Always leave a room better than you found it

 

“Don’t sit at home and wait for the mango tree to bring mangoes to you wherever you are. It won’t happen. If you are truly hungry for change, got out of your comfort zone  and change the world.”  Israelmore Ayivor

 One of my first ministry experiences was soon after I graduated from high school. Though I’d never attended camp, I was hired by a camp outside New York City (Bear Mountain) to be a camp counselor. Most of the kids were street-smart kids from the NYC region. It was a baptism of fire. Many of them had not been outside of the city and never into the great outdoors. 

  The name of the camp was Camp Robin Hood. It might as well have been built during the time of Robin Hood. None of the cabins had electricity, just screens for light and air. The bathroom facilities were about 100’ feet up a hill. And there was no way that an elementary-age boy away from home for the first time and in the great outdoors for the very first time was going to make that trek alone in the middle of the night to the bathroom. Guess who else had to make the trek up the hill, flashlight in hand? Sometimes it would be several times in one night with different boys. 

  To give these boys a taste of the great outdoors we always scheduled one overnight camping experience. We truly roughed it with no tents, just sleeping under the stars while warding off what seemed like 10,000 mosquitoes. One thing though that I learned from those camping experiences was: “Always leave a campsite better than you found it.” I believe that’s a good motto for every Christ-follower – “Always leave a room better than you found it.”

  There’s a lot wrong with the world and much to wring our hands over and complain about. To be sure, there are times to speak up. Yet, much of what’s considered “speaking up” is really whining. There’s no shortage of gripers or what John Maxwell calls “missionaries of misery.”

  I’m a long way from there in my own spiritual growth but I long to be like those early disciples. I want to be a godly positive influence, to bring joy and hope. Acts 5 records that after they’d been beaten and released, “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name.” Or, like Paul and Silas at Philippi. After they’d been falsely accused, beaten, and imprisoned overnight with their feet in the stocks, they were praying and singing hymns to God. 

  How do you keep a man like Paul down? He’s falsely accused, on trial for his life, stuck in a Roman jail cell which was probably little more than a pit in the ground, and yet he writes an entire letter that’s known as “the joy letter,” the book of Philippians. At least 16 times in those four short chapters Paul mentions some form of joy or rejoicing.

  Have you ever noticed that when you’re having a tough time at work, that if you know that you soon have an upcoming vacation, you can have an upbeat attitude? Why? You know that relief is coming and vacation is just around the corner. Until then you can be upbeat and endure. 

  As Christ-followers, we have something so much better than a vacation. We have awaiting us a perfect eternal destination. We’re just here for a short time. Everything that this world can dish out, even the worst fiery blasts of the Enemy are only temporary. It’s how Christ-followers through the ages have endured with joy even in difficult times and horrible suffering. We know it will all be over soon and heaven is waiting for us. 

  So until then, we need to advance His Kingdom here. Whether we’re at work or at home, wherever we are those spaces and places ought to be a little better, a little more gracious, a little more positive because we’re there. We’re bringing with us a bit of heaven. We’re Jesus in our world.

  All of us have a choice every day to either be a thermometer or a thermostat. A thermometer merely reflects the environment and culture that it is in. By God’s grace, we can be thermostats and change the environment and culture we are in for good and His glory.

  God has given each of us a tool of positive construction that we always have with us. We wear it right on our faces. It’s called a smile. Have you ever noticed how contagious a smile is? When someone smiles at you, it’s hard not to smile back. Have you ever been in a sour mood and then someone comes along with a huge smile, some laughter or in a really good mood? Perhaps a baby that just looked up at you and smiled? How did this make you feel? When the person you are talking to or the people that surround you are smiling, you won’t be able to help but smile!

  A smile has special powers. You can calm fear, insecurity, hurt, and anxiety not only in yourself but in those that are experiencing those feelings. The next time someone is feeling sad, scared, nervous, whatever it may be, smile at them and see how this makes them feel! When faces show pain or anger, they’ve lost their smile, so share yours. Rap legend, 2Pac, knew the benefits of smiling. In his lyrics to “Power of a Smile” he raps:

The power of a gun can kill, and the power of fire can burn
The power of wind can chill, and the power of mind can learn
The power of anger, can raise inside until it tears you apart
But the power of a smile, especially yours, can heal a frozen heart.

  A smile is infectious. Give one to your world and the world will often give one back to you. You will brighten the days of those around you and make a difference in their lives… with something as simple as smiling! And if anyone has something to smile about it, isn’t it the people of God? 

  One of the Christian heroes of modern times was Billy Graham. He lived out, “Always leave a room better than you found it.” There was a well-known professional golfer playing in a tournament with President Gerald Ford, fellow golf pro-Jack Nicklaus, and Billy Graham. After the round was over, one of the other pros on the tour asked, “Hey, what was it like playing with the President and Billy Graham?” The pro said with disgust, “I don’t need Billy Graham stuffing religion down my throat!” And with that, he headed for the practice tee. His friend followed, and after the golfer had pounded out his fury on a bucket of balls, he asked, “Was Billy that rough on you out there?” The pro sighed and said with embarrassment, “No, he didn't even mention religion.” 

  Billy Graham never had to say a word to share a testimony for Christ. He left a place better than he found it. How about you? How about me? Are those around us longing for us to leave because we’re so negative? Or do they wish that maybe we would stay just a little longer because we’re joy-bringers? I hope and pray that those who intersect with my life see something different and want to meet my Jesus. How about you?

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

 

 

 

 

The Inevitable Cannot Be Denied

“We have a right to believe whatever we want,

but not everything we believe is right.” Ravi Zacharias

One of my heroes is dying. Internationally known speaker and Christian apologist, Ravi Zacharias, has been battling a rare form of bone cancer since March and was recently informed by doctors that his cancer has spread and there’s nothing more they can do medically. Medically speaking, they have done all that is doable.

  I love his books. On a few occasions, I’ve had the privilege of hearing Ravi speak personally. His Homegoing will be a great loss for the Church.

  One of my favorite of the many anecdotes that he shared was from his book, Can Man Live Without God? He writes:

  “There is a story told, whether factual or not I do not know, of the onetime heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Muhammad Ali, flying to one of his engagements. Ali’s name has never been synonymous with humility, and thus whether this story is fact or fiction, the notoriously yet affectionately branded ‘Louisville Lip’ at least made possible such an anecdote. During the flight the aircraft ran into foul weather, and mild to moderate turbulence began to toss it about. All fliers will know that when a pilot signals ‘moderate turbulence,’ he is implying, ‘if you have any religious beliefs, it is time to start expressing them.’ The passengers were accordingly instructed to fasten their seatbelts immediately. Everyone complied by Ali. Noticing this, the flight attendant approached him and requested that he observe the captain’s order, only to hear Ali audaciously respond, ‘Superman don’t need no seatbelt.’ The flight attendant did not miss a beat and replied, ‘Superman don’t need no airplane either’.”

  But Ravi Zacharias doesn’t need either a seatbelt or an airplane for his next journey. He has something much greater – he has the promises of God. Years ago he committed his life to Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior and he is ready for his ultimate and last journey. Are you?

  One of the current popular lies being batted about is “We can save Grandma.” Please understand, you can’t. I’m not suggesting that seeking to protect our elderly population from potential infection by Covid-19 virus is wrong so that they can live longer is a bad idea. I am though pointing out the inevitable – you can’t protect Grandma or Grandpa or their grandson or granddaughter from our final fate – Death. Death can sometimes be delayed, but it cannot be denied. As the writer of Hebrews penned, “And just as each person is destined to die…” (Hebrews 9:28, NLT).

  Walk through any cemetery and you’ll see this truth. Death is no respecter of persons. It comes for the very old and very young. In four decades of ministry I’ve officiated funerals of those who lived for a few hours to those who were nearly a century old, and everything in between. Death is inevitable. It cannot be escaped.

  Because death is certain for all of us, a wise person is prepared. It’s a journey that eventually all of us will take. If each of us are going to have to take this journey, then it’s essential that we have an accurate roadmap.

  I’m thankful that technology has improved so that we can now have GPS on our phones, though every now and then GPS is wrong. Some years ago Jane and I were looking for a Walmart in a small town. After circling back further and further into a subdivision, we realized that somehow our GPS was completely wrong.

  God’s Word, the Bible, is a certain map guiding us both on how to live and how to die. Sometimes you’ll hear someone question that with, “That’s just your interpretation.” This is why at Grace we do not attempt to interpret the Bible, instead, we seek to understand what God has already written there. We also encourage you that if what you learn in our church is not in the Bible, then hit the delete button and please factcheck us!

  Words have meaning and the Bible is a book full of words that God as the Author wants us to understand. Even the biggest skeptic and “that’s just your interpretation” fanatic looks both ways when crossing Lakeshore Drive in Chicago. Words have meaning.

  This is why we’re committed to working our way through the Bible systematically at Grace, as we’re currently doing with the book of Philippians in our Sunday series, Joy No Matter What. None of us needs one more subjective opinion. We need a certain roadmap. The Bible is that.

  God’s Word is the medicine that encourages and brings healing to our souls. It’s also a mirror that points out flaws that need to be remedied. Our loving God has given us all of the information that we need for this life and the next, because the fact is that none of us are going to get out this world alive. It’s why it’s critical that we have the right roadmap from the One who is already in heaven waiting for us.

  Oftentimes someone will say, “I don’t believe the Bible. It’s full of myths and contradictions.” If someone says that to you, please ask them one vital question, “Have you ever read it?” Sadly, everyone, I’ve ever asked that through the years has always responded, “No.” Usually, I don’t have to connect the dots for them. To reject something that makes such strong and powerful claims without ever checking the evidence for yourself is foolish.

  C. S. Lewis tells of three apprentice devils who were coming to earth to finish their apprenticeship. They were talking to Satan, the chief of the devils, about their plans to tempt people. The first devil said, “I will tell them that there is no God.” Satan responded, “That will not delude many, for they know that there is a God.” The second devil said, “I will tell them that there is no hell.” Satan answered, “You will deceive no one that way; they know that there is a hell.” The third devil said, “I will tell them that there is no hurry.” (Pause) “Go,” said Satan, “and you will ruin them by the thousands.”

  Before you read this, Ravi Zacharias, may be Home with Jesus. He’s ready. He didn’t wait because none of us is guaranteed tomorrow. Are you ready my friend?  

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

 

Why don't we talk about Home more?

“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”

C. S. Lewis

  If something is important to you, you think about it a lot…you talk about it a lot. This weekend will finish what has been a long anticipated time for our family. For several months our whole family has been looking forward to Aaron coming home for a visit from Taiwan with his fiancé, Jiaya Tsai. Not only were we longing to see Aaron, we were looking forward to meeting this new member of our family. It’s hard to believe that the last time Aaron was home was a year ago. Though we are all very proud of him and support what he is doing, (teaching English in Taiwan), we greatly miss him. We love Aaron and would love to have him closer. These times when we are all together again are so special to us. Praise the Lord, we live in a time of modern technology and Aaron is literally a video call away!

  Recently, I had lunch with a dear friend who lost his wife to cancer a few months ago. His hurt will no doubt never go away on this side of eternity. He loves and dearly misses his wife. Before her Homegoing, I remember often talking with Mom Cummins and she’d express her heartache and how much she longed to go Home and be re-united with Dad. A believer has something that an unbeliever can’t understand – Hope! Yes, there’s pain and hurt, but we know that it’s all temporary. We know that it’s truly “Good-night” not “Good-bye” on this side of heaven.

  Yet, other than funerals or when someone is elderly or ill, we hardly think about heaven. Most of us talk more about retirement, which at best will last a few decades, but rarely do we long for our eternal Home. Sadly, I have to confess that I’m far too this world oriented. I think more about this life, my “To Do” list, or even what I’m going to eat, than I do eternity.

  And if something isn’t important to us, we’re not going to talk about it with those we care about, much less a total stranger. For example, when I go to a restaurant that’s really good, I tell my friends about it. Recently, Jane and tried out a new one because a friend had highly recommended it.

  It used to be that Christians were accused of being so “heavenly minded that they were no earthly good.” That’s not really a problem today. Unfortunately, at least, I know it’s not my problem. I find that the Apostle Paul’s words prick my earth-limited heart, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2). Being with Christ for all eternity must be the focus of life. We should be actively training our minds to think about the day when Christ is revealed and we’re finally Home. It’s easy to be distracted. Temporal concerns easily grab our attention and overall it seems like we don’t think about heaven very much. Part of our difficulty is that the Bible tells us more about what won’t be in heaven than what will be there. Then, some foolishly think that heaven is going to be boring, like one very long church service. It’s not! It will be every joy, thrill, peace and satisfaction that’s beyond our imagination on this sin contaminated earth.

  The best part of heaven though is that Jesus will be there. The One who loved us so much that He died for us, even though He knew how sinful we all are. Jesus loved us, died for us and paid the price for all of our sin.

  One of my favorite hymn writers is Fanny Crosby, who wrote more than 9,000 hymns. She wrote so many that she was forced to use pen names so hymnals wouldn’t be filled with her name. The most remarkable thing about her was that she did this in spite of being blind from infancy.

  One time a well-meaning preacher commented to her, “I think it is a great pity that the Master did not give you sight when he showered so many other gifts upon you.” Fanny Crosby responded at once, “Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I was born blind? Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior.” No wonder she wrote:

  Some day the silver cord will break,
And I no more as now shall sing;
But, O the joy when I shall wake
Within the presence of the King! 

Some day my earthly house will fall,
I cannot tell how soon ’twill be,
But this I know—my All in all
Has now a place with Him for me.

And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story, saved by grace:
And I shall see Him face to face,
  And tell the story, saved by grace.   

  We are so thankful that Aaron is home. Wonderfully, he didn’t come alone. I don’t want to go Home alone, do you? In my Quiet Time with the Lord, I have several folk who I love that don’t yet know my Savior that I’m praying will know my Jesus. Heaven is so wonderful and Jesus is so incomparable that it would break my heart if they missed it. I don’t want to go to heaven alone, do you? Let’s focus on the real world!  

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. "

Up There Down Here

“Jesus is not saying, ‘Make sure you pray a prayer of repentance, start going to church, and wait for Me to come back.’ He is saying, ‘You can live a radically different life because there’s a new world order that just broke in, so stop walking in the direction you’re going, turn 180 degrees, and walk toward Me and life in the kingdom of God’.” Hugh Halter

Several weeks ago I preached on the Lord’s Prayer as part of our series on the Gospel of Luke. More recently, I finished a book by a favorite author, John Ortberg, where he worked through that phrase, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Like many of you, I was wrongly taught that salvation is all about heaven, in the future and after this life. It’s not.

  Sometimes as Christians we pray and live out a version of a Star Trek prayer to Scottie, “Beam me up!” The Christian life is not just about getting our final destination taken care of, where heaven is merely our retirement program. Christianity is much more than just the afterlife. It’s not about hanging on down here, treading water until we’re all ejected.

  Jesus never taught us to pray, “Get me out of here so I can go up there.” No, His prayer was “Make up there come down here. Make things run down here the way they do up there.” Salvation has two parts, present and future. Salvation is not just about heaven. It begins by living out heaven and bringing God’s Kingdom here by living heavenly now.

  In that interim before we are called Home, as John Ortberg puts it, “it’s to pray and by God’s grace be part of advancing God’s Kingdom by making up THERE come down HERE.” We’re to be grace-filled. We’re to be Jesus now in this world. That’s nothing short of a spiritual revolution.

  The Church is not to entrench itself into some spiritual fortress, holding out until we’re finally rescued. No, you and I are to storm the gates of Hell (Matthew 16:18), rescuing Satan’s victims. It’s truly revolutionary! We’re to break out of our safe “Holy Huddles.” How do we do this?

  By continuing to develop personally as followers of Jesus. It’s tempting to jump ahead to doing, when we must first focus on being. It means regularly being in God’s Word, prayer, worship and the local church community. First, move forward with your own spiritual health and growth. God’s Kingdom must first rule in your life. Up there coming down here begins in you. It’s not perfection, it’s a direction. It’s always tempting to focus on the superstructure and ignore the foundation.

  By genuinely loving and caring for others. Our first “others” are those closest to us, spouse, children and extended family. Sometimes it means loving when we’re not loved in return. Sometimes it means loving when we’re treated unlovingly in return. It spreads from there to neighbors, co-workers, church family, etc. It’s not loving abstractly; it’s love in action.

  It means saying kind things when you’d rather return verbal fire. It means showing respect, being nice, kind, encouraging and compassionate. It begins with saying the right thing and is followed by doing the right thing.

  It can be something as simple as stopping and listening to a child or a senior citizen. It might be giving a ride to someone who doesn’t have adequate transportation or making a meal for someone who’s ill or who recently lost a loved one. It’s making cookies for a new neighbor and going out of your way for a new employee to help them learn the ropes. It means dropping a note of thanks or affirmation. It will probably mean being taken advantage of, but you’re not doing it for them, you’re doing it for Jesus. 

  By loving and making a difference in the lives of the poor, broken and marginalized. Who is there for those who have failed? When I fail, I know who is always there for me – Jesus. If those who have so greatly experienced God’s love and forgiveness are not there for addicts, ex-convicts, teen parents, the divorced and the broken – who will be?

  What about the immigrants, legal and illegal? Too many of us spout political talking points and forget these are real people with flesh and blood needs. Kingdom commands, not government policy must drive us.

  Twice God has used our family to minister to illegal immigrants. When we stepped up to help (one lived with us while employed in the area), we didn’t know if they were legal or illegal…and didn’t care. They were image-bearers of God. We didn’t break any laws. We just sought to help someone in need. Sadly, when we’re politicized instead of Kingdomized, we look at immigrants and those from different ethnic groups with suspicion. While I’m not suggesting we do anything illegal, we must be aware that our mission is set by King Jesus, not a particular political party.

  What about those who’ve done jail time? Or, are addicts? If those who themselves have been forgiven and restored fail to offer hope and restoration, who will…who can? It’s not easy. It takes time and commitment. The failures will often outnumber the successes. But God has not called us to be successful, He has called us to be faithful.

  By sharing the Good News. It is tempting to focus on humanitarian and social results. Yet, if we help someone break an addiction, find a job, get back on their feet financially, restore their marriage, etc. yet fail to share the Gospel with them, what have we truly accomplished. 
  The best way to share the Good News is to first begin with a relationship, yet it’s a relationship with an end in view. Because the greatest gift I can share is the greatest gift that I’ve ever been given, forgiveness and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That’s the ultimate of make up there come down here one life at a time. 

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.

When Paradise is closed!

“Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?” 
Five Man Electrical Band

  Recently, I was in Paradise. Okay, it wasn’t really Paradise. It was Fort Lauderdale but with temperatures in the mid-sixties, compared to Wisconsin that was below zero…it sure felt like Paradise J.

  Because Chicago traffic is unpredictable, when I’m flying out of O’Hare, I always try to take an early flight so that I can beat the traffic. Jane and I flew out at 6:45 am but couldn’t get into our hotel until 4 pm (our flight arrived around 9 am). Lots of time to kill, but after all, we are in Paradise.

  After we rented our car, we decided to head to the beach. I love the ocean, particularly the Atlantic. There’s just something about hearing waves crashing, the smell of salt air and warm sand between your toes. It goes back to when I was a child and my family went to Florida every year for vacation. I truly can’t get enough of the ocean.

  Because we had so much time to kill, after grabbing a bite to eat, Jane and I headed to the beach. But we never saw it. The vast majority of the beach has hotels and condos with restricted parking for “guests” only. But these buildings block the view, so not only can you not walk on the beach because you can’t find a place to park, you can’t even see it. Unfortunately, our hotel was near the church where the Conference was being held – miles and miles away from the beach. While there were a few public beaches, every parking spot was filled. We and several other hundred people were circling the same lots like sharks looking for prey. And while there were hundreds of empty parking spaces, they were all clearly marked with large signs, “No Parking! Violators will be towed!”

  Because we had lots of time to kill, we just kept driving up the coast.  Ultimately, we drove some thirty miles along the coast and never once found a parking space. We were never were able to get out of our car and couldn’t see the ocean or hear the waves crashing. Finally, we gave up and headed to our hotel to check in. Here we were, right on the front porch of “Paradise” but couldn’t get in. Why?

  First, it was overcrowded and there just wasn’t any room. There were so many license plates from Quebec, I wondered if the entire province was in Fort Lauderdale.

  Second, “the golden rule” worked against us. Not the golden rule that most of us are familiar with. No, the pragmatic golden rule that unwaveringly holds that those “who have the gold rule.” Because Jane and I don’t own a condo or beach house, because we were staying at a “cheap” hotel miles away from the beach, we were prohibited from enjoying the ocean and beach.

  Third, we didn’t know the secret entries. Probably, there are places to park and ways to circumvent the system BUT you’d probably have to be a local to know them. As visitors, “Paradise” was a closed community to us. For all practical purposes, “Paradise” might as well have not even existed. We weren’t getting in no matter how hard we tried.

  What a contrast to Heaven! There is no place on this earth, not even Fort Lauderdale in February that can hold a candle in comparison to Heaven. The reality is that the very best in this world, the most beautiful places are inner city ghettos compared to Heaven.

  I’ve always marveled that Heaven is so wonderful that God in His Word has to tell what is not there, rather than what is there. Humanly speaking, we just couldn’t comprehend it. Yet, the entry to Heaven is very different from any “Paradise-like” places on earth.

  First, there is plenty of room. Heaven will never put up a “No Parking” or “No Vacancy” sign up. One of my favorite parables is that of the Great Banquet in Luke 14. “Then the master of the house…said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room’” (vss. 21-22). There is more space than we could ever comprehend.

  Second, entry to Heaven is not based on what you have or what you have done. There are no rich people in Heaven and there are no good people there. You can’t buy your way in or work your way in to Heaven. The entry to Heaven is based on the fact that you absolutely shouldn’t be there. Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” What could be clearer than, “not a result of works”? What do you do to earn a “gift”? Nothing! You just accept it!

  Heaven is free but it’s not cheap. For anyone to go to Heaven, Jesus paid a great price. He had to die on the Cross and pay our great sin debt, “  (1 Corinthians 15:3).

  What an insult to God the Father to even consider that any of us could pay Him back for the death of His Son! Or, that we could be good enough or do enough right things to compensate Him for Jesus! Heaven…our salvation is God’s gift of love that we must accept by faith. It’s what the Bible calls the Gospel, or “good news.” Because the Gospel is true, then even someone like me can go to heaven. In myself I see much that displeases me, and much more that must displease God. The good news of the gospel is that sinners can be saved while they are still sinners simply by trusting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Because of the Gospel, you can know with certainty that should you die tonight, you’re going to heaven.

  Finally, the very best part is that it’s not a secret. Jesus said, “This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world…” (Matthew 24:14). Jesus’ last words before He left this earth was to command His followers to tell the whole world that Heaven is free, anyone can go there, if they’ll just trust Christ as their personal Savior.

  It may be hard to get to the beach in Fort Lauderdale but it’s simple to get into Heaven. It’s a free gift and the price has already been paid, but you must personally accept it. Have you done that? Have you accepted God’s free gift of salvation?  

MISSING!

“Now comes the mystery.” Henry Ward Beecher

At the time of this writing there is still no news, only more questions, surrounding the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. It’s a seemingly unsolvable mystery how this Boeing 777 with 239 people aboard just completely disappeared on March 8^th while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Evidence continues to grow that the plane could have flown for hours after losing contact with air traffic control, the search area, too, has ballooned. Some 43 ships and 58 aircraft from 25 countries have been involved in the search. Experts from the United States, Britain and China are involved.

  To further frustrate and increase anxiety, some of the family members have been able to successfully place calls to missing passengers' cell phones. There are various explanations for how that could happen, but it gives them a sliver of hope that their loved ones are still alive.

  Have you ever noticed? Mysteries drive us crazy. We human beings want everything to fit into some neat, rational and understandable package. Some day, and I wonder that it might not be long, there’s going to be another major disappearance unlike anything this world has ever experienced. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s called the Rapture.

  Today we’re finishing our sermon series, R U BORN 2X? We’re concluding by talking about the blessings and benefit package for someone who’s been born twice. Someday every born-again person, dead or alive, could be singing that last line from a Shania Twain song, “I’m outta here” as we fly through the air to meet the Lord Jesus.

  I’ve always loved being spontaneous. When our children were younger, periodically, Jane and I would throw a wonderful, totally unexpected  surprise into the schedule. We did “pajama rides,” when after they were ready for bed, we all popped into the car and went through a local drive-through for ice cream. One of my favorites was on a warm Friday afternoon when on the spur of the moment, we decided to find out who had the best single dip ice cream cone in the area. We started out in Elkhorn and then did a loop throughout the area. By the fourth or fifth stop, we were ice creamed out.

  The Rapture is going to be a little like that. It’s going to come suddenly and surprise everyone. If we’re still on this side of eternity, we may be at work, having dinner or even sleeping. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says, “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”

  Do you ever weary of life? Do you find yourself sometimes longing for Home? I know I do. Every believer who loves the Lord has that tension.

  This world is not our Home. Sometimes the sin, suffering, struggles…the hopelessness begins to overwhelm us and we long for Home. Yet, we know that our work isn’t finished here yet. Maybe you’re a parent and you know that your children need you. Maybe you sense that God has given you what is still an unfinished task. For me, I have so many friends and loved ones that don’t yet know Jesus. I don’t want to go Home until I know that I’ve done everything I can to share the Gospel with them. There truly is nothing here other than that which keeps me tied to this world. And I have great peace because Jane and my three children all know the Lord and love Him. We’ll never say, “Good-bye,” just “Good-night, I’ll see you in the morning…that great resurrection morning.” Yet, Heaven becomes more enticing to me each year. I have so many loved ones and friends already waiting for me there. 

  If instead of going Home via death, if we’re still alive when the Rapture takes place and removes us from this planet, can you even begin to imagine the confusion, shock, hurt, frustration and exasperation when millions of believers just disappear, just vanish into thin air? Where would they even begin to search? Cell phones will keep ringing.

  Don’t you wonder how the media and government will attempt to explain it? What will those who are left behind say to one another? How will they seek to console one another? Or, will there just develop a worldwide, morbid, depression or denial?

  Someday, if you’re a believer, you’ll be part of God’s prophesied mystery, the next event on His prophetic calendar. Hollywood ain’t got nothing on God. Yet, many of you are like me. You don’t want to leave anyone behind. (Now I’m not suggesting we put oGn white robes, become religious wackos and sit on a rooftop J.) Yet, I wonder how many opportunities I miss to share the Gospel? How much more could I pray? How much more could I focus on what really matters and has significance?

  We’re coming into the Easter Season. Many of our lost friends and family members will be talking about their plans and about Easter. Doors may crack that don’t crack at other times of year. Let’s not miss it. We’re possessors of the greatest mystery and the greatest good news of all time – that a holy God loves us and gave His only Son, Jesus, to die in our place, for our sins so that we could be forgiven, so that we didn’t have to face this life alone and so that we could live in His House for all eternity!

  The last recorded words of the co-pilot for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 were, “Good-night.” May we do all that we can to insure that for those we love and care about that it’s only “Good-night,” not “Good-bye.” And I think that we’d do well to be praying for the families and passengers on this missing plane, that this tragic mystery will soon be resolved.

Walking with someone through the Valley of the Shadow of Death

 

“Man, when he does not grieve, hardly exists.”  Antonio Porchia

  The average American experiences a personal loss of someone in their immediate family only every 15 to 20 years. Think back on anything else that you experienced just once in a fifteen years period. Now add trauma, hurt, shock, pain, tears…a level of grief nearly beyond words. Anyone who thinks they’re ready for the pain of loss is deluded. The waves of various emotions that transpire in one's own heart are nearly impossible to voice.  

  Yet, for some reason, particularly when it comes to grief, Americans have often bought into a “just get over it” or “let the healing begin” mentality. Perhaps it's because we have a pill or program for nearly everything. When it comes to grief, there is no magic pill or transforming program. Grief is like major surgery. The best healer is time and it usually takes lots of it. With a healthy approach to grief, pain lessens over time but I don't think it's ever quite gone. And would we really want it to be? I lost my Mom over forty years ago and I still miss her. I'm not depressed about it, but I miss her and so look forward to seeing her again. Perhaps, that's one reason the Bible tells us that in heaven, God will wipe away all of our tears.

  Yet, it seems today that there are complications previous generations didn't typically have to deal with. Because of the fragmentation and frequently, the disintegration of the family, at least of a traditional family with a Dad and Mom married to the same partner for life. Add to that, there are often siblings or even half-siblings who the parents have sometimes sought and sometimes not, to cobble together into some sense of a "family." Prior to the loss, there’s often anger, hurt, bitterness and other unresolved issues. Add in substance abuse, cohabitation…a divorce or two and it's a potential recipe for an unmitigated disaster.

  So how is a Christian to be a Christian in the midst of the changing morass of complicated family relationships, yet also dealing with the tragedy of loss and grief? I don't believe that there are black and white answers, nor do I feel like I am an expert. Yet, I believe there are some valuable and general principles to help each of us be Jesus in a hurting world and act Christ-like as we navigate these unchartered waters.

  First, just go. Sometimes that's impossible. Yet, if at all possible, go to the visitation, go to the funeral. Just your presence will have a healing effect. It may be a fog for the ones most hurting, yet they will often remember you came. Our culture moves at a frenetic pace but you can’t touch someone who’s hurting in a hurry. There may be jagged feelings. Perhaps, you’re not only dealing with your own sense of loss, you find that you feel tense…even a pit in your stomach at the thought of interacting where has been personal pain or unresolved issues. Still go. There’s something about loss though that heals old wounds and draws us together.

  Fewer words are usually better. Just because you’re there, doesn’t mean that you have to say "just the right thing." Some of us can't handle silence. It makes us uncomfortable, yet, it's usually better to say less than more in times of grief. What the one most hurting needs is your presence. Just the fact you are there and that you care speaks volumes.

  Be proactive. Grief shocks us. We find we’re unable to think, concentrate, even function. Those who are normally competent and problem-solvers may feel paralyzed. This can be a time to offer to help with the basics, simple things like washing dishes, making a meal, or picking up groceries.

  I've found being a channel of communication is always appreciated. The one who’s feeling the greatest sense of loss often has difficulty making those dreaded yet necessary phone calls. They find they have little control over their emotions and each repetition of the loss can feel like they’re going through heart surgery again and again. It's better too if someone learns of the death of a friend or loved one more than once, rather than assuming they must surely know. It's amazing that with our countless means of communication there are so many glitches in our communication.

  If you know someone is close, personal communication is best, not e-mail or Facebook. Tragic news needs to shared tenderly, clearly and carefully. It's also unwise to conjecture or hypothesize. Stick with what you know are facts. If you’re on the receiving end, be careful about asking unnecessary questions. With the recent loss of my brother, someone who was at best a distant friend, asked very pointedly, "How did he die?" What did it matter?

  Add to that, there’s often a sense of false guilt. It may be with a loss like my brother's, something to the effect, "He said he wasn't feeling good, I should have insisted that he go to the doctor." But my brother was nearly seventy and was fully capable of either taking himself to the doctor or insisting that someone take him.

  Be a peace-maker. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peace-makers” (Matt. 5:9). If there are broken relationships you’re aware of, seek to be a bridge builder. Remember and help others to remember the good. Seek to carefully bring people together. The person is gone. Most hurts and unresolved issues need to go with them. It's a time to remember the good and best, not drag up the worst.

  Finally, be prepared yourself. Sudden, tragic death is a reality. Would your loved ones know your wishes? If unsaved family members will be making your final arrangements, be very clear. Your funeral will be your last opportunity to share the Gospel. Do they know where important papers are? Is your life insurance, will, etc. up to date? The recent loss of my brother was a warning for Jane and I that we need to take care of a few important items.

  If you have a terminal illness, don't wait until you’re too weak or medicated to have those important conversations and make important decisions. Solve potential issues of conflict while you’re alive, rather than leaving your loved ones to guess or worse, squabble when you’re gone. If there’s tension between your loved ones now, it will only devolve when you’re no longer around to umpire. So please make those important decisions now so there aren’t potential landmines later.  

  The Bible continually warns us to be prepared for inevitable death. Are you? Is there someone you can reach out to that is going through these stages of grief? Let's be Jesus to each other.

Cleaning up spider webs or killing the spider

“Life is full of misery, loneliness, and suffering - and it's all over much too soon.” Woody Allen

  Recently, we had mouse droppings on a counter top in our basement. The easiest solution to that predicament is to ignore them and work around them. The second easiest solution is to clean them up every time we find them. But most people don’t find either of those options acceptable. So there are now traps loaded with appetizing treats, awaiting Mr. Mouse when he next stops in for dinner. Unfortunately, Mr. Mouse is not going to be very happy, though his unhappiness will be very short lived.

  What would you think though if you learned that we were putting out food and water for this trespasser? Or, that we learned that his nest wasn’t all that comfortable so we went to Menards and bought some higher quality nesting materials for Mr. Mouse and family?

  While there are a few exceptions, most people don’t believe that the Mouse family has any right to be happy, particularly if they are trespassers. But what about everyone else. Isn’t happiness something that we should seek to help everyone attain? After all, we’re Americans. It’s written right in our Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Based on that shouldn’t we do everything we can to help others be happy?  

  No, I don’t believe that we should. One of the things that we miss, even in the Church, is that all social problems have a spiritual root. Yet, ours is a culture that treats “symptoms” (i.e. mouse droppings) and usually fails to address the disease, the core issue. The core issue is a spiritual issue, a relationship with God. And when we only treat symptoms, we can ultimately distract or mask the core issue.

  Today we have 12-step and self help groups for nearly every cultural malady. Those are symptoms. We fail to start with the question: Why are people addicted to drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, overeating or even shopping? They’re seeking to fill a God-shaped void in their life. We can counsel it or anesthetize it, yet ultimately, it’s a spiritual issue. We need to be careful we don’t become obstacles to someone seeking to resolve their greatest need by encouraging them to settle for an inadequate substitute.

  Recently, I saw well-intentioned Christians encouraging someone who was bemoaning how lonely he was to try out web sites, like Christianmingle.com to find someone he could date and even potentially marry. His real issue though wasn’t a need for human companionship. That was the symptom of the real need, which was spiritual. Here was a man who was bitter that he was lonely, yet he was being encouraged to find someone so he no longer felt bitter and angry that he was lonely. Yet, if he never addressed that he was bitter at God for his current situation and found peace with God, I can nearly guarantee any human relationship was merely going to be a band-aid to cover over his greater, real need. And his real need would most likely sabotage any relationship he might find.

  Pain is not necessarily a bad thing. Misery, depression, guilt, etc. are not necessarily bad things. Too often, even well meaning Christians seek to enable those suffering to mask those feelings by talking them out, counseling them out, or even medicating them out. Yet, the core issue is a spiritual one. Only Jesus, the Great Physician of our souls has the true cure.

  God in His love often uses pain, discomfort, even misery to drive us to Himself. Read Psalm 107 where you’ll see this truth repeated over and over again. Look at the lives of believers recorded in the Bible and you’ll see how God used crises to drive them to Himself. If we didn’t face crises, most of us would be comfortable in our lostness. We might have some sense of happiness in this world, yet would be miserable for all eternity.

  I know in my own life that God used my Dad being an abuser and a prescription drug addict where I felt so unloved, to drive me to the One who loved me unconditionally. If I’d not been so miserable, I might not have run to the Cross and realized God loved me so much that He gave His only Son to die for my sins so that I could be forgiven, so that I could have a new Father who is always there, knows all about me – even my worst times and faithfully loves me.

  Today we’re beginning a new series: RU BORN 2X. It centers on our greatest need, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It addresses our spiritual disease of sin, not just symptoms. It’s only as we embrace God’s cure of salvation that our lives have purpose, fulfillment and meaning both now and forever.

  Most Americans would claim to be “Christians” and most of those who attend our church would make the same claim, yet Scripture warns us to not be cavalier about the validity of our salvation. 2 Corinthians 13:5 urges us, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”

  Over the course of the next few weeks, we’re going to very seriously heed that warning and use the tests of God’s Word as we examine our own souls to make certain that we truly have salvation, have been forgiven and are part of God’s Forever Family. Some weeks may give you a sense of discomfort. But wouldn’t it be better to be uncomfortable now, or even embarrassed than to have deceived yourself or been deceived by Satan, only to discover at the end of life, you really didn’t know Jesus and are separated from Him for all eternity? There’s an old spiritual, Everybody talkin’ ‘bout Heaven ain’t goin’ there. What a tragedy it would be to talk about heaven, to know about heaven but miss it!