History’s Greatest Week

  

“After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb.  Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men.

But the angel told the women, "Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you."

So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news.”  (Matthew 28:1-8 HCSB)

The ladies ventured early on that Sunday morning to a cemetery of all places.  Saturday concluded history’s most well known and ancient history’s most documented week.  One week before the Galilean preacher Jesus rode into Jerusalem, Israel’s capitol city, and was welcomed by multitudes as the promised Messiah of the Jews.  Later in the week would begin the Feast of Unleavened Bread and Passover.  High holy days they were.

As He had predicted on multiple occasions Jesus would be arrested, wrongfully accused, beaten and tried by religious and civil authorities, then by a corrupt court and because of bribed “witnesses” He was condemned to death on a Roman cross.  Just as thousands had welcomed Him into Jerusalem, likely thousands (in town for the holy days) would witness His condemnation, His walk through the city and His death, crucified between two thieves.

That He died was indisputable.  The Romans were experts at crucifixion – their particularly tortuous manner of execution.  They were equally expert at knowing death when they saw it.  So, after His burial and three days in the grave, to find His tomb empty and hearing the news that He was risen and alive was life-changing good news.  History changed at that moment.

That’s why Jesus lived, died and rose again: to change lives – morphing fallen men and women, separated from God by sin to new life as the very children of God.  That reconciliation with God is made possible by His sacrifice and God’s affirmation when He raised Him up.

Don’t let this week pass you by without pausing to ponder just what God has done.  Better yet, believe it and join in on the celebration now and for eternity.

Quick Triggered

I'm ashamed to say that I have too often been part of a posse with quick triggers.  As I mature in my faith and understanding of God's Word, however, I'm beginning to pull my finger off the trigger so that I think, meditate and pray before shooting.  Lately my gun has been staying in the holster a lot more.

No, I'm not talking about gun control.  I already did that!  I'm thinking about people who belong to Jesus being so quick to judge and condemn other members of Jesus' family because they do some things differently.

And it should be no surprise that the internet has become the firing range.

What I know (from personal experience at the range) is that snap judgments against fellow believers usually stems from a sense of my own self-righteousness and that I know what's best - not just for me, but for you, too.  My exodus from Pharisaism has been a long and winding road.  And still I am tempted to believe the worst about someone without first checking my own heart and then checking to see if its even any of my business!

I do believe there is a place for Christians to judge one another.  As politically incorrect as that might sound, it's also clearly taught in Scripture.  It doesn't however give us permission to peep into one another's windows at night or to fire off volleys if we think we've spotted an indiscretion.  With the responsibility of judgment also comes the responsibility of grace.

The gun doesn't fire unless I first put my finger on the trigger.  Even then I have to squeeze it.  But before I do, I need to be sure it's my place and that my reaction is to better someone not to attack or destroy or attack just because I may disagree.

How much better to save my ammo for the enemy.

Fairness, Sovereignty and Judging God

Our church's daily Bible reading* for today really got me thinking about God's sovereignty - that He is over all and in control and nothing happens to His children that He can't use for His greater glory.  Being a "theologian" those words and that concept are not new or foreign to me.  They're part of a greater belief system that starts with God and from Him moves down to mankind.

In Psalm 66:11 the psalmist, thinking back to the Hebrews time in Egypt wrote (to God), "You captured us in your net and laid the burden of slavery on our backs."   You did that, God.  It wasn't by chance.  It wasn't because of famine or the outcome of a cruel deed by Joseph's brothers.  You removed my ancestors from their home in Canaan, saw that they went to Egypt and there became slaves.  You, God.

I wonder if while they were making bricks without straw one of the Hebrews on a hot, sunny day popped up and shouted, "God is good!", and the thousands of others mixing the clay and water for the bricks gleefully shouted back, "All the time!".  

So is He or isn't He?  And before we say, "Of course, He is", let's rerun our lives, especially the times when it may have seemed He might not be so concerned with being good to us.  Then, while walking through a particularly dark valley, did we trust in the sovereign will of an almighty God, or did we doubt?  Did we wonder if He wasn't particularly fair?  Did we compare our tribulation to others and wonder why we seemed to be punished when someone who doesn't even know Him seems to float carefree through life?

Job's wife didn't believe in God's sovereignty and His ultimate good purposes for her husband.  After he lost virtually everything he had, including possessions and children and his own health, her words of encouragement were, "Why don't you just curse God and die!"  (How's that for a "help-meet"?)  Certainly behind her words were the thoughts that if this is how God doles out life, why bother?

How then do we make sense out of life when it seems to go south, when everything within us desires to go north?  How do we respond to tragedies that happen to the best of us when the worst of us seem to go through life without a hiccup?

Yes, God is good.  Yes, He is sovereign.  He is also omniscient (knows everything) and omnipotent (nothing can stop Him).  We are neither.  Nor are we eternal.  We are finite and limited.  But God is eternal, "from everlasting to everlasting", and can see and know everything that has not yet happened in my life.  He sees the "big picture".

On the other hand, I am none of the above.  I am limited in knowledge and ability.  I may think I know what's next, but in reality I not only don't know, my viewpoint is so little picture it's not even a pixel on His screen.  So, what I see as bad or unfair in the moment; what I see as the opposite of what I would do if I was God (!) is in itself an unfair judgment of Someone whose actions are beyond my grasp.

So, do you and I dare to judge God?  When our prayers are not answered in what we believe to be for our benefit and we complain or whine, aren't we really saying, "God, I know better than You.  You got this one wrong this time?"  Ultimately the whining and complaining, the doubting and second-guessing remove us from resting in His sovereign care.

Long ago a songwriter penned these words.  I sang them as a boy in church.  "'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus".  Not just on the bright and shiny days, but especially in the dark and gloomy.  If I don't trust in His sovereign will I will not hold His hand through the valley of the shadow of death and I will not follow His lead.

Call it "blind faith" if you will, but I disagree.  Life's not always fair.  And when it's not, it isn't because God is an ogre.  We live with the consequences of a flawed nature and a flawed creation.  He didn't mess anything up.  And when things are "messed up" He is not obliged to give us a reason or the solution.  Don't judge God.  None of us wear that robe.

Rather, because He is God and we are not He deserves our trust always.  It is in the hardest of times, as Job demonstrated, that real faith is tested and found true.  Perhaps, too, in His loving kindness He will one day reveal how from start to finish He worked it all for our good. 


*Each day to help us grow together our church has a selected Bible reading. 

Love is the Greatest Thing

 I told my wife the other day that every day with her is Valentines Day. 

She wasn’t impressed!

Tomorrow is that once-a-year celebration of love.  While we might celebrate, it’s the florists, Hallmark and Whitman’s that dance all the way to the bank.  But that’s OK.  The flowers, cards and chocolates are part of what makes it special.  Unless, of course you’re springing for bling…or expected to do so!

But I’m concerned that as Bon Jovi sang our culture has not only lost sight in many ways of what love is, but has given it “a bad name”.  Watch and listen to pop-culture and L-O-V-E is really L-U-S-T.  The idea of selfless sacrifice seems lost in wanting love to fulfill personal wants. 

On and on I could go.  But I won’t.  Instead, I’ll just quote from a passage in Scripture, quite poetic, that while often read at weddings isn’t about marriage.  But it is about love, and in its simplicity defines it as the highest of virtues.  So high in fact that Jesus told us we must love our enemies – perhaps life’s greatest challenge.

My greatest take from this explanation of love from someone who knew hatred so that he could experience the heights of love is that love is far beyond being a feeling.  Paul makes it clear that love is a verb.  Regardless of feelings, love does.

From the Contemporary English Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 and 13:

What if I could speak all languages of humans and of angels?

If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a 
noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

What if I could prophesy and understand all secrets and all knowledge?

And what if I had faith that moved mountains?

I would be nothing, unless I loved others.

What if I gave away all that I owned and let myself be burned alive? I would gain nothing, unless I loved others.

Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude.

Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered.

It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do.

Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil.

Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting.

Love never fails!

For now there are faith, hope, and love.

But of these three, the greatest is love.

On this Valentines Day and every day, let’s pursue the greatest in life.

It seems to me....Gun Control

Recent mass shootings have our Executive Branch along with their partners in Congress on a snipe hunt.  You know about snipe hunts.  Kids take unsuspecting and somewhat gullible friends into the woods to catch the legendary bird...that doesn't exist.

What seems clear from the horrific shootings in schools, universities, movie theaters, malls and military installations (think security might be an issue?) are a couple of common links.  Most prevalent is mental illness, including a hatred for certain segments of culture.  The second is criminal past.

In this country we have systems in place for dealing with both mental illness and the criminal element.  But, you've read the stories.  And in every instance the systems failed, allowing those with evil intent to roam freely to commit their well-planned atrocities.

How are those under psychiatric care with a clear potential for violent behavior not identified by professionals in the medical field and given the treatment they need, even if it means committal?

How are convicted murderers turned back out into society only to kill again?

And how are they acquiring firearms?

These are the questions that it seems to me need answering.  But some in our government are hell-bent on throwing the baby out with the bathwater, making certain firearms illegal to the sane and law-abiding.

It seems to me, from what I've read from our Founding Fathers that the 2nd Amendment was inserted to prevent Americans from ever being ruled again by a tyrant.  They knew first-hand how important it was for the citizenry to possess (and be able to use) firearms for something more than hunting and target practice.  They knew that freedom required an armed citizenry.  If you haven't read much, go watch the movie, "The Patriot".

It also seems to me that there is legitimate concern that some, because of their mental troubles or criminal histories of violence should forfeit that right in order to protect the rest of us.

Seems to me that legal gun owners, who will never shoot another human and have no desire to do so, need to do better in securing their firearms so that the criminal element cannot steal them.   Should everyone who purchases a firearm be required to take training that includes gun security?  Seems to me that's not a bad idea.

Those who support the 2nd Amendment point to our freedoms and rights.  And while I'm in agreement with that notion and will vehemently oppose any efforts to weaken the Constitution, it seems to me that with freedom always comes responsibility.

For me the issue is not how many bullets can be fired from a gun.  There's always more bullets.  I have no problem with my neighbor owning a semi-automatic rifle.  One day he may come to my defense.  But if my neighbor has demonstrated he/she is mentally incompetent or has been convicted of a violent felony, any firearm in his/her possession would have me a bit unnerved.

Somewhere there is a solution.  But I can't believe it is "all or nothing" in either direction.

Seems to me we should forget the snipe hunt and deal with how to keep guns out of the hands of the dangerous.

Perilous Days Are Here

For most of our country’s history our foundation has been one of biblical values.  Most of our Founding Fathers held to a high view of the Scriptures and believed their America to be a Christian nation.  At the same time they ensured peoples of all faiths could come here and freely practice their faith without governmental interference or censorship.   

This past week two items in the news made it clear that is no longer the truth.  One reported that tax money contributed by all Americans help to end the lives of over 300,000 Americans via Planned Parenthood in 2011.

The second was the effective removal of an evangelical preacher from praying the inaugural benediction because of his traditional Christian beliefs in sexuality.  Both free speech and freedom of religion were railroaded by our current administration.

Next Sunday, which is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday and the day before the inauguration, I plan to talk very plainly to the church I pastor about how our American ideals, that at one time said we were “under God” are being rapidly stripped away and what we as believers must do about it. 

I fear we are crossing...maybe have already crossed a line in this country that will make historic Christianity no longer welcome in the land of the pilgrim's pride. 

Running the Wrong Direction

I'm a believer in the local church and the community of support, fellowship and accountability it was created by Christ to offer.  In my personal and family life the church has been a rock during times of crisis and pain.  Often, when I minister to those outside of the church in times of great stress I wonder how they will survive without a community of brothers and sisters in Christ.

But, the church cannot be what it should be in times of need if that need is kept secret or if the ones needing help, because of pride or shame pull away from the body.  Over my more than three decades of pastoring I have seen this happen.  An individual, couple or family feels overwhelmed by a crisis, and rather than run to the church for support and love, they drop out.  That grieves me, especially when the church is ready and willing to show and give the support needed and without judgment.

A friend posted this today on Facebook, and I wanted to share it with others.  It is so true.  

"When you are suffering, you may sometimes tend to withdraw, pull back, and pull away," says Anne Graham Lotz. "I do think there is a time for that, and each day you should spend time alone with the Lord. But don't forsake other people, because other people can give you comfort and encouragement and help you keep your focus. Sometimes you can get so preoccupied with the problem that it consumes you. Other people can help give you a balance." 

God wants you to be truthful with yourself and with other people. He wants to free you from the debilitating effects of withdrawing and hiding your emotions. Jesus says in the book of John that "the truth will set you free."

Jesus also said, "You don't have because you don't ask".  Paul wrote to the Galatian churches that we should "bear one another's burdens".  If there is no asking; if there instead is denial or hiding or withdrawal and the church doesn't know, it can't do the thing it was created to do.  We should never be ashamed to seek out what the church can provide, which is the grace of God.  

Run to Christ's family, not away from them.  Let them be the hands and feet of the Lord in your time of need. 

Advent Celebrates His Coming… and His Coming

Thanksgiving "officially" kicked off the “holiday season”.    Black Friday (or was it Thursday, too?) and Cyber Monday are past and the credit card statements will soon be arriving with the bad news. 

Thanks to the retail world Thanksgiving has become the start up to the Christmas season.  Santa rides the last float of Macy’s parade, signaling his appearances at department stores everywhere.  And in every locale at least one FM station is now “your Christmas music home” for the next month.  ‘Tis the season!

Traditional Christianity refers to the weeks ahead leading up to Christmas as “Advent”.  Many churches feature advent candle lighting and lessons that are intended to prepare worshipers for the coming of Christ.  Anything that promotes Jesus and leads us to know and worship Him is a good thing.

The word “advent” is a transliterated word – turning a word from one language into another – from the Latin “adventus”, which means “coming”.  Interestingly, the Latin is a translation of the Greek word “parousia”.  Greek culture preceded the Roman, and the New Testament was originally penned in Greek.    And biblically, “parousia”, is typically used when speaking not of Christ’s incarnation at Christmas, but His second coming.

Of course, what was coming, perhaps I should say “Who” was coming was the awaited Messiah.  The Jewish people longed for the One who would arrive and inherit the throne of David, returning Israel to its ancient glory.  Christians believe that promise to Israel was realized when the angel instructed Joseph to name Mary’s son “Emmanuel”, a Hebrew name meaning “God with us”.  So, Christmas is a celebration of the arrival of the Messiah or, in the Greek, the “cristos” – again a word transliterated into English as “Christ”.

I’m a fan of Christmas.  I say, “Merry Christmas” without shame as my greeting of choice in December.  And certainly, the coming of the Christ is worthy of our remembrance, our preparation and our celebration.  In the life of Jesus and in the Christian faith, His birth in Bethlehem ranks up there with His passion and resurrection.  So let’s get ready to adore Him.

Celebrating Christmas is a time of looking back at this wonderful event that brought a multitude of angels within earshot of shepherds as they praised “God in the highest”.  It’s a remembrance of a most awesome event in the past.  But…let’s not lose sight of what’s ahead.

Many years ago my wife had a conversation with a neighbor and somehow the subject of Christ’s second coming – the “parousia” – came up.  She was pretty surprised that her friend, an avid churchgoer in a church that religiously celebrates advent, had no idea that there was such a thing as Christ’s future return.  Somehow what should be most important less of advent to the believer – what Jesus promised would happen and Paul referred to as the “blessed hope” of the saints - had been overlooked in her experience.

The truth is that Christ came.  The ongoing truth is that He will make a repeat visit.  But in His second coming He won’t be a baby in a manger, a miracle-working teacher or even a dying Savior.  His first advent was as the Lamb of God, making the way through His death and resurrection for us to know God.

His second advent, which is the advent we should really be preparing for, will be as the King of Kings.  “Thy kingdom come” we pray.  That’s all about advent, chapter 2.  Let’s be ready.  This is a great time to be prepared.

Respect Is Learned

I just read a story about a NPR reporter who sat and worked on his laptop as the National Anthem was being played/sung at a campaign rally.  It's stirred up some controversy.  Rightly so, I think.

Basic respect, not only for the flag and the nation it represents also must include respect for those citizens around you.  The simple act of standing shows respect for those who put their lives on the line and died so that flag could still be raised.  You don't have to agree with what America is or has become.  Just show some respect.

When I was a middle school student my family lived on an Army post.  (Yes, my dad is a Marine.)  I played Little League baseball, and our field was across the street from the parade field.  A parade field on a military installation is where the post's or base's central flag pole is located.  Every day, as I recall at 6PM (1800) there was a blast from the cannon beside the flag pole and a bugler began to play Retreat.  Following Retreat as the flag was ceremoniously lowered, the bugler played To the Colors. *

I heard this just about every Spring evening.  With the cannon blast we immediately stopped practicing/playing. Turning toward the flag we removed our ball caps and placed them over our hearts throughout the bugle's call.  Cars in the vicinity would come to a stop in the street and their occupants would actually get out and stand at attention, saluting if in uniform or hands over hearts if not.

That daily experience, along with our coaches (who were military men) taught me respect for our flag.  Today 45 years later, as I stood in formation with fellow firefighters saluting Old Glory during the Pledge and the singing of The Star Spangled Banner in a ceremony honoring our veterans I still felt that same respect I learned as a boy.  My chest still swells with pride and gratitude for our great country.

Who teaches our children such things today?  Apparently no one taught the reporter.  He doesn't know what he is missing.

Here's a link to the various bugle calls used by our military.  You'll get an explanation and an audio clip for each.  Some, you'll discover are familiar to most of us.  I understand that had a band been on the parade field The Star Spangled Banner would have been played in lieu of To the Colors.

I'm voting for change this time

WARNING: I'm making political statements here.  If that bothers you, don't read it.

Sometime tomorrow, God willing, I'll head over to our town hall and cast my vote for Romney and Ryan.  If you care, I'll tell you why.

1.  President Obama's administration has consistently chipped away at religious liberties over the past 4 years.  It appears that the Constitution is irrelevant under his leadership.

2. President Obama's administration has pushed for the acceptance of a redefinition of marriage, something that has been in place for the entire history of mankind in every culture.

3. President Obama has signed on to legislation promoting the ongoing slaughter of the unborn in our country.

4. Something terribly wrong happened in Libya on Sept. 11, and we have been lied to about it repeatedly.  Americans deserve to know the truth.

5. I'm no better off financially than I was four years ago.  But, at least I still have a job.  Yet the numbers of unemployed Americans continues to grow and the small businesses that can provide real economic stimulus are suffering.  The economic "stimulus package" only put us farther in debt as a nation.

6. The promise of a transparent administration has never materialized.  In fact, just the opposite has happened, with executive orders bypassing our Constitutional government process.

7. I'm a capitalist, not a socialist.  Let free enterprise, not governmental agencies solve what ails our economy.

8. I wish everyone adequate health care.  But I do not believe those of who can pay for our own should also pay for those who can't or won't.  Let's find a better solution.

9. Gov. Romney is a proven business man, and has been chief executive of a state government.  He will come into this job with more experience than Pres. Obama had four years ago.  We need someone with Romney's track record to turn things around.

10. Joe Biden is one heartbeat away from the Oval Office!