(The videos in this post come from ;    http://peacewithgod.jesus.net/?) I’ve been communicating with a young man named Jordan, on a certain Christian blog the last two days.  He’s not a Christian, and from the sound of it will never make the decision to become one.  He has no time for a man made God, who in his eyes is not good but evil. His dad is a pastor!  I guess that’s not so unusual, right P.K.s?

Then again Saul of Taursus, a Pharisee and persecutor (murderer) of Christians, had no time for this Jesus either, and then miraculously became Paul the voice of God to the Gentiles!

Proving the point…… if there is hope for him…… there is hope for anyone!

God is the creator of all things and each of us are one of His children, yet each of us turned our backs on Him, in our own way.

Still, we are His and He wants us to be with Him. He loves us so much, and He is jealous of the passions we have placed before Him.

Perhaps, this is one reason Jordan has turned his back on God, because he doesn’t see the passion Christians should be showing this God.   As a child of God do you realize the all encompassing love our Jealous God has?  Does your understanding of that, bring your countenance joy?

I love Billy Graham, mainly, because whatever you believe about God, you can’t deny the love of God flowing through Billy Graham. His messages flow from a heart full of love.

I don’t know too many Christians that emminate God’s love similarly.   I know I don’t!  Why not?

Christian means ‘little Christ’, so as a follower of Christ, why don’t we like Billy Graham share Christ’s love, concern, heart, and life for other’s souls?

Is Jordan turned off by Christians’ indifference in this area? I know He thinks Christians are hypocrites, and he’s right. Of course he is, that’s because we are all, sinful humans, incapable of not sinning.  So, we will fail Jordan.

I wish that weren’t so, but even that being the case, Love covers a multitude of sins, when it is given to others.  This is one area as Christians, hypocrisy may carry the eternal death penalty to a Jordan.

When Christians fling judgement, hate, indifference, slander, aspersions and guilt upon the Jordan’s of the world, instead of the love of Christ, the Jordan’s aren’t inclined to join us for a service! You know …….how he loved us so much, that even though we were sinners He chose to die for us, ……..because of His love.  Where is our love!?!

It’s that love that has drawn us all in.  It’s that love that gives us hope in the overwhelming moments of life.   It’s that love that can take the Sea of Galilee of emotions within, and say, “Peace Be Still”.

How many of us Christians are experiencing that Peace of Christ?  Do the Jordans of this world see that we are no different than the world?  I know my Jordan does.  He loves stats that say we are divorcing at the same rate as everyone else.  I’m sure He wonders, “if this is real then, why don’t church folks perform better than others under the stresses of life?”

Peace comes from within, unfortunately too many of us are controlled by outer circumstances, than the inner presence of Christ, that has done so much for us.  The reality of Christ with us, should give us the peace that passes all understanding that Paul spoke of!

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ⁵ Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; ⁶ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Phillipians 4:4-7

This is one area I personally have grown in leaps and bounds over the last few years.  It is something I hope the Jordans see in my life.  I truly believe, no matter what may come my way, My God is big enough to help me through it, and has something to teach me.

He has my best in mind, and so whatever it may be, God and I will go through it together. What a great place to be!  Oh by the way He promises His best for you!!!!  He really does, so why should we worry.

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare^[a] and not for evil,to give you a future and a hope. ¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. Jeremiah 29:11-12

What marks a Christian, depends I suppose.  Jordan would say hypocrisy, and He would say our God is evil, how did that become his conclusion.  I’m thinking it’s not particularly God he has a problem with.  He’s been hurt by those claiming to be Christian, and I’m sure so have some of you!

People wanting the church to be filled with perfect people will always find things wanting, because only the head of the church Jesus Christ is that.  The rest are in need of complete and utter redemption.  Just like the Jordans of the world.  The only difference is we know it, and we know the answer!

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” ~ Romans 3:23

The answer is Jesus, and if Jordan wants to see perfection that’s where he needs to be directed to look.  BUT we are the ones that need to help him search, and he’ll only do that if he sees Christ reflected in us!  I think Jordan like so many others have, has been burned by us in the church.

I tried to to bridge a gap with him, by lovingly responding to his inquiries, while some others just slammed and judged him.  To be sure that judging will occur, but it’s not to be by us.

When we disagree with someone, it’s not through judgement that a change will be made in that persons life, it’s through love!  Was it judgement that made us change, or was it the love of Christ!

“God’s not waiting to judge you,……. God’s not waiting to condemn you……… He’s waiting to receive you…….. with mercy, with love, with open arms……..AND FORGIVE all your sins.” ~ Billy Graham

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

~2 Peter 3:9

God is longing to see the lost returned!

But outsiders, like Jordan, see Christians as no different than anyone else.!  So why even bother searching?

Do we express the joy of our salvation on our countenance?  Do we display peace in the busyness and difficult times of life?  Do we express love for all of God’s children whether they are found or lost?

The Jordans are watching us!!!!! They are watching and perhaps even testing the waters!?!?!?  Why would a young atheist, named Jordan, be on a Christian blog?  It’s easier than being slambasted in the foyer of a church for wrong views!

They are just as lost and empty as we were when we were in their shoes.  They are as lost as we’d be if we didn’t have The Good Shepherd guiding us!   We are called to be like Christ, a shepherd to the sheep who are so very very prone to wander!  Just like us already in the fold…..right…..aren’t we prone to wander.  And we have The Good Shepherd guiding us!!!!!!

Bring forth your joy, by dwelling on what God has done and what He’s promised to do.  Let the peace of knowing, ‘all things work for the good of those who love God,’ become apart of who you are.  Be the shepherd that goes forth and brings the stray back into the fold, with love, caring, grace and mercy!

Jordan……… The river that seperated God’s children from slavery in Egypt and God’s Promised Land!  Interestingly enough, today my Jordan, very well may be placing his feet in the river Jordan, testing the waters!   Will we be the reason they cross, or the reason they remain in bondage?

All of Heaven rejoices at just one lost soul being saved!  How much more should we be engaged in this effort! Jordan, if you happen to read this……

“and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” ~ Acts 2:21

I want to be like Billy Graham, because He had a heart for the lost as that of Christ….

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! ~ Matt 23:37

Ponder this as you see the lost this week:  What about me will help them back into the fold of my Good Shepherd?