March 24, 2023Last night, Karen and I watched a documentary film on Netflix about the life of a man who inspired many people to paint. Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed is a film which looks at the life and career of painter and television host Bob Ross, and the battle for his business empire. One of the producers of this film was Melissa McCarthy, an actress who is now the same age as Bob Ross was when he died: 52. Listening to Steve Ross (one of Bob’s sons) and others reflect on the life of the man known as the “Happy Painter,” I realized that this film portrays what many people face: conflicts with people at work and at home.
If you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, you can count on Him to guide you in all of your relationships. In the closing words of the gospel according to Matthew, we read: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20. What a comfort it is to know that the Lord, who created heaven and earth and all that is therein, has promised to be with us always!
In “The Book of Signs” Dr. Jeremiah writes about Kelvin Cochrane, who became Shreveport’s first African American fire chief and eight years later, he was invited to head Atlanta’s fire department: “Although Cochrane is a committed Christian, he carefully observed workplace rules about faith, discussing religion only with those who approached him first. He led Bible studies in his church and formed a study group for men, which led him to write a privately published book on authentic manhood. He gave the book only to people with whom he had shared his faith and, as a courtesy to Atlanta’s mayor and a handful of civic leaders.
Almost a year after the book’s publication, Councilmember Alex Wan read the few pages outlining the biblical approach to sexuality – that sex outside of male-female marriage is contrary to God’s will. That’s when the trouble began. Meetings among Atlanta’s top officials followed, and as the National Review reported, ‘On January 6, 2015, the City of Atlanta fired Cochran – without providing him the proper process prescribed by city codes and, he claims, without providing him an opportunity to respond to either his suspension or his termination. At no point did any employee of the fire department complain of mistreatment or discrimination.
Wan, however, made the reason for Cochran’s dismissal clear: ‘When you’re a city employee, and your thoughts, beliefs, and opinions are different from the city’s, you have to check them at the door.’” Dr. Jeremiah observes: “This incident is merely one of many similar ones revealing that American culture is growing increasingly hostile toward Christianity. We are in the first stages of repression of Christian speech and actions, and even stronger measures may well follow.”
In an article on the Internet – https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nhl-panthers-eric-marc-staal-refuse-wear-pride-jerseys-225012287.html – you can read about Christian hockey players who refused to wear jerseys that celebrate homosexuality. As we see increasing opposition to the Word of God and Christian values, we realize that the return of the Lord Jesus may be very soon.
May the Lord encourage you as you study His Word and ask Him to help you follow Him in every area of life.
Scripture for the weekend: “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died; and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” Romans 8:32-34 (NKJV)
By His grace,
Steve