The Light Shines

“What does the radar look like?” Chelsea and I were sitting in the living room that afternoon and she had noticed the darkening sky and increasing winds. I pulled out my iPad and took a look. The radar didn’t look too bad - some red for sure, but it was a narrow band of storms hitting the outskirts of Nashville. Then, suddenly, I caught sight of the tornado symbol. Then another one. They were embedded in the radar on my screen, showing active tornados on the ground. We quickly turned on the TV so we could keep up with what was happening and Chelsea ran upstairs to get her mom, who was visiting us for a couple of weeks. A few minutes later, a tornado passed within a mile or two of our house while we huddled in our master closet. We could hear the wind and rain and what sounded like hail for a little bit, then suddenly everything went black as our neighborhood lost power. As the storm moved on, I set up one of our kerosene lamps and lit it. The house, which had been eerily quiet and dark, was suddenly bathed in a warm glow.

Two thousand years ago, the world was shut in darkness. Unlike our physical darkness, which lasted for a few hours until the power returned, this was a spiritual darkness which had lasted for millennia. Every once in a while, a prophet would speak into the darkness, emitting a pinpoint of light, foretelling the birth of Someone yet to come. Then, finally, in the fullness of time, a Son was born. Not just another baby, but the Word Who had existed from time eternal. And the Apostle John tells us, “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it” (John 1:4, 5). Through the stormy darkness, a lamp was lit. A lamp whose rays would stream across time, bringing warmth and comfort to all who accept it. “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son” (John 1:14).

The Blessed Hope

A few weeks ago, Chelsea and I had the opportunity to visit many of our Adventist pioneer sites in the Northeast with ministerial directors from all across the North American Division. We visited the birthplace of Ellen White, the childhood homes of Joseph Bates and Annie and Uriah Smith, and the Washington, New Hampshire, Adventist Church. But one of the highlights had to have been visiting the farm of William Miller. Our guide for the trip was Merlin Burt, director of the Ellen White Estate, who shared many stories of events that happened on that farm. This was where William Miller, while studying his Bible, discovered the time prophecy about the cleansing of the sanctuary. This was where he wrestled with God in the maple grove, finally surrendering to Him and becoming a preacher. This is where he and his family and friends waited for Jesus to come on October 22, 1844. Contrary to the popular myth, they did not stand on Ascension Rock while they waited. But we stood there for a while. It provides a good view of the sky and a welcome place to ponder and pray. And looking out over the valley I couldn’t help but feel the disappointment those Millerites experienced. But I also couldn’t help but catch a glimpse of the hope that still persisted through that disappointment, a hope that was articulated by William Miller scarcely 2 months afterward. “Brethren, hold fast; let no man take your crown. I have fixed my mind upon another time, and here I mean to stand until God gives me more light.–And that is To-day, To-day, and To-day, until He comes, and I see Him for whom my soul yearns.”

This hope persists even now, 179 years later. It’s a hope that clings to promises such as this one found in the book of Habakkuk: “This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed” (Habakkuk 2:3). Jesus is coming soon! There’s an old Southern Gospel song that says: “Years of time have come and gone / Since I first heard it told, / How Jesus would come again someday; / If back then it seemed so real, / Then I just can’t help but feel, / How much closer His coming is today.” You don’t need to stand on Ascension Rock to catch a glimpse of the hope that they had. Find a quiet place today! Spend some time in prayer and His Word. Rediscover the hope that we have and recommit your life to serving and sharing for as long as we have left, because everyone deserves to hear what truly is the blessed hope!

Ignoring the Gauges

It all began eight months ago. Chelsea and I were getting ready to take a couple of her friends flying when I noticed that the ammeter was showing no charge coming from our airplane’s alternator. Since it was morning and everything electrical seemed to be functioning properly, I decided to take off and monitor the situation. We completed the short flight without incident. A few days later I went out to the plane and started it up to see if the ammeter was still showing no charge. But this time the gauge came alive and everything functioned normally. I checked the back of the gauge, looking for a loose wire, but everything felt tight. I assumed there must be a loose wire somewhere else and that the gauge must be faulty. Over the last eight months, this pattern continued: one day the gauge would show no charge and the next everything would be back to normal. That is, until one day a few weeks ago. It was my second flight in as many days and both times the ammeter had registered zero. We got about twenty minutes into our flight when the electrical system began shutting down. The autopilot suddenly wouldn’t hold a heading. The GPS screen started slowly fading. The intercom became inaudible and the radio chatter disappeared. Immediately I turned around and headed back to our home airport, putting a radio failure code into our transponder to let Air Traffic Control know that we could no longer hear them. We landed without incident and I contacted a mechanic to track down the problem. He discovered that the ammeter had always been right after all. The problem was a faulty main breaker. The only reason I had never had a problem before then was that the breaker happened to work just often enough to allow the battery to charge and I hadn’t flown long enough without it charging for me to wear the battery down before this.

You know, our lives are a lot like that airplane. We are surrounded by indicators, letting us know about the health of our marriages, spirituality, mental health, and physical health. Are you paying attention to what they’re telling you? Or do you blindly carry on, assuming that the gauge is bad or there’s just a loose connection somewhere? What gauges are you ignoring? It’s time to stop and listen to what these indicators are telling you. If you don’t, you’re like we were that day in the plane, flying a hundred and forty miles an hour towards a total failure. the Bible tells us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). It’s time to stop ignoring the gauges. Spend a few minutes today listening to the indicators and ask God to give you wisdom to ensure that you truly grasp the abundant life Jesus promised.

Nothing But a Memory

There’s a country song that tells the story of someone visiting their childhood home, reliving the memories of what happened there and promising to take nothing but a memory from the house that built them. The bridge and final chorus go like this: “You leave home, you move on / And you do the best you can / I got lost in this whole world / And forgot who I am / I thought if I could touch this place or feel it / This brokenness inside me might start healing / Out here, it’s like I’m someone else / I thought that maybe I could find myself / If I could walk around, I swear I’ll leave / Won’t take nothin’ but a memory / From the house that built me.” What is it that creates this urge to visit the past? A month or so ago I was in Michigan for some meetings. My family lived in three different houses around Berrien Springs when I was young and I just had to drive by each one while I was there. There’s something about visiting a place where you grew and developed that grounds you and reminds you who you are.

C. S. Lewis once wrote: “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” We may not have been anywhere other than on this planet and in this time, but this isn’t where we’re from or where we belong. You go far enough back in history, you discover that our origins are in a garden on a perfect planet that had never seen death or sorrow or pain, created by God to live forever in perfect joy. And if you look far enough into the future, you see that garden restored. If you, like the song writer, find yourself lost in this world, forgetting who you are; take a trip back home. I’m not talking about the place where you grew up but rather the place you’re from. Spend some time in the Bible reading about that garden. You’ll discover descriptions such as these: “I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, ‘Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever’” (Revelation 21:3, 4). I’m so thankful that someday soon we’ll be able to return home! And this time we won’t have to leave with just a memory - we will live there for the rest of eternity. Aren’t you looking forward to that day?

I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked

The bus came to a stop and we exited, grabbing our boxed lunch and making our way to the start of a path that would take us into a quiet garden near the top of the Mount of Olives. The sun was shining, the sky was a perfect blue, and the air felt like an early morning in Southern California. Just a few yards away, on the opposite mountain, stood the walls of Jerusalem and the Sheep Gate, through which we’d enter later that day. But for now, we turned our back on the Kidron Valley and began climbing. The traditional site for the Garden of Gethsemane was to our right, near the bottom of the Mount of Olives. As we left it behind, my mind began thinking about the times Jesus would have been walking exactly where we were walking, particularly during that final week of His life. He was probably staying with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in Bethanie, which was a small village nestled just on the other side of the ridge, as the mountain sloped downward towards Jericho. Every day He and His disciples would have walked down the Mount of Olives, across the narrow Kidron Valley, and into the city of Jerusalem. I thought about the triumphal entry, during which He stopped, probably somewhere near where we were stopping now, to weep over the city. I thought about that final journey as He went to the upper room to celebrate the passover followed by those hours of agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, a place still filled with ancient olive trees. And then I thought about the moment when, forty days after His resurrection, Jesus stood at the top of this mountain and ascended heavenward to His Father. This is where the promise was given that we would see Him descend from heaven in the same way the disciples saw Him leave. Which brings us to the most amazing event of all to happen on that mountain: the future moment when Jesus will descend leading the saved and the New Jerusalem, touch his feet upon the summit, and the mountainous region will become a great plain, providing a new spot for the capital of the universe.

I can’t even begin to describe how our recent trip to Israel changed my perspective and understanding of the Bible! I’m sure it will continue to influence the things I write and preach for the rest of my life. But this week, as the Christian world celebrates the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord, take some time to wander back in imagination’s eye to the Mount of Olives and the city just across the valley. Catch a glimpse of our Savior as He fulfilled His own prophecy: “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32). I pray that you will continue to be drawn to the One who gave everything for you.

Eye Witnesses

I love travel. Seeing new sights, experiencing new food, meeting new people, and being able to disconnect for a while are all reasons to enjoy visiting far-off places. However, some of my favorite travel destinations have been special, not necessarily because of the location itself, but because of what happened there. I’ve been able to stand in the grove of trees where William Miller wrestled with God about his call to preach. I’ve walked down the street where Ellen Harmon was hit in the face with a rock. I’ve stood on the walls of Fort Sumpter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, and Fort McHenry, where the flag flew which inspired the writing of The Star Spangled Banner. I’ve also stood at the spot where the first shots of the American Revolutionary War were fired and gazed upon the beach where the Mayflower landed. I’ve watched the Pacific Ocean from the very spot where Lewis and Clark first caught a glimpse of their journey’s goal. I’ve crawled into a cave where the Waldenses worshipped God and stood in a Scottish church where James VI, King of Scots, was crowned in a Protestant coronation during which John Knox preached. There’s just something about being in the spot where something significant happened. I’m going to Israel with a group of our pastors next week and I am so excited to stand in the spot where so many incredible things have happened.

As I think about my trip, my mind goes to something that the apostle Peter said. “For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes when he received honor and glory from God the Father” (2 Peter 1:16, 17). Whether you have the opportunity to visit the places of Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection or not, know that incredible things have happened. And we can read about it in the Bible - not from people who heard about the events described, but from those who actually saw them take place - who stood in the very spot as they occurred. What a gift the Bible is!

Why Should You Die?

I spent much of the day, between interruptions and other things I needed to do, trying to find something different to write about. I even searched the news, looking for something new or exciting. I found everything from the Chinese surveillance balloon shot down by an F-22 Raptor (marking the first air-to-air kill for the Raptor) to a woman on foot stopped by police for pulling her 10 foot, nearly 1000 pound wagon-house on the interstate, followed by over a dozen animals. But what kept surfacing more than anything else were stories about the devastation caused by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. There’s story after heartbreaking story, a grim reminder of the tragic realities of sin and how broken our world is. Twenty thousand people have lost their lives so far as a result of the earthquakes and many more are without homes and loved ones. What a tragedy!

As I think about how we feel when confronted with the loss of life, I’m reminded of the way God feels about the loss of eternal life. There’s a heartbreaking plea recorded in the book of Ezekiel. God says, “Son of man, give the people of Israel this message: You are saying, ‘Our sins are heavy upon us; we are wasting away! How can we survive?’ As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?” (Ezekiel 33:10, 11). Why indeed? Let the pain and suffering we experience on earth be a reminder of the pain God feels at the thought of losing one of His precious children. Let’s relay His message to a dying world: “Why should you die? Only turn and live!”

Most Important

I was reading an article the other day that made a bold claim. It stated that, in order for a person to serve as a successful pastor, they don’t even need to be a Christian. That seems like an impossible statement, but the author went on to explain. Most church members have an idea of what an ideal church pastor looks like. Their wish list includes things like being a visionary leader, eloquent speaker, compassionate listener, competent manager, and inspiring life example. They expect the pastor to preach, visit, be available 24/7, and be actively involved in everything the church is doing. In other words, a successful pastor has many of the qualities of a successful CEO or corporate executive. While these are all good things (albeit somewhat unrealistic), they mean nothing if they are not an outflow of a deep, personal relationship with Jesus. A pastor’s first job is to sit at the feet of Jesus, unhurried and still, listening to the message Christ has for His church. Unfortunately, this isn’t necessarily a visible attribute and more often than not, gets pushed to the side as a pastor strives to keep up with everything he “has” to do.

In my current role as Ministerial Director, I’m actively involved in pastoral placements and transitions. I like to share that article with the church boards I meet with as a reminder that we can have a list of things we want in a pastor, but what matters most is the thing we can’t necessarily see: an abiding relationship with Jesus. I’m reminded of the story of the prophet Samuel looking for a replacement king. He was told to go to Bethlehem and interview the sons of Jesse. While he was there, God shared an important lesson with him. Samuel had just met Eliab, the eldest, and was extremely impressed with him. “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’” (1 Samuel 16:7). You may not be a pastor or church leader or a king for that matter, but the same thing applies to you. People prioritize attributes and behaviors and results but those are not what are most important. What’s most important is an abiding relationship with Jesus. Is that your priority in this new year?

Kindness Resolution

I don’t know if you pay much attention to the news or not - I tend to not spend too much time worrying about what’s going on in the world simply because it seems like it’s always something bad. But something I’ve noticed over the last few days is the increase in good news that has been covered. I’m not sure if this is because more good things have happened over the last few days or if it is simply that the media has been looking for more of the good because that’s what people like to focus on over the holidays. I suspect it may be a little of both. Whatever the reason, I’ve enjoyed hearing about some of the good things that have happened recently, such as the couple in Buffalo who welcomed 10 strangers, South Korean tourists stranded in the blizzard, into their home for Christmas. Or the two men who traveled through all 50 states this month delivering gifts to people in need. Or even the local heroes (we’ve been spending the holidays in Northern California, visiting my grandparents) who have stepped up to help those affected by the major, recent earthquake in this area.

As we close 2022 and begin a new chapter in 2023, my mind goes to the words of Micah the prophet. He told the people of Israel, and, by extension, us too: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬). As we refocus our priorities and make our resolutions; maybe put kindness, justice, mercy, and a humble relationship with God at the top of the list. We may not see a drastic improvement in the news cycle - but maybe it’ll make a difference in the lives of the people around you.

I Love Christmas!

I love Christmas. It’s probably my favorite season of the entire year. I love the long winter evenings. I love watching classic Christmas movies, such as White Christmas or It’s a Wonderful Life. I enjoy sitting by the fire and reading Christmas stories. I love sweaters and hot chocolate and sitting at the piano singing Christmas carols. There’s a song I’ve heard a few times this season called “Christmas Around the World” which talks about traditions in different countries - a reminder of the varied ways in which everyone celebrates the holiday. We all have things we love at this time of year, but Christmas is about so much more. It’s about the God of the universe who loved us so much that He came to live as a human, stripped of His honor and majesty, to die the death of a criminal; and finally to conquer death once and for all, offering us hope beyond the grave. The story of Christmas is the story of the gospel. And the amazing thing about it is that people all over the world are thinking about it at this time of year.

Consider that for a moment. When else is there a time when people celebrate, through longstanding traditions and cultural stories, the coming of the Savior of the world? The apostle John begins his gospel by talking about the event this way: “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son” (John 1:1, 14). What condescension! What love! And, at this time of year, what an incredible opportunity we have to share the story of the greatest gift ever given. Won’t you share it with someone?

The Saints Below

I heard a story the other day about a feud set shortly before the American Revolutionary War. As with many feuds, this one happened because of a forbidden romance. A girl had decided to run away with a man against her parent’s wishes. In fact, no one in her home village approved of this man. Some time later, the local militia was called up and both this man and the father of his wife reported for duty. Tensions ran high while their commanding officer demanded they put aside their differences. Finally, one of the men, who was from the woman’s town, said these words: “There’s a battle to fight. This unpleasantness between us should be forgot.”

I thought about those words. And then I thought about the church. We often have feuds and disagreements about a myriad of issues. It’s been said that “to dwell with the saints above will be glory, but to dwell with the saints below, well, that’s a different story.” But like those militia men, we have a battle to fight. Jesus told the disciples one day, “I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it” (Matthew 16:18). The church is under attack and we shouldn’t be distracted by so much unpleasantness between us. Won’t you join in me in focusing less on other people and their problems and more on Jesus and the victory that He is working on our behalf? Let’s make living with the saints below a little more like living with the saints above.

The Wrong Enemy

It all started with a package being delivered to the wrong door in an apartment complex. The resident discovered that the package contained medication for his neighbor, so he set the package in front of the correct door. His neighbor, Gino, and his 15-year-old son, got an alert from their video doorbell saying that someone was at their door. Assuming it was a burglar, they each grab a gun and head outside, trying to find the person. They end up in the parking lot where they see a woman sitting in the driver’s seat of a car. Gino aims his gun at her and, when she looks up and sees him, she panics and backs her car into another vehicle. At that moment, both Gino and his son open fire on the car, several of the bullets narrowly missing the woman. She escaped to a nearby gas station where she called 911. Gino and his son are both facing multiple criminal charges for their actions.

As I read the news article, I couldn’t believe how something like this could happen! How could two people be so wrong in both their assumptions about a situation and on the person involved! But then, I realized I often make the same mistake. No, I don’t grab a gun and start shooting at innocent people. But I do make wrong assumptions and peg people as enemies. It’s especially easy to get into an argument with my wife or another family member, completely forgetting who the real enemy is. The Bible tells us to “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Our real enemy is the devil, not other people. Next time you’re in an argument with someone, take a step back and remind yourself who the real enemy is. Don’t make the same mistake that Gino did, making assumptions and attacking the wrong foe. Fight agains the devil, not your spouse. Remembering who the real enemy is will transform your relationships for the better.

He has Anointed Me!

The other day I was on my way to church and passed a convoy on the highway. It consisted of 3 or 4 trucks and trailers. I probably wouldn’t have even noticed them if they hadn’t have been painted a bright red. There was a pickup truck pulling a large enclosed trailer, a couple of semis, one pulling a tanker trailer and another pulling what appeared to be maybe a bathroom / shower trailer, plus another vehicle or two, all red with “Disaster Relief” emblazoned across their sides. They were heading south, presumably destined for an area that had been effected by Hurricane Ian. I exited the highway shortly after passing them and watched them in my mirror from the offramp. There was just something about them, plodding along the highway, heading straight into a disaster zone, ready to offer hope and comfort to those so recently devastated.

As I watched them, I thought about the church and how people should see us. I’m not saying we should paint our vehicles red and splash “Disaster Relief” across the side, but isn’t our mission the same as theirs? When sharing His mission statement with the people of Nazareth, Jesus quoted from the prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come” (Luke 4:18, 19). As His body, his hands and feet, here on earth, our mission should be the same. We should be charging straight into the disaster zone of earth, ready to offer hope and comfort to those who are devastated. And maybe, as a result, we’ll introduce people to the One who gave everything for them.

Project 767

It was the spring of 1982. This was a difficult time for commercial aviation. Many of the airlines were losing money and laying off employees. Even Delta Airlines, which had been profitable for 35 consecutive years, was losing money. Delta had a tradition of job security, however, and was not laying off employees even though 40,000 people who were working for other aviation companies had lost their jobs during that time. The Delta employees felt grateful for the support they felt and three flight attendants decided to do something extravagant to show their gratitude. The company had already announced that they were going to be taking delivery of their first Boeing 767s and these flight attendants decided to try to raise enough money among the employees to purchase the first one. Soon the media caught wind of the idea and money began coming in from retired employees, children, and even employees of other airlines. On December 15, 1982, 7,000 employees and friends gathered as “The Spirit of Delta” was unveiled - a 30 million dollar gift from a grateful people.

Earlier this week, Chelsea and I were in Atlanta for the Southern Union Constituency Meetings and we stopped by the Delta Museum before heading home. This Boeing 767 is now sitting in the hangar after its retirement in 2006 for people to tour. As I looked at the plane, walked through the aisles, and tried out the first class cabin, I was reminded of the importance of gratitude. The Apostle Paul admonished the church in Thessalonica to “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). What are you grateful for today? And how can you show your gratitude? It probably won’t be a 30 million dollar plane, but find a way to show your gratitude to those who you’e thankful for. The Apostle Paul reminds us that in all circumstances, even in difficult and trying times, there’s always something to be grateful for. So what are you thankful for today?

Let Them Die!

Sometimes the honesty and vulnerability of the authors of the Bible is oddly comforting. One of the reasons I love the Psalms so much is that David isn’t afraid to express exactly how he is feeling to God. We can catch glimpses of his humanity as he begs God to avenge him or help him. Jeremiah is another author who isn’t afraid to be real and raw with God. Several days ago I was reading from his book and was quite surprised at what I saw. Jeremiah describes a plot where the people decided to spread rumors about him and ignore what he was saying. This was Jeremiah’s response. After asking God to help him and to listen to what his enemies were saying, he went on with his version of a solution. “So let their children starve! Let them die by the sword! Let their wives become childless widows. Let their old men die in a plague, and let their young men be killed in battle! Let screaming be heard from their homes as warriors come suddenly upon them. For they have dug a pit for me and have hidden traps along my path” (Jeremiah 18:21, 22).

Wow! I don’t know what you’re going through right now. Maybe you can relate to Jeremiah in this situation, having rumors spread about you and people not listening to you or believing in you. If so, does his response resonate at all? At first glance it’s easy to become self-righteous. “I’d never wish for even my worst enemy to starve or die!” But maybe you do! And that’s the point. It’s completely natural to have these feelings. But here’s the lesson for us: Jeremiah didn’t try to avenge himself or take matters into his own hands. Instead, he turned the situation over to God and allowed Him to avenge him in His own way. And in the process, Jeremiah wasn’t afraid to share with God exactly how he was feeling. So whatever you’re going through today, turn it over to God. Trust Him to care for you and see you through. Share with Him how you’re really feeling, because He already knows. He knows everything and He loves you more than you could imagine. So be honest with Him - and then trust Him to handle it all.

Carrying the Banner

I recently finished reading the book Skyward by Admiral Richard Byrd. He was the first person to fly over both the North and South Poles and did a lot to pioneer aviation in its early days. I enjoyed the book, which was a memoir he wrote just prior to his flight to the South Pole. One chapter that especially impacted me was the one where he describes becoming a “hero” after his return from the North Pole. Life changed for him and he was expected to give speeches and ride in parades and attend fancy dinners. And then, just a couple of months later, Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim across the English Channel. Now the parades and dinners were given in her honor and then-Commander Byrd slid into the background. As he thought about that experience, he made two observations about being a hero. First, He said that being a hero is like holding up the flag. People don’t cheer for you but for the symbol of what you’ve accomplished, the spirit you’ve exhibited. It’s really not about you but rather about the idea of what you’ve done. And second, he said, “I’m really only carrying the banner for a little while.” Before long, someone else will come along and the people will cheer for what they’ve accomplished, and you’ll know that you’ve passed the banner to them.

As I was reading, I was reminded of the words of Jesus: “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:14-16). If you were sitting in the crowd that day listening to Jesus speak, you would have thought that he would have said to do good works so that people would praise you. But that’s not what He says! He says that when people cheer and notice the good that you have done, they really aren’t praising you at all. They’re praising the One who has sent you. Any good we have is not ours, but God’s! We’re called to carry the banner of heaven for a little while and when people see the good we have done, they’re not really seeing us but the One who sent us. Today, I’m thanking God for the privilege of carrying His banner for a little while and praying that a few will notice the good I’ve done and praise my heavenly Father.

Living Water

Have you ever been really thirsty? So thirsty that all you can think about is water? You can imagine the smooth, cooling feeling against your parched throat. You can taste the refreshing flavor as it fills your dehydrated mouth. Every once in awhile, especially when it’s hot and I’m either outside or in the car or plane and don’t have access to water, I feel that way. A couple of weeks ago we were able to attend the annual Airventure fly-in at Oshkosh. We spent hours each day in the sun walking around the exhibits and static aircraft displays. I brought my water bottle with me, which helped a lot, but one day I couldn’t find a place nearby to fill it up. When I finally found a water fountain, I ran as fast as I could, filled the bottle up, and then drank nearly all of the water immediately. I suddenly felt revived and able to continue walking in the heat.

I can imagine Jesus was in a similar situation when He and His disciples arrived at a well outside of a Samaritan town. They had been walking for hours in the sun and He was probably feeling desperate for a drink. When a woman approached with a bucket, He asked her for some water. He then proceeded to relate His own and the woman’s thirst to something spiritual.“Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life” (John 4:13-14). Next time you take a drink of water, let it be a reminder of the living water that Jesus longs to give you. Then, accept that water, which gives you eternal life.

Nearing Home

The world has gotten crazier. I’m trying to figure out if it’s just because I don’t often drive long distances or if it really has gotten worse, but I had to drive to Atlanta earlier this week for a planning meeting for an upcoming evangelism conference and the traffic was awful! Not only was it stop and go for much of the trip, but there were also cars on the side of the road for one reason or another the entire way there and back. I also noticed on my way to work yesterday that there had been a fender bender which caused the road to be backed up for several miles. And then, this morning, an intersection was closed because of a 3-car crash, one of the cars still on its side with the other two crumpled nearby. I’m not sure what’s causing the uptick in accidents and traffic, but I feel like I’m surrounded by a bunch of crazy people!

I’ve never really considered traffic to be a sign of Christ’s coming before, but as I thought about it this morning, I realized that this is another symptom of the crazy world we live in. Jesus talked a lot about this stuff when He was on the Mount of Olives with His disciples shortly before His crucifixion. He talked about wars, natural disasters, and general unrest. But then he finished with these encouraging words: “So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” (Luke 21:28). Our world will continue to get crazier as Jesus’ coming nears, but don’t lose heart! It only means that we are nearing home.

Cosmic Cliffs

This week, the first images from the James Webb Space Telescope were released. This telescope was launched on Christmas Day and is currently orbiting the sun from nearly a million miles passed earth. It is NASA’s new flagship deep space telescope, taking the spotlight from the Hubble Telescope which only orbits about 340 miles from the earth’s surface. The pictures that have been released so far are incredible, giving much greater detail than we’ve ever seen before. The image above is one of my favorites. It’s called “Cosmic Cliffs” and shows a star nursery roughly 7,600 light-years away. In fact, you can see bubbles and cavities being blown by the intense radiation and stellar winds of newborn stars. There’s even dust-shrouded stars being born visible amongst the mountains and valleys of this region of the Carina Nebula.

As I look at these photos, I’m reminded of the spectacular poetry found in Psalm 19. The first few verses go like this: “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun” (Psalm 19:1-4). Each time I’m reminded of the vastness and beauty of the universe where we live, I can’t help but wonder at the greatness of God. Won’t you spend a few moments reflecting on Him today?

The Grass Withers

In a typical summer, I have to mow the lawn once or twice a week just to keep it manageable. When we moved into the house we currently live in, I was excited that the yard wasn’t very big and it shouldn’t take an overwhelming amount of time to mow with our little push mower. However, we needed to get something to trim the edges and tidy up our lawn, so we bought a weed-eater and were excited to open the box and use it. Surprisingly, though, it’s still sitting in the box. And we’ve only mowed the lawn once this summer - well over a month ago. In fact, instead of growing incessantly, the grass has stayed the same height and begun to whither and turn brown. Why the change? It’s simple, really. We have had hardly any rain! This week a few storms have come through, giving us a smattering of rain drops in the afternoon, but still nothing that would help a lawn turn green and flourish. Not that I’m complaining - I’m not a huge fan of rain or mowing the lawn.

But as I look at the grass around our house, I’m reminded of how changeable everything around us is. The news is a constant reminder of the fragility of life and peace. And yet, there’s something that won’t ever change, no matter what the world around us does. God tells us through the prophet Isaiah, “The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). Isn’t it comforting to know that, in spite of the change and instability we encounter here on earth, that the word of God will never change?