Who has had the biggets impact on mankind? One Solitary Life

Look through the annals of history and you will find many great and or powerful figures. Alexander the great, Gandhi, Muhammad, Columbus, Washington, Martin Luther, Napoleon, Constantine, Nero, Ramses, Moses, Noah, and so forth. The list goes on and on. Each of them has had a significant impact in the lives of those they came in contact with and for future generations.

But I have to agree with Reynold Price from Time Magazine when he writes "It would require much exotic calculation... to deny that the single most powerful figure-not merely in these two millenniums, but in all human history- has been Jesus of Nazareth"

Even our calendar is based upon his birth. His life and death continue to impact generation after generation. Wars have been fought in his name. The Power of his name is claimed by millions to heal, to save, to bring life, to bring joy. 167 years after Rome crucified him they worshiped him as a nation. The worlds most popular religions embrace him as an educator and teacher and some as God.

This one man, whatever you think of him, has influenced your life. You may love him, hate him, not believe in him, worship him as God, or just not care about him. But you can't escape his continuing influence in the world of man.

What did Jesus do that was so great? James Francis summarized his life.

"Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another obscure village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty, and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office.

He never owned a home. He never set foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where He was born. He had no credentials but Himself.

While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against Him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves.

His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth while He was dying -- and that was His coat. When He was dead, He was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

Nineteen wide centuries have come and gone and today He is the centerpiece of the human race and the leader of progress. I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever were built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as that One Solitary Life. "

Merry Christmas...... and stuff...

Christmas is almost here. But I seem to be missing that "Holiday Spirit". We decided to refrain from buying anyone but the kids gifts. We have no room for a tree, so we bought a Rosemary bush (thanks to the Seniors for that idea). I like it, but everyone else thinks it's too small.

But beyond that, I haven't got into the Christmas music. We've no place to hang stockings this year. I haven't gone shopping for anything yet. I haven't even gone out to look at lights yet.

Why? I think I'm a bit put off by the commercialization of it all. Denny's had up "Merry Christmas" signs in mid November. You here all about Santa Clause and Frosty and Rudolph and Charlie Brown's Christmas (though they do read the Christmas Story). Trees and decorations galore.

Or I get funny looks when I tell people I don't lie to my kids about Santa Clause. I guess I'm just tired of everyone celebrating "Christmas" but not Christ.

There is a reason for Christmas. We get so wrapped up in Christmas that we forget about Christ. We forget to celebrate God. We forget this is about the birth of the Savior of the world. That little fact has become an afterthought. "Oh yeah, and that Christ fellow. What did he do again?"

Well Merry Christmas to you all. May the Grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Now and always may he keep you blameless till he comes again.

19 children... oh my....!

The Duggard's have just brought into this world a 19th child. This phenomenon has inspired news, reality shows, and gawking. Many are amazed, some are horrified. "It's not right to bring that many children under one roof" "it irresponsible" "how can they afford it".

In a world where condoms, chemical suppression and sometimes murder of unborn, and medical doctors deliberately killing of the unborn, I guess surprise at a family who adheres to God's command of "be fruitful and multiply" should be expected. It has become 'wrong' to have a big family.

Now I am a father of three. I tell you, they are a handful. Discipline and order are seemingly unattainable states in my house. I can't fathom trying to maintain the order with 6 times as many. Yet I myself came from a family of 7 kids. We had our issues, but the food was still cooked, the house was still cleaned and we all had beds to sleep in.

My grandfather was one of seventeen. No one was knocking at his parents door in amazement. This was "normal". Families had children. Sometimes the children died. Sometimes the mother died. Sometimes hardships were faced. Not enough food, large families under one small roof, ect. Hardships that today would be considered "abuse" brought families together. Struggles brought self-reliance and family reliance. Life happened and no one was amazed.

God says Children are a Blessing. That blessing doesn't stop at one or two, but continues on even if you have 21 or 22. God gives praise to a family "whose quiver is full". I've read God's Word numerous times in my life. Never have I seen anywhere God saying "you shouldn't have any more children". In fact quite the opposite. Numerous stories of women bearing children in "old age".

Children are a blessing no matter the age of the parent. Many children bring many blessings. Yes, there is hardship, yes raising children is a difficult task, yes it requires large sacrifice on the part of the parents. I will admit to days I'd like to throw the whole lot of my kids out the window. But God's plan is perfect. The blessing I will receive throughout my life because my children far out weigh the immediate concerns of hardship and frustration.

Thank God, He has blessed me with a family. May I do well for the quiver of Children He has given me. And never look upon those who choose to obey God's command as "strange" or "irresponsible", but blessed by God. For every child is a gift from God to you the parent.