Without God , It Is What It Is

For those who try to find meaning apart from any real ,concrete idea of God , at the end of the day all they are left with is , it is what it is. No matter what the tragedy , be it big or small , in the scheme of things it matters not. As one famous rock band said in one of their songs , why does it happen , because it happens , roll the bones. Once one reduces life to nothing more than a materialistic, naturalistic view of life  than suffering, plane crashes , death by drugs or alcohol , it is just what it is . Life is nothing more than a random bunch of played out events that we put significance to but really mean nothing. All our love,hopes,dreams,grief, sense of loss are nothing more than chemicals firing in our brain to produce emotions that we should find a way to eliminate. They are truly burdensome if life has no meaning ultimately. Its wasted time and energy.

But no one truly lives like that. We care,we love,we hope,we grieve and we feel. These emotions are remnants of being created by a God in whoms image we are made. We may try to suppress it , to deny it and rage against it but when tragedy strikes we cry out . With why would a good God allow this to happen  and others will cry ,Oh Lord  help . Both are cries of people who grasp even if they mock God , that there is more to this life than we can see.

The Bible tells us all of creation is groaning , waiting for that great day of redemption when God makes all things new when Jesus Christ comes again. The Bible also says that all things are under God's sovereign and providential control. Even calamities are not random , they serve a purpose in God's economy. We may not grasp this or want to , but we see in a mirror dimly. We cannot understand the mind of a infinite ,holy, righteous God. So often we are so caught up in the trivial . Talking about things that really have no eternal importance but when one hears of a tragedy or death or sickness calls , it takes our focus off the mundane and our brains and hearts glimpse into eternity.

What should we then say to those who do not believe when a heart breaking event occurs? We need to show bold compassionate love and point those hurting to the great healer and peace maker , Jesus Christ. It is not a time to shrink into the shadows .If we truly hold that hell is real apart from faith in Jesus Christ , at these times it should almost magnify our hunger to share the gospel and not shrink back. We will not have all the answers to those hurting or those in deep shock but we know in whom we have believed to forgive sin , reconcile us to God and  give us peace amid a sin  stained world .

As CS Lewis said , pain and suffering are God's wake up call to the brevity of life and our longing for purpose amid the world we live. We need to say , it is not what it is and say for God so loved  , you finish the rest.Nuff said.

Be Mindful If You Teach

This Sunday at my home Church I will partner with my fellow brother in the Lord , John Delong and begin to co-facilitate  a study concerning the reliability of the Bible. It has been almost 4 years since I have returned to Church and the faith . Needless to say I have taken my time considering if I ever should be involved at this level  ever again and have prayed that God would lead me in what path I should go.

So after being approached to help in this study program by Focus on the Family called True-U , I agreed . But one thing to all who decide to venture into any teaching call at the local Church level , know you will be held more accountable .

James 3:1 "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. "

Which is the way it should be. Too many take on roles without understanding the gravity of opening ones mouth to teach or lead . For what comes out of the mouth can build up,tear down or confuse. It can have eternal consequences . That doesn't mean one will have it all together or be perfect , but one should be sound in doctrine and able to articulate the gospel and defend the faith. 

So with a humble heart and a trembling soul , my prayer is simply that God will use these sessions to glorify Himself and Jesus Christ be exulted .

Into The Story

People in general love great stories. Sure some may be more epic than others but in general look at some of the best selling tales . Many of the great ones that last have a grand narrative. Plus woven into most that have lasting power are stories of redemption,forgiveness, reconciliation,good over evil,justice prevailing. Sure it may cost the hero his life or a great sacrifice but we applaud . We cheer to see things put right.

Even the most  popular movies at the boxoffice in general are those that reflect these grand themes. Even Avatar with all its pantheism , it resonated because many long for a better world , a place of peace and harmony. In the Lord of the Rings , when the ring is destroyed and Sauron is destroyed we cheer because evil has been vanquished.Why? It has been said that ever since Adam and Eve sinned and they were banished from Eden , that man has tried to get back . But the problem is , we are dead in our sins. We may know something is wrong and these stories speak to us , but instead of turning back to God , we try to write our own story and build a tower of Babel.

These stories resonate because we know deep down this world is broken.It is full of hate,evil,suffering and pain. But the good news is , God is the master of this story and it is that story He is writing us into through His Son's life,death and resurrection.

When we see or read of epic battles , we connect with the purpose that the story is conveying. Any the most strident atheist tries to find a way to make up a story to make life make sense or have some meaning.We all do this  in one way or another. So why not pick up and read the epic true story of God's writing the narrative of creation,fall, redemption and consummation. We are all involved , for He is our Creator and we owe Him everything. The question is at the end will one be the villain ,or part of army of the coming king Jesus that destroys once and for all sin,death and the devil. We are into the story , and the good news Christ has done it all so we do not have to continue to try and write our own story that really is no story at all.

Start the Week With a Chuckle

Anyone near 50 and older remember this Comedy Sketch show called Rowan and Martins Laugh In. Goldie Hawn was always one of favourites on the show. Enjoy.

Glorious Day

Are you looking ,longing for that day when our Lord returns to make all things right. No more pain.no death,no sin . But even more glorious is to be in the presence of our great God and Savior forever. Amen.

Preacher Feature

It may be you have prayed, and cried, and resolved, and vowed, but all without success, as you suppose; sin has broken through all: however, if you give not over, you shall prevail at last; you know not at what time God will come in with his grace, and Christ will manifest his love unto you as unto the poor woman [Matt. 15:22-28], after many a rebuke. It may be, after all, he will do it this day; and if not, he may do it another: do not despond. Take that word of Christ himself for your encouragement, Prov. 8:34, “Blessed is the man that hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.” If you hear him, and wait, though you have not yet admission, but are kept at the gates and posts of the doors, yet in the issue you shall be blessed.


John Owen 

Two Events

September is a month that I love and hate . First I love this month because I will celebrate two very important birthdays . The first I'll mention is my wifes on the 26th . She will turn 45 and I must say , she looks amazing. I think she is drinking the same water Dick Clark drinks from.So we will look forward to that . Then of course because of her birthday , my youngest son ,Jordan will turn 18. Quickly turning into a fine young man. So these two events will be fun times of celebrating the lives of them both that God has been so graciously to allow me to be a part of . For the record I love being  Dad to Jordan and a husband to Kathy.

The thing that I hate about this month is the date of Sept 6th. On that day my Mom died due to the cancer ravaging her body. It will be 19 years this year and I can still remember hearing those words , Mom is gone. I recall my reaction , my pain and my grief. I'm so grateful for the love and support of my wife through one of the darkest days on my life.I still vividly recall my oldest son , Jacob , who wasn't much than 2 and a half years of age ,giving me a hug. It meant the world to me .

So every September since , it has been a time when I become reflective and as I get older , its a time to just take stock of the blessings of  God and try not to take each day for granted. Which we tend to do way too often. It is so sad that it takes the loss of someone we love to shock us into what is important and to value those things in life that are truly of lasting worth.

Final thought. Even though Mom succumbed to cancer , death did not win the day . Through her ordeal she surrendered her life to Jesus Christ. So yes I still hate the day she died but it was a birthday in way for her , for she passed from life , to life in the presence of the Lord . Nuff said.