are found guilty, He must send you to hell.


How does that make you feel?  Does that scare you? It should.  


...But there is good news....


2,000 years ago, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for your sins.  He willingly sacrificed Himself, taking the punishment that you (and I) deserve so that we have the opportunity to be with Him in heaven forever.


Isn't that great news!?!  You are probably asking yourself, "What do I need to do to be saved from hell and to get into heaven?".  God knows that we will constantly struggle with sin and trying to do right rather than wrong.  So all he asks of us is that we repent (change our mind and attitude about our sin, desiring not to sin anymore) and believe in Jesus Christ and we can be CERTAIN that we will be saved.


I hope this makes sense to you.  Please feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions.  I also highly recommend watching the video in the upper right hand corner of this webpage for a video explanation of the good news of Jesus Christ.


God bless you!


Kneel

Reply to All...Do'h!

I had an interesting situation at work today.  A female coworker sent out a joke email to the office (with no ill intent) that had a bunch of random charts and a couple of them very midly sexist (like: "Husbands, you know something's wrong when she says nothing's wrong.").  In fact, they were so mild that every other female in the office (my wife included) thought they were funny and liked them.  I "responded to all" (That usually precedes a bad situation...and this one was no different) and said that I found one especially humorous.

One female coworker who I have worked with for five years replied essentially saying that she was upset with how often emails like this are circulated and that they are just reinforcing stereotypes.  My first thought was "Chill out, it's a joke".  But then I started to think about it: How would I feel if people started circulating e-mails that started taking shots at Christ, Christians or the Bible?  I would be LIVID.

I reflected on the situation and started to think about the old tried and true phrase "What would Jesus do?".  Well first of all, he wouldn't have sinned as I did.  Secondly, he would have thought first about the feelings of this woman who is precious and made in the image of God.  I decided to respond and apologize and the situation was resolved peacefully. 

I think erring on the side of caution in cases like these is the way to go.  We shouldn't be afraid to offend others with the core message of the gospel (when done with love), but we should not go out of our way to offend others just because we can.

Let us constantly be trying to be reflecting Christ for His glory and the salvation of others.

On a side note, please pray for my humility.  Pride is such a hard sin to battle.

God bless you all!

Kneel

Courageous the Movie

Today, my wife and I went to go see the movie "Courageous" with the Christian club at the school I teach at.  The movie was great: Heartwarming, convicting, though provoking, funny (the "Snake King" part had me in stitches) and biblical.  I was really impressed with the quality of the film given the small budget and I really hope that the team behind this movie continues to make more.  Movies like these are SO needed in our culture today.

There were men (MORE than one) in the audience that were visibly touched and convicted by this film's powerful call for biblical fatherhood in our society today.  The gospel was pretty well presented (could have been a bit more clear) and the dependence upon God was a reoccurring theme throughout.

I URGE you not to just wait to see this movie on DVD.  PLEASE make the effort to go see and support this movie in the theaters so that it sends a message that Americans want more Christ-centered movies!

God bless,

Kneel

Andy Mineo - Formerly Known Mixtape

http://reachrecords.com/releases/show/Formally-Known-Mixtape

I don't know if any of you out there are Christian Rap fans, but I thought I would pass this along to you all.  I am only two songs in, but thus far it is pretty promising.  Not surprising since Reach Records only puts out high quality music: both in sound and in lyrics.  

May this be a blessing to you.

Are you a good person?

Are you a good person?  Good enough to get to heaven?  This is the basic strategy I take when evangelizing.  People must see the seriousness of their sin before the gospel can ever be considered "good news".

180 Movie

Outstanding video on the abortion issue.  Truly a must watch.