When it’s heard as mild profanity, few care. When the Bible speaks of Hell as a wretched place of torment, detractors mock it as outmoded superstition. But if a prominent political figure applies it to the economic waywardness of America, perhaps some will take serious note. That is exactly what happened on March 29 as reported by an Associated Press article.
European socialism has long been suggested as a pattern for America, perhaps to better align western nations for a global cooperation and one world government. But when former Communist regimes express dismay over America’s debauched economy, it is indeed time to pay heed.
Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolaneck, the current European Council president, chastised the United States, telling the European Parliament that President Barack Obama’s massive stimulus package and banking bailout "will undermine the stability of the global financial market." According to Topolaneck, "the United States did not take the right path," and he criticized the widening budget deficit and protectionist trade measures by adding that "all of these steps, these combinations and permanency is the way to hell."
He’s not far off. Psalm 9:17 says, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the nations that forget God." That’s a sobering warning to America since we have an abundance of "wicked" people. The word means "morally wrong," or "an actively bad person." Investment brokers like Bernie Madoff, greedy executives who forced hundreds of thousands into unemployment by mismanagement and politicians who forced banks to make impossible loans to unworthy mortgagees are "wicked" by the Bible definition.
Forgetting God seems to be routine these days. Endless hours are spent in discussion and debate, but prayer or any mention of it is avoided like the plague. "In God We Trust" is printed and stamped on U.S. currency and coin, but it’s an empty slogan consciously observed by almost no one.
Shame on us. George Washington prayed in his tent throughout the Revolutionary War Abraham Lincoln fled to God because he had nowhere else to go. Franklin D. Roosevelt led our troops in prayer as they headed for the D-Day invasion. They would all be stunned by the prayerless attitude of our leaders as we face times that can bankrupt our nation and have made us financial slaves of at least 15 nations, among them China, Japan, Venezuela, Russia and Iraq.
James 5:15-18 contrasts wisdom from earth and heaven saying, "This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
While ignoring God’s wisdom is costly and can lead to Hell, accepting it is a free trip to success as James 1:5-8 says "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
The greatest wisdom for all of us is to heed God’s gracious invitation to receive Christ as Savior since in Him "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). There is still time for nations and individuals to turn from Hell to Heaven, but time is running short.
Dave Virkler
Monday, March 30, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Titanic Treasures: Who Will Get What?
Nearly 100 years after the monster catastrophe, a federal judge will soon rule on the treasures and artifacts from the infamous Titanic – a word still today fully associated with major disaster. The great ‘unsinkable’ ship remains to this day some 2 ½ miles beneath the Atlantic. It went down in icy international waters on April 15, 1912, and continues to be the watery grave for 1,522 of the ill-fated passengers. And with the original owners long deceased, the vessel’s contents have been subject to competing legal claims ever since an international team found the sunken and decaying craft back in 1985.
Today the salvage company, RMS Titanic Inc., is seeking compensation for the ship’s remaining 5,900 items that they project as having a current value of 110 million dollars. But the company claims their total investment for locating, rescuing, and preserving the historic boat's contents exceeds that impressive figure. RMST has been conducting traveling displays of the prized artifacts and state that the items have been viewed by some 3 million people worldwide. But U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith, a maritime jurist, stated, "I am concerned that the Titanic is not only a national treasure, but in its own way an international treasure, and it needs protection and it needs to be monitored." She is expected to rule within weeks that the salvaged items must remain together and accessible to the public.
Jesus spoke often and forcefully about money and earthly treasures. He warned clearly about the danger of allowing such material things, or even just the lust for them, to be a spiritual hindrance. And during His earthly ministry, He sometimes used parables to illustrate and drive home His points on the matter.
In Luke 12 the Lord told of a rich man who was not satisfied, despite being quite well off. His preoccupation with building up his own kingdom eventually collapsed when his life suddenly ended. His flawed philosophy and his miserable downfall are described beginning in verse 18. “So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (Luke 12:18-21)
Then in Mark 10 the Lord spoke about another man who as also well off materially speaking. He is known in most Bible circles as simply “The Rich Young Ruler”. He had sought out Jesus to supposedly inquire how he might gain eternal life. Ironically, he was already quite confident that his overall outward lifestyle would earn him God’s approval. But to his utter shock and dismay, the Lord looked into his heart and honed in on his major flaw – a total preoccupation with material wealth and possessions. The bad ending to their brief meeting is recorded in verses 21-22. “Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” It is beyond tragic when anyone allows the things of this temporal life to rob them of the glory of eternal life in heaven!
The all-knowing Creator God has warned repeatedly, and in no uncertain terms, about the destructive dangers of making this world's so-called 'treasures' life’s top concern. And His great wisdom on the subject is nowhere summed up better than through His Son’s precise and profound words - words not requiring a high IQ or some theological degree to grasp.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
Bill Breckenridge
Please e-mail us with your thoughts or comments.
Today the salvage company, RMS Titanic Inc., is seeking compensation for the ship’s remaining 5,900 items that they project as having a current value of 110 million dollars. But the company claims their total investment for locating, rescuing, and preserving the historic boat's contents exceeds that impressive figure. RMST has been conducting traveling displays of the prized artifacts and state that the items have been viewed by some 3 million people worldwide. But U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith, a maritime jurist, stated, "I am concerned that the Titanic is not only a national treasure, but in its own way an international treasure, and it needs protection and it needs to be monitored." She is expected to rule within weeks that the salvaged items must remain together and accessible to the public.
Jesus spoke often and forcefully about money and earthly treasures. He warned clearly about the danger of allowing such material things, or even just the lust for them, to be a spiritual hindrance. And during His earthly ministry, He sometimes used parables to illustrate and drive home His points on the matter.
In Luke 12 the Lord told of a rich man who was not satisfied, despite being quite well off. His preoccupation with building up his own kingdom eventually collapsed when his life suddenly ended. His flawed philosophy and his miserable downfall are described beginning in verse 18. “So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (Luke 12:18-21)
Then in Mark 10 the Lord spoke about another man who as also well off materially speaking. He is known in most Bible circles as simply “The Rich Young Ruler”. He had sought out Jesus to supposedly inquire how he might gain eternal life. Ironically, he was already quite confident that his overall outward lifestyle would earn him God’s approval. But to his utter shock and dismay, the Lord looked into his heart and honed in on his major flaw – a total preoccupation with material wealth and possessions. The bad ending to their brief meeting is recorded in verses 21-22. “Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” It is beyond tragic when anyone allows the things of this temporal life to rob them of the glory of eternal life in heaven!
The all-knowing Creator God has warned repeatedly, and in no uncertain terms, about the destructive dangers of making this world's so-called 'treasures' life’s top concern. And His great wisdom on the subject is nowhere summed up better than through His Son’s precise and profound words - words not requiring a high IQ or some theological degree to grasp.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
Bill Breckenridge
Please e-mail us with your thoughts or comments.
New 'God-less' Congregations
Greg Epstein is a chaplain at Harvard University. The only problem is that he does not believe in God – at all! His main goal rather is to build ‘God-free’ but ‘church-like' organizations across America that make man the center of everything. The monthly schedule would be similar to many churches, having group meetings to discuss shared beliefs, small groups, and extra activities like parenting classes. The chaplain sees real potential for growth as 15% of people in the United States now claim to possess no religion at all.
Epstein, who was ordained as a rabbi by the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism in 2005, defines his philosophy as a commitment to living ethical, personally fulfilling lives while serving the greater good. He plans to promote his idea with his new book, "Good Without God," which is to be published by HarperCollins later this year.
The reality of man rejecting God is as old as man himself. The Old Testament makes that clear at the outset, beginning in Genesis chapter three. Then the New Testament continues the same tragic thread and describes ‘humanism’ in detail long before it had any official secular title or definition.
Romans one vividly outlines man’s spiritual rebellion of God, and how he replaced the praise of the Creator God with the worship of anything and everything else under the sun. Verse 24 reads, “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
What Greg Epstein may be unaware of, among other things, is that there is no legitimate good apart from God. All good originates with a righteous and loving Creator, even if done by those who willingly reject His existence or authority in their lives. The reason for all good is seen in Genesis 1:27. “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” When bad men do good things, it is only because they have the imprint of a Holy God on their eternal souls and not because they are somehow fundamentally good. Romans 3:10 leaves little room for discussion on the matter. “As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one.” End of discussion!
Epstein also does not see that he will never have a ‘godless church’ if that is indeed how he views his new groups. The definition of the ‘church’ refers to only those who have been called out of the world by a literal eternal God. These have come to God through their personal trust in the redemptive work of His Son, Jesus Christ. Those who bond together while denying the reality of God can accurately called themselves anything they like – except a true church body, as a biblical church will in some way model itself after the basic pattern of Acts chapter two. “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:41-42)
The church is first and foremost a spiritual entity. And it will always revolve around the foundation as laid out by Peter’s great profession of faith in Matthew’s gospel chapter sixteen. Speaking directly to the Lord’s identity question in verse 15, Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:16-18)
There is much that separates the one true church from any other organization. The church is a living organism and a spiritual mystery known, and truly understood, only to those who comprise its ranks. (Ephesians 5:32) The founders of the new “Good without God” groups will never make a church or be part of one until they reverse their beliefs and separate themselves from the those characterized in Psalm 14:1. “The fool has said in his heart, There is no God."
To miss this is to miss everything – with the exception of missing the unimaginable blessing of spending eternity in heaven with the head of the one true church – the Lord Jesus Christ!
Bill Breckenridge
Epstein, who was ordained as a rabbi by the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism in 2005, defines his philosophy as a commitment to living ethical, personally fulfilling lives while serving the greater good. He plans to promote his idea with his new book, "Good Without God," which is to be published by HarperCollins later this year.
The reality of man rejecting God is as old as man himself. The Old Testament makes that clear at the outset, beginning in Genesis chapter three. Then the New Testament continues the same tragic thread and describes ‘humanism’ in detail long before it had any official secular title or definition.
Romans one vividly outlines man’s spiritual rebellion of God, and how he replaced the praise of the Creator God with the worship of anything and everything else under the sun. Verse 24 reads, “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
What Greg Epstein may be unaware of, among other things, is that there is no legitimate good apart from God. All good originates with a righteous and loving Creator, even if done by those who willingly reject His existence or authority in their lives. The reason for all good is seen in Genesis 1:27. “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” When bad men do good things, it is only because they have the imprint of a Holy God on their eternal souls and not because they are somehow fundamentally good. Romans 3:10 leaves little room for discussion on the matter. “As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one.” End of discussion!
Epstein also does not see that he will never have a ‘godless church’ if that is indeed how he views his new groups. The definition of the ‘church’ refers to only those who have been called out of the world by a literal eternal God. These have come to God through their personal trust in the redemptive work of His Son, Jesus Christ. Those who bond together while denying the reality of God can accurately called themselves anything they like – except a true church body, as a biblical church will in some way model itself after the basic pattern of Acts chapter two. “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:41-42)
The church is first and foremost a spiritual entity. And it will always revolve around the foundation as laid out by Peter’s great profession of faith in Matthew’s gospel chapter sixteen. Speaking directly to the Lord’s identity question in verse 15, Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:16-18)
There is much that separates the one true church from any other organization. The church is a living organism and a spiritual mystery known, and truly understood, only to those who comprise its ranks. (Ephesians 5:32) The founders of the new “Good without God” groups will never make a church or be part of one until they reverse their beliefs and separate themselves from the those characterized in Psalm 14:1. “The fool has said in his heart, There is no God."
To miss this is to miss everything – with the exception of missing the unimaginable blessing of spending eternity in heaven with the head of the one true church – the Lord Jesus Christ!
Bill Breckenridge
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Economy Increasing Mental Stress
Mental stress spirals with economyAccording to a landmark Gallup-Healthways poll out this week Americans are becoming more and more stressed out, especially in light of the faltering economy. The daily survey of 355,3334 people determines an ‘Emotional health Index’. (EHI) The largest of all such surveys weighs negative factors against those that are positive.
The survey of 355,334 people is believed to be the largest, longest and most thorough poll showing how emotional well-being shifts due to economic factors. Higher scores are achieved when there are more positive emotions than fewer negative emotions. The study found that those living in Hawaii and Alaska to have the least overall mental stress, while people residing in Kentucky and West Virginia experienced the most.
Stress and strain are not uncommon to man. They are part of the human condition, originating via the first couple’s rebellion against their Creator. (Genesis 3:1-19) The Old Testament figure Job knew all too well about life’s overwhelming difficulties. He detailed his painful experiences in the Bible’s oldest book. In the fifth chapter and verse seven he states, “Yet man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” Paul also wrote of the universal results of mankind’s fall in Romans 8:21-22. “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.”
Those who expect life to proceed with little or no stress will be always disappointed. Not only is that true, it sometimes appears that those who honor and live for God are stricken with even more hardships than their godless counterparts. This is a concept written about in some detail by David in Psalm 73. The King had been crying out to God over what he felt to be an unfair balance between the problems of God’s people against those who had no time for spiritual things. But eventually he saw the light – God’s light. Starting with the 16th verse he records, “When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me — until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end. Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.”
There are two basic ways for the Christian to approach the varied difficulties life may bring. There is the sad, and all too common, ‘woe is me’ route that leaves God’s purposes and provisions out of the equation. Then there is the response James offered up in chapter one of his New Testament letter. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4) Interestingly, the word ‘perfect’ comes from the same Greek word (teleios) as uttered from Jesus when on the cross. At the end of his unspeakable ordeal he cried out, “It is Finished”. His words signaled that the sins of the world were paid for in full. The term means fully complete. In other words, the believer who responds biblically to trials and troubles can become completely spiritually mature!
When life’s trials come, whether rarely and mildly or suddenly and constantly, the Christian faces a choice. He or she can live in total frustration and defeat or view it all as did Paul in Romans 8:18. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” But if Paul’s great perspective is not quite enough to help in the struggle, they need to seriously consider the other advice offered by James – perhaps the exact advice that eventually helped David revise his attitude on the subject.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:4-6)
Experiencing stresses and strains in a fallen world is universal. It is not a choice for those in or outside of family of God. But Christians do have a unique ability through God’s Holy Spirit to react in such a manner as to completely perfect their faith while continually glorifying their Lord!
Bill Breckenridge
The survey of 355,334 people is believed to be the largest, longest and most thorough poll showing how emotional well-being shifts due to economic factors. Higher scores are achieved when there are more positive emotions than fewer negative emotions. The study found that those living in Hawaii and Alaska to have the least overall mental stress, while people residing in Kentucky and West Virginia experienced the most.
Stress and strain are not uncommon to man. They are part of the human condition, originating via the first couple’s rebellion against their Creator. (Genesis 3:1-19) The Old Testament figure Job knew all too well about life’s overwhelming difficulties. He detailed his painful experiences in the Bible’s oldest book. In the fifth chapter and verse seven he states, “Yet man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” Paul also wrote of the universal results of mankind’s fall in Romans 8:21-22. “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.”
Those who expect life to proceed with little or no stress will be always disappointed. Not only is that true, it sometimes appears that those who honor and live for God are stricken with even more hardships than their godless counterparts. This is a concept written about in some detail by David in Psalm 73. The King had been crying out to God over what he felt to be an unfair balance between the problems of God’s people against those who had no time for spiritual things. But eventually he saw the light – God’s light. Starting with the 16th verse he records, “When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me — until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end. Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.”
There are two basic ways for the Christian to approach the varied difficulties life may bring. There is the sad, and all too common, ‘woe is me’ route that leaves God’s purposes and provisions out of the equation. Then there is the response James offered up in chapter one of his New Testament letter. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4) Interestingly, the word ‘perfect’ comes from the same Greek word (teleios) as uttered from Jesus when on the cross. At the end of his unspeakable ordeal he cried out, “It is Finished”. His words signaled that the sins of the world were paid for in full. The term means fully complete. In other words, the believer who responds biblically to trials and troubles can become completely spiritually mature!
When life’s trials come, whether rarely and mildly or suddenly and constantly, the Christian faces a choice. He or she can live in total frustration and defeat or view it all as did Paul in Romans 8:18. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” But if Paul’s great perspective is not quite enough to help in the struggle, they need to seriously consider the other advice offered by James – perhaps the exact advice that eventually helped David revise his attitude on the subject.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:4-6)
Experiencing stresses and strains in a fallen world is universal. It is not a choice for those in or outside of family of God. But Christians do have a unique ability through God’s Holy Spirit to react in such a manner as to completely perfect their faith while continually glorifying their Lord!
Bill Breckenridge
Monday, March 23, 2009
Over the Falls
It happened again on March 11th. A man went over Niagara Falls unprotected and survived. He went over the Canadian side and survived after being fished out of the swirling waters of the lower Niagara River.
He’s the third to take the plunge unprotected and live and the second suicide attempt to do so. Some who plummet down the 176-foot cascade are accident victims, and a significant number go over as exhibitionists seeking fame and fortune, but many are bent on self-destruction. According to Mike Hudson of the Niagara Falls Reporter, over 20 people attempt their suicidal demise annually, with a total of 2,780 between 1856 and 1995. The most prevalent day is Monday at 4:00 PM with an alarming increase in September.
Motives include fear of reaching 40 since most men do it at age 39 and women at age 38. There is some thought of causation assigned to nearby casinos that leave gamblers in hopeless debt. Back in 2004, Kirk Jones, as one account has it, "was rapidly approaching middle age, without a job, a wife, or a home to call his own." He said, "I was a 40-year old man with no purpose." Kirk somehow plunged downward and got to shore below with only minor injuries.
The first person ever to go over and live was seven-year old Roger Woodward, whose boat ride on the Niagara River turned into grim history. Roger and his 17-year old sister, Deanne, were taken out into the upper reaches of the swirling Niagara River in a small outboard motorboat by family friend Jim Honeycut. He said he’d show them a thrilling view of the falls from closer than most ever see it.
Passing a point of no return, the small boat could no longer pull against the current, and Honeycut made sure the kids donned their life jackets. Caught in Niagara’s wash, the motor hit rocks, shearing the pin and overturned, flipping all three into the water. Deanne was swept close to shore. Twenty feet from the brink, she was caught by a brave man who leaned far out over the water. She screamed, "Pray for my brother. He’s going over the falls!" A man who was there told me how women screamed and some fainted and others prayed.
Somehow, Roger miraculously survived the plunge over the falls to struggle in the waters below. Maid of the Mist boat captain Clifford Keech saw the boy, and, on the third try, maneuvered close and drew him aboard. Roger was released from the hospital 48 hours later with only minor injuries. Honeycut’s mangled body was retrieved four days later at the Maid of the Mist boat dock.
Later, Roger went to Bible camp and made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. He said, "I guess the Lord saved me the first time so He could save me the second time." Summarizing his story years later, Roger said, "It wasn’t the hand of fate, it wasn’t the hand of luck, it wasn’t the spirit of [Indian princess] Lelawala, it was the spirit of the living God that saved my life that day and saved my sister and gave us hope that one day we would come to know Him."
Roger had it right. The reason we are kept physically alive is to grant us time to hear the Gospel story of God’s love in Christ, who died on the Cross to pay for our sins and rose the third day to give us eternal life. If you are reading this and have never trusted Christ, God has given you this additional time to ask Christ into your life as John 1:12-13 says: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
Acts 4:12 declares, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved," and 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
Dave Virkler
He’s the third to take the plunge unprotected and live and the second suicide attempt to do so. Some who plummet down the 176-foot cascade are accident victims, and a significant number go over as exhibitionists seeking fame and fortune, but many are bent on self-destruction. According to Mike Hudson of the Niagara Falls Reporter, over 20 people attempt their suicidal demise annually, with a total of 2,780 between 1856 and 1995. The most prevalent day is Monday at 4:00 PM with an alarming increase in September.
Motives include fear of reaching 40 since most men do it at age 39 and women at age 38. There is some thought of causation assigned to nearby casinos that leave gamblers in hopeless debt. Back in 2004, Kirk Jones, as one account has it, "was rapidly approaching middle age, without a job, a wife, or a home to call his own." He said, "I was a 40-year old man with no purpose." Kirk somehow plunged downward and got to shore below with only minor injuries.
The first person ever to go over and live was seven-year old Roger Woodward, whose boat ride on the Niagara River turned into grim history. Roger and his 17-year old sister, Deanne, were taken out into the upper reaches of the swirling Niagara River in a small outboard motorboat by family friend Jim Honeycut. He said he’d show them a thrilling view of the falls from closer than most ever see it.
Passing a point of no return, the small boat could no longer pull against the current, and Honeycut made sure the kids donned their life jackets. Caught in Niagara’s wash, the motor hit rocks, shearing the pin and overturned, flipping all three into the water. Deanne was swept close to shore. Twenty feet from the brink, she was caught by a brave man who leaned far out over the water. She screamed, "Pray for my brother. He’s going over the falls!" A man who was there told me how women screamed and some fainted and others prayed.
Somehow, Roger miraculously survived the plunge over the falls to struggle in the waters below. Maid of the Mist boat captain Clifford Keech saw the boy, and, on the third try, maneuvered close and drew him aboard. Roger was released from the hospital 48 hours later with only minor injuries. Honeycut’s mangled body was retrieved four days later at the Maid of the Mist boat dock.
Later, Roger went to Bible camp and made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. He said, "I guess the Lord saved me the first time so He could save me the second time." Summarizing his story years later, Roger said, "It wasn’t the hand of fate, it wasn’t the hand of luck, it wasn’t the spirit of [Indian princess] Lelawala, it was the spirit of the living God that saved my life that day and saved my sister and gave us hope that one day we would come to know Him."
Roger had it right. The reason we are kept physically alive is to grant us time to hear the Gospel story of God’s love in Christ, who died on the Cross to pay for our sins and rose the third day to give us eternal life. If you are reading this and have never trusted Christ, God has given you this additional time to ask Christ into your life as John 1:12-13 says: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
Acts 4:12 declares, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved," and 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
Dave Virkler
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