At times the Bible refers to the sword of the Lord as the word of God. As we pray God’s words in the Bible we release what God wants to happen in the spiritual realm. The power we have access to in this direction is amazing. Because of that fact many countries and leaders have attempted to keep the Bible out of the hands of people.

In the 1500s William Tyndale translated the Bible into the English of his day. For that act he was arrested, tried and executed. His dying prayer was that the eyes of the king of England would be opened. Perhaps, because of that prayer we have one of the most beloved Bible translations of all time, the King James Bible, which was begun two years later.

Today, countries like Saudi Arabia and North Korea have outlawed the Bible. Twice while traveling into Saudi Arabia to teach I had my Bible and other Christian materials confiscated. I had to pay a stiff fine just to get the rest of my things out of customs.

Don’t take lightly the precious word of God we have in the Bible and our freedom to own a copy. It is a treasure for all of us to mine.

Proverbs in the Bible makes clear: “As a person thinks in his or her heart, so is he or she.” What you most focus on you will become. If our focus is positive, then what will eventually manifest will be something good and vice versa. If our focus is fear-based, then that fear will probably show up sooner or later. If our focus is faith-based on a promise in the Bible, we can trust that God, who does not lie, will bring it to pass. Of course, we must do our part in this to bring it to fruition. If we are believing for finances, for example, and are not out looking for a job or getting the proper training to get the job we want, then our focus is misguided. James in the New Testament states that “faith without works is dead”. This principle applies to every area of our life.

Spiritually speaking, there are two sides to the word unplugged, one positive and one negative. Let’s look at the down side first.

Unfortunately, many people have unplugged from God and the Bible. Instead of taking directions from the small, still voice of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God in the Bible they follow personal whims and fancies. What looks good in the natural realm catches their attention and off they go. Proverbs clearly delineates this approach to life: “There is a way that seems right to a person, but that way leads to death(spiritually).” There is a world of difference between following God’s Word and what appeals to our carnal mind.

The positive side of our title word unplugged begins when we decide to cut off from the multitudes of media-related connections that draw us away from God. If we are influencing our world and pointing others to God through our media-related connections, that is great. However, if our media connections are dragging us into Hollywood’s morass of immorality, then it is time to unplug.

     The inner power core was damaged.  Lack of careful maintenance had led to a breakdown, and now the consequences had to be faced.  Either the unit could limp along at a greatly reduced speed and possibly fail altogether or a complete overhaul was in order.

     That previous sci-fi approach to our Christian walk refers to many individuals who say they are Christians.  They are walking wounded.  Sadly, instead of ruling and reigning with Christ, even while still on this earth, they are virtually immobilized by dark forces and hurting so much they can barely take care of themselves.

     What is the solution?  As was already stated, a complete overhaul is in order, and that entails several steps depending on the needs of the individual.  Here is a partial list:

1) Read and memorize the World of God, the Bible.  I am not talking about a five-minute devotional but extended time reading and studying the Bible.  Find memorize and proclaim Bible verses such as the following day after day after day: “God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.”

2) Find and connect to Christian media like Christian books, Christian television, Christian music, etc.

3) Locate and attend a local church or Bible study where the full Gospel is welcomed.  Without those kind of connections the power source of out lives, the Holy Spirit, will never be released and used to overcome problems. 

4) For some deliverance is in order.  There may be rooms in our soul that have never been cleaned out.  Unforgiveness, resentment, soul ties, etc. can only be overcome through the blood of Jesus, the cross of Jesus and the name of Jesus.  Only someone has had experience in this area will be able to release the captives from bondages that are holding them in chains.

Several years ago I attended a graduation at a Christian school where the principal gave a message loosely based on a popular Christian song entitled “Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing.” What is the main thing? Jesus Christ and Him crucified and risen again. If the message of salvation through faith Jesus Christ is not apparent somewhere in our daily life, what we are doing has little if any eternal significance.

There are a number of new Christian movies out now or about to be released. Here is the list:
1) Grace Unplugged is about a girl’s relationship with her father as she embarks on a singing career.
2) Linsanity is a documentary of Jeremy Lin’s journey from obscurity to starting point guard of the Houston Rockets.
3) The Christmas Candle is a great family movie based on a Max Lucado book.
4) I’m In Love With A Church Girl has a great message for the unchurched and stars a famous rapper.

The Word of God in the Bible clearly contradicts the media-driven world around us on a number of issues. The question is whether we are going to follow what popular culture says or what God says. The bottom line is that in the long run God can’t bless those who follow popular culture where it goes directly against the Word of God.

Being busy is not the same as becoming. To constantly be doing something and not taking the time to grow in our Christian faith is a mistake. When Jesus came to Mary and Martha’s house, Martha complained to Jesus because Mary was not busy serving others like Martha but learning spiritual truths from Jesus. Jesus made clear to Martha that Mary had made the correct choice. Sitting at the feet of Jesus by studying the Bible, praying, etc. is of primary importance in our daily endeavors if our work is to have the agape love of God in it. Without God’s love empowering our lives we are hollow, worthless sounds.

Recently, I was listening to a very good message by a pastor that could easily have been titled “Pressure Or Peace”. In our fast-paced world people often make decisions based on pressure and not “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding”. Following Jesus, our Prince of Peace, will almost always lead us to a place where we want to be. Following pressure will generally result in circumstances that are less than God’s best.

Don’t you just wish there was always someone who always shows up just in the nick of time? Well, there is someone who promises “never to leave or forsake us”. Of course, that someone is God for those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. However, God is not some genie in a bottle who comes when we call but has purposes and plans often beyond our own. The process of flowing with God’s purposes and plans becomes much easier the more we conform our lives into what the Bible says we need to become. As we meditate on the Word of God, we are transformed by “the renewing our minds”.

While I was teaching Christian junior high students, we did a small fundraiser for an overseas Christian ministry. Most of the students did what they could, but I had one student who went over and above the call of duty. He had God’s heart for the lost and the hurting. Later, when he found out I liked to go fishing, he gave me some fishing gear. That young man had a generous spirit. There was no stinginess or spirit of poverty, which generally go hand in hand, in his life. Anyone like that young man will be abundantly blessed throughout life because God’s word promises: “Give and it shall be given to you…”

Many of us spend too much time focusing on our weaknesses rather than playing to our strengths. I am not suggesting that we totally ignore the areas where we are prone to falter or fall. We certainly need to keep ourselves covered in prayer in those areas and continue to pray “Lead us not into temptation” and “Deliver us from evil”. What I am suggesting is that our God-given gifting, our talents, should consume the majority of our time and energy. Developing our strengths to their maximum potential will do more to expand God’s kingdom than any other activity. We were created for a purpose, and as one well-known missionary from history said, “I feel God’s pleasure when I run.” Do you feel God’s pleasure when you run the race God created you to run? I am not saying everything we are called to do is enjoyable. Some tasks can be tough to accomplish, but we can count on God to give us the grace to perform them. However, if we are finding little or no pleasure in our work, perhaps, it is time to set new priorities and bring our lives into alignment for our assignment.

The following is the book trailer for the recently released Christian espionage novel entitled Heart of Terror.  The Midwest Book Review said of the book: “Heart of Terror is an exciting twist of thriller and faith, very much recommended reading.”  The novel is available as an ebook as well as in hard copy from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

The Christian espionage novel entitled Heart of Terror was recently released.  One reviewer called the book “a well-written, engaging novel”.  He went on to say: “It is an entertaining and thought-provoking novel.”  Another reviewer wrote: “If you enjoy fast-paced books with lots of action, you will enjoy Heart of Terror.“  The novel is available as an ebook as well as in hard copy from Amazon and the Barnes and Noble website.

The Christian espionage novel entitled Heart of Terror was just released.  The back cover reads: “Two ill-prepared individuals are thrown into separate terrorist worlds and forced to fight and endure.  They struggle to stop the ongoing onslaught of terrorism.  At times, their efforts event turn humorous.  Their paths, linked together from the start, eventually merge for a potentially devastating climax.”  Heart of Terror is available as an ebook as well as from the usual outlets like Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

The Midwest Book Review just sent me a review of Hafren: A Fantasy for the Young at Heart.  Here is an excerpt:

“This is the story of an adventure of two youths…  The two fellows looked different and because of that others stayed away from them, but that doesn’t stop their quest…  Are they afraid?  Perhaps.  But this trip holds many surprises for them…

This story is one of overcoming evil with the help of God, friendship, and helping your fellow man.  It is an entertaining and God-principal story that any teen should enjoy.”

Hafren: A Fantasy for the Young at Heart is available from amazon.com and from the Lighthouse Christian Publishing website fantasy page 2.

Hafren Book Cover

The Christian teen fantasy entitled Hafren: A Fantasy for the Young at Heart was just released by Lighthouse Christian Publishing and is available from their bookstore and amazon.com.

The back cover reads: “The invasion of Hafren has begun.  Two unlikely youths are thrown into the fray attempting to thwart the evil.  At time their efforts even turn humorous.  The outcome remains uncertain as the two head directly for the trouble’s source.”

Hafren: A Fantasy for the Young at Heart is available from amazon.com and from the following link: http://lighthousechristianpublishing.com

ICY DECISIONa href=’http://craigdressler.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/icy-decision.docx’>ICY DECISION

The decision the scientists on the ice flow make in the next hours will decide whether they live or die.

Click on the link above to view the story.

Almost all of us as Christians struggle against some form of bondage in our life.  Whether it is simply watching too much television or something much deeper passed down through our parents, the answer to gain freedom is available.  God has not left us helpless in the face of any bondage.  What follows are practical biblical answers towards total deliverance for any believer in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Jesus went to the cross to purchase our freedom from sin, sickness, disease and financial lack.  Applying the cross, the blood of Jesus or the name of Jesus to any situation by faith will begin to reverse the curse of the law of sin and death.  Applying those three(the cross, the name and the blood of Jesus) on a regular basis can break us free from any problem.  Even our bloodline, our DNA, can be changed until freedom in Christ transforms us.

The Holy Spirit’s resurrection power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead is also available to believers.  In New Testament Greek the word is dunamis.  Application of God’s dunamis power through the Holy Spirit can empower us to overcome any temptation or problem.

Another weapon to overcome bondage and problems is the Word of God.  The Bible is full of phrases and passages that can help give us freedom in Christ.  One of my favorites is “I am more than a conqueror.”  That word “conqueror” points to overwhelming victory and total defeat of the enemy.  Repeatedly speak out such words by faith until your heart and spirit agree with your spoken words.

Applying these three areas to whatever is plaguing us may not always bring immediate results, but it can begin the journey to total release.  As our faith grows in God’s ability to free us and as we continue to speak out in faith appropriate freeing words, our release or the release of others will manifest.

For nearly a half a century the West has been in decline.  Europe and the U.S. have lost much of their prominence in the world.  The sun of the their influence is waning and close to setting.  But what has caused this decline?  What are the roots of the West’s demise?

Economically, the U.S. and a number of countries in Europe are close to bankruptcy.  Massive overspending has led a number of Western countries to imperil the Euro and dollar.  Both currencies may eventually implode and cause a financial disaster.

Educationally, secularization has taken the West down a pathway towards politically correct ideals that do not foster unbiased inquiry.  Certain ideals are repeatedly promulgated at the expense of basic foundational study.  Instead of producing students with common basic knowledge the major focus is social engineering which attempts to create students with secularized worldviews.

Politically, progressives have implemented their socialistic plans believing true change is only possible in that direction.  As more and more government programs are initiated and expanded the populace looks to the government for help where once private institutions and individuals reigned.  Of course, economically these government programs are unsustainable.

Philosophically, atheists have attempted and pretty much succeeded in keeping religious views out of the public sector.  Instead of Christian institutions, funded by private donations, meeting the needs of people and dealing with real heart changes, needs are met by the public sector on a never ending basis.

Where does that leave those of us who see a huge need to change the direction of the West’s decline?  We can vote for and help those we believe will fight against secularization,  and certainly that is good, but that won’t change hearts.  Little else will change unless people’s core beliefs change.  Only people turning to faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord will transform belief systems.  Only evangelism and discipleship of new believers with biblical precepts will transform the West.

      The teaching jobs listed on the website abound.  While most unemployed educators struggle to find a position, those not afraid of adventure can leap into a cross-cultural experience.  Worldwide job listings that cry out for educators are added daily and not just in the spring and summer.  Some of the teaching positions require specialized credentials, but many only require a university degree and little or no experience.  It takes a tough person emotionally, physically and spiritually to go this route, but the rewards are usually very gratifying.(If you are a Christian, make sure you take a Bible, Christian music, books, etc. that you will need to maintain your inner strength.)  The avenue is wide open to gain teaching experience for the inexperienced and to earn a tax-free income of up to $70,000.00(the last time I looked at the U.S. tax regulations).  The salary in some countries is paltry and more of a ministry, but in others it is comparable to earnings in the U.S.  At first, overcoming your fear of the unknown may be your toughest battle, but the rewards in the end are worth it.  Personally, I spent two years teaching in Japan and five years teaching in Saudi Arabia, and even though it was difficult I would not trade those experiences for anything.

     Here are two websites that may open the door to a new adventure:

1) Dave’s ESL Cafe or eslcafe.com for secular positions listed under Job Center Home Page and the International Job Board

2) Association of Christian Schools International or acsi.org under Jobs and Overseas Openings

REDISCOVERED PLANET

Click on the link above to read the short sci-fi work of fiction.

A WHEEL WITHIN A WHEEL

Click on the link above to read the article.

     Connecting to the positive part of our past is sadly lacking in much of the West.  Recognizing and acknowledging that which is good in our history will go far in reordering our priorities and refocusing on what is most important.

     In the Old Testament in the Bible Isaac redug the wells of his forefathers.  The process of reaching those old sources of water brought opposition, but he persevered and won great blessings in the end.

     Water is, of course, necessary for life but can also symbolize spiritual food.  Connecting to our Christian heritage can bring spiritual life when we acknowledge our need for God.  Holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas are wonderful opportunities to honor our Creator.  The underlying meaning of Christmas, for example, that God sent his son to earth to save it from its sins ought to be clear to all involved in such familial events.  Redigging those old wells can revive lives and bring blessings just as it did for Isaac and for those who settled here before us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8IMGaL-a3U

Click on the link above to view the children’s video.