The End of the World

Well today May 21st 2011 is suppose to be the last day on Earth as we know it, at least that is what someone is predicting. His prediction is suppose to be based upon Biblical calculations. I am not sure how he explains what Jesus said about no one knowing the day or the hour. But my point today is not whether or not he is right but rather how people respond to the fact that one day our Lord will indeed return. Now I personally do not claim to know when that day is, I just know that it will happen. I don't know if the rash of weather related events points to the end or not but I do know there will be an end.

Now if you are in Christ Jesus and you have trusted your soul to Him then it will be a glorious day inded. And the words of the Apostle ring throughout history "comfort one another with these words." If you are without Christ you should indeed be concerned for if you are "left behind" it will not be a place you desire to be. The people that cause me the most reflection are the ones who are storing up supplies for the end. Trust me there is not enough bottled water available. Think about it if you are storing up then you expect to be left and if you are, well supplies won't help. If you don't expect to be left then you don't need supplies, if you are not sure then take care of that now.

This line of logic adds meaning to what Jesus told his disciples about not taking anything with them when they went out to serve Him. If ever the saying you can't take it with you when you go had meaning it is today. So as I said to my Mom when I hung the phone up this morning, if we are still here I will call you tomorrow, if not see you on the other side! But now that I think about it that is always true is it not?

The Prophet and the King

I am patriotic. I admit it. I stand at ballgames when the National Anthem is played with hat in hand and hand over my heart. I get “chills” when that question is asked once more “does that star spangled banner yet wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave?” I cry when solders return home and hug their families; I cry even more when they don’t. I vote in every election considering it a dishonor to those who paid the ultimate price if I should choose not too. I am deeply American. But I am also a minister of the Gospel. And sometimes the truth of scripture comes in conflict with the policies of a nation. Sometimes “Kings” have to be confronted and reminded that there is a power greater than they and that they too are subject to God. From Isaiah to Jeremiah; from Amos to Nathan prophets stand before those in power and speak of the One who has all power. And it is not always popular. It is not always what the majority thinks, feels or even desires to hear. It causes kings like Ahab to call prophets like Elijah “my enemy.” From slavery to everyone’s right to vote despite their gender or wealth the church has led the way.

Now some say that because this is the role of the church that the church should avoid having any service that honors the nation. They certainly have a right to say that for democracy gives them that right. But I believe that supporting our nations heritage and calling its present leaders to biblical accountability do not have to be mutually exclusive. Without freedom I could not write this article. Without the God who granted that freedom it would not matter one-way or the other. In fact in many ways it was the church (people who loved God and sought freedom to express that love) that formed the nation, not a nation that formed the church. It is therefore the church’s role to lift up the biblical standard before each generation. Every person who has the privilege to hold office must be reminded “In God we trust.” Every person must be told once more that we are a “nation under God.” The prophet must not yield to the temptation of rubber- stamping the policies of the king, and the “king” must never yield to the temptation of believing his power to be without question or beyond reproach. In fact, as Christians, there is no better way to love our nation than to call it back to the God that allowed us to become a nation that stands from “sea to shining sea.”

This Memorial Day it is perfectly appropriate to remember those who gave their lives so that you and I could live, work and yes worship the God of our choosing. Democracy has allowed us to send prophets over seas and to be prophetic here at home. Remembering the men and women who gave their lives in no way honors the fallen nature that makes war a reality. It does honor the bravery it takes to risk and yes to even lay down one’s life for something greater than themselves. And prophets must always stand before those who send young men and women into battle to ask the difficult questions that cause one to question their motives for doing so. With great freedom comes great responsibility and with great responsibility all our leaders must be willing to bow down to the One who guides, leads and directs the hearts of those who love Him.

Disasters Bring Us Together

I, like many, have been amazed at the generosity of people that has poured out during these last few days. People both inside and outside the church have given. They have given their money, their time, and their talents. It has been expressed to me on more than one occasions with words similar to these, "I feel guilty for not having any damage when so many are hurting." Perhaps guilt is not the word that best expresses what people are feeling but to say the least we all wonder why not me, or why them, or why now. While those why questions may never be answered this I know, people have been confronted face to face with their mortality. Life truly can end in an instant, all that one knew as normal can be normal no more within a few seconds, and that my friend is scary, as they say, no matter who you are.

That is why the security of a relationship with Christ brings such peace and joy. For no matter what tomorrow may hold we know who holds tomorrow. My wife Luann and I had very little damage to our home, lost part of one tree. In fact all my immediate family were not harmed. My grandparents home had some damage. But as people have spoken to me about their guilt or fear or peace my mind has gone back to the night of July 1, 2008. On that night I had a heart attack. While being transported on a helicopter to the hospital I was amazed at the peace I felt. I can truly say fear was not part of what I felt. Only Christ can bring such peace.

My prayer is that this feeling of goodwill will last well into the future for these damaged homes and hearts will not heal soon. Thank all of you for being givers when so many have seen things that they cherished taken.

The Saturday Before Easter

Can you even imagine what must have been going through the minds of those that followed Jesus on this day long ago? There is no evidence that a single one of them expected the resurrection. Not Peter, not James, not John, they all ran and hid. Not even Mary Magdalene, who loved Him without question and was brave enough to go to the tomb the next morning which is more than you can say for her male counter-parts who were hiding in fear but she did not come to the tomb to celebrate the resurrection, she came to give him a proper funeral. Not even Mary his mother was looking for His appearing…even though she had heard Angels speak her grief had overcome her memories even though she knew He was not born as others had been born.

All of these had seen his glory, witnessed his miracles and heard his words. And yet it was if they said it was a good campaign while it lasted but we just didn’t get him elected Messiah! But before we get too judgmental how about us; do we live in a state of expectancy? Does it surprise you when God acts or would it surprise you if He didn’t? Do you believe this risen Savior can raise up your marriage, deliver your child, protect you from the storms of life, or when life gets tough do you forget that He lives?

It has always amazed me that I have this incredible ability to forget. It seems we live in this cycle of remembering only after the fact that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I pray that you and I will not cringe in fear in a room of our own making but will proclaim with boldness that there is no situation that God cannot handle, no problem beyond His power, and no day that should be lived in fear. Tomorrow we will once again proclaim that the tomb was empty, let's live like it!

There is no Easter without Good Friday

Mark 15:34

Then, at the time Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why would God the Father turn His back on Jesus as He hung on the cross of Calvary? Had He not been obedient even unto death? Paul explains it this way…

Galatians 3:13 (Message)

Do you remember the Scripture that says, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”? That is what happened when Jesus was nailed to the Cross: He became a curse, and at the same time dissolved the curse.

To save us Jesus had to become us. He became a curse so He could bring the cure. Often we want to rush from Palm Sunday where the crowds are shouting Hosanna, to Easter where people are bowing before Him. This avoids the messiness of crucifixion, the horror of a crown of thorns, and the guilt of our sin. But there is no Easter without Good Friday and to believe sin has no price is to ignore the cross. There is no possibility of repentance without sacrifice, and only the sacrifice of God’s Son was sufficient for the accumulated sins of humanity.

Perhaps Max Lucado says it best in his book “When God Whispers Your Name.”

To see sin apart from grace is despair. To see grace without sin is arrogance. To see them in tandem is conversion.

When our eyes behold the cross we see our sin and our salvation; our worst and God’s best; we see the consequence of sin and the power of grace. We see the curse become the cure and the condemned become the Savior. How can the one sentenced to death be the one who brings life? The problem and the solution are all rolled into one divine event.

Why Pray?

I often get asked this question, why pray? I mean if God knows all that is going to happen, if He even knows what I am going to ask Him before I do, why pray? My wife often responds to some question I pose to her, well you know the answer to that before I answer, as if I should be some type of psychic. But you know most of the time she is correct I do know what she is going to say. We have been together for so long that I know her. I know her sad faces, excited faces and confused ones. I know what she loves, what she fears, what she dreams about, I know her. How do I know her so well? I know her because we spend a lot of time together. You see we are one of those old fashion couples who truly like being with each other.

The same is true with God I get to know Him by spending time with Him. I do this by spending time in His Word and by spending time in prayer. You see I think most of us think that prayer is simply us putting in our wish list or concerns for others in front of the Master. But prayer is God speaking to us. God may know what I am going to ask or request or tell Him about but I am afraid I am not that knowledgeable concerning Him or the future. There are times I really need guidance that goes beyond what I know from His Word. There are times I need to know how to apply that Word to this particular situation.

So don't think prayer is a waste of time, in fact many people's time on this planet is wasted because they don't pray.

He is Risen!

It is difficult to believe that Easter is just a few days away. Our hearts and minds will turn toward Jerusalem. We will remember a Passover meal that turned into a farewell address and a new beginning for all of God’s people. We will remember the Lord washing feet and teaching by being what He taught. We will remember betrayal and denial. We will hear a crowd shout Hosanna one day and crucify him the next. We will endure the brutality of a cross and the humiliation of our Lord. But praises be unto our Lord we will also celebrate the resurrection, claim victory over sin and death, and proclaim Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We will once again proclaim the tomb to be empty and our hearts to be filled with the presence of our Lord.