The Crowd Was Gathered
31 Mar 2012 3 Comments
As I read the story again about the “Triumphal Entry” and then thought about what Friday would be like for the One who was being heralded, my mind flashed back forty years or more.
I was serving as a police officer during the time of rioting and civil disturbance. I began during those days to wonder why people respond in the ways that they do.
I would see the mild mannered gentleman, who worked in an office, who was never assertive to any cause, suddenly get involved in throwing rocks and starting fires. This would be the same man who just a few days ago was seen attending a PTA meeting and other social events to assist his community.
This man woul get lost in the anonymity of the crowd! He may feel that he would never be confronted for his aggression.
I think it was like that during the “Entry Parade” and the subsequent crucifixion.
People seem to get caught up “in the moment” and lose contact with reality.
I will be at the parade tomorrow but I will not forget that He is the King when Friday comes.
In the Bonds of Calvary,
Are there any job Openings?
12 Oct 2011 2 Comments
I’m a “news junkie!”
I am watching and listening to newscasts and political speeches in an effort to be informed.
The latest report said that our current unemployment numbers are a staggering 9.3 percent.
I think that number reflects those that could work and would work, but there are no jobs available for them.
So I began to think about all the jobs in the church that need to be filled. Hospitality, ushers, cleaners, teachers, nursery workers, children and youth workers…….the list goes on.
I wondered what the unemployment rate was in the church…….
Many people feel that they could serve the Lord so much better if they had a better education, or more money, or in a different church, or had greater talents.
But God said He wants us to serve Him wherever we are. I think the majority of us just need to “Bloom where we are planted”.
Pastor, Do you pay?
No, but He does.
In the Bonds of Calvary,
What Should We Do?
10 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
I have thought often, during the last few days, about the events of 9-11-2001.
Should I talk about it? What should I say?
Should I just keep silent?
I have read and heard what others think……..sometimes what they feel…..and often where they were on that fateful day.
I know where I was on that Tuesday morning. The high school student body all came to my office and in horror we watched the events of that day unfold.
I had experienced the JFK assassination and the shuttle disaster and this event added to that pain.
I didn’t know what to do but like so many others I prayed.
And now, I remember those who lost their lives. And those who gave their lives. And those who suffered through the loss of loved ones.
And I remember how this country fell to her knees and prayed….and prayed.
Let’s continue to pray.
In the Bonds of Calvary,
Dr. E. Bob Kuschel
Are we Really living in the end times?
18 Aug 2011 2 Comments
I have been “waiting’ and “watching” for the Lord’s return for 38 years.
As I look around, I wonder if I am more convinced of His soon coming because of my age….or, because the signs of His coming are more evident then ever before.
When I talk with other believers, I often leave the conversation with the realization that they are NOT convinced that we are living in the last days. Maybe we are not talking about it enough or maybe, we don’t believe the times.
Just thinking out loud again.
In the Bonds of Calvary,
I Change…He Doesn’t
02 Aug 2011 1 Comment
A kaleidoscope that I once owned was a cardboard tube with little bits of brightly colored plastic inside and with a hole to look through. While looking through the tube toward the light and twisting the tube, I could watch as the little bits of plastic fell into endless shapes, always changing…no two designs were ever alike.
Our lives are like that kaleidoscope; constantly changing moods, plans, loyalties, interests. Our fortunes are here today and gone tomorrow. On Monday you may get turned down during a job interview and all is gloomy and sad: on Tuesday someone invites you to lunch and on Wednesday a better job comes through and all is bright. Life constantly changes, constantly surprises, constantly keeps us off stride.
How good it is to know that we can live for a reliable, unchanging God. As unpredictable and changeable our lives on this earth are, so is the presence of God just as predictable and unchanging. We can count on God’s love. It is predictable! It is Certain! It will always be there! We can count on His forgiveness, on His strength, on His willingness to answer our prayers.
I am comforted by that.
In the Bonds of Calvary,
I am a Miracle!
15 Jul 2011 4 Comments
Though I operate in faith, there are those moments when the anticipation of a report or a decision my cause some anxiety.
Such was the case yesterday! A six-month catscan was scheduled for the afternoon. After doing the necessary labs and then the scan there is a waiting period. Normally the results would be shared with me in ten days or so when I meet with the oncologist. But yesterday, I would be receiving the report within minutes of the scan.
Something happened in my brain during that 23 minute wait. Stuff that I didn’t want to think about kept getting in there. I quoted scripture and sang songs (quietly) but still the thoughts that the report would not be good.
Then the doctor says, “Come on back Bob, I want to show you something.” On the computer screen is an image….he said it was my lungs. I believed him but really, he could have called it anything. I am just not very familiar with my internal organs.
“See this area?” He says pointing to the lungs. “That’s where the cancer was….it’s not there….there is a little scar tissue….but there is no sign of any cancer.” “Do you know what our success rate is with lung cancer?” he querried. I didn’t know and he said, ”About 10%”.
So I asked him if he believed in miracles yet and he said, “Almost!”
So, I am cancer free! I don’t just believe in miracles….I am one.
In the Bonds of Calvary,
Opinions??
14 Jul 2011 2 Comments
The natural heart has issues with believing some things. The natural heart will reject a belief that will condemn it.
The natural heart doesn’t want to believe that hell is real.
The natural heart seems to have its problems with living a holiness lifestyle also.
So we have a tendency to opine and move in response to emotions or feelings rather than fact.
You know, “Well I think Jesus would allow this” or I feel like Jesus would be OK with this”.
Opinions are important only if they agree with the facts.
That’s just my opinion.
In the Bonds of Calvary,
I Hate when I show my Disappointments
12 Jul 2011 1 Comment
I sometimes allow my hurt or disappointments show. I don’t brag about that. As a matter of fact I really hate when that happens.
So I’m reading the story of the Prodigal Son. And this time I’m thinking about the pain and hurt, disappointment and shame, that the father must have experienced. The grief and agony of realizing that over the years he had poured himself into that boy only to be dumped.
I am relating to this father in a major way. I am grimacing at his loss.
Not one word of despair is recorded. Not to his servants or friends. Not to his other son. Not to his wife.
And then, the boy comes home! The father rejoices. It appears that the father’s heart is bursting with joy and now he tells everybody.
My son is home….I have missed him….I am so thrilled that he has come back home.
And suddenly…..I saw a picture of God and how He rejoices as the prodigal comes some.
I am so happy to be serving Him. Loving the journey.
In the Bonds of Calvary,
Character Groove?
11 Jul 2011 2 Comments
Every time Ido or say something wrong I make a character “groove”. And, the deeper the “groove”, the easier it is to fall into that pattern in my daily living.
This is equally true every time I say or do good!
When I think clean thoughts, speak kind words, etc., I am forming a character “groove” making it easier to act, think or speak in that same manner again.
It is without question, in my mind, that my words and actions will mark me as belonging to God if I will endeavor to walk close to Him.
In the Bonds of Calvary,
Walking on Water
05 Jul 2011 1 Comment
It has been a few years now since I first heard the story of Jesus walking on the water. I liked the story a lot when I first heard it and I love it still today.
I want to be like Jesus……I want to walk on water.
What will I need to do for that to happen?
In order to get ready to walk on the water I will have to;
a. Overcome human thoughts
b. Overcome human fears and disbelieves
c. Replace these with complete trust in God
d. God has to call the shots, He has to commission the walk: “BID ME”
GOD MAY BE CALLING ME TO WALK IN A SUPERNATURAL WALK FOR HIM, TO TEACH, PREACH, SOULWIN, CHANGE MY LIFE. ETC…..
In the Bonds of Calvary,
