NowTHINK!AboutIt

Christ Started In A Manger, Where Is He Now?

January 14, 2013 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

The Nativity Is Art Not An Argument

Jesus Is To Be Recognized
Not Found

Every Christmas we “celebrate” the birth of Jesus or at least we say we do but are we really celebrating or just memorializing?

We talk about Jesus in the past tense, like He used to be here but not now. The timing of His birth, where He was born and how desperate the circumstances were is the focus. We talk about it, play act it and build replicas of it but all of that looks back to a time in the past. A time that most of us can’t relate too.

Is that how we celebrate birthdays? We look at a person’s baby pictures and talk only about the circumstances of their birth, and we speak of them only in the third person, as if they aren’t present or living. That makes a great memorial, not a birthday celebration.

Christmas today paints the picture of the Jesus that was then. The question is where is He now? He accomplished a lot in the few years following His birth but is He finished? Was His impact only for that day and time?

When we celebrate the birth of Jesus two important facts should influence how we plan the party:

One, He rose from the dead. He is out of the grave not in it.
Two, He is a person. He has personal attributes. He does personal things, still.

So, if He loved people, felt their pain, communicated with them, connected with them and saved them 2000 years ago shouldn’t we expect Him to do the same now, even, and especially, at His birthday?

He said He came to seek and to save those who are lost then, and there is no reason to think His purpose has changed. He hasn’t stopped doing what He originally came to do.

So, instead of focusing on the Christmas story of 2000 years ago, let’s talk about the one that is still being written today. That focus will help us see that Jesus is doing the same thing now that He was doing then. The only change in today’s story is geographical. [Read more…] about Christ Started In A Manger, Where Is He Now?

Book Release: In Defense Of Divorce

January 12, 2013 by EnnisP 2 Comments

Why A Marriage
Should Never Be Saved
At The Expense
Of A Life

New book, In Defense of Divorce, defends divorce from traditional religious ideas, extenuating the guilt and reserving emotional energy for solving practical issues going forward.

The book explores such questions as:

Is divorce a sin or a solution?
Has religion over influenced public opinion on marriage, divorce and remarriage?
Did the Old Testament allow divorce?
What did Jesus teach about divorce in Matthew chapter five?
Does God really hate divorce?
How did Paul judge divorce matters?

And more.

Ennis Pepper, the author, experienced divorce first as a teenager when his parents broke up and later through other family members and friends. As a minister he witnessed the haranguing troubled couples experience when considering divorce and the rejection should they get one. And with a Bachelor of Biblical Studies degree and more than 25 years ministry experience he is able to address this topic confidently with both a biblical and practical perspective.

Get a FREE Kindle Reading App for any device (PC, Mac, Smartphones, Tablets) Amazon.com

Most people think of divorce as something to shun, not defend, so Ennis’ book title raises questions at the start. And since the divorce rate is reaching all time highs there is no indication that the general population lacks the courage to initiate a divorce so why bother defending the issue? [Read more…] about Book Release: In Defense Of Divorce

SACRP In The 2012 94.7 Cycle Challenge

November 25, 2012 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

I Now Know
Why They Call It
A “Challenge”

Whether you cycle professionally, to stay fit or just to be social, the 94.7 Cycle Challenge is a great option. I entered the race for the first time this year and plan to do it again next year, the Lord willing and finances allowing.

My daughter-in-law, Sara, rode with me and it was her first race of any kind. She is planning to be there again next year also.

Route Description

The route is circular starting on the M1 leading into Joburg and finishing at the picturesque Waterfall Estate. It mostly follows main thoroughfares around Joburg but briefly juts into a historic section of the city center before following the Nelson Mandela Bridge out of the city and along what is deceptively referred to as a rolling track which includes several types of roads: four-lane stop-start highways, freeways (national and metro) and two-lane roads in both residential and rural areas.

High Points

The list of high points is quite long and combined they helped create a great atmosphere for a road race. All credit goes to the organizers and to Joburgers for making that possible. The synergy was remarkable.

There were ten official water points all providing refreshments, mechanical assistance, medical support, and physio treatment. The longest distance to any table was 15 kilometers and that was the first two tables following the start. All other tables were separated by no more than 10 kilometers. Several were only 5 kilometers apart.

Loads of additional, yet unofficial, tables provided refreshments, toilets, mechanical assistance, and encouragement, all sponsored by small businesses and friendly people and at least one provided great humor. It featured a sign that read “EPO sponsored by Lance.” I got a good laugh out of that and later learned they were giving out shots of Tequila.

The ambiance was great! Hundreds of braaing spectators set up gazebos along the route and clapped and cheered riders on. Even large corporations set up additional stands to support the race and these stands really stood out. Organizers referred to these stands as “Power Zones.” They were so impressive, Sara and I paused at one thinking it was a water table but kept moving once we realized we were in the wrong spot. It was encouraging, however, to know the community was coming out to spend their morning – and afternoon – watching us ride. [Read more…] about SACRP In The 2012 94.7 Cycle Challenge

Surprise! You’re The Politician

November 6, 2012 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Politicians Respond Best
To Persistent People
And Thoughtful Arguments

It may not stay this way forever but for the present the most powerful political office in the world is that of the president of the United States of America. That means that US presidential elections mark a very important phase in the political cycle. Every four years the whole world is effected by this one election.

The President, or POTUS as he is referred to by the secret service, makes decisions in the oval office that have a ripple effect around the world and the rub is, only a fraction of the world’s population have a say in who sits behind the desk. It’s even more aggravating that only a fraction of those who can vote actually mark a ballot. It doesn’t seem fair that one person for whom most of the world cannot vote, makes decisions that effect every economy.

Frustrating! Not only for the non-voting but also for US citizens who feel a sense of separation from POTUS and his decision making process. When it comes to politics the commonly shared feeling is a sense of helplessness.

Modern political machinery is so super sized it overshadows constituents. It makes us feel victimized and insignificant, even smaller than ants. Politicians appear like giants, distant and disinterested.

Because of that, some people never do anything political other than grumble about the “bad” government too which we are unwillingly and unavoidably subjected. Some people never even vote because they can’t see how one measly vote can make a difference.

Well, I would like to counter that type of thinking by suggesting that any person with enough passion and thoughtfulness can influence public policy. We have choices that can make a difference and following are several examples of individuals who’ve proven that one person can influence change. [Read more…] about Surprise! You’re The Politician

Snickers, Snivels and Successes

October 24, 2012 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

The Inability To Do One Thing
Highlights Abilities To Do Others

We recently had Snicker Sunday at church. It was great fun and tasty too. Every person was given a Snickers Chocolate bar but the sermon wasn’t about the bar. It was a gimmick. It made people curious and allowed me to introduce a discussion on why people snicker at the perceived inabilities of others or snivel over the inabilities they don’t have.

Tales of this happening in the younger years are legion. Kids try to do some particular thing, academically, athletically or socially, and fail. Peers snicker and the failing individual snivels.

To start the discussion I introduced several disabled but notable people: [Read more…] about Snickers, Snivels and Successes