Sometimes I look back over my life and meditate on what might have happened if I had made different decisions in my life. For example, if I hadn’t put in a job application that led to me being hired by a particular company, or if I hadn’t stopped to talk to a military recruiter that led me to spend a large portion of my life in the military–where would I be today?

How much different would my life be if I had I turned left instead of right, or if I had said “yes” instead of “no”?

One thing is for certain, my life would be completely different. The lives of other people would be completely different. It is a scary thought!

But this also helps me stay motivated to be a positive influence.

Everything we do has a ripple effect throughout the universe. One positive action can lead others to make choices that lead to huge changes in the cosmos. One negative decision can affect others for eternity.

This is called the Butterfly Effect in the world of physics. One small action sets off a chain reaction of cause and effect that can have a major significance in other places on planet Earth.

A cheerful smile might save someone’s life. A kind word might prevent a major act of violence. We might never know how our simple actions can affect the entire course of human history.

I have a magnet on my refrigerator door that reads : “To the world you might be one person. But to one Person you might be the world.”

One person can make a difference in the world. What kind of difference are you making? Think about it…Let’s be the channel of God’s love!

~Stephen Beagles

I have a confession to make that may surprise some of you. I hated school when I was a kid. It wasn’t the English, the Spelling, or the History classes that I hated. But I dreaded Math. Most of the time my homework was only half done in those classes, and I was lucky to pass with a “C”.

Since then I have made some improvements. I have done well in college courses that required me to exercise my math skills. However, I am still not convinced that I understand all I am supposed to know about balancing formulas and solving equations. I am grateful if I get my order of operations in the correct sequence during a math quiz.

Because of my prior experiences with math, I can understand why some people get scared of Bible doctrines that might as well be advanced algebra to many who are barely able to remember the multiplication tables.

But the good news is that God doesn’t expect us to solve a doctrinal formula to get through the gates of heaven. All that is expected is some basic math that we learned in elementary school–and we are even allowed to use our calculators! Even better news is that we are given the answers.

The basics of Christianity are simple enough for a small child that has parents who expect them to obey and punishes them when they don’t. Most parents demand an apology from their children before they are able to get out of trouble. Children are also rewarded for good behavior.

Well, as human beings we are all God’s children. We have broken God’s rules and now we must be punished. However, if we apologize to God then we can get out of trouble with him. He also rewards us for good behavior.

I am not saying that learning advanced doctrines is not beneficial, but I am emphasizing the point that the basics of Christianity are simple enough for a small child to comprehend. It requires some basic reasoning skills, and if we get stuck we can find all of the answers in the Bible.

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15, NIV

~Stephen Beagles

We are saved by trusting Jesus for the forgiveness of sin; we are blessed and rewarded by obedience to the Ten Commandments. Our salvation depends on simple faith in the blood of Christ, while our rewards in heaven depend upon our willingness to be obedient to God in all things. Without the law there is no need for a gospel, and without the gospel there is no genuine obedience to the law.

But mark my words: There is no holiness apart from the assurance of salvation in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2: 8-10

~Stephen Beagles

Those who think that it is hateful to call other religions wrong, do not have a problem with religion, but they have a problem with the nature of truth. Truth by definition is exclusive. To call something true means the opposite is false. This is simple logic.

If no one has the truth then what is the point of arguing for anything? But if the truth is knowable, then we are ALL responsible for knowing and defending it on the basis that it is the truth.

I don’t know how claiming that one knows and understands the truth is hate speech. Especially when that truth clearly states that God loves us and is willing to forgive our sins. Jesus said, “Love your enemies.” Now does that sound hateful to you?

Those who claim that God is vengeful and that Christ is hateful are simply lying through their teeth to promote their own agenda. Now, the last time I checked it was immoral to lie and deceive other people. Who hates who?

~Stephen Beagles