In my twenties, I learned a new word - grey. This newly spelled word , when talking about color, has the same definition as gray. Of course many of us know that both words are of a dull color between white and black. I do remember though, that when I heard this new spelling of the word grey, I didn't like it at all. Why can't gray be gray - this new grey looks crazy.

Tomato - when I heard that a tomato was a fruit and not a vegetable, well lets just say I wasn't very happy. This didn't make sense to me! I found out that a tomato was a fruit long before it was heavily debated in the news about changing the tomato to a vegetable. Now that made sense! Let's change the tomato to a vegetable! Someone must have messed up with its definition a long time ago, because a tomato just isn't a fruit. I know my fruits and vegetables, and a tomato is just not a fruit!!!

I could easily use this introduction to talk about how we are heavily influenced on what we learn early in life, and it's hard to change our views. I'm sure 'grey' would have been fine, if I would have learned grey first and not gray. Then, I imagine, 'gray' would have been the 'stupid' way to spell it.

I'd rather speak about everything being debatable.

Being in sales most of my life, I think I could debate both sides of an argument. We have debated everything to 'death', almost to the point where I'm really getting sick of debating. You know the familiar song: You say potato, I say potato, you say tomato, I say tomato; tomato - tomato, potato - potato, lets call the whole thing off. The point of this song is this: we can debate, debate, debate all we want, but there's a time when we have to say "let's just agree to disagree", because we're tired of debating! Haven't we done this with Godly things? So much so, that there is a church on every other city block, believing they are correct in doctrine, and teaching something different. If I were a soul (lost or found) searching for the truth, I'd probably get so frustrated, I'd want to call the whole thing off.

I believe God brought my wife Jessica to me for a reason. If you know Jessica, she is very black or white, there's not a whole lot of gray (I'm sorry I just can't bring myself to type 'grey'). I on the other hand have spent a lifetime in the gray. I could reason anything. I could tell you to feel sorry for the homosexual, because they were probably conditioned that way. Whether they were abused as a child, or missed out on a healthy male/female role model relationship... Jessica's view: homosexuality is sick, wrong, and all homosexuals are going straight to hell. The murderer. My view: well something must have triggered it, or they must have learned this violence by watching violence... Jessica's view: It is wrong, the Bible says its wrong, and all murderers will receive great wrath from God, they will probably go to hell. I'm thankful that Jessica has learned over the years that all can be forgiven and people of this nature can get to heaven (thank you Jesus). I am thankful that I'm not so much in the gray anymore, that when the Bible says it's wrong, it is wrong.

The point of this e-mail is this: we can justify and debate almost anything; however, souls are looking for truths and absolutes. Thanksgiving is coming up, so let's ponder this for a minute. Why is there so much heart-ache when families get together? Is it the debating, is it that each of us has the 'right' answers, is it the food (I think not!), is it because there is judgment and persecution to those that don't believe what we believe?  Do you hear what I am saying? Let's quit focusing on our differences and our beliefs (even at church). Let's talk about what we have in common.

Many years ago, I realized that it's during these family get-togethers that the name of Jesus is seldom spoken (even amongst the Christian families). Yes, we might say His name during prayer, but the rest of the time, it's talk about the weather, football, gossip, food, kids...

If we do talk about Jesus, then are we debating? It hurts my heart year after year that the name of Jesus is seldom spoken. Jesus is the primary 'one' that I am thankful for, yet where's His name? I discussed sexual immorality, murderers, sinners. In the name of Jesus, the battle over sin has been won!!! Thank you Jesus!!!

The name Jesus is not that hard to say. If you are getting together with lost relatives especially, the name of Jesus should be dripping off of your tongue. He is the only hope, truth, light, savior, and bread they need (we need). When you speak the name of Jesus, let it not be in debatable doctrine, let His name sound so sweet that all who hear His name from you want Him so 'bad' they can taste it. Let's not point out each other's sins, or the sins of those not in attendance. If you do talk about sin, let it be your own weaknesses (sins), then talk about what Jesus did for you to save you. Let there be true THANKSGIVING!!!

Click and listen to the video below.

In Jesus Name,
In His Hands,
Love, Glen