book of life

Is Jesus the Author of Your Story?

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment 
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Revelation 3:5 NKJV

Most of us love a good story. Whether in a book, a film or a song, we enjoy listening to new stories. Some make us laugh, others cry, and the best ones motivate us to become better human beings. Stories help us to understand things, in ways that clinical explanations end up leaving us feeling more like a suspect in a crime, than an eager recipient of a gift. Maybe that is why when Jesus spoke to HIs followers, He often used stories. Even in the famous Christmas story of Mary and Joseph, with angels, wise men and shepherds, the Bible tells us that Jesus came to us as God’s Word, in made flesh. So, in a way we could even say that Jesus came as God’s story for us to hear. He came as the story of God’s love, as well as the story of His holiness. Jesus is the story of God’s mercy, as well as the story of His truth. Most important of all, Jesus came to earth, to live, to die and to be raised from the dead in order that He could become God’s story for us. He only asks that we listen with ears of faith and then receive Him into our hearts, and then in one miraculous moment, Jesus can become the author of our own faith. Then He puts His name on the book cover of our lives, and every chapter that He writes inside of us will be included in His best-selling story of all – The Book of Life!

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Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

Begin to Write Our Name

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments 
The Bible says the devil comes
And shouts things just aren’t fair
Because believers are being blessed
And kept under God’s care 

He shouts He knows about our sins
And demands to take control
Because our failures and our faults
Have sold to Him our soul

But while he tells all that we’ve done
Thinking that He might win
The Son of God lifts up His hands
And shows the scars to Him

Reminding Him that from the Cross
He cried Father forgive
They do know not what they have done
I’ll die so they might live

Then in defeat the evil one
Slinks from the scene in shame
As he sees the Savior in God’s book 
Begin to write our name!

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. Luke 23:34 ESV

Begin to Write our Name
By Peter Caligiuri
Copyright © 2025
All rights reserved
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Heaven’s Family Album

/ pastorpete51 / 6 Comments

Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20 KJV

This year we decided that the time had come to organize our vast collection of family photos. We put this off for years because in our cabinets lie thousands of snapshots of our own, as well as hundreds from our parents, and even grandparents. Slowly and methodically, we went through our collection, tossing out faded landscapes, faces of folks we do not recognize or wished we didn’t.

At first, this was simply tedious but as time went on and the images passed before me, the memories came rushing back. We laughed seeing images of our children (now in their forties) jumping on the couch, we wept to see faces of friends and family separated by death or broken relationships. Some of our memories are treasures, while others we simply wanted to throw away. As flipped through the pile of photographs, I saw my life in the faces and was reminded that God also has a family album of His own in Heaven.

From His vast collection, He has lovingly shared with us a few eternal snapshots, to teach us the most important lessons of life. From our children, we learned to be patient and to love them even when they failed. From parents and grandparents, He showed us how to face difficulties with faith and respect for those weaker than we are. But from those who hurt us He has given us the opportunity to learn the greatest lesson of all. With these Jesus brings us to the cross where He teaches us to treat thieves as companions, failed friends as family members and those who cause our deepest pain, as people in need of mercy. At the cross God shows us that in forgiving others, He has forgiven us in spite of our sins. Then by His grace He has added us one by one into His family album in Heaven where we will one day see His face forever!