I have just texted happy birthday to son one. Yesterday I messaged the same message to grandson two. Son one is flying to visit his Kiwi-Chinese relatives in Oxfordshire, and grandson two lives in the Prairies. One of the reasons I follow the UK and Canadian situation is because I have whanau — extended family — there.
And my prayer is that they all share in the resurrection of Christ. Christ rose from the dead: a ghost does not eat, and from the time of the fall this was the sole plan from the almighty to reconcile us with God. All other faiths are delusions at best, and demonic at worst.
Delusionals insulting the demonic. Do you think I would not use this?
36While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate in their presence.
44Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you — that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
50Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
There is but one way forward, and that is Christ. Let there be opposition. Let the gospel be called hate speech.
But without Christ, there is no reconciliation of our sins and failings with a righteous God.
And Happy Birthday, Mike.