A Terrorist Transformed

This is the story of a cultured, well-educated man who became a terrorist…and then became something else.

He was born into a prominent family. Like bin Laden and al-Zawahiri, his roots were upper-middle class, refined, and privileged. As a child he was very bright, and so his parents arranged for him to study under the best teachers. He spoke several languages and had a knack for moving easily from one culture to another.

Along with his education came an increased interest in his ancestral religion. He became more and more devoted. You might even say he was becoming radicalized.

Freed From A Curse

In fairy tales, evil witches put people under a curse. Think Sleeping Beauty or Snow White. But the Bible speaks plainly of a curse that cannot be undone by Prince Charming. 

Here’s the text in the Epistle to the Galatians: even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed (v. 8). And in the very next verse he said it again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed (v. 9, emphasis added)

The Greek word “accursed” is anathema - delivered over to divine wrath. Anyone who distorts the gospel of Christ is under a curse. From whom? From Almighty God.

Sounds a little harsh, doesn’t it?

Flying Traffic Cones

Our friend Rose (name changed) is a widow without a lot of money, and she drives a beat-up old car. So when she heard her father was sick in another state, she knew she had to take her old car on a thousand-mile road trip.

My wife prayed for Rose, and for her car, the night before the trip. Rose was able to visit her elderly father and make it all the way home safely. And she told an interesting story about the drive.

Several hours into her trip the highway was narrowed by construction. Work crews were on the shoulder, and one of the lanes was marked off by orange traffic cones.

Rose is a careful driver, and she had slowed down for the construction. But the car ahead suddenly swerved as if out of control, and somehow knocked a traffic cone up in the air. Rose saw it caroming toward her like an orange missile.

Random Encounter - The Libyan Who Met Jesus

The day of Jesus’ death brought a seemingly random encounter with a man whose story is anything but random. Luke put it this way: And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus (Luke 23:26).

Why do Matthew, Mark, and Luke all reveal the name of a man who was only a face in the crowd? The movies always have uncredited characters – the guy holding the elevator, people seated at the next table in the restaurant. Why should this “bit player” in the drama of the cross be named? Simon. And not only named, but we’re told where he’s from: Simon of Cyrene. Why?

The Secret of Walking Close to Christ

How shall we who say we follow Christ keep from wandering away from Him? How do we stay close to the One who is our only hope and truth and comfort?

Well, that’s a big question, and godly people have a lot to say to answer it. I found one great answer in the letters of John Newton. You probably know Newton as the slave trader (and onetime slave himself) who was gloriously converted to Christ, and who wrote the most beloved hymn in the English language, Amazing Grace.

Bobby and the Sunday Gunfight

Readers of my blog know I sometimes post fanciful pieces – fiction, humor, poetry, dog stories, even. Anyhow, the following is of that sort. My wife loaned me a book on creative writing. It gives you topics to write on, supposedly to fire up your creativity. This one was titled “It was Sunday morning.”

Bobby stepped off the boardwalk and looked down the dusty street. He repositioned the stiff leather gun belt and holster on his thin hips, and wished he’d had some time to practice.

Black Bart suddenly emerged from the livery at the other end of town. Even at 50 yards away, he seemed huge. And getting bigger. He was striding forward, his right hand hovering over his own holstered weapon. Bobby took a tentative step to meet him. 

Chapter Twelve: "The God I Worship is a God of Love"

This is my last post about Kevin DeYoung's What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality? I still encourage you to get the book. (Click the title.)

Kevin DeYoung has a footnoted quote that well summarizes this chapter. Jean Lloyd, a former lesbian, said, “Continue to love me, but remember that you cannot be more merciful than God. It isn’t mercy to affirm same-sex acts as good…Don’t compromise truth; help me to live in harmony with it.” (Footnote #2, p. 127)