One Chance
“We all pray to the same God” — nice thought but is that true?
“All dogs go to heaven!” — another nice thought but is that true?
When people make these kinds of statements, do they really believe it? Or are they fishing for a cosigner to agree with them … as if adding to their number of “believers” will turn the cosmic wheel of truth towards their reality? With all due respect, TRUTH isn’t a popularity contest!
I don’t know about you but I believe in an absolute truth. There is black. There is white. There may be 50 shades of gray but there is only one black. In music, the key of C is not C sharp or B. A tensile deviation from the standard strings of a piano will produce an awful chord.
A dear friend of mine is dying of brain cancer. Her memory is almost gone. When she still had her facilities, I tried to explain that Jesus Christ died for her and it wasn’t how good she was but her faith that was the measure of her salvation. But she dismissed my message and said she already knew all about it. She said she grew up in church. Knowing her, I knew her understanding was different from mine. Anyone can proclaim they are Christians but their actions speak louder than words. I’m not a better person nor am I that knowledgeable. All I wanted was to compare notes. I only wanted to share. But she had her own ideas. A fireman cannot force you to leave a burning building.
For all you know, she genuinely had faith. Problem solved! Yet I wish I had persisted because now it’s too late. Her brain’s gone.
Do we all pray to the same God? Do all dogs go to heaven? For my friend’s sake, I sure hope so because we only have one chance in life.
Of course this is just me.
And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,
— Hebrews 9:27
TGIF people!
A Second Opinion
Shared by Lois of Whittier, CA
This is my all-time favorite joke, so I probably have already told it to you. It was told by one of the funniest guys who ever lived, the talented Rodney Dangerfield.
Here’s a LINK to Rodney’s website which has a lot of his material.
How to Survive a Knife Attack
Sent by Don of Kelowna, B.C.
Very practical approach to a knife wielding predator. Short and funny.
Scammers in China
Sent by Art of Sierra Madre, CA
Tariff Wars with China cover the news. Here’s a video explaining how scamming is done in China. Of course not all Chinese are scammers but sadly it is an essential part of the Chinese culture. If you’ve purchased shoddy stuff from Ebay, you know what I’m talking about. I know a personal friend who moved her whole family to China to train the locals. There was a contract for her to teach for several years but as soon as they learned how to do things, they let her go. This video is pretty long.
Positive Words
Sent by Naomi of North Hollywood, CA
Snopes.com says this video about Thomas Edison isn’t factual but the lesson is still good. Words are pretty powerful. Be careful how you use them.
Don’s Puns
From Don’s collection of puns
Parting Shot
Thanks to Naomi of North Hollywood, CA who shared this photo
People from all over the world send him jokes and Raoul sends those jokes back with his original sketches. 
Chuck
July 13, 2018 at 11:36 am
Just lost my friend Gene a couple of weeks ago. I missed seeing my old boss and friend for the last time. Gene was the VP that hired me when my other friend, Dan took me for the interview. I learned a lot from both and both are gone now. So we know that our life here doesn’t last forever.
Thanks Raoul for your thoughts on this – I totally agree with you friend and it is valuable to share. As I have shared with you my friend Mark (An S.C. Grad – but that’s OK too.) – you often say, “It is only my opinion, but is should be everybody’s.”
Thanks Raoul!
Blessings,
(:>}) – Chuck
Tom
July 13, 2018 at 11:39 am
I might say your Two cents worth is under evaluated — Truth and Salvation are priceless in my humble opinion.
I pray every day that I can be what God wants me to be. Trivial pursuits pale in comparison to the benefits of Eternal Salvation.
Thanks for the reminder and I hope your thoughts help steer those around us to focus more on the Eternal.
Tom
Lee M
July 13, 2018 at 11:41 am
Thanks for this Raoul. It is so true that “all roads do NOT lead to Rome.” Having conducted many funerals over the years, it is amazing how often at those moments that most everyone wants to say something good about the person and assure that the departed loved one will be in heaven. The old rule of thumb for clergy is not to send anyone to hell at a funeral and if there is not much good you can say about the departed, you read a lot of Scripture and seek to comfort the family and loved ones with understanding.
I also never sent anyone to heaven at a funeral if it was obvious that they were not going there, but focused on those who loved. I only attended one funeral where the pastor said the person who died went to hell and if you don’t want to follow him, you need to accept Christ. It was a correct message and the WRONG time and showed no compassion for those who survived. I have often shared the Gospel at a funeral and encouraged persons to come to faith and that is especially easy to do if the departed loved one was a Christian and it showed. I am doing one of those services next week and I know the family would be offended if I did not share her faith and encourage others to come to faith. Most attending will already know the Lord (her kids and grand kids), but others may come.
Blessings to you and Jackie and thanks for your good word!
Pastor Lee of Arizona
Raoul
August 3, 2018 at 3:30 pm
Hi Pastor Lee,
Thanks for your comments. I always wondered about funerals from a
pastor’s perspective.
Indeed, it’s a delicate balance of diplomacy and truth.
I was so sleepy when I wrote that piece last night that I couldn’t
review it anymore. I just sent it. I was praying in my sleep that this
will be received positively by my readers … especially the
non-believers (and there are a lot of them). I wouldn’t be surprised if
I get a lot of “unsubscribes” — so your letter is quite an
encouragement. Thank you.
Lee
August 3, 2018 at 3:35 pm
Thanks Raoul. I appreciate your comments and I wanted to affirm what you said before it got away from me. Most of us in ministry try to walk a fine line at such services.
On one occasion I had a service in the midwest for someone I did not know, but heard that he was a Baptist church member, so I affirmed his faith and good life. Afterwards his son came up to me and said I missed the boat on the service and told me everyone knew his dad was a SOB and all knew he was going to hell! I shrugged my shoulders and simply said to his son that I was sure that no one wanted me to say that at the service!
It taught me to be more careful at such moments and not to affirm what could not be affirmed, but at the same time not to send someone to heaven when most thought that was not the case! Oh the joys of ministry!!
Thanks again for all you do. Some weeks are quite busy and I am traveling so I don’t always get to read your postings, but I try to do so as often as I can.
Blessings to you Raoul!
Lee
Raoul
August 3, 2018 at 3:36 pm
Haaa!!
You win some … you lose some.
It must be a real challenge. I will remember this in case I do have to do a eulogy.
So glad you are part of my TGIF family.
TGIF!
Lee
August 3, 2018 at 3:37 pm
Yep! Some days it pays to stay in bed, but then, most of us can’t! Keep up the good work!
Lee
Rick
August 3, 2018 at 3:28 pm
Hi Bro,
Rodney is awesome and you nailed his look and expression in that second characterchure. I took a quick look at his website but will return soon. Thanks for the TGIF and of course your talent you share with us every Friday.
Rick