This is a letter written to our church by my wife, Ruth, in 2010. It was written the day before she had surgery for her brain tumor. Her joy and praise for God’s amazing grace never wavered from the time of this letter until her Lord called her home this fall. This letter gives focus for all of us as we consider how we will spend our time in the upcoming year. Here is the letter, it is worth your time. Twenty-five days ago, on the first day of April, God got my attention with with a malignant brain tumor. It’s been quite a month, and now I’m on my way to surgery, tomorrow morning. You all have […]
Yearly Archives: 2013
Biblical worship is about transformation. Christian worship is distinct from anything that our “spiritual” culture has to offer. An encounter with the Living God, whether corporately or individually, should be transformational. Conformity to the world’s idea of worship carries the idea of personal enrichment and fulfillment. Biblical worship is nothing of the sort. When we see God for who he is, we cannot remain the same. We are undone, yet we have hope. We must be transformed. Our minds must be renewed so we can embrace the perfect, written will of God for lives. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual […]
The parable in Luke 12 tells of a rich man who had been so successful in his farming endeavors that he had run out of room to store his crops. That was good, right? He was financially secure. As he considered his options, one became attractive. Luke 12:18-19 says he would tear down his barns and build bigger ones. The New Living Translation captures the spirit of our rich farmer: Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! […]
Truthfulness is something that we value in other people. But how about for yourself? Do you value the truth? I am sure you would say yes if you were asked. However, there are times when we are tempted to not say all that is true, or perhaps to shade the truth for our own benefit. Here is an example: Your son who is eight, is complaining he didn’t get as many Christmas cookies as his sisters and he thinks that is unfair. You tell him: “Michael, there was one plate for the whole family, you, your sisters, and dad. I told everyone, including you, that the cookies were out of the oven and ready to eat. But you said you […]
The gift of heaven is a gift anticipated with trembling, but received with peace. It is a gift seldom planned for, but is given according to the most loving of plans. It is a gift that exposes our faith, but is given in faithfulness. It is a gift that we are tempted to exchange for the treasures of this life. It is a gift looked upon with doubt, but, once given, removes all doubt. It is a gift we wanted to avoid, but then embraced with gratitude. It is a gift painful to contemplate, but then radically, wonderfully heals. It is a gift dreaded by the foolish, but longed for by the wise. […]
The clock is ticking. We are running out of time. It is time for work, school, practice, and even church. Time is a big deal in modern life. Yet for all of the energy spent on managing time, Jesus says there is nothing we can do to shorten or lengthen the time given to us on earth, not even by a millisecond. Time is to be exhausted on God’s glory not our own personal agendas. Time as we know it is not eternal, it is created. There will be no clocks in heaven. Before there was time there was God. This is one reason God refers to himself as I Am. God is infinite, he cannot […]
Christ has come. You have hope. There is nothing in life that can overcome what has been given to you in Christ. God looks at you and sees the goodness of his son. Christ makes all things right. Christ intercedes for you whether you ask him to or not. Christ took your punishment, your shame, your guilt and then gave you life. Christ is your model when those close to you care more for themselves than they do for you. Christ is the ruler of the Kingdom that has no end. Christ is your hope when you fail. Christ has lavished his gifts upon you. Christ is your peace. […]
Little is certain in life. But there is one fact, one rock that is solid, certain and secure. This fact has two sides. The first side is that Jesus Christ has come to earth to bring joy to the world and to satisfy the wrath of his Father. The second side is that he will return! Christ will return and make all things new. Tears will be wiped away. There will be no need for electrical or alternative energy as the radiant glory of Christ will supply all the power that we will need. All the inequities of life will be wonderfully and finally resolved. Our broken bodies will be made whole. We will be with the Lord as […]
The first widespread usage of the greeting Merry Christmas apparently began in 1843 with the publishing of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Not surprisingly, the greeting first appeared on Christmas cards that same year. The idea behind this phrase is that Christmas should be a happy, joyous time. So when you wish someone a Merry Christmas, you are, in fact, offering a blessing to them for a merry or happy occasion. For Christians, this is where it gets interesting. The annual celebration of Christ’s birth is not directly commanded in Scripture. However, there is a compelling reason to celebrate the Advent. Do not miss this! There is no activity that is more appropriate than engaging in the praise of Christ […]
Don’t Hide Christ This is a busy time of year. Yet we should never be so busy that the wonder of Jesus becomes ordinary to us. Read these two passages of scripture slowly. Think deliberately about them. Then read them to your children. Ask God to overwhelm you with the glorious deeds of Jesus Christ. HIs birth was just the beginning of his time on earth. He is also creator of the Universe, and the fearsome rider on the white horse. He rules in and over time and stands outside of time. He turns darkness into the light that illuminates the new heavens and earth. He wields the sword which executes his Father’s will and pierces deeply into […]