Vice - Does it Have You in its Grip

When I was a kid I used to love using my dad's tools. I loved to build things. I had very grandiose plans, like the time I was building a functional, talking robot out of a tape recorder and a refrigerator box or the super computer with real, flashing lights or the hovercraft I tried to construct from an old vacuum cleaner. I probably needed serious counseling but that's the topic of another post.

Anyway, there were two tools that I found particularly manly because they seemingly gave me superhuman strength; the bench vice and the vice grips. I could squeeze a piece of wood between the metal jaws and nothing known to man could pull it out. A scrawny ten year old kid had the strength of superman. Both tools contain the same main word "vice". I'd like for a second to share a few meanings of the word "vice".

1) Noun - Various devices, usually having two jaws that may be brought together or separated by means of a screw, used to hold an object firmly in its grip.

2) Verb - to hold, press, or squeeze

3) Noun - an immoral or evil practice or habit

I don't know which meaning came to the English language first but I find it interesting that someone chose to give those practices and habits that are evil or destructive, the same name as the devices that hold, squeeze, press and grab onto things. But, we know from experience that whoever did this knew what they were talking about!

Most of us (even those of you who don't yet believe in God as the moral law giver) would agree that there are things which are clearly evil or wrong: murder, rape, stealing, torture (OK, at least people can agree on three of the four). But some things are MUCH less clear both in society and in the scriptures. I was asked by someone to address these things and I think it was a very good idea.

I want to address two topics because I have been asked about them in particular: gambling and drinking (alcohol that is).

I could write a book on this but I will try to give the Readers Digest version here. I'd like to share two things from scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:23, "Everything is permissible" - but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible" - but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. And from Proverbs 21:2, "All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart."

There aren't any particular verses condemning gambling but I think Paul would put it in the category of "not everything is beneficial". God has made each of us differently and each of us has different strengths and weaknesses. Some of us could buy a lottery ticket once a year and go on our merry way. Others may be caught in gambling like a piece of soft wood trapped between the jaws of a table vice. I don't think that the act of gambling is, in and of itself, wrong but there are two things that might make it wrong. Motive. God tests the heart and if the motive is to gain wealth without work or without earning it fairly, then the motive is impure. Proverbs 13:11 says "Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished; but he that gathers by labor shall increase." The second issue is how it affects others. Is it hurting someone else? Your wife, your kids, your friends? Look, if you're spending your paycheck at the casino and borrowing money from your home equity line of credit to pay the bills then you're hurting yourself and your family. I think Paul would go so far to ask, "Is there any real, honest reason to gamble?" Answer, "Probably not." I think when we're honest with ourselves and with God, the Holy Spirit uses our conscience to let us know what honors God and what harms us and others. Look if you've played the slots, played bingo, or spun the wheel at your CHURCH festival I don't think you need to feel bad or run to confession but examine your heart because God does. Maybe though, the $5 could have bought someone a meal they couldn't afford. Hmmm. Yeah, maybe. (I guess that goes for the latte I have next to me as well. My bad.)

OK, on to alcohol. I won't get long winded here but there are many scriptures that point out the potential destructive nature of "too much wine" but wine isn't itself evil. Jesus turned water into wine and used wine as the symbol of his blood but it's fairly obvious that for some, drinking is a huge stumbling block. I'll ask the same questions I did with gambling, "What is your motive and how is it affecting you and those around you?" Are you held in its jaws and can't get loose? Look, all things considered, if you never drink you'll never have to worry but If you have a glass of Merlot with your T-bone and can go a week or a month without another then I think it is not a sin or a vice. I know many people will disagree with me but the Jews condemned the Gentiles for eating this, drinking that, and touching this and that. It's not the stuff that is the problem. It's our heart. Examine your heart. Listen to those around you. If your spouse or your friends have shared concern over a particular vice then I would recommend you LISTEN. Likely they see something that might be hurting you.

Lastly,, I want to say that there are many Christians who use the "Law" as a hammer and have become self-righteous. They have done what the Pharisees (religious leaders at the time of Jesus) did. They point out other's faults and fail to see their own. Jesus reprimanded them with this statement, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye." Let's first go to the mirror and look at our own planks and ask God to help us pluck them from our own eyes first. And, if you care about someone who may be held in the jaws of sin or the vice grip of addiction, love them first, pray for them second, and get them help from someone who knows the ultimate healer of the heart, Jesus Christ.

Remember this, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He showed us grace, we should do the same.

In Christ,

David

Why God, Why?

This week was the first anniversary of the death of Steven Curtis Chapman's five year old adopted daughter, Maria Sue. For those of you who don't know of Steven or of his family's story, it goes like this. Steven Curtis Chapman is a very successful Christian music artist who had six children (three biologic children and three adopted children from China). On May 21st, 2008 his five year old daughter, Maria Sue, was killed in his driveway when his older son backed over her with the family's SUV. It doesn't get a whole lot worse than that.

On Thursday night I had a beer with a friend who had some very hard but very valid questions about the sovereignty of God and the problem of God and evil. And, yes I had one very dark and malty beer. We can talk about the biblical view of alcohol consumption at another time so please don't let this be a stumbling block for you. It was a very refreshing beer but even more refreshing conversation from a man who is courageous enough and gracious enough to say what was on his mind even if it risked confrontation. Although he had a couple major concerns, God has laid it on my heart to address this one issue today: What is God's role in the evil that occurs in the world? HUGE question and one that has been the topic of four hundred page theses. This is not an easy topic to address in a five minute blog post so I want to do this over two weeks.

My friend and his wife have dealt with significant hardship surrounding the health of two young daughters. His concern I think was two fold. First, was the issue of how Christian friends often respond with platitudes or Christian-ese tag lines (though, likely well intentioned). They would say things like "God has a plan" or "God is testing you" or "God is using your daughters for a purpose". The second concern was, did God allow or cause the pain that had and still continues to occur? Or, is he outside of it completely. I want to touch on both of these very real and very important concerns.

I (we) have to start with this: God is who God is. I can't make a God after my own liking. So, I have to seek to know what God is like and not try to contrive a God I can wrap my mind around or a God that conforms to my preferences. God revealed his name to the people of Israel and that name was "Yahweh" which is translated "I am". He is who he is. The only way I can begin to grasp this is to humbly come to him and ask him. Then to try to set aside my own preconceived notions either of my own making or those that were forced upon me. So, here is what I know:

The Bible is very clear that God (Jesus) knows all things and he knows future things. Psalm 139 gives us a picture of this: "O, Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from far afar. . . Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely." Jesus told Peter that he'd deny him three times (i.e. he already knew). Jesus healed the blind, the lame, the deaf, and raised the dead. He commanded the stormy seas to be calm. God allowed Satan to cause pain in the life of Job. God is involved and can and does interceded in the world and with the people he created. God didn't wind up creation then sit back and watch it unfold without intervention or concern. But how can we reconcile a God who is "love" with the occurrence and even the allowance of evil? If God knows everything and can't help or intercede then he is impotent and weak. (i.e. God sees suffering and says to himself "Dang, that is horrible! I sure wish I could do something about that.") That is not the God of the Bible and I would argue, not a God at all. If God is all powerful but refuses to intercede to prevent suffering, some would argue that he is evil or that he doesn't exist at all.

But maybe the answer is this: God does know, God does intercede, and God does allow things (even things we perceive as bad) because his perspective is so immeasurably more grand than ours and he knows from the perspective of being all knowing and from the perspective of eternity what is ultimately "good". I want to give a picture of what I mean and I'd like you to really try to mull over this until our next time together. Picture this: You are at a party and the host is cooking dinner. Your two year old daughter climbs up on a stool and reaches toward a large pot of boiling water. You sprint across the room, yelling "NO!" from the top of your lungs, you dive through the air and knock your daughter from the stool. As you both lay on the ground, your daughter is wailing and has a look of horror in her eyes. Her knee is scraped from the fall. In her limited mind, you are evil, mean, scary, and have caused her undeserved pain. What she fails to see is that you have saved her life or have averted a much worse scenario. The difference between your mental capacity and your daughters is not even close to the difference between our mental capacities and God's. Maybe, just maybe, God can see what we can't and we have to trust that somehow.. even if it is involves something as heinous as running over your little sister with the SUV that it can somehow be reconciled in the final tapestry of God's purpose and creation. I personally have to also remember that my life isn't lived in a vacuum and it is in some small way it is connected with MANY other lives and God is looking at that from back far.. When we look at newspaper print up real close all we see are some red, green, and blue dots (meaningless) but from back far it is the beautiful picture of a new born baby.

That's as good as I can do today my friends! By the way God is the only one who knows the "whys" surrounding a particular instance of evil or pain so be very careful trying to tell someone else why. If you don't know what else to say maybe just hug them instead! I know this post is entirely inadequate but then again, I am inadequate. But the God who lovingly knit you together is more than adequate! In the end there will be no more tears, no more death, no more mourning, or crying, or pain! (Revelation 21:4)

Love you all,

David

We Grieve with You . . .

It's ten o'clock at night and I needed to get this off my chest. Ivor and I have said from the beginning that we would be transparent with you because a ministry that is too shiny, too pretty, and veiled in the superficial is worse than no ministry at all. I know you all just gave me your precious time yesterday so I will make this short and sweet.

This week's post was about faith. It had to do with praying and believing. It had to do with the fact that we often pray "Perfunctory" or routine and dusty prayers, doubting the ability or willingness of God to answer them. I want to share with you my struggle tonight and then maybe give you a few final thoughts.

In the past three days, two friends lost their fathers, a wonderful young man I know lost his battle with a severe bone marrow disease (on or near his first year anniversary), and a friend's young son is battling a viral brain infection. I have done much praying this weekend and I have done so in faith. Tonight the wind has gone from my sails but I think that I need to share with you what God has laid on my heart.

Death is in the world and death is ugly. Sin is in the world and sin is ugly. God hates both but has shown us his plan for both. His Son Jesus died to do away with the penalty of sin and his resurrection conquered the grave!! Did God hear my prayers? Did he hear the prayers of countless others who prayed for my young friend? Yes! And, I don't think that most of those prayers were in vain or perfunctory but God has told us that we each must pass through the gate of death. Sometimes his answer to our prayer is revealed in the miraculous and other times his plan is different and results in our grief. Tonight I'm grieving but here is the kicker! I hear God's Spirit telling me to worship. How do I worship with tears in my eyes? I'll let you know when I next talk to you. Until that time and after that, we (you and I) will continue to pray prayers believing that God can do what our eyes and minds say he can't. I've seen it and believe.

All of our love surrounds you Lisa, Kim, Jen, Curt, and Karen! We hope that the peace of God that transcends all understanding floods your hearts tonight and for many nights.

Peace,

David

How Big is a Mustard Seed?

per-func-to-ry

-adjective

1. performed merely as a routine duty; hasty and superficial

2. lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; indifferent

I was recently told about a leader of a "Christian" organization who felt that prayer was "perfunctory and meaningless". It kind of made me mad! Dang it! How could he say such a thing!? But, be careful David when you chuck a stone in a glass house . . . you could see your own walls come crashing down. God has shown me something recently and I have to tell you up front that the first accusatory finger gets pointed at me. I didn't like what this man said but you know what, at least he was honest. Prayer to him was a thing "performed merely as a routine duty" so why bother. He said out loud what I think many people feel but don't admit. Whether you're a believer or just visiting today (not an accident by the way) I'd like you to hear me out. I pray, but then go about my business as if I didn't.

Jesus' disciples had tried to cast a demon out of a young man and were unsuccessful (yes, a demon. Jesus believed in them and he spoke to them so they must exist. Sorry, for the detour.) So, Jesus "rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment." The disciples were like "What the heck!" Actually they said "Why couldn't we cast it out?" Jesus replied, "Because you have little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

"So, how big is a mustard seed?", you ask. Ever seen a poppy seed in a muffin or on a bagel? Well, a mustard seed is about 1/3 the size of the poppy seed. Apparently, this is still quite big because we still struggle with faith. I was at an outdoor event last night and the forecast was kind of ominous; good chance of rain and thunderstorms. So, I prayed that God would hold back the rain. I think many people prayed that God would hold back the rain, but most of those people brought umbrellas. I felt in my spirit that it wasn't going to rain but my feeble and fickle brain said. "Man, that sky is kind of grey! Better rent a tent! Pack the umbrella! OK, at least grab a rain jacket you fool!" Now, I wasn't testing God but maybe he was testing me. OK Lord, no tent, no umbrella, no rain coat. Rain stayed away and it began to rain only as I was leaving the event. Now, I know this could be coincidence but I don't think so. This is the point: If we don't really believe then why bother? Why waste our time and our breath? The man I told you about didn't really believe in miracles so he didn't pray nor did he allow that kind of thing in his meetings. He never saw God move because he never really believed. So, he gave up on prayer and faith. We pray for financial breakthrough then we speak words of defeat. We pray for healing then we aim our focus on the abnormal lab values. How big is a mustard seed? Apparently, quite big.

Now, listen to me please. God is still God and God is still the boss. Not because he is on an ego trip but because he created all that is, all that ever was, and all that ever will be. The Bible talks about praying "according to the Father's will" so when I say, "Lord, I want to win the lottery" chances are that he knows it would be a VERY bad thing for David to have 25 million dollars. God's answer, "NO!". Does God always give us what we want? No. Thank you God! But how often do we really, really, really, trust him. I wonder how many miracles we we've missed because we pray perfunctory prayers.

There is this scene in the movie "Facing the Giants" where this small, high school, back-up field goal kicker is asked to kick a 51 yard field goal into the wind during the last seconds of the state championship. The scene goes like this (paraphrased), "Coach, the longest I've ever kicked is a 39 yard field goal. There's no way I can make that." The coached asked him, "David, do you believe God can help you kick this field goal?" David answered, "Yes" The Coach responded, "Then you just give God your best and let him do the rest."

Friend, God made your amazing eyeball. He made hummingbirds, blue whales, galaxies, and your best friend. Do you believe he can heal your body, your bank account, your marriage, or your mind? If the answer is "no" or "not really" then the mustard seed might as well be a coconut. I believe that the God who raised Lazarus can still raise the dead and can still straighten crooked limbs. God is still in the miracle business and nothing is beyond his ability.

But, I also know that the Bible says "It is appointed man once to die then face the judgement." So God will eventually call each of us out of this life. Sometimes the answer will just be "No", "Not yet" or "Not in the way you want." I get that. I have a friend and wonderful man of God who has been wheelchair bound his whole life. He knows God can heal him but God is using him powerfully just as he is and he has shared with me that if he were cured, he would likely drift from God so he is content where he is. He is one of the most powerful deliverers of the Word of God I know.

So, what do you and I do about this? I'm going to borrow another scene from "Facing the Giants". A faithful man told the Coach the story of a drought and two farmers. Both farmers were diligent in their prayers, but only one prepared his field to receive the rain. Then he asked the Coach, "Which of the two men had the greater faith?"

I want to leave you with a couple questions. Are you preparing your fields to receive the answer to your prayers or are you mulling around in a dry field speaking words of drought and defeat? Are you kicking the ball and trusting God to get it though the uprights or are you saying, "There's no way!". I don't know what you are struggling with, but please begin to pray and trust. Then praise him if you win and praise him if you lose. I have begun to experience God's miracles in both circumstances. Praying in faith is not perfunctory but power. The power of the God of the universe! One last thing: My friend in the wheel chair told me today that if God chooses not to heal him in this life that one day his corruptible body will be made incorruptible and the first time he is actually able to kneel will be at the foot of his Savior. That is faith !!

Drop us a note if you need us to pray for you. You can trust that we will pray in faith.

In Him,

David

Nowhere Else to Go?

It was pitch black and, even though the temperature in the room was seventy degrees, he was shaking like a leaf.  In a world of nearly 7 billion people he was all alone and life seemed like a big, cruel joke; you're born, you live, you die.  He had an awesome family, a good job, a nice home, and two doctoral degrees hanging on his wall but he was some how empty inside.  Some days were good, some amazing, but most were ones never to be remembered.  What was the point of it all?  If he was to live 5 years or ninety five, whether he lived in Malibu, California or Dhaka, Bangladesh, he was going to end up dust so what did it really matter?  Everything gained could so easily be lost.  Every goal reached and every object of affection obtained  failed to fulfill the promise of satisfaction it had promised. He was ready to quit.  He had failed, so it seemed, and he had nowhere else to go.  It was the end of the line.  Ever been there?  Ever said to yourself, "I can't do it any more."?  I know I'm not talking to all of you but I know I'm talking to someone today.

He had done religion, at least the outward religion of man and even acknowledge the existence of God, but his God had been one of his own making.  He had a Sunday morning life and then he had the rest of his life.  Church was a nice add-on kind of like an option on a new car.  If you add the power seats and the  DVD player then the car was better.  If you added "church" then life was better.  He liked the God of unconditional love but threw out the God of holiness and wrath. He liked the God who went by many names (Yawaeh, Allah, Gia, Buddha, Krishna, and the like) but wasn't really sure about this Jesus who claimed to be the "Only way".  

In the cold, darkness of the room that night he cried out to God.  Sure, maybe God didn't exist but what did he have to lose?  "God, if you are real and if Jesus can really take away my sins, if you really truly love me then I need to hear from you now.  I'm sorry!"  This was the first time in over thirty years that he REALLY wanted to know the truth.  It was the first time that he was so over himself that his ears were open to hear the truth.  It was the first time that he clung to the answer like a paratrooper clings to his parachute.  Now God wasn't just a part of an expletive or a figure he learned about in Sunday school.  He wasn't just a name he tossed around like "Santa Claus".  If he existed, God was his very breath and life.  At that moment there didn't seem to be much air in the room and a breath like that would has been welcome indeed.

For a while the room was eerily quiet but he wasn't cold anymore.  The darkness wasn't quite as dark and he didn't feel alone.  OK, "I'm just imagining this feeling of peace." he thought.  But in his Spirit he heard something.  Audible?  Not exactly, but not just a thought either.  Hard to describe but real for sure.  It was like God was ready to make a dead man alive.  Like he was calling down to him saying, "Now my son you are ready to walk with me." After a quick word to his wife, he fell asleep.   The next day the dusty old Bible in the bookcase became like a canteen of cold water to a man who had been dying in the desert. Words that had been dry, boring, and meaningless became amazingly alive and satiating.  It finally started to make sense! " Yes, I get it now God," He thought.  "I was away from you because of my sin.  I was dead in my spirit and couldn't hear your voice.  Your Word and the story of Jesus were foolishness to me because my heart was hardened and my pride was my god.  Jesus (God in the flesh) loved me so much that he left heaven, took the form of a man, lived a perfect life, died in my place on the cross, bore the punishment that my sin deserved, he was buried, three days later rose from the dead, conquering death once and for all, and has already prepared a place for me in heaven.  As far as the east is from the west, that how far he has removed my sin.  He gives us new birth through faith in his name.  Want a fresh start, a "do-over"?  

OK friend, come a bit closer.  I want to tell you a secret.  The man, that lost and broken man, was me.  I told you a few months ago that this ministry was about transparency and about being real.  So there you have it!  We can't come to the cross with our pride and our good deeds.  We can't come with make-up on our defects and self righteousness over our guilt.  God knows it all already. We can't hide.  Look, Jesus Christ came to save sinners like you and me.  He didn't have many kind words to those who thought they were good because, like the Bible says, "None is righteous, no not one (Romans 3:10).  God humbled me big time.  It hurt but I wouldn't change it for anything in the world, ANYTHING. 

If I'm speaking to you today, if you are broken, tired, sad, guilty, lost, or in utter despair, please humble yourself and call on the God of all creation.  No fancy words needed, just your heart. God promises in his Word to draw near to those who draw near to him (James 4:8).  He promises that he will hear from heaven, forgive your sin, and heal your land (2 Chronicles 7:17). He promises to crown the humble with salvation and give them grace (Psalms 149 & 3).  Repent of your sin (I know that's an old fashioned word but it is still the best one.  It just means be sorry in your heart and turn in the other direction).  He will heal your heart but you have to be willing to let go.  I also want you to know that he didn't leave you without real flesh and blood brothers and sisters here to walk along side of you.  If you need help in this walk please contact us through the "comment" link below or in the "contact" area of our main site www.I61project.org.

PS.  Ivor's CD "Nowhere Else to Go" is for sale on line at CD Baby (please go take a listen if you'd like) and we have started the process of applying for non-profit status - 501(c)(3) and there is a link to the left if you'd like to help us out.

Love you all,

David

Earning our Way to God - Like Draining the Sea with a Spoon

Just to keep you on your toes, we're going to do a little interactive exercise today.  Go to your kitchen, grab a spoon then open up another browser window and sign onto Travelocity.  Buy a ticket to the nearest beach, pack your spoon, and go.  When you get to the beach look out at the expanse of the great sea, smell the ocean air, and walk down to the water's edge.  Take out your spoon and begin to scoop spoonfuls of water.  Throw them far up onto the shore so that the water does not run back into the sea.  When you have drained the ocean of it's contents, come on back so we can finish this post.....

Ridiculous? Yeah, I guess, but then again I think it makes a good point.  Almost every religion and worldview of man attempts to do one of two things:

1) Bring man closer to a god or gods

2) Help man find contentment, happiness, peace, or joy within himself

I want to look briefly at both of these attempts and show that you might as well get your spoon and head to the beach.

Every religion that is based on works or merit ultimately leaves the people without hope. Everyone who has ever tried to be good enough comes to realize that it's impossible.  The ancient pagans and the ancient Jews all understood that about four seconds after their sacrifice, they said, thought, did, or failed to do something that negated it.  Dang!~  Off to get another ram for the altar or another virgin for the volcano.  Five minutes after confession some guy cuts you off as you merge onto the highway.  Dang!~  Back to confession (I'm not saying confession is "works" but that our sinfulness makes it a short-lived remedy).  Now, does that mean we don't want to or try to be good?  Of course not!  Does that mean we don't admit and confess our mistakes and wrong doings? No.  But if we think we can crawl our way up the mountain of perfection to a perfectly holy God we are fooling ourselves.  Actually, any of us who believe in a holy and perfect God have found that when we scoop five spoonfuls of water out of our broken lives, two seep back in.

The Apostle Paul put it this way in his letter to the church at Rome, "So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.  For in my inner being, I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.  What a wretch I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death?"  Earlier in the chapter he said, "I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate, I do."  Paul understood that even though it was good and right for him to strive to please God, it was futile to think he could earn his way to him.  Paul helped us to see the grace of God.  He helped us to see that God wants our trust.  He asks for our obedience but the rule (the Law) he put in place was there to show us our need for a Savior, our need for grace.

Even if you have not come to the realization of the existence of God or the truth of his Son Jesus Christ, you probably are still trying to drain the ocean with a teaspoon.  You might be working more hours to earn more money to find more security.  You might be looking for someone to love or to love you and maybe this is outside of your marriage because the joy you had there is now gone.  You might be caught in the endless cycle of highs and lows associated with drug or alcohol addiction.  And, even if you have a "comfortable" life there is always that lurking feeling that you could lose what you have.  Every goal we place before ourselves with the intention of achieving peace becomes a platform for the next goal because the last one didn't quite do it.  Even if you are one of those who still say, "I'm happy and content and have joy." There is still the great equalizer, death.  It always seems to come and snatch away even that which we feel we have hidden away.  As far as I can tell 1/1 people still die.  (Sorry if that sounds negative but it is truth)

So what's the point?  First, if you are trying in vain to succeed or to achieve a good life, know that without God and without the hope of eternal life you will ultimately come up short. Second, if you believe in God understand that He has provided a way for you to have a relationship with him that is beyond your ability to earn.  Jesus Christ provided that way by taking your sin upon himself and paying the penalty you (and I) deserved.  I don't know about you but even though life can be really wonderful it is also extremely hard and I have given up scooping spoonfuls of water out of an endless sea.  Jesus said, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest."  If you're tired and burdened with all of the scooping, come home.  There is a joy that comes regardless of circumstance when you begin to see God's plan for eternity. I said "Joy" not "Happiness". They are very different.  If you have tried unsuccessfully to earn your way to God and are living in defeat or in condemnation, drop us a note. If you just want to comment, complain, question, or doubt feel free to contact us. We're OK with that.  

By the way, our Podcast will be posted next week.  Ivor's CD was released last week and you can purchase a copy via the CD Baby website or purchase individual songs on iTunes (both should be available in about 5 days)  We'll keep you up to date.

Until next week,

David