Why should God let you into Heaven?

I met Dr. Mike today. He is a very good, real Christian man, the kind you want to emulate. I want to be like him when I grow up.

Early on, he asked me if I was saved. I was honest with him and said I thought I was but was unsure.

"I'm a skeptic." I said. "I think there is value in asking questions to find the answers. There is nothing I can say, believe or do that will get me into heaven. I guess I will find out at the Gates there."

Dr. Mike asked, "What if God asked, 'Why should I let you in?'"

The answer came to me instantly (a miracle in a way), "Because Jesus died for my sins."

Dr. Mike thought it was a good answer and so do I.

Thanks, Dr. Mike. You know how to ask good questions.

I'm a Rusty Tool

When I was the executive director at PERC, the Piedmont Emergency Relief Center, I got a lot of praise from clients for the assistance and direction I was able to provide them. I told them, " I am just a rusty tool being used by God." Then I would explain what I meant.

My garden tools don't look like they have just come off the store shelf. Sometimes, thinking I would return soon to finish my task, the tool would get left outside for some time. Of course it would get rusty.

Later I would return to get the tool - shovel, hoe, axe, etc. I noticed that the tool's rust would diminish as I used it.

For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  Romans 3:23. This is a weight I feel. It's heavy. 

I am so rusty. So very rusty. There is no way I will go to heaven. I don't deserve it. I cannot earn it.

As I am used to help brothers and sisters, some of my rust comes off. Not because of anything I do, but because I am being used.

It gives me hope. 

On Prayer

Prayer is life you lead. It is a way to talk to God. It also tells you who you are.

Actions speak louder than words, but they do speak. If we pray for God's intersession, don't we have an obligation? I may ask God to heal my sick wife or child but shouldn't I also make sure they take their medicine, eat, sleep, drink,  . . . ? 

Faith without action is empty. Regardless of our religion, we have obligations - a call for action. Whether it is feeding the homeless in a soup kitchen or donating food to a pantry, we can take action individually or collectively.

My wife saw a quote, " Going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car." 

Belief leads to action. Action tells you what you believe.

Believe me, I am preaching more to myself than anyone else. 

Here is the most important part: Faith does not get you into heaven. You cannot believe your way to paradise. Works will not get you there either.

The only way in is if God let's us sinners there. It is His Grace, His Mercy, His Forgiveness that let's us there. There is no other way. Regardless of whether you believe or practice in the religion of Jesus, Yahweh, Allah, Buddha, you will not get in because of anything you or anyone else can do. No pope, bishop, imam, priest, etc. can get you in.

Only God's Grace.

The scripture below guides me and I hope you find it helpful. I list it as a guide and not authority.

You will know they are Christians by their love.

James 2

14What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?15If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,16and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?17Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, beingby itself.
    18But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”19You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.20But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?22You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;23and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God.24You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.25In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?26For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

Matthew 7

    15“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.16“You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?17“So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.18“A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.19“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.20“So then, you will know them by their fruits.
    21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.22“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’23“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’

Best wishes

Jed

The best leadership style

Jesus washing the feet of his disciples on Maundy Thursday.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot_washing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maundy_Thursday

Seemed like a good day to post this. Happy Easter.

Unemployed? My job is FINDING a job . . .

"When you are unemployed your job is finding a job."  How often have we heard this maxim? I lost my job recently and decided to do just that. This is what I do.

• I get up every morning and get dressed up. I'm going to work, so I dress for the job I want - not the job I have. My boss (me) gives me casual Friday and I can I can wear blue jeans
• Get your tools: laptop, tablet, cellphone. I have a case I call my technology case with all othe these items. It also has a wireless mouse and keyboard (for real writing, not just emails.) I also have another with pads, pens, stapler, etc. I don't use this much because so much is digital. I use Evernote a lot. Google Apps and Chrome have been staples for years.
• Get out of the house and go to work. I drop off my daughters at school and then I find a place with wireless access and start work. The library, restaurants, and other places have free wireless. Get out of your house and away from distractions.
• Schedule yourself. In the morning, I search for jobs. Then I take a lunch break - 30 to 60 minutes. Then in the afternoon, I write. It might be customizing resumes or cover letters. It might be emails, blogs or Tweets.
• Get educated. In South Carolina, SC Works has several workshops and seminars. I have attend: Resume Writing, Personal Branding, a resume panel, one on Workforce Investment Act, and Job Searching in the 21st Century.
• Volunteer. It is a great way to network. You meet people who are not only like minded but are working towards the same goal. You boss will give you time off. It makes his company look good.
• Write a job description of what you are doing on your job. It helps you keep focused.
• Document what you are doing. Nothing like checking off items on your to do list to give you a sense of satisfaction.

Stay positive. No one will hire someone negative. And you don't want to work with them.