Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor is the first female Hispanic nominee to the court in American history. Her Senate confirmation hearings begin this month. If confirmed she will not only make the history books, but receive a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court. It is the highest court in the United States and a powerful seat in the U.S. Government.
U.S. Senators are presently combing through thousands of documents going over speeches, court rulings and almost every area of her life trying to determine how she might execute her duties as a Justice. How would she rule on potential cases? How does she interpret the U.S. Constitution? Does she believe the court has the power to make policy?
The position she will potentially hold is influential in literally shaping America's future. On account of that, the process is brutal in making sure our nation places the best person on the bench.
One day I will actually go through something like a senate confirmation hearing. It will be much different though. There will not be any republicans or democrats and it will actually be an honest and fair hearing.
According to the Bible, the most accurate book ever written, there will be a day when every human being will be personally examined by God, the creator of all humanity. Prior to the meeting, God will dissect every area of our life, public and private, from the moment of our birth. His examination will go further then the confirmation hearings. It will also include our thought life and inner motives.
As I anticipate that day, I am not worried. I have confidence and peace. Why? Because God exams without partiality and favoritism. God says, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion” (The Bible, Romans 9:15, ESV). I have peace today because He has helped me to turn from my sins and brought me total forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
You may not have peace. The thought of being examined by God may leave you with a feeling of uncertainty.
One day we all will be personally examined by God to determine our destination for eternity. Followers of Christ can ponder the implications of that day with a sense of confident hope and abiding peace. May you turn to Him and find your hope for today.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Chrysler Debt and Christ’s Forgiveness
Nearly 800 Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge dealerships across the country got an unwanted package last month. They received a letter from Chrysler’s corporate office telling them to close up shop. In the end, 25% of the dealership’s network got the bad news. One of those I read about was Frederick George of Flint, Michigan. His family has been in the automobile business since 1928. He said, “Were upset, stunned.” Many others probably echoed his statement across the country.
The executive management miss-steps of Chrysler brought in the federal government and bankruptcy courts. The ripples of this financial mess are far reaching. Local Chrysler dealers are now being pulled under by the company's bad decisions and federal government pressure. After reading a comment from a dealer in Mississippi, I thought his words made a point. The summary of his comments were “Chrysler has their own investments, we have our own and we are not the problem.”
The financial debt that Chrysler accrued over the years is apparently too much for their CEO and board of directors to take care of themselves. All of us have a debt too, of a different kind. It is a sin debt.
A large, heavy debt has been accruing since the moment of our birth. Jesus can take this. He never had a debt of sin of his own, but is willing to take ours. Moreover, when He takes our debt, we will become free from its bondage. There is no greater feeling then being debt free. Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (The Bible, John 8:32, ESV). Let Him take your debt and experience hope for today.
The executive management miss-steps of Chrysler brought in the federal government and bankruptcy courts. The ripples of this financial mess are far reaching. Local Chrysler dealers are now being pulled under by the company's bad decisions and federal government pressure. After reading a comment from a dealer in Mississippi, I thought his words made a point. The summary of his comments were “Chrysler has their own investments, we have our own and we are not the problem.”
The financial debt that Chrysler accrued over the years is apparently too much for their CEO and board of directors to take care of themselves. All of us have a debt too, of a different kind. It is a sin debt.
A large, heavy debt has been accruing since the moment of our birth. Jesus can take this. He never had a debt of sin of his own, but is willing to take ours. Moreover, when He takes our debt, we will become free from its bondage. There is no greater feeling then being debt free. Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (The Bible, John 8:32, ESV). Let Him take your debt and experience hope for today.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Finding Freedom in the War on Drugs
During President Richard Nixon’s administration, he coined the phrase “War on Drugs.” In the 1980s and 90s Mexican drug cartels began to rise to power becoming stronger than the Mexican military. Now, the war on drugs has reached new levels. Since 2006, over 10,000 people have been killed and the start of 2009 has shown no decline in deaths along the U.S. and Mexico boarder.
How does this drug war relate to you and me? The Justice Department reports that Mexican drug organizations have a sophisticated network of distribution points throughout the United States. Among those are obvious boarder states like Florida, Texas, Arizona, and California. However, they are moving their centers north to places like Wichita, Kansas; Billings, Montana and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There are 230 cities where the cartels have operations. From urban to rural communities, many are at risk.
What drives the risky business of illegal drugs? The user. What would happen if there were no more users? Like a regular business, if people no longer bought the product, business would shut down. What would have an immediate impact on the drug war? If people no longer used illegal drugs. Sales would stop, street values would plummet, profits would be cut and the lure of making a fortune in drug trafficking would be gone.
What is the leading cause of drug abuse that dealers depend upon? A person’s need for help in coping with physical pain or emotional trauma. All of us experience real and serious challenges every day. For some, their defense or escape mechanism is drugs. However, I believe that most users, when thinking straight, really do want to quit.
If you are hooked, you can be free. A drug dealer is not genuinely concerned about your problems. It is a business and they want their money. However, someone sincerely cares about your welfare – Jesus, God’s Son. He is not primarily interested in your money. He is interested in you, your present and your future. God says, “For I know the plans I have for you . . . plans for wholeness and not for evil to give you a future and a hope” (The Bible, Jeremiah 29:11, ESV). He loves you. He wants to be your Savior and save you from your sin of drug use or even drug dealing. Will you turn from your addiction and find freedom through the complete forgiveness of Jesus? May He be your hope for today.
How does this drug war relate to you and me? The Justice Department reports that Mexican drug organizations have a sophisticated network of distribution points throughout the United States. Among those are obvious boarder states like Florida, Texas, Arizona, and California. However, they are moving their centers north to places like Wichita, Kansas; Billings, Montana and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There are 230 cities where the cartels have operations. From urban to rural communities, many are at risk.
What drives the risky business of illegal drugs? The user. What would happen if there were no more users? Like a regular business, if people no longer bought the product, business would shut down. What would have an immediate impact on the drug war? If people no longer used illegal drugs. Sales would stop, street values would plummet, profits would be cut and the lure of making a fortune in drug trafficking would be gone.
What is the leading cause of drug abuse that dealers depend upon? A person’s need for help in coping with physical pain or emotional trauma. All of us experience real and serious challenges every day. For some, their defense or escape mechanism is drugs. However, I believe that most users, when thinking straight, really do want to quit.
If you are hooked, you can be free. A drug dealer is not genuinely concerned about your problems. It is a business and they want their money. However, someone sincerely cares about your welfare – Jesus, God’s Son. He is not primarily interested in your money. He is interested in you, your present and your future. God says, “For I know the plans I have for you . . . plans for wholeness and not for evil to give you a future and a hope” (The Bible, Jeremiah 29:11, ESV). He loves you. He wants to be your Savior and save you from your sin of drug use or even drug dealing. Will you turn from your addiction and find freedom through the complete forgiveness of Jesus? May He be your hope for today.
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