Uncle Jed Clampett's not so bright nephew, Jethro Bodine went to Oxford. Needless to say his self effacing Beverly Hills neighbors were impressed when they heard that. But they changed their minds quickly when they found out it was Oxford, Tennessee-back in the hills. he wasn't lying, he did go to Oxford, the school was by the low point in the creek, where the ox would ford it. If you don't get, you may have gone to the wrong Oxford-it's up to you to figure out which one it was.
So often when watching the Travel Channel they will mention a place, and Theresa will ask "have we been there?" And I can see why neophyte travelers would get confused. Mention the Ohio River Valley, and they don't realize you can ride it and never be in Ohio. Jackson? Is that New Jersey, Mississippi, Tennessee, or California? Been to all, actually spent nights in two. You can never leave Pennsylvania and visit both Indiana and California-both towns in the western half. Been to Milwaukie, Oregon and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Been through Portland in Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Maine.
And going there is different than saying I have been there. You can go to Oklahoma City and stay 20 miles outside of town in a Motel 6, and say you have been there. So when talk turns to where you have been this year, I always ask qualifying questions. Like, San Antonio, been on the river walk? Huh-didn't realize there was a river. Wonder if it has a low spot with a school called Riverford? And like many tourists, they take the chamber of commerce tour, and miss all the non-tourist stuff-really missing the personality of the area. Staying at a Motel 6-it's cheap and we have kids, and eating at McDonald's-same lame excuse. I have found when asking where to eat, the question is important. I have never found a clerk who won't recommend his motel's diner, but when asked where he would go quickly changes his mind. Not that they can't have a good meal there, but we would never have learned about El Chollo, The Golden Rule, or Petey's if we didn't word our question right. And many others, like the Mexican restaurant in Salinas whose name I can't remember-way off the main road, but some of the best we ever had. Sometimes you just need to ask-a Big Mac will still taste the same no matter what time zone you eat it in, but you may miss a local delicacy because of your fear of the unfamiliar. And with each anticipated new meal, a chance to go places never gone before-hopeful dining. And I have never been disappointed. Does going out to eat afterwards count as satisfied?
Christianity is like that. Unlike any other religion, it gives hope and an assurance of where you will go when you finally die. Sorry Mormons-your heaven isn't real, and you have no promise of it. Jehovah Witnesses-no hope, how would you like to be 144,001 in line when they cut it off? And what about those who have no belief in heaven? Why would anyone want to be a Muslim, when they have no promise, and all this coming from a God who has not one characteristic of love? Imagine believing in reincarnation, and being faced with the threat of coming back as a cockroach? It seems there is no level that people will sink to just to avoid the promise of heaven. But it really Jesus they are avoiding. And why when faced with Jesus, why will deny Him? What has He ever done to you? What part of love don't you get? What part of a hope and future don't you like? I have watched people wait for an hour in line to get a free room, but leave when offered a $20 suite when the rooms are gone. Only God is the real deal-and grace is truly free. I have seen good people believe wrong things, or fabricated gospel, sounded good, living their lives in chains-instead of accepting the truth of the Bible. And sadly, it is their choice. God sends no one to heaven-Jesus is the way out! And God grieves when even the vilest sinner goes there-such is His love. He doesn't want anyone to go to hell! But doesn't force you into heaven. Love isn't love if forced upon you-it must be given freely-and remember the accuser-Satan, will tell you different. So check it out with God, in His word. Don't believe all the travel brochures about other religions, and false promises. Go to the source, and get the truth.
You see I have been to paradise twice, once in Pennsylvania and once in California. And neither one was. I have been to Canaan, too-even New Canaan-not what Joshua was looking for. You see to plan a great trip, you need a reliable map. And you need to know where you are going. That is why God made it simple when He said Jesus is the way-the truth-and the life.
Great food, good memories, and always room at the inn. Book your place in heaven today-give your life to Jesus. Rooms still available-but don't hesitate. A place of Hope. And yes I have been there too, Arkansas and New Hope in Pennsylvania. Trust God, and not your neighbor-and if his name is Jethro, offer him hope. He needs it!
love with compassion-there is no place by that name, it is only found in Jesus,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com