I finally made it home and wanted to thank all of you who have offered prayers and words of encouragement over the past week. It has truly been a blessing. I am always amazed at how much can be said with so few words. Brief words of encouragement can oftentimes be the most meaningful and helpful at the right moment. The same is true for the poem that was read at the memorial service last Friday. It was only a few sentences long but touched me in profound ways. I hope you too find it to be a blessing the way I did:

"God looked around His garden and
He found an empty place.
He then looked down upon this earth,
And saw your tired face.

He put His arms around you,
And lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful,
He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering,
He knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.
So He closed your weary eyelids,
And whispered, ‘Peace be thine.’

He took you up to Heaven,
With hands gentle and so kind.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home."

For the first 27 years of my life I had been safeguarded from the anguish of the death of a loved one. I had yet to experience the pain associated with losing somebody close. I had a limited understanding of suffering for the dearly departed except vicariously through others who had lost friends or relatives. All of this changed this past weekend with the passing of my grandfather. For the first time in my life I finally understood the feelings and thoughts that most individuals will inevitably experience about the poignant reality of life. Yet, for the Christian, death is only the beginning.  

The Apostle Paul records for us in his epistle to the saints at Philippi that “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil 1:21). Here we have the promise that death is the passageway by which we come together with our Lord and Savior. Life’s journey is consummated with death and the final act is left to God. Just as Christ told the thief on the cross, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise,” (Luke 23:43) so we also have the assurance that the moment we pass into eternity we will be in the presence of the Lord.  

It is hard for me to imagine a more sublime destiny than knowing our loved ones are now in the presence of the Lord. It is even harder for me to grieve knowing that they are in a place far greater than this world. No longer will they suffer; no longer will they endure the hardship this world affords; no longer will they experience pain and anguish. I am confident that if given the opportunity, no saint would give up Paradise to return to this earth. We can take comfort in knowing that they are now with the Lord who is continually interceding for them and us and will preserve them so we will one day be reunited with them to spend eternity where there is no pain or suffering. 

Nevertheless, there is still a grieving process. We will still shed tears for the departed and we will never let them slip from our memories. It is profoundly painful to lose anyone, but the chief difference we have as Christians is knowing that they are now safe in the arms of Jesus.

With Thanksgiving day just around the corner, we would be remiss if we did not recognize the One from whom all blessings flow. It is the Lord who has blessed us with riches untold. No matter what our financial status is, no matter what physical ailments we are suffering, no matter what sort of difficulties we might be experiencing, we can take comfort in knowing that "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Rom 8:28) The Psalmist understood God's control over His creation and His unending goodness. Even in times of misfortune we ought to give thanks to God for our ephemeral struggles because they pale in comparison to what Jesus did on the cross for us and to what He continues to do each day for His people. With that said, we should give thanks to the one true God who continues to bless us:  

"Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth.
Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful singing.
Know that the LORD Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
His lovingkindness is everlasting
And His faithfulness to all generations."

Psalm 100

If you are like most individuals, there will inevitably come a time in your life when you question your own salvation. I do not believe that it is abnormal to harbor such sentiments for a short while. I am confident that most Christians have experienced this at some point along the walk of life. Doubt can come as the result of a number of personal experiences, but when such dark thoughts arise we must remember that God has given us an answer to assuage any uncertainty. He has given us measuring rods by which to gauge if one has truly been regenerated. Most notably:

"And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments." (1 John 2:3)

It sounds elementary, but presented here is proof of conversion. If one is truly a child of God, he will keep God’s commands. Matthew Henry puts it this way:

"A careful conscientious obedience to his commands shows that the apprehension and knowledge of these things are graciously impressed upon the soul; and therefore it must follow in the reverse that he that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."

One might then ask what God’s commands are. It could be answered thus:

"But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.’" (Matt 22:34-40)

Love is the first and greatest thing God demands of us. If we are obedient in that, then we have true faith. However, if we obey God’s commands for the sole purpose of selfish pride (just as the Pharisees did) then we do not have the love of God and we are hypocrites and will not enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matt 22:13-15).

If you obey God because you love him, then you can have the assurance of your salvation. So the next time you have lingering doubt about your eternal destiny, take comfort in knowing the simple fact that you have a love for God is evidence that the Lord has taken away your stony heart and has given you a heart of flesh (Ez 11:19).

It is probably safe to argue that few Christians have experienced such profound and transformative conversions as Paul of Tarsus, Martin Luther, or John Newton. Most of us will never kill other Christians, vigorously attempt to destroy Christianity, or sell other human beings, but we all start in the same spiritual plight. When life begins for each of us, we are at emnity with God and are in need of salvation. We all must possess a love for and belief in Jesus Christ in order to be recipients of eternal life. How each of us get there is oftentimes poignant but beautiful. Personally, I enjoy reading conversion stories of fellow Christians and how the Lord has changed their lives. It is touching to see how God can take hearts of stone and turn them into hearts of flesh. The story below is the account from St. Augustine of Hippo about how God changed his life and gave him the gift of faith. 

"Now when deep reflection had drawn up out of the secret depths of my soul all my misery and had heaped it up before the sight of my heart, there arose a mighty storm, accompanied by a mighty rain of tears. That I might give way fully to my tears and lamentations, I stole away from Alypius, for it seemed to me that solitude was more appropriate for the business of weeping. I went far enough away that I could feel that even his presence was no restraint upon me. This was the way I felt at the time, and he realized it. I suppose I had said something before I started up and he noticed that the sound of my voice was choked with weeping. And so he stayed alone, where we had been sitting together, greatly astonished. I flung myself down under a fig tree--how I know not--and gave free course to my tears. The streams of my eyes gushed out an acceptable sacrifice to thee. And, not indeed in these words, but to this effect, I cried to thee: 'And thou, O Lord, how long? How long, O Lord? Wilt thou be angry forever? Oh, remember not against us our former iniquities (Ps 6:3).' For I felt that I was still enthralled by them. I sent up these sorrowful cries: 'How long, how long? Tomorrow and tomorrow? Why not now? Why not this very hour make an end to my uncleanness?'

I was saying these things and weeping in the most bitter contrition of my heart, when suddenly I heard the voice of a boy or a girl I know not which--coming from the neighboring house, chanting over and over again, 'Pick it up, read it; pick it up, read it.' Immediately I ceased weeping and began most earnestly to think whether it was usual for children in some kind of game to sing such a song, but I could not remember ever having heard the like. So, damming the torrent of my tears, I got to my feet, for I could not but think that this was a divine command to open the Bible and read the first passage I should light upon. For I had heard how Anthony, accidentally coming into church while the gospel was being read, received the admonition as if what was read had been addressed to him: 'Go and sell what you have and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me (Matt. 19:21).' By such an oracle he was forthwith converted to thee. So I quickly returned to the bench where Alypius was sitting, for there I had put down the apostle's book when I had left there. I snatched it up, opened it, and in silence read the paragraph on which my eyes first fell: 'Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying, but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof (Rom 13:13).' I wanted to read no further, nor did I need to. For instantly, as the sentence ended, there was infused in my heart something like the light of full certainty and all the gloom of doubt vanished away."

Confessions, Book VIII, ch. xii, 28-29

The past several days has reaffirmed for me the biblical axiom "be sure your sin will find you out" (Num 32:23). The truth will eventually surface no matter how much time has passed. I am referring here to a civil case to which I have been privy over the course of the past week in which a young couple sued to recover damages received to a property they had purchased in 2005. The trial ultimately revealed a web of lies, deceit and cover-up (including the defense to confuse the jury).

The facts of the case presented were fairly straightforward. This couple made an offer to purchase a piece of property at a specified price but were told by the selling agent that other offers were on the table and the only way their offer would be accepted was if the couple would agree to forgo a home inspection. Ultimately, the prospective buyers agreed, upon the condition that the seller would provide two cleared termite letters from two independent agencies. What was ultimately revealed, however, was an ‘inspector’ who was not licensed provided the first termite letter and the second was a complete forgery (to which the man testified). The second bit of compelling evidence was when the main worker who was hired to rehab the house testified to the fact that he discovered ‘major termite damage’ but was told to cover the damage because the seller was on a budget.

The cover-up had been successfully perpetrated until the couple who purchased the residence in 2005 tried to sell a year later. It was then that a home inspection revealed the extent of the damage. All potential earnings they were to receive from the sell of the house were spent to repair the damage.

One can only wonder what the seller had in mind regarding the known termite damage. Perhaps he was counting on the family living in the house for a number of years before the damage was discovered, and if challenged, would then claim the damage occurred after they had moved into the property. Regardless of his state of mind, he was confident that his actions would not be discovered. But he was wrong. Even though the deception transpired almost four years ago, a jury ruled to hold this individual accountable. He was ordered to atone for his actions.

Similarly, we all will be held accountable for our thoughts, words, and actions. No matter how much time passes, there will be a day of reckoning in which the great Judge will sentence everyone according to his deeds. The next time you think someone has escaped judgement for an unfair act, just remember that he will be held accountable either in this world or the next.

Last month I had the privilege of ministering in Irkutsk, one of the largest cities in Siberia, Russia. There were some surprises in this short term missionary trip, the first of which was the absence of harsh weather. The locals told me that it was an unusually mild winter. While I was there the weather was reminiscent of a cold blustery day in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I told the congregations I spoke to that no one in America would believe the weather in Siberia would be so mild at this time of the year. With a smile I offered to pray for the cold weather to return -- after I left.

The second nice surprise was how much freedom of religion can be found. The Christians are not without their challenges from the Orthodox priests, but there is an openness of worship that was not present under Communist rule. One of the great principles of the book of Revelation remains valid and vindicated. Any government, reflected in the Beast of Revelation found in chapter 13, and any religious institution that moves against the church will eventually be destroyed. God will hear the cries of His people and avenge them. Revelation 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? In 1917 the Communist party came to power in Russia. They closed most of the churches making public latrines out of some, offices out of others and storage facilities of many. The saints were persecuted and so they cried out, "How long, O Lord." The historical answer is seventy two years. In 1989 God avenged His own, Communism collapsed and the gospel was triumphant. How good it was to preach the gospel in Siberia.

After the preaching assignments had been accomplished the people wanted me to see Lake Baikal known as the "Blue Eye of Siberia". It is said to contain more water than all the North American Great Lakes combined. At 1,637 meters (5,371 ft), Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world, and the largest freshwater lake in the world by volume, holding approximately twenty percent of the world's total fresh water. Baikal is home to more than 1,700 species of plants and animals, two thirds of which can be found nowhere else in the world. I was glad the people wanted me to see this beautiful lake they enjoy so much.

Daily life in Russia is harsh. The people work hard and in difficult conditions. But their faith is strong and they are good people. Many questions were asked about America and my own family. One question that reoccurred was whether or not my children were Christians and serving the Lord. The Christians in Russia are concerned for their own children because they want the Christian faith to continue as it has since AD 1000.

I did find one comment by the pastor of Hope Baptist Church amusing. He asked me if I had traveled to Russia in a group or by myself. I told him I had come alone. He looked at me with amazement and said, "Then you are a very brave man." I guess the people of Russia have many of the same apprehensions about the West as people here in America have about them.

As always when I go on these trips to minister to the people and take them the gospel and free literature my heart was sad to leave. There is a deep affection that develops in the hearts of Christians in other countries for those who come to minister to them. They are appreciative of the time and effort and sacrifice that is made to get to them and they let that appreciation be known. It is deeply satisfying.

On November 7, Evangelist Billy Graham will celebrate his 90^th birth date. Like many others, I have been influenced in an indirect but very positive way by his life. The world may never again see his equal. Millions upon millions of souls have come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ through the ministry of Billy Graham. No one can challenge the gospel message he has preached, but many have slandered him vigorously nonetheless.

I remember on one occasion, nearly thirty years ago, of going to a fundamentalist Baptist Church one evening. A visiting evangelist began to rail against Mr. Graham. I was both sickened and shocked that so much time was taken, not to preach the Word of God, but to attack another believer. A similar incident happened a few years ago when a minister had the audacity to tell me that "Billy Graham is a man to be pitied and prayed for, not to be quoted". He objected to my quoting of Mr. Graham’s writings and sermons. Such people should be ashamed.

How does Billy Graham handle his distracters? One biographer of Mr. Graham quoted someone close to him as saying, "Billy can out love anyone I have ever met". God has given Mr. Graham unusual grace to pray for those who persecute him and despise him. He loves his enemies. His example in this area is one that I would like to emulate.

When asked in a TV interview what he would like to be remembered for, despite all of his great and historical accomplishments, Mr. Graham responded with one word, "Integrity. I want to be known for having integrity." And that he has. In finances, in personal honor, in moral values, Mr. Graham has proven himself to be a man of integrity.

When asked again how his preaching might be different if he could do it all over again, Mr. Graham said, "I would preach more on the cross and the blood of Christ. That is where the Christian’s power is." I would totally agree. For ministers and evangelists who value wise counsel, there it is in all of its simplicity. Preach Christ. Preach the cross. Preach the blood. Therein is the Christian’s power.

Changeling is the latest psychological thriller directed by Clint Eastwood. The film is set in late 1920s Los Angeles and is based on the true story of a woman who recognizes that the boy returned to her after a kidnapping is not her son. After confronting the city authorities, she is vilified as an unfit mother, branded delusional, taken into police protective custody and placed in a mental institution -- for her own good. The film was written by J. Michael Straczynski, who spent a year researching the case through archived city records. What is absolutely amazing about the film and the historical narrative is the dialogue used to disguise evil, redirect attention and call those who were innocent and righteous wrong, delusional and obstructionist. I could not help but reflect on how this same style of language is used in politics today.

It is not unusual to hear a particular politician talk openly about confiscating the wealth of one class of people to freely give it to another class of people, not based on merit but based on a personal idealogy of what constitutes redistributive justice. The Bible says that if a person does not work, they should not eat. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

It is not uncommon to hear a particular politician speak of why he or she is willing to kill unborn babies or terminate the life of a child in an act of infanticide who is the object of a botched abortion attempt.

It is not uncommon to hear in politics why a nation will not be made more secure from illegal aliens who come into the country to rob its citizens of their resources by breaking their laws, abusing their health care system and violently assualting indiviuals in a crime wave.

It is this making of evil noble that I find amazing.  

I think again and reflect on how language is used in acts of domestic violence to make an aggressive personality appeal noble. A man abuses his wife and then insisists on how much he loves her and how tragic it is she has acted in such a way he had to beat her. Or, a mother abuses her children and then justifies with flowery language why she so acted. I know of this personally. Such language became part of my childhood memories.  

The same ability to make evil appeal noble is found in religion. It is found in the local assembly when people move to hurt a pastor and then use language to persuade others to do the same. It is found in religions of the middle east when clever words and carefully crafted ideas full of nuances and innuendos allow the most vile acts to be justified such as female mutilation or so called holy wars. Is it any wonder that the ethics of the gospel command Christians to be different.

• Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

• Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

• Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.