It Has Already Been Said, But Bears Repeating

Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.

From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' "Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone--an image made by man's design and skill. 

In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."

Acts 17:22-31 (NIV)

This is the Good News of Jesus Christ:

"The just and loving Creator of the universe has looked upon hopelessly sinful people and sent His Son, God in the flesh, to bear His wrath against sin on the cross and to show His power over sin in the Resurrection so that all who trust in Him will be reconciled to God forever." - from "Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream" by David Platt

A Prayer and a New Year's Resolution

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:13

I am not one for making “New Year’s Resolutions” per se; sure there are goals to meet and tasks to accomplish and the beginning of a new year is a great time to inventory and start anew. That said, losing weight, exercise more, make more money etc. they tend to be as Mary Poppins said “That's a pie crust promise; easily made, easily broken!”

So I avoid making these proclamations, instead I strive to improve, to “be” better than I was last year or yesterday. This year however I am making a New Year’s resolution, a desperate prayer if you will:

I resolve to be more loving, kinder, to put an end to the harsh and hurtful words and to ask God to bring my tongue into submission. I know I cannot do this on my own, but I know that with God ALL things (even my boastful & arrogant tongue) can be transformed.

The apostle James wrote:

“but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” – James 3:8-10

Peace

On Death and Sadness

I am not afraid of dying, not really. Oh I’m not in a hurry mind you, but I am not afraid. Regrets, sure, but as old Blue Eyes said, too few to mention. I would hope my sons know how much I have loved and treasured them and that I am content and completely trusting in Jesus.

Sure there is work left to be done, but if Father is calling me home, then He must have someone else lined up to do that work. And yes there are things I would like to have done and places I have always wanted to see, but nothing could compare with what is waiting. So I am fine, really, fine if it is today.

I'm not a poet and cannot say I have read a great deal, but two come to mind this morning; William Wordsworth & Emily Dickinson.

Wordsworth wrote:

What though the radiance that was once so bright,

Be now for ever taken from my sight,

Though nothing can bring back the hour

Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;

We will grieve not, rather find

Strength in what remains behind;

In the primal sympathy

Which having been must ever be;

In the soothing thoughts that spring

Out of human suffering;

In the faith that looks through death,

From “Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood” (glory of the flower)

Here is an excerpt from Dickinson's “In this short Life”:

In this short Life

That only lasts an hour

How much — how little — is

Within our power

A brief reflection, a broader vision

2010 has been an eventful year; January started a declaration of remission of my leukemia, followed by two months of respiratory infections! So much for better health through remission!

Like all of us I had my share of ups and downs, although it seemed like this year had a few more downs than I would have liked. I face this coming new year with hope and optimism. I often deflect by using humor and use negative circumstances as a prop for laughs, but the reality is, I am an optimist. I believe tomorrow can be better than today, that next year can be better than last year.

I live in a nation with unlimited opportunities, where a person is truly limited only by the ceilings they themselves build in their mind and their life. I am guilty of not counting nor treasuring the many blessings I have been given, so if I were to make a New Year’s resolution, it would be to savor the moments am given, to stop dwelling on what might have been and what will never be.

The apostle Paul wrote: “I have learned the secret of being content in all circumstances”; I knew that truth once, not that long ago and I let it slip away and that is my responsibility, no one else’s. So I have goals for 2011 and beyond and I have a vision for my life, but my resolution is simple, to be at peace with where God has me, to be satisfied in Him and to be content, regardless of my circumstances.

God bless you and may 2011 be your year best ever.

Discovery & Change

I picked up my Bible this morning; yes the leather one, rice paper, gold gilded edges. As much as I love my Kindle, there is nothing quite like the touch and feel of a book in one’s hands. I thought about two things, one is those first books in the people’s hands, how a whole world opened up before them. Second, I thought about the revelation and discovery of God’s Word, His ultimate truth and the liberty we can enjoy resting in Him. Yet there are so many who have rejected this truth out of fear and ignorance; still others because it upsets their precious apple cart and threatens to turn their world upside down.

We dislike many things in our human condition, not the least of which is change.

The song 2112 by the Canadian trio Rush speaks of a great discovery and how that discovery from a past age is rejected.

What can this strange device be?
When I touch it, it gives forth a sound
It's got wires that vibrate and give music
What can this thing be that I found?

See how it sings like a sad heart
And joyously screams out it's pain
Sounds that build high like a mountain
Or notes that fall gently like rain

After being rebuffed by the elders, those "in the know", our hero despairs:

The sleep is still in my eyes
The dream is still in my head
I heave a sigh and sadly smile
And lie a while in bed
I wish that it might come to pass
Not fade like all my dreams

Just think of what my life might be
In a world like I have seen
I don't think I can carry on
Carry on this cold and empty life
Oh...noo!

We too have a great discovery from a past age, yet as current and relevant as ever; God’s Word and His promises to us, His beloved. Let’s not let our fear of change, or the pain of transformation keep us from embracing this greatest of gifts.

How to Thank a Veteran

I saw dozens of posts today thanking veterans and I added a few myself, so I got to thinking what it means to actually thank a vet. Certainly saying thank you is due, as are the complimentary meals offered by some restaurants; but shouldn’t more be done to show our appreciation?

First of all, saying thank you isn’t glorifying war or violence, nor is our appreciation the same as some nationalistic, jingoism; no, showing gratitude to those who sacrifice for the benefit of others is just human decency.

I was thinking about a 10 year old boy I know whose father is serving in Afghanistan right now and I imagined the sacrifice this 10 year old was making, along with his family. What thanks do we owe them?

Remember the movie Saving Private Ryan? Toward the end, Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) whispers to Private Ryan (Matt Damon) and says, “Earn this”. Years later when Ryan is visiting the Normandy beach with his family, looking over the thousands of crosses of those who gave their lives to rescue Europe, he stopped at Captain Ryan’s grave and with tears and a heavy heart he asks his wife if he has been a good man. He knows too well what his life cost, how so many gave up their future that he might live his.

So how do we thank a veteran for our freedom? Live as good citizens, contribute, work hard, be honest, love America by loving your fellow Americans; participate in this experiment in democracy, vote, get involved in your community, be informed, care, or as Captain John Miller said, “Earn this.”

Happy Veterans Day.

The Positive Side of Affliction

I am always intrigued and amazed at how differently people respond to adversity and life’s challenges. One of my observations is the degree of the hardship has little to do with how a person responds to adversity. Rather, it is one’s worldview, their perspective of life. Two people can experience nearly identical circumstances and have vastly different views of the event and make dramatically different choices.

My worldview is based upon God’s Word; in Scripture I discovered God’s character, His passion for His children and I discovered myself. For in the pages of this text are people just like me and just like you. People who at various times were heroic and cowardly; brave and fearful; filled with great faith, and overwhelmed with doubts, in other words, just like us.

The Bible also provides specific instructions on how we are to thrive and live purposeful lives in spite of and at times, even because of the adversity we face.

“I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12) That should be our encouragement, that which enables us to go on in the face of insurmountable odds. Paul used that truth during his ministry.

Consider his letters to the church in Corinth, “I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.” (2 Co 7:4) In verse 5 he shares: “For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn – conflicts on the outside, fears within.”

Earlier he confesses “But we have this treasure in jars of clay (our earthly bodies) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that His life may be revealed in our mortal body.” 2 Co 4:7-11

I find the following verses so amazing:

For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves in order that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, - 2 Corinthians 1:8-10

Burdened excessively, beyond our strength, despaired even of life, sentence of death! Wow, I am really stoked now, ready to hit the ground running Paul, thanks!

Here is where it turns; “we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us”. OK, we “discover” this truth that we are not really in control after all; therefore we can hand over our lives to One who not only loves us, but more importantly, One who has power over life and death! Surely if He has defeated death, removed the sting of every person’s ultimate enemy, He can bring forth victory from our financial crises, our marital woes, our health concerns, even our political and social ills.

My friends, it is often through affliction and suffering that the glory of God is revealed in our lives; the world needs to see how to endure with hope and joy, in the midst of so much pain and suffering. No one needs to be told to cheer up when they win the lottery, they’re happy. Rather, when the doctor says it’s cancer, when the boss says you’re out of work, or the judge says prison; that is when the world needs to see in our lives, the peace that surpasses all understanding.

When we walk in the light, we need not fear, for we know, and we learn through these afflictions in deeper ways, that He can be counted on, I mean in the deepest part of your spirit you can trust Him. This often comes after the sorrow and pain becomes so fierce, that you cry out in anguish, my God, why have You forsaken me? Our Lord Jesus did it; He also anguished the night He was betrayed, for He knew the hardship was coming. (John 18:4)

Many know this prayer “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from me; nevertheless not my will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) Just like Jesus, we don’t want to go through with it, we don’t want the pain, we avoid it, the cessation of pain is one of the great motivators in the human condition, we will do just about anything to make pain stop.

As believers however, when we embrace the fact that this world is not our permanent home, we can better endure the afflictions we face. Paul writes in Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us.” In his 2^nd letter to the church in Corinth, Paul continues this thought and tells us “For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.” (2 Co 4:17)

Now I know what you’re saying, momentary, light? Wait a minute here Paul, maybe the other guys stuff was momentary or light, but these are my problems here, and my stuff is heavy and it seems like it’s been going on forever! In verse 18 he helps us gain some perspective on this, “for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

OK, so the financial problems, illness, incarceration, divorce, even death itself, these are temporary in light of our forever home with Jesus! That makes it a little easier to take, but I’m still hurting today Lord, the pain feels overwhelming, suffocating, and it feels like it’s only getting worse, what now? Well, the truth is, it may get worse for a season, or longer, but let’s look back at our Master and see what He did then, and what He’s doing even today.

Saints, let us “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy 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) For the joy set before Him, the joy of reconciling His children back to Himself, we were His joy!

So after He takes care of the big task of redeeming mankind to Himself, and preparing our home for us, He goes back to work helping us to make it through life’s battles.

Let’s look at Hebrews 3:15-16, “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.”

So we have the assurance that “this too shall pass”, that He also battled through life’s agony, and He offers us the grace to endure. When the apostle Paul asked Him three times to remove the thorn in his flesh, he was told by the Living God: “My Grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Co 12:9)

We see that the Father met the Sons needs in the garden that dark night, for Luke tells us: “Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:43-44)

So Father will meet our needs, right where we are, and carry us through to victory, if we only rest in Him, and stop struggling. When it looks darkest, when it appears that defeat is certain, and all is lost, we need to remember how it looked that day over 2,000 years ago, when the Messiah was hung from a tree and the “movement” was defeated. If we look only with human eyes, yes it was a defeat wasn’t it, He was killed, the followers scattered, and the battle was lost. But too often we look at Friday my friends, and Friday was ugly, it had to be though, because cleaning up the sin of the world was no simple task!

But let’s fast-forward a couple of days, to a tomb that should have held this poor preacher from Galilee, and listen to those words that have been resonating hope for 21 centuries:

“Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen.”

It only looked lost, it only appears that we have no hope, it only seems like tomorrow will be as painful as today, but Sunday became the victory for believers everywhere! He lives! Let those words roll around on your tongue, He Lives! And if He lives, we can believe all of the promises He gave to us, we have a home with no mortgage payments, no plumbing problems, no taxes, no college tuition to pay, and no more tears, no more pain and no more goodbyes. And He has promised to walk with us and be our God, forever; with an assured future like that, I am confident that I can handle anything that this world throws my way, thank You Jesus, for You did make a way, where there seems to be no way.