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After my kids left for school, I was reading my current devotion The Power of 21 Days  by Jared Stump.  He had two sentences that left me saying AMEN.  I had to share them with you. A theology about people going to Heaven when they die isn't very controversial, because it allows the kingdoms of this world to remain in control here on earth. But a Kingdom that comes down from Heaven and gives life to the world conflicts with the kingdoms of this world that seek to find life by imparting death into others. What are your thoughts?  Do you agree or disagree? It sounds very familiar to the message of the gospel that a Savior takes what is dead and makes it alive.  John 10:10 continues to be on my favorite verses, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." Speak life today in your home, workplace, community and our world!

Last week, I started a new book given to me by a friend at church.  It is called When Heaven Invades Earth by Bill Johnson.  I am only a few chapters in, but thought I would share some insights: "The lack of miracles isn't because it is not in God's will for us.  The problem exists between our ears." "Jesus destroyed the power of sin, sickness, and poverty through His redemptive work on the cross." "The mistaken idea is this: if it is good, it can't be for now." "We are often more convinced of our unworthiness than we are of His worth. Our inability takes on greater focus than does His ability. But the same One who called fearful Gideon a Valiant Warrior and unstable Peter a Rock has called us the Body of His beloved Son on earth."

I am continuing to read Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die by John Piper. This short book with short chapters has been a great read during this time of Lent. It is great to be reminded and taught about the multiple reasons Jesus died beyond just forgiveness and heaven. Here are a few reasons for you to ponder today: To Bring Us To Faith and Keep Us Faithful To Take Away Our Condemnation To Abolish Rituals as Basis for Salvation To Make Us Holy, Blameless, and Perfect To Give Us a Clear Conscience I want to close with a few quotes that impacted me today: "The suffering of Christ secures our perfection so firmly that it is already now a reality. Therefore, we fight against our sin not simply to become perfect, but because we are. The death of Jesus is the key to battling our imperfections on the firm foundation of our perfection." "When our conscience rises up and condemns us, where will we turn? We turn to Christ."

It is that time of year when the spooky takes over.  We, as Americans, must like to be scared based on the number of haunted houses around.  Or notice the number of movies or TV shows out now that seek to freak us out or get us to scream.  Churches have responded to this phenomenon by offering alternatives such as Trunk or Treat, Harvest Festivals, and the ever popular Judgment House. This post is not a critique of you if you decide to attend Judgment House.  I would, however, like to share some thoughts.  Let me begin by stating that I attended a Judgment House while we lived in Colorado.  They are scripted well, have talented actors and actresses, and elaborate sets.  However, over the years, I have become more critical of them. Here are my thoughts: Fear should not be a motivation for salvation.  Has the fear of hell forced a decision? Proponents of Judgment House will say look at all of these people who made decisions for Christ who wou...