The Lord Is Coming, Are You Ready?

Chapter I: Born and Raised on a Farm

Oakland had a local movie theatre. The movies we watched were usually Roy Rogers or Gene Autry cowboy movies. This was fun for a young farm boy.

It was reported that Roger Banister was the first person to break the four minute mile. But really, I believe that I did. I attended a werewolf movie in the 5th grade and had to walk home after the movie. We lived a mile out of town. I got out of the movie, and the moon was full. I picked up my tempo. Out on the edge of town, and as I looked at the full moon, I picked up the pace to high gear all the way home. Yes, surely I must have broken the four minute mile!

One time I borrowed a pocket watch from a classmate, took it home, but broke it. The next day I told my friend at noon, “Let’s go find my dad and get 50 cents”. A town prankster heard of my ordeal. He told us to go to the bank and ask to borrow 50 cents at 6% for 6 months. Good idea! So, we went to the bank. Mr. Newman, the president of the bank, asked what we wanted. I said I wanted to borrow 50 cents at 6% for 6 months. He did not make the loan, but it made the local paper the following week! Growing up in Oakland proved to be a great experience. Reflecting back, I realized what a blessing it was to have fond childhood memories from my home town.

When I was about twelve years old, we had a dog named Jack. He came from Hooper, Nebraska, and the policeman from Hooper said Jack had to go somewhere or he was going to destroy him. Dad took him home. He was a good dog to watch the farm. One day I was walking with Jack behind the cows in the cow barn. Jack was next to a cow that kicked him. He turned toward me and bit me on the hand. I still have the scar today. I have always wondered why he did not bite the cow!

It was dangerous at times on the farm. My brother Don stepped on a scythe. I fell off the tractor, and my brother Harold was almost trampled by the pigs. We always enjoyed climbing up the windmill or walking around the roof of our two story home. The Lord was watching after us!

Chapter XXII: Trip to Sweden

On August 3rd, we experienced another highlight of the trip. We visited one of the oldest Christian churches in Sweden called Granhult Church. The oldest parts of the church dated back to the 1220’s.

I marveled how a baby named Jesus, born in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago, still affected our world today! God sent His Son, born of a virgin, who lived under God’s law, to be the atonement for our sins. Jesus came to redeem us so that we might receive the adoption of sons (Gal. 4:4, 5). The church still stands as a reminder that Jesus set us free from sin, fear, death, and judgment. He had to die for the sins of the world. God’s Word tells us that Jesus died on the cross, was buried, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven. As we walked through the very old church building, we realized that for hundreds of years God had revealed Himself to generations of Swedes. We know that those who have placed their faith in the completed work of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, and had believed in Him, would have eternal life. As we followed the path through the surrounding church graveyard, we marveled that on Christ’s return, those who had accepted Jesus as their Savior, having received the Holy Spirit, would experience a glorified body. How wonderful to know that those who had a personal relationship with Jesus had the Spirit of God living in them and knew that they were one of God’s children.

When you are born into His family, you become an heir of God. What peace we have knowing that as a child of God you will never face judgment, but will one day live in heaven with Him. Jesus said “I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there you may also be,” (John 14:2, 3). The greatest gift that anyone could ever receive is the free gift of God, the gift of salvation.

As we read in 2nd Thessalonians, our Lord is coming again. Are you personally ready? The way to get ready is to personally invite Jesus Christ into your life. Recognize that you have sinned. By faith acknowledge that Jesus paid the penalty for your sin by dying on the cross in your place. Again, by faith place your trust in what Jesus Christ has done for you. As the Spirit of God and the Word of God reveal truth to you, by God’s grace, receive the greatest gift God offers us, the gift of eternal life (Eph. 2:8, 9). With God’s help, we can repent and turn from our sins. Then give God the sacrifice of your praise and thanksgiving for what He has done and will continue to do in your life.

Chapter X: Getting Underway in the Insurance Area

Over the years, I have used various illustrations to help my clients see the benefit of disability income. One of my favorite sale techniques was to ask questions. I would ask the client if they had a car, a home, or food? The answer, most likely, would be yes. Then, I would ask, “Where does the income come from to purchase these needed items?” The answer would be, “It comes from my pay check.” Next, I would ask, “Where would the money come from if you didn’t have a paycheck?” The reply was usually, “It wouldn’t be there.” Therefore, my clients saw the need for disability income protection. This followed the idea of the goose and the golden egg. I would pose the question, “Was it better to insure the car, home, or the one making the money to buy the eggs?” The obvious answer was to provide protection for the person’s income if he became disabled. This was an easy illustration to use to help my clients see the benefits of using a disability plan.