Back To The Future

Ok, go to Mark 8:27. Travel with me into the future. But first, mark your place in Mark, and then turn back to Matthew 7. We're going back...to the future. Here's the scene. It's the great day of God's judgment. We see many people standing before the throne of Jesus Christ. Many of these people have preached in Jesus name most of their lives on earth. Many have done miracles, and all in the name of Jesus. And now, here they are...finally standing before the Person of Jesus, the Christ, the One in whom they have invested their lives., the One in who's name they were ministering. There's only one problem! ALL of them...all of these people were believing in the wrong Jesus.

"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS'"
(Matthew 7:22-23).

Now go to Mark 8:27. "Who do people say that I am?" They told Him, saying, "John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets." And He continued by questioning them, "But who do you say that I am?"

Who do you say that Jesus is? It's eternally important. If one is believing in a different Jesus, they are also believing a different gospel. Believing a different gospel will not result in salvation.

Partially Back. (Read "Time Marches On" first below)

Before I left the care facility last night I told uncle Bob, "You're safe here." When Donna and I arrived at the facility today, the staff told us they did not have to sedate uncle Bob last night. That was great news. He was sleeping when we entered into his room. When he awoke, we heard something wonderful. Uncle Bob was in his right mind. All day he spoke with us, laughed with us, and complained a little to us about this most recent change point in his life. He ate the donut and Donna helped him sip the coffee we bought for him. Although very weak, and with an injured back, uncle Bob came back mentally and emotionally. I pray tomorrow will be the same.

We were all amazed when he began recounting my wedding day 39 years ago. He told me some of my baseball friends were writing all over my GTO. He remembers them questioning if Dave would like this. They said they didn't care...Uncle Bob laughed. He has a great laugh. Then he told me he was one of the ones who wired dozens of tin cans to the rear of my car. He laughed again. I never knew that. Do you know what? I really want to see this man in heaven with us...I really do!

Time Marches On

He was one of those young boys who put on a uniform, was trained to kill, and went to fight a war on the other side of this world. The war was WW ll. His name is Robert Ingram. I know him as Uncle Bob. After surviving the fighting in Europe and Africa, he came home and married the sister of my wife's mother. All the years I've known him, I've not been able to get him to talk about his war experiences. Uncle Bob is now 92 years old. I performed his wife's funeral ten years ago in Los Angeles, and he asked me to do his also. This man has lived in the same house in Pasadena for over 50 years. The last several years he's lived without sight, with very little hearing, and mobility. They never had children. He has outlived his other family members. Donna and her sister Joyce Lindsey are his family.

Monday, while at the hospital comforting a friend, I received a phone call. Uncle Bob had fallen.
His care person found him on the floor Monday morning unable to get up. She had cooked his dinner on Friday and went home. How long was he there on that floor? From Friday night? He doesn't remember how he fell or how long he was there. When we arrived that evening at the Glendale Memorial Hospital, we found this man dehydrated, confused, fearful, and at times knowing who we were, and at times not.

When we were cleaning his house today, memories, and sadness came over me. Uncle Bob may never again enter his house. He's entered another "change point" in life. We all have these change points. Some are easier than others. Just by being here in this motel room is a change point in our lives also.

We found a care facility for our uncle. It's a great facility. But at best it's not good. Tomorrow will be our last day here. My brother-in-law and us will be visiting him every other week.

Donna's uncle is still there in that tent that has almost completely worn out. Here's the real scarry part. His spirit will never wear out and will exist eternally in heaven or hell. But the preaching of the cross has always been foolishness to him. We're asking our Lord not to require his soul until the blinders are removed from his mind and uncle Bob receives the gift of God...His eternal salvation.