The Celestial Railroad.

I love the works of John Bunyan. I've read Pilgrim's Progress, Christiana's Progress, and the Holy War. Pilgrim's Progress is one of the best books you can read. I think, though, for anyone who has read Pilgrim's Progress, that Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story "The Celestial Railroad" is a must-read, particularly in our day. I first read as part of my junior year of high school English. I have read it a couple of times since. Grandpa has made several mentions of it in his sermons and related parts of it to illustrate some of his points. Hawthorne was a professing Christian; I don't know for sure whether he was or not, but when you read this story, you quickly realize that he understood more truth than the average evangelical pastor today probably does. Hawthorne had already written books like "The Scarlet Letter" to show the folly of Pharisaical religion.

But what he d even more was the liberalism and easy-believism that was starting to come on strong in his day (I wonder what he would say if he was alive today!) "The Celestial Railroad" starts off with him as a man in the City of Destruction who just decides one day to make a journey to the Celestial City. Rather than having to carry his baggage (burden), it is stored in the baggage car of the train, and he, along with others kick back and relax. During the journey, Hawthorne writes that changes have been made since Bunyan's time: a bridge has been built over the Slough made out of philosophy books and other works of man, the train tracks bypass the wicket gate, the Interpreter's house, cut through the Hill Difficulty, etc. Hawthorne in his character is joined by a man named Mr. Smooth-It-Away, who works to erase all of Hawthorne's doubts about going to Heaven in this way. One of his first concerns was when he first got on and saw that the engineer was none other than Apollyon. All along the way, Hawthorne sees and meets two men who "stubbornly hold to the old method of the hard journey by foot" and who try to convince him that he will not attain Heaven by taking the easy journey by train. Mr. Smooth-It-Away comes and discredits them and convinces Hawthorne to continue on. When the train finally stops at the river of , there is a steamboat to take them across. They all pile on, except Mr. Smooth-It-Away. When Hawthorne asks him why he isn't coming, Smooth-It-Away replies that he never goes across. Then Hawthorne notices that the boat is not heading across the river, but rather downstream. The two men who had followed the old road are being welcomed by angels. He looks back and there is Smooth-It-Away laughing. Hawthorne concludes with "Then I awoke. Thank God it was only a dream!"

The sad thing is that for those who try to take the easy road, they will reach the end one day. Smooth-It-Away will be laughing and Apollyon too, the boat will head downstream, and it won't be a dream. Christ never said that following Him would mean an easy road; in fact, He promised the contrary. But those who follow that road will have their reward. You can either choose earthly comfort and eternal torment, or earthly trials and eternal bliss.

Freedom of Religion

You know, we have been blessed with the freedom of religion in this country. We can go to church and worship without worrying about any opposition. Nothing stands in our way of spreading the gospel. But I fear that that same blessing may also be a curse. In many countries, the choice to follow Christ means almost certain (in Iran, any man or woman who professes Christ is, by law, worthy of ). I wonder how many people, even those who are truly Christians, would be ready to take a stand if the laws in this country suddenly changed. I include myself in this. We might say we would stand, but would we really? It is extremely rare to hear of anyone in this country dying for their faith. I would encourage everyone to read the book "She Said Yes". The , Cassie Bernall, had been saved out of great sin. The week before she died, she wrote in her diary "I will die for my faith. I will die for my God. It's the least I can do for Christ dying for me." The next week, the gunmen pointed their guns at her head and asked her if she believed in God. When she said "Yes", they shot her . The story really made me think, "Would I have the courage to do the same?" The answer is, "Only by God's grace".

Now understand, I'm not saying it's a bad thing that we have freedom of religion in this country. What I am saying is that this is something we need to think about. No matter when and how you die, even as a Christian, you need to be prepared. I think that especially for young people, it is something that is not thought about very often. You don't expect to die at 22. But life is something that is so fragile. No one knows the future but God. We need to be prepared and to live each day according to God's will because we do not know whether there will be a tomorrow.

I love this hymn! I think it tells the story for every Christian very well!

Only a Sinner by James M. Gray

Naught have I gotten but what I received.
Grace hath bestowed it, and I have believed.
Boasting excluded, pride I abase,
I'm only a sinner saved by grace!

Only a sinner saved by grace!
Only a sinner saved by grace!
This is my story, to God be the glory,
I'm only a sinner saved by grace!


Once I was foolish, and sin ruled by heart,
Causing my footsteps from God to depart.
Jesus hath found me, happy my case,
I now am a sinner saved by grace!

Only a sinner saved by grace!
Only a sinner saved by grace!
This is my story, to God be the glory,
I'm only a sinner saved by grace!


Tears unavailing, no merit had I.
Mercy had saved me, or else I must die.
Foes had alarmed me, fearing God's face,
But now I'm a sinner saved by grace!

Only a sinner saved by grace!
Only a sinner saved by grace!
This is my story, to God be the glory,
I'm only a sinner saved by grace!


Suffer a sinner, whose heart overflows,
Loving his Savior to tell what he knows.
Once more to tell it would I embrace,
I'm only a sinner saved by grace!

Only a sinner saved by grace!
Only a sinner saved by grace!
This is my story, to God be the glory,
I'm only a sinner saved by grace!

Hello!

Well, this is my first attempt at blogging, so we'll see how it goes. The posts might be a bit sporadic as I am in college and I don't have many noteworthy experiences in the classrooms and with college work. Anyways, I'm having a pretty good semester (my final semester) so far. I'm praying that I'll have a job lined up for the summer after I finish. It's honestly a real test of faith because I was told I would easily have a job lined up by now. But God has His own plans, and I can't do anything to change them, so it doesn't make much sense to complain. I'll just keep praying and take advantage of any possible opportunities. God will open the right door at the right time.