Real Hope & Change: a gentle reminder to myself....

I hesitate to write these words.  I try not to mix faith and politics.  But I did 'steal' 'hope and change' didn't I?  It was meant to be a little funny and yet a reminder (mostly to myself) that there is such a thing as real 'hope and change' and it isn't found in politics or government.   Jesus said after all unless we repent (change) we can't enter the Kingdom, which is His government.   No voting in His Kingdom, just repentance and obedience.  So in this season of the final countdown, just a few things that keep me awake at night (because they do go 'bump') and I share them with the hope that maybe some will read and be encouraged.

 Democracy is a relatively new experiment or 'democratic republic' which is a little more precise.   As Americans we forget that I think; that people in times past were subject to kings, despots, tyrants of various sorts and the average person struggled generally with just having enough to eat for another day, and that next day was filled with more struggles of the same.  An accident, sickness, lack of shelter or proper sanitation, could all kill you as well.   If you were a Christian in the early church you were also persecuted by the Roman government.  Democracy (under the rule of the Caesars) was for the wealthy and those who shared the emperors favor.  And yet it was into that world that Christianity was thrust with just a handful of people.  If you follow the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys, you find how quickly it spread (infected the Romans would say) throughout the empire.  It touched every class of people in the known world and then began to spread into the unknown (at least unknown to those of the empire).  

So today I have this luxury of helping pick who will rule me.  Or at least I have the illusion that I am picking.  It matters not, as God sets up rulers and takes them down.  Just read the Book of Daniel chapter 4 for an interesting account of one rulers encounters with God.  I mean not to offend anyone but from where I sit today it appears to be a contest between Donald and Hillary.  It's all subject to change of course.  I hear Christians arguing that you can't vote for Trump or you can't vote for Clinton, all for well meaning reasons (to them at least).   Some argue you shouldn't vote at all, or you can only vote for a Conservative or a Liberal, or neither.   I am not contemptuous or cynical of the whole process, well maybe a little, but I am concerned that some believe the outcome will somehow determine the outcome of their faith.  They would never admit that if you cornered them with the thought, but I have heard some rather nasty things said, that if you vote or don't vote a certain way, then the Church will collapse and Christianity will go into the dark ages.  I guess I wonder who they think is running the planet?  Once again read Daniel chapter 4.   

Now I do believe outcomes matter.  There are consequences to elections, just like there are consequences for sin (I'll just leave that sentence right where it is. Some will be amused and some will not).   But I think about those who don't have the luxury even of the illusion of picking a ruler.  Right now in the city of Lincoln are homeless people, hopeless people, hungry people, segregated people, lonely people, imprisoned people, sick people, dying people, foreign people, struggling people and so forth.

For them elections probably matter little.  Their world is will I see tomorrow?   And that makes me wonder, "What is the Church of Jesus called to?  What am I called to?"   Will I vote?  Of course I will, it's my duty as a citizen.  Men and women have fought and died so that I have that basic right.  I will vote if for no other reason than to honor those veterans both living and dead.  But what am I supposed to do?  How should I live?  After all, I claim to be a Christian and a member of the Church Universal!  I think often of that story of Jesus where he was asked if we should pay taxes to the Romans or not.  And that classic, end-all-arguments, winner take all answer was "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."  Simple, straightforward, to the point, no beating around the bush, no follow up questions; just God setting the record straight.  So there are things that belong to God and things that belong to Caesar.  My goal each day is to be more concerned about the things that belong to God than the things that belong to Caesar.  Each new day God must increase in my life, and I must decrease, to paraphrase John the Baptist.  And if I am decreasing so must Caesar.   Oh, I will engage Caesar, and I may even enrage him because of that engagement, but the kingdoms of this world will all perish in the end.  Of His Kingdom there is no end or of His righteousness or of His peace.  And it pays to remember there is a separation of goats and sheep.  Hmm?  Lord when did I see you hungry, naked, blind, in prison, without hope, dying, cold, lonely?  God help us all.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

A testimony for the fourth Sunday of Advent…

“I am the Lord’s servant, May it be to me as you have said.”
“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”  (Luke 1:38, 45  NIV)

After the angel Gabriel told me that I was going to bear the Son of the Most High who would sit on David’s throne, I decided to go and see Elizabeth.  Gabriel had said that she was to bear a child also.  This would also be a miracle, because Elizabeth was past the age of bearing children.  I wanted to tell her what the angel had said to me and find out how these things were coming to pass in her own life as well.  When I entered her house she began to prophesy:  “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!”  It seemed that at every turn, God was confirming His word to me.  At first Joseph, after I told him I was pregnant, wanted to break off the engagement, but an angel spoke to him that this child was of God and to not be afraid.  Then the Romans ordered us to Bethlehem to be part of the census.  It couldn’t have been at a worse time as the baby was due at any time, but this, too, was part of God’s plan.  Shepherds came and worshipped Jesus in the stable where I had given birth.  They also spoke of angels that had told them about the Savior born to them, the Messiah, whom they would find in a manger.  Later, Magi from a far country arrived with gifts and a story of a star that had guided them.  And then an angel spoke again to Joseph and told us to go to Egypt as Herod wanted to kill Jesus.  At last we were able to return to Israel.  I thought upon these things for many years and wondered what they all meant; then Jesus, my son, the Son of God, began the work his Father had called him to.  The word of God, miracles, healings, all flowed from him like a river.  Men and women followed his teaching and bowed to him in worship.  I realized that God’s plan was unfolding.  But then, all too soon, it seemed that it was all coming to an end.  Just as Simeon had prophesied, “And a sword will pierce your own soul too”,  I watched as they crucified my son and my heart broke.  But Jesus’ Father had a different plan.  Three days later, God raised His Son back to life and after a season He ascended back to His Father to rule and reign.  You see, Jesus was my son, but He was also my Lord and Savior.  I worship Him as God, because I know that He is God’s only Son, and I have put my trust in Him.  Have you made Jesus your Lord and Savior?  Why not put your trust in Him in this season of honoring His birth and experience your own “new birth”?  (see John 3:1-21)

First Published December 20, 1998

Third Sunday of Advent

A testimony for the third Sunday of Advent…

“And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”
(Luke 2:25  NAS)

I have lived most of my life waiting for the fulfillment of a promise; a promise from God.  The Holy Spirit spoke to me about something that has been ever present in my thoughts:  “I would live to see the coming of the Messiah!”
When I first heard the Spirit, I was so excited and thought, “Surely His arrival cannot be far off.”  Then the months turned to years, and I laughed to myself when I realized that I had a promise to inherit, just like Abraham!  And like Abraham, I waited, believing that what God said; He would do.  Then one day I awoke and realized that the Spirit was directing me to go to the temple.  I wondered if today would be the day that I would see the Messiah.   But I had come to rest in whatever the Spirit said to me, so whatever God had to tell or show me, I would be content.  I waited in the temple court and prayed, “God, here is your servant…” and then I saw the young couple walking into the courtyard.  And the Spirit spoke to me that the baby they were carrying was the Messiah!  What joy filled my heart, when I realized that God’s promise to me was being fulfilled!  I approached the couple and explained to them God’s promise to me and how their child was the hope of Israel.  I took the child in my arms and as I looked upon Him the Spirit came upon me and I began to prophesy:  “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”  (Luke 2:29-32  NIV).  I handed the baby back to the astonished parents and blessed them and even prophesied to the mother as well.
I left the temple that day content in God’s promise being fulfilled.  Joy, praise, and thanksgiving fill my heart as I rejoice that the Word of God as spoken to the prophets is coming to pass.   God Himself has come to deliver His people and His Spirit is the seal that guarantees His promises (see Ephesians 1:13, 14)!
What are the promises that God has given you?  Their fulfillment is found in hope in Jesus and the Holy Spirit is the guarantee!  Be like Simeon and Abraham:  Don’t waiver in faith, but believe the One who has promised!

First published December 13, 1998

Second Sunday of Advent

A testimony for the second Sunday of Advent…

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.   This will be a sign to you:  You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
(Luke 2:10-12  NIV)

I am a shepherd.  My friends are all shepherds.  All I have ever done or known is taking care of sheep, just like my father did, and his father did, and as far back as anyone can remember, we have all taken care of sheep.    Sometimes my friends and I sit around the fire and tell stories late into the night, about David before he was king, and how he was a shepherd and took good care of his sheep.  He would even risk his life for them, killing a bear and a lion.  Maybe he was even tending his sheep in these very hills when God called him to be the next king of Israel.
It was on one of those nights around the fire that we, just like David, had God call upon us.  Our conversation had begun to lull and we watched as the flames began to die down.  That’s when we noticed for just a moment how quiet it was, but suddenly the air around us became radiant, like daytime.  We jumped to our feet, terrified at this phenomenon.  Then this beautiful and frightening being appeared out of nowhere.  We could not look upon him and we fell to the ground, shaking with fear.  He told us to not be afraid and that he had good news for us.  That the long awaited Son of David, our Messiah was born and that we could see him in Bethlehem.  And then the whole sky lit up brighter than day with the glory of God shining everywhere, and angels declaring praises to Him:  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”  (Luke 2:14  NIV).  And just as suddenly, they were gone.  All was quiet again.  We all felt like we were waking from a dream, not certain what had happened or what it meant.  From across the valley someone shouted, “Did you see that!”  That seemed to bring us to our senses, for we had all seen and heard and felt.  Everyone began talking and shouting at once.  At last someone said they were going to Bethlehem to see the Messiah and everyone agreed to this plan.
We hurried to the city, and found the baby in the manger, just like the angel had said.  When we entered the stable and saw the child, we found ourselves in God’s presence once again.  We fell on our faces and worshipped our Lord.  When we left and returned to our flocks we shouted and gave praise God who saw fit to visit His people.   Now the story we tell is about all we witnessed.   Give God the glory, for He is still visiting His people!  Have you visited with Him lately?

First published December 6, 1998

First Sunday of Advent

A testimony for the first Sunday of Advent…

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?  For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him.”
(Matthew 2: 1,2 NASB)

I am a man of science; a scholar.  I love books and study the world around me.  One night, I was studying the constellations when I saw it:  A new star in the east that I had never seen before.  I pulled out all of my charts and maps and books.  There was no record of this star ever shining before.  I was puzzled by this.  What could it mean? Was this a message from God; the Creator of the stars?  I consulted my friends, also men of science and they too had seen the star.  So we did what we always do when our science fails us…we prayed.  And the Lord revealed to us that this was His sign and that it had been prophesied many years before.  For the prophet said:  “A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.”  (Numbers 24:17b NIV)
So it was decided that we must follow this star and find this newborn King of Kings.  After many days the star stopped and we rejoiced that we would soon meet this King.  Can you imagine our surprise when we discovered the baby, not in a palace as fits a King, but in a small humble dwelling!  The young mother at the door told us we could see the baby.  We entered the room and looked upon the child.  Immediately we were in the presence of God and fell down and worshipped Him.  We rejoiced that God should see fit to visit man and we gave Him our earthly wealth:  gold, frankincense and myrrh.
This all happened many years ago and now I am an old man; but being in the presence of God has changed my life forever.  I now look forward to the day when I shall see Him again face to face.  Once again I shall fall on my knees and worship Him.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  (Hebrews 13:8 NIV)
Have you worshipped Him lately?

First published November 29, 1998

Christmas & Money

Last night while doing some Christmas shopping at Barnes & Noble, I was browsing the books on investment and money. There was a young man (younger than me anyway) browsing the same section and he asked me 'are you an investor?' I responded that I have had various investments at different times. We chatted a bit and in response to something he said I told him 'I am interested in money not for the sake of money, but for what it can accomplish, for the good it can do.'

So at this time of year when we may be more aware of how much we are spending and wondering if we should be spending so much, just a few thoughts. (And please don't take this as a plea to go spend more money! It's not! I am suggesting that we all live deliberate lives every day of the year, so that like Scrooge upon his redemption it was said: “... that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!”)

"But you were always a good man of business, Jacob,' faltered Scrooge, who now began to apply this to himself.
'Business!' cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. "Mankind was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The deals of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!” Charles Dickens, 'A Christmas Carol'

“There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say,' returned the nephew. 'Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round -apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that- as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!” Charles Dickens, 'A Christmas Carol'

"I'm telling you that although wealth is often used in dishonest ways, you should use it to make friends for yourselves. When life is over, you will be welcomed into an eternal home.” Jesus
Luke 16:9 God's Word Translation

So to summarize, money is an opportunity to do good, for your family, for your church, for your community. Don't be like the 'old Scrooge', be like the 'new Scrooge'. If all we do is use money to transact purchases, paying for goods and services for ourselves, then we have missed the larger possibilities. We have made our world too small. Rather (and this is what Jesus says) 'buy friends'. Yes, Jesus says to 'buy friends'! Be generous, help the needy, live and walk like a king! Make the world bigger again. Let your heart be large and see the possibilities of doing good in this fallen world. Become a redeemer, buying back and setting free that which is bound. You don't have to be a millionaire to do this. It starts with your heart and then you proceed by shortening the distance between your heart and your pocketbook. Because money does matter in the scheme of things. It's not the most important thing, but it does reveal to us the condition of our heart. Getting this right allows us to take first steps toward dwelling every day in the Kingdom of God! And so let us be like the 'new Scrooge':

Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset; and knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins, as have the malady in less attractive forms. His own heart laughed: and that was quite enough for him.

Charles Dickens, 'A Christmas Carol'

Merry Christmas! And a Happy New Year!

Yeah I know. It's been a while. I could say I've been busy, which would be true, but we can all say that. So I'll skip the excuses and just suffice it to say I'm a lazy writer. I shouldn't be. It's not like I don't know what to write. That's the funny thing, I've got so much to say I really don't know when to stop. I've never had writer's block. Everything leaps out at me. Really!

Tonight at about 8 pm, I went for a walk. Mostly to get exercise, but it also gives me a chance to think and enjoy the outdoors, especially since I'm in an office all day. I have several routes to choose from.  All of them rather scenic and make great opportunities to think. The sun had not set yet although it was heading that direction, and the weather was about as perfect as what one could expect in August. A slight almost September coolness to the air. The sun was lighting up some perfectly beautiful clouds with shades of yellow and pale salmon set in a soft blue sky that literally glowed and makes one thankful one lives in Nebraska. It sounds like such a cliché but it is so true that the weather changes here constantly. A few days ago it was around a hundred degrees with high humidity and now the cool dry air makes you think you must have got on a plane and flew to Hawaii or something.

The twilight or 'gloaming' is my favorite time of day. Not to be overly romantic, but it seems I read somewhere that the Scots (of who I am descended) and perhaps the Irish (also descended) believed that this time of day (or is it night?) the pixies or elves or something could be seen. I don't subscribe to that but would agree that it inspires the imagination. I am more inclined to think of 'unseen angels' as in the old song 'Precious Memories'.

Precious memories, unseen angels,
Sent from somewhere to my soul.
How they linger, ever near me,
And the sacred past unfolds.

And since I have a bit of Scotland in me (love the bagpipes, but will pass on the haggis), it is also appropriate to quote a little Robert Burns concerning the 'gloaming'. This is the third stanza from the poem “I'll Meet Thee On The Lea Rig”.

The hunter lo'es the morning sun;
To rouse the mountain deer, my jo;
At noon the fisher seeks the glen
Adown the burn to steer, my jo:
Gie me the hour o' gloamin' grey,
It maks my heart sae cheery O,
To meet thee on the lea-rig,
My ain kind Dearie O.

Lincoln does a great job with it's hiking and bike trails. Family friendly, long and winding through parks and residential and business areas. I like the ones that have a 'woodsy' feel to them. Evergreens, oak, maples, and elms. Tonight the locusts were buzzing mightily with a slight blend of tree frogs. The further I walked the quieter the locusts became, giving way to the tree frogs and finally the tree frogs gave way to the 'croakers', at least that's what I call them, that is the frogs that live in the wetlands. As I type this with the windows of the house open, enjoying the fan pulling the air in I can hear the crickets now.

All of this to say, I feel very thankful to have this. I know many don't. I hope and pray that they can find some sense of God's beauty wherever they dwell. If they lack the nature that I enjoy may they find comfort in the Psalms and the Gospels. Beauty and truth and peace, all dwelling together. Soon enough winter snow and ice and wind will be here. But the Eternal Word is always the same today, tomorrow and yesterday. And there is a promise of a City that will come down out of heaven, the bride prepared for Christ. So when this summer fades, the leaves drop, and the coolness turns to chilly and then to cold; we will still have this promise that no matter what happens in this life, no matter where we go or end up, if we have Jesus as Lord; we have the promise of Eternal Life!

“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.”

John 1:12 NLT