The Author's Thoughts on Aversion to Scripture Reading and Confession of Sin

Lately, I've been thinking, why is it that we don't enjoy listening and learning from God's Word? And the reasons, while including boredom and being fidgety, mostly lead to one thing. Fear. Fear of change and conviction. Change is something that is natural to be afraid of. However, it is NECCESARY in our spiritual lives. If we don't change and let God rule, how do you expect to become part of His kingdom. However, before that change will come, we need to be convicted. The old saying goes "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Our lives are broken. Some of us don't realize it. And even if we do, we don't want to admit it. Who wants to admit to committing a crime? (If you said yes, you're most likely lying.) So, we avoid the Bible and prayer because we know that we will have an Almighty God telling us, "You did x, y, and z, and in My eyes, you should die, but you don't have to. Just allow Me to help you change your ways by admitting that you did these, and believe that Jesus, My Son, died for you." Most of us get the first part and the third part but not really the middle part. We think, "Oh, Jesus died on the cross for me, now my sins are forgiven!" True, but if you don't confess your sins and let God be Lord, you will most likely keep commiting those sins. God didn't forgive your sins just to have you keep commiting them. Let yourself be convicted and let God turn you back on the straight and narrow.

Ps: Sorry for the long absence, I've had a lot on my mind

Pps: Hey! There are now share buttons on the main website for email, Facebook, twitter, etc...

Ppps: Let me know your opinions on this by leaving a comment, emailing me at jgabler5025@gmail.com, or on Facebook, where most of you will see this.

Ryan Gabler: From Death To Life

My cousin Ryan wrote this after the death of my grandfather on Wednesday:

Each day thousands of people die. Each day I am almost immune to the pains of those affected by death. Each day I hear about death, and each day I don't understand death's sorrow. That is until yesterday when Grandpa Gabler's physical life took a turn towards its end. All evening my thoughts were on the situation. His death was immanent, according to the doctors, just a matter of time. Around midnight that time came. And Frederick Gabler passed from death to life.

There were many thoughts that ran through my mind yesterday and even today. There were thoughts of remembrance, dwelling on Grandpa's life. I remember the good times; I remember the grandpa. I remember him stacking wood and driving the tractor. I remember the immense garden and his everpresent limp. I remember the brown pants and beige suitcoat he always seemed to wear to church. I remember going fishing with him up to Cuba Lake. I remember never catching a thing. I remember him dozing while driving and always having an excuse. I remember the time he drove hours to help us with car trouble only to turn around after never finding us, arriving back well after we arrived. I remember the week at Chautauqua and the belly smackers he did off the pier. I remember the great hugs he gave, hugs that said, "I love you" better than a mouth ever could.

I can't think of a better grandpa, so my thoughts turned sorrowful realizing my niece and nephew would never not catch a fish with their great-grandpa. It was tough to think that my kids, should I get married and have them, would never know their great-grandpa. Sure they'll hear stories. And sure they will see picture with the brown pants and beige suitcoat. But they never will never know him. They will never feel the embrace of his hugs. So though the memories are great, they make the reality of his death sorrowful.

Though this sorrow is deep, I want you to know it is not a sorrow that is without hope. "I do not want you to be ignorant, bretheren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus." (1 Thess. 4:13-14) And "For if we died with Him (Christ), we shall also live with Him." (2 Tim. 2:11) See, the greatest most important aspect of my Grandpa's life wasn't even something he did. It is something God did when He saved Grandpa from his sins and gave him eternal life. It is a salvation God could provide because in dying on the cross Jesus paid sin's penalty, and it is an eternal life He could give because after dying on the cross Christ rose from the dead thereby (as Revelations puts it) giving Christ the keys of death and Hades. Though in the flesh, Grandpa has died, I have confidence that today He lives with Christ in heaven.

As I close I must offer one last remembrance. A few years ago I had the opportunity to preach on John 14. Previously, in John 13, Jesus had told His disciples that He was going to die. He had told them that one of them would betray Him and that the boldest disciple, Peter, would be so scared he would deny Him. The disciples wher scared and unsure about their future. It is within that context Jesus says, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if i go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1-3) As Jesus started He told them, "Don't be afraid." Now you might think that He would follow that up with something like, "Don't be afraid because no matter what they do to me you'll be safe." But He doesn't. He says, "Don't be afraid because in the end you are with Me." As I looked at that passage I tried to think of the best way to illustrate this truth. Here's that illustration:

When I was younger we used to go and visit Grandma and Grandpa up in NY. We were always excited to visit them simply because we were going to Grandma and Grandpa's house. It didn't matter what toys were there or what there was to do. It only mattered that we were going to Grandma and Grandpa's house. In fact, from an earthly perspective the accomodations were not the greatest. Grandma and Grandpa have a cellar. It is unfair to call it a basement because you might get the wrong idea. It is a cellar. There was no finished carpet, few modern ammenities, I'm not even sure there is paint on the cinderblock walls. It is in that cellar that my brother and I slept, on cots. Only in looking back did I ever realize these were not 5 star accomodations. The thought never previously crossed my mind. Why? Because 5 star accomodations do not begin to compare with the joy of being with grandma and grandpa.

Today, Grandpa Gabler lives with his Savior Jesus. One day I will join him. My greatest prayer is that so will you.

Ryan Gabler

Newsboys: Born Again

Hey guys,
Just wanted to let you know that you can download a free copy of "Born Again," the title track on Newsboys new album Born Again for free. :)

http://www.newsboys.com/bornagain

Jonathan

Oh yeah, one more thing:

newsboys "Born Again" *Official Music Video* from newsboys on Vimeo.

Pray for Haiti

If you go to Loudonville Community Church, you probably saw a video regarding Haiti and praying for it. But did you notice that most of Haiti practices voodoo? Voodoo is worship of the devil, and nothing else. The island is in the clutches of the devil. We, as Christians, need to pray for the healing of the island, for the Gospel to reach the heart of Haiti, and the missionaries who go there. May God keep Haiti on our hearts.

Jonathan Gabler

P.S.: As a Google apps user and part-time Android Developer (though I can't put the code on the computer), it is my obligation to add the Google Crisis Response: Haiti Earthquake app on this post:

http://haiticrisis.appspot.com/?small=yes

Thoughts for Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, we are expected to give thanks to God. However, we thank him for all the wrong reasons. The American, in general, gives thanks for the ability to stuff themselves, watch football, and view the parades. In contrast, the Puritans/Pilgrims, the founders of Thanksgiving gave thanks for the fact that they survived and for the friends that helped them survive. As a society of Christians, it is my belief that we have lost the realization of our need for God. We think "Oh, God sent his Son to save us. I don't need to worry anymore." That is a fatal misunderstanding in the world of today. Satan is the prince of this earth, bombarding us with media and other things to lead us astray. How many ads have you seen for things to make you look better in other peoples eyes or to make you feel good? How many have you seen that try to bring you back to God? Most of the media is me, me, me, but it's really sin, sin, sin. Now I'm not suggesting to forgo clothing or the turkey. But look in your closet, your pantry, and your heart. See how much today's media has influenced you. Then take this Thanksgiving to ask for forgiveness and to thank God for getting through another year.

Some food for thought. Just hope it doesn't make you sleepy like turkey...

Jonathan Gabler