The design shows a photo of fall leaves that fades out from color to black and white to nothing. You’ll also see that the design has an ornate frame and the phrase “I, the Lord, do not change” which is found in Malachi 3:6.

The basis for the design is the idea that everything we know changes. Time continues on and almost nothing stays the same. People get older, days get shorter/longer, and seasons change. In the fall the leaves of deciduous trees all change colors and fall off in preparation for winter. With all of these changes going on, we get used to it. We also take for granted that things change and expect all things to be like that. This can be difficult when we’re facing problems and need something/someone to be consistent.

There are numerous places in the Bible that talk about God’s unchanging character. He always has been and always will be the just, holy, righteous Creator of the universe. He will also always be the forgiving, merciful God that sent His Son to take our place. The fact that God doesn’t change is something that bring solace to all of those who are Christians. Regardless of the trials and tribulations we face, God doesn’t change. He is always there and always will be…

The design is a lot like our Freedom to Preach design. It is the result of efforts in my hometown to squelch student led prayer before a high school football game. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The First Amendment was added (along with the rest of the Bill of Rights) to ensure that the liberties that the Americans had just fought for would not be taken away from them by their newly elected officials. One of the main reasons that many of the colonies of our country were started was the freedom to practice their religion. The majority of the people who came here did so from the British Isles. Most of them were Protestants who were fleeing the oppressive reign of the Catholic kings in their homeland. As the colonies grew, the UK began to set boundaries on what they could and couldn’t do. When our nation finally won it’s freedom from the UK, it set about laying out a foundation of checks and balances to prevent any one person or group from gaining power over the others. They left much of the power of the nation to the people and the states in which they lived. Most of the people of America just wanted to live their lives with as little government intrusion as possible. This is how the government was set up.

When the Constitution was created, it was done so with this in mind. Through long arguments, the founders set up the basis for the government that still rules our nation today. When the Constitution was sent to the states to be ratified, it was stalled until the Bill of Rights was added. These 10 Amendments to the Constitution protected the liberties of the people from the power that was possible if the government ever grew too big. The first of these amendments prohibited the Federal government from establishing a national religion. It also prevented the Federal government from prohibiting the free exercise of religion. It is important to keep in mind that the religion the Amendment is talking about is (for all intents and purposes) Christianity. When it talks about religions, it is referring to the different denominations within Christianity and not necessarily to other religions.

Since the founding of our nation, the first amendment has been twisted and torn from it’s original context and misused by those who wish to erase God from our country. Many say that this amendment’s purpose was to erect a wall of “separation between church and state”. The problem with this is that this phrase is not found anywhere in the Constitution. It is from a letter by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists. The letter Jefferson wrote is in response to one that the Danbury Baptist Association wrote him. In it, they congratulated him on his election to the presidency. They also expressed concern about their religious liberties. They said that religion is between God and man and felt that the government had no power to extend its control to whether or not someone practices religion. They specifically expressed concern that  those in power would try to remove the liberty to practice their (Baptist) faith or cause suffering, harm, or reproach for that same practice.

In his response, Jefferson talks about a “wall of separation” being made between church and state by the first amendment. The sad irony of this is that the way Jefferson saw it was the wall was there to prevent the very things that are happening today. The separation of church and state (still not in the Constitution by the way…) was to prohibit the state (federal) government from interfering with the freedom to practice religion. In other words, in Jefferson’s view, the “wall” kept the federal government hemmed in instead of keeping the freedom of religion out. This is not what’s happening today. Now, the federal government and the gross abuse of power by the courts has all but erased the free practice of religion where Christianity is concerned. For other religions, like Islam and atheism, there are seemingly no bounds. You can do whatever you want without care or fear of the government stepping in and silencing you. Schools in Michigan are moving their football practices to 4AM to accomodate Muslims practicing prayer and observing Ramadan. Where is the uproar? Atheism is all but mandatory in schools under the guise of scientific objectiveness and not one thing is said (in case you’re unaware, that’s what evolution is touted as…objectiveness…in reality, it’s just the proselytizing of children into atheism/secular humanism with your consent). However, if you even think of mentioning the name of Jesus or talking about the God of the Bible, there is a threat of lawsuit and the federal government comes down like the Gestapo.

The sad thing is, all of this is thinly veiled under the desire for tolerance. The people trying to rid America of Christianity and its Christian foundation are doing so in the name of tolerance. It only proves that they have no understanding of what true tolerance is. It also shows that they really don’t understand Christianity. If they did, they would realize that Christianity is the most tolerant of all religions. They would realize that it is because of Christianity and the doctrines therein that they even have the freedoms they enjoy now. Our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs. Those beliefs are essential to our nation staying the nation that it is, whether you practice those beliefs or not. The foundation of our nation was built on the freedoms and liberties given to us, including the freedom to pray…to pray for our nation, its leaders, and even those who hate our God and our beliefs in public and without fear.

The scriptural reference for this design is Matthew 5:13-16:

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

This is how Christ says believers are supposed to be in the world. We are to be salt and light. Salt seasons everything it touches. It is used to bring flavor to a meal. In the same way, Christians are to bring Christ to everything they touch. When Jesus talks about the salt becoming tasteless, He is talking about it not effectively working like it should. When this happened, the synagogues would collect it and use it during bad weather for traction on the steps, thus it would be trampled under foot by men.

Not only are Christians to be salt, they are to be light. Light shines and defeats darkness. You can never be in a situation where you turn on a light in a dark room and the light cannot be seen. As a matter of fact, the human eye can pick up very low levels of light. Christians are to be light in the dark world around them. Amid the murderers, rapists, idolaters, lusters, liars, and thieves; they are to shine the truth of Christ into the hearts of men. It is not to be hidden under a basket, but to be held up high so that the light goes to all men. The light of Christ is to shine so that men can see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.

These leaves only one question, are you being salt and light in the world?

The basis of the design comes from Matthew 7:1-5. This is probably one of the most misused passages in the entire Bible. There are many people today (including many non-Christians) who say that it is flat out wrong for Christians to judge anyone, for any reason. They use phrases like the following:

“The Bible says ‘Don’t judge’”

“You can’t judge me, only God is my judge!”

“I’m the same as everyone else.”

These are interesting to say the least and I have a response to each of them. When people say that the Bible says not to judge, my first response is “Where?”. I find that 90% of the time, they don’t even know where it says that and they’re just repeating something they heard from someone else. When someone tells me that I can’t judge them because only God is their judge, I can’t help but smile. I wonder if the people actually realize what they’ve just said. My response is something along the lines of “Well, at least we agree that God is going to judge you…” My response for the last statement is different depending on the attitude of the person, but usually talks about how they are like everyone else. I tell them about how all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. That their sins will send them to hell just like everyone else.

The truth is, the Bible doesn’t say that it’s wrong to judge. In John 7:24 Jesus says, “Do not judge by appearance, judge by righteous judgment”. He doesn’t say that it’s wrong to judge, just that we shouldn’t judge by appearance. This coincides with Matthew 7:1-5. In this passage, Jesus talks about not judging and says that we should take the log out of our own eye before we take the speck out of our brother’s eye. He never says that we shouldn’t take the speck out of our brother’s eye, only that we should take the log out of our own eye first. This means that if we are dealing with a sin and committing that sin, then we really don’t have any ground to tell someone else that that sin is wrong until we deal with it in our own life. Jesus says this because He has just gotten done telling His disciples not to act like the Pharisees (who were judging others for sins they were committing) and pagans.

Christians have been given the righteous judgment of God. If we use His judgment to determine where others stand in relation to Him, or to tell others that something is wrong, then we have judged by righteous judgment (if the scripture is in context!). We are to tell others that sin is wrong so that they understand their need for a Savior and will repent of their sins and put their faith in Christ. Where do you stand?

The design uses some simple graphic elements as well as color to portray the love and joy of being in the presence of God and praising Him for what He’s done for us. As Christians, we have the privilege to come before the throne of God with boldness/confidence to ask Him for grace and mercy in times of need (Heb. 4:16). We also have the joy of praising Him for protecting us, providing for us, and most of all saving us from certain destruction. He has given us much to be thankful for and deserves to be praised just for who He is, much less what He’s done.

If you’re having a rough day, you can still praise God for who He is. Life in itself is a blessing. He is good to us and even disciplines us because He loves us. If you are having a great day, then rejoice! It is a perfect time to lift up your voice and sing to the Lord of Heaven.

If you’re not born again, then much of this probably doesn’t make sense. Christians rejoice because God has, in His grace, decided to forgive us of our sins and erase them. He has cleared our consciences of guilt and made us His own. He has saved us from His wrath and allowed us to have the assurance that we will be in heaven when we die. If you don’t have any of that, then you are in danger, regardless of how great your life is. The Bible says that it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment (Heb. 9:27). Once you stand before God, He will judge you for every thought, word, and deed committed in your life. All the lies, lusting, theft, disobeying your parents, hatred, and other sins will be laid bare before God and if you have no way to pay for them, you will be cast into hell for eternity. This may seem unfair, but it would to a criminal wouldn’t it? It is right because God is holy, just, righteous, and perfect. He is eternal as well, so punishment in hell is the only just action to be taken. But, God has made a way for you and I to be spared this tragic end.

If you will repent of your sins (turn from them) and put your faith in Jesus Christ and His death on the cross to pay for your sins, the Bible says that you will be born again and that you can have the same assurance that when you die, you will be saved from hell and enter heaven; not because of what you did, but because of what Christ did. Will you do it? Will you repent of your sins and put your faith in Christ? If so, then you and I can praise God together today!

The design is meant to remind others of the truth of the state of affairs in our nation. While there are many who would like nothing more than to see Christians silenced, the fact remains that the freedom to preach the gospel of Christ is protected by the First Amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

There is a lot here, but it is interesting (to say the least) that freedom of religion is in the first amendment, that the founders thought of this first. I would imagine that it’s because they actually knew the history that lead up to this point. Many people had come here (as far back as the 1600′s) to escape the persecution of the British monarchy. They desired to worship God freely without the interference of the crown. At this time, the crown and the religious leaders were working together and oppressing the people for their own reasons. Those that moved away to the new land did so in order to be able to worship God as the Bible said and not as the king said. The majority of the people that first came here were not that diverse. They came from a small area (the British Isles) and most of those were Protestants. As more people came over the ocean, the desire grew, although the religious affiliations were still Protestant in nature. It is this background, as well as the faith of the founders themselves, that kept faith in the forefront as the nation was forged. 53 of the 55 founders were Christian (contrary to what is taught in schools today), with many being highly active in their churches. Some of these men even had there names on a pew in their church!

The First Amendment says that Congress cannot make a law that would establish a state religion. While many people think that this is talking about all religions, there is at least some indication that their intent was really only to deal with Christian denominations. It also says that Congress can’t make a law prohibiting the free exercise of this religion. In the same sentence, the freedom of speech is elaborated as well. No law is to be made that prohibits the free exercise of religion or speech. The problem is, this is exactly what’s happening.

It’s not happening for Muslims. It’s not happening for Hindus or Buddhists either. It’s happening for Christians. Any time that a Christian stands up and speaks the truth of what scripture says, they are talked down or taken to court. Any time a Christian applies their faith to their business practices or decisions, they are sued. Don’t believe me? Look at Dearborn, Michigan. A few Christians went to a Muslim festival to hand out literature and gospel tracts. These tracts gave the readers the Christian view on Islam and the truth of what it takes to be saved. In about 5-10 minutes, the three men were surrounded by eight policemen who tried to move them to a corner a few blocks away from the festival where there was no traffic. When the Christians asked about their rights under the First Amendment, they were arrested for sharing their faith. There was no violence and, while the discussion was passionate, it was respectful. And yet, the Christians were arrested (with shouts of “Allahu Akbar” in the background). This year, the city of Dearborn passed a law prohibiting the distribution of Christian literature at the Arab American festival.

It is also happening when Christians speak out against homosexuality. Any time someone talks about homosexuality being a sin (which it is), they are attacked verbally and sometimes physically. Those who promote the homosexual agenda say that all they want is to be accepted. They talk about wanting tolerance for their lifestyle. The ironic thing is, they don’t seem to want to give the same respect and tolerance for those that disagree with their lifestyle. For tolerance to even exist, people have to disagree. I can’t tolerate you if we agree on an issue. But, that’s what the homosexual agenda wants. It’s no longer enough for those opposed to homosexuality to tolerate it; instead, they now want it to be promoted as a better lifestyle than heterosexuality. Homosexuals want the freedom to say whatever they want about Christianity no matter how debased or derogatory it may be. But, when a Christian wants the same freedom to speak out against homosexuality as a sin and abomination (see Leviticus 18/20, Genesis 18/19, Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10), it’s a tragedy and a “hate crime”. Freedom of speech is a freedom given to all Americans. While I disagree with a lot of what is said by a number of people, they are free to say it. I expect the same freedoms when I preach the truth of the gospel against any sin…

For now in America, we are free to preach the truth. It is becoming more imperative that we preach the truth while we have the freedom to do so…

The design incorporates the work of artist Gustave Dore, who woodcut illustrations are just amazing. It is a mixture of the woodcut for Ezekiel 37 and a scripture reference from Ephesians 5:14. Here is the text of Ezekiel 37:

The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones.  He caused me to pass among them round about, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and lo, they were very dry. He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord GOD, You know.”  Again He said to me, “Prophesy over these bones and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.’  “Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones, ‘Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life.  ‘I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am the LORD.’” So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them.  Then He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life.”‘” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel; behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.’ “Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. “Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people.  “I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it,” declares the LORD.’”  (Eze. 37:1-14)

The prophecy above is given by Ezekiel as God gives him a vision of something to come. He sees a valley of dry bones scattered about a plain. He is told to speak to these bones and they will live. Ezekiel speaks the Word of the Lord to the dry bones as he was told to do. As Ezekiel begins to prophesy over the bones, he hears a rattling and sees the bones begin to come together to form full skeletons. Then, the skeletons started taking on muscles and then flesh, but there was no breath in them. Ezekiel is told to prophesy to the breath and as he does so, the bodies that were once dead come to life and stand before him. Ezekiel calls them an “exceedingly great army”.  The prophecy is of the whole house of Israel and how God will bring them up out of death in into life, and then bring them home to their land.

The scripture reference in Ephesians 5 is below:

Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.  But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.  For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:11-16)

The amazing and wonderful news about Christianity is that God has now promised to do this very same thing for those who are dead in their sins. Many people are in this state and aren’t even aware of it. They are dead men (or women) walking. They have no idea their fate and the dangerous path they walk. But, God has promised that if a man or woman will recognize their sinfulness, repent of those sins, and put their faith in Christ alone to save them; He will take their dead, sinful body and breathe new life into it by His Holy Spirit dwelling in them and making them alive! This is the most amazing act of God’s grace and mercy man has ever seen. If you are one of those who have been living in sin, if you have spent your life rebelling against God, you still have time! You can repent of your sins (lying, stealing, lust, hatred, gossip, drunkenness, etc), and come to faith in Jesus Christ. He can remove the burden of shame and guilt for the sins that you’ve committed. All you have to do is repent and trust in Christ!

The design is a play on the recycle emblem. It shows a gradient of color moving through it from a dark green through yellow to a dark blue. The upper and lower right arrows are normal, but the lower left one has broken out of the cycle and points heavenward. The design says “Reduced. Reused. Regenerated!”.

The point of the design is three-fold. First, it is a play on the recycle emblem. Being “green” is a big deal nowadays (depending on who you ask). But that is less important as the other two reasons. First, the design is meant to point to the fact that Christianity sees eternity differently from any other religion on the planet. In Hinduism, it is believed that people who die are reincarnated into another form. The form a person takes depends on how they lived their previous lives. If they lived rightly and did good things, they will come back as a better person with a better life. If they have been evil and horrible, they’ll come back as someone in a lower caste (even though the system is supposedly no longer in use). If they’re really bad, they’ll come back as a roach or beetle.

For atheists and secular humanists, death is the ultimate end. There is nothing afterward and we end up being worm food. For Buddhists, we just cease to exist. For “good” Muslims (those who actually follow the Quran), they might be allowed into heaven and gain 72 virgins. There are many other views as well, but none are like Christianity.

In the Christian faith, there are two ultimate outcomes depending on the events that take place in a person’s life. If a person spends their life living in sin (lying, lusting, murder, hatred, idolatry, etc.) and does not repent of their sins, they will find themselves before God being judged for those sins. They will then be cast into hell for eternity to pay for the sins that they’ve committed. However, if a person recognizes their sins and how God sees them in light of those sins, they can be born again (regenerated). To be born again, a person needs to recognize their sins, repent of those sins, and put their faith in Jesus Christ alone to save them from their sins. This is what has happened to every true Christian in history, and it can happen to you if you’ll repent and trust in Jesus…

The design is in the Occupations section of our store and is a play on the Postal Worker. The design shows a red stamp with an image of Jesus and the Greek letters Alpha and Omega. Obviously, the postal workers make their rounds delivering our mail. Some of it is junk – circulars, efforts by car and cable companies to get us to use their service, etc – and some of it is stuff we need. Things like our bills (ok, you could argue that we don’t need these but…), letters (you know! those things that people write on paper…the old email?), and packages that we’ve ordered.

Unlike the postal workers, when we talk about Jesus delivering, we are talking about His sacrifice and the effect it has on anyone who recognizes their sin and repents. Jesus’ deliverance is from the sin in our hearts. He cleanses us completely and moves us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13). He has delivered those who repent and trust in Him from the wrath that awaited them from a just God who must punish sins. His deliverance is the most amazing thing that a man can experience.

Sadly, like the mail we receive, many don’t want anything to do with the deliverance that Jesus offers. They see His wonderful offer like you and I see the junk mail. They rebel against Him and mock His life and death. The truth is, the deliverance that Jesus offers is more valuable than the most precious piece of mail that we could ever get. If you haven’t been delivered by Jesus, please repent of your sins and trust in Christ alone to save you. Please, while there is still time!

The Chaldaic-Hebrew form, as ab is the Hebrew form, for the Greek pater, “father.” Instead of the definite article which the Hebrew uses before the word, the Chaldee or Aramaic adds a syllable to the end, producing thus the emphatic or definitive form. It is used to express a vocative case, and therefore is found in all the passages in which it occurs in the New Testament (being in all, an invocation): Mar_14:36; Rom_8:15; Gal_4:6.
The use of the Hebrew and of the Greek appellation addressed to the one Father beautifully suggests that the Spirit of adoption from Jesus, who first used the double invocation, inspires in both Jew and Gentile alike the experimental knowledge of God as our Father, because He is Father of Jesus with whom faith makes us one, and as our God because He is Jesus’ God. Compare Joh_20:17, “ascend unto My Father and (therefore) your Father. and to My God and (therefore) your God”; Gal_3:28, “there is neither Jew nor Greek, for ye are all one in Jesus Christ”; Eph_2:18, “through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the leather.” (Especially (See ABADDON above.) “Abba” was a title not to be used by slaves to a master, nor Imma to a mistress, only by children: see Isa_8:4. “Before the child shall have knowledge to cry Abi, Immi.”

It is an awesome thing to know that, while God is holy, just, and righteous; He is also a Father to those who are His. We can draw strength from Him and run to Him when we are in trouble. This is the greatest comfort when trials and tribulations come!