One More For JC

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17) This Thanksgiving will be a bit more sentimental for me than past years.  As Dee and I prepare for our wedding, and I prepare to leave New Jersey, I’ve been reflecting quite a bit upon all the things I have to be thankful for.  I’m thankful for all the people that helped me through some of the toughest moments in my life: 1)    Broken ankle / full leg cast (August 1993):  I remember vividly my mom rushing to the hospital to be by my side, taking time off of work to make me lunch and to take me to the doctor.  I remember my dad driving me to Newark for graduate school, walking around the mean streets of Newark during my two hours of classes, and stating “You’re my son, where else would I rather be?”  I remember my friends stopping by on Friday nights to play chess so that I wouldn’t be alone. ...

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”  Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”  When he had said this, he fell asleep.  And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.  (Acts 7:59-60, 8:1) The bible describes Stephen as a “man full of God’s grace and power who did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.” (Acts 6:8).  He was also a man faced with a life or death decision:  he could either publicly reject Christ and live, or publicly accept Christ and die.  He chose the latter.  But even more remarkably, Stephen had so much love inside him, he prayed for mercy and forgiveness upon the very people who were stoning him to death. If this sounds familiar, it should.  Christ was faced with a similar decision, with a few extra negative incentives:  He would have to humble himself to become a man and leave behind the glory of his father’s k...

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”  (Acts 3:6) The apostle Peter has an interesting resume: 1)    Disciple of Christ – Gave up livelihood as a fisherman to follow some stranger who said he will make him a “fisher of men.”  (Matthew 4:18-20) 2)    Doubter of Christ – Nearly drowned after losing faith in the same man he sacrificed everything to follow.  (Matthew 14:28-31) 3)    Believer in Christ – Boldly professed his belief in the man he sacrificed everything to follow but occasionally doubted in times of trouble; “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  (Matthew 16:16) 4)    Rock of Christ – Man he boldly professed his faith in tells him:  “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”  (Matthew 16:18) 5)    Obstacle of Chris...