Author Archives: Royce

Jul 18 2009

Top 10 Posts


The Palen pick, risky or brilliant? 711 More stats
How to build a 1st Century church in the 583 More stats
3 Baptisms in Acts 2 330 More stats
“…..the gates of hell shall not prevai 329 More stats
Before the Throne of God I Stand 276 More stats
About Grace Digest 264 More stats
“Churches of Christ in the Untied States 240 More stats
Urgent Prayer Request! 229 More stats
Singing off key using a pitch pipe made 219 More stats
The purpose of Pentecost 213 More stats
Christian Unity? 195 More stats
Faith 101

Over the past several months I have written what I thought were some pretty good posts and they hardly got a look. I am astounded that the number 1 post of all time on Grace Digest is one about Gov. Sarah Palen. She is still a headline maker and we aren’t done seeing her smiling face on national TV just yet.

Interestingly, most of the readers of posts ranked 2 and 3 are from the African continent, and over whelmingly so. I wonder why that is?

Just as interesting, the post ranked in 5th place has drawn mostly readers from the British Isles, perhaps as much as 85 to 90%.

Not surprisingly a short series on the Deity of Jesus and other similar posts hardly got a notice. Some of those topics I am most passionate about, and am sure are largely neglected by most Christian bloggers, are perhaps not posted for a reason; no one reads them.

One would reason that blogs in the category of “Christian” and with largely a church of Christ readership would have some posts about the foundations of the historic Christian faith but alas a cappella singing, discussions about how many ways a Christian can be lost and why, how church A does something different than church B and who is in and who is out because of it continue to get top billing.

I once asked on my blog why was it necessary for Jesus to be born of a virgin. One fellow said “I’ll have to think about it and get back to you” and that was about it. Most of what I am seeing on “Christian blogs” is at best “theology lite”; Not all, but most.

I know mine is far from being among the best blogs but I do enjoy the exercise and when I get an occasional private message or email from someone who says they have been helped or encouraged by reading I know it is not completely in vain.

Trey Morgan, John Dobbs, Patrick Mead, Jay Guinn and others have great blogs, some of them with very intersting glimpses into the lives of their families, friends, and their interests. I enjoy those very much. At 64 years and counting down, my life is far too boring  to open the window very often.

Thanks for reading and for your encouragement.

for Jesus,
Royce

Jul 16 2009

You must be born again


newbirth

When one of the most respected leaders of the Jews, Nicodemus came with questions for Jesus the answer was not what he expected. (John 3) 

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin court, a group of select scholars whose lives and academics were above reproach, whose job it was to rule on problems among the Jewish community with respect to the Law of Moses. Undoubtedly, measured by the citizens of the great city of Jerusalem, Nicodemus was a very good man. 

He had either observed the ministry of Jesus or had heard about Him and so inquired of Jesus saying 

“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” (v2) 

Nicodemus was correct but Jesus’ reply was shocking! Jesus replied 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (v3) 

The stunned man then asked 

“How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (v4) 

Jesus then answered the question as follows 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’  The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (Vs. 5-8) 

Nicodemus again questions 

“How can these things be?” (v9) 

And Jesus answers in detail saying 

“Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?  No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (Vs. 10-21) 

New birth? Born again? Fact or fiction? 

1 Peter 1:3,23, John 1:13, 1 John 2:29, 1 John 3:9, 1 John 4:7, 1 John 5:1,4, 18, 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Galatians 6:15 are all references to this truth. 

In the face of the overwhelming truth about the new birth (being born from above) many people do not think this “new birth” is a real birth at all. I think the reason is that if we can’t experience something with our natural senses the tendency is to reject it as truth. This is a grave mistake. 

God is a spirit. I can’t see him, feel him, smell him, hear him with my ears, taste him, or touch him. Should I than conclude that he does not exist? Of course not! Because something is “spiritual” does not render it any less real than something physical. In fact, when talking about God and his work, the “spiritual” is even more real than the physical because it is “eternal” and everything we experience that is “physical” is temporary. 

The “New Birth” is just as real as physical birth.

The “New Birth” produces a “new creation” that never existed before.

Only those who have been “born again” can enter the kingdom of God. 

If the “New Birth” is real, and it is, some interesting questions arise that deserve honest answers. 

  • Does the one born initiate the birth?
  • Can a birth be reversed?
  • Everyone born is the son of a Father. How long is a son a son? 

Have you been born again? Have you done what Jesus told Nicodemus he must do? Read it for yourself and answer the question. (John 3:15-18) 

Christianity is not joining a church, doing good deeds, keeping a set of rules, doing rituals, and dozens of other things people do in attempts to receive God’s favor. Christianity is Christ. He has purchased a perfect salvation for everyone who will come to him, depending only on him to forgive every sin and give eternal life as a free gift.

This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone, And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11, 12) 

Royce

Jul 10 2009

To Blog or not to Blog


?…..that is the question!

I have been blogging since June 29th of 2006, slightly over four years. I began blogging as an outlet for a frustrated wannabe writer, to publish some of my Bible study conclusions, and finally I thought I might be able to help someone more fully trust Christ or consider Him for the first time.

There has been times in these months and years when I have experienced great joy. The feedback in blog comments and emails from people all across the country have been reasons to keep blogging. To think that I might be able to instruct or encourage someone, anyone, so that they experience God more fully is awesome.

On the other hand there is the negativity. A few people are so intolerant of any view that challenges them to think outside of their well defined presuppositions that they lash out with fury at anyone who thinks differently. And, some folks are just mean. Oh, they are mean in the name of Jesus, but they are mean nonetheless.

I have never dodged or ducked a good healthy debate if it is civil. I have published comments from people that were pretty ugly but I have deleted many comments that were hellishly so. And, of course these people with such nasty attitudes and harsh words claim to be Christians. I don’t cherish any more of those attacks when my offence is teaching the truth about what Christ has accomplished for sinful men.

Then there is the temptation to only write posts that will get high traffic counts. While I admit readily that I like readers, I don’t want to write subject matter just for increasing numbers. I have said previously that my first priority in blogging is selfish, it fulfills my desire to write, an exercise I enjoy immensely. I know the subjects that increase traffic but they are old and worn and serve no good purpose for the most part.

I don’t think Christian blogging needs another blog with daily devotionals and there are already blogs that are funny, give great glimpses into the lives of great families, and plenty that would seem to have the stated goal of stirring controversy. None of that appeals to me. I doubt the masses care what I had for breakfast or what the neighbor’s dog did yesterday.

So, I am faced with a few options. I can just stop blogging. Or, I can just blog much less than I once did (the option I have chosen most recently). Or I can completely change the way I blog and that choice presents another set of possibilities. If I choose the last option I can post cute little chatty type posts, top 10 lists, light commentary on news worthy events, etc, etc. Or, I can blog on themes, doing series on subjects that interest me. And of course another option is to keep blogging as I have and turn off comments.

The subject that fires me up is the good news about Jesus and that so many people, even people who claim him as Lord just don’t really know what the good news is. That subject is my passion but it is largely ignored by readers. Recently on GraceConversation I have posted lengthy (perhaps too lengthy, sorry guys) comments detailing my view of the gospel story and with few exceptions elicit only silence. My comments on other blogs and my posts are scriptural and I have few disagreements in print except for that minority who are to theology what pigs are to astronomy. So, why do it?

The bottom line is that I don’t enjoy blogging as I once did. I am trying to learn why that is and if I should only change or stop.

To blog or not to blog, that is the question.

Royce

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Jul 5 2009

The United States of America – Still Blessed


flagIt  has become increasingly faddishto pontificate on the shortcomings of our great country. From the White House on down those who believe they alone hold the moral high ground and are so much smarter than the rest of of us, they have created a cabin industry of blaming America for everything imaginable. I cringe each time President Obama gives yet another “blame America first” talk while skillfully reading from a teleprompter. Fortunately the facts do not support the rants of socialist leaning pointy heads who think government is the answer to every question and America in the genesis of every world problem.

The hope and promise of America still is alive and well. Not only is it burning in the hearts of most Americans but people the world over still dream of being able to come to our shores to experience the opportunity of a better life and to share the freedoms that is our national birth right and history.

We, American citizens, are still the bravest, hardest working people on planet earth. Our common creativity and work ethic has given the world invention after invention and products and services that have made countless lives better.

The harshest critics of U.S. government policies and our American culture still pay the big bucks to send their children here to have them educated. From the whole earth those who can afford it come to the United States for the best health care on earth.

We are still the most generous people in the history of the world. Our giving both as a national government and privately is unrivaled in human history. Just in the last few weeks several people I know have gone abroad to help the less fortunate in amazing ways. And I just read in Christianity Today that charitable giving is still very, very strong in the face of the gloom and doom that is piped into our homes by the hour.

Our men and women have paid with life and limb to liberate millions from the tyranny of evil men and their oppressive regimes. We have done what no country has done that I am aware of and rebuilt the countries of our former enemies to the tune of trillions of dollars and the sacrifice of our people.

And, from our shores the good news about Chrsit has gone out to all the world and continues til this day. I am very aware things are changing, but we American believers have been the light on the hill for the worlds masses. We should never forget our history and the possibilities of our future.

Although our freedoms are eroding, we are still the freest people on earth in the history of man and our hopes and promise we still hold out to the worlds masses who will come here legally and with good intentions.

Do I think we are perfect as a people or deserve better than the downtrodden of other lands, absolutely not. Over the decades many of our citizens have adopted the morals of dogs and the erosion is growing. We, like all people, have made huge mistakes both in U.S. policy and implementation and as citizens. While that is true, I am weary of the constant barrage of nay sayers  whose delight is to innumerate all of the perceived ills and flaws of our people and our government.

Do we deserve God’s blessing for these past 233 years? NO! Are we somehow God’s chosen people? NO! Are we, or should we be a Christian nation? NO! No, we deserve what we have not received, that my friend is called God’s mercy. How long will this national experiment  that was dreamed by our forefathers survive? Only God knows.

With all of our faults, our warts and bumps, mixed with our good, there is no people on earth who are more free, more blessed, and have more to be thankful for. America is truly the home of the brave and the land of the free.

May God bless America.

A proud American,
Royce