Category Archives: Sin

There, But for the Grace of God

Posted in Disneyland, Prayer, Salvation, Sin by


With all that’s been going on in our lives in recent months…I wouldn’t have guessed I’d be writing about Disneyland. But after a brief visit…my heart is full and my mind is mulling over what we encountered.

The Disneyland that I remember fondly from my youth sure has changed.

To celebrate Valentine’s Day and the anniversary of our first date I surprised Chris with annual passes to Disneyland. I figured in the coming months, especially after we purchased a home, it would be a nice getaway.

After a busy, hectic and stressful week…I decided to surprise Chris by getting away for the evening. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been to Disneyland. Maybe 10 years or more. In those intervening years I’ve changed a lot. My Christian faith isn’t just a “go to church on Sunday” kind of faith, but instead it’s deep abiding faith. It influences everything I do, say, see and participate in.

My desire is to seek God fully, to love Him and obey Him. There are days I’m still too full of myself and make poor choices…but thankfully under the guidance of the Holy Spirit I continue to grow daily. I’m forgiven for those times when I sin and by His grace I don’t repeat those sins.

I guess my point is that I see everything in my life through the filter of God and His word.

So when Chris and I went on a ride that I had been on many times in the past…I was surprised by my reaction. Instead of seeing the magic of the animation and adventure…I was seeing it through adult eyes…and one who loves Jesus Christ.

Pirates of the Caribbean…who wouldn’t like that ride? Well…namely me.

Pirates are not good people. They are evil people who engage in all manner of sin and revel in it. Remember recent the events when Somali pirates kidnapped a ship’s captain?

Even the Disneyland ride portrays pirate’s deeds. Let’s see…thievery, drunkenness, kidnapping, sexual immortality, rape, and murder to name a few. However you don’t come away from the ride deeply aware of the wickedness of their sin. Instead you come away humming the tune, “Yo ho, yo ho…a pirate’s life for me”.

Does it strike anyone odd that Disneyland celebrates with lightheartedness the adventures of being a pirate?

On we went to our next ride. How could you go wrong with Splash Mountain? Come on…it’s a kid’s ride.

But this time it wasn’t the ride that caused consternation…instead of was some people standing in line ahead of us. Their behavior caused just about everyone around them to turn away in discomfort or embarrassment.

There were two teen age girls in line, not more than 16 or 17 years old. In their inebriated state, they were engaging in intimate sexual contact with one another. Right in front of families with young children. One of the people around us said they appeared to be on Ecstasy. Whatever it was…they seemed to be on some weird trip and oblivious to everyone around them.

At first I was annoyed by their self centered inappropriate behavior. I was equally annoyed that Disneyland employees seemed to turn a blind eye to their inappropriate behavior. I didn’t know if I should try to find an employee to address the situation or just leave?

Most everyone around us turned away from the girls in embarrassment. Chris and I were glad that our presence blocked the view of a young boy with him mom from seeing the girls.

At first I also turned away. But as the situation continued…I was praying for these girls. Instead of turning away…I was looking at them and hoping that they might actually speak to me. I had a sense of their overwhelming state of being lost. That at such a young age…they were taking drugs and couldn’t distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate public behavior, much less the sinfulness of their actions.

Afterwards I was thinking about their parents. Do their parents have a clue about the depths that their children have sunk? Isn’t the fact that their bodies are heavily tattooed a clue that they may be troubled? What had their parents told them about right and wrong? Or is whatever makes them feel good about themselves that is permitted? Were the girls ever told about what God says in the Bible about homosexuality? Do they have a mom and dad at home? Are they waiting up for them, pacing the floor when they come home late?

When we got off the ride the girls were sitting off to the side. I’m not sure if they were sitting there of their own accord or if a Disneyland employee stopped them and called security.

Even after we left I found myself praying for those girls. Mostly for their salvation. It’s devastating to see young people giving themselves over to sin. Oblivious to the consequences, not only in this life, but for eternity.

If I had it to do over again, I would have probably got out of line and found an employee to address the situation. I would have also been in prayer for these troubled, deceived girls lost in their sin.

But thank you Lord…He is able to save completely all who call upon the name of Jesus Christ and receive forgiveness for their sins.

Lest I feel too good about myself or think I don’t sin, I remind myself, “There but for the grace of God, there go I.”


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Lying in Wait

Posted in Gossip, poem, Sin by


Gossip thinly disguised as a prayer request
Only serves to tear down and cause division

No one is exempt
From being the next victim

Leaders faithfully serving the body of Christ
Have decisions questioned at every turn

Those enduring trials and tribulation
Are a delicious topic of conversation for the gossiping tongue

Opinion and speculation
Pass for an intimate knowledge of the facts

Even the innocent bystander
May fall prey to the gossiping tongue

Gossips raise themselves up
By trampling on the reputation of another

The sin of gossip tears people down
Both the victim and the one with the uncontrolled tongue

Sometimes motivated by boredom
Gossip makes the perpetrator feel important

It gives the appearance of being “in the know”
Or the confidant of so many friends

Never is an opportunity lost to sully a reputation
Or call into question someone’s motives

Like an viper lying in wait
At an opportune moment…the gossip will strike with their venomous poison

Susan Bunts Wachtel
April 24, 2009

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Mean Girls

Posted in Beth Moore, Esther Bible Study, God's Holiness, Mean Girls, Sin by

When Beth uttered the words
“Mean Girls”
Without elaboration I knew exactly what she meant

Her words brought uncomfortable laughter
From the audience of women
Who discretely examined their own attire

Immediately came to mind
The names and faces of those women
Who display their wares freely for all to see

A mean girl has been blessed
With a beautiful, attractive body
And she believes that’s where her self-worth lies

A mean girl thinks “it’s all about me”
She allows you to be her friend
So long as you both agree

Provocatively dressing
Tempting men to look or even stray
To contemplate what it would be like to be with the “other woman”

Her speech is flirtatious
Prompting a man to think
That it’s him that she truly desires

When in fact
Nothing could be further from the truth
But he has willingly fallen into the snare of the deceiver

What about that teenage mean girl
Where are her parents
When she’s walking out the door

What kind of dad let’s his daughter dress that way
Knowing full well
Boys aren’t just thinking that she looks pretty

Where a mom’s natural desire
To protect her daughter
Teach her modesty and that true beauty is found in the inward spirit

Mean girls can be found anywhere
With cleavage prominently displayed
Short skirts revealing their shapely form

Lest you think
The mean girl is unaware
Of her effect on men

Don’t be naïve
Her dress is done with purpose
Her intent is to attract attention

Her power and drive
Her self esteem
Is rooted in her ability to make a man look

By Susan Bunts Wachtel
February 24, 2009

The above poem was inspired by Beth Moore’s study in Esther. In Session 3 Beth talks about how it’s hard to be a women in a mean world. Sometimes that mean world includes “mean girls” who are lurking and tempting our husbands, sons, brothers and friends with their provocative revealing dress. While I’d like to believe that there are no mean girls in church…at times it seems there isn’t a lot of difference between those in the church and those in the world. The other day I heard a quote that rang true. They said “where there is a low view of God…there is a low view of sin”. What was once viewed as sinful is no longer seen in the light of God’s holiness.

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. – 1 Peter 3:3-4

Broken, Hurting Soul

Posted in Brokenness, Gary Peterson, Kindred Community Church, Sin by


Here I am
A sitting duck
Vulnerable
For that which so easily entangles me

I have sinned
Against God
And against man
Justifiably reproached by those who love me

I long to flee from sin
Say, “No!”
Turn my this ship around
But how

I haven’t the strength on my own
Where do I begin
How do I start
To turn my life around

I’ve tried…really I have
It seems like every door is closed
Slammed shut in my face
What am I supposed to do now

I don’t even know if I believe in God
But I do believe in the devil
For he has deceived me
I believed his lies…hook, line and sinker

Drugs and alcohol
They were supposed to numb the pain
Help me feel good about who I am
Make me forget about everything I’m not

But before I knew it…sin took hold of me
What kind of son betrays his own mother
The one who loved me
Always freely gave

I went from the occasional
“Little white lie”
Before long
My heart grew cold and calloused

Now I’m
Trapped by my iniquity
With ease I’ve hurt and used
Anyone in my path

Society tells me
I’ve served my time
Paid the price
For the wrong I’ve done

Now I’ve been set free
I want to change…I really do
People tell me they are praying
Not sure what that means…but please don’t stop

Yes…I desperately need God’s help
But I also need
A helping hand
From real live flesh and blood

Someone who understands
Knows what I’m feeling
Encountered those demons within
That I’m fighting with all my might

Someone to hold me accountable
Show me how to get along
What to do…what not to do
How to live in the day to day world

Someone who understands
What seems like baby steps
Is a giant leap
For this broken, hurting soul

Susan Bunts Wachtel
February 10, 2009

When I read the first lines of this poem to my husband Chris he thought, “Oh no…what has Susan done that she needs to confess?” But I assured him it wasn’t my story I was writing about…but instead a compilation of some of those broken, hurting souls we know. It is by the grace of God…I’ve been spared the wayward path of some.

But we all know some of these people…family or friends whose lives have spiraled out of control. Or maybe…just maybe…it’s me that God has delivered from my wayward past. May God help these broken, hurting souls.

Thank you to those who have a heart to help. Those who offer a helping hand, prayer, wise counsel from God’s word…and tough love. This poem is dedicated to Gary Peterson who heads the Prison Ministry at Kindred Community Church.

Sin’s Perfect Sacrifice

Posted in Bible Study Fellowship, Forgiveness, Jesus Christ, Sacrifice, Sin by


In Your word
I learned of the sacrificial system
Instituted by Holy God
Who cannot look upon sin

When sin entered the world
Our sinless nature was changed
Try as I might…no amount of good works
Can save me from my sin

In my sin nature
I miss the mark
Transgress when I intentionally violate Your law
I descend into iniquity when I called evil good

Sacrifices seem so bloody…so brutal
Repulsed at the thought
Of an innocent dying
For the sins of another

The high priest of old
Laid his hands upon the sin offering
Confessed the sins of the nation
The sacrificial animal was killed…its blood sprinkled

What seems so brutal
Was the provision of a holy, loving God
To cover sin
Restore relationship with sinful man

Thankful to be living
When the sacrifice which cleansed me outwardly
Has been replaced by Christ’s perfect sacrifice
He died once, for all…and took my sin away

Perhaps I can imagine
Laying my hands upon Jesus’ head
Confessing my transgressions and iniquity
See my Savior afflicted and nailed to the cross

Would sin lose its grip on me
Would I recognize the high cost of my redemption
Would I realize that the only contribution I made to my salvation
Was the sin which Christ chose to bear

A plan so amazing
Conceived before the foundations of the world
My name was written with everlasting ink
In the Lamb’s Book of Life

By Susan Bunts Wachtel
February 4, 2009

Dedicated to Terri…thank you for so faithfully preaching the full counsel of God’s word!

I See Dead People

Posted in Proposition 8, Protesters, Same Sex Marriage, Sin, Spiritually Dead by

I see dead people

Those who are spiritually dead to God…but alive to sin

Standing on the street corner waving signs


I see dead people

With darkened minds proclaiming right

That which God has declared sinful


I see dead people

Promoting sinful behavior

In the name of tolerance


I see dead people

Seeking the approval of man

For that which God will one day judge


I see dead people

Those who have exchanged the truth of God

And have believed the lies of Satan


I see dead people

Those who have darkened, foolish hearts

Proclaiming themselves to be wise


I see dead people

Proud, arrogant, angry and hateful

Shouting “intolerant” to those who choose to follow God’s way


Susan Bunts Wachtel

October 26, 2008

This poem is dedicated to those who are promoting a yes vote on Proposition 8 in California. Those who desire to protect marriage between one man and one woman.


I have been amazed at the number of protesters my husband Chris and I have seen on street corners over the last few days. The vast majority of protesters are against Proposition 8 in California which seeks to protect marriage as being between one man and one woman.


The protesters are so loud and angry. All too often the protesters are young or women…desiring to make sure that society approves of and makes people feel better in their behavior…even if the Bible declares it wrong or sinful.

Professing themselves to be wise…they became foolish!






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Tell Tale Signs

Posted in Body of Christ, Divorice, Marriage, Sin, Uncategorized by




The body of Christ

Suffered another assault today

By one who calls himself Christian





By outward appearances

The signs were all there

Indeed he put on a good show





In church each Sunday

With Bible in hand

He even shared Christ with those not yet saved





A fish symbol strategically placed on his car

A bumper sticker proclaiming

Know Jesus, Know Peace





But closer examination

By the One who looks upon the heart

Revealed a wolf in sheep’s clothing





Sacred vows made to love his wife

As Christ so loved the church

Were set aside and trampled underfoot





His children

Once beloved were now forgotten

In his quest for personal happiness





The Lord whom he proclaimed to love

With all his heart, mind, soul and strength

Was long forgotten as he raised himself in God’s place





Destruction and devastation lay in the wake

From the vehicles of lies and deceit

No concern is demonstrated for those he once claimed to love





Those who once admired the Lord’s blessings to this man

Stand with their mouth gapping

Poised and ready to utter the words hypocrite and liar





The witness for Christ

He so carefully sought to build and protect

Now lies in the heap covered by selfishness and pride





Oh Lord, even now we lift up this one so deceived

Like a lamb led to slaughter

So willingly he followed the father of lies





We pray for his salvation

Forgiveness for his sins

That without Jesus he will have no peace





Like the prodigal son

May he come to his senses

And return to the Father whom he once he loved





By Susan Bunts

September 26, 2008

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The Heart of a Woman

Posted in Chris Wachtel, Falling in Love, God's Compassion, Marriage, poem, Sin, Uncategorized by



Let me tell you a secret

Just between you and me

Share the heart of a women

And every girl’s dream

No matter if she’s a raving beauty

Or just a plain shy ordinary girl

The desire for a husband’s love

Runs ever so deep

Even those who are mentally challenged

Or those who have been deceived and bought the feminist lie

Have a desire to share their life

Know what it is to feel loved, honored and cherished

All too vividly

I remember the pain

Of a lifetime spent alone

With no end was in sight

Each passing year was harder

The pain was always there and cut like a knife

The rejoicing at the blessings of others,

Was followed by a tears shed in the solitude

It is with gratitude and thanksgiving I prepare,

To walk down the aisle

Veiled in white lace

Join hands with my love and say, “I do”

Even as I rejoice in God’s grace towards me

For love unmerited and undeserved

May I be humble and remember in prayer

The heart of the woman who still dreams of “that day”

By Susan Bunts

August 12, 2008

At no time have I been more aware of the ubiquitous desire of women to be married and be loved by a husband than when a precious friend who has the heart and mind of a child shared her desire to one day marry.





I spent far too many years alone. I had bought…hook, line and sinker…the feminist lies. You know the ones I mean. The line that “a woman needs a man, like a fish needs a bicycle” or that “men and women are basically the same”. Yeah right! Anyone who has spent time with the opposite sex…knows darn good and well…that men and women are very different. It’s not something cultural…however culture may shape the way it’s expressed. But instead it’s inherent…those difference were built in by our Designer.





Those differences are not something good or bad. They simply are. One sex is not superior to the other. One is not good and the other a wretch. Instead God designed us to complement each other and to keep things interesting…and challenging…He made us very different from one another.

One of the most amazing things I’ve been aware of since meeting my fiancé Chris is that the loneliness and the emptiness are gone. The desire to be well known and well loved is being fulfilled…day by day.


That’s not to say…we don’t have our challenges. The differences inherent in our personalities and those between men and women present a challenge to our relationship every day. Add on top of that…the stresses of planning a wedding…and oh baby, baby you’ve got “stress”.


While it’s not always easy it has been wonderful to fall in love, grow in love, to be in love. There is something noticeably different that I can’t quite put my finger on. My sister Denise commented recently that I seem to be more peaceful. I think that’s true…the anxiety and concerns that I will I be alone for the rest of my life are gone. The questioning…am I so unlovable that no body will ever love me…has been answered.

While I know I’m a lot less than perfect…I am most grateful to God for bringing Chris. A man who is mature in his faith. One who sees my flaws but has been able to look past them to see something good that God has given me. He is willing to work through the uncomfortable challenges and differences in us. Working through those times…and coming out on the other side have helped us to become closer.

When my precious childlike friend commented that she desires to one day marry…it was so painful. When I turn and see so many wonderful women around me…women who are smarter or prettier or better than me in so many respects…when I see them in the same predicament that I was for so many years…it hurts. I hurt for them because the pain of unending singleness and lack of romantic love is still very fresh. I know it well and it left many a scar. Part of me is tempted to cry out “Why…I don’t understand it”.


Yet…I know in part it’s the consequences and outworking of a society that has replaced marriage and family…with uncommitted sex and self-fulfillment. The millions of single men and women who are alone and lonely have reaped the consequences that have come from poor judgment and sin. Even those who are not outwardly sinning and breaking God’s commands are bearing the brunt of the increasing tidal wave of consequences.


I am so grateful to God for acting on my behalf. Fulfilling my life long dream to be married. For going before both Chris and I…preparing us and fitting us so perfectly for one another. By His divine plan and providence bring two people who otherwise would have never met, much less taken a second look at one another and allowing us to enter into the covenant of marriage. How marvelous and miraculous are Your ways oh God?


God answered my prayer for a husband and Chris’ prayer to be stretched and taken out of his comfort zone…in one fell swoop…by bringing us together. By removing our impaired vision when we first met and allowing us to see one another’s heart. By moving and stirring in our hearts that could have so easily been hardened and settled. By holding our hands as we crossed a mighty river of fear into the unknown. By helping and guiding us to say, “yes God”, when we encountered the scary territories of trusting God and learning to trust each other.


Dare I think that my mighty God who had compassion upon me…He who heard my cries does not hear the cries of my sisters who remain single not by choice? Do I think that God will not be moved to go before them…and give them the desires of their heart?


God is no respecter of persons. What He’s done for me…He is more than able to do the same and mightier works than these…for those whom He chooses to act.


Thus…I must lift up my sisters in prayer. Those whose pain…I know all to well. I also know my God. I know firsthand the compassionate, mighty, out working of His plan according to His perfect will and timing.

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Labeled

Posted in Labels, Sin by

In a world that doesn’t like to think too deeply…it’s easy to get caught up in the trap of defining people by labels. It’s easy…because I’ve got them pegged. I don’t have to look beneath the surface to know them better, to understand them or their pain…or what led them to where they are today…and why they made the choices they did.

Instead it’s easy and comfortable to see them only by their labels. The liar, adulterer, thief, alcoholic, homosexual, druggy, tramp, dummy…and of course who can forget the all around generic label…looser.

Labels…distance me from the sinner that I find so disagreeable. While I’m not perfect…at least I’m not like… Take your pick.

But when I start seeing the person behind the sin…I see more of the human being and less of the sin. I see the consequences of living in a sinful world. A world filled with hurting and damaged people…which only leads to more brokenness.

Labels…build walls and keep people at an arms distance. Labels make me think I’m better than the next guy. But when I see a person and not the sin…it allows me to care…to reach out with the love of Christ and embrace them.

Didn’t Jesus do just that? He reached out to the least of these? He dared to embrace and touch the leper, the prostitute, the tax collector. Those considered unclean or sinners were touched by the holy and righteous Son of God.

Doesn’t He call me to do the same?


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Level Ground

Posted in Foot of the Cross, Forgiveness, Jesus Christ, Level Ground, Sin by

If the cross were ever before me,
How would it affect my choices,
Would I willfully, so easily step into sin,
Or see sin’s true cost and flee?

If only I could see His nail pierced hands,
Know the agony and pain He endured,
That He willingly, with full knowledge,
Took upon Himself so that I might be freed.

If only I could know of God’s righteous anger,
His wrath poured out upon my sin,
If only I could comprehend His great love,
That by grace He provided a way that I might be saved.

If only I could see,
That it was His precious blood,
Flowing abundant and free,
That has cleansed me and made me whole.

Oh….that I would be mindful,
That at the foot of the cross all ground is level,
There I stand no better than the other sinner,
Who was saved…just like me.

The same blood,
Shed by the same Savior,
Covers our sins,
Saving us from the same eternity spent in hell.

By Susan Bunts
March 15, 2008

This is dedicated to a certain someone. May you never believe the lies of enemy…but instead be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might. Praise God…we have been freed from the power of sin. May we loudly proclaim…we are free at last!

As a Christian…it is important that I be mindful that my salvation was based on Jesus Christ and His righteousness. That He willing took my sins…upon Himself and paid the penalty of God’s wrath for my sin…so that I might be saved. He died so that I might be clothed in His righteousness and have eternal life.

While no one likes to admit they are a sinner it seems that there are certain sins that are more acceptable than other…sins that are ubiquitous. Then there are other sins that are anathema.

But it’s important that I remember that my sins would have put in me in hell…that at the foot of the cross…the ground is level. That Jesus blood was shed for me…and necessary to cleanse me and make whole again. It took the same blood to save me as the greatest sinner.

I have no place bragging expect in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Level Ground

Posted in Foot of the Cross, Forgiveness, Jesus Christ, Level Ground, Sin by

If the cross were ever before me,
How would it affect my choices,
Would I willfully, so easily step into sin,
Or see sin’s true cost and flee?

If only I could see His nail pierced hands,
Know the agony and pain He endured,
That He willingly, with full knowledge,
Took upon Himself so that I might be freed.

If only I could know of God’s righteous anger,
His wrath poured out upon my sin,
If only I could comprehend His great love,
That by grace He provided a way that I might be saved.

If only I could see,
That it was His precious blood,
Flowing abundant and free,
That has cleansed me and made me whole.

Oh….that I would be mindful,
That at the foot of the cross all ground is level,
There I stand no better than the other sinner,
Who was saved…just like me.

The same blood,
Shed by the same Savior,
Covers our sins,
Saving us from the same eternity spent in hell.

By Susan Bunts
March 15, 2008

This is dedicated to a certain someone. May you never believe the lies of enemy…but instead be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might. Praise God…we have been freed from the power of sin. May we loudly proclaim…we are free at last!

As a Christian…it is important that I be mindful that my salvation was based on Jesus Christ and His righteousness. That He willing took my sins…upon Himself and paid the penalty of God’s wrath for my sin…so that I might be saved. He died so that I might be clothed in His righteousness and have eternal life.

While no one likes to admit they are a sinner it seems that there are certain sins that are more acceptable than other…sins that are ubiquitous. Then there are other sins that are anathema.

But it’s important that I remember that my sins would have put in me in hell…that at the foot of the cross…the ground is level. That Jesus blood was shed for me…and necessary to cleanse me and make whole again. It took the same blood to save me as the greatest sinner.

I have no place bragging expect in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

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Encore, Encore

Posted in God's Word, Mike Paddison, Sin by

I have an encore performance from the honorable Mike Paddison. Mike first made his debut acting as defense attorney for my kitty Rudy. Rudy had been caught in the act of absconding with Christmas tree ornaments. He was entirely unrepentant and continued in his wayward actions. Mike successfully cast aspersions on the camera operator…namely me…and all charges were dropped on little Rudy’s pending case. Since Christmas has concluded…you will be pleased to know that Rudy has not swiped any more ornaments.

Mike wears many hats…husband…father…friend…CBS Core Leader…audio ministry CD guy…chief trouble maker and more. Mike has skills I recently discovered out of the blue. Mr. Paddison…likes to stay up late working on the computer. That’s usually about the time I’m finishing up an article. No matter how many times I proof something…a boo, boo or two will slip through. But now I have the unofficial editor of Susan’s Blog. When I’m finishing up an article…I’ll check to see if the night owl is up. If he is…I shoot him over an article for proofing.

Last night I did that…and my editor had closed shop for the day. But this afternoon he got back to me with corrections and a recommendation. Mike was concerned that on most recent piece, “Costly Sin”, that I left the impression that I am currently engaged in a sinful lifestyle…as I outlined the perils and cost of sin in a Christian’s life.

I did make some changes per Mike’s recommendation…but find that when I write…it’s more effective when I personalize it. When I observe a friend, co-worker or family member’s life, behavior or words…that sparks an idea for an article…I try to personalize it. It’s all too easy for me to write articles that are “you” focused.

I can write: “Christian friend…when you are walking in sin you are saying Jesus Christ saves you…but can’t deliver you from your sins.”

Or I can say: “When I’m walking in sin…I’m saying Jesus Christ saves me…but can’t deliver me from my sins.”

It’s probably a matter of style…but I think…and it’s my prayer that people hear things more easily when I don’t point my finger I their face…and say “you”. It’s also important that I apply the lessons I see in other people’s lives. I don’t need to make the same mistakes to learn from them.

So while I’m not actively living in a sinful lifestyle…may I be ever mindful…there but for the grace of God, there go I.

Below are some comments from Mike Paddison that I found quite compelling. Thank you Mike…for taking on the unofficial role of editor. I am most grateful. Thank you for your words of wisdom.

“You don’t do any of those things as a pattern of your life style. You, or any of us, may not be the most perfect witnesses. We may not tell everyone we meet about Jesus. In fact, we may not even tell those who we see all the time about Jesus. But, like Philip De Courcy said today, we do have to live it in front of them. We are called to STUDY God’s Word, LIVE God’s Word, and then TEACH God’s Word. So, how do we, those of us who are not pastors, teach God’s Word. We do it by how we live our lives. There’s that old saying, “Be a witness for Christ, and if necessary, use words.” Live it in front of the world, and if God opens up the opportunity to talk to someone about Him.”

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Dead in My Sin

Posted in Blinded, Compromised Gosepl, Dead in my Sins, Deceived, Hell, Jesus Christ, New Age, One Way, Salvation, Satan, Sin by

Once upon a day I was dead in my sin,
Happy and content,
Most certain that all roads lead to God.

Raised in a home
Where the name of Christ,
A curse word uttered by father.

No Bible was found,
No prayers were uttered,
Sunday…time for leisure…no time for church.

Something inside me was stirred,
A longing, a desire,
For faith that others had.

Misguided,
Down wrong path,
Left to my own devises.

Witchcraft seemed so attractive,
So innocently portrayed,
By a sitcom that left me “Bewitched”.

Latchkey and alone,
The world of vampires,
Transported me to “Dark Shadows”.

Unbeknownst to me,
I was firmly on the path,
To hell and eternal separation from God.

Astrology,
So appealing,
Could I really find my way by looking to the stars?

Palm reading,
They promised,
The lines in my hand could reveal my future.

An Ouija board,
Contact with entities,
That could lead me to the other side.

Little did I know,
Of the world,
That would bid me to enter.

Disguised as angel of light,
Satan desired,
That I would share his same fate.

So seemingly innocuous,
A phrase from a movie,
“May the force be with you.”

Oh…but it was more than that.
New age philosophy,
Available at ever turn.

Edgar Casey,
The diaries of Seth,
I even found religion in a “new age church”.

There, no sin was acknowledge,
No Savior was needed,
The cross not necessary to pay the penalty for my sins.

After all, there was reincarnation,
I could advance on my own,
Until I could become one with an all loving god.

But God had a different plan.
From before the foundations of the world,
I was predestined for salvation.

While darkness threatened to overtake me,
Seal my fate for eternity,
God was going to take me from darkness to light.

Surrounded by Christians at every turn,
Forever talking about their Jesus,
Speaking truth from their Holy Bible.

How narrow minded they seemed,
They talked about One Way to salvation,
Through Jesus Christ, their Lord.

Our works could never be good enough,
Our righteousness was as filthy rags,
A sinner, born separated from God.

But Jesus Christ came,
Fully God and fully man,
He bore the penalty for my sin and was nailed to the cross.

He died,
Was buried for three days,
Then…He arose victorious, triumphant from the grave.

God is the One Who was offended,
Set the penalty…a heavy price for my sin,
Death.

He then provided the Way,
Jesus Christ…One with the Father,
Set His glory aside…and He willingly paid the price.

When Scripture was uttered,
The Holy Spirit bore witness,
Enable me, who was dead in my sin, to be alive in Christ.

I must agree with God, repent of my sin,
Believe in my heart, confess with my mouth,
That Jesus Christ is Lord.

At that moment,
I was snatched from hell to heaven,
Eternally secure, kept by my Father.

My salvation is secure,
My fate is certain,
I am saved, by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ my Lord.

By Susan Bunts
February 12, 2008

As one who was dead in my sin…and tried to find my way to God, anyway except through Jesus Christ…I can testify that I was saved by grace, not of my own works, but by God’s grace. He asks that I believe Him and confess Jesus Christ as Lord.

I was on the path to hell. I believed the lies of the enemy for so long. I was ready to follow any path where I could earn my way to heaven, based on my good works. Have God on my own terms…and have Him be my “big genie in the sky” and answer my every wish. I was blinded…self blinded…and deceived by the enemy…the hater of my soul. Make no mistake he is real and he knows his future is certain. He wants to take as many people to hell with him. He’ll give you whatever he can to keep you satisfied where you are at.

I was walking on the edge of hell. A precipice…and if I slipped I would have been there for eternity. A place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth and unimaginable and unending suffering. Do you ever feel alone here on earth? Well that won’t hold candle to the aloneness you will feel in hell…and there will be no end.

There is One Way to salvation…and that’s through faith in Jesus Christ. God’s One and Only Prescription and His acceptable sacrifice for our sins.

That why I get sick and want to vomit when I hear pastors soft sell the Gospel message…or worse say that all roads lead to God. Those pastors who want to entertain and capture the “seekers” rather than build up the body of Christ by teaching the uncompromising Word of God.

The lies of enemy are abounding in this world. Prominent, well respected people are deceived and spreading lies and denying Christ. Oprah Winfrey is promoting “A Course in Miracles” which denies Jesus Christ is God incarnate and the only way to salvation. If the Bible is true…then “A Course in Miracle” is nothing but a lie from the pit of hell. An effective instrument used by Satan to take more people to hell with him.

Which are you going to believe?.

Pastors…are you going to teach the Word of God and equip your people to know the truth of the Word of God so that they can recognize the lies of the enemy even when it’s cleverly and attractively packaged?

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” – 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Beth Moore says that her salvation is scandalous. My salvation…is miraculous.

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Remember No More

Posted in Forgiveness, Mike Paddison, Remember No More, Sin by


To some it might sound like a pretentious protest…when I say “I like Paul can say I am chief among sinners”…and threaten to overtake him in holding that title. But I know me…and my heart and I know where I came from. While I regret some choices…I can’t take them back or make them go away.

Oh I know that God has forgiven me. Receiving His forgiveness has never been an issue for me. I know I am so hopelessly lost without Him…I had no choice but look up and receive. That’s a good place to be.

But I guess I can’t quite comprehend that He has chosen to not only forgive, but remember my sins no more. Wow!

That truth was pointed out to me by Mike Paddison as we got side tracked on our ongoing debate of the Calvinist verses Armenian view of salvation. Mike threw a few scripture verse my way…and dared me to step over them. Of course I couldn’t. To do so would be to claim that the Bible was in error.

No longer will a man teach his neighbor,
or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest,”
declares the LORD.
“For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.” – Jeremiah 31:34

For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more. – Hebrews 8:12

Then he adds:
“Their sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more.” – Hebrew 10:17

I tried to comprehend how an all knowing God can choose to “Remember no more”.

How can He who knows all things…not remember that which I am so keenly aware of? An awareness that not so much condemns me as it keeps me humble. If my remembering keeps me humble…that a good thing.

When someone sins against me…do I choose to forgive and remember their sin no more? While I have so very far to go…thankfully the Lord continues to grow me and shape me.

Just think…in heaven…there will be no need for us to be forgiving one another. People will no longer intentionally cause offense or hurt. We will no longer sin…against God or man. We have been cleansed and made whiter than snow. In heaven we will truly be able to walk in His forgiveness and purifying transforming power.

Do I grab hold of that today…so much so that I experience freedom in Christ? Am I an attractive witness to that freedom in Christ to an unbelieving world?

Think about it…He who knows all things…chooses to remember my sin no more. Chooses…ongoing…present…active.

He whom I offended…whom I sinned against…He remembers no more. By an act of His will. He who received punishment upon His body all because of my sin. He who let them drive nails through His hands and feet and stayed upon that cross…so that my sins would be forgiven. That same Jesus…is the one whose blood was shed, like the sacrificial lamb…and not only covered….but took my sins away.

How many times when I suffer because of another do I instead choose to complain?

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