The Magic of Light

There is nothing more frustrating then walking into a dark room and tripping over some object that should have been put away. The words and thoughts that dare escape at least deserve a PG rating. What's worse is when the same object appears to be strategically missed placed several nights in a row. 

This is the case of the invasion of the grandchildren. I love having my grandchildren with me, there is no greater joy but that blasted stool in the bathroom (grandma) is left in front of the sink every night. Since I go to bed after everyone else I tip toe through the dark so as not to disturb the angelic cherubs sleeping at the foot of my bed. Inevitably my toe finds the forgotten object and the stifled "ouch", the clack of plastic against the cabinet, and the disaster of my falling against the sink threatens to disturb their slumber and my state of mind. It would be so much easier in the light.

Light is a precious commodity, it illuminates and makes known what can't be seen. The brighter the light the more that is revealed, the more that is made known. Darkness, however is deceptive. When we become use to our surroundings we are able to navigate with less light. Its absence only appreciated when something out of the ordinary is introduced into the environment. This true with the darkness of sin.

As sinners, lost in sin's darkness, we believed it to be normal. Anger, greed, jealousy, self-promotion were "normal", and when someone exhibited an act of virtue he was seen as extraordinary. The gospel is the reclamation of the extraordinary for all men, but before it could be appropriated it needed to be brought into the light. The hidden promise of God's redemption needed to be proclaimed and the debilitating nature of sin needed to be exposed. Light reveals truth, light reveals the mystery of God, hidden in ages past and made known in Christ.   

Jesus is the light of the world who has come to expose the new normal for all who will believe. Believers are a lamp on a hill reflecting the true light and exposing the darkness for what it is. There are times that darkness creeps back into our lives, when sin is allowed a foothold, and misplace objects in the dark become stumbling blocks.

But we have been made partakers of light, joint heirs of the kingdom, and participants of the plan of God. The light makes known the devastation of sin and God's plan to redeem the world and bring it into the light.  The world, tumbling into endless conflict, can now find peace with its creator and hope for the future. All of this because the light has come into the world, of which we testify, of which we proclaim.  I'm just saying...

Eph.3:9 "and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things,"

I Am The Least

Who am I, that God would love me?

Who am I, that God would sacrifice His Son?

Who am I, that the King of Heaven would bend so low?

Who am I, that the Creator would seek me out.

Who am I, that the Great I AM would even notice me? 

I am but dust that needs refashioned.

I am an enemy to the Holiness of God.

I am lost and wondering aimlessly.

I am pride that must be made low.

I am the least deserving of forgiveness.

I am sorrow to my mother's womb.

I am hostile to the ways of God.

I am servant of my fleshly desires.

I am far from the heavenly kingdom.

I am a sojourner on the wide path.

I am sin.

In Christ, I am redeemed.

In Christ, I am brought near.

In Christ, I am forgiven.

In Christ, I am adopted.

In Christ, I am sealed with promise.

In Christ, I am a son.

In Christ, I walk the narrow road.

In Christ, I have hope.

In Christ, I am a friend.

In Christ, I have joy.

In Christ, I am loved.

In Christ, I am recreated.

In Christ, I am the recipient of grace.

In Christ, I am the object of mercy.

In Christ, I am a member of a family.

In Christ, I am the bearer of the unsearchable riches of Christ.

I am the least who has been handed the responsibility of the most marvelous treasure of all time. It is not mine to hoard nor squander. 

I am the least given a stewardship to dispense the riches of God's grace to all who will listen. 

I am the least who has received more than he deserves and compelled to speak what must be spoken. 

I am the least who has been lifted up on the wings of God's grace for a greater purpose then I could ever imagine. 

I am the least who stands in the power of the Most High to serve those, who like me, are unworthy of this gift. 

I am the least who willingly serves my God and savior, The Lord Jesus Christ.

I am Just Saying....

Eph. 3:8 "To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,"

Knocking Knees and Pounding Hearts

We sat and prayed that God would give us the strength and words to proclaim his word clearly and accurately. After the amen we approached the door and knocked. The family behind the door had visited the church we attended and as part of our community service for Bible College we were to visit them, talk about the church, and share the gospel. My heart pounded. I was a new believer myself and cold calling on people was frightening. My partner seemed confident as I secretly prayed that no one would answer. To my relief they didn't and I was given a temporary reprieve.

As believers we have been given the ministry of reconciliation. Each of us is called to share the gospel, the mystery of God's grace. For most this is frightening, it conjures up inadequacies, persecution, and rejection. The apostle Paul even said he wasn't articulate and approached the Corinthians with fear.

Yet, he didn't let that stop him, he was compelled to preach the gospel, and God didn't leave him without resources. The Apostle Paul said that he did his ministry with the Grace God provided. The word grace has a dual meaning. It can mean gift and opportunity. 

Each of us has at least one gift that is to be used in our ministry of reconciliation. You might be a speaker, a giver, a servant, a musician, or a person of extraordinary faith. Your gift is different then mine and will express itself uniquely in your ministration of the mystery. Western culture is good at developing systems and approaches to evangelism. They are cookie cutter approaches to make evangelism more efficient. They have been good for the church, but they have also stifled the multiplicity of approaches when people share the gospel within the context of their own gifting.

The second use of the term grace is opportunity. Paul was ready to share the gospel according to the gift of God's grace. No matter when, no matter what, no matter what he was doing, in prison or the market place, if God gave an opportunity he took it and preached the gospel. 

However, left to our own power we would default into complacency. Our own hesitancy and fear would keep us from obeying God's call, for this reason God works in us according to His power. As we step out in obedience His power is displayed in and through us. He utilizes the gifts he gives us and empowers us in them to accomplish the task he called us to do. 

You have what it takes because he has supplied you with all that you need. All around you are people who need to hear the gospel and you have a unique way to present it. Today is your opportunity to step out in faith and participate in the ministry of reconciliation according to the grace that works mightily in you. Go for it! I am just saying...

Eph. 3:7  "Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power."

The Good Son

I am the good son. That is a designation given to me by my brothers. It was born out of, what seem to them, a predilection of my parents to favor me. Was it true? Only in that I was more amiable to obedience and to stay out of trouble. I wasn't involved with drinking or drugs, excelled in school,  went to college, have only been married once, and my children have all followed in my footsteps. 

The problem with being the good son is that it can breed resentment in my brothers and arrogance in myself. My favor with my parents, if gone to my head, can lead to expectations of further favor and superiority expanding the chasm between my siblings. 

Israel, as God's chosen people, where the good sons. They had found favor with God and were recipients of His oracles and laws. They were children of promise and through them the hope of the nations. As typical good sons they grew to believe that their favor was based on something intrinsic and began to expect God's favor regardless of their behavior. Yet, God's favor on them was an act of grace. It wasn't because they were better, but because they were chosen. They remained his chosen because of His mercy, but his blessing was given or withdrawn according to their obedience.     

They were chosen, not because they were special, but because God had a special task for them. It was through them that the Messiah would come, die for man's sins, and then rise again in power. Their whole existence was to be a beacon to the world of how man was to relate to God, and His mercy and grace brought blessing to those who were obedient. 

This is the mystery, that in Christ we (Gentiles) are now fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers in the promise! We are now the good sons! 

Fellow Heir: We have received all the spiritual blessings of God necessary for life. The riches of God are ours. We are heirs to the kingdom. 

Members of the same body. In Christ we are His body, but we are also brought together in a holy community to live out the love and grace of God. We are to be an example to the world of how to live in relationship with God and one another.

Partakers of the promise. We have received the promise of salvation, the promise of the Holy Spirit, the promise of blessing, the promise of community, the promise of strength, the promise of presence, the promise of deliverance, the promise of a glorious future, and the promise of eternal life.

We are, in Christ, the good sons, and we need to take care not to believe it is because of our goodness. It is the result of God's love and grace. We are not the new heirs but fellow heirs, and with it receive all the blessings and responsibilities. We are part of a community who are to live, care, support, and live together in Christ. Jesus promised us peace, life, and His continual presence as we abide in Him. What a glorious day when a Gentile is brought to faith in Christ and made a good son! I'm just saying....

Eph. 3:6 "This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel."

The Great Mystery

God is the great mystery writer of all time. Within his creation he has hidden the mysteries of life, all to be explored and discovered by man. Like all good authors he doesn't reveal the entirety of the plot at the beginning, but incrementally unfolds the twists and turns as each character fulfills his role. In our impatience we want to skip the details and read the last chapter.

To offer hope God has given each generation enough information to understand His love and grace, but withheld information that was not necessary for their immediate need for obedience and salvation. All this culminating in pivotal moments that have taken the people of God to a new level of growth in their relationship with Him: Abraham and the promise of nation, land, heir; Moses and the possessing of the promised land; David and his eternal kingly line; and the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus. 

This latter stands as the central point of God's mystery, hidden from His people previously, but revealed to the apostles and prophets. It isn't the end of the story, but stands as its climax, reaching back to its historical roots and looking forward to histories culmination. At the proper time God has orchestrated history to present His Son, the savior of the world. He has reached into His creation to reveal what was once hidden, to make known what was once spoken in riddles, to fulfill what was once promised. No longer is the light dimly seen from a distance, but now shines brightly for all to see. It is the Aha moment of God's plan the makes sense of a senseless world.

With the curtain now pulled aside we are brought close to God and are participants in the rest of the story. I am glad to be a part of the great mystery, a reveler of its message, and a recipient of its promise. I can't wait to be a part of the final chapter. I'm just saying...

Eph. 3:1-5

Steward

Watching my grandchildren play contently on the floor, absorbing every knew experience, and learning the fine nuances of life with other human beings. Each personality is unique, tempered by parental discipline and love. They grow up too fast and have so much to learn and experience. Like their parents before them they are gifts from God, given for a short period of time to participate in the process of salvation. 

We are stewards of their little lives. We don't own them, they are on loan by their creator. The responsibility is awesome and overwhelming; frustrating and full of joy; rewarding and painful. As stewards we have leeway in our approach, but specific instruction in the content. We are to raise them in the fear and admonition of The Lord.

There is a broader stewardship that we have been given. As children of God we are now stewards of His grace. He has called us to administer it for the benefit of others and for His glory. It is a responsibility that comes with the power of the Spirit, the granting of gifts, and the promise of His presence. 

The Apostle Paul was a steward of God's grace to the Gentiles, our call will be different but just as specific. Our stewardship may be to our family, our neighbors, or a people group around the world. In whatever capacity God calls us we have leeway to be creative in our approach, but specific in its content. We are stewards of His grace. 

Our message is always the grace of God, the reconciliation of man to his creator. It might come through teaching our children, feeding the poor, political activism, or waging peace in the world. The avenue of our call is not important, it is the message that is paramount. If the message is overwhelmed by the venue, lost in the muddle, silenced in the noise then we have failed in our stewardship and the enemy has won. 

I pray that my grandchildren will grow up to be well disciplined productive members of society, but if their eternal condition is neglected then their stewards have failed in their responsibility. If peace is achieved in the word but God's grace is not presented then we have failed as stewards. 

I am glad that my stewardship is accompanied by the promise of God's presence and power. It is for that reason we can step out in confidence that we can be successful in our responsibility as stewards of God's grace. I'm just saying...

"the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you," Eph. 3:2

A Prisoner Of and For

Waging peace in a violent world is difficult if not near impossible. Hatred and distrust run deep and its cycle miring people in unending conflict. Self serving attitudes coupled with passion for power oppress others or seek to usurp the oppressor only to become one.

Waging peace is different for different people and countries.  As Americans we forge peace through strength; strength in our military, strength in our resolve, strengthen in our cause of liberty, and strength in our moral imperative. But the clarity of that call diminishes or rises depending on our president.

Waging peace as a believer looks absurd, because our understanding of peace is different than the world's. Our peace comes from within, born by the spirit of God, and directed outward to a world who desperately wants it but can't achieve it. We understand peace to begin, not with the cessation of host utilities with our enemies but with our reconciliation with God. The problems of the world will never be answered until the problem with God is fixed.

For this reason Jesus didn't send the disciples into the world to make political changes. Those kinds of changes are temporary at best until the hearts of the people are changed. Our efforts are in vain if we stop the gun fire with a smile on our face if we have not dealt with the core issue of sin before holy God.

Waging peace comes at a price. The world doesn't want our message, but we are compelled to proclaim Christ crucified. We are to expect animosity, resentment, resistance, imprisonment, and even death. The cost is high, but so are the stakes. 

The Apostle Paul said he was a prisoner for the sake of the Gentiles. He was a prisoner to Christ, his mission, his love, and his grace. He was a prisoner of Rome for daring to share a different worldview then what was accepted. He didn't do it with hatred or force of will. He didn't do it for personal gain or popularity. He did it for the Gentiles, so that they might find peace with God and others.

If we waged war like the disciples how would that change the way we look at immigration, Israel/Palistinian conflict, Democrat/Republican divide, and our neighbors? How would we treat our estranged families, the homeless, and homosexuals? How would we interact with the Buddhist or Muslim? What would we be will to sacrifice for the cause of Christ?

Waging peace is a Christian imperative. Are we a part of the peace process, or have we thrown in with the world. Whose prisoner are we willing to become? I'm just saying...

Stone by Stone

I stood at the base of the magnificent marble structure of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. Even in its crumbled state it spoke of a time of splendor and awe. But, as with all human edifices, the passage of time eats away at its edges and it's once glorious appearance dims and fades. 

When the Israelites returned from their Babylonian captivity and eventually rebuilt the temple, those who had known the former glory of Solomon's temple wept. The glory was gone. Even King Herod's attempt to restore the temple's beauty has vanished in the rubble of Roman destruction. 

We like building our buildings bigger and better. Whether the Tower of Babel or the pyramids, the ancient temples or football stadiums, the Taj mahal or the Sears Tower (Willis Tower) they are monuments to the genius and ingenuity of man, and they will all crumble.

God is doing something different, something permanent, something everlasting. He is building a temple for himself that is untouched by human hands, crafted by the Spirit, paid for by the blood, and sealed with his promise. In Jesus the temple is held together through the indwelling Spirit. In Jesus we, the people of God, are His temple, and the more who come into the kingdom the larger the temple becomes.

Once the shekinah of God would descend on the Jewish temple and his glory would fill it and the people would tremble in awe and fear. Today that same shekinah indwells every believer, that same glory fills our souls. We stand in awe, but not in fear. We stand in worship and tremble at his gentle touch of mercy. 

We are part of something greater than ourselves, and as God adds our uniqueness to that of others, the total sum of our recreated parts stands as a witness, a guidepost, a city on a hill, a light to the world, calling them to come. Calling them to receive the free gift of life in Christ and be joined together as God's temple, by the Spirit. I'm just saying...

"Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit." Eph. 2:20-22

Kicking Sand

What are our foundations? Jesus said to build on a rock lest the water wash the sand away and of life collapses all around us. If we are to have a strong and lasting relationship with God and a meaningful relationship with other believers it must be based on something sure; something strong.

Sandy Foundation #1: The more we do the more we are accepted. The church is built on doing and getting people to do stuff. The more you are involved and thus prove your worth, the more you are accepted, because we are told that by our fruits we will be known. But it is a lie to say that a plethora of church activity is the evidence of godly fruit. Give me a person who loves their family, serves the poor, reaches out to their neighbors and I will show you someone who is building on solid ground.

Sandy Foundation #2: The more we know the more secure our salvation. If I have learned anything over the years it is that the more I learn the less I am sure about anything. That is not to say that there isn't absolute truth, but I must be absolutely sure that the truth that I preach is the Word of God. That is why the Scripture says there is more judgment on those who teach. 

Sandy Foundation #3: Doctrine is the same thing as truth. Any organized statement of faith is doctrine, so I am not saying that doctrine itself is bad. There is a difference, however, between clear and unattestable statements of faith and periferial collections of scriptures and ideas formulated into a coherent doctrine, but can be equally refuted with other collections of scripture and conjecture. When we venture far from the clear word of the gospel we must hold many things loosely until The Lord returns.

Sandy Foundation #4: Experience trumps truth. Pain blurs God's goodness. Desire clouds God's holiness. Anger hides God's love. Jealousy shrouds God's acceptance. Prejudice blinds God's inclusion. Only trusting in God's word can we navigate through the difficult roller coaster of experience. When experience trumps God's truth the whole house will crumble.

So what is our foundation? The Apostle and prophets. Who is the cornerstone? Our savior Jesus Christ. They are our examples and truth. Jesus has secured our place in the Household of God and has given us instructions on how to love him and and those in the family. We rest in his saving grace and are released to extend grace to others. 

The greatest, oldest, and newest command is to love one another. We are to wage peace not war, love not hate, justice not injustice, forgiveness not judgement, and hope not regret. That is harder than it sounds because the sand keeps getting in our eyes. I'm just saying...

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone," Eph. 2:19-20

Membership Has Its Priveledge

There is something attractive about the other side of the fence, greener and all that. The allure to be a part of something that you are not can be overwhelming. We are driven to belong to something greater than ourselves. Isolation, though sometimes rewarding, for the average person isn't desirable, we like people.

We also like family. As dysfunctional as most of ours are, they provide a system of acceptance, security, companionship, and intimacy. Even when a home is abusive the members are drawn to stable families. We don't like being alone. 

God created us to be part of a family. Ever since the garden when God declared that it wasn't good for Adam to be alone, He established family as the best place to satisfy our deepest cravings. Even our relationship with God is more fully appreciated within the context of the family.

The larger context of family is the one of faith; the deep connection that we have as a result of a common faith, baptism, and Spirit. The people of God are members of the same family, the household of God.

As aliens and strangers, on the outside looking in, we longed to be a part of something bigger. Through faith in Jesus we, who were far away from the family, were brought near to God and included into His household. 

The result of this inclusion is the blessings of a son, the inheritance of the father, the community of the saints, and the destruction of walls that create isolation. I can go anywhere in the world and meet people of my family and have an immediate bond of faith and communion of the cross. 

Being a member of God's household means I have access to the Father, I am a recipient of His gifts, and I have the comfort, seal, and indwelling of His Spirit. There are responsibilities and chores as well, but they are not burdens. Rather, they are acts of love and appreciation for being accepted into God's household. I am thankful for being a member of such an awesome family (Epehsians 2:29)!   I'm just saying...

Citizen or Alien

Louis sat on the outside looking in, and he would have done anything to cross the border between his old life and the promise on the other side. Everyone over there looked happy, there were ample supplies, and they seemed to have everything. He couldn't understand them. He was as much a stranger to them as they were to him; he was an alien and the dream of being a citizen unattainable.

Once in a while someone from the other side would come over to help his people. They would bring food and clothing; scraps of their wonderful life, and encourage them that they too could have a wonderful life. Few, however, invited them to come, and the ones who did often spoke in a language he didn't understand.

One day, Louis was standing next to the barrier, his nose sticking through. He was trying to squeeze as much as he could onto the other side. A big man yelled at him to get back, he was doing it the wrong way. He needed to get inline, get cleaned up, and start talking the right language before he would be accepted as a citizen. 

Walking away Louis felt there would never be any hope. Until one day, a small kind, elderly women sat next to him. She was different then the people of his home. Her cloths weren't fancy and she spoke his language. Her presence made him feel a little uncomfortable, yet he was drawn to her gentle face.

"The king," she said. "Would like you to come to the other side."

"I can't." Louis replied. "I don't have the right cloths, speak the right language, and I don't know your customs."

"Don't worry, the king has taken care of those things. He just wants you to come." She offered again.

"But what of my family and friends?" Louis asked.

"They are welcomed too." She smiled. "Go and gather as many as you can and meet me by the gate." She stood and walked away, her step was slow, almost as if she were deliberately keeping a pace easy to follow.

Louis was excited and went to all his friends and family inviting them to join him in the beautiful country. He was disappointed when only a handful would join him. Most thought he was lying, others thought he was crazy, and still others said they didn't trust her and would find another way across.

His heart was heavy as he left his village, but the closer he came to the gate the higher his spirits rose. By the time he and his family reached the barrier, and the promise of a new life, the sadness of those who chose to stay behind vanished.

As promised the elderly woman met him at the gate. Louis stood as straight as he could, brushed the dirt off his cloths, and slicked back his hair. He wanted to present the best of himself.

She laughed and said, "you are fine the way your are, the King will provide everything that you will need." She welcomed the small band who came with Louis with the ease and grace of someone content and satisfied with life.

To his astonishment there were many others of her country who greeted them and embraced them warmly. Yet, he could see in the distance a few who wrinkled their noses at their shabby appearance, but they were in the minority. 

"What is this?" He asked as the woman handed him a card.

"It is your credential." She replied and seeing the confused look on his face continued. "It is free, the king has paid your way. You are home."

A tear rolled down Louis' cheek as he read the words, one on each side, "Citizen and Family." 

I'm just saying......

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God," Eph 2:19

Wage Peace

Wars and rumors of wars, anger, hate, oppression, abuse, slavery, jealousy, rage, and hostility are the antithesis of peace. You hurt my feelings and I am offended. You contradict my worldview and I am outraged. You tit for my tat and and walls of isolation and resentment are built. 

We struggle to find answers to the conflicts that have spread across the world and in our backyards. We sacrifice and compromise but in the end the conflict still remains and peace is allusive.

The root cause of all hostility is sin, and no amount of negotiations will quell its ugly consequences. There may be moments of calm, but the animosity simmers beneath the surface and until the disease is cured all we ever deal with is its symptoms.

"And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father." Eph. 2:17-18 

Jesus said there would be trouble in the world, and the answer was in Him; he has overcome the world. We start to wage peace on the world by first being at peace with God. We have nothing more powerful to offer them then the gospel of peace.

We are to turn the other cheek, not because we enjoy abuse, but because retaliation does not provoke peace. We don't love our enemies because we like hate mongering and injustice, but because animosity doesn't provoke peace. We aren't to pray and love those who hate us because their actions are acceptable, but because it does provoke peace.

When we are at peace with God then the Spirit has something to work with to spread peace in the world. If you are at peace with God then you are His ambassadors of peace to a turbulent world. I'm just saying.

Because We Are Free -- The American Experience

The American experience is filled with incongruity because it is a society made up of different ethnic, philosophical, and religious people. There is but one document that binds us together and that is our constitution. When it no longer matters, when it is changed at the whim of political interests, then the union for which many have fought and died will fracture. 

There is always something that binds people together, and for a nation to stand the core of its unity must prevail. Opposing political and philosophical positions in the United Sates argue, protest, complain, sue, legislate, and relegislate in order to fashion this country according to the pattern of their beliefs. It is their/our right and obligation.

But if any group is allowed to run roughshod over the constitution, is allowed to coop its basic tenants, or allowed to change it because they believe it is no longer relevant then our core will fracture and along with it our unity.

The framers of our constitution made it difficult for the congress and the president to get anything done, not because they wished for impotent government, but because tyranny is easily established when power is concentrated in a single place. No matter how noble an individual the proverb remains true, "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

What makes the American experience different then anything else in the world is not its perfection, but its ideals, its belief that all are created equal and deserve the freedom to peruse life as they see fit. Not as anarchists but within the framework of laws that protect the individual rights of its citizens. As a nation we have stumbled and treated individuals and people groups sinfully. We have caused misery and oppression. However this is not the fault of the ideals. It is the application of sinful men who pursue power. It is because of our ideals that we are able to self correct, repent, and make reparations. It is because of our ideals that we pull ourselves up and stand together and dispense justice for all.

WE THE PEOPLE are the recipients of this wonderful gift of self government. We the people have the responsibility to care for its preservation. We the people are in it together and we will stand or fall as one.

The American experience welcomes people from all over the world to join us in our pursuit of these ideals, as long as they are willing to live within the framework of our constitution and laws. This does not make us unsympathetic to the plight of people in other countries. We know that in order for people to lift themselves out of poverty or oppression they must seek ideals that support this aim. For us as a nation to change our ideals to accommodate the ideas of others who come to our shores is to see the crumbling of our core and the collapse of the American experience. We can allow this to happen, and put in its place something else, but the outcome will not be freedom and prosperity. Look around the world.

Today we celebrate our independence, and no matter who you are or where you have come from the ideals that shape the American experience has touched you. We celebrate the ideals, not the flaws. We celebrate freedom, not chaos. We celebrate the individual, who is not alone. We celebrate the rights that are endowed by our creator, not the 'rights' of selfish self promotion. We celebrate the freedom to pursue our dreams unfettered by government control. We celebrate our responsibility to care for the oppressed and down trodden. We celebrate because we are free. I'm just saying...

Cessation Of Hostilities

Ever since Moses brought the children of Israel out of slavery they have been conquered and persecuted. Some of it has been their fault, especially in biblical times when evil kings disobeyed God and He disciplined them using the strong hand of othere nations. Other times they were caught in the middle of world powers clashing on a strip of land between continents. Of course after being displaced from their country by the Romans in 70 A.D they have been the object of disdain and persecution by almost everyone. 

Being chosen by God has its perks, but it also comes at a price. You become the focus of Satan and his attempt the foster animosity between God's people and the Gentile world.

In Christ that wall of hostility is broken down. In Christ there is a meeting place between those under the law and those outside the law. In Christ peace is available and hostility is replaced with grace. In Christ the law is fulfilled for the Jew. In Christ the gentile is brought under the new law of love.

As a dispensationalist I believe that God has not set Israel aside and that He has something special planned for his chosen people. At the same time God has brought together both Jew and Gentile and made one nation, one people, one witness of His love and grace, because the true Israel are those who have come to the Father by faith in Jesus. 

As we watch world events, with wars and rumors of war, at some point Israel will be a focal point. We should support Israel and encourage her do do the right things, but pray for her to stand firm in opposition as the chosen of God. We should support Israel, not because she is better then anyone else, but because she will be persecuted above all others. 

In the process we should seek justice for all oppressed, help the impoverished of all nations, and share the redeeming love and grace of God with every person who has breath. In doing so we bring peace between the Jew and the Gentile. There is no other way. There are no other options. I'm just saying...

Ephesians 2:14-16

Far Away No More

The giggles are what I love the most; their laughter as they dance around singing and playing. Even their sad faces are endearing. These are the sights and sounds of the modern age as I see my grandchildren grow up through the wonder of Skype. They have grasped the technology and presence and distance are lost to them. That is until they ask, "can you come and play?" The distance is never more great then at that moment.

In fourteen days they will be back in the U.S. and my wife and I will pick them up at the train station. I am sure we will be there early, anxiously waiting, impatiently chastening the train to move faster. I am sure we will have something for them, some token of our love, but most importantly the hugs and kisses. I am sure that there time with us will be too short and their departure will come too quickly. But for now, that which is far away will be brought near and those we love will be the objects of our affection.

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." Eph. 2:13

We were lost and without hope. The distance, to the consolation of our souls, was too great to cross. We were far away, longing for something that the world could not satisfy. The Father provided a way, and he stands anxiously for us to act in faith. He has gifts to shower on us at our arrival. He is bringing those who were far away home. I'm just saying......

Disclaimer: our grandchildren are accompanied by their parents, and we are enthused to see them as well.

No Hope In The World

Hope sustains us when all else fails.

Hope gives us direction when the way is unclear.

Hope brightens the path in the darkness.

Hope gives light when the future is difficult to see.

We had no hope and were without God.

Paul reminds us that we were 

Seperated from Christ

Alienated from Israel

And strangers to God's promise

These are the answers to the basic cravings of our heart. We crave a spiritual experience that is only fulfilled in Christ. We crave relationships that is best met within the community of God. We crave significance found in God's promise to redeem our culture and the work of our hands.

When these cravings aren't met we are lost, we seek to fill them with what we can see, taste, and feel (the lust of the eyes the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life). But this world will never be able to satisfy our cravings, and we were without hope.

The old nature constantly tries to pull us back into the darkness. It is alluring, but empty. The evil one tells us that the chaos in the world proves there is no God, but all it proves is that there is no hope when God is not in the world. 

The evil one tempts us to believe that there is more pleasure apart from Christ, but in Christ all pleaser is more exciting because it doesn't seek itself.

The culture tells us that individualism and self determination are the bedrock of success, but without the community of God we are alone and isolated. In community we learn to love, serve, and care for one another.

I have seen the world in all of its ugliness. The veil of its delusion has been lifted. The darkness that prevails and the cruelty that ensues when God is absent has been made known. If God has not come into the world to provide hope, then we are truly lost.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." I'm just saying....

"Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." Epesians 2:12