Many times I am being hunted by the question, "Does Jesus endorse my life-style?" If He does not, then do I have the right to regard myself as being a Christian? Let us think about it.

We are not the first in time to ask when God will come to our rescue. Habakkuk the prophet cried out, "How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not hear me? Why do I shout violence, but you do not save? Why must I look at injustice and why do you tolerate wrong? I face destruction and violence and I am surrounded by conflict and strife. The wicked have paralyzed the law, disabled the righteous and perverted justice (Hab.1: 2-4)."

Recently, I was asked what caused a particular Church to increase suddenly in numbers? After analyzing the situation, it all pointed to one individual that publicized what was in the making at the Church. He wrote an intriguing weekly article for the local paper. He created an atmosphere of anticipation and curiosity that brought people together. Once the people started to attend services, then embracing fellowship and sound Biblical teaching helped make them feel, not just included but needed and wanted. That resulted in the people taking over the publicizing of the Church.

In a recent memorial, my mind was jogged by my mother's fear. She had nightmares about an operation because she wanted a complete body in heaven. She had worse nightmares when I had to have twenty surgeries because of a fire. It was no simple task to assure her that we shall not have to look upon our physical appearance in heaven.

Years ago, a cartoon showed two chimps left on a mountain in Tibet, after man had blown himself up. While they looked at each other, the inscription beneath them had the male ask, "Shall we start all over again?" The female replied, "Are we crazy?"

Conservatives resent it when the President apologizes for some of the actions the U.S.A. has taken in the past. They are particularly upset when he depicts Americans as being snobbish. Americans have played more than a vital role for more than a century and deserve recognition. But that does not mean that all American actions and decisions were flawless. The idea that God may have been in charge over this nation is a myth. The founders endorsed Judeo-Christian principles that met their needs. They wanted liberty but not for Slaves and Indians. The way the whites disowned the natives was not exactly ethical. They violated the Tenth Commandment over and over.

We had run from the Soviets for several months, found a place in the heart of Germany just in time for my brother to be born. It was in the afternoon while I had to hold my brother that I heard a commotion in the street. I opened the door and a strange soldier pointed a gun in my face and said, "boy, baby." Our liberators, the Americans had arrived. We put out white sheets as flags and cheered. One soldier spoke Polish and we were right at home. Only by nightfall, the Americans withdrew and a month later they handed our territory over to the Russians and we were on the run again. From then on, my family hoped to move to the country that liberated us. We all made it to Canada and then I came to the U.S.A. alone.

The story about Noah and the Flood was caused by man's inclination to do evil all the time, (Gen.6: 5). That tendency begins in childhood (Gen.8: 21). It is equally present among the godly and the un-godly (Gen.6: 2, 4). When the two merge, a new breed emerges with a new taste for sin and they declare it legal (Gen.6: 4; Ro.1: 32).

More than ten years ago, our physician had the unpleasant task of informing us that I had cancer. After the treatment, the oncologist informed us that I could not be cured. It was a shock, but small in comparison what Malachi must have felt when he was sent to tell the nation of Israel that it was dying. He, Malachi would be the way between God and the people, and if they would accept his direction, then they would be cured and live. It would become more than that. It would be beautiful again. What were the leaders and people doing wrong and what had they to do to set things right? (Mal.3).

What would this world be without negatives? Ask a scientist. It is no different in our daily affairs. If I do wrong, then the truth for me is negative. I have discovered that my positive critics have not been as constructive as my negative critics. With my positive friends, everything is just fine, even if I am headed in the wrong direction. My negative friends wave a red flag every time I do or say something that is not quite right. Of course there are those for whom I can do nothing that is right. But I am thankful for the few that redirected my life and my thoughts. It just is not good enough to dismiss me as being too negative. I would like to know when I am wrong, for it helps me find my way.