Jesus in the Garden

 

     When I was growing up, our family lived in a trailer house in a small town in Wyoming. Both of my parents worked. My dad was a truckdriver and my mother was a cook at the county hospital. We did not attend church. My family had at one time, but we stopped going when I was around four years old. My father continued listening to Christian music, and I would at times see him sitting in a chair reading the family Bible. Still, my exposure to Christianity was limited. It was not that my parents did not believe, but we had drifted away from church.

     Still, there was one thing that had an impact on me. In our house we had a large picture of Jesus sitting on a hill, and before him were pictures of the faces of soldier’s faces. It was nighttime, and you could see what I assume was Jerusalem at the bottom of the hill. The soldier’s faces seemed out of place, and it was Jesus that always captivated me about that picture. He was just sitting on that hillside. I could just sit and look at that picture. There was something about it that brought me peace.

     A few years ago, I started trying to do some painting. My painting style is what I call “Early Amateur.” I am not a talented artist; I would be happy to be an average artist. Still, I try from time to time. One day I decided to try to paint a large picture of Jesus to have on my wall. I fumbled along, and what you see above is what I painted.

     Is it on my wall now? Yes.

    Do I think it is fine art? No.

    What this picture does for me though is bring me peace when I am having a challenging day. Some of it is nostalgia. It reminds me of the other picture, but even more so it reminds me of a Savior who loves me. Who loves you. I do not pray to the picture. The picture is not an idol, but it points to the one who came and died for our sins. It points to the one hope that we all have for an eternity of peace. A peace just waiting for us, but we must acknowledge that God sent his Son Jesus to save the world through his sacrifice. We need to accept him as our Lord and Savior. I hope you have.

I hope you have a blessed day.

Layman Ray

Pastor Voddie T. Baucham Jr. Has Gone Home

 

I never met Pastor Baucham, and honestly, I had never heard of him until about a year ago. I started seeing him pop up on Youtube videos. I was quickly impressed because he was a man who spoke the truth. In fact, just this year I read his book “The Ever-Loving Truth”. It was a very good book. It was well worth the read. He passed away on September 25^th, 2025. I never met him, but I pray for peace for his family and friends. He will be missed.

I pray the Lord blesses you today,

Layman Ray

September 23rd, 2005 – Rapture?

 

I have been seeing a lot of information on YouTube concerning the rapture occurring on September 23^rd. I have watched a lot of those videos, and I have been quite fascinated by the chatter. Some videos are done quite well, and a lot of them look like they are just trying to use someone else’s ideas to get clicks. Some of them appear to me to be pure fantasy, but then again who am I to say.

A lot of people have come up with a lot of different reasons as to why this day is the day for the event. So, is it?

Here is the short answer. I do not know. That is not saying I believe these people know. The Bible says that no one knows the day or the hour. Is it possible these people have been given secret knowledge? I suppose it is possible. Is it possible that these people have read the signs correctly? Once again, I suppose it is possible. Here is what I do know if God wants it to happen today, tomorrow, next week, or in five years that will be up to God.

So, why has this fascinated me so? Because all this chatter has opened up a new sense of urgency for me. Like so many others I know I am looking at our current times and it sure looks like we are coming towards the tribulation period and the return of Jesus. That is a seven-year period that sure seems to be moving our direction, and because of this I feel the urgency to help people know Jesus Christ as our Savior.

When I look around at people I know and even those I do not, I grow concerned for them. Even if the rapture does not come for another 70 years, it is still important for them to believe that God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son. He did not send him to condemn the world, but to save it. There is a future for everyone that is either going to be Heaven or eternal torment.

If you are not sure where you are standing, go to allsoulscount.com and there you will find instructions for salvation. Feel free to send me a comment through this blog, and I will respond. I make no money from this blog or from All Souls Count. I do this because I believe, and I do this because I want you to know peace. As someone once said, “Know Jesus, know peace; no Jesus, no peace.”

If you are a believer, please reach out to those who are not. We can share the hope of salvation with others. The time is short.

 

May God bless you wherever you are.

Ray

Who Can We Trust

This week, the Church I attend is currently doing Vacation Bible School, or VBS. Vacation Bible School is when churches hold events that help introduce children to basic Christian Theology.  There is teaching, videos, food, and games. It is a lot of work, but it is fun working with the children.  Our theme this year is “You can trust in Jesus.” As I said, the lessons have very basic themes.

If you have been watching the news on television, you know the world seems to be running out of control, like a rockslide with boulders bouncing everywhere. Sometimes, I start to wonder what could happen next. It would be easy to just stay in bed in the morning and cover my head. There are many mornings I am tempted to do that. There are wars and rumors of wars, severe storms, and people are chasing chaos like it was a rugby ball.

So, what do we do, or what should we do? The youngsters in Vacation Bible School are hearing the answer this week. We can put our trust in Jesus. No matter how crazy things get Jesus has the answer. He died on the cross and gave us eternal hope. No matter what happens He has his arms around us and will give us eternal peace. So just maybe the lessons the children are getting this week are not so basic, because they are the lessons that can stand up to everything the world can throw at us. In the end, our trust in Jesus is our salvation. He did not come into the world to condemn it, but that the world might be saved. Trust in Jesus.

 

May God Bless You,

Layman Ray

My Easter Prayer

I pray all of my brothers and sisters in Christ can celebrate the risen Lord in peace this year.  I pray that those who do not know Jesus will learn about him and accept him as their savior. Our God is an amazing God, and may we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

The Light!

 

The Light

 

Yes, Jesus is the Light!

For Him alone we live.

He gave the blind their sight.

Yes, Jesus is the Light!

Only through Him we might

Have faith enough to give.

Yes, Jesus is the Light!

For Him alone we live.

 

This was a triolet poem that I attempted to write in 2008.

January has kept me busy this year. I plan to get more articles out on a regular basis. If you have any thoughts or comments, please feel free to share them.

I hope you have a blessed day.

Layman Ray

FLURE Revival Reminder

                 Today, my wife and I have been enjoying watching snow flurries outside of our kitchen window. We live in the southeastern part of the United States, where we do not see a lot of snow, so it is a treat to watch it. Snow flurries start with little white fluffy flakes gently falling. Then, you notice some of it sticking to the ground. Next, you see white patches on the back deck, and finally those patches start merging to create a light blanket of snow.

A few years ago, I authored an article called FLURE Revival for the website allsoulscount.com. The premise was that during Jesus’ ministry, He seemed to focus on five key areas when addressing his followers. Those areas were:

·         Forgiveness

·         Love

·         Unity

·         Repentance

·         Evangelism

You may note that I did not mention prayer, but that is because prayer is foundational to all of these. I was looking for the key teachings and examples Jesus imparted to those who believed in Him.

                As Christians, when we learn to forgive others and to truly seek forgiveness from others, we can have a significant impact on both non-believers and our fellow believers. They will see that we are walking the walk, and this will enhance how others perceive Christian integrity.

                When we strive to live a life of sacrificial love, those we encounter are positively affected. Loving the way Jesus loved us is an incredible goal. Imagine how many marriages would be strengthened if couples did this, how many lives would improve if we served others with love, and how much your life would change if you took the time to love others as a Christian. Once we push aside our own egos and put others first, we open a whole new life of enrichment for everyone.

                Unity among the followers of Jesus is something He prayed for the night before his crucifixion. Yet, the world often sees Christians fighting among themselves. We need to focus on what is truly important. If you take the gospel down to the main message, that is where our focus should be. John 3:16 – 17 is where our focus needs to be. God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish. For Jesus did not come to the world to condemn the world but to save it. That is where we should find our unity.

                Repentance should be a key part of our lives. This goes along with seeking forgiveness. We need to not only seek forgiveness but also turn away from sins in our lives. The world watches Christians with a critical eye, so we need to live like we believe in the message.

                Evangelism is the last of the group, but it is vital. The world is filled with people who are lost and sometimes, that sounds too simple. If we want to be blunt, we will say the world is full of people who are destined for eternal damnation. If we believe that Jesus is the only way to salvation, and I do, then we need to try to reach those who are lost. God sent his Son because all souls truly count. We are his hands and feet to spread the good news. God has made it amazingly easy for people to get on track for an eternity of joy and love. Our job is to share that message with them. God absolutely loves everyone, and He has given Himself to bring them to safety. So, we need to show the world the same love and share this blessed news.

                Why did I mention the snow? I see FLURE Revival working in the same manner as the snow flurries outside my window. At first, it may appear in scattered areas around the world, but as more Christians start putting these five areas into practice, it will begin to spread. Can you imagine the impact we, as Christians, could have on the world? A united group going out to the world in love, living lives that honor the Lord, and sharing the gospel of hope and love. 

                I pray that my life serves our great and wonderful Father in a way that brings Him joy. This year, my New Year’s resolution is to do more to serve him. That is my hope for all of you.

 

May you all be blessed, Layman Ray