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Do You Wear Your Christianity?

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One time while I was hanging out in a park, a group of believers showed up for a picnic wearing T-shirts stating, “These are my church clothes.” I’ve noticed other Christian apparel with clever sayings such as “My boss is a Jewish carpenter.” Over the years, people have given me shirts with various Christian sayings. One of them had a drawing of an open Bible with the words, “When all else fails...read the instructions.” Another one I used to own showed a red cross and the words “This shirt is illegal in 52 countries.” It’s a reminder that many nations forbid open declaration of Christianity. Last year, a friend gave me a hoodie with lyrics from the worship song “Way Maker.” I liked the artwork, but eventually passed that hoodie on to another friend. I was in the midst of downsizing and already owned a hoodie. The one I kept has two side pockets instead of one in the middle. There are reasons why I usually shy away from wearing Christian clothing. It’s not because I’m ashamed of the...
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Rededicate 250

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On May 17, 1776 (a few weeks before the signing of the Declaration of Independence), the Second Continental Congress observed a nationwide Day of Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer . This year, President Donald Trump declared a similar day in honor of the 250th birthday of the United States of America. I had the privilege of attending a gathering on the National Mall. My friend Jim (who hosted me) had talked of going there as well, but changed his plans. Instead, he drove me to the nearest Metro station before attending his church that Sunday morning. On the train, I met a large group of believers visiting from Vietnam and showed them my tracts. They were encouraged to see a fellow Christian sharing the gospel. One of them was a pastor who invited me to come to Vietnam. After disembarking from the train in Washington, D.C., I engaged in street witnessing and observed six individuals praying for salvation. Subsequently, I made my way toward the National Mall, assuming the event was ta...
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Make Up Your Mind

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A few days ago while waiting on the Lord, I had a vision of what looked like a two-headed puppet. The interpretation I received is that someone is out of control if he wavers when making decisions. With difficult choices, it’s best to wait and pray until discerning a clear answer. James chapter 1 says: 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;  8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. The term double-minded comes from the Greek word dipsuchos , meaning “a person with two minds or souls.”  Vacillation creates problems when they affect the lives of others. During the Dallas Cowboys 1971 season. Coach Tom Landry couldn’t decide if his best quarterback was Craig Morton...
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Give a Little Bit

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One Sunday morning, while taking a prayer walk, I was contemplating what to teach during the upcoming church service’s offering. Suddenly, a phrase struck me: “Give a Little Bit.” You may recognize this as the title of a 1977 hit by Supertramp. I once watched a fundraising video that a missionary had shown, where that very song played in the background. Sometimes all we have is a little bit to give. One widow in the Bible gave the little she had, but Jesus commended her for that: 41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much.  42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans.  43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;  44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” ...
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A Time-Out from Technology

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The Internet is an awesome tool, but like other things can be a distraction from doing more productive things. I’ll admit to have spent hours on social media plus reading Wikipedia articles and watching YouTube videos that have little or no eternal value. A pastor I recently stayed with in the Buffalo, New York area suggested we go on a “media fast.” I perceived the Lord told me to do that for three days. Pastor Mark and I agreed to start Monday at midnight. Technically, I began my media fast around 11:40 p.m. the night before. I turned off my MacBook Air, iPad, and iPhone before storing them on a shelf. Adjustments needed to be made. I usually fall asleep to an audio Bible or sermon, plus I journal and take notes with my electronic devices. I had to use pen and paper again. My cell phone wasn’t in my pocket when I wanted to know the time and weather. On the first day, I fasted food, drinking only water. During those three days, I caught up on paperback books people had given me, bu...
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Reminiscing the Roller Rinks

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A significant portion of my high school and college years was spent roller skating. In the fall of 1979, I began frequenting a roller rink called Skateland in Fargo, North Dakota. The “roller disco” craze had attracted large crowds of people to the sport. I was captivated by disco music , particularly the Patrick Hernandez song “Born to Be Alive.” However, I couldn't get into a discothèque as a 15-year-old. I figured that Skateland would be the next best way for me to experience “Saturday Night Fever.” At first, I could barely stand up on skates. Gradually my rollerskating skills improved as I learned how to go backward, do splits, and other tricks. That helped increase my confidence in asking girls to skate with me during “couples only.” Soon, I noticed that the Skateland employees were like celebrities to the regular skaters. Knowing that working there would bring me popularity that I never received at school, I eagerly pursued employment at the roller rink.  After months of ...
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A Nation Going to Pot

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In a 1967 “Dragnet” episode titled “ The Big High ”, Sergeant Joe Friday and Officer Bill Gannon investigate a couple who were regular marijuana users. When the husband suggested the drug would one day become “packaged and taxed and sold right off the shelves”, Gannon replied, “I doubt it.” Back then, the legalization of marijuana seemed unthinkable to many Americans. In recent years, an increasing number of weed dispensaries have opened around the country. At the time of this writing, cannabis is legal in 40 states for medical use. 24 states allow recreational use if purchased from authorized dealers. While in high school, I heard this saying: “Man made booze , God made grass. Who do you trust? God.” Even some Christians try to justify marijuana usage because of what He said in Genesis 1:29,  “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.”  Keep in mind that the sta...
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