HAS THE BIBLE CHANGED?

Lots of people think the Bible has changed over the thirty-five centuries that it has been around. The result of that belief is a lack of confidence in the Bible as the Word of God… so these people can discount the Bible as a divine book that makes compelling statements about life and eternity. And it does make sense, that if the Bible has "evolved" and been changing, why should we be particularly inclined to believe in it's present message. After all, the message WILL (or MIGHT) change in the next generation.
But historical, archeological and manuscript evidence. CONCLUSIVELY PROVE that the Bible we have today is the same as the one people of the 2nd century had.
The Bible says, "forever, oh Lord, Your word is SETTLED."
If you would like to learn more about the book that has not changed over the course of it's 35 hundred year history, and the claims that this TIMELESS book has on your life - join us at Windsor Baptist Church in east Gainesville: Call 375-7316

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CREATE YOUR OWN GOD?

One of the tendencies of mankind is to create , OR RE-create God. We bring the "make-your-own-sundae" mentality of the ice cream parlor into our thinking about God.
One reason for this is that people DO read the Bible, and don't like the God they discover there. They want one that is kinder, gentler, sweeter; or one that is frankly, not so big and so awesomely powerful. One that they can somewhat "manage." One who is always nice-at least to them. A God who would only mildly reprimand us for our shortcomings, but never really let us have it for our sins.
One of the ten commandments says, "Thou shall have no other gods before me." The danger for most Americans is not of carving some image and then bowing down to it; but of MENTALLY "constructing" their OWN GOD. A God THEY are comfortable with.
If you want to learn about the God that the time-tested Bible portrays, and not some candy-coated, politically correct God, join us at Windsor Baptist church in east Gainesville: Call 375-7316

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GOD THE JUDGE

One aspect of the candy-coated God "created" by pop culture is that God does not judge. The modern picture of God paints Him as loving, understanding, compassionate. But certainly not JUDGING!
I can think of 2 reasons for this current "politically correct" notion of a non-judging God. First, increasing numbers of Americans don't believe in any kind of absolute truth, and if there is no "truth" STANDARD, there can be no judgment. Second, implications of a REAL judgment are so scary we simply don't want to go down that road.
But in the first book of the Bible God is referred to as "the judge of all the earth," and that position is EMBRACED and DEVELOPED in the rest of the Bible.
The Bible teaches that, first... God will (and DOES) judge. Second... God judges everyone; not just those that believe in Him. Third... God judges by Biblical standards; not by standards of our own creation.
Learn more about the true God at Windsor Baptist Church: Call 375-7316

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IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS

I'm sure that the expression "Ignorance is bliss" is true is some contexts; but it is UNTRUE in equally as many situations, in which the bliss is only a FOOL'S PARADISE. When you stand in front of a judge for breaking the law you didn't know about, the judge says, "Ignorance is no excuse," and he fines you.
And when you're in the curable stage of early cancer, ignorance is anything but bliss-it is disaster! And so it is in spiritual issues of life and eternity.
Many Americans have a blissful confidence that the religion they've formulated in their minds is making them acceptable to God. But the Bible says, "My people are DESTROYED for lack of knowledge.
God has declared the way REALITY IS in His book, the Bible. He explains His way (the one and only way) to be right with God. If you do not know the message of the Bible, join us at Windsor Baptist Church where we roll up our sleeves and really STUDY the Bible: Call 375-7316

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JESUS IS THE WAY

The most critical question mankind can ask and then answer is the one asked by Job. "How can a man be righteous before God?" More bluntly, the question could be put, "How can I have eternal life?"
Some people say that any religion, sincerely embraced, provides the WAY-the way to God and eternal life.
But Jesus Christ emphatically said, "I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the life. Nobody comes to the Father but by Me." And the Bible says, "There is salvation in no one else."
Many people are offended by this "only-one-way" statement of Jesus, because our society has become so sensitive about even implying that somebody's idea on an important life-issue could be wrong.
Join us at Windsor Baptist Church in east Gainesville, as we challenge the popular American notion that ANY sincerely-held religious belief will qualify a person for eternal life.
Call 375-7316

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PUNISH GOD?

One of the reasons people don't believe there is a God is that TRAGEDY has stricken their lives and their response is something like this, "If there was a God, He never would have let this happen to me, or my loved one, or to the world."
To put it bluntly, God didn't act in a way that they thought He should have. Therefore He doesn't exist? Is this logical? The Bible begins with the words, "In the beginning GOD."
God is not a reality because He does, or doesn't act like we thought He should have. His reality is based simply on whether He IS or whether He IS NOT. God FITTING or NOT FITTING MY (or YOUR) notion of Him is irrelevant to the reality of whether or not He DOES, or DOES NOT, exist.
If you have quit believing in God, or quit serving Him because He didn't act in a way you THOUGHT He should, please join us at Windsor Baptist Church where we go to the Bible to learn about the REAL God: Call 375-7316

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SCARY GRACE

Biblical Christianity is unique among the religions of the world. All religions except Biblical Christianity include the GOOD WORKS (the behavior) of people as part of the plan to have eternal life. In every major religion except Christianity, a person must DO something to receive eternal life.
The Bible says, "For by GRACE are you saved, through faith, and THAT, not of yourselves. It is the GIFT OF GOD. NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast." Many religious people are scared to death that if this message of PURE GRACE gets out, then people will think they don't have to behave anymore, and they will actually MISBEHAVE in the name of GOD'S GRACE.
But the simple truth is that the foundational message of Christianity is not that you are given eternal life as a "due reward" for good behavior, but that eternal life is a GIFT from the Lord. Will you receive this GIFT today? Call Windsor Baptist Church: 375-7316

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WHAT IS YOUR AUTHORITY?

What's your authority for believing what you believe concerning life and eternity? The "more critical" the issue is, the more important it becomes to make sure that your "authority" is valid.
No issues are as crucial as "eternal-life", and "The-nature-of-God." If you are wrong on these things, then you could find yourself in eternal trouble.
For many, their "authority" is what grandma used to tell them; or a seminar discussion; or a chit-chat around a campfire. Then they distill all this information and Voila! Here's MY belief on a major, life issue. Seems like a risky way to formulate important beliefs to me.
A Biblicist, on the other hand, implicitly trusts the Bible to give him truth about this universe and eternity. Over 2,000 times the phrase "thus says the Lord" occurs in the Bible. That's quite impressive when you're talking about valid authority-the God of the universe!
If you are willing to challenge your ASSUMPTIONS, beliefs, and the "authorities" undergirding them, join us at Windsor Baptist church in east Gainesville: Call 375-7316

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CHILDREN OF GOD

Many people, both religious and fairly non-religious, feel cozy about their relationship with God because of the mantra that "we are all children of God." If that statement were true, I think it would be quite comforting.
I know no one likes the bearer of bad news, but the fact is that most people are NOT "children of God..." At least, according to Jesus... who categorized a group of VERY religious people in His day as being "of your father, the devil."
According to the Bible, people are not NATURALLY children of God. Becoming a child of God is an EVENT that must occur in a person's life if they are to enjoy that happy status.
The Bible says, "As many as RECEIVE [Jesus], to them [God] gives the right to become the children of God." Without the EVENT, there is no "child-of-God" status.
If you would like to learn more about how to become a child of God, call Windsor Baptist Church: 375-7316

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LIAR OR LUNATIC

The central and perhaps most controversial figure in history is Jesus Christ, and He made radical claims about Himself-such as being uniquely the Son of God, and being the "I AM" of Scriptures, thus implying that He is the incarnation of God Himself. Or, God-with-skin-on.
Most Americans think of Jesus as a moral teacher, a good man, a holy prophet, or a loving person. I don't deny that Jesus is all of these. But IF Jesus IS who He says He is, then these modern appraisals of Him fall so far short of reality that they are virtual blasphemy.
If Jesus is NOT who He says He is, then there are only two other options. He is either a DELUDED megalomaniac, or He is a LIAR of monumental proportions. Neither of these options is a man worth following.
If you would like to learn more about the Jesus of the Bible, join us at Windsor Baptist Church in east Gainesville: Call 375-7316

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EMPTINESS

Depression is a sadly significant factor in defining American culture. Many Americans sense a general malaise or sadness about life. The old song, "Is That All There Is?" could be their life's theme song.
These feelings are reflected by the great king Solomon who sighed (or cried!), "Meaningless! Meaningless!.. Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!"
This feeling was strikingly depicted for me about 20 years ago when a fairly despondent middle aged adult said, "I've been climbing the ladder of success in life for all I'm worth. But I got to the top and found that my ladder was against the wrong wall."
The antidote to this sombre depression and disillusionment with life is found in the person of Jesus Christ Who said, "I am come that they might have LIFE, and that they might have it more abundantly." If you're sick of depression, despondency, despair, and disillusionment, and want to come to Christ, call Windsor Baptist Church: 375-7316

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IRAQ SITUATION

The Iraq War is real personal for me. Here's why. I have ten kids. One is a teacher. One works in a doctor's office. One is a happily married mommy of one, w/ another on the way. One is a local pastor. One is a college student. Four are still in grade school or high school. And ONE IS SERVING OUR COUNTRY IN THE ARMED FORCES IN IRAQ. We're proud of our son who has put his life on the line to protect the rest of us, including his own wife and 2 small children.
But my wife cries when she ponders that our son's job in the service almost certainly has him in the thick of the shooting.
These are the times that put spiritual beliefs to the test; and we have found that the Bible gives us genuine encouragement and strength... Verses like "Casting all your cares on God, for HE cares for YOU."
If you're looking for a place where real people are struggling together to apply the Bible to life, join us at Windsor Baptist Church: Call 375-7316

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PAIN IN THE WORLD

One of the most common responses of people when trouble strikes their lives directly, is "Why would God let this happen to me?"
But, certainly we have all figured out that we live in a world that is filled with pain. And without being calloused to people's pain I want to ask, "Do we think that God owes ME a life with no pain?" Or a life with only as much pain as I think is fitting for me? Or less pain than hundreds of thousands of others in history?
The Bible says, "As sparks fly upward, so man is born to trouble."
So some people encounter REAL pain and end up rejecting God. They become atheists because of the PROBLEM OF PAIN. Others, on the other hand, experience the awful ravages of pain, and ENCOUNTER GOD. They have found that the presence of pain, even excruciating pain, is no NECESSARY reason to believe that there is NO GOD.
If you want to join a group of people who are making sense of PAIN in a GOD-CENTERED universe join us at Windsor Baptist Church: Call 375-7316

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RESURRECTION CHANGE

Many Americans take pride in the fact that they believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They think that this is what gives them some kind of status in God's eyes, and entitles them to be called "Christian."
But the Bible says that the "devils believe, and tremble." So mental assent to the doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus doesn't, in itself, win any "points" with God.
If your belief in the resurrection of Jesus doesn't MOVE you to live for Jesus Christ in an ongoing sort of way, you probably have the KIND faith of which the NT says, "this man's religion is WORTHLESS"
Lots of Americans have religion of some sort. But if your "religion" doesn't CHANGE YOUR LIFE, and cause you to exchange NONBiblical behavior for BIBLICAL behavior, then whatever "religion" you have is empty.
If you're interested in a saving relationship with Christ that radically affects your whole life, call Windsor Baptist Church: 375-7316

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WHOLE BIBLE

Many people approach the Bible like a buffet. They take what they happen to like, and ignore what doesn't capture their fancy.
One reason we do this is that parts of the Bible are very difficult to understand. It is just plain hard, time-consuming work. And most Americans in our "give-it-to-me-quick" generation simply aren't going to take the time and effort required.
The second reason we tend to do this very selective reading of only our preferred snippets of the Bible rather than the whole thing is that the Bible says some very unflattering things about the nature of mankind, and some very "scary" stuff about the nature of Go... when, what we want a more "comfortable" God. So we do the "cut-and-paste" approach to the book.
But the Bible says of itself, "ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is PROFITABLE."
If you would like to learn more about the WHOLE BOOK that has changed our world so much, join us at Windsor Baptist Church in east Gainesville: Call 375-7316

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EASTER

Lots of people say the resurrection of Jesus Christ doesn't really matter. What really matters is thinking that Jesus was a good role model and inspiring teacher.
But the resurrection of Jesus Christ does matter. Jesus predicted His death, burial and resurrection on more than one occasion. If these things did NOT occur, then He was a misleading teacher on what appears to be a crucial subject.
The apostle Paul said that Jesus was "declared to be the Son of God, with power... by the resurrection from the dead." And, "if Christ be NOT risen your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins."
The resurrection of Jesus is what Easter is all about. It's not about Easter Egg hunts; or candy in a basket. The resurrection is THE crucial statement of faith of those who are TRULY God's children. Jesus is risen. He is alive, and is the only WAY to have eternal life.
This Easter be in a Bible preaching church to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. This is Windsor Baptist Church: Call 375-7316

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GOOD WORKS

Most of the people that I have talked to who think about God and eternal life at all, assume that they are going to heaven because they are pretty good. They know they are not perfect, but they think they are good enough (or behave well enough) to "make the cut." Many have a mental picture of some kind of cosmic balance scales, with their good works outweighing their bad works. They say things like, "I try to obey the Ten Commandments," or "I go to church sometimes, and try to be good to people."
But the Bible devastates all such notions when it says, "All our righteousness are as filthy rags," and, "There is none righteous, no not one."
The problem with being wrong on the "how-to" of eternal life is that the consequences of being wrong are ETERNAL.
Come and join us at Windsor Baptist Church in east Gainesville, as we challenge contemporary American thinking and ASSUMPTIONS about how to have eternal life: Call 375-7316

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SYSTEM OF ETHICS

For many people different religions are seen as being only slight modifications of each other... So there is really no urgency to choose among them. The reason for this perceived SIMILARITY of religions is that most people see religions as being primarily ETHICAL SYSTEMS. That is, a way of life that tells us HOW TO BEHAVE. And many religions DO have fairly similar ETHICS... at least on the surface.
Now, while BEHAVIOR is VERY important, it must be said that the heart of Christianity is NOT behavior. Christianity is NOT about making naughty people NICE, or making nice people NICER. It's about making DEAD people ALIVE. The Bible speaks of the heart of what Christianity is all about when it says, ''God made YOU (who were dead in sins) ALIVE!"
If you don't have Christ... You don't need to be made BETTER. You need to be made ALIVE.
To learn about HOW TO HAVE NEW, ETERNAL life, call Windsor Baptist Church: 375-7316

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IN WHAT WAY IS JESUS THE WAY?

If Jesus is the WAY to God and eternal life, the question is, "IN WHAT WAY is He the way?"
I mean, do we have to pay Him? Think well of Him? Pray to Him? In other words, "What do I have to do with Jesus?"
Many people either have warm, fuzzy feelings about Jesus (like when they think about the baby in the manger at Christmas); or they affirm the ethics that Jesus espoused-and I guess these things are okay as far as they go.
But for eternal life, the Bible says, "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God."
This "receiving" of Jesus is not an organized-religion thing. It speaks of an intimate, personal relationship.
If you would like to know more about this kind of "saving" eternal-life relationship with Jesus, join us at Windsor Baptist Church in east Gainesville: Call 375-7316

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CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY

Many of you have heard our 18 radio spots about issues related to life and eternity. We received many calls, and I'm convinced that many people listening to these spots are thinking, "I know I need to get right with the Lord. I know I need Jesus in my life."
But you have not done anything about it yet, other than think about it. In the Bible, Joshua challenged the people who were kind of thinking about issues, but still sitting on the fence by saying, "Choose you, THIS DAY whom you will serve!"
Thinking about God, Jesus and the Bible is great as far as it goes. But it falls woefully short of standing and being counted among those who have RECEIVED CHRIST.
Sometimes waiting is wise... when you're pondering an important decision. But sometimes waiting is just plain procrastination, and when that procrastination concerns issues of life and eternity, the stakes are HUGE!
Choose Christ TODAY. Call Windsor Baptist Church: 375-7316

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READ YOUR BIBLE

I was an English major in college. And when somebody didn't know about Shakespeare, for example, it was the usual thing for them to simply 'fess up to the fact that they weren't read in Shakespeare, and so couldn't carry their end of a conversation.
But it's a funny thing with the Bible. Almost everyone is an expert on the Bible, or thinks they are. I was discussing the Bible with a fairly well-read man not too long ago, and he was making statements about what the Bible said, that indicated he may not really have been too familiar with the contents. So I asked him, "Have you ever read the whole Bible." He admitted he hadn't.
The English Bible is without a doubt, the most popular book in the history of English literature. Yet lots of people who have a copy somewhere around the house, have never actually READ, much less, really studied it. The Bible says, "Blessed is he who reads, and he who hears the words of this prophecy." Don't just TALK about the Bible. READ it! STUDY it!
That's what we do at Windsor Baptist Church: Call 375-7316

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CHRIST OFF CAMPUS

At my church we are attempting to get OFF CAMPUS. That means that I want to get off the church property and really start engaging the WORLD-our society, with the truth claims of the Bible. The Bible says "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."
For too long, I think, the church has done its thing on-campus, and is consequently becoming a marginalized force in our community. This desire to go beyond the boundaries of the church's campus is the big motivational factor behind these radio spots I do.
It's all trying to confront the world with the full message of the Bible and the claims of the God of the universe.
So I want to engage you in dialogue in issues about life and eternity. I can do this by e-mail, by phone, or in person. If you have any kind of a spiritual question dealing with this life, or eternity… or if you want to challenge the truth claims of the Bible please call me at Windsor Baptist Church: 375-7316

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OFFENSIVE GOSPEL

One day Jesus was teaching and his followers came up to Him in apparent anxiety and said, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?" Did you get that?! Jesus OFFENDED people with His message.
Now I know people whose primary motivation for reading the Bible is comfort. And I can't help but agree that one of the purposes of the Bible is to bring comfort.
But it is only intended to give comfort to those who have submitted to its WHOLE MESSAGE, and not to those who simply come to the Bible when they are hurting from the bumps and bruises of life and are looking for a spiritual band-aid.
As the whole message of the Bible is considered I find that while parts of it bring me comfort, I find that other parts of it very UNCOMFORTABLY challenge my complacency, my shallow thinking, and the thinking that comes as part of being influenced by American culture.
If you are willing to take the dare, and seek the full message of the whole Bible, call Windsor Baptist Church: 375-7316

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SELF DENIAL

Jesus said, "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?" This is clearly the kind of question to which the answer is supposed to be obvious. Of course, it will be no good if a person gains the whole world, or at least his little chunk of it, and forfeits his soul.
This is all about choices we make. Many people choose to get, to acquire, to accumulate the goods and security that this world offers; while neglecting the spiritual aspect of their lives. But Jesus says, these people--in their search for the good life and the gusto--have forfeited their souls.
In one moment, on the other side of death such people will know that they have made eternally wrong choices about the truly important things in life. We spend so much time trying to make ourselves comfortable in this world, or doing what "feels" good, we neglect preparation for eternity.
If that's you, but you want to start thinking (and DOING something about) the things that are going to matter in eternity call Windsor Baptist Church: 375-7316

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GET ON BOARD NOW

Billy Gram "The Key to Personal Peace," was discussing people who are putting off a personal relationship with Jesus. He writes, "Let's say you decided to fly to Europe. You contact your travel agent, make reservations, and buy your ticket. You pack your bags and take a taxi to the airport. You even check your bags, get your boarding pass, and walk to the gate. But if you stop there, you'll never make it to Europe... YOU NEED TO GET ON THE PLANE.
Now..."To know about Christ is not enough. To be convinced that He is the Savior of the world is not enough." To believe that He has actually saved others is not enough. We cannot have eternal life until we each, personally receive Christ into our hearts. Why not GET ON Billy Graham, in his booklet, BOARD today? The Bible says,
"Now is the accepted time... now is the day of salvation."
If you are ready to STOP putting off that personal, saving relationship with Christ, and want to talk to someone about it, call Windsor Baptist Church: 375-7316 What are YOU waiting for?

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MEN LOVE DARKNESS

I think most people imagine themselves to be TRUTH SEEKERS. After all, how many people picture themselves as actively suppressing TRUTH?
But the Bible describes people apart from Christ as those "who suppress the truth in unrighteousness."
The way that many of us suppress the truth is to stop really pondering life and eternity issues as soon as they get uncomfortable for us. We start realizing that God may be demanding some drastic changes for us, and we're not really interested in changing our lives.
Jesus said, "The light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil." That is certainly not describing a truth seeker. It is describing a person that is so satisfied with their present lifestyle that they suppress truth in their own minds, so they can continue on in their chosen lifestyle.
If you suspect that this describes you, but you are willing to dare to challenge your own comfort zones lifestyle to embrace TRUTH: Call 375-7316

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PERSONAL, NOT PRIVATE

Many times, when I try to talk to people about their faith in God, their response is, "I don't discuss religion, and my relationship with God. That's PRIVATE."
Now I do acknowledge that there are things in this life that are PERSONAL, and PRIVATE-like intimacy between a husband and a wife. But while our relationship with the Lord is to be very PERSONAL, it is NOT to be PRIVATE.
Jesus said to His followers, "You are to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere. That's not private!
If you've got what you say (or think) you've got-a personal, saving relationship with Christ-share it with others, and invite (encourage) them to enter into the same kind of relationship.
After all, if you have discovered the WAY of eternal life, it is the epitome of unconcern if you don't convincingly share that great news with people that you supposedly care about.
Call Windsor Baptist Church 375-7316. According to Jesus, a relationship with Him is certainly TO BE PERSONAL, but NOT TO BE PRIVATE!

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ETHICS MOTIVATION

What is the PRIMARY motivation of your behavior… your ethics? Is it the HERE AND NOW, or is it the HEREAFTER? Our society seems to be dominated by an "if-it-feels-good-do-it" approach to life. The thinking of the vast majority is a fairly shortsighted glimpse into the next ten minutes, with the primary consideration being what can give me the most pleasure in that time. Many can't even see as far as tomorrow's hang-over, unwanted pregnancy, or STD.
The apostle Peter, on the other hand, thought deeply about the end of the world, and concluded, "Since everything will be destroyed, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives."
Sounds boring to most adrenaline-oriented Americans who can see only as far as their next pleasure-fix! But I also think that some of you are sick of the results of short-sighted living and are ready take the high-road, the "God-Jesus-and-the-Bible" way.
Call 375-7316

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MORAL COMPASS

I think that every person has a MORAL COMPASS inside them, a moral compass that even our permissive, "anything-goes" society can't erase.
This moral compass shows itself in the fact that many people who engage in unbiblical behavior, and have rationalized it to be okay for them, recoil at the thought of their mother or sister doing the same thing.
This may be what Paul is speaking of when he says, "That which may be known of God is manifest IN THEM."
It is this innate, God-given moral compass that causes some of you to KNOW that the "God-Jesus-and-the-Bible" WAY is the RIGHT WAY. There is something inside you that is saying, "Get into the Bible. See what it says, and then DO what it says."
There probably aren't too many out there willing to take this courageous life-step, but if you want to take this step, or to talk to someone about taking this step Call 375-7316

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VANITY OF VANITIES

A good friend of mine died today. He was middle aged-not as old as most of us picture ourselves as being when we die. As I sat there with family and friends waiting for the funeral home to come take his body away, I pondered ultimate questions about life, death, and eternity.
I thought about jobs that we work hard to get-and keep. I thought about homes that we struggle to maintain and to keep looking as good (or better than) the neighbor's. I thought about the cars that we overburden ourselves with payments for. I thought of all the STUFF that we work so hard to accumulate and keep up.
I wonder if Solomon, the great king of old had all this in mind when he said, "Meaningless! Meaningless! "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless. What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?" Jesus, on the other hand, talked about a focus that was oriented towards eternity. He said, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.
If you've grown weary of the futility of what this world has to offer, and are ready to focus on eternity through Jesus Christ. Call 375-7316

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Send email to redmondmike@gmail.com or windsorbaptist2@yahoo.com