A few years after watching an episode of VeggieTales my family decided to start using "Second Chance Cards". They were laminated index cards with the words "Second Chance Card" written on them along with whatever decorations my children, my wife and I wanted to put on them. Originally designed for the kids, they were also adopted by me and my wife. They were created so that if our children got in trouble and were getting grounded or about to receive other punishment, they could go and get their cards and bring them to us and ask for forgiveness and a second chance. This would immediately negate all punishment as a result of whatever it was they did wrong. A condition that went with the cards, however, was that they could only use them once during a calendar month. This was big hit with the kids and for my wife and me. I liked them because it kept my children from suffering undue punishment for little things and I got to practice apologizing when I got angry and may have said some things I shouldn't have. The cards also gave the family the chance to remember that God also has given us a "Second Chance Card".
Many people, even devout Christians, often feel that they have have committed a sin, or sins, that are so great that even God cannot forgive them. They fear that they will be eternally punished and never get to spend a blessed eternal life with their Father God. They could never be so wrong. God through His Son, Jesus the Christ, has given us the ultimate Second Chance Card. This card only has one condition attached to it. We can use this special "card" anytime we choose, as long as we have a sincere heart! This "card" is called Grace!! And what a wonderful gift it is, to all of God's children. Grace negates all punishments that we deserve; "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor his anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him." (Psalm 103: 8-13). Imagine a life where someone loves us, no matter what we have done and what ever punishment we deserve for it will be forgiven and forgotten forever. Wow!
The Bible is full of people, just like you and me, who have been given second chances by God. Moses (murder), David (adultery, bad parent, murder), Jacob (theft of birthright, liar), Lot (lived wickedly in Sodom), Jonah (fled from God's assigned task, hated others), Peter and the Apostles (selfish and always misunderstood what Jesus what trying to teach them) and Saul (murder) were all given second chances by God and they went on to become some of the greatest leaders and spokesmen for God and for Jesus. They only thing God asks of us in return is a sincere desire to follow Him and a heart that is willing to repent.
God does not ask for perfection from us. He gave us Grace, our "Second Chance Card", while we are still sinners; "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5: 8). How awesome is that? "Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always." (Psalm 105: 1-4)
Thank you God for giving me a Second Chance, and a Third Chance, and etc... I know I don't deserve it. Thank you for your never ending love for me and your bountiful grace. In Jesus holy name, Amen.
About ME
- Mr. E
- Grand Prairie, Texas, United States
- Mr. E is a Christian, Husband, Father of 2, former Army Officer and Texas Rangers Baseball fan.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Who I Worship
My daily Bible Study today reminded me of why I choose to worship my LORD God. While others I know worship money, science, movie/music stars, Allah, Buddha, other false gods, themselves or even Satan, I choose to worship and serve the one true God. Here is why;
Psalm 95: 3-5 "For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hands are the depth of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land." Psalm 96:4-6 "For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and glory are in His sanctuary." Psalm 97:1-6 "The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundations of His throne. Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side. His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the LORD of all the earth. The heavens proclaim His righteousness, and all the peoples see His glory." and Psalm 99: 1-3 "The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble; He sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake. Great is the LORD in Zion; He is exalted over all the nations. Let them praise your great and awesome name -- He is holy." My God is a powerful and mighty God and He alone is worthy of my worship.
I not only worship my God because of His power, but also because of His tender side. The side of God that cares for me as a father does his child and a shepherd does his sheep. Psalm 95: 6-7 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care." Psalm 97: 10-12 "Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for He guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light is shed upon the righteous and joy upon the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise His holy name. Psalm 100: 3 and 5 "Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations." I John 3:1 "How great is the love the Father has lavished upon us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" My God cares for me! He does not leave me to the mercy of the world. He will deliver me from evil. I am His child. Awesome!
The main reason I worship my God though, is the fact that He loved me so much, He was willing to sacrifice part of Himself to die as a man, so that I can live with Him forever in Grace through Jesus the Christ. John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into this world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."
Satan, Allah, Buddha, Aliens, Hindu or self-created Mormon gods did not create the earth. Rock/Movie stars did not and would not die for me so that I can spend eternity with God. I cannot save myself. There is only One God and it is Him alone I will worship!
Psalm 95: 3-5 "For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hands are the depth of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land." Psalm 96:4-6 "For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and glory are in His sanctuary." Psalm 97:1-6 "The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundations of His throne. Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side. His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the LORD of all the earth. The heavens proclaim His righteousness, and all the peoples see His glory." and Psalm 99: 1-3 "The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble; He sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake. Great is the LORD in Zion; He is exalted over all the nations. Let them praise your great and awesome name -- He is holy." My God is a powerful and mighty God and He alone is worthy of my worship.
I not only worship my God because of His power, but also because of His tender side. The side of God that cares for me as a father does his child and a shepherd does his sheep. Psalm 95: 6-7 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care." Psalm 97: 10-12 "Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for He guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light is shed upon the righteous and joy upon the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise His holy name. Psalm 100: 3 and 5 "Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations." I John 3:1 "How great is the love the Father has lavished upon us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" My God cares for me! He does not leave me to the mercy of the world. He will deliver me from evil. I am His child. Awesome!
The main reason I worship my God though, is the fact that He loved me so much, He was willing to sacrifice part of Himself to die as a man, so that I can live with Him forever in Grace through Jesus the Christ. John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into this world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."
Satan, Allah, Buddha, Aliens, Hindu or self-created Mormon gods did not create the earth. Rock/Movie stars did not and would not die for me so that I can spend eternity with God. I cannot save myself. There is only One God and it is Him alone I will worship!
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Trying to Beat An Unhealthy Addiction
I have an admission to make, I am addicted to food! I have put on 10 pounds this summer! I have been eating out of control. Not being being able to get outside much is not helping either. I am eating when I'm bored, and I when I find something good, I just keep eating, even after I am full. I'm not eating because I don't think we don't have enough food. We have plenty of food in our pantry's and fridge. I think I am mainly eating due to boredom and I just like to eat. I need to lose about 12 pounds to be back to my healthy weight or at least put on more muscle weight to justify the weight gain. All the extra fat I am packing on, is being stored around my gut and a little bit in my face. I don't get fatter in my arms, legs, thighs or butt. I have been told that getting a fat "beer belly", even though I am not a drinker, is not a good sign of health. A fat gut is supposedly not good on your heart and heart disease runs in my family.
As a result of this admission, I am going to start a diet, Weight Watchers, and an exercise program. My beautiful wife has video tapes and DVD's of the "Walk Away the Pounds" program, that I will use on odd numbered days of the month. I know these two programs work, because my wife once lost over 50 pounds doing these two things. If I don't walk at home, I will walk around my neighborhood. If it ever quits raining, I have a couple of one mile and two mile routes mapped out, that I can walk. My kids and my dog, love to walk with me so it can be a family thing.
I ask GOD's blessings with my new plans for better health. If I let GOD be the center of this new endeavor, I will succeed.
P.S. - I got the job I interviewed for in my last post. It is only part time for now, but it has potential. So in the meantime, I need another part time job, to balance out and fully replace my old income. Thanks be to my GOD for this blessing and I continue to seek his guidance and wisdom in my further searches for income.
As a result of this admission, I am going to start a diet, Weight Watchers, and an exercise program. My beautiful wife has video tapes and DVD's of the "Walk Away the Pounds" program, that I will use on odd numbered days of the month. I know these two programs work, because my wife once lost over 50 pounds doing these two things. If I don't walk at home, I will walk around my neighborhood. If it ever quits raining, I have a couple of one mile and two mile routes mapped out, that I can walk. My kids and my dog, love to walk with me so it can be a family thing.
I ask GOD's blessings with my new plans for better health. If I let GOD be the center of this new endeavor, I will succeed.
P.S. - I got the job I interviewed for in my last post. It is only part time for now, but it has potential. So in the meantime, I need another part time job, to balance out and fully replace my old income. Thanks be to my GOD for this blessing and I continue to seek his guidance and wisdom in my further searches for income.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
A Bad Day & A Good Day
Today has not been the best day. Not sure if it's the rain or something else but I have been extremely irritated and short-tempered. I need to relax and try to focus something positive. A little sunshine might help! Another thing that might help is that I have a job interview today (Hurray)! I guess that makes today a good day too.
Now for a prayer the first of it is borrowed from Psalm 63: 1-5;
"Oh God, You are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands." Forgive me also for being short-tempered with my children today. Help me to show them as much love as possible. No matter the outcome of my job interview today, I will praise you, Oh my LORD, for you are my true master, and I am your servant. Through the name of Jesus, the Christ and your Holy Spirit, Amen.
Now for a prayer the first of it is borrowed from Psalm 63: 1-5;
"Oh God, You are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands." Forgive me also for being short-tempered with my children today. Help me to show them as much love as possible. No matter the outcome of my job interview today, I will praise you, Oh my LORD, for you are my true master, and I am your servant. Through the name of Jesus, the Christ and your Holy Spirit, Amen.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Hiding In Plain Sight
My children and I just finished watching the movie "Transformers". Great movie!! Despite all the action and adventure, explosions, and transforming robots called Decepticons and Autobots, it was one of the last quotes from the film, that seems to be sticking with me. The quote was from Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots. He said, they were aliens on earth, living among the humans while, "Hiding among them in plain sight." Heroic as the Autobots were, they recognized they were aliens on the Earth, and they had to hide (disguised as cars) to avoid scaring humans who did not understand them, or being hurt or worse by others.
My recent efforts to focus my mind on being a man of God, got me to thinking about that last line, "Hiding among them in plain sight." The Autobots, although fiction, are not the only aliens living on earth. In 1 Peter 2:11, the Apostle Peter, calls his fellow Christians, "aliens and strangers in the world." In Romans 12:2, the Apostle Paul tells us, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Not only are Christians "aliens" to the world we live in, we are to "transform" ourselves into the likeness of God, (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Unlike the Autobots, who have to hide themselves in a strange world, God calls us to let our Spiritual Lights shine! He does not tell us to hide, but to live lives worthy of notice. We want others to see that we are different from them. God wants the world to see Himself in us, and we cannot do that hiding under a bush, as the old children's song says. Unfortunately many Christians live among our fellow humans as Christians and the world does not know who we are. They are "hiding in plain sight" of the people that God has called them to save. Many Christians are afraid of how the world will react to them, if they tell them the truth about Jesus, or if we do not conform to the way the world wants us to live. Thus, they hide their weak faiths and disguise themselves to avoid being noticed. It makes me sad.
No longer will I hide myself from the world! I will transform my mind and my spirit into the likeness of God! I will not be ashamed of being a Christian and I will let my light shine to a lost world. Will you too become a Transformer of souls or will you continue to hide in plain sight?
My recent efforts to focus my mind on being a man of God, got me to thinking about that last line, "Hiding among them in plain sight." The Autobots, although fiction, are not the only aliens living on earth. In 1 Peter 2:11, the Apostle Peter, calls his fellow Christians, "aliens and strangers in the world." In Romans 12:2, the Apostle Paul tells us, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Not only are Christians "aliens" to the world we live in, we are to "transform" ourselves into the likeness of God, (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Unlike the Autobots, who have to hide themselves in a strange world, God calls us to let our Spiritual Lights shine! He does not tell us to hide, but to live lives worthy of notice. We want others to see that we are different from them. God wants the world to see Himself in us, and we cannot do that hiding under a bush, as the old children's song says. Unfortunately many Christians live among our fellow humans as Christians and the world does not know who we are. They are "hiding in plain sight" of the people that God has called them to save. Many Christians are afraid of how the world will react to them, if they tell them the truth about Jesus, or if we do not conform to the way the world wants us to live. Thus, they hide their weak faiths and disguise themselves to avoid being noticed. It makes me sad.
No longer will I hide myself from the world! I will transform my mind and my spirit into the likeness of God! I will not be ashamed of being a Christian and I will let my light shine to a lost world. Will you too become a Transformer of souls or will you continue to hide in plain sight?
Monday, July 2, 2007
Angels and Volkswagens
Do you believe in Angels? Especially angels that can fix Volkswagens? I am starting to believe.
I have always believed in angels. They are mentioned in the Bible over and over again, and I even wrote a book about them called "Messengers From Heaven: A Biblical Look at Angels, Satan and Demons". Until recently though I never thought one could fix a Volkswagen.
In the past couple of months several things have been on our family's mind, regarding finances; 1) I am looking for a new job, so income is not consistent at the moment, 2) We needed money to fix a leaky roof, and the damage it did to our kitchen ceiling, 3) We were concerned about money needed for a hotel room for our recent trip to Kentucky, and 4) My wife's Volkswagen Bug had some major car trouble (possibly a bad clutch) that would cost over $1,000 to fix. Oh, how the Devil loves to lay problems on you, just when you were trying to turn you life over to GOD and be a better man.
Well, before we left for Kentucky I prayed to GOD, that he would send an angel who knew how to fix a Volkswagen Bug, so we wouldn't have to pay to get the car fixed, and we could get the roof fixed instead. I didn't think much about it, while we were on the trip, until we got a phone call from the repair shop. They said, they needed to speak to us, "As soon as possible" about my wife's car. We assumed the worst and dreaded calling them back. This morning I called the repair shop back...WOW, they told us the problem with the clutch was fixed and it was probably just a little rust caused by the recent heavy rains. They total bill would be just over $68.00 rather than the $1,000 plus we thought it would be. A MIRACLE, at least to us, it was. GOD heard my prayer and he must have sent and angel to fix my wife's car. It is the only explanation I can think of. Just a few days earlier, the repair guy, couldn't even get my wife's car to shift into any gear at all. And now he has driven it a good 5-6 miles around town to confirm the clutch and transmission are working, and he can't explain it, other than a little rust that was causing the clutch to jam. GOD is so awesome!!! Now, we can get the roof leak fixed before the middle of the month.
And to top everything else off, the hotel over quoted the price of our hotel rooms, and the final lodging bill for our mini-vacation was about $38.00 cheaper than we thought. Doesn't seem like a lot, but it just another sign to me anyway, that GOD is looking out for our family, just like HE always said HE would.
I have always believed in angels. They are mentioned in the Bible over and over again, and I even wrote a book about them called "Messengers From Heaven: A Biblical Look at Angels, Satan and Demons". Until recently though I never thought one could fix a Volkswagen.
In the past couple of months several things have been on our family's mind, regarding finances; 1) I am looking for a new job, so income is not consistent at the moment, 2) We needed money to fix a leaky roof, and the damage it did to our kitchen ceiling, 3) We were concerned about money needed for a hotel room for our recent trip to Kentucky, and 4) My wife's Volkswagen Bug had some major car trouble (possibly a bad clutch) that would cost over $1,000 to fix. Oh, how the Devil loves to lay problems on you, just when you were trying to turn you life over to GOD and be a better man.
Well, before we left for Kentucky I prayed to GOD, that he would send an angel who knew how to fix a Volkswagen Bug, so we wouldn't have to pay to get the car fixed, and we could get the roof fixed instead. I didn't think much about it, while we were on the trip, until we got a phone call from the repair shop. They said, they needed to speak to us, "As soon as possible" about my wife's car. We assumed the worst and dreaded calling them back. This morning I called the repair shop back...WOW, they told us the problem with the clutch was fixed and it was probably just a little rust caused by the recent heavy rains. They total bill would be just over $68.00 rather than the $1,000 plus we thought it would be. A MIRACLE, at least to us, it was. GOD heard my prayer and he must have sent and angel to fix my wife's car. It is the only explanation I can think of. Just a few days earlier, the repair guy, couldn't even get my wife's car to shift into any gear at all. And now he has driven it a good 5-6 miles around town to confirm the clutch and transmission are working, and he can't explain it, other than a little rust that was causing the clutch to jam. GOD is so awesome!!! Now, we can get the roof leak fixed before the middle of the month.
And to top everything else off, the hotel over quoted the price of our hotel rooms, and the final lodging bill for our mini-vacation was about $38.00 cheaper than we thought. Doesn't seem like a lot, but it just another sign to me anyway, that GOD is looking out for our family, just like HE always said HE would.
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