“You Can’t Go Home Again.” That novel by Thomas Wolfe has also become a common phrase in today’s society.  It is a phrase that may or may not be true depending on how you interpret it.  You see, a little over a year ago, I moved back to the area that I grew up in. I grew up in a small town in upstate New York and in 1996, I moved away from that area.  I remember the eagerness to begin my new life as I drove away from the area that evening.  I also remember thinking; “I will never be back here to live.”

However, I have found another popular saying to be true.  What is that saying?  “Never say never!”  God has a way of putting you right where He wants you and it turned out, at least for right now, He wants me “home”.  Now, I really could not go home again.  My dad passed away in 1996 and my mom would later follow him to Heaven in 2003.  The house I grew up in is long sold, the company that I worked for for a number of years is now sold and many of my favorite restaurants and hangouts in the area have been closed or are no longer there.  However, I must admit that I have enjoyed being in the area again.

However, today I pose a much more important question. How is your relationship with Christ?  Are you living the life that He has planned for you?  Are you living in the center of God’s Will?  That is what Christ desires for you! God’s Will is a tough thing to find sometimes!  Oh, there are many verses in the Bible that tell you exact things that are God’s Will.  An example might be 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” However, God’s Will for your life is not always spelled out in chapter and verse in the Bible.  For example, there was no verse in the Bible that said “Scott, move to Pennsylvania.”  However, there is no doubt in my mind that for that period of time in my life, it was God’s Will for my life.  It is through much prayer and meditation that you seek and eventually find God’s Will for your life.

Like a lot Christians, I have spent time this week reading in the Bible the events that led up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  I consider Easter to be the greatest holiday of the year.  Many people will say that we could not have Easter without Christmas and I cannot argue with that.  However, I submit that we would not celebrate Christmas had it not been for the events of that Easter weekend so many years ago.

So, what it is about that Easter weekend that attracts Christians far and near?  In my opinion, the events leading up to and including the crucifixion of Jesus Christ reflect the single greatest act of love in the history of mankind. 

Jesus was falsely accused and put on trial.  Even Pilate, the governor, knew there was fault to be found in Jesus (Luke 23:4).  Even though, Jesus was falsely accused He knew that the only way to save mankind was for Him to die on the cross on our place.  So, what makes this a great act of love?

The Bible says “But God demonstrated His own love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, KJV).  Stop and think about that for a minute.  Christ died for us before we were born.  One of my favorite lines in a song is found in a song written by the great Ronnie Hinson and Mike Payne titled “When He Was On The Cross.”  The line in the second verse says “Though His eyes were on the crowd that day.  He looked ahead in time.  For when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.”  What an incredible thought that Jesus Christ, while He hung there on a cross, being mocked, tortured and scorned, had ME and YOU on HIS mind! 

I have been contemplating for a while reviving my editor’s column.  After much consideration and prayer, the decision was made to begin a column once again.  This column will not be notes about this website or even the Southern Gospel Music Industry.  Of course, both this website and Southern Gospel Music are big parts of my life so they will likely be mentioned from time to time in this space but I am going to write about whatever I feel like writing about.  It may be such that no one will read a single word I write but that is okay.  I am doing what I feel I have been led to do.

This column is about books!  I love to read.  What books do I read?  Well, I am quite diverse in that area.  I hardly ever read fiction.  I am not sure why it is but I simply do not really enjoy most fiction.  I do enjoy biographies about nearly anyone!  The usual subjects of the biographies I read are business leaders or athletes. I also read a lot of books from some of today’s Christian authors and the books I am going to cover in this space today are books from three of the top Christian authors.

I NEVER THOUGHT I’D SEE THE DAY
By: Dr. David Jeremiah

I have been reading through this book as part of a men’s Bible Study at my church.  We are in the final chapter of the book and it has been an eye opening study of some of things that are going on in the United States today.  The Bible Study group at my church has included some audio CD’s of Dr. Jeremiah preaching this points as well as study guides which include some thought provoking questions.

So, what is the book about?  This book has ten chapters, nine of which expound upon points that Dr. Jeremiah thought he would never see happen in the United States, but sadly they are occurring even right now.  Dr. Jeremiah gives many examples of these and gives encouraging words on how we, as Christians, can combat these changes.  I found the book very insightful and if you are concerned about the current direction of the United States, this book is a must read.  I consider myself to be quite knowledgeable on current events but this book really opened my eyes to the current state of the country.  It is a great read and will really assist you in understanding how some of the events of today are affecting life in the United States and what some of the ramifications of those events are.

HANDLE WITH PRAYER
by: Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley has always been a favorite author of mine.  In this book he tackles the subject of prayer in a Christian’s life.  This is a great book no matter where you are in your Christian walk.  Regardless, if you were recently saved or if you have been a Christian for several years, this book will have something for you. 

Dr. Stanley has eleven chapters in the book covering all aspects of your prayer life.  Chapters like “Why Our Prayers Go Unanswered” and “How To Pray In The Will Of God” will not only strengthen you prayer life but also your walk with God.  I like Dr. Stanley because he pulls no punches and tells it like it is.  The book certainly strengthened my prayer life and taught me to pray with more authority and how to look, and often wait, for God’s answers to my prayers.  The book also includes a study guide in the back of it that would make a nice 13 session group study.  I expect that I will use that in the future!