"Be cute or die"

Dallas Willard wrote something profound in the "Smothered By Slogans" section of his book, The Divine Conspiracy, on page 12:

... popular sayings attract because people are haunted by the idea from the intellectual heights that life is, in reality, absurd. Thus the only acceptable relief is to be cute or clever. In homes and on public buildings of the past, words of serious and unselfconscious exhortation, invocation, and blessing were hung or carved in stone and wood. But that world has past. Now the law is "Be cute or die."... the particular "message" doesn't matter.

In the next section he adds:

Jesus offers himself as God's doorway into the life that is truly life. Confidence in him leads us ... to become his apprentices in eternal living. "Those who come through me will be safe," he said. "They will go in and out and find all they need. I have come into their world that they may have life, and life to the limit."

Take a moment to think about the wonderful invitation and reality in Christ of living a truly meanfulul life.

The Galatians Tree

Paul's letter to the Galatians represented, graphically, as a Tree.

Faith Additives - Charity

"...add to your faith...charity" - 2^nd Peter 1:5b,7b(KJV)

Peter tells believers their faith still needs something to be successful. ¹ He ends the list with "charity", the Greek word "agape" (ah-gah-peh), meaning a selfless love expressed to those around us.

There is an old poem:

To dwell above with the ones we love...
Oh, that shall be glory!
But to dwell below with the ones we know...
Well, that's a different story!

Love is not a feeling for someone gone or far away, it's kindness done to a bad neighbor, to the co-worker who just threw us under the bus (you know what I mean), and to the teen with a bad attitude".

Not automatic but something to be added, if we can't make our faith work enough to be kind to these people our faith isn't really working at all.

¹Faith Additives

-fritz

Faith Additives - Brotherly Kindness

"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness;...for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:" - 2^nd Peter 1:5-7a,10b(KJV)

Faith needs additives¹ to remain healthy. "Brotherly kindness" is listed as essential to avoid fruitlessness, barrenness, and falling.

Judge Judy, on her popular daytime television show, told a plaintiff suing her own sister for something done to her husband, "In ten years you probably won't have this husband, but you'll still have your sister, be kind to her!"

You don't choose your physical family and you don't choose your brother's in Christ, either. You won't get away with cheating them² and they will be with you for eternity; be kind to them!<sup>3

1</sup>Faith Additives
²A Good Healthy Fear of God
³Galatians 6:10

- fritz

Faith Additives - Godliness

"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;...for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:" - 2^nd Peter 1:5-6,10b(KJV)

An essential additive for longevity in Christ is "godliness". It literally means "devoutness" and "piety". It is the same word the apostle Paul used when he wrote, "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness" (1^st Timothy 4:7 ESV).

"I'm not religious, I'm a Christian", has been said by many to mean faith in Christ is not a dead religion but a living relationship - that concept is true, but being irreligious or irreverent is a pitfall.

“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” - 1^st Timothy 4:8 (New Living Translation)

Like physical training (exercise), godliness (piety) doesn't happen naturally; it requires choice, repetition, and effort. Choosing to go to church regularly, choosing to pray and read the Bible daily, choosing to show godly respect publicly as well as privately exercises our faith. Like exercise, the more it is done the easier it becomes and the stronger we grow.

Adding godliness to how we live will keep us from being unfruitful and barren, and will keep us from falling.

- fritz

Faith Additives - Patience

"...Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge And to knowledge temperance to temperance patience;...For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ...if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:" - 2nd Peter 1:5-6b, 8, 10b (KJV)

Faith needs additives¹ to encourage growth and Peter lists seven (7) with the promise if they are present the believer will never fall, nor be barren and unfruitful.

Peter uses a word meaning "cheerful endurance" as a required addtive to self control. Sometimes we endure because we must, but cheerfulness in that endurance is always a choice;

Endurance with a bad attitude isn't patience, it's just being stuck, and
bears little fruit. Those who add cheerful endurance to self control will see difficulties turn out to be a blessing for themselves and those around.

- fritz

Faith Additives - Temperance

"...Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge And to knowledge temperance;...For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ...if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:" - 2nd Peter 1:5-6a, 8, 10b (KJV)

Faith needs additives¹ to encourage growth and Peter lists seven (7) with the promise if they are present the believer will never fall, nor be barren and unfruitful.

Temperance (Self control) is the balancing character for seeking experiential knowledge. We are to exercise self control in our consumption, recreation, and relationships.

"A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out" - Proverbs 25:28 (Message Bible)

We need to heed godly warnings² . Hot-headed self-centered boors are unattractive even if they do believe in Jesus!

Instead of praying for God to help us loose weight, have more friends, or be a better witness, maybe we ought to ask God to help us develop self control³ .

"...It is better to win control over yourself than over whole cities"- Proverbs 16:32b (Good News Bible)

¹ Faith Additives
² Spiritual Teenagers
³ Asking The Wrong Questions

-fritz

Faith Additives - Knowledge

"...Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;...For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ...if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:" - 2nd Peter 1:5, 8, 10b (KJV)

Peter tells believers their faith needs additives¹ and he lists seven (7) with the promise that if these are present the believer will never fall, nor be barren and unfruitful.

Second on his list is "Knowledge". Wikipedia tells us the original word "...indicates direct spiritual experiential knowledge"²

Believers should actively look for ways to experience all God has for them. Only guessing, but I think the instruction to add "knowledge" to "Virtue (excellence)" indicates desiring excellence motivates the desire to experience God more.

Actively seeking to experience all God has for us will keep us from being unfruitful and barren, and will keep us from falling.

Today's focus: "What can I do today to help me experience God more than yesterday?"

¹ "Faith Additives..."
² http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosis (emphasis mine)

-fritz

Heaven's Expatriate Program

"We, however, are citizens of heaven, and we eagerly wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven. He will change our weak mortal bodies and make them like his own glorious body, using that power by which he is able to bring all things under his rule." - Philippians 3:20-21 (GNB)

Large companies usually have an "Expat" program, where they temporarily send citizens to work in other countries. I have friends and a son who were expats to Nigeria, and I know expats from elsewhere.

They have a different outlook than the local citizens. They spend money, but not usually on permanent things to be left behind; they want to save their own money, content with the living expenses provided by their company. They are interested to varying degrees in local politics but only for benevolence and their own temporary safety. They regularly communicate with loved ones at "home". They meet socially with other expats from their country reminiscing on common experiences. They all look forward their return though they don't always know when.

Heaven has an expatriate program, and we who have given our lives to Christ are in it. We are to live with an expat point of view, being content with God's provisions¹ , benevolently working with local politics² but not getting too upset recognizing this world is not our home, communicating with our heavenly Father regularly³ , meeting with other heavenly expats⁴ , and awaiting our repatriation.

Question: How would my actions change if I considered myself one of heaven's expats?

¹ 1^st Timothy 6:6-8
² Jeremiah 29:7
³ 1^st Thessalonians 5:17
⁴ Hebrews 10:25

Faith Additives - Virtue

"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue;...For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ...for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:" - 2^nd Peter 1:5,8,10b (KJV)

Peter tells believers their faith, as much like his and as good as it was, needs additives¹ , and first on the list is "Virtue".

The word Peter used literally meant "excellence", having with it the notion of living up to full potential. It was applied by ancient Greeks to things like a job well done or something in tip-top shape.²

Those who have faith in Christ should strive for excellence in what they do. It is our calling³ , it is what we are to think about⁴ , and it is seen in Jesus⁵

Adding excellence to how we live will keep us from being unfruitful and barren, and will keep us from falling.

Today's focus: "How can I add excellence to what I am doing right now?"

¹ - "Faith Additives..."
² - Wikipedia
³ - 2^nd Peter 1:3
⁴ - Philippians 4:8
⁵ - 1^st Peter 2:9 "praises" (KJV/NIV) uses the same Greek word.



- Fritz

Spiritual Teenagers!

"Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:13b-16 (KJV)

Having teenagers I learned a couple of their characteristics - difficulty getting out of bed and feeling invincible are a couple that come to mind. Teens sometimes have an attitude of unconcern for what we, adults, know is important and warn them about. Most grow out of it and survive but, tragically, some don't.

We can't afford being spiritual teenagers, with a similar disregard. Almost weekly another evangelical pastor, politician, or believer makes the headlines with failure, or just quietly falls away - like baby sea turtles getting picked off as they dash to the sea. They can't all have been fake believers; at some point we must adopt the perspective that at least some of them had a vibrant faith but somehow stumbled into trouble.

No one is immune, make a special effort to hang around God's people and stay vibrant. Avoid potentially compromising situations. Ask Jesus to give a fresh look at him through the Bible, actually opening it up and reading (it doesn't matter where, it's all good).

-fritz

Faith Additives...

"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ...for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:" - 2^nd Peter 1:5-8, 10b (KJV)

They tell me all major brands use the same raw gasoline, the only difference is the additives. With the additives your car is to last longer and run better and cleaner.

Peter tells believers they, too, have the same raw faith as his own but they need some additives to run well and grow in Christ.

He lists seven (7): Virtue ("excellence"); knowledge (experience); Temperance (self control); Patience (cheerful endurance); Godliness (piety); Brotherly kindness (fraternal affection); and Charity (benevolent affection).

It's time to give purposeful thought to spiritual maturity!

- Fritz

Being "Good" is Not enough...

[God] "rescued Lot, a good man, who was distressed by the immoral conduct of lawless people." - 2^nd Peter 2:7 (GNB)

The story of Abraham's nephew, Lot, is a sordid tail. While Lot would not be considered "good" by our standards, God saw his heart and his grief over evil.

Though God rescued him from destruction, being "good" wasn't enough for Lot to win the moral battle in his society or his family, and neither will it be enough for us.

I think Lot's flaw is seen in his choices. When Abraham offered to share the land Lot's desire was to have the best of what the world had to offer and he chose accordingly¹ .

Abraham, on the other hand, living at the same time, in the same general vicinity² , and with just as much wealth, focused on trust and obedience to the God who had called him to leave all and follow³ .

Abraham lived in the world, Lot had the world living in him⁴ , and the results were totally different.

¹ - Genesis 13:10-11
² - Genesis 19:28
³ - Genesis 12:1
⁴ - "The World, evil or just misunderstood"

The World, evil or just misunderstood?

"Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:" - Apostle Paul (Galatians 1:3-4 KJV)

Here's the crux of our struggle - We see our world not as evil but just in need of reform. We want to enjoy all the good this world offers and fix its problems.

God's answer is not reform but deliverance.

Our sins render us unable to escape, like a man trying to pull himself up by his own bootstraps.

Jesus gave himself for our sins¹ , puts us into His Kingdom² to obey His laws³ , to extend His rule where we have responsibility and authority⁴ , and to live as ambassadors for Christ⁵ to others who are, likewise, in need of deliverance.

¹ - "Asking the Wrong Questions"
² - Colossians 1:13
³ - James 1:25
⁴ - Like the centurian in Acts 27:43
⁵ - 2^nd Corinthians 5:20

- Fritz

Same Love as Jesus

"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;...I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." - Jesus (John 17:20, 23 KJV)

If I believe Jesus' words then I believe God loves me with the same degree and intensity He loves Jesus.

Somehow it is easier to believe the Father loves Jesus than to believe He love me that same way. Choosing to believe what Jesus said puts a different perspective on difficulties; not as random or perverse antics of life, but purposed opportunities intended, with God's help, as ultimate blessings.

- Fritz

Same faith as St. Peter...

"Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" - 2^nd Peter 1:1 (KJV)

The one revered as the rock upon which the church was built¹ addressed his letter's recipients as those who obtained faith, literally, "of equal value or honor" as his own.

There are no superstars in Christ no matter the age or position. We each have equal footing, equal value, equal weaknesses. Each are to be respected for that faith but opposed when errant² . We, all, live by God's righteousness available in the life of Jesus, the Christ.

¹ Matthew 16:18
² Galatians 2:11

- Fritz

Global Warming according to the Bible

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." - 2^nd Peter 3:10 (KJV)

Global warming is coming, says the Bible, on the "Day of the Lord" when everything will burn up!

Scientists say we should act now, I agree! The bible says our action should be:

1) Looking forward to it because we'll have a new home;

"Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day--but we'll hardly notice. We'll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness." - 2^nd 3:12-13 (Message)

2) Making sure we are right with God, living in peace and purity.

"(2Pe 3:14) So, my dear friends, since this is what you have to look forward to, do your very best to be found living at your best, in purity and peace." - 2^nd Peter 3:14 (Message)

- Fritz

Mr. Monk's Gospel Lesson - Belief is a Choice

I enjoy the old Monk TV series. In one episode police chief Stottlemeyer is told by Mr. Monk that a guy still in a coma for four weeks is the perpetrator of a bombing the day before.

In spite of the airtight alibi and in spite of being ridiculed by his peers, Chief Stottlemeyer goes on record choosing the coma guy as the primary suspect. Adrian Monk had always been proven right in the past and, as difficult as it was for even himself to believe, the Chief puts his reputation on the line.

The Bible sometimes tells us things that don't fit our paradigm and we have a choice to make. Men and women of faith believe the Bible not because they are scientifically uninformed, uneducated, or stupid but because the Bible has turned out to have been right every time it has been able to be tested.

Believe is a choice one makes based on the evidence and who is presenting it.

Mr. Monk was right, by the way; the police chief's choice was a good one!

- Fritz

Christian Roses, heads bowed (presumably in prayer)

Beautiful roses bow their heads shortly after coming home, reminding me how everything in and of this world corrupts; cars rust, plastic breaks, food spoils, the strength and freshness of youth turns into something not quite the same.

God has something better for us, something not of this world, and no preservatives are required!

"...we look forward to possessing the rich blessings that God keeps for his people....in heaven, where they cannot decay or spoil or fade away. They are for you, who through faith are kept safe by God's power..." - 1^st Peter 1:4b-5a (Good News Bible)

The Apostle Paul puts it this way,

"(2Co 4:6) It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.

(2Co 4:7) If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us. - Message Bible

The "clay pots" of our bodies may get old, but the treasure inside, by God's keeping power, remains fresh and forever!

Fritz

"We" will come and Live with Him...

"If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings..." - Jesus (John 14:23-24a KJV)

Oh! How wonderful if would have been to have walked, heard, and lived with Jesus those three years in Galilee! Better it is, however, for Jesus to walk, speak, and live with me now!

In 1993, standing in Red Square late one night, a native Russian told my friend and I his problems. When we offered to pray he gasped, "You mean you can talk to God?!" I then realized how amazing that must seem, if it is really believed.

It is not arrogance, but a promise and a great privilege to have Jesus live with you. He promised to do that with everyone who loved him; promised both he and his Father (GOD) would not just visit but make a home there.

Awsome!

Fritz

How to encourage a Father's love...

"If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings..." - Jesus (John 14:23-24a KJV)

My heart is particularly touched when someone loves my child.

I know, firsthand, that observing genuine love for my child from someone I hardly know instantly changes my feelings. I may not have liked that person before, but I do now! The opposite is also true; no one who mistreats my children is ever friends with me!

I think this is a small taste of what Jesus meant. He said if a person will love him his Father (GOD) will return that love.

Fritz

Litmus test for Loving Jesus...

"If a man love me, he will keep my words... He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings..." - Jesus (John 14:23a & 24a KJV)

According to Jesus, a simple test of love is whether or not his words are kept.

Regardless of education, intelligence, morality, outlook, political correctness, or ecclesiastical position, if a person keeps (learns, believes, appreciates and obeys) Jesus' words that person loves Jesus.

The opposite is also true; if Christ's words are not kept the Love of Christ is NOT there no matter how good the arguments.

Jesus doesn't mean just the red letters of the Bible, a few short verses later he told his disciples,

"if they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours too." - John 15:20c (KJV)

Rev. Crepon, a pastor friend long ago when I was a young college student, told me, "Hold fast the the Bible, it will get you out of any jam it gets you into!"

Fritz

He is enough...

"There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early."- Psalms 46:4-5 (KJV)

Our clubs, associations, methods, and everything we look to for affirmation, guidance, and protection all break down leaving us with simple faith in the living God Who is above all principalities and powers; the One who is true to His word, the Bible, and faithful to His children individually.

And He is enough.

Fritz

Not prisoner of the one who owned the chains...

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called" - Ephesians 4:1 (KJV)

Pauls viewpoint on imprisonment is particuarly interesting.

He had been in Jerusalem when ¹Peter was miraculously released by an angel and saw, firsthand, God's freeing power. Paul, therefore, considered himself a prisoner not of the particular municipality owning the chains, but a prisoner of the Lord. He continued to write and preach like always, focused on Christ not his chains figuring God would either use him where he was or set him free. This was not a desperate man².

Jesus is a kind captor.

When I feel a prisoner of circumstances, or face what seems unchanging problems, it is not my circumstances holding me, it is Jesus. ³Nothing is impossible with God. He is working his character in me and at the ⁴right time the circumstances will change. He shall get glory from where I am, like I am, and/or place me where I need to be.

¹ Acts 12
² Acts 24:26
³ Luke 1:37, Matthew 17:20
⁴ Hebrews 4:16

FAL

Lack is NOT a Hindrance to God

"when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand people? How many baskets full of leftover pieces did you take up?" "Twelve," they answered. And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand people," asked Jesus, "how many baskets full of leftover pieces did you take up?" "Seven," they answered. And you still don't understand?" he asked them. - Mark 8:19-21 (KJV)

One day, while thinking about all the good God and I could do if I won the lottery, this scripture came to mind.

Jesus fed 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread, producing twelve (12) baskets of remains, but only seven (7) baskets of remains when he fed less people with more bread.

I realized the less he started with the more he produced! I, then, felt like God asked me how much I thought He could produce if he started with nothing at all. (I felt like that was a trick question!).

I decided to stop looking at my lack and start expecting Him to use even my meager resources for His service.

-FAL

A Good, Healthy, Fear of God...

"That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified." - 1^st Thessalonians 4:6 (KJV)

Paul, listing what following Christ looks like, makes an important and overlooked statement that God still avenges wrong, even among his children.

Accepting Christ doesn't mean that, if you cheat, you won't suffer the consequences. A good, healthy, fear of God is a good thing, and should never be out of style.

"Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king." - 1^st Peter 2:17 (KJV)

-FAL

Why Men Don't Talk...

Women say, "Why don't you talk to me anymore? I wish you'd tell me what's going on with you!" so I start talking (like now) and they say, "How can you say that?" This is our dilemma.

- Garrison Keillor, A Prairie Home Companion June 16, 2009

Gospel Lesson from a GPS (yes, the device in my car)

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed." - 2^nd Timothy 3:16-17 (GNB)

Pete (my son) and I were headed for the golf course when he asked why the GPS speed did not match my speedometer.

We had a physics lesson and a Gospel lesson at the same time.

My speedometer measures velocity by calculating wheel rotation. If the tires are not as expected the calculation could be off by several miles per hour.

The GPS, however, uses satellites, calculating speed by tracking my global position, and it is spot-on as long as it can find the satellites.

I use my GPS not only to know where I am but to judge the accuracy of my speedometer.

The Gospel lesson?

God made us with a conscience we use to judge our actions, but it can be off because of personal desires, misunderstandings, and just bad judgment. That's why God has, also, given us the Bible as external source of truth that is always spot-on.

We use the Bible to not only know where we are headed but to judge the accuracy of conscience.

- Fritz

Job's Lament Granted...

"Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me....he would pay attention to me." - Job 23:3-5,6b (ESV)

Job lamented he could not go to the "seat" (throne) of God. He knew, if he could, God would listen to his deepest hurts and troubles and he would find relief!

The barrier to God was only bridged by special prophets and seers. To hear from God one had to ask a holy man to interceed or a priest to use the "Urim and Thummin", like casting lots. Personal interaction with the Almighty was just not possible.

Then Jesus came, paid for our sins, and sent the Holy Spirit; Job's lament has been granted for every believer!

(God)..."raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." - Ephesians 2:4-7 (ESV)

Question: If you really believed you were seated with Jesus at the throne of God, how would your prayer life change?

God Is Not the only Trinity we know...

"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1^st Thessalonians 5:23 (KJV)

We are more than just a body, soul, or spirit, but all three (3) at the same time; God is not the only trinity we interact with on a daily basis.

Two (2) additional things to note:

1) God doesn't just "Save my soul" but is interested in me as a whole person.

2) God's preservation begins before the return of Christ, not just in the "sweet bye-and-bye".

I think this means that, though God sometimes allows me to experience suffering for my overall good (Romans 8:28) as any good parent would, all things being equal, God wants me healthy in my body, happy in my soul, and strong in my spirit beginning now and extending through the coming of Christ and into Eternity.

Death and Perishing, not the same thing

"...and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls." - Luke 21:16b-19 (KJV)

Jesus predicts a time of difficulty, but what strikes me is the fact that, in Jesus' world view, "death" and "perishing" are NOT the same thing.

That's curious - How can a person die yet not a hair of the head perish?!

Either this is an idiom for saying everything will turn out all right for the believer (good to know in a time of crisis), or it tells us two (2) other important things:

1) We need to adopt a broader viewpoint on life than the current one that starts at birth and ends when we expire (Matthew 10:28-30);

2) God cares more about our physical bodies than we give Him credit for (Romans 8:11)(Job 19:26).