Sunrise from Orbit

From an article I saw online, from The Daily Mail about photographs of the sunrise from orbit (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6253295/ISS-astronaut-captures-stunning-shots-space.html?ito=email_share_article-masthead).

The article notes: "Alexander Gerst captured these incredible images of it from aboard the International Space Station...The orbiting station is 220 miles above Earth."
As you can see in the photo below,  Mr. Gerst states: "I don't know any words, in any language, to match the beauty of an orbital sunrise."

I do, Mr. Gerst: I know of words from the One who created the sunrise.
David, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and speaking about the LORD God, said:
 

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.  
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. 
 Psalms 19:1-6

"They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice." Psalms 65:8

These scriptures always come to mind when I behold the beauty of a sunrise or sunset, or view the moon and stars on a clear night. I agree with Mr. Gerst: a sunrise is a beautiful sight. Even more beautiful is to know the One who made it.
Paul.

The Truth About Hitler (You Probably Will Never Hear About)

Atheists and others frequently use the actions of past historical figures to discredit Christianity, and slander our God. They set up a strawman argument, and then justify their willful rebellion against their Creator: sinful men standing in judgment of a Holy God! 

The Crusades are a favorite argument along this line. However, the Crusades were a product of the Roman Catholic Church, not followers of Jesus Christ, who commands us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44), not put them to death. The Crusaders were following the Pope, not the Lord Jesus Christ.

Another argument is that Hitler was a Christian, and that the Holocaust was a result of Christianity. The following video answers this false claim, and shines the light of God's truth and history on what Hitler really believed and did. Please watch:

Quote: "...When I Could, I Gave It My All."

Kayla Montgomery's story is featured in the ESPN video below. She's a high school distance runner with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), who loses all feeling in her legs when she runs, but nevertheless is one of the best runners in the state.

It is an inspiring story, but her very last comment in the video is what really hammered me:
"When, or if, I'm not able to run at some point down the road, then at least I can look back and know that, when I could, I gave it my all."

This morning, I just re-read my daily Bible reading that took me through the Epistle to the Colossians. And when I heard that statement from Kayla, this scripture echoed in my soul:

Colossians 3:23 

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 

Oh brothers! That statement burns in my heart and soul!

Almighty God, please make it so...that I would live out my Christian life this way; that I would run my race to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Hebrews 12:1-4), taking every opportunity to proclaim the gospel & share the love of Christ with any and all. And with my dying breath, as my heart beats it's final stanza, to look back on the days the Lord has given me and say,

 "When I could, I gave it my all."

Jesus Just Talked About Love?

If you listen to the latest audio from our public ministry in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, you'll hear a great exchange with a young man named Tom, who did not particularly agree with my style of communicating the gospel, claiming that Jesus just talked about love. And while it is true that Jesus spoke about love, and that the Bible tells us that God is love (1 John 4:16), that is not all that He is.

In other words, God is not love to the exclusion of His other attributes: He is also absolutely holy and righteous, and He will not overlook sin. All good Bible preachers know that we must proclaim the whole counsel of God, not just the parts that sound good. We speak the truth in love, and let the chips fall where they may.

Listen HERE, and let me know what you think.

I was so thankful that Tom showed up this day. A half-way decent heckler is like gold to an open air preacher. So, thank you Tom. I do hope you get your theology straitened out, but you are welcome to my street corner anytime.

Maranatha!
Paul

For Our Urdu Speaking Friends

This is for our Urdu speaking friends around the world.
The link below will allow you to listen to the Holy Bible in the Urdu language.
Wow! What a privilege we have, that the Creator of the universe has spoken to us, and we have His word in our many different languages! I pray you may be blessed as you listen to God's word to you in Urdu...Paul.

Click Here

And, if this link is a help & a blessingto you, please leave us a comment and let us know.

G.O.S.P.E.L.

It stands for...
God. Our. Sins. Paying. Everyone. Life.
This brother spells it out quite well. Check it out...

Did you watch it? Wasn't that great?

Okay...now, will you take the joyful, hopeful, awesome, wonderful message of the gospel out of your room, and out of your house, and out of your church building, and share it with:

• Your family
• Your friends
• Your enemies
• Neighbors
• Strangers
• The lady that rings up your groceries at the supermarket
• Thy kid behind the counter at the gas station
• Your boss...yeah, your boss (or, do you care about your annual raise more than his eternal soul?)
• The waitress at Perkins
• The people in town who do not speak like you, look like you, or dress like you
• The people in town who do

Will you pray for opportunities, and even go out of your way to take advantage of and make opportunities, to share the gospel with someone today, either by conversation or through gospel literature, Bibles or DVD's?

In other words, let's take Mark 16:15 seriously. Because that's the point of the gospel. And because Jesus Christ is worth it....

Love ya,

Paul