New Book

New book scheduled for release before Christmas. How did we as a society get to the point we are at today? Christianity and public displays of Christmas themes are now taboo. Family and personal values are no longer important. Socialism is now the trendy goal of society. The answer will soon be revealed. Keep posted.

A Bug's Life

I found myself at a pleasant stage of life as I was nearing the age of sixty-one. Long before, at the youthful age of twenty-one, I’d made bold plans to reach the age of a hundred and one. Knowing that a person’s health reflects what they eat, I determined in my mind to eat a diet composed of a healthy combination of bread, vegetables, fruit and meat. Just in case I overlooked anything, I took vitamins and minerals as if they were a life-ring. Consuming every good nutrient I could see, I had a head start in the control of my destiny. Exercise was important I had to admit, so I chose a daily jogging program with which to keep me fit.
For forty long years, I ate all the right foods and I ran like Forrest Gump. By following the laws of nature and having fun I felt assured that I would reach my lofty goal of the age of a hundred and one. Making sure nothing was ignored; I even attended church and worshipped the Lord.
I was reminded of the lowly little bug. Not having much intelligence the bug still follows the laws of God. By obeying the law of nature, he can’t possibly go wrong. By following his God-given instincts he lives a long life and stays strong. In his own way, the bug is worshipping the Lord.
At the age of nearly sixty-one, I was healthy as a horse and strong as an ox. I needed no doctors and never used a pillbox. I was proud of my wisdom and deft determination. To my sickly friends who weren’t very strong, I was quick to tell them where they’d gone wrong. “Observe the laws of nature,” I’d say. “And you can be as healthy as me.”
Then one ordinary and peaceful afternoon, a frightening wake-call interrupted my calm and healthy life. My heart was in trouble and possibly done. Off to emergency I went, wondering where the laws of nature had gone wrong. Bright lights were shining on me and my sickbed, as doctors and nurses hovered over me while scratching their heads. Embarrassingly I found myself undressed, and lots of wires were attached to my heaving chest. Drip lines were hung overhead, sending life-saving liquids coursing through my veins.
“Why did this happen to me,” I asked a nurse. “I’ve done all the right things, eaten the right foods and exercised my heart. And to top it all off, I regularly worship the Lord.”
“I’m so sorry about your predicament,” answered the nurse. “You’ve got a condition that your healthy lifestyle simply cannot overcome. The problem is in your genes. Unfortunately, your heart is subjected to family history.”
Protesting very loudly I asked, “Why did I bother living right since the age of twenty-one? Did I waste my time by exercising my heart? I may as well have spent my time eating potato chips and ice cream.”
“Oh no,” answered the compassionate nurse. “You were doing all the right things. Had you not eaten the right foods and exercised your heart, this condition may have hit you by the age of forty-one.”
Not satisfied with the nurse’s answer, I turned to the Lord and asked, “Why me, Lord? Why did you give me this wake-up call? I’ve done all the right things and followed the laws of God. I’ve eaten the right foods and I’ve kept my body trim. There isn’t a detail I’ve ignored. I’ve even attended church and worshipped you. Lord, I feel like you’ve thrown me a cruel curve ball.”
Did the Lord answer me while I lay in my bed? I don’t know, but the following thoughts came rushing through my head. “I’ve sent you many messages,” the Lord did say. “Through preachers and teachers I’ve shown you the way. The passages in my Word were directed right at you. You are living a bug’s life, from my point of view. Since you gave my messages no heed, I determined that a wake-up call is exactly what you need.”
“What’s missing?” I asked. “What have I ignored? I do what’s right. I even worship the Lord.”
“You’re thinking like a bug,” answered the Lord. “He follows the laws of nature, and in his own way, even he worships the Lord. Think about the messages that have gone right over your head. I gave you an important mission and a goal to work toward.”
“But I’m a Christian,” I protested. “And one of good accord. I regularly go to church and I worship the Lord.”
“You’re living a good life,” answered the Lord. “And there’s no doubt that you’ve been worshipping me. But there’s so much more I want from you. My universal mission, you have completely ignored. My son, church attendance does not a Christian make. Such short-sightedness causes my heart to ache.”
“Lord,” I asked. “What is the mission I must do? What can be more important than worshipping you?”
“Your mission is not inside the church house door. The life of a Christian should be so much more. If you truly want to worship me, outside the church building is where you ought to be. Winning the lost is the place to start. It isn’t likely that you’ll find lost and hungry souls inside the church house door. But my son, there’s even more. There’s plenty for you to do outside the church house door. Visiting the fatherless and widows should be your soul’s intent. They’re in great need of help and encouragement. Feed the hungry, give them a drink. They need your help more than you think. Many are in need outside the church house door. They need warmth and clothing and so much more. Visit the sick and even those in the prison ward. Then you’ll be serving the Lord.”
I lay there in my bed with surprise on my face. “Lord, I’ve ignored many of your teachings, perhaps all. Now I understand why you gave you this wake-up call.”
Just as I finished talking to the Lord, a doctor walked in with his face aglow. “Your heart’s much better now. I’m letting you go.”
Back home, I had a new perspective to dwell upon No longer was I obsessed with reaching the age of a hundred and one. Whether I make it to the age seventy-one or a hundred and two, I’ve got a God-given mission to do.
I will never forget that life-changing day, when a disturbing wake-up call came my way. My wake-up call came with an urgent message I couldn’t ignore. I was living a bug’s life—and not much more.

For Lease

One human life available for lease. Easy payment plan; Pay when you want; Pay how you want; Pay as you want. No late-payment fees or hassles. Valuable option which allows you to convert your lease to permanent eternal life is available. Contact the Lord your God today for details. The Lord your God is the rightful owner of your human life per legal document Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein.

From birth, we are taught that ownership is better than leasing or renting. When you own something, no one can take it away from you. It’s yours until you decide to sell it. Consequently, everything you own, contributes to your total value. A 2001 survey of consumer finances by the Federal Reserve states that people who rent have a net worth of less than $5,000, while the typical homeowner has a net worth of a little less than $175,000. Hence, the life lesson taught to us from birth, is that owning is superior to renting.

So, we accumulate possessions: cars, homes, household goods, savings accounts, investments, etc. Each year, we take a look at our net worth and see how much it has grown. We look forward to those retirement years when we can live off of what we own. We feel pity for those who never realized the importance of ownership, and its benefits.

Ownership sounds like the ultimate answer to life’s challenges. You are in control of your possessions until you make up your mind to get rid of those possessions. Ownership makes sense from the human point of view. However, there is another vantage point you should consider. The human life is but a vapor in the grand scheme of things. From the vantage point of all human existence, there is no such thing as ownership of yourself, or your material possessions. The definition of Ownership is holding lawful claim or title to something. On the other hand, Leasehold involves an agreement between the owner of a certain asset, and a person who desires to temporarily possess said asset for a certain period of time and for a certain form of compensation. At the end of the lease, the possession of the asset reverts back to the lawful owner. When you pass from life to death, you lose possession of your life, and all assets you have accumulated. You do not have a choice in the matter. Consequently, you never actually own anything. You are merely leasing. Hence the well-known phrase, “You can’t take it with you.”

Every human being that has ever been born, has leased his life and possessions from God. All that we are, and all that we possess in this human life is of a temporary nature.

So, is there a purpose to your human existence? Actually, there is. As a matter of fact, there is something you can actually own and take with you after you pass from this human life. This involves the law of inheritance. To inherit something is to receive by law from another, at his death. When one inherits assets and possessions, that person is in ownership of those assets. There is something you can do that will have eternal implications and benefits, allowing you to inherit eternal life.

What can you do to convert our temporary lease on life to eternal life?

You should accept Jesus into your life. John 3:16 …whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

You should love God, and you should love your neighbor. Mat 22.37-40…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God …Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

How do you love your neighbor? Actions speak louder than words. Actions speak louder than your frame of mind. Jesus expects you to love your neighbor by what you do for your neighbor. Mat 25:34-40…Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you…For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

How do you show your love to God? By the way you help your neighbor. Ask yourself, “What do I want?” If you love your neighbor as yourself, you will know how to treat your neighbor. If you want salvation for yourself, you will share the Gospel with your neighbor, so that he might have salvation. If you want food, drink, clothing, health, comfort and friendship for yourself, you should give of these things to your neighbor.

Benjamin Franklin said that he believed that the most acceptable service to God was doing good to man.

You have a lease on life. Decide today, to accept the Option that God has offered you, and convert your temporary lease on life to eternal life.

What Do I See?

I opened up our album,
And what did I see?
A youthful picture of you and me.

When I turned the page,
A different picture, I did see.
Instead of two, I saw three

Then I turned another.
Were there really more?
Sure enough, I saw four.

Time continued to travel on.
One child grew up, didn’t she.
On the next page I saw only three

We didn’t stay three for long.
For, married he was to be.
Again, it was just you and me.

The years continued to march by.
Turning several more pages, what did I see?
I saw a much older you and me.

Over the years, we took on each other’s traits.
I became you, don’t you see?
And you became me.

Now, we are one and the same.
When I see myself, I also see thee,
When I see you, I also see me.

Could I imagine a life without us two?
I turned another page and what did I see?
A blank page, showing neither you, nor me.

If it weren’t for you to share my life,
I’d only be a blank page.
Nothing to see, nothing to be.

My love, if I don’t have you,
I also don’t have me.

April, 2006

The Journey: Searching for the Promised Land

Now Available!!!

We’ve all heard the story of the Exodus journey. It is one of the most often-told stories from the Bible. We can practically recite it word for word. But, do we really know what the Exodus story is about?

"The Journey" is a novel which paints a vivid picture of the Exodus Journey from a vantage point not often visualized. Most discussions of the Exodus story are based on Moses’ perspective, what Moses did, and what Moses thought about the unruly and unbelieving Hebrew people he was asked to guide to the Promised Land.

This book is focused on one Hebrew family out of several million people who actually followed Moses out of Egypt and on to the Promised Land. The reader is drawn into the mindset of the common Hebrew, as the basis for the people’s lack of faith and their resulting rebellion unfolds before your eyes.

One day, an un-adored and distrusted man named Moses appeared in the land of Goshen. He announced that he had great plans for the Hebrew nation. On the surface, his plans sounded great, but in practice the people felt that Moses caused more and more hardships as he brought down plague upon plague on the land of Egypt. Finally allowed to leave Egypt behind, the Hebrews encountered difficulties and conflicts at every turn. What should have been a ten-day journey turned into forty years of meager existence in a barren wilderness.

Who was this man named Moses who managed to convince an entire nation to follow him? This is the story of a Hebrew family that journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land. Without the advantage of radio, TV or newspapers, the typical Hebrew person probably never had a chance to hear Moses speak. Many of the millions of Hebrew people may not have even had the opportunity to see Moses as they made their way across the vast wilderness between Egypt and the Promised Land. Most everyone had to rely on messengers, hearsay and rumors for news and information regarding their seemingly unending journey.

Hunger, thirst, discouragement, doubt and fear permeated the weary traveling Hebrew nation like an uncontrollable plague. Shai was a confused Hebrew boy who was subjected to a host of unending grumbling and complaining from his father, his uncle and most everyone else he knew.

On the other hand, his grandmother was a beacon of light, teaching faith, hope and responsibility to her confused grandson. What could she possibly tell her grandson that would counteract the overwhelming and unending series of negative events that rolled over the Hebrews like a hurricane? What did she tell him that propelled him to the right hand of Joshua, the future leader of Israel? What did his grandmother know, that cultivated Shai’s life into that of an overcomer? Shai’s grandmother knew something profound. She imparted knowledge and wisdom that many of today’s Christians may have forgotten.

The reader soon realizes that The Journey is not a story about a people’s journey to another land; and it is not a story about a great man of God named Moses. It is a story about you and me. It is a story about our journey to the realization of the many gifts that God has promised us. Read The Journey and understand it in the way God wanted you to know it: a story about you; and the problems you face every day. The Journey is about your unpaid bills. It is about your struggling business. It’s about that elusive pay raise you’ve been wanting. It is about the difficulties you’ve been having with your family. After reading The Journey, you may find yourself with a vastly different viewpoint on life, and the many obstacles you face every day.

Order at http://www.tatebook.com. This book is also offered at www.amazon.com.

Conversations with a Stranger

Is there a God? Can God's existence be proven? Larry Tate has written a novel entitled Conversations With A Stranger. More information can be found at http://www.tatebook.com/. His book has been an effort to make philosophical teachings more understandable. Many people often wonder: Is there a God? What is God? Where is God? Did God create the universe? How do I fit in? Does God care about me? Is there life after death? Can I have a relationship with God? How do I know that God loves me? Can the existence of God be proven?

Questions about God seem to never end.There have been many philosophers who have attempted to prove God's existence. Blaise Pascal put forth Pascal's Wager. St. Thomas Aquinas' Five Ways and his Summa Theologiae attempts to prove that God exists in a variety of arguments. William Paley is known for Paley's Teleological Argument which suggests that the world exhibits an intelligent purpose. St. Anselm's Ontological Argument is based on reason alone. St. Augustine's Argument from Causality suggests that everything that exists was caused by something else. Pascal's Wager is also known as Pascal's Gambit. Blaise Pascal was a French philosopher in the 1600's. St. Thomas Aquinas was a Dominican Priest, theologian and philosopher in the 1200's. St. Anselm was a teacher in the 1100's.

Larry Tate probes these age-old questions in Conversations with a Stranger, a quest to find proof that God exists. Through a coincidental encounter with a stranger in a coffee shop, one man has the courage to ask daunting life questings that would shape the course of his future. Finding their first meeting so compelling, the two now-friends continued their dialogue with discussions to follow, slowly unearthing proofs implying God's existence. However, what they ultimately stumbled upon was far beyond anything they could have ever imagined. Eavesdrop on these choice encounters for yourself and find out what is birthed from Conversations with a Stranger.

Reviews:

The plot of Conversations with a Stranger is at once both simple and difficult to describe. Two men meet; one utterly unconcerned with the question of whether God exists. The other dedicated to proving His existence. An age-old dance played out in a coffee shop between two nameless men, previously unknown to one another. Without names these individuals are difficult to describe. The first could be Anyman, unconcerned with the larger questions of life, thriving on work and routine. It is he who shares this story with us. The second offers to meet the challenge of the first, and provide proofs drawn from notable Christian thinkers and apologists throughout the ages.
Generally speaking I approach books that scream “teaching fiction” very cautiously. Many notable titles in the vein are filled with fluff and nonsense, not to mention being poorly written. Think The Celestine Prophecy and you’ll understand my ambivalence for the genre. Thankfully Conversations with a Stranger is an entirely different kettle of fish.
Debut novelist Larry Tate has penned a brief work that is nevertheless densely written with a firm foundation based upon biblical truths. Tate isn’t swilling snake oil; he presents us instead with useful tools for evangelism while inspiring and re-focusing our eyes on the commission Jesus left His followers with. I rarely re-read fiction, but the comprehensive notes to the text provide detailed explanations of each of the proofs for God’s existence allowing for further study. This one is a keeper and I intend to dig deeper in order to make them my own and to use them myself.
The arguments presented are drawn from the work of Blaise Pascal, St. Thomas Aquinas, Henri Frederic Ameil, St. Anselm and scripture itself. Presented both conversationally during the casual and friendly debates of the two men, and in greater detail in the notes, the mental work required to engage the proofs are cushioned with the mundane details of life. Rather than devolving into an ongoing My Dinner with Andre tableau, taking place at a single table, Tate thankfully interjects changes of scene that inevitably lead back to the table for another round of civil verbal sparring.
Highly cohesive, the single-pointed message flows smoothly throughout all shifts in location as our Anyman continues the debate internally. His thought processes ring with doubt and conflict, a nearly universal experience during the transition from disbelief to belief. Having come to Christ in a violent fit of surrender, I found his extraordinarily rational and polite dealings with matters of faith surprising.
Perhaps there are such collected individuals living amongst us, I’m not certain I’ve ever met one. In fact our Everyman is a rather bland fellow and lacking a full complement of emotions and depth of character. This isn’t too concerning however, considering the fact that he simply serves as a placeholder for you, or me, the neighbour down the road or the stranger in line ahead of you at Starbucks.
While the apologetics angle is certainly a drawing card, the heart of the novel is faith. Our standing with God is not determined by our intellectual assent to arguments for His existence, or even in mentally acknowledging the claims of Christ. Rather it is that elusive gift, bestowed by God Himself, that effects the transformation. Still we must ever labour in the harvest, planting seeds, stirring up questions and encouraging conversation – let’s get busy!

Jennifer Bogart

"In Conversations with a Stranger, Larry Tate has brilliantly created a unique Christian evangelistic technique that, like a good mystery, lures the reader to seek the outcome".

Jim Head, Patent, Trademark & Copyright Attorney

"Larry Tate has written a provocative novel. He uses an encounter between two people to explore how a 'doubting Thomas' might deal with questions about God's place in his life. In this time of exploding information, a technically trained person may think he needs logical proof, but Larry shows us that answers maybe found in other ways and in other places."

Otis Winters, Chairman, Oriole Oil Company

"Quite simply put, Conversations with a Stranger, lets us know without any doubt that God exists, and the only way to Heaven is through His Son Jesus. In a world of unpredictability and uncertaintly, Larry Tate brings comfort, assurance, and peace of mind in knowing in who we put our belief and trust in."

Raj Patel, DDS, JD

God's Internet

God’s Internet is currently being offered to all of humanity free of charge. Sign up now, and receive valuable features such as High Speed Internet, Instant Messenger, Spam Protection, Networking, and Wide-Area Hot Zones. There is absolutely no equipment needed, no contract required and there are no hidden costs The more you use it, the better it performs. You will enjoy the benefits of Unlimited Usage, Unlimited Downloads and Advanced-Search capability. Hurry and sign up now. This limited-time offer is good only until the Resurrection.

The Instruction Manual is widely available in Hard Copy. The manual is divided into 66 unique and distinct sections. The instruction manual can be very helpful when using the Advanced Search Capability. Finding, knowing and believing the 1,260 Promises, 6,468 Commands and 8,000 predictions will make the advanced search capability helpful, fun and informative.

Many Subjects are available: Health, Prosperity, Family Issues, Problem Resolution, Dispute Mediation, Protection, Advice Columns, Salvation, Love, Relationships, Encouragement, Instruction, Giving, Help for the Poor, Business Solutions and many more.

News like you’ve never seen it before. Have you ever hear the news but didn’t quite know what it meant? Well, God’s news editorials will help you get a firm grasp of the news, and will help you prepare for coming events. You will even be able to know some of the news before it happens.

Instant Messenger. Two-way communication with God will be available at all times.

Spam protection like no other. Satan is constantly sending unwanted messages. The more you use God’s Internet, the better protection you get from Satan’s Spam Messages. God’s Internet filters out most, if not all of Satan’s Spam. When the occasional Spam does come through, you can easily delete it without even reading it. How? By believing and confessing passages found in the Instruction Manual.

World-Wide Hot-Zone. Discouraged by how few hot-zones the competition offers? God’s Internet features a remarkable world-wide hot-zone. No matter where you are; no matter what you are doing; you are hooked up to God’s Internet through His fail-proof Hot-Zone.

No equipment to buy or repair.

Networking is Great. Where two or three agree on anything, it shall be done. The more people in your network the better it works.

Sign up now. Don’t delay. Get in on the fun! See your Pastor for an application.

By Larry Tate