A Look At Where We Have Come

What is with all of the cheating these days. I mean the papers are full of stories about the latest cheating scandal. There is Major League Baseball and it's steroid problem. I guess the same could be said for the NFL. Then there is Spygate and a lot of questions about how long this really has gone on. Most recently the cheating has crossed over to Nascar and the attempts at "an advantage" by some of their racers. Then there is the IU scandal and the "inappropriate" phone calls. I read the other day that most college coaches cheat but few get caught. What a sad testimony on our society when people who play games for a living cheat. What great role models for our kids. Of course cheating is nothing new. Politicians have been cheating for a long time. Kids in school have often cheated to get through a class. It does seem though that our society is growing more accepting of this horrible behavior all the time. It seems that so many say do what you have to do, even cheat, to win. This is such an unfortunate place we have come to in our society. With all of this going on around us it is Little wonder that so many live life seeming trying to cheat their way into heaven. I am reminded however that the Bible say, "Be not deceived, God is not mocked". God knows our hearts and their intent and we will not win if we are not being honest with Him.

Pastor Dave

Friends

Across the years I have had several different friends. Somwe of them have been true blue, loyal, dedicated and honest with me. Others have been a bit more fair weathered. Some of them have been very generous and others not so. Some of them have kept in touch across the years and many more have drifted away as time has passed. I have appreciated them all the times we have had have been wonderful and I would not change them at all. I would say that now the most loyal, dedicated friend I have is a 7 year old Doberman named Raven. He always want to be close to me. Always wants my attention and is always faithful. Unfortunately a lot of people do not get the chance to have a humn friend like this. We all could if we would only realize that Jesus wants to be out faithful, devoted friend.

Love

This week of course we expect to hear a lot about Love. Valentine's day and all of it's commercial celebration will make sure of that. I often wonder though at this time of the year just how well people understand love. It seems that in this world love is often confused as something that makes us feel good. In reality true love is always other centered. It is always seeking something better for someone else. Jesus modeled this kind of love for us and expects that we will take the hint and exhibit this love towards others. Imagine what a difference could happen if we were all about desiring the highest good for others all the time. Marriages would last longer, relationships would be healed and fighting would slow. If only we would love each other a little better.

Winners and Losers

We are fresh off another Super Bowl Sunday. Congratulations to the Giants for their remarkable win. I absolutely love it when the underdog wins. I mean these guys rose up from caious early in the season to the top of the mountian at the end. I love it when I hear stories like that. Stories where the one's who are not suppose to win, win. The Bible is full of these kinds of stories. Jesus specialized in helping those who the world around them look on as losers, win. Think about the paralyzed man who society scorned and Jesus rose from his mat. How about the woman at the well who had so many marriages she couldn't show her face in public, but Jesus helped make her a winner too. There are endless others. Just as there are endless stories from those around us. People who no one ever thought they would be much, but became great in the eyes of Jesus. Jesus is all about making each of us winners.