New Things

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18 “Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing! – Isaiah 43:18-19a

Letters

Sometimes it is not so easy to forget the former things. In fact, it often seems downright impossible not to dwell on the past. Can we really push past memories into a vault and seal them in? Our pasts are filled with so many highs and lows that not only trigger emotional responses, but at a deeper level they greatly shape our character. How can they not?

A few weeks ago, our family experienced one of those dramatic life experiences that has dominated our thoughts and emotions. The loss of a loved one certainly has a way of dominating every aspect of your life for a season. Accordingly, the loss of baby Isaiah is something that we will think about and dwell on for a long time to come. In fact, we will never forget him.

For many of us, our memories will include the letters that Isaiah’s parents Daniel and Rebekah wrote to their beloved son. Letters that were shared at his graveside service. As I have contemplated these letters, I have wondered how a letter from Isaiah might read. Perhaps it might read something like this.

Mommy and Daddy,

Thank you for your love. Every moment of my awareness I felt it. From inside the womb I heard it spoken. The excitement in your voices when you first learned I was here was unmistakable. Every child wants to be wanted. Every child needs to be loved. Even before you could “feel” me, I could feel your love. I am sure it was contagious. Selfless love always is.

Thank you mommy for carrying me. You and daddy know that I am a gift from God. Wonderfully knit by Him in your womb, and ordained before the foundation of the world. I never was a mass of tissue. Nor could I ever be confused for anything as selfish as merely a “choice”. I will forever be your firstborn. Uniquely fashioned with the DNA of mommy and daddy. But more importantly, I was created in the image of My Heavenly Father.

Mommy, I know you miss feeling my kicks. Daddy, I know you miss feeling them as well, although they were less of an “inconvenience” to you. Even though it only lasted thirty-six weeks, what a special bonding time we had. You took me a lot of places, and “fed” me a lot of good foods. More importantly, you shared your excitement for me with so many family members and friends. There was no mistaking the thrill of expectation as I heard your conversations. Thank you for the experiences we shared together.

Thank you daddy for praying for me. As my protector, there is nothing more important you could have done for me than to pray for me. The fervency of your prayers was just another reminder of the depth of your love for me. I am proud to call you daddy.

Thank you also for providing for me. I know how hard each of you works to make sure the house is a home. Your preparations did not go unnoticed. I especially love the nursery. It is laid out so nice. The room is so “warm” and inviting with so much attention to detail. It is a beautiful reflection of my awesome parents. I have a lot of fond memories of the time mommy and I spent in there.

Mommy, you not only carried me well, but you delivered me well. You said that God had given you a task to complete. Thank you for obeying Him. I know how difficult it was to go through the long hours of pain, knowing that your effort would not be rewarded by my cry. But because of your love for me and the family, and most importantly your love for your Father, you endured the trial. In doing so you blessed me with the privilege of meeting a number of people I would not have otherwise been introduced to.

Once again, love ruled the day. Thank you.

Mommy and daddy, although things did not go the way you hoped, dreamed, or even planned, you showed everyone your true character. You loved on me and showed me off in a way every child dreams of. Your embraces and kisses spoke volumes of the loving people that you are. I can’t put into words how good it felt to be held by each of you.

Unfortunately, the time came when you had to let me go. So it always is with those we love. A last embrace is always so difficult. We always wish for one more moment. But our time together on this earth was never meant to last forever.

When you let me go, you also said goodbye to so many hopes and dreams. Just like me, I know they are hard to let go of. All too often, our hopes and dreams exceed reality.

I will never sleep in the new nursery. Nor will I will ever hold the stuffed giraffe. Daddy will never play me the children’s records he bought, nor will I ever hear you read the books you stocked my “library” with. I will never swing in the backyard or play with my cousins. There are so many “new” things you wanted to share with me and forgetting them seems impossible.

But heed the advice of my namesake:

18 “Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing! – Isaiah 43:18-19a

Mommy and daddy, just as death has been swallowed up in victory, the pain of our past is put into perspective by the promises of our Father. Promises not just for the future, but for the present. Promises sealed with a cruel cross and an empty tomb.

Keeping our eyes on God enables us to see things from an eternal perspective, which is what we always need to do. Especially when we are weighed down by the memories of past pains and trials, and saddened by buried dreams. Just as every earthly joy will be tempered with a memory of me, I hope that every earthly sorrow will be buoyed by eternal hope.

Here in heaven, everything is new, and always will be. There are no moths, nor is there any rust. Likewise, there is no threat of thieves to steal (Matthew 6:19). The streets of gold will never lose their luster and the foundation of precious stones will never accumulate dust. I will never shed a tear of sorrow, or be in want of food or water. Far from it.

The first sight my eyes beheld was the face of Jesus, and His scarred hands were the first to hold me. I am experiencing perfect love in a perfect home. A place prepared especially for me. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to experience it.

Perhaps some day my siblings will use the nursery. In time the stuffed animals will become old and soiled. The swing set will eventually wear out. Likewise, the records and the books will succumb to age and wear. Such is the fate of the things of earth. They can only last so long because of the presence of sin. Not so in Heaven.

I can’t wait until you join me here. When you do I am going to return the favor you bestowed upon me. I am going to love on you and show you off just as every child dreams of. Only here, we will never be separated again. In Heaven, reality exceeds our best hopes and dreams.

Until then, just remember that I love you with a love beyond your comprehension. A love untainted by sin. A love more like the love of Jesus that you introduced me to as best as you could with the time we had.

With eternal love,

Isaiah

P.S. Jesus wanted me to share these reminders with you.

13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:13

2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. – Colossians 3:2

5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” – Revelation 21:5

Grief’s Hope

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13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Uninformed

Yesterday, we laid to rest the remains of little Isaiah. Our grandson who was stillborn on April 3rd. Precious little Isaiah is now buried at the foot of our daughter Brooke’s grave. If he takes after his father he will need to have his aunt looking over him!

As I try to process the events of the past week, the passage quoted above from 1 Thessalonians keeps coming to mind. It appears that the Believers in the early church were uninformed/misinformed about the truth regarding their loved ones who had died in the faith. If they were not alive when Christ returned, would they be left behind? Would they be at some sort of a disadvantage to those who were living when Christ returned for His Bride? Or perhaps, they were concerned that those who are asleep would miss out on seeing Christ in His glory when He returns.

Whatever their specific concern was, Paul would set them straight. If we pay close attention to Paul’s words, we see a good reminder for all of us. The best way to cure our sorrow is to remove our ignorance.

Brothers, those I love in the faith, we were never promised protection from physical death. In fact, we can expect it. And death brings with it grief. Deep grief. BUT, our grief is coupled with hope. That grave is just a temporary resting place for our loved ones to “sleep” until Christ comes back for them.

Facing East

27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. – Matthew 24:27

The graves of Brooke and Isaiah, like most in the United States are facing the east. Because of our Christian heritage, most cemeteries traditionally were laid out so that the deceased would be buried facing the east in anticipation of the return of Christ. When Christ comes in His glory for all the world to see, we don’t want our deceased to miss out on it!

It appears, at least from our burial tradition, that Paul’s teaching did not go unheeded. Who would think that something as simple as the direction we face our gravesites would remind us of our great hope? Jesus lived a perfect life. He died a brutal death. Then He conquered death and rose from the grave, and ascended back to Heaven. But He is coming back!!

When lightning strikes we are awed by the flash of light it creates, but it can’t compare to the glory of Christ. When He returns in His unveiled glory, we will not only be overwhelmed by His radiance, but we will join Him in it! If you are a child of God, it doesn’t matter if you are still alive at His coming or have fallen asleep, we will be caught up with Him and will always be with Him!!

Glory

18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” – Exodus 33:15

It was time for Moses and the children of Israel to leave Sinai, but Moses was weary. Accordingly, he pleads with God. “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me” (Ex 33:12). And God comforts Moses with the fact that it is His presence that will go with him and give him rest. Moses, as daunting as the task may appear, you are not alone.

But Moses wanted more than God’s promise of His presence. He wanted God to reveal Himself in all of His majesty. Moses wanted to behold God in the “manifest beauty of His holiness”. Moses wanted God to reveal to him all of His “manifold perfections”. “Please show me your glory”.

19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” – Exodus 33:19-20

Moses, for the time being you will have to be content with my presence. You cannot handle my unveiled glory. I am too holy for your eyes to behold.

Dim Sight

12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. – 1 Corinthians 13:12

Historically, Corinth was the producer of some of the finest bronze mirrors in antiquity. But no matter how good the quality of a mirror may be, there is a big difference between seeing an object indirectly versus seeing it directly. Especially if that object is the face of Christ.

As Christians, we are indwelt with the Holy Spirit. Similar to Moses, we know what it means to have the presence and the peace of God with us. In the Bible, we have the inspired Word of God. Or as Paul writes in fourth verse of Second Corinthians chapter four, “the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God”. 

With the illumination of the Holy Spirit, we can see the glory of Christ, who is the exact representation of God, revealed in various ways in Scriptures. As Charles Spurgeon once preached, we can see the glory of Christ in His love, incarnation, perfect life, atoning sacrifice, resurrection and enthronement. And eventually, His second coming. Which is where we began with Paul.

With the Lord

The grief we have experienced since we received word of Isaiah’s passing has been intense. In all honesty, I must confess it is the most intense grief I have ever experienced. But I have reflected upon the Truth of God’s Word to “cure” my sorrow. As I have contemplated passages such as First Thessalonians Chapter four, First Corinthians Chapter fifteen, Chapters eleven and fourteen of the Gospel of John as well as the Twenty-Third Psalm, my grief has succumbed to hope.

Although Brooke and Isaiah have been laid to rest facing the east, they are not anticipating the return of Christ. Far from it. We have merely laid to rest their earthly tents for a season. The truth is, their souls are already basking in the glory of Christ. Instead of beholding Him as in a mirror, they are seeing Him face to face. They are beholding Him in all of His holiness and perfect majesty. What Moses and every saint in Church history has longed for, Brooke and Isaiah are experiencing. And will be for all of eternity.

John Chapter seventeen records the prayer of Jesus in which He says that His followers will share in His glory (v. 22). What must that look like unaffected by the sin of this world? Some day we will know when we set down the mirror and see Him face to face like Brooke and Isaiah.

Until then, keep the faith, and keep the hope. When grief makes your heart heavy, lift your eyes and look to the east. Some day we are going to “meet the Lord” and “will always be with Him”. Thank God our grief is accompanied with hope. A living Hope.

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. – 1 Peter 1:3,8

Unceasing Anguish

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9 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. – Romans 9:1-2

Great Sorrow

Death has left a great furrow in our family. A furrow that with the passing of time began to close and in my opinion “heal”. But apparently, the ground needed to be broken again. Unexpectedly, death has once again brought out the plow and deepened the “healing” furrows. As painful as the first plowing was, the second is much more so. Old wounds have been reopened. Old memories are being relived.

Does the preparation of the soil for the planting of the seed need to be so painful? How much sorrow can we carry? How long can we endure unceasing anguish? We go to bed crying and wake up crying. But I am not alone.

I have often struggled with Paul’s heart-cry recorded in Romans chapter nine. Not so much his honesty about his sorrow, but his proposed solution. Would he really sacrifice his salvation to see his fellow Israelites saved? Did he really love his people to such a depth that he would be willing to surrender the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:46) for them?

Great Love

Over the last few days, we have not only shed a lot of tears but we have also petitioned the Throne with countless prayers. We have prayed that Isaiah’s little heart would again beat. We have prayed that his little feet would once again kick. We don’t mean to be selfish when we pray these prayers, we just believe that life is a precious gift from God and our hearts want to show the love of God to little Isaiah.

As I listened to the desperate pleas, I found myself echoing the sentiment of Paul that I so often struggled with. I “bargained” with God to take my life so Isaiah could live. To stop my heart so Isaiah’s could start. I would gladly exchange my life so my grandson could live. Such is the love of a parent. Such is the love my daughter and her husband want to shower on children of their own.

If we are honest with ourselves, we would probably have to admit that few of us have a love as selfless as Paul’s. And yet if we did, it would only be a stepping stone on the journey to the love of Christ. Yet, despite our shortcomings, the Church is to be recognized by it’s love and unity. And the enemy knows this.

Great Attacks

When we experience trials and tragedies, we hear so many people question why? Why do bad things happen to good people? As I have been wrestling with God the last few days, He began to open my eyes to something I think I have overlooked. And my guess is I am not alone.

I believe my daughter and her husband have a capacity to love that is very great. As I have shared with them, this capacity comes with a great risk. Those that love deeply can be hurt deeply. We must never shelter our hearts from love because of fear of being hurt. But I believe there is another risk.

Is it possible that bad things happen to “good” people because the enemy sees them as the greatest threat? Isaiah is safe in the presence of his Heavenly Father who is showering him with a love we could never touch. Isaiah is safe, but I believe the faith of his parents is being attacked.

Living Hedge

In the first chapter of Job, Satan accuses God of protecting Job with a hedge around him and his household. Imagine the great liar and deceiver basically accusing God of cheating to protect His own. As humorous as the charge may sound, the necessity is a real one. After all, there is a reason we are commanded to put on the armor of God.

In a day and age when other barriers were inefficient or ineffective, hedges were made of thorn bushes too dense and sharp to be penetrated and too deep to be jumped over. When we pray for a hedge of protection, this is an illustration of what we are praying for.

As I wrestled with God this morning, He challenged me to make a living hedge for my family. A living prayer chain to gather around my daughter’s home. One that would reciprocate their love and encourage their faith. But that is just part of the story.

Love and Unity

This past year, Satan has used a pandemic and politics to weaken the church through separation and division. Instead of love and unity we see a fractured picture of the Church as painted in the Scriptures. It is past time to put aside the differences and show the world the Love of Christ, who wore a crown of thorns to make a hedge around His children.

I am hoping to rally part of God’s army to 3075 West Mead Road beginning at 1:00 P.M. tomorrow, Saturday the 3rd. I know we can never replace baby Isaiah, but we can reflect the love of Christ.

As a weak and helpless father, I believe this will be an encouragement to a grieving family. Sort of what I call a love transfusion. But before you accuse me of being selfish, I believe that is just part of the potential.

As I have already alluded to, we are living in unprecedented times. By the grace of God, I believe this time could serve as a balm for a lot of Christians who have struggles of their own. But most importantly, I believe this will exalt the name of Jesus and bring glory to our Heavenly Father.

If you want to be a part, just bring yourself and something to sit on, and perhaps a note of encouragement. I recognize it is Easter weekend, but so many of you have asked what you can do in a tangible way. This is what God challenged me with so I am just passing it on.

God Bless all of you for your love and support thus far.

5 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. – Romans 12:15

 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. – John 13:34-35

Only Believe

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3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. – 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Palm Sunday

Last Sunday, March 28th 2021, the Christian faith recognized Palm Sunday, the day Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. With much fanfare, Jesus entered the great city riding a colt as the crowd adorned His path with their cloaks and palm branches while crying out,

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”

Who besides the members of the Holy Trinity could know how quickly things would change during the upcoming Holy Week? What would begin with Jesus riding into Jerusalem on the back of a borrowed colt to shouts of acclamation, would soon transpire to witnessing Jesus carrying our cross on his bloody and beaten body out of Jerusalem to shouts of derision and tears of defeat. His exit from Jerusalem couldn’t have been a greater contrast to His entry.

But Jesus wasn’t finished.

Graveside Visit

Palm Sunday is a day of anticipation. We know it precedes Easter Sunday by one week, but what a difficult week it is that separates them. The Temple must be cleansed by Jesus, and then His Temple must be destroyed by the Father. Before the stone can be rolled away, the cup must be drunk to the dregs. Life can be so bittersweet.

As Palm Sunday was coming to a close, my heart told me I had to make a graveside visit. My mind however wasn’t so convinced. It was getting late, it was dark, and it was cold and windy. Despite the arguments, my conscience wasn’t listening. Hence I grabbed my flashlight and my coat and walked to the cemetery next door and then made my trek to the far end.

Turning on my flashlight I shone it on the tombstone I had to see, simply etched:

Brooke Elizabeth Becker

Feb. 19, 2010, March 28, 2010

Daughter of Scott and Becky

Even though nobody else besides me would know it, I felt I had to go to my daughter’s graveside on the eleventh anniversary of her passing. Which also happened to be on a Palm Sunday. The irony wasn’t lost on me. I turned off my flashlight and made my way back home with the wind howling and the darkness enveloping me. On the day we commemorate Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, I can rejoice in my daughter’s triumphal entry into the presence of Christ.

Yes life can be bittersweet, but our hope is the fact that Christ isn’t finished.

Funeral Crasher

Although the first miracle Jesus performed was at a wedding, He soon gained a reputation for disrupting funerals. As Luke chapter seven records, Jesus was entering a town called Nain when He came across a funeral procession. With a crowd at His back, Jesus paused for the procession and the large crowd following the widow who was about to bury her only son. With both crowds at a standstill, Jesus spoke three simple words to the grieving mother.

“Do not weep”.

Do not weep? Her husband is dead and now she is about to bury her only son. Who is going to protect her? Who is going to provide for her? What about that void in her heart? Do not weep?

14 Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 15 And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. – Luke 17:14-15

Christ isn’t finished.

Only Believe

Jairus was a desperate man. As a synagogue ruler he may have been a man of some social status. He was charged with the responsibility of maintaining the synagogue and scheduling it’s services, but as is true of all men, his abilities were limited. Ruling a synagogue doesn’t equip a man to battle death. With his only daughter on the brink of eternity he was faced with one hope. Jesus.

Falling at the feet of Jesus, Jairus implored Him to intercede on behalf of his daughter. What father wants to face the prospect of burying his twelve year old child? Humbled by his utter helplessness, Jairus does the only thing he can; he implores Jesus to come to his home where his daughter is quickly fading.

As Jesus is approaching the home of Jairus the dreaded news is delivered by a messenger. There is no longer any need to bother Jesus, because the girl has died. The news obviously must have stunned Jairus, but Jesus countered the bad news with these comforting words:

“Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” – Luke 8:50

Do not fear? A father has just received word that his only daughter is dead! His heart has been pierced by the worst conceivable pain. How can he face his future? Do not fear?

51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. 52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. – John 8:51-55

Christ isn’t finished.

Come Out

Jesus loved the siblings Mary, Martha and Lazarus, but where was He during their hour of greatest need? When the sisters sent word to Jesus that their brother was ill He did not make a bee line to their home. Rather, He stayed two additional days in the place where He was. As Jesus was “stalling”, Mary and Martha were becoming more desperate with each passing hour as Lazarus’ condition worsened. Where is the balm when we need it most?

Finally, when Jesus was ready, He and HIs disciples began their Journey to Bethany and the home of Lazarus. But they were too late. By the time they arrived, Lazarus was dead and had already been in the tomb four days. Rebuked by Martha for being late, and being charged for the responsibility of her brother’s death, Jesus responded:

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25-26

Do you believe this? If not Martha, watch this!

38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” – John 11:38-44

Christ isn’t finished.

Grief upon Grief

Life can be so cruel. Or should I say, death can be so cruel? Yesterday, on the eleventh anniversary of the date we buried our little girl, death struck again. This time it took a Grandson. I feel as if I have been kicked in the stomach and somebody has taken all of the air out of the room. After having been down this path, I hoped against all hope my children would never have to experience the pain of losing a child. But like the widow of Nain, Jairus, Martha and Mary, I am reminded that I am so frail and helpless. Certainly no match for death. But….

Christ isn’t finished.

The grave is not the end. Hence, when Jesus refers to the death of the saints, He likens it to sleep.

11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” – John 11:11

52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” – Luke 8:52

And Paul writes:

17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. – 1 Corinthian 15:17-18

But Christ has been raised.

Encourage One Another

When I walked out of the cemetery last Sunday night in the teeth of the howling wind, little could I have known what the next couple of days would bring. With the tombstone of my daughter behind me I was looking forward to the future. Anticipating the joy that awaited our family with two babies expected in the next couple of months. I never dreamed I would be burying some of those hopes. But death will not have the final word.

24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen.  – Luke 24:1-6a

Today we feel like we are stuck in Gethsemane. Wrestling with God that we could be spared the pain, but acquiescing to His will. As I try to come to grips with the pain and the grief, I hear the same words I heard at my daughter’s graveside.

Only believe. Your daughter lives.

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Christ isn’t finished. It is only because He lives that we have life. For eternity!! In the midst of our grief, we can rejoice that our grandson Isaiah is in the presence of our Savior with our daughter Brooke.

Some day, we too will “fall asleep in Christ” and awake in His presence.

Do you believe Christ is the resurrection and the life?

Praise God for the empty tomb!

No One Missing

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26 Lift up your eyes on high and see:
    who created these?
He who brings out their host by number,
    calling them all by name;
by the greatness of his might
    and because he is strong in power,
    not one is missing. – Isaiah 40:26

Falling Stars

I walked to my ladder stand in the dark of the morning without the aid of a flashlight (didn’t want to advertise my presence to the deer). I quietly climbed up into my stand and nestled against the tree where I would patiently await the rising of the sun. Sitting in a tree stand in the early morning darkness gives a person time to reflect (which is certainly safer than falling asleep).

Before my mind could even begin jumping from one thought to another, a flash of light to my left caught my attention. As I turned my head toward the light I witnessed the beauty of a falling star. Before it even had time to properly announce it’s arrival, it disappeared! Awed by the brilliance of the streak of light, a pang of sadness touched my soul. A pang that was spontaneous, but real none the less.

The falling star immediately brought to remembrance the passage quoted above. Despite the fact that the sky seems to be filled with a countless multitude of stars, our Creator placed them all in the sky and calls them all by name. Even though what we term a falling star is in reality a meteor flashing across the sky, my heart was saddened by the thought that one of God’s stars would be missing from His evening roll call. Although it would not take long for my mind to correct my heart, my heart’s response planted numerous seeds for my mind to reflect upon.

Grandpa’s Grin

I walked into the back of church by myself at the ripe old age of ten. As I surveyed the best pews at the back of church for a prime seat, I saw my Grandfather sitting by himself. Immediately, I knew where I was going to park myself for Mass. As I slipped into “Grandpa’s” pew, a big grin took over his previously somber face.

My Grandfather had recently joined the ranks of widower, and like most who have lost a spouse of 50+ years, he was trying to find his “place” in life adjusting to his new normal. Apparently my presence was a temporary balm for his pain and sorrow. Before there was time for the grin to absolve from his countenance, he put his large hand into his front pocket and pulled out a quarter, which he promptly deposited into my tiny hand. Out of love for my Grandpa I would have sat with him for free, but what ten year old declines a quarter (keeping in mind the time value of money and this was 1975).

As a young boy, I didn’t realize the significance of the moment. My Grandpa was so proud that I sat with him that he later told my parents how touched he was that I would choose to sit with him as opposed to my friends. A lonely old man’s heart was touched by the attention of a young boy. A young boy who would never again have the opportunity to touch his Grandpa’s heart and put a grin on his face. Shortly afterwards, my Grandfather died of a heart attack. A falling star of eighty three years who would never again pay pew rent.

Screaming Sirens

I rolled down the window to make small talk with my classmate and childhood best friend Jimmy. It was June of 1983 and along with some of my other recently graduated classmates, we had just arrived back into town after taking in a movie. Seeing another group of classmates we decided to pull over to talk with them as they were standing around a car reminiscing. With high school in the rear view mirror, we were enjoying our “last” summer together before going away to our different colleges. For Jimmy, it was a chance to pursue college football on a full scholarship.

It was just after midnight when I said goodbye to Jimmy, as our car full of guys left to return to my house for some late night euchre. Although we played a lot of cards during our school years, including in our classes, it was a little unusual to play so late into the night (or early morning). I suppose we all recognized that since we would soon be going our different ways, we were all a little reluctant to “let go” of the past. But all good things must come to an end. Or so we are told.

I believe it was between two or three in the morning before we finally decided to throw in the cards and call it a night. As we did so, some emergency vehicles raced by my parent’s house with their screaming sirens penetrating an otherwise still and quiet spring night/morning. Little did I know as I finally settled into my bed that I would never again see my buddy Jimmy. He was killed in a auto accident shortly after I said goodbye to him. And it was for him the sirens were screaming. A falling star of 19 years who would never grace the college grid iron.

Last Message

For me it was a morning full of listening to theological questions and Biblical interpretations as a fellow Pastor was seeking ordination. For my wife, it was a morning full of sorrow and uncertainty. During a morning “intermission”, word had gotten to me that my mother-in-law, Janet, had been involved in a bicycle accident.

That was all I knew.

A few hours later, a telephone message was finally relayed to me that the family was to meet with a neurosurgeon. Now I knew the accident was extremely serious. Immediately, along with the other two Pastors I was serving with, we jumped into the church van and made our way across Lansing to be with my in-laws at the Hospital.

When they opened the door to the family waiting room, it was immediately evident just how serious the situation was. The teary eyes and anxious looks told the story. How could I know that the morning theological questions would give way to a “test” of Faith?

When I got home that night, there was a message on our answering machine. It was a message from Janet left early in the morning, probably just moments before she got on her bike. Being the servant that she was, she had plans to go into Lansing to do some shopping and wanted to know if we needed for her to pick up anything for us. Not wanting my wife to be “disturbed” by hearing her mothers voice on the recording, I foolishly deleted it. If only I could see into the future.

After having brain surgery, my mother in law would pass over the river of death six days later without ever again regaining consciousness. A falling star of fifty-nine years never again to offer an encouraging word or write an encouraging letter.

Missing Child

As I write this, it is Sunday, February 14th. Valentines day 2021. In five days, our family will celebrate our youngest daughter’s eleventh birthday, but unfortunately, our daughter will not be with us to enjoy the meal and the cake. Born extremely prematurely, she died of complications related to her lack of “development”. A falling star of 37 days whose light was barely given a chance to grace the night sky.

As I sat in my ladder stand reflecting on the falling star, I was keenly reminded of the fact that we are all falling stars. Whether we live thirty-seven days or eighty-three years, in the grand scheme of things we are as short lived as the light of the falling star trekking across the dark sky.

I couldn’t help but wonder, what are we doing with the brief time we have? In a dark and desperate world are we reflecting the light and love of Christ? What are we doing to build into the lives of those God puts in our lives?

Star Lessons

We would be wise to heed Isaiah’s admonition. It is healthy for us to lift up our eyes and ponder the stars. Not because of their inherent brilliance, but because of the Creator they point us to. A Creator so powerful and majestic that He alone hung the stars in place. A Creator so loving that He calls them each by name. A Creator so faithful, that He will make sure none is missing.

During our short lives on earth, God will place a lot of “falling stars” in our orbit. Family members and friends we will love and relate with. In varying degrees He will interweave them into the tapestry of our lives. Hence, when they fall from the sky our hearts are touched with more than a pang of sorrow. Part of our heart is torn from us with the loss of each loved one. But lift your weary eyes and see.

Our loved ones in Christ are not gone, they are in Heaven with the star Maker. They are in the eternal Home of their Father. Some day, when our time to shine has faded, we will join them. There will be no somber faces or sorrow, nor good-byes and screaming sirens. There will be no accidents or last messages, nor will there be any empty seats at the table. Instead, God will give us each a new name, and when the roll is called, not one of His Children will be missing.

“By the greatness of His might, and because He is strong in power.” And because of His perfect infinite love.

9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” – Revelation 7:9-10

Joy to the World

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6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. – Romans 5:6-11

Weak

Perhaps nobody wants to be labeled “weak”, but that is precisely the word that the Apostle Paul uses to describe us. While the word may not be attractive to us, it is certainly accurate. More accurate than we would care to admit.

When we think of the word weak, we tend to think in relative terms. Perhaps thinking of a small child in comparison to a developed adult or a frail person in contrast to a healthy athlete. But when Paul in the passage quoted from Romans refers to us as weak he is using an absolute term, not a relative one.

When Paul says we were weak, he is referring to our spiritual position as sinners. Helpless. As ungodly people, we were as impotent as the corpse of Lazarus lying in it’s tomb. Dead in our trespasses and sin we were both helpless and hopeless.

Right Time

Our salvation is not an afterthought. To the contrary, it was planned before the foundation of the world. Lying in our spiritual grave, in our state of “weakness”, Christ died for us at the “right time”. At the time appointed by the Father, He went to the cross, and died in our stead, liberating us from our grave. In doing so, He manifested a love and humility beyond our imagination, prompting Paul to pen what appears to be a commentary on John 3:16.

For a righteous person, which we were not, one would scarcely die. For a good person, which was even further from describing us, one might dare to die. But for a sinner? An enemy of God? Yes. In such a condition God showed His love for us.

Enclosed in our graves of helplessness and hopelessness, only one light could penetrate. The love of God. In His timing, Christ called us forth from our death beds with a victorious shout of acclamation; “It is finished”.

Justified

In our weak condition, we were subject to the wrath of God, the final Judge of all creation. As sinners, we deserved nothing but the just punishment for our sins; eternal separation from the presence of God. Our destiny was eternity in hell, subject to the heat and torment our enmity toward God merited.

But as Paul reminds us, the blood of Christ has purchased our redemption. Accordingly, God has declared us justified in His sight. The Righteousness of Christ has been imputed to us. The Judge of all Creation has given His verdict.

8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. – Romans 8:1-4 

Reconciled

As amazing as our justification is, Paul doesn’t end there. Instead, Paul transitions from a forensic, or legal term, to a filial, or relational one. Not only has God the Judge declared us justified, but God the Father has also called us reconciled. In other words, Christ’s death has not only purchased our redemption, but also reconciled our broken relationship with our Heavenly Father. After pronouncing us innocent, God adopted us into His family.

This is a most important truth. Salvation isn’t “just” being saved from the consequences of our sins, but rather being given the privilege of fellowshipping with the Trinity.

3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. – John 17:3

Through the blood of Christ, God has made His once bitter enemies His beloved children. But amazingly, it gets even better!!

Security

Look at what Paul proceeds to say. If the death of Christ is powerful enough to secure our justification and adoption, imagine what His life can do!! In verse ten, Paul reminds us that the cross on Cavalry was not the end of the road for Jesus. Likewise, neither was the Garden tomb. As Scriptures tell us, Jesus not only defeated sin on the cross, but He also defeated death by resurrecting from the grave. Jesus has ascended into Heaven and lives to intercede for us at the right Hand of the Father.

By implication, Paul tells us that our eternity is secure. If the death of Christ could reconcile us to the Father, how much more shall we be saved by His life (v. 10). Because of the death and resurrected life of Christ, Paul has no doubts about the certainty of our ultimate glorification. If Christ’s death can save God’s enemies, His life is more than capable of protecting His children (Philippians 1:6). From beginning to end, our salvation is “entirely of God and His love”.

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:28-39

Rejoice

So what. What do these spiritual truths practically mean to us? Paul goes on to tell us in verse eleven that we should rejoice (joy) in God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have received reconciliation. As we reflect upon the truth of what Paul has written about our salvation, the gift of Joy that the Holy Spirit brings to us is able to “grow” and “blossom”.

The Christmas season is certainly a good time to “cultivate” our joy.

As Christians celebrate Advent, the third week is typically associated with a pink candle, often referred to as the Shepherd Candle, which represents the joy that comes from the arrival of the Christ child. Obviously, we are reminded during this very special season, that without the birth of our Emmanuel in the manger, our salvation would never have been possible.

If you want to “experience” a little joy this Christmas season, reflect on the One who left Heaven’s throne to become weak to save you from your weakness.

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. – Galatians 4:4-5

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” – Luke 2:10-14

Joy to the World

Joy to the World; the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King!
Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Saviour reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields & floods, rocks, hills & plains
Repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love.

May your Christmas be “full” of Joy as you reflect on your salvation and your Savior.

The Thanksgiving of the Living

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19 The living, the living, he thanks you,
    as I do this day;
the father makes known to the children
    your faithfulness. – Isaiah 38:19

The Living

Isaiah Chapter 38 records the fascinating account of King Hezekiah’s sickness and recovery. Try to put yourself in King Hezekiah’s position if you can. Lying sick, and at the point of death, the imposing figure of the Prophet Isaiah comes to pay you a visit. Always sober and dressed in his humble sackcloth, the mighty prophet gives you these “encouraging” words:

“Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.”

How would you respond to such a statement? Especially coming from a source like Isaiah. A prophet who received visions from God during the reign of four kings of Judah. During his forty years of ministry Isaiah prophesied on the coming Messiah, warnings and assurances for Israel and Judah, the coming Day of the Lord, and the Kingdom of God. In time, each of his prophecies would be fulfilled, thus proving their Divine source. When Isaiah spoke, the wise took his words to heart.

Hezekiah was familiar with Isaiah. Thus, the gravity of his words were unbearable. At thirty-nine years of age and childless, Hezekiah’s days among the living were numbered.

Death Sentence

As I read through the Bible, this account reminds me of my chiropractor and good friend Dr. Russell Willemin. Like Hezekiah, he was given a hopeless diagnosis that might better have been called a death sentence. Specifically, in early February of 2014, he was diagnosed with uroepithelial carcinoma in his right kidney. Although surgery was performed to remove his right kidney, ureter, and bladder cuff, the cancer had progressed to stage IV and was in the lymphatics around his aorta and was inoperable.

While he did not receive any somber words from the Prophet Isaiah, Dr. Russ did receive sobering counsel from his medical team. Certainly, the odds were not in his favor. If ever there was a time to set his house in order, it was now.

At fifty-eight years of age, with of bride of thirty-six years, three children and four grandchildren, it appeared that Dr. Russ’s days among the living were numbered.

Weeping King

Where do you turn when you are given news like King Hezekiah? For Hezekiah, his first thought in the “trial” was prayer. Isaiah records that King Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord. As he wept bitterly, Hezekiah reminded the Lord of his faithful service and his whole hearted devotion in doing good in the sight of God. And unlike the wall he was facing, God responded to Hezekiah’s prayer.

Immediately, God spoke to the Prophet Isaiah, and told him to go back to the King with the comforting words that his prayer had been heard and his tears had been seen. Because of his contrition, God promised Hezekiah an additional fifteen years of life. In addition, God promised his protection to Hezekiah and Jerusalem during that time. A promise He confirmed with a miraculous sign. The shadow would turn back on the dial, but God would not turn back on His word. While I don’t believe God changes His mind, I do think this teaches us that “there is room in God’s plans for the prayers of man” (H.C. Leupold).

With his remaining life, Hezekiah pledged to praise God. Specifically, he would thank Him for His grace and make his offspring (of which he currently had none) know of His faithfulness.

Heart Covenant

Like King Hezekiah, Dr. Russ also turned to God in prayer during his time of desperation. Instead of reminding God of his faithfulness as the King did, however, he confessed his spiritual apathy. In his own words, he wasn’t practicing his faith or praying regularly. Basically, his life was lacking spiritual conviction. But in his current condition, he decided to make a covenant “of the heart” with God. Not unlike the vow that Jacob made with God in Genesis chapter twenty eight. If God would show him mercy and allow him to recover, he in turn would do whatever God “asked” of him. Like King Hezekiah experienced so many years before, God heard his prayer, and saw his tears.

The day before he was scheduled to begin his very aggressive chemo regimen, Dr. Russ attended a healing service at the recommendation of one of his employees. Little could he know how this service would change his life. And by extension, countless others.

At the service, the audience was challenged to forgive anyone that they were harboring ill will towards. As Dr. Russ did so, the Spirit began to work on him. As the chains associated with unforgiveness began to weaken, Dr. Russ began to perspire profusely, as if the cancer were leaving his body through his pores. Once he reached the alter and was prayed over, he lost all control of his body as the Holy Spirit began to operate on the inoperable. Like a patient under anesthesia, he could not move or even open his eyes.

The Prophet Isaiah was not on the scene, so God sent the Holy Spirit to inform Dr. Russ that he was going to be healed and he would survive. But it wouldn’t be easy. Before the healing, he would have to endure some suffering (how often the same knife that heals us must first hurt us). But with newfound trust in the Great Physician, his tears of sorrow were quickly turned into tears of joy.

Death’s Threshold

Have you ever stood at the threshold of death like these two men? When death comes, even a mighty king is helpless before it’s onslaught. For King Hezekiah, it came calling at the “prime of his life” and would forever leave an indelible mark.

In the words of John Oswalt: “At the time when he least expects it, Hezekiah is confronted by the gaping maw of death. Suddenly all the years upon which he had counted for more achievements and for the enjoyment of those achievements vanish away like a vapor. How easily we human beings consider the years of our lives an inviolate possession. But that is not true. We have only today and perhaps not all of it. We are distinctly dependent creatures, and if such experiences as Hezekiah’s help us to face what that fact means for present living and eternal destiny, then they are very salutary experiences indeed.”

Hence Hezekiah would write:

15 What shall I say? For he has spoken to me,
    and he himself has done it.
I walk slowly all my years
    because of the bitterness of my soul.

16 O Lord, by these things men live,
    and in all these is the life of my spirit.
    Oh restore me to health and make me live!
17 Behold, it was for my welfare
    that I had great bitterness;
but in love you have delivered my life
    from the pit of destruction,
for you have cast all my sins
    behind your back. – Isaiah 38:15-17

Life Lessons

How can you be delivered from the threshold of death without being forever changed? I am sure Dr. Russ would agree with Hezekiah’s statement that “in all of these is the life of my spirit”. As H.C. Leupold says of such experiences, “They are the wellspring of all existence. All this is said in an effort to indicate how deep these things go and how long they last”.

Death has the ability to remove so quickly what we treat as so permanent. As we see from Hezekiah’s words, one never completely gets over the shock of being confronted with it so suddenly and intimately. We see that his praise is not only tempered by his “bitterness” but is actually enhanced by it (v. 17). There is a depth to his thanksgiving and praise that man can not manufacture without such an experience. It is a blessed thing to be reminded of our dependency on God, and perhaps nothing does it so quickly and thoroughly as a death sentence.

It is good to remember that God holds the keys to life and death. Also, it is good to be reminded that he hears the prayers of those that cry out to him. It is wise for the living to trust Him with, and thank Him for, their lives every day.

Thanksgiving

As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday, may you ponder these words from Dr. Russ.

“I strive now to stay in His presence all day every day. I speak out His name for support all day just to bring my awareness back to Him. For that, He offers us love, support and forgiveness beyond our comprehension. He gives us the gift of another day on Earth with our loved ones. How are you going to use that gift today? How are you going to prepare to use that gift tomorrow? Don’t waste those gifts, these days. Praise Him and thank Him every day.”

When you take time to thank God today, don’t forget to thank him for Hezekiah’s son Manasseh who was born during the fifteen years that God added to Hezekiah’s life. Although Manasseh was a wicked King, he was part of the lineage of Christ (Matthew 1:10). And it is only because of Christ that the redeemed can echo the words of Hezekiah’s thanksgiving.

“but in love you have delivered my life
    from the pit of destruction,
for you have cast all my sins
    behind your back”

Happy thanksgiving, and welcome back from the dead.

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— Ephesians 2:4-5

Kindness, Empathy and Life

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19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live – Deuteronomy 30:19

Unhinged

On June 16, 2015, business mogul Donald Trump announced his candidacy for President of the United States. Personally, I thought it was some sort of joke, perhaps a publicity stunt. What did Donald Trump know about politics? As might be expected, the media had a field day with the announcement. In fact, I felt they were so obsessed with Donald Trump that they hardly recognized the other candidates, including “my” candidate. But the obsession was only beginning.

On November 8, 2016, Donald Trump was elected President, and many liberals became unhinged, including those in the media and academia. The morning after his election, some Institutions of “higher” learning cancelled classes so their students could get grief counseling. But the grief only blossomed into frustration. In June of 2017, in a New York play of Julius Caesar, a Trump-like “‘Caesar” was stabbed to death to the delight of it’s liberal audience (and the dismay of some of it’s sponsors). But the stabs in the back were just beginning.

Not wanting to accept President Trumps election, his opponents fabricated a Russian collusion conspiracy. After spending much time and tax money on false charges, they then proceeded with a bogus impeachment trial. Many of these same people cheered when he was diagnosed with Covid and jeered when he was released from the hospital. At every turn, those obsessed with President Trump are still dripping their venom.

False Scales

11 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
    but a just weight is his delight. – Proverbs 11:1

While the media has been busy pointing out every flaw of President Trump, real or perceived, they have basically ignored those of his opponents. While we were subjected to months of conjecture regarding the Russian collusion theory, there seemed to be no interest from the media about Obamagate, and Vice President Biden’s role in all of the spying.

When Judge Kavanaugh was nominated for the Supreme Court by President Trump, we were educated about the Me Too movement. One thing we learned was that any man accused of sexual misconduct was guilty until proven innocent. Certainly no woman would fabricate such personal and sensitive accusations. At least that was until Vice President Biden was accused of sexual misconduct/improprieties by several women.

In addition to Obamagate and the numerous sexual allegations, Biden is now linked to his son Hunter’s ongoing scandal. It seems that while Vice President, Joe Biden used his position to financially benefit Hunter. Likewise, no mention is made of all of the damning sexual perversion found on his (Hunters) laptop computer. Unfortunately, instead of professional journalism, all we are getting from the elite powers is gaslighting.

Untold Story

What are we not being told by the media? According to the website whitehouse.gov, this is what Paul Harvey might refer to as “the rest of the story”.

“President Trump has delivered historic results in his first term in office despite partisan gridlock in the Nation’s Capital, and resistance from special interests and the Washington Establishment.

He passed record-setting tax cuts and regulation cuts, achieved energy independence, replaced NAFTA with the United-States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, invested $2 trillion to completely rebuild the Military, launched the Space Force, obliterated the ISIS Caliphate, achieved a major breakthrough for peace in the Middle East, passed the most significant Veterans Affairs reforms in half a century, confirmed over 250 federal judges, including 2 Supreme Court Justices, signed bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform, lowered drug prices, protected Medicare and Social Security, and secured our nation’s borders.

To vanquish the COVID-19 global pandemic, President Trump launched the greatest national mobilization since World War II. The Trump Administration enacted the largest package of financial relief in American history, created the most advanced testing system in the world, developed effective medical treatments to save millions of lives, and launched Operation Warp Speed to deliver a vaccine in record time and defeat the Virus.”

Bet you didn’t hear any of that on the nightly news.

Laurel Trees

35 I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,
    spreading himself like a green laurel tree.
36 But he passed away, and behold, he was no more;
    though I sought him, he could not be found. – Psalm 37:35-36

In the midst of the Second World War, as the anxious world was watching every move of Adolf Hitler in fear and trembling, Martyn Lloyd-Jones was unmovable in his confidence. His faith in God was his firm foundation when the world around him was falling apart. How? He believed in the sovereignty of God and clung to His Word. Specifically, he found comfort in the passage above. Like the laurel tree in the Psalm, one day men would seek Hitler and he would be no more. His wickedness and ruthlessness would be a thing of the past.

From an earthly perspective, President Trump and Vice President Biden are laurel trees. Mere mortals who will someday pass away and be no more. Just like Adolf Hitler. Just like all of us. However, unlike the laurel tree, they will stand before their Creator and give an account for their deeds in the flesh. Every careless word uttered, and every deed performed will be weighed by the almighty God, who hates false scales.

We need to be careful how much fear and how much faith we put in laurel trees.

Fools Galore

12 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
    but a man of understanding remains silent. – Proverbs 11:12

I don’t follow Facebook, nor do I follow Twitter. But I am well aware that much of what President Trump says and Tweets, would certainly qualify him as a fool according to many of the Proverbs. But despite what the media would like us to believe, he doesn’t have a monopoly on foolish words or behavior.

When questioned about his bowling game, President Obama once remarked to Jay Leno, “It’s like the Special Olympics or something”. (To his credit, he quickly apologized). In what appeared to be a childlike meltdown, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, in front of a watching world, tore up her copy of President Trump’s State of the Union Address. Not to be outdone, in the first 2020 Presidential debate, Vice President Joe Biden told President Trump to “shut up” and also called him a clown.

Prior to his debate embarrassment, Biden got into a heated exchange with an autoworker in Michigan who questioned his stance on gun control. According to the auto worker, Biden “went off the deep end” as he lost his temper and used expletives in his response to what was deemed to be a fair question.

Kindness and Empathy

So where is all of this political talk leading? Since President Trump was elected President, there has been a lot of discussion about kindness and empathy. Yet, in the midst of all of the Clinton sex scandals we were told that character doesn’t matter. Remember being told “Its the economy stupid”? So how did we get to this point?

It didn’t take long to find the trail. According to a 2016 article in the New York Times, Mark Zuckerburg, was devastated by Trumps Presidential win. Accordingly, he decided to make empathy (or the lack thereof) the focal point of 2020. And through Facebook, and the media, he has done just that. For many, this election is about the subjective. Which candidate is perceived as the kindest and most empathetic. To which I humbly say, HOGWASH!!

As a “Patriot” and more importantly, as a Christian, who recognizes the stakes of the war we are in, I am casting my lot with General MacArthur before Richard Simmons. As I have been pointing out, perfection is not an option, so we must vote for direction. Both candidates have a fool’s tongue, but one has a lot more blood on his hands.

Choose Life

I remember years ago listening to a radio interview with the well known financial advisor Larry Burkett. Larry was battling cancer at the time and after sharing some of his experiences in that struggle, he was asked about an upcoming election. Despite making a living talking about finances from a Christian perspective, Larry said the only truly important issue in any election is life. If a candidate didn’t fight for the sanctity of human life, he wasn’t much interested in their other credentials or convictions. As a young CPA, that left a great impression on me.

That interview was roughly twenty years ago. Larry has long since passed. But the battle for life remains. As an accountant, I appreciate what President Trump has done for our economy. The same is true for the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017. Further, as I father and grandfather, I appreciate the lack of ISIS activity under President Trump’s watch. But when I look at the list of accomplishments taken from the whitehouse.gov sight (copied above), one is glaringly absent.

According to every pro life organization I am aware of, President Trump is the most pro-life President in our history. By contrast, the Biden/Harris ticket has been dubbed the most pro-death. As a nation, God has certainly placed before us life and death. In a few days, we will make our choice.

Mere Mortals?

How do we move beyond the earthly perspective of humanity? How do we get past our feelings and subjective standards? Perhaps a testimony will help. On November 17, 1995, as she testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Brenda Shafer, an RN, shared this about an abortion she assisted in:

“The baby was alive and moving as the abortionist delivered the baby’s body and arms – everything but the head. The doctor kept the baby’s head just inside the uterus. The baby’s little fingers were clasping and unclasping, his feet were kicking. Then the doctor stuck the scissors through the back of his head, and the baby’s arms jerked out in a flinch, a startle reaction like a baby does when he thinks he might fall. The doctor opened up the scissors, stuck a high-powered suction tube into the opening, and sucked the baby’s’ brains out. Now the baby was completely limp.”

With this sobering picture in your mind, ponder the words of C.S. Lewis, from The Weight of Glory.

“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations-these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit-immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”

Let’s not redefine what it means to be pro life. You can’t love, protect or care for someone from cradle to grave, if you’ve denied them the right to life in the womb.

This election exercise kindness and empathy by choosing life, “so that you and your children might live”. With heaven and earth as His witnesses, God awaits our decision.

What Should We Believe?

Posted on by scott

5 Every word of God proves true;
    he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6 Do not add to his words,
    lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. – Proverbs 30:5-6

Sign Language

We expect, during an election year, to see yards dressed (or littered) with signs promoting political candidates. The fallen leaves and the dying grass share space with the political hopefuls that will set our world straight. Or so we perpetually hope.

However, I am sure you have noticed many signs that don’t directly endorse any candidates, rather they seem to promote a different hope. Social justice. Many of these signs are a list introduced by the exclamation: “We Believe”. I am not sure if these signs are intended to underhandedly promote one party over the other or to unite our deeply divided society with a common cause. Regardless, on the surface I suspect we would all agree that we are for social justice. Unfortunately, I believe there is a dangerous gap between what the signs say, and what they imply. (If they don’t have deeper implications, I am afraid we would have to dismiss many of them as utter nonsense).

The Bible has a lot to say about the importance of what we believe, as well as the seriousness of the words we speak. Further, as Christians, we are to defend Biblical Truth. And altering it is not an option. Therefore, when we see these signs, I think we would be wise to ask whether their slogans are in line with Scripture or whether they are meaningless or harmful platitudes.

So lets look at some of the sign language.

Black Lives Matter

Of course this is a true statement. At least it is to Christians. The issue isn’t which lives matter, it is why they matter. As humans we were created in the image of God, regardless of skin color. To God, every life matters. Shame on those who even make an issue of race.

13 For you formed my inward parts;
     you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well. – Psalm 139:13-14

Since we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made” by our Creator God, we need to be careful about elevating any one race over another. Even under the guise of social justice. Further, if one black life matters, they all matter. Yet, despite the rhetoric, blacks like Clarence Thomas, Candace Owens, Thomas Sowell and many others are often slurred as Uncle Tom’s and even called the N word by their fellow blacks.

Let’s be consistent. All lives matter even if they disagree with the progressive narratives.

Love is Love

I believe it may be accurately stated that love is the most powerful force in the world, but I cannot concede, based on the Bible, that all love is equal, as this motto seems to imply.

God is love… – 1 John 4:16

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” – John 3:16

As you can see, the Bible tells us that God is love, and that out of His love for us He sent Christ to this earth to save us from the consequences of our sins. In addition, in 1 Corinthians chapter thirteen, Paul records what true love looks like. Further, the Bible uses different words to differentiate between different kinds of loves. But it never equates sin with love. In other words, the Bible doesn’t recognize the perverted “love” between two people of the same sex as equivalent to the love between a man and a woman. To the contrary, there are many passages condemning such relationships as an abomination.

When we are told that love is love, we must remember that true love is objective. It cannot be defined by itself (despite what postmodernists want to believe). The same God who is love, is also light. And since He is, we must recognize that true love doesn’t allow others to live in darkness, but rather points them to the light that true Love sent into this world.

Science is Real

While it is easy to concede that science is real, it is dangerous to assume that science makes a good “final authority”. While science (if I can assign to it human attributes) has done much good for civilization, it makes for a poor god.

2 Great are the works of the Lord,
    studied by all who delight in them. – Psalm 111:2

17 then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out. – Ecclesiastes 8:17

Unlike God, science (scientists) are often wrong. For proof, we need to look no further than the Covid projections that were based on scientific models. Technically, science cannot even “prove” mathematics (science is limited to propositions not proofs). Yet despite it’s limitations, unfortunately for many, science has become an idol. Perhaps Einstein’s quote should help us keep human reasoning in perspective. “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the universe.” 

Limited to the realm of the empirical, science will never answer man’s greatest questions or fulfil his greatest need. Only the all knowing and all powerful Creator can do so.

Science may be real, but it will never occupy God’s throne.

No Human is Illegal

While it may be true that no human is inherently “illegal”, that does not imply that no human is a lawbreaker. In fact, the Bible tells us the opposite.

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. – Acts 3:19-20

Those that claim no human is illegal, are obviously pushing for open borders. When they ignore our border policies and immigration laws, they are snubbing the very fabric of our society. Imagine the anarchy if all of us could simply disregard the laws we disagree with.

God is a God of order, not chaos. Accordingly, the nuclear family, governments, and even borders were his idea to preserve life and order.

 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, – Acts 17:26

While I recognize that our country has a rich immigration “history”, that doesn’t imply that we should not protect our citizens from illegal immigrants. Laws exist that allow immigrants to become citizens legally. The fairest and most compassionate thing we can do for everyone is to enforce them not ignore them.

Sobering Words

My objective is not to make light of social justice. Not at all. But, as I mentioned earlier, we need to be careful about the words we speak, and in this case, the messages we send. Intentional or not. When writing about this subject, this is what Matthew Henry wrote:

“Add thou not unto his words, because they are pure and perfect. This forbids the advancing of any thing, not only in contradiction to the word of God, but in competition to it; though it be under the plausible pretence of explaining it, yet, if it pretend to be of equal authority with it, it is adding to his words, which is not only a reproach to them as in insufficient, but opens the door to all manner of errors and corruptions; for, that one absurdity being granted, that the word of any man, or company of men, is to be received with the same faith and veneration as the word of God, a thousand follow. We must be content with what God has thought fit to make known to us his mind, and not covet to be wise above what is written”.

Redefining words or stripping them of their meanings can be dangerous. May we never compromise Truth in our passion for “noble” causes. Even in the midst of an election year, social unrest, and a pandemic, His every word proves true, and He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. May the sign language always send us back to Him.

BTW, my favorite yard sign:

Jesus-2020

What is Repentance?

Posted on by scott

3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? – Romans 2:3 -4

Illness & MLJ

Having spent a lot of time “on the shelf” recently with an extended illness, I have had the privilege of doing a lot of reading. Specifically, I have been spending a lot of time with perhaps my favorite expositor, Martyn Lloyd Jones, as I work through his commentaries on the book of Romans. I thought I would share some thoughts based on his outline of today’s text from Romans chapter 2.

Practices

Towards the end of the first chapter of Romans, Paul lists some of the sinful practices of the unrighteous, warning us that upon them the wrath of God was being revealed as He “gave them up”. This wrath of abandonment, allowed them to continue down the path they had chosen and the eternal wrath that would be their final destiny. The unrighteous began their way down this path by suppressing the truth that God had plainly revealed to them and failing to honor Him or give Him thanks. “Claiming to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:22).

What does a fool look like? According to the inspired Word of God, a fool exchanges the glory of the immortal God for images of His creation. Further, they practice impurity by dishonoring their bodies, and they fulfil dishonorable passions through homosexuality. Also, they are marked by evil, covetousness and malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

As if this list isn’t painful enough, Paul makes a final indictment against the foolish. “Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them” (Romans 1:32).

Judge or Repent?

While it is easy, and dare I say “natural” to look at such a list of sins and stand in judgement of the unrighteous, Paul gives us a reality check. Instead or casting stones in a posture of superiority, we should look at the vile practices of these “fools” and examine ourselves. Are we guilty of doing the very things we are judging in others? While our pride promotes us to seats of judgement, our behavior reveals our true position. God takes our holiness seriously, and so must we.

Over the course of time, we have reduced salvation to a simple prayer of “belief”, but if we are honest with the Scriptures, we will see that the clarion call of the gospel was always one of repentance. When John the Baptist came to prepare the way for Christ, he did so by preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sin. When Jesus preached, He warned his audiences of the need to repent because the kingdom of God was at hand (Mt. 4:17) and if they did not repent they would perish (Luke 13:3, 5).

When the Holy Spirit descended on the day of Pentecost, Peter boldly preached the need to repent. When he was saying farewell to the elders of the church in Ephesus, Paul reminded them that his ministry was to preach the repentance that is towards God and the faith that is towards the Lord Jesus Christ. If the necessity of repentance was the first matter of priority to Christ and the early church, do we have any right to make it any less? If we “invite” people to Jesus, making promises regarding what He can do for them, without warning them of the wrath of God and the need for repentance, are we doing them any real favor?

If we agree that repentance isn’t “optional”, but is of first order of importance, we must then ask what it specifically entails.

Think Again

In Latin, the term repent simply means “think again”. Over the course of time we will hear and read certain words so frequently that we don’t take the time to consider their meanings. But if the effect of God’s kindness is to lead us to repentance, perhaps it is time that we stop and “think again” what that means. If our repentance means that much to God, we certainly don’t want to be guilty of presuming on His kindness.

In Matthew 21:28-32, Jesus tells the Parable of the Two Sons. In the parable, the father tells the first son to go and work in the vineyard. The son initially responds by saying “no” to his father, but then he repents and goes out to work in the vineyard. When the father approached his second son with the same request, this son initially said “yes” to his father, however, despite his verbal response, he failed to actually go out and work in the vineyard.

Although the first son originally said “no” to his father, he later “thought again” about his father’s request. As our Savior stated, this son repented. But this son didn’t just illustrate the Latin definition of repentance, but the Greek as well, which carries the idea of a “change of mind”. True repentance entails looking at a subject, thinking about it again, and then coming to a different conclusion: changing our minds.

Action Plan

As important as these first two steps are, they don’t entail all of what it means to repent. As we see from Jesus’ parable, repentance also involves action. As we so often hear, a man acts according to his thinking. As MLJ said, “Repentance is not something detached and theoretical and academic. Repentance does include the idea of not only a change of mind but a change of a course of action, a change in the whole direction and habit of one’s life”.

Indeed, action is an important component of repentance, but it is vital that we don’t separate it from the prior. In other words, we can’t think of repentance only in terms of actions. Again, in the words of MLJ: “We must emphasize this, for some people seem to think of repentance only in terms of actions. They think repentance means that a man stops getting drunk or being an adulterer or whatever else it may be, and begins to live a different life, but that is the end of repentance, not the beginning. The beginning is this changed attitude towards God, this new thinking about God Himself; thinking about God in terms of the scriptural revelation rather than in terms of our own ideas and our philosophies and our arguments from man to God, instead of from God to man”.

I think if we can learn anything from the Beatitudes, it is that God is concerned that our being is transformed before our actions are “reformed”.

Proper Perspectives

The Bible tells us that the natural mind is enmity against God (Romans 8:7). We see in today’s text the propensity for man to look at the kindness, forbearance and patience of God and coming to the wrong conclusion. This should not surprise us. Man seems to either not think about God at all, or when he does think about Him, he has wrong thoughts about Him. How easy it is to look at the troubles around us and question the love and kindness of God. How often do we question His character because everything doesn’t “go our way”?

For these reasons, it is important, as the first step of repentance, to stop and think about the character of God. The natural man needs to think differently about God, in a sense “reversing the effects of the Garden”. We need to see God clearly as He reveals Himself in the Bible, and most clearly in the Person of Jesus Christ. When we do so, we will see that our thoughts about God have often been wrong. Like Job, when we truly see God as He is, our only response will be to cover our mouths in fear of blaspheming His name in our ignorance (Job 40:4).

Once we change our thoughts and minds about God, we must stop and do the same about ourselves. Once we see how exalted God is, we will begin to see why the Bible can refer to us as worms. Indeed, nothing good dwells in us (our flesh). No longer will we look at our circumstances and question the love and kindness of God. Instead, we can only wonder in awe why He ever “decided” to shower us with His infinite love. Truly, we don’t deserve it.

Glorious Destiny

According to Lloyd-Jones, the person who changes his view about God and self, will then change his view about everything else.

“His whole view of life is different. Before this, his idea of life was, really, what the world is enjoying today, or what it persuades itself that it is enjoying. But the moment a man repents, he has an entirely different view of life in this world. He sees himself in the light of God and before God. He now sees life as a journey in the direction of God, not as a place into which you come to settle down and just have a so-called good time, and let yourself go, and live like an animal obeying the lusts of the flesh and so on. No! He sees man now as someone with a great and glorious destiny. Like those depicted in Hebrews chapter eleven, he sees life as a journey, as a pilgrimage. He is but a sojourner in this world, he is travelling home to God, and his whole view of life and death and of everything that happens to him becomes different. That is a part of repentance.”

Once we see our lives as a journey in the direction of God, our conduct will profoundly change. Now our actions will fall in step with our new perspectives.

Soul Agony

As our nation approaches another election, many people are talking about the soul of our country. While the people on both sides of the political aisle are pointing out the sins of the other, wouldn’t we do well to take a moment to reflect on our own souls?

No politician is responsible for the pride in our hearts. No political ideology can justify the animosity towards our “neighbors”. As badly as I want to understand (and change) those who hold contrary political views, I have to realize that is not God’s top priority. God’s kindness is meant to lead “me” to repentance. As long as I am looking at (and condemning) others, I will be less sensitive to my own sins.

How about you? How is your “sense” of your sinfulness? When was the last time you wept under conviction of your own sin? When was the last time you experienced an agony of the soul because of the consciousness of your sin before a Holy God?

If we truly want revival and reawakening, we have to once again make repentance the clarion call of the Gospel. May God forgive us for presuming on His kindness!