I was stunned to hear about Whitney Houston’s sudden death in February. As a youth I was a huge fan of her music. What does her death have in common with Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson? They all battled the demons of substance abuse and to some degree, it contributed to their deaths. The crafted legacies by industry historians along with family and friends will give little or no attention to the substance abuse issues in their lives.
In music, film, politics, sports and even religion we want to paint successful figures in their given fields in a positive light for what they contributed. However, it is often not an accurate portrayal of their life. Edited out are their failures. Silenced.
I have been reading the Scriptures since I was a boy. One of the fascinating things I like about them is their honesty. You would think the stories in Scripture of the giants of the Christian faith like Abraham, Moses, King David, Paul and Peter would only feature their successes. God did include their incredible exploits, however, He also included their failures. Really embarrassing ones.
Where is the good news in relationship to our failures? Jesus came into our world to bring us this news. First, it means we admit our failures or sin to our self. We say “Self, I’ve got a problem”. Second, we admit to God, turning our lives towards Him seeking His help. Third, we admit to others who have been hurt by our actions. Fourth, we use our mistakes to help others avoid them. The sin of legendary King David in the Scriptures was written about at great length. He had an adulterous affair that he tried to cover up by killing his mistress’s husband. After a period of time he finally admitted what he did. He sought God’s forgiveness then said, “I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you” (Psalm 51:13). Through our sin and failures we can teach people the consequences of bad behavior and urge them to avoid what we have done. I believe that is why God included the failures of His great workmen.
Let us stop trying to keep up appearances and explain away our actions. In our failure, may we turn to Jesus and let him take our ashes and turn them into something beautiful. May He be our hope for today.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
HOPE FOR TODAY: Awakening the Mysteries of Love
My wife and I got to know each other when she came and asked me to help her start up a community wide youth ministry. As we worked together, feelings for her began stirring within me. I found myself confused saying to myself, “I have these feelings for her, but what should I do?”
When we are in these situations, our human emotions, friends and the cultural influences tell us to move quickly. Ask him or her out. Then go on a second date. Then it’s the first touch of the hands. The first embrace. The first kiss. The first, “I love you. Then marriage. And all this, 0 to 60, in just a few months. Where is the budding romance? Where is the love story to retell children and grandchildren?
We want whatever we want instantly. We think because we can instantly access movies, music, our money and a host of other things, we ought to have an instant relationship with instant love and happiness. Let’s slow down! That kind of thinking leads to divorce, unplanned pregnancies, adulterous affairs, emptiness and countless broken hearts.
Listen to the wisdom of God who says, do “not stir up or awaken love until it pleases” (Song of Solomon 3:5). God is warning us not to awaken the passions of love too soon. There is divine wisdom in employing self control over our emotions, while letting the shrouded mysteries of love stir within us. Over time we allow it to mature, grow and become a blossoming beautiful flower that can be cut at its peak of beauty at just the right time.
God created us with the capacity for love. When we follow His plan there is fulfillment. How do we know when to move forward and awaken love? The Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5,6). Our path seems anything but straight while walking through the ups and downs of love. Fortunately, the Lord straightened my path and led me to marry Kathe. When we turn our lives to Jesus and seek Him He’ll give us the clarity and direction we need. He is the author of this crazy love and it’s no mystery to Him. May Jesus be your hope for today in love and life.
When we are in these situations, our human emotions, friends and the cultural influences tell us to move quickly. Ask him or her out. Then go on a second date. Then it’s the first touch of the hands. The first embrace. The first kiss. The first, “I love you. Then marriage. And all this, 0 to 60, in just a few months. Where is the budding romance? Where is the love story to retell children and grandchildren?
We want whatever we want instantly. We think because we can instantly access movies, music, our money and a host of other things, we ought to have an instant relationship with instant love and happiness. Let’s slow down! That kind of thinking leads to divorce, unplanned pregnancies, adulterous affairs, emptiness and countless broken hearts.
Listen to the wisdom of God who says, do “not stir up or awaken love until it pleases” (Song of Solomon 3:5). God is warning us not to awaken the passions of love too soon. There is divine wisdom in employing self control over our emotions, while letting the shrouded mysteries of love stir within us. Over time we allow it to mature, grow and become a blossoming beautiful flower that can be cut at its peak of beauty at just the right time.
God created us with the capacity for love. When we follow His plan there is fulfillment. How do we know when to move forward and awaken love? The Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5,6). Our path seems anything but straight while walking through the ups and downs of love. Fortunately, the Lord straightened my path and led me to marry Kathe. When we turn our lives to Jesus and seek Him He’ll give us the clarity and direction we need. He is the author of this crazy love and it’s no mystery to Him. May Jesus be your hope for today in love and life.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
HOPE FOR TODAY: Gifts for the New Year
Have you ever eaten 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day? How about having eaten some black-eyed peas or set off fireworks? The people of the United States, Japan, Scotland, Spain and other nations have their unique traditions for bringing in the New Year which they hope will bring them good luck in the future.
The start of New Year’s celebrations date back to around 4,000 years ago, during the ancient Babylonian era. From those days to modern times there has always been a common theme among New Year’s traditions – “good-bye to the old and good luck in the new”.
The origin of the month of January embodies this. The name evolves from Janus, the Roman god of new beginnings. He had two faces; one looked back to the old and the other to the future. The Roman people would then celebrate before Janus, wishing they would receive good luck from him in the New Year.
No doubt, in all of our lives there was a mixture of good and bad in 2011. Like the Japanese do, maybe we would like to attend a “Forget-the-year” party and bid farewell to the difficult memories of last year. As you enter 2012 what are you relying on to bring a new and better year?
While researching for this column, my mind raced to a quote from the Bible I have read many times, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18). This ties in perfectly with the New Year!
The old can pass away and the new can come through gifts from the God of heaven. First, the gift of forgiveness can totally wash clean the sins of the past and bring healing to the wounds of yesterday. Secondly, the gift of eternal life can instantaneously create a new heart and mind that will breed new attitudes, desires and a future filled with an adventurous mission from God. These gifts originate from the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, God’s only Son. He gave His life that we might have new life.
Begin this New Year by turning your life to Jesus Christ. Humble yourself before God and call upon Him. Say good-bye to your old life and receive the gift God has for you in Christ. May Jesus be your hope for today and the New Year.
The start of New Year’s celebrations date back to around 4,000 years ago, during the ancient Babylonian era. From those days to modern times there has always been a common theme among New Year’s traditions – “good-bye to the old and good luck in the new”.
The origin of the month of January embodies this. The name evolves from Janus, the Roman god of new beginnings. He had two faces; one looked back to the old and the other to the future. The Roman people would then celebrate before Janus, wishing they would receive good luck from him in the New Year.
No doubt, in all of our lives there was a mixture of good and bad in 2011. Like the Japanese do, maybe we would like to attend a “Forget-the-year” party and bid farewell to the difficult memories of last year. As you enter 2012 what are you relying on to bring a new and better year?
While researching for this column, my mind raced to a quote from the Bible I have read many times, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18). This ties in perfectly with the New Year!
The old can pass away and the new can come through gifts from the God of heaven. First, the gift of forgiveness can totally wash clean the sins of the past and bring healing to the wounds of yesterday. Secondly, the gift of eternal life can instantaneously create a new heart and mind that will breed new attitudes, desires and a future filled with an adventurous mission from God. These gifts originate from the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, God’s only Son. He gave His life that we might have new life.
Begin this New Year by turning your life to Jesus Christ. Humble yourself before God and call upon Him. Say good-bye to your old life and receive the gift God has for you in Christ. May Jesus be your hope for today and the New Year.
Monday, December 12, 2011
HOPE FOR TODAY: The Story of Christmas
Good overcomes evil. Right triumphs over wrong. Justice prevails over injustice. Most films and theater productions have that heroic climax. Writers weave it skillfully into their work and audiences love it. There must be something in the fabric of our being that longs for what is good, right and just to be victorious in our own life and world. I believe the Christmas story embodies that.
The ancient, but true, story takes place in a small Israeli town. One starlit night the world was forever changed when the face of evil met its arch enemy. The Baby Jesus. He was not just any child. A series of miraculous events surrounded His birth. Before His conception, an angelic being appeared to His mother saying, “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:31-32). There were many such messages. They continually pointed out this Child would rise one day to become a great King and Deliverer. It all seemed a bit strange, but the news brought glimmers of hope to a world imprisoned in darkness.
Was this Child a mere mortal like you and me? On the outside He looked like one of us, but on the inside He was much more. The seed of Baby Jesus was literally sent from heaven. His seed was placed in the womb of His mother, Mary, by God’s Spirit. She was a virgin having never been with a man before. It was the miracle of all miracles. This seed of Jesus was divine. He was the very image and nature of the God who ruled the universe in heaven.
What a story! God left His throne, with all its splendor, and took on the form of a common human being. He became one of us, coming to deliver us and the world from sin. He came to establish a new kingdom on earth over which one day He will rule. That day all evil, wrong and injustice will be destroyed.
The theme of the Christmas story is hope. No matter what your world is like at present, may Jesus be your hope for today.
The ancient, but true, story takes place in a small Israeli town. One starlit night the world was forever changed when the face of evil met its arch enemy. The Baby Jesus. He was not just any child. A series of miraculous events surrounded His birth. Before His conception, an angelic being appeared to His mother saying, “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:31-32). There were many such messages. They continually pointed out this Child would rise one day to become a great King and Deliverer. It all seemed a bit strange, but the news brought glimmers of hope to a world imprisoned in darkness.
Was this Child a mere mortal like you and me? On the outside He looked like one of us, but on the inside He was much more. The seed of Baby Jesus was literally sent from heaven. His seed was placed in the womb of His mother, Mary, by God’s Spirit. She was a virgin having never been with a man before. It was the miracle of all miracles. This seed of Jesus was divine. He was the very image and nature of the God who ruled the universe in heaven.
What a story! God left His throne, with all its splendor, and took on the form of a common human being. He became one of us, coming to deliver us and the world from sin. He came to establish a new kingdom on earth over which one day He will rule. That day all evil, wrong and injustice will be destroyed.
The theme of the Christmas story is hope. No matter what your world is like at present, may Jesus be your hope for today.
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