Jesus Christ- Lord or Lunatic

Lunacy or Lordship-Maniac or Messiah

To believe in Jesus as the Christ of God is to believe in his lunacy or lordship, that he is a maniac or the messiah. Jesus made no claim to be anything but, One with the Father, the Christ of God. His words can leave little doubt, "I and the Father are One."

Before looking into more detail about Jesus' self-identity with the Father, what did the people closest to him believe and voice? Let's back up a moment. What about a historical voice first. The Jewish historian, Josephus, places Jesus as a real man, with a recorded birth and life. Now, tradition and history paint a pretty clear picture of Jesus and His followers.

For close to three years a group of men and women followed Jesus from Nazareth. Some of the men who followed him later on became apostles. After a while some of his followers(disciples), left him. Those who stayed witnessed many events that could only be described as miracles. A very accurate account of the miracles, and other events, were recorded. One such record is from a doctor and historian, known as Luke. Three other men also recorded the events that surrounded the life of Jesus. As each man wrote through his own lenses and experience we have a very rich compilation of his life.

Now, after following Jesus on a daily basis, listening to him, watching him, even when there was no big crowd, his strengths and weaknesses would be evident. Because of this close and convincing life-evidence their belief and trust in him was strong and enduring.

At one time Jesus asked Peter what the crowds thought of him and who he was. Peter told Jesus what the crowds said. Jesus, then asked him, "Who do you say that I am?" To this Peter replied, "You are the Christ of God", to which Jesus again replied, "The truth you speak is not from man or the earth".  It should seem evident that these men and women who followed Jesus, even to his death, were absolutely convinced that he was sent from God, the Jewish Messiah. Oh, they disagreed on the implications and goals of his Messiah ship. Their ego and understanding would give them problems until their character transformation took place on Pentecost.

We have the witness of men and women who confessed Jesus as the Christ. Tradition and some historical writings tell of their conviction and trust. The Apostle Peter was crucified by the Romans upside down. Phillip, the half-brother of Jesus, was beaten to death with a club and cast down from a wall. All of the original Apostles, except John, were executed for their faith. Such a fate they could have escaped by renouncing their trust in Jesus Christ. The Apostle John escaped the cauldron, to be banished to the island of Patmos. These, and countless more, faced death because Jesus Christ was, Real God.

How to Stay Positive

How to stay positive in a negative world

I am sure that all of us have met folks that always seemed to be very positive. They seemed to always be smiling. They always had nice things to say and positive words of encouragement. Those dear people are rather rare. On the opposite side of the fence are the folks that seem to live on a diet of lemons and bitter roots. It is difficult for them to smile, it might even hurt. To get a kind or encouraging word from them is near impossible. They seem to thrive on negativity and discouragement.

I suppose that most of us seem to dwell somewhere in the middle, depending on the day of the week and what side of the bed we got out of. It is difficult for some of us to be positive when we are suffering physical discomfort or pain. The same is true if we are suffering from a depressed spirit, overcome by anxieties or anyone of a million stresses in life. Trying to be positive in our world is tough.

How do we stay positive in the church? Well, we do know the end of the story. One day the Lord Jesus Christ is going to establish His kingdom. That is going to happen. He said it would take place and I for one believe Him. The Christ Followers will reign for eternity and love and righteousness will be the norm of the kingdom.

But, what about now?  How do we stay positive in the church when things aren’t going right? How do we look on the bright side when people want to rain on our parade? Our attitude is probably the single most important weapon that we have. With a bad attitude I can criticize and destroy. I can pour cold water on every idea and find fault with every plan. With a positive attitude I can find the best in every person I deal with. I can encourage my friends that seem down.

How do I cultivate a positive attitude? The first thing is to face the fact that at times I have a bad attitude. Once I do that I can look for ways to cultivate a positive attitude. At this point I want to draw our attention to words that always strike home, words from the Bible.

Eugene Peterson’s Message Bible has this advice taken from the book of Philippians the fourth chapter. “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your mind and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious-the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into His most excellent harmonies.”

I am responsible for my attitude. I can make excuses, but that is all they are. I can blame other people, doesn’t change a thing. I am the only one responsible for my attitude. How my attitude impacts my family, friends and my church is huge. Build up, or tear down. Be a sour puss or an encourager; it is entirely up to me.

Christian Crucifixion- Crucified with Christ

Christian Crucifixion I ended the last post with a question. It was this. What does Christian Crucifixion look like in everyday life? Past history would reveal the likes of Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Valentine, Saint Nicholas, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John and Charles Wesley, down to the near present Mother Theresa. All individuals who placed serving Christ as the highest goal ever known. The inner quality of selflessness would be their passionate driving force.




Selflessness is contradictory to American society in general. Media fills the minds of young and old alike that success means stuff. Success means the millions paid to celebrities, whether they be sports, entertainment, political, or media celebrities. Everybody wants to be successful. It is not healthy to want to be a loser.


Years ago the question was tossed about as to whether Jesus would wear a Rolex. I guess a few sincere people really questioned the idea of success and the stuff that equate with it. I thought the question was stupid for more than one reason. First off, Jesus would never need a watch. The days began and ended as he ordained and second, some fancy watch would make some of his words of no-effect.


There have been very success and rich individuals who have lived selfless lives. Stanley Kressge, J.C. Penney, and Letourneau made millions and gave most of it away. Being selfless does not mean living in poverty. Living the crucified Christian life does not mean only wearing clothes from a thrift store, driving around in a junker and buying day old bread. It means that serving God and humanity have a higher priority that obtaining the perishable trappings of the world.


For my own life I have learned that I will never be a business man. My mind and heart are not wired that way. I will never be a scientist in any field because that is not wear my heart is. I will always be a communicator of the, Power of God for the salvation of mankind. That communication takes place in two forms, I preach almost every Sunday and I write with the goal of representing Christ.


The path that Donna and I walk is difficult at times. Our minds are pulled into the arena of, ownership of stuff. We both drive older cars. We do not own a home to call our own and due to circumstances we will both work well past retirement age. It is the path we have chosen and God has led us down the road that is filled with hundreds of great people.


We will walk down this road until the Lord leads otherwise and then that one. I fight the Christian Crucifixion battle constantly, basically because I am still selfish. I suppose I will fight it until I die.