Posted on April 30, 2008 at 5:49pm.
The last two days have been a powerful reminder just how hard death is. On Tuesday a friend of Suzi, lost a courageous battle with cancer. I learned today, that on that same day, a woman who had been a part of my youth group 30 years ago, also died. The Bible uses the word “sting” in relation to death and it is a good word. Death hurts. It means loss, a void and it comes with a finality. It is never easy whether after a long time of illness or with a more unexpected suddenness - it is just plain hard. The quiet truth that whispers in the hardness is however that death really isn’t final. To be certain it brings to an end life here on earth but I believe there is so much more to come. An eternal life that has been secured for us by the death and resurrection of Jesus. Isn’t it ironic that his death is what gives me victory over death. I find peace in that truth. I will still grieve and it still hurts but it is not the end. Thank you Jesus.
Posted on April 28, 2008 at 6:27am.
A friend wrote me recently to ask about discerning God’s direction for his life. I think it is a question many of us wrestle with multiple times during our lives. Usually it revolves around the where and the what. Where would God have me to live and what would he have me do become the focal points. Those questions certainly are important and sometimes circumstances provide no options so the choice is made for us. I am convinced however that seeking to answer those questions can take us away from what I believe is God’s primary concern - MY HEART. David says in Psalm 51, “a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”God always has and always will want my heart before anything else. It is easier to explore where he might be taking me or what he would have for me to do but we need to never forget his main concern is the condition of my heart.
Posted on April 25, 2008 at 8:06am.
One of the wonderful results of being able to travel has been meeting believers from so many different cultures. Suzi and I have had the joy of having some of our friends from China stay with us the past several days. It has been a treat to extend hospitality in return for the gracious way they hosted us. I was thinking about our two cultures which in some ways are as different as night and day, I was reminded that we are all part of the Body of Christ. My mind then went to a scene that is almost too glorious to imagine. John’s vision of Jesus sweeps us up into the throne room of God and there before the Lamb are saints “from every tribe and language and people and nation” who God has made to be a kingdom! What a day when we all worship without the barriers of language or culture or anything. All of that is possible because of Jesus. When we see him differences will no longer matter. How I wish that could be said of the church today.
Posted on April 24, 2008 at 6:36am.
“Harassed and helpless” - those are the words used by Jesus to describe how he saw a group of people. Ever been there? I think they are a fairly accurate picture of the days many of us live, including mine. What is the solution? Well, you can move to somewhere quiet, figure out a way to unplug your life, or find a shepherd. That’s right a shepherd. When Jesus saw them as harassed and helpless he said the reason was “they were like sheep without a shepherd.” Someone to guide them, watch over them, protect them and provide for them. Don’t you love it when the person making the observation, the one pointing out the problem also has the solution. Even better is when the person IS the solution.
Posted on April 22, 2008 at 11:11am.
”...To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
It is that last phrase that has struck me since the weekend. It really wasn’t the focus of the message on justice but it has been stirring in my mind over the past couple of days. What does humility look like? I am sure we could all take a stab at defining the word but i am also sure we might not do it justice. I’m not sure I could define it but I do believe I have seen it. The humility I have seen looking into the eyes of pastors in Ethiopia, Cuba, Vietnam and China. Men and women who simply walk with Jesus to spread the Good News of the Gospel in their countries. I don’t want you to think that I am ready to confer sainthood on them - I’m not. They are ordinary men and women who struggle with life like we do. They are sinners saved by the grace of God who like me will struggle with sin until the day they die. Yet I come away from sitting in their presence and know it (life) is not about them it is about Jesus. They trust him (I think that may be the biggest act of humility there is) because they have nothing else to trust. Oh that people who look into my eyes would see the humility of trusting only in Jesus.
