Recently our community mourned the loss of one of its heroes, a young Army pilot named Terry Varnadore, who was killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan this past April. CW2 Varnadore is survived by an expectant wife and a child.
On the day his body was flown home the entire community turned out to line the route from the airport to the funeral home. It was a great outpouring of compassion and support.
His story brought to mind my own experiences with Army helicopters and the brave pilots and crew who flew them.
My first flight came during a wargame exercise in Germany dubbed "reforger." At the time I commanded the recon platoon of the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, the "Blue Spaders." As a part of this weeklong exercise, my platoon was chosen for a demonstration of air mobility. For this exercise we drove my command track under a Sikorsky "sky crane," the chopper that looks like a praying mantis. We secured it under the chopper by cables, climbed inside, and off we went. My favorite part of this whole deal was watching the notables in the bleachers when we landed. It was hilarious to see them grab their hats and toupees as the prop wash blasted over them.
A year later, when I arrived in Vietnam, I was assigned to command an airmobile infantry platoon. Our "ride" both into the jungle and back out again was the UH6, Huey. We would fly in lifts of six birds, enough to carry the 30-35 men of a rifle platoon. My platoon's assignment was to secure the landing zone, so I flew on the first bird, followed by the rest of my platoon in the other five Hueys. The first chopper carried me plus my radio operator, our platoon medic, a Vietnamese scout, and the "pig" (M60) team. We sat in the door with our feet dangling, flying along at 120 knots and 2000 feet. As we flew, we could see Cobra gunships at both flanks. They provided security for our lift and also "prepped" the lz with miniguns, rocket launchers and 40mm grenades before landed. Every airmobile insertion was another 4th of July.
As we touched down I slid out and directed my platoon into position in order to secure the landing zone. Once the entire company was on the ground in our new area of operations (AO) we moved out in various directions to sniff out any evidence of the movement of supplies along the Ho Chi Minh trail and to interdict any enemy troops.
Every third or fourth day a Huey would fly out to our position with resupplies. And occasionally we had to call on them for the evacuation of a wounded soldier.
We came to be able to distinguish each helicopter by its sound. We could tell a Huey from a Cobra, from a Chinook, from a "loach."
The best sound of chopper blades, though, was that fortnightly "whop-whop" sound of the Hueys that were on their way to extract us to carry us to the rear for a three day stand down.
I grew to greatly admire the brave young men who flew these great birds. They were some of the real heroes of Vietnam; daring, courageous, driven to do their job with the utmost of excellence under the most difficult of circumstances. And today's Army pilots are heroes in their own right. I salute them all.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Even Christians struggle with stress.
A relationship with Jesus Christ does not entitle one to a "get out of stress free" card. In fact, when you follow Christ your life may become even more stressful, because you now have an enemy who will do everything within his power to make your life miserable. (Read "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis)
Which raises the question: How does/should a believer handle stress? Here are some thoughts.
1. Pray; earnestly, honestly, and sincerely. Prayer is how we give to God the things that are stressing us. There is a sense of release and relief by simply being honest to God. And rest assured he already knows your struggles. In fact, He has even allowed them to exist, for purposes you may never know. As we pray, however, we're given a glimpse of God's perspective on our troubles, and we're reminded that we're His precious child, for whom Christ died. Remember, too, that he promises to never leave us nor forsake us. I love the song "He Will Carry You," by Scott Wesley Brown. The chorus says, "If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders, I know, my brother, that He will carry you."
2. Share your burden w/a trusted believer, or a few of them, that you know will pray for you. Someone has said that a burden shared is a burden halved. God has created us as a family, and He wants us to support, encourage, and edify one another.
3. Remember that God will use your struggles for His purposes. He won't let any of your experience go to waste. He will help you through this time, then show you how you can bless, encourage and strengthen someone else who needs to hear your story of how He brought you through. (See 2Corinthians 1)
Which raises the question: How does/should a believer handle stress? Here are some thoughts.
1. Pray; earnestly, honestly, and sincerely. Prayer is how we give to God the things that are stressing us. There is a sense of release and relief by simply being honest to God. And rest assured he already knows your struggles. In fact, He has even allowed them to exist, for purposes you may never know. As we pray, however, we're given a glimpse of God's perspective on our troubles, and we're reminded that we're His precious child, for whom Christ died. Remember, too, that he promises to never leave us nor forsake us. I love the song "He Will Carry You," by Scott Wesley Brown. The chorus says, "If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders, I know, my brother, that He will carry you."
2. Share your burden w/a trusted believer, or a few of them, that you know will pray for you. Someone has said that a burden shared is a burden halved. God has created us as a family, and He wants us to support, encourage, and edify one another.
3. Remember that God will use your struggles for His purposes. He won't let any of your experience go to waste. He will help you through this time, then show you how you can bless, encourage and strengthen someone else who needs to hear your story of how He brought you through. (See 2Corinthians 1)
Friday, June 17, 2011
It Only Takes A Moment to Honor A Vet
As soon as I walked into the grocery store, I saw him at the checkout. Stooped, with two canes resting beside him, wearing a Korea veteran hat with pins indicating some of the campaigns he had fought in. I made a beeline for him, even though I was running late on my honey-do errand.
As I walked up to him, I extended my hand. “Thank you for you service, sir.” As simply as that.
With a solid grip he grasped my hand, looked me in the eye, and said, “I can’t tell you what that means to me.”
These grand old heroes are fast disappearing. Don’t pass up an opportunity to express your gratitude to one of them.
As I walked up to him, I extended my hand. “Thank you for you service, sir.” As simply as that.
With a solid grip he grasped my hand, looked me in the eye, and said, “I can’t tell you what that means to me.”
These grand old heroes are fast disappearing. Don’t pass up an opportunity to express your gratitude to one of them.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Traction in Trouble: Making Sense of Suffering
The headlines in our local paper were shocking. One of the brightest lights in our little town, a leader in so many ways, and a sterling Christian as well, was senselessly murdered, leaving two married daughters and two young grandsons.
All of us who knew this lady struggled for answers to questions that defy simple answers.
“Why do good people suffer?”
And, equally difficult to grasp, “Why do bad people so often seem to ‘get away with murder.’”
Since the beginning of time, mankind has experienced suffering. Some of it we bring on ourselves, and some we seem to inherit for no apparent reason. Here are some thoughts on human suffering I hope you’ll find helpful.
First, suffering is pervasive.
Everyone experiences suffering on some level; it’s a universal reality.
Oswald Chambers addresses the universality of suffering when he declares, “Suffering is the heritage of the bad, of the penitent, and of the Son of God. Each one ends in the cross. The bad thief is crucified, the penitent thief is crucified, and the Son of God is crucified. By these signs we know the widespread heritage of suffering.” (Christian Discipline)
Secondly, suffering is painful.
Just consider some of the synonyms for suffering: trials, tribulation, adversity, struggles, difficulties, trouble, pain, hardship, affliction, distress, and tests.
No one enjoys suffering, except perhaps someone who is emotionally off balance. Pain is never fun. Most of us flee situations that we think could be painful.
Paul relates how, when faced with a “thorn in the flesh” that caused him pain, he pleaded with God three times to remove it. (2 Corinthians 12)
Suffering is a product:
Suffering is a product of evil. We live in a fallen world. Sin is rampant. People, since the beginning of time, have gone their own way, oblivious to the God who made them and who loves them. (Isaiah 53:6) The fact that God allows evil to exist is evidence of his love and of his willingness to give mankind the freedom to love Him in return, or not to love Him if they so choose.
Suffering is a product of our own foolishness. People do stupid things and suffer the consequences.
Suffering is the product of persecution. Christians have always suffered for their faith. Believers have been persecuted, abused, and mistreated since the beginning. Jesus told us to expect persecution.
Some suffering is a product of God’s own doing. Again, Paul says that his thorn in the flesh was given to him and that God purposed it. Jesus’ suffering and death were purposed by God. And there are times when God either causes or allows His children to go through trials and suffering for reasons known only to Him.
Suffering can be purposeful.
First, suffering produces purity. It is like the crucible used to produce pure metal. It does not consume nor destroy, but it refines, removing all impurities.
Next, suffering produces endurance and strength. I visited a vineyard recently, and noticed how severely the branches had been pruned from the vine. The vintner explained that this process is necessary to produce the highest possible quality of grape. God prunes us to develop strength and endurance, cutting away anything that is not fruitful. (see John 15)
Finally, God uses suffering for the purpose of developing in us the character of Christ. In other words, as we suffer we grow to become more like Christ.
“Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that at the time seemed especially desolating and painful with particular satisfaction. Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my 75 years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my experience, has been through affliction and not through happiness.” Malcolm Muggeridge (Homemade, July, 1990)
God’s people are certainly not immune to suffering. Someone asked C.S. Lewis, "Why do the righteous suffer?" "Why not?" he replied. "They're the only ones who can take it."
Let me share some verses that speak of suffering along with a brief paraphrase.
1Peter 2:21 – we follow Christ in our suffering
1Peter 3:14 – if you suffer you will be blessed
1Peter 3:17 – better to suffer for good than for evil
1Peter 4:1 – because Christ suffered and is victorious
1Peter 4:13 – we share in Christ’s sufferings
1Peter 4:15 – Don’t suffer as a criminal
1Peter 4:16 – suffer to glorify God
1Peter 5:9 – all followers of Christ suffer
1Peter 5:10 – God will use our suffering to strengthen us
1Corinthians 12:26 – as a body, we suffer w/each member
Acts 9:16 – we suffer for Christ’s name
Romans 8:18 – sufferings are temporal and of the earth, not heaven
James 5:10 – we have many models in scripture of those who endured in suffering
2Corinthians 1:6 – God allows us to suffer so we might benefit others
Galatians 3:4 – don’t let suffering be for nothing
Philippians 3:10 – we participate in the fellowship of his suffering – identity w/Christ
2Thessalonians 1:5-8 – God will make things right at the judgment
Hebrews 2:18 – Christ helps us when we are tested because he suffered for us
Romans 5:3-5 – we can rejoice knowing that suffering produces endurance
2Timothy 1:8 – we share in suffering, identifying with one another
2Timothy 2:3 – suffering is like soldiering
2Timothy 2:8-9 – we suffer as we declare Christ and live in him
2Timothy 3:10-13 – if we follow Christ we will be persecuted
A famous evangelist told the following incident: “I have a friend who in a time of business recession lost his job, a sizable fortune, and his beautiful home. To add to his sorrow, his precious wife died; yet he tenaciously held to his faith -- the only thing he had left. One day when he was out walking in search of employment, he stopped to watch some men who were doing stonework on a large church. One of them was chiseling a triangular piece of rock. '’Where are you going to put that?' he asked. The workman said, 'Do you see that little opening up there near the spire? Well, I'm shaping this stone down here so that it will fit in up there.' Tears filled my friend's eyes as he walked away, for the Lord had spoken to him through that laborer whose words gave new meaning to his troubled situation. (Our Daily Bread)
So, as James admonishes, count it all joy when you suffer, knowing that God is at work, shaping you for His purposes. (see James 1)
All of us who knew this lady struggled for answers to questions that defy simple answers.
“Why do good people suffer?”
And, equally difficult to grasp, “Why do bad people so often seem to ‘get away with murder.’”
Since the beginning of time, mankind has experienced suffering. Some of it we bring on ourselves, and some we seem to inherit for no apparent reason. Here are some thoughts on human suffering I hope you’ll find helpful.
First, suffering is pervasive.
Everyone experiences suffering on some level; it’s a universal reality.
Oswald Chambers addresses the universality of suffering when he declares, “Suffering is the heritage of the bad, of the penitent, and of the Son of God. Each one ends in the cross. The bad thief is crucified, the penitent thief is crucified, and the Son of God is crucified. By these signs we know the widespread heritage of suffering.” (Christian Discipline)
Secondly, suffering is painful.
Just consider some of the synonyms for suffering: trials, tribulation, adversity, struggles, difficulties, trouble, pain, hardship, affliction, distress, and tests.
No one enjoys suffering, except perhaps someone who is emotionally off balance. Pain is never fun. Most of us flee situations that we think could be painful.
Paul relates how, when faced with a “thorn in the flesh” that caused him pain, he pleaded with God three times to remove it. (2 Corinthians 12)
Suffering is a product:
Suffering is a product of evil. We live in a fallen world. Sin is rampant. People, since the beginning of time, have gone their own way, oblivious to the God who made them and who loves them. (Isaiah 53:6) The fact that God allows evil to exist is evidence of his love and of his willingness to give mankind the freedom to love Him in return, or not to love Him if they so choose.
Suffering is a product of our own foolishness. People do stupid things and suffer the consequences.
Suffering is the product of persecution. Christians have always suffered for their faith. Believers have been persecuted, abused, and mistreated since the beginning. Jesus told us to expect persecution.
Some suffering is a product of God’s own doing. Again, Paul says that his thorn in the flesh was given to him and that God purposed it. Jesus’ suffering and death were purposed by God. And there are times when God either causes or allows His children to go through trials and suffering for reasons known only to Him.
Suffering can be purposeful.
First, suffering produces purity. It is like the crucible used to produce pure metal. It does not consume nor destroy, but it refines, removing all impurities.
Next, suffering produces endurance and strength. I visited a vineyard recently, and noticed how severely the branches had been pruned from the vine. The vintner explained that this process is necessary to produce the highest possible quality of grape. God prunes us to develop strength and endurance, cutting away anything that is not fruitful. (see John 15)
Finally, God uses suffering for the purpose of developing in us the character of Christ. In other words, as we suffer we grow to become more like Christ.
“Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that at the time seemed especially desolating and painful with particular satisfaction. Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my 75 years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my experience, has been through affliction and not through happiness.” Malcolm Muggeridge (Homemade, July, 1990)
God’s people are certainly not immune to suffering. Someone asked C.S. Lewis, "Why do the righteous suffer?" "Why not?" he replied. "They're the only ones who can take it."
Let me share some verses that speak of suffering along with a brief paraphrase.
1Peter 2:21 – we follow Christ in our suffering
1Peter 3:14 – if you suffer you will be blessed
1Peter 3:17 – better to suffer for good than for evil
1Peter 4:1 – because Christ suffered and is victorious
1Peter 4:13 – we share in Christ’s sufferings
1Peter 4:15 – Don’t suffer as a criminal
1Peter 4:16 – suffer to glorify God
1Peter 5:9 – all followers of Christ suffer
1Peter 5:10 – God will use our suffering to strengthen us
1Corinthians 12:26 – as a body, we suffer w/each member
Acts 9:16 – we suffer for Christ’s name
Romans 8:18 – sufferings are temporal and of the earth, not heaven
James 5:10 – we have many models in scripture of those who endured in suffering
2Corinthians 1:6 – God allows us to suffer so we might benefit others
Galatians 3:4 – don’t let suffering be for nothing
Philippians 3:10 – we participate in the fellowship of his suffering – identity w/Christ
2Thessalonians 1:5-8 – God will make things right at the judgment
Hebrews 2:18 – Christ helps us when we are tested because he suffered for us
Romans 5:3-5 – we can rejoice knowing that suffering produces endurance
2Timothy 1:8 – we share in suffering, identifying with one another
2Timothy 2:3 – suffering is like soldiering
2Timothy 2:8-9 – we suffer as we declare Christ and live in him
2Timothy 3:10-13 – if we follow Christ we will be persecuted
A famous evangelist told the following incident: “I have a friend who in a time of business recession lost his job, a sizable fortune, and his beautiful home. To add to his sorrow, his precious wife died; yet he tenaciously held to his faith -- the only thing he had left. One day when he was out walking in search of employment, he stopped to watch some men who were doing stonework on a large church. One of them was chiseling a triangular piece of rock. '’Where are you going to put that?' he asked. The workman said, 'Do you see that little opening up there near the spire? Well, I'm shaping this stone down here so that it will fit in up there.' Tears filled my friend's eyes as he walked away, for the Lord had spoken to him through that laborer whose words gave new meaning to his troubled situation. (Our Daily Bread)
So, as James admonishes, count it all joy when you suffer, knowing that God is at work, shaping you for His purposes. (see James 1)
Friday, April 22, 2011
The meaning of life.
“That’s life; that’s what all the people say. You’re riding high in April, shot down in May.”
So goes the song made popular by Frank Sinatra, an anthem of life’s meaningless.
It ends with this line: “And if nothing’s shaking come this here July, I’m gonna roll myself up in a big ball and die.”
And then there’s this hymn of hopelessness sung by Peggy Lee.
“And when I was 12 years old, my father took me to the circus,
the greatest show on earth.
There were clowns and elephants and dancing bears
And a beautiful lady in pink tights flew high above our heads.
And as I sat there watching the marvelous spectacle
I had the feeling that something was missing.
I don't know what, but when it was over,
I said to myself, ‘Is that all there is to a circus?’”
“Is that all there is, is that all there is?”
In today’s world, people are losing hope in life. We’ve been promised hope and change, but it seems many are losing their belief that things are going to change for the better. And, friends, don’t be surprised if, in this world, things get worse.
But, I have good news for you today. This world is not the final chapter. This is not all there is. There is a better world coming for all the saints of God of all the ages. It’s a world made possible by the resurrection of Christ, which is what we celebrate on this Easter Sunday.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10, ESV)
Jesus Christ promises that we can experience a new and abundant life that begins here on earth and continues for all eternity.
Steve McVey tells how his family recently viewed the movie The Passion, and were deeply moved by the graphic portrayal of the sacrifice made by Christ at the cross. The cross of Jesus Christ is the crux of time and eternity.
McVey continues, “While the whole movie was stirring, one line touched me deeply. The scene was where Jesus was carrying his cross down the Via Dolorosa while the taunting soldiers and jeering crowd surrounded Him. Mary, His mother, watched from a distance as Jesus fell under the heavy load of the cross.
As she watched Him fall, Mary’s thoughts returned to a time when Jesus was a little boy and had fallen, scraping His knee. She had run to Him, and picked Him up, saying, ‘I’m here.’ Now, as He fell on the way to the cross, her maternal love and instinct took over as she ran to his side. ‘I’m here,’ Mary said, with tears streaming down her cheeks. Jesus lifted His head, looked at His mother and said, ‘Mother, I make all things new.’” (Steve McVey, Grace Walk Ministries)
1. Jesus came to give new life.
This is the beginning point for everything. Scripture teaches that, apart from Christ, people are dead in sin; helpless and hopeless. (Matthew 9:36.)
In the hymn, Amazing Grace, John Newton describes his life without Christ as wretched, lost, and blind.
You see, our problem is not that we need to be rehabilitated or re-educated. No amount of rehab will solve our dilemma. We’re dead and we can do nothing about it on our own. The government can’t save us. Obamacare can’t help us. Wealth redistribution won’t do it. Only Christ can make us new.
2Corinthians 5:17 states, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
When you trust Christ for salvation you receive a totally new identity. Through faith in Christ you are set free from sin and given a new life. Your old life as a sinner is put to death. You are crucified with Christ, it states in Galatians 2:20.
Your new life, given by the Spirit, is that of a saint. You’re not a sinner saved by grace, you’re a saint, and this is your new identity for all eternity. At every moment of every day you are in good standing with God.
2. Jesus came to give abundant life.
The Greek word for life in this passage is zoe’. It’s not a quantity, but rather a quality of life.
The Greek meaning of zoe’ is: life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed.
Jesus himself said: “I am the life.” That is to say: “I am the sole source of real life — life that is independent of physical existence, life that is endless, life that is full of meaning, life that is totally satisfying — life with a capital ‘L.’” (Pass the Toast devotional)
The abundant life is characterized by love, joy, peace and all the other fruit of the Spirit. It has nothing to do with one’s worldly success or the measure of one’s possessions. In fact, the abundant life is not for sale. No amount of money could buy it.
Simon Bickersteth, an Anglican vicar in England, relates this account of Leo Tolstoy’s search for fulfillment.
“Leo Tolstoy, author of War and Peace, wrote a book called A Confession, in which he tells the story of his search for meaning and purpose in life. He describes how he rejected Christianity as a child. As he went through life he became very ambitious. First of all, he thought pleasure was the answer. Having a great time. He entered the social world of Moscow and Petersburg, drinking heavily, sleeping around, gambling and leading a wild life. But it did not satisfy him. He then thought maybe money was the answer. He had inherited an estate and made a large amount of money out of his books. Yet that did not satisfy him either. He then sought success, fame and importance. But still he said, it didn’t satisfy. Then he thought, maybe the answer is family life, to give his family the best possible life. He married in 1862 and had a kind, loving wife and thirteen children. He had achieved all his ambitions and was surrounded by what appeared to be complete happiness. And yet one question brought him to the verge of suicide: ‘What meaning has my life that the inevitability of death does not destroy?’ He searched for the answer in every field of science and philosophy, but without satisfaction. Eventually he found that the peasant people of Russia had the answer he had been looking for, in their faith in God through Jesus Christ.”
“The truth is that the (abundant) life is not found in pleasure, performance, possessions, position, or pursuits; it is found in the person of Jesus Christ.” (William Richard Ezell)
3. Jesus came to give eternal life.
In this same passage in John’s gospel, Jesus declares, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30)
Through faith in Christ you are promised eternal life. When Jesus saves you he promises that you are his for all eternity. In his crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus Christ has once and for all conquered death and the grave.
In the subsequent chapter of John, he states, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)
Jesus made this declaration after calling forth Lazarus from the grave. He truly has conquered death, and he promises that we will dwell with him forever.
This is the message of Easter; The pre-existent Christ, God the Son, came to earth as Jesus of Nazareth. He lived a sinless life, then, in the fullness of time, he was executed on a cruel cross for the sins of the world. He was buried, and on the third day he arose from the grave. He is alive forevermore, and one day will return for all his followers. In the meantime, he promises to give us a life of abundance and meaning.
Let me repeat his question: Do you believe this?
So goes the song made popular by Frank Sinatra, an anthem of life’s meaningless.
It ends with this line: “And if nothing’s shaking come this here July, I’m gonna roll myself up in a big ball and die.”
And then there’s this hymn of hopelessness sung by Peggy Lee.
“And when I was 12 years old, my father took me to the circus,
the greatest show on earth.
There were clowns and elephants and dancing bears
And a beautiful lady in pink tights flew high above our heads.
And as I sat there watching the marvelous spectacle
I had the feeling that something was missing.
I don't know what, but when it was over,
I said to myself, ‘Is that all there is to a circus?’”
“Is that all there is, is that all there is?”
In today’s world, people are losing hope in life. We’ve been promised hope and change, but it seems many are losing their belief that things are going to change for the better. And, friends, don’t be surprised if, in this world, things get worse.
But, I have good news for you today. This world is not the final chapter. This is not all there is. There is a better world coming for all the saints of God of all the ages. It’s a world made possible by the resurrection of Christ, which is what we celebrate on this Easter Sunday.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10, ESV)
Jesus Christ promises that we can experience a new and abundant life that begins here on earth and continues for all eternity.
Steve McVey tells how his family recently viewed the movie The Passion, and were deeply moved by the graphic portrayal of the sacrifice made by Christ at the cross. The cross of Jesus Christ is the crux of time and eternity.
McVey continues, “While the whole movie was stirring, one line touched me deeply. The scene was where Jesus was carrying his cross down the Via Dolorosa while the taunting soldiers and jeering crowd surrounded Him. Mary, His mother, watched from a distance as Jesus fell under the heavy load of the cross.
As she watched Him fall, Mary’s thoughts returned to a time when Jesus was a little boy and had fallen, scraping His knee. She had run to Him, and picked Him up, saying, ‘I’m here.’ Now, as He fell on the way to the cross, her maternal love and instinct took over as she ran to his side. ‘I’m here,’ Mary said, with tears streaming down her cheeks. Jesus lifted His head, looked at His mother and said, ‘Mother, I make all things new.’” (Steve McVey, Grace Walk Ministries)
1. Jesus came to give new life.
This is the beginning point for everything. Scripture teaches that, apart from Christ, people are dead in sin; helpless and hopeless. (Matthew 9:36.)
In the hymn, Amazing Grace, John Newton describes his life without Christ as wretched, lost, and blind.
You see, our problem is not that we need to be rehabilitated or re-educated. No amount of rehab will solve our dilemma. We’re dead and we can do nothing about it on our own. The government can’t save us. Obamacare can’t help us. Wealth redistribution won’t do it. Only Christ can make us new.
2Corinthians 5:17 states, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
When you trust Christ for salvation you receive a totally new identity. Through faith in Christ you are set free from sin and given a new life. Your old life as a sinner is put to death. You are crucified with Christ, it states in Galatians 2:20.
Your new life, given by the Spirit, is that of a saint. You’re not a sinner saved by grace, you’re a saint, and this is your new identity for all eternity. At every moment of every day you are in good standing with God.
2. Jesus came to give abundant life.
The Greek word for life in this passage is zoe’. It’s not a quantity, but rather a quality of life.
The Greek meaning of zoe’ is: life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed.
Jesus himself said: “I am the life.” That is to say: “I am the sole source of real life — life that is independent of physical existence, life that is endless, life that is full of meaning, life that is totally satisfying — life with a capital ‘L.’” (Pass the Toast devotional)
The abundant life is characterized by love, joy, peace and all the other fruit of the Spirit. It has nothing to do with one’s worldly success or the measure of one’s possessions. In fact, the abundant life is not for sale. No amount of money could buy it.
Simon Bickersteth, an Anglican vicar in England, relates this account of Leo Tolstoy’s search for fulfillment.
“Leo Tolstoy, author of War and Peace, wrote a book called A Confession, in which he tells the story of his search for meaning and purpose in life. He describes how he rejected Christianity as a child. As he went through life he became very ambitious. First of all, he thought pleasure was the answer. Having a great time. He entered the social world of Moscow and Petersburg, drinking heavily, sleeping around, gambling and leading a wild life. But it did not satisfy him. He then thought maybe money was the answer. He had inherited an estate and made a large amount of money out of his books. Yet that did not satisfy him either. He then sought success, fame and importance. But still he said, it didn’t satisfy. Then he thought, maybe the answer is family life, to give his family the best possible life. He married in 1862 and had a kind, loving wife and thirteen children. He had achieved all his ambitions and was surrounded by what appeared to be complete happiness. And yet one question brought him to the verge of suicide: ‘What meaning has my life that the inevitability of death does not destroy?’ He searched for the answer in every field of science and philosophy, but without satisfaction. Eventually he found that the peasant people of Russia had the answer he had been looking for, in their faith in God through Jesus Christ.”
“The truth is that the (abundant) life is not found in pleasure, performance, possessions, position, or pursuits; it is found in the person of Jesus Christ.” (William Richard Ezell)
3. Jesus came to give eternal life.
In this same passage in John’s gospel, Jesus declares, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30)
Through faith in Christ you are promised eternal life. When Jesus saves you he promises that you are his for all eternity. In his crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus Christ has once and for all conquered death and the grave.
In the subsequent chapter of John, he states, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)
Jesus made this declaration after calling forth Lazarus from the grave. He truly has conquered death, and he promises that we will dwell with him forever.
This is the message of Easter; The pre-existent Christ, God the Son, came to earth as Jesus of Nazareth. He lived a sinless life, then, in the fullness of time, he was executed on a cruel cross for the sins of the world. He was buried, and on the third day he arose from the grave. He is alive forevermore, and one day will return for all his followers. In the meantime, he promises to give us a life of abundance and meaning.
Let me repeat his question: Do you believe this?
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Tilt Me Toward the Buckeyes
All my family was dialed into the UK/Ohio State game last night. I only wish my deceased father-in-law could have seen this game. An Ohio native (Bellefontaine), and WWII combat engineer, he graduated from Georgetown College in 1956 and was a lifelong b'ball fan. He was the scorekeeper for the Scott Co Cardinal basketball team back in the day when Bobby Barlow was the coach. As I recall, Barlow also coached Goose Givens at Bryan Station. It was during this era that my father-in-law adopted the Wildcats as his second team, but he never gave up his love for his Buckeyes.
He went on to teach high school english at Fairview H.S. in Dayton for nearly 30 years. One of his students was Bob McCowan, a classmate of my wife's, who went on to play for Rupp. McCowan's big cross-town rival in h.s. was Mike Pratt, another Wildcat. Another classmate of my wife was Mike Schmidt, a decent athlete in his own right. (intentional understatement)
All that to say that, had he been able to catch the game last night, he would have understood some of the ambivalence that others have expressed. But as his wife of 57 years noted, he would have "tilted" toward his Buckeyes, as did she yesterday, the day we celebrated her 90th birthday.
He went on to teach high school english at Fairview H.S. in Dayton for nearly 30 years. One of his students was Bob McCowan, a classmate of my wife's, who went on to play for Rupp. McCowan's big cross-town rival in h.s. was Mike Pratt, another Wildcat. Another classmate of my wife was Mike Schmidt, a decent athlete in his own right. (intentional understatement)
All that to say that, had he been able to catch the game last night, he would have understood some of the ambivalence that others have expressed. But as his wife of 57 years noted, he would have "tilted" toward his Buckeyes, as did she yesterday, the day we celebrated her 90th birthday.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Chosen and commissioned
I had the delight of speaking to the Sunday School leaders of the North Point Baptist Church in Weaverville last night. This young church is excited about its fellowship Bible study ministry. Of the fifty or so individuals in attendance, there were leaders from every age group, preschool through adult.
Gray Little, the pastor, and I have been friends for a number of years, dating back to when he served the West Asheville Baptist Church as minister of education and I was associate pastor at First Baptist of Hendersonville. This is also the church where my friend Bryan Smith served as an associate before moving to east Tennessee. His successor, Brian Proctor, I have known for 15 years. He and his wife, Kathy, formerly served as IMB missionaries in Asia, and FBC of Hendersonville was their home church.
Gray had asked me to share an encouraging word for his leaders, which is not a difficult task. I love those who give of their time and effort every week to lead Bible study. Most are volunteers, so theirs is a labor of love.
I used John 15:6 as my text. In this passage Jesus tells his followers, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and commissioned you to bear fruit that will last." (slightly paraphrased) Here are the highlights.
1. You have been chosen: before the foundation of the world, by grace, and for all eternity.
2. You have been commissioned by Christ to bear fruit: the fruit of your lips, the fruit of your lives, and the fruit of your legacy.
I also shared this truth: When you teach God's Word, you make an eternal difference in the lives of your learners.
Gray Little, the pastor, and I have been friends for a number of years, dating back to when he served the West Asheville Baptist Church as minister of education and I was associate pastor at First Baptist of Hendersonville. This is also the church where my friend Bryan Smith served as an associate before moving to east Tennessee. His successor, Brian Proctor, I have known for 15 years. He and his wife, Kathy, formerly served as IMB missionaries in Asia, and FBC of Hendersonville was their home church.
Gray had asked me to share an encouraging word for his leaders, which is not a difficult task. I love those who give of their time and effort every week to lead Bible study. Most are volunteers, so theirs is a labor of love.
I used John 15:6 as my text. In this passage Jesus tells his followers, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and commissioned you to bear fruit that will last." (slightly paraphrased) Here are the highlights.
1. You have been chosen: before the foundation of the world, by grace, and for all eternity.
2. You have been commissioned by Christ to bear fruit: the fruit of your lips, the fruit of your lives, and the fruit of your legacy.
I also shared this truth: When you teach God's Word, you make an eternal difference in the lives of your learners.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
