Evil Fills An Empty Spirit

This came to me in an Email, I thought it to be too important just to pass as an email. Please read and respond with your thoughts....

Guess our national leaders didn't expect this, hmm? On Thursday, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton , Colorado , was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful.

They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well.
It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript:

"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out f or answers.

"The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used.. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.

"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent.

I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy -- it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best.


Your laws ignore our deepest needs,
Your words are empty air.
You've stripped away our heritage,
You've outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms,
And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere,
And ask the question "Why?"
You regulate restrictive laws,
Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand,
That God is what we need!



" Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, mind, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs -- politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.

"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America , and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain.
Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him.
To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA -- I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone!

My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"

Do what the media did not - - let the nation hear this man's speech..
Please send this out to everyone you can. God Bless

Great Words From Someone Small But Wise

I recently read a BLOG from a family friend. This person is small in size, but has a heart bigger that the state of Texas. Please take time to read the blog. After you read the blog titled "Something to Think About", take time to visit The Samaritians Purse link to the left of her Blog Page. This is a wonderful charity that spreads the gospel to those who do not have an opportunity to hear it otherwise.

http://smallbutwise.blogspot.com/

Day 1 in San Juan, Puerto Rico

I am getting use to being in and out of town. The one thing I am NOT getting use to is being away from my family and friends. You would think being in Puerto Rico would be exciting, however, it is only a trip when you are working and without your family to enjoy it with. We, Stephanie and I thought hard about making it a family trip. That way I could spend my free time with my family checking out the tropical commonwealth. However, the boys have already missed enough school this year. I even suggested Stephanie coming down and leaving the boys with friends or family. Once again, that just did not seem right. So do you understand how being in a nice place, just isn't all it could be?

Well I will post some pictures so you can see what I see thus far.

This is the desk and TV. Check out the BIG SCREEN!!!! LOL

The above picture is the view out my balcony. Not bad, but below me is the dumpster area and NO ONE uses the dumpsters, the trash is in the street and between the buildings.

To the right is a look at the view to the right of my balcony. The bridge you see is used for a diving board for the locals. Pretty funny to see people swimming off the side of a bridge.

And now we have the beds with the amazing pictures behind the beds. Nice color on the walls. PSSSSST.... I am not painting out bed room again. Sorry. OK, OK I DON'T Want to paint the bed room again, please!!!!

And the last photo of the day will be a picture of my shower facility. Where is the curtain???? LOL. It is unique though, the shower floor is a step up, normally these are usually are step down or level.




YOU KNOW IT IS BAD IF I AM BLOGGING WHILE IN SAN JUAN!

I'M NOT PERFECT, NEITHER ARE YOU. THE BIBLE SAYS SO!!!

Recently we (Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church), completed another year of reaching the children of the community. I wish I could say the year was perfect in execution, however opportunities reared up. When is anything or anyone perfect? Except our Savior, Jesus Christ. There were more successes than failures. We had about the same number of children as previous years, however fewer volunteers. That just shows the strength of the Lord; able to do the job, with fewer workers. This year we had more families not pay, yet God still provided. We are proud to provide for those who can not afford to pay and those who choose not to pay. We truly believe, it is better to accept everyone who wants to be apart of a Spiritual sports program to be able to participate. I am blessed to be apart of the program. Once again, anything man has a hand in, will not be perfect. But as long as God is in the picture, it can not fail. This reminds me of one of the last devotions I shared...

John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

The light being Christ and the darkness being sin. This tells me, that the Light will always win over the darkness. This years program was successful because God was praised. All incidents of opportunity could never shadow the work done in God's name. This year we have had a few families visit and return regularly to Sunday worship service. This is the fruit of the labors conducted during this basketball program. This proves the light overcomes the darkness. (As if we did not already know that)

This leads me to a new thought. I ask myself and I would ask those who choose to read this blog to ask themselves....

Which is more prevalent in me/you, the Light or Darkness????

I already know I am not perfect. I fall short of the glory of God on a daily basis. What about you? Well, I hate to tell you, if you feel you are any better than me, your not. Quit trying to fool yourself, my statements are Biblical...

Romans 3:10-12
As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

See, I'm a sinner, your a sinner. Yours are no different than mine and mine are no different than yours. Because God tell us the cost of sin is equal to all. Death. Also, the escape of sin's grip is also the same for us all. Christ.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What makes us different is how we live. However, do not believe "How you live", will determine your salvation. There is only one way to God, that is through Jesus Christ...

John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me....

The Word tells us how to live. He also tells us how not to live. The only thing we can do is evaluate OURSELVES to determine where we need to tweak the life we live. I pose a Biblical Check up, using His Word as a reference.

Mathew 5:44
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...
1st- Who do you consider your enemies? Fellow Christians or Those who stand against Christ?

For myself- I hate no one and love everyone, this is sometimes harder than it sounds. I know I have persecuted other Christian brothers, but I have also prayed for them and for myself for the sin I have committed. I look for the good in everyone, I firmly believe no one wakes up and says, "I wonder what I can do today to cause another harm".

Mathew 6:27 and 6:34
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Do you worry? or Do you trust that God will provide and take care of you?
When people worry they tend to also get defensive. They tend to want to draw attention to someone/something else to prevent attention being drawn to themselves. When you worry, you do not want others to see it, so you divert. Don't worry, God loves us all. Even in our filthy, lazy, unappreciative state. HE LOVE US!!!

For myself- I do not worry. God has always provided for me and my family, even when we struggled, God was there. Sometimes, I feel I may have too much confidence in God. How silly is that, you can never have too much confidence in God, He will NEVER let you down. He may not always give you what you think you need/want. He will provide.

Mathew 7:1-3
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"


Do you judge others? After you do so, how do you feel? Does it make you feel better?


For Myself- YES. I could leave it at that, because I have. IT MAKES ME FEEL HORRIBLE after. I know I have a plank in my eye. PULL IT OUT, PULL IT OUT!Sometimes I do it jokingly. However, one man's laugh is another man's pain. I do believe that JUDGING and Having an Opinion is different. Doesn't make one better than the other, just different. The bad thing about opinions, people ask for them, but really don't want them. Sometimes it is better not to ask. Many people Judge GOD. Isn't that silly? We will talk more about that in a minute. We all have heard "Those who live in a glass house, should not cast stones". God says it better in John 8:7 ..."If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone." A stoned that is disguised is still a stone. Right?

Afterthought-
Romans 14:13
Therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.

Isaiah 40:10
See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and his arm rules for him...
Romans 8:28
And we know that in ALL THINGS God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Do you believe that the Lord is Sovereign? Do you believe that Everything is done for the Glory of God? Do you trust the decisions that God makes? When things do not go the way you want them to go, DO YOU JUDGE God's decision?

For Myself- I fully believe that GOD IS IN CONTROL. Because not to believe that, means man is in control. God gives man the ability to to make decisions, but God already knows the decision that is being made. THERE ARE NO SURPRISES TO GOD. This is another reason I tend not to worry. May God's Will be done, NOT MINE. A while back the church I attend had a severe disturbance within. This caused a number of families to leave and seek out other churches. In human eyes this was sad, but if you ask all of those who left, they are happier now and more fruitful in their walk with the Lord. Some are disappointed in the how and why they left, but are happier where they are now worshipping. See God has a plan, even if we do not like the outcome, it is always the right plan. I too STRONGLY DISAGREED with the how's and why's also, but you know, I WILL NOT QUESTION THE LORD. Some may see me as a hypocrite. I am waiting for the LORD to move me, until then, I am where the Lord wants me to be. However, trust me, I still Love them all. I can say a few of those days were some of the HARDEST in my life.

Colossians 3:13
....Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Are there people that you need to forgive? Maybe you need to forgive yourself? Are there situations that need to be forgiven? Do you dwell on something that eats you up inside?

For Myself- I believe in forgiveness. I do not harbor on anything. Most of all, I try to forget also. NOW that is HARD. I believe that God tells us that WE MUST FORGIVE, TO BE FORGIVEN. Trust me, We all have some thing/one/situation that needs our forgiveness; and vice versa. Don't waste words, opportunities, and friendships over harboring a grudge.

Revelations 3:14
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot, I wish you were either one or the other. So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you our of my mouth.

Where are you with your walk with God? (Not where you want others to believe) Do you serve God with your talents? Do you want the protection of the Lord, without the persecution? Are you willing to take your sins, failures, needs, and burdens to the alter? Or are you afraid of what others think, when you kneel down before the Lord. This is God's way of saying, Eat or get up from the table. (This is not in the Bible, this is my words)

For Myself- My walk with God is not as close as I wish it to be, nor will it ever. I serve God, but not as much nor as good as I should. I know I have been persecuted, but not as much as I deserve. I have taken my sins, my failures, my needs, and my burdens to the Cross, but I still fall short. I DON'T CARE WHAT OTHERS THINK WHEN I KNEEL AT THE CROSS. GOD HAS GOT MY BACK!


In Closing:

I am not PERFECT, neither are YOU. But I ask for the forgiveness of those I have hurt and I forgive those who have hurt me. I believe that hatred is from the depths of hell and love is from the heights of heaven. Look inside and seek out the Love of Christ. There is only two teams; Believers and Non-Believers. If we are on the same team, why allow the shadow to intrude. Even if we do not agree, we are still Brother's and Sister's in Christ. The fight is not with each other, it is against Satan and his intrusion.

God Bless

Just Call Her Snoop Dog!!!!

I have seen it all! I thought you had to watch out for the kids snooping around to find their presents. Well, now I know, You have to watch out for your spouse also.

Let's start the story out with this.... Stephanie has been Christmas shopping for a while. She tends to pick up a present for me here and there, which is wonderful. She also usually stores these presents in her closet and lets me know not to go looking around. So, knowing that there usually is a present in there, I stay out. Steph's closet is not some place I usually go, anyway. I would likely get lost or trampled by falling shoes. Anyway, let's continue.... Stephanie has been telling me of the "Past Present Future" ring that she wanted. Over the past few years, it had not been in the budget. However, last year, I wrapped a small empty ring box with a note stating, "Sorry, maybe next year". Steph did not find this too humorous. However, she understood. (I know you are on the edge of your seat) Well this year, I purchase this ring. Very beautiful ring, if I may add. I did this the Thursday before Christmas, because Stephanie keeps a very close eye on the bank account and I wanted it to be a surprise. So after making this purchase, I put the receipt and the warranty information in my coat pocket and laid it on top of the dog cage. That night, I had basketball practice, Steph and the boys stayed home. (Come On You Can Guess) That is right, she happened to go by the dog cage and notice a clear envelope in my pocket. Now, she knew I was out shopping over the past few days prior and Christmas was fast approaching, you would think that she would just leave it be. Nope, curiosity was way too much! She slowly tugged the envelope out of the pocket, looked right and then left, slowly pulled out the receipt and started reading. But she failed to secure the area, Austin BUSTED HER!!!! He said "What are you doing?" She told him, it was hanging out and that they should not tell me because I would be upset. GET REAL, I AM LOVING IT!!! So when I got home, I fixed me something to eat and Steph went to take one of her super hot relaxing bath. Austin pulled me into his room and told me about the BUST he made. But asked me not to say anything, because he did not want to get MOM upset. SOOOOO, if you know me, you know I am going to play this game. So while laying in bed, I rolled over to Stephanie and we got on the subject of presents. I told Steph, now you know I bought your present today (because I told her this while she was at work) so, don't go around and start snooping around. She stated, "I hope you did not spend too much money" and started a slight smile. So, I looked at here and said, "You snooped didn't you?" after a few seconds of teasing her, She owned up. Can you believe, she blamed it on me???? It was my fault for leaving it in my pocket. Go figure!

So, Christmas for Stephanie came a little early, without surprise, but it was sure fun for me!
Oh, A special thanks to Austin, if not for him, I could not have had so much fun. Steph, next time I AM CHECKING OUT THE CLOSET!!!

To all my family and friends, I wish you a Very Merry Christmas!
Remember, The best gift we have received is the Gift God gave us in His Son Jesus as our Savior.

May God Bless you and your family!

Jon

A Trip To Remember, Where will you go?

I know many of you have been wondering, WHERE THE HECK IS JON? Well that is the reason for my blog spot title. I know I haven’t blogged in a while, so I will try to make up for that within this posting. I want you to close your eyes and think about your last long distant travel. After thinking about it, don’t forget to reopen your eyes so you can enjoy the rest of this blog. Did you remember a wonderful trip, full of fun, excitement, and memorable experiences? Well, WAD IT ALL UP AND THROUGH IT OUT THE DOOR!!!! I am going to tell you about my trip to Fargo, ND and you will think I am making it all up. But, it is all true, no exaggerations included. So get some popcorn, an aspirin for the cramps you will get in your side from laughing at my expense.

It all started on Tuesday, December 4th. I had a scheduled flight from Louisville to Minnesota at 6:00 pm, so you know they always say get to the airport 2 hours in advance to make sure you can make it through security and reach your gate without missing your flight. Well, I arrived at 4:00 pm, get checked in and notice that my flight’s status is “ON TIME”. I get checked in and down to my gate with about an hour to spare, so I get on my computer and do some email and work. Well about 1 ½ hours later, I check to see about the flight and I am told that the plane had not left from the city it was flying from and it would be about a two hour delay. Well, I began to get worried, I have a connecting flight from Minnesota to Fargo and that delay would make me about 40 minutes late for my connection. So I walk up to the “ever so kind” attendant and ask, “How do I look on making my connection?” I was told that the connecting flight was delayed and I should make it. Well, I sit back down, make a phone call or two to my wife who is enjoying life’s finest dining with good friends of ours at Fazoli’s. At about 8 pm, I go back to the attendant and ask are you sure I am going to make my flight into Minnesota to Fargo. Well at this time the attendant had a peer with her, she stated “No, there is no way you will make your connection”. If you know me, you know I did not care for that answer, since I was earlier told there would be no problem. So I stated a little louder, so that the person I was talking to earlier could hear me, I said, “Well, about 30 minutes ago, I was told my connecting flight was delayed, what happen”? So the two attendants began a behind the counter debate and I was assured that I would make my connection. I was somewhat skeptical about it, so I contacted my hotel reservation and cancelled it, because if you do not cancel within a certain time you pay even if you don’t stay. I also contacted the rental car company and explained that my flights would be delayed and I did not anticipate arrival into Fargo until about midnight. I also inquired if anyone would still be there. The young lady, a college student, stated they normally closed at 11 pm, but she would stay later, but could not promise anything after midnight. I explained that’s fair. So, finally we get to board our plane to Minnesota, at 8:35 pm. That is right 4 ½ hours after I arrived at the airport. Does this sound like the get-a-way you had???? Well this is just the beginning. We get up in the air and finally arrive in Minnesota. We taxi into Concourse B at 9:35 pm (their time), I look for my departing flight to Fargo on the departure board, it shows the flight departing at 10:05 from Concourse C. So I start a brisk walk, just imagine that and you should laugh. I get to the gate and ask the attendant, “Is this flight on time and will it get into Fargo by midnight”? The attendant assured me I would be in Fargo by midnight. I KID YOU NOT, I turn, walk 8 steps, sit down, and look at the flight information behind the attendant and watch the departure time change from 10:05 to 11:30. So I start to think, well that is probably the arrival time in Fargo. Then another person who just sprinted for his life to catch the same plane checks with the attendant and I hear her tell him, “No it has been delayed, you still have time”. So at this time I do not feel so secure, so I ask, is that time the departure time or arrival into Fargo? As you may guess, it was the departure time. Well, as I did before, I said didn’t you just tell me that it was on time? Well, I guess someone forgot to tell the attendant that the flight crew for my plane was on another delayed flight inbound. Well at least I know I would be in Fargo at some point. So I called and reset my hotel reservations and I had to call the rental car company and let the college student know my plane would now not be in until 12:30 and I asked if she would still be there, she stated she would until 12:30, she had a test she need to study for. Now, we board the plane at 11:40 pm, I’m thinking “Thank Goodness”. We are sitting on the plane and there are a couple restless irritable children with an inpatient single parent. Need I say more? I snuck in a quick prayer for God to give the parent patience and to give me good ear phones with my portable DVD player. God granted the patience. One out of two is not bad. So after sitting at the gate for 55 minutes (12:35 am) the pilot stated that they had a clogged “something or another” and maintenance just took care of it. Prayers just got a little more serious. The pilot then stated we were waiting for the ground crew to push us back and we would taxi to deicing. So finally at 1:15 am., we’re taking off and headed to snowy Fargo. Of course, I thinking, I will have to catch a taxi from the airport to the hotel, because who would be crazy enough to stay an additional 2 hours for one person to rent a car, especially since the college student had classes the next day. Finally, we land in Fargo, YEAH, but don’t get tired of reading yet, it gets better. I get off the plane, run straight to the rental car company. To see, to my amazement, the light is still on. The only one in a line of dark rental car companies. I stepped up, the college student steps forward and says, Mr. Walls, your car is ready. I looked at her and said, Why are you still here? She said, well I knew your plane was in the air and it was on the way, so I figured I might as well wait and study. So she went through the paper work and she said, my name is Stephanie, if you find something not to your satisfaction about your car, let me know. I should have known, aren’t all angels named Stephanie????? Stay with me, we are in the home stretch….I go to retrieve my luggage to find, I am missing a bag. So I am waiting and waiting and waiting, the airport is closing and finally, an announcement, Attention all Northwest passengers arriving from Minneapolis, if you are missing any luggage, please see an attendant at the ticket counter. So, I walk that lonely, long, and dark walk to the attendant. I explained I have a missing bag, the one that has my tools needed to do business and without it my travel to Fargo was useless. So she told me my bag was still located in Minneapolis. So I asked if 2 ½ hours was not long enough to get all of my bags from one plane to another, how long do you need? We both laughed. I went to get my rental car, now keep in mind, I went to the airport in Louisville at 4 pm, it was in the upper 40’s. I step out of the Airport and it was -5 degrees. My nose hairs froze instantly and I lost my breath. What a SHOCK. Stay with me we are almost done. So after getting the 3 inches of snow off my rental car, I pull out and go to my hotel. Well at this hotel, they do not have night staff, they check you in by using a kiosk. You slide your credit card, it spits out your room key, you slide the key and are able to enter the common area toward your room. WELL, I get there, It is 3:30 am, slide my card and the screen reads, kiosk OFFLINE. OH SNAP. Found a phone number to contact hotel personnel. I called 5 times before getting someone. They come over let me in the common area and his KEY DOES NOT WORK TO GET INTO THE OFFICE TO CHECK ME IN, Not Cool. So, luckily, another manager lives around the corner. So, I finally get in my room at 4 am. Coming to the end…. The next morning, I go to the Taco Johns, the airport calls, my bags are in town, where would I like them delivered. I gave them the address of the Taco Johns. Two hours later, I have to call the taxi company to inquire about my bag. THEY DELIVERED IT TO TACO BELL, three blocks down the road. GREAT!!! I explained to them that it was important for that bag to get out of the hands of the competitor and in my hand NOW. So finally, I had my bag. Life is good.

Not Warm, But GOOD. If you look close at the picture below, you will see the temperature in FARGO, ND as I type this blog. IT IS COLD!!!

If you know me, you know I have been blessed with patience. Even through all of this, I kept my cool and just remembered, God got me to Fargo safe, what else can I ask for. You know being a Christian gives you a totally different outlook on life. When you know at the end of life’s journey, you will live eternally in paradise with your Lord and Savior, you sort of find a way to enjoy the earthly bumps and delays. What about you? Is your life half full or half empty? (glass theory) Do you have what is available to you so you can travel through this world worry free about what is at the end of the journey? The plane is leaving, be early. Being late, you may find an eternity of hell.

The Cross: A Symbol of Life? or Death?

There are many who do not recognize the true meaning of the Cross. Not that I know everything, because as Stephanie will tell you, I surely do not. But since this is my blog, I get to have an opinion and since you are reading it, you have to at least read my opinion. The Cross is not just a symbol nor just two lines that cross each other. There has to be meaning behind the Cross. Sometimes I believe people use the Cross to mask themselves, even when they do not know or understand the meaning behind it or the significance behind (or in front) of the Cross. This is not the case for all, but for many. I believe people should truly think of WHY they put up a cross and make sure it is not for an incorrect reason. Now days, so many put up a cross to mark the place where a loved one has passed away, a "roadside memorial". A symbol of where a life ended. That is somewhat normal, I guess. Recently I drove down Gene Snyder Freeway and found myself counting crosses. Can you believe between a two mile stretch of road, there were 5 crosses. Now, if you know me, you know I do not mean any hard feelings when I ask... Are these symbols of religion or symbols of carelessness? (not meaning based on the person who died at that site, because it may have been anothers carelessness) I was driving down Smyrna Road earlier this year and saw this large beautiful cross with two people standing near it. They were obviously mourning the loss of a loved one, however, they were also pouring beer on the spot. It kinda reminded me of the sponge of vinegar that Jesus took while on the Cross, but I do not think that is what they were replicating. So, I ask.... Is the Cross symbol of Life? or Death?



Well, I think we need to look a little further.... You see some say that Jesus died on the Cross, which If you are Christian you know this to be true. Because Jesus' death on the Cross was the sacrifice for our sins. As John 3:16 so eloquently puts it. I ask that you look take a deeper, look at the Cross. The Cross may have meant death to Jesus (if you know the all the facts, you also know that this is not 100% true. Explain later), however, it meant life for everyone else. Per Colossians 2:13-15 (I will not make you look this up, but you should)

13When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

So as you can see, the cross took life to give life. It continues to give life each day for those who will believe and accept the gift it offers.

So, I believe that the Cross is a symbol of life. A life with Christ. You see the Cross that Jesus was crucified on could not keep him, because three days later, he rose from the grave. Mark 6:6-7

6"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' "

So why do so many mark the passing of their loved ones with crosses? The cross is a symbol of life, not of death. Of Joy, not of Sorrow. Of peace, not conflict. Of giving, not taking. Of light, not dark. Of forgiveness, not condemnation.

What do you see, when you look at the cross? I see the many nails that I own that have been hammered into my Savior. I see the blood pour out of an Innocent side that cleanses me. I see the power of forgiveness in the eyes of the blamelessness. I see the a sacrifice that I know that I am not worthy of, but it was made for me anyway.

Yes, the Cross is a symbol of life. The life that was given as another was taken.

May God bless you and keep you safe.