He is Risen

31 March 2010

Someone once said, "Life is a bad joke that isn’t even funny, and the only way you get out of it is by dying." What a sad commentary on life’s existence, and yet there are many people who hold to that belief.  The Bible says there is more to life than death; there is life beyond this life.  I believe the most encouraging words ever written or spoken are given to us by an angel, "He is risen."  Otherwise, there would be no hope at the moment of death. 

The weekend of the Christ’s death, burial and resurrection reveal to us the three most important days in all of history; Dark Friday, Dreary Saturday, and Decisive Sunday.  If not for these three days the world would continue to be in a state of hopelessness. 

That Friday afternoon when Jesus died was a very dark time in history as the darkness of man’s sin showed itself in the worse way as God’s creation crucified their Creator.  Yet, in the eyes of God, it was a very Good Friday for He knew that His Son was reconciling the world back to God as He freely laid down His life (John 3:17, 10:17-18).  It wasn't nails holding Jesus to the cross; it was l-o-v-e (Romans 5:8). 

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Pull Don't Push

07 March 2010

"If serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourself this day whom you will serve"
—Joshua 24:15—

While attempting to get into my car, I could not for the sake of me, get my door open.  I peered down at the lock and was able to see that the door was in the unlocked position, and yet, I could not pull it open.  I exerted such force and energy to open the door that my left arm is now 3" longer than my right.  I became concerned about my own abilities wondering if I was losing my strength.  I hadn’t had a pizza that day so I knew I wasn’t overdosing on pepperoni!  Could I not even open a silly car door! 

After a few moments I realized who the silly one was as I was able to determine exactly why the door would not open.  I’ll tell you, but you have to promise not to laugh or have me committed.  You see, as I had my left hand on the door handle, I also had my right hand resting against the top of the door.  Thus, while pulling on the handle, I was also pushing on the door.  When I told my wife what I had done, she simply replied, "Dear, you're not losing you strength.  You're losing you mind!"  Hey!  You promised not to laugh!  You’ll be my age one of these days. 

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God's Presence

09 December 2009

“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger,
because there was no room for Him in the Inn”
-Luke 2:7-

Can you believe that Christmas is almost upon us once again?  It’s just a few days away.  Many people get very excited about this day because of the anticipation of receiving presents from family and friends.  They can’t wait to open their gifts that will eventually wear out and be tossed out.  Their anticipated excitement last but a short time, and can only be replaced with something that brings a greater excitement.  The reality of Christmas is this: Christmas isn’t about presents, it’s about presence—God’s presence, “Immanuel, God with us” (Matthew 1:23). 

At the time of Christ birth we read that there was no room for Him in the Inn.  Here was God, the Creator of the universe becoming a fetus, eventually being born a baby, having to wear diapers and be fed by Mary and Joseph.  As He entered the world He was born outside in the cold of night while others were sleeping cozily indoors.  At the moment of His entrance to this earth, very few people knew what was taking place.  No trumpets were being sounded; no praises were being offered.  Instead, all was quiet.  Immanuel had arrived!  God was entering the world as a baby, and nobody was even aware . . . . . .

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