THIS JUST IN: SPACE ALIENS CAUSED THE SINKING OF TITANIC!

I love books.  Ever since I was a kid books have held a special place in my heart. You can imagine how excited I was to discover the library!  I can remember my mom putting me on a local bus at the tender age of 6 or 7 (it was safe back then!) to visit my Aunt Elsie some blocks away.  The first thing we would do when I arrived is stop at a little extension library.  Wow all those books for the reading! For me, the library was right up there next to the candy store on my list of favorite things.  

I still love books and I still love to get them at the library, so when my girls suggested maybe I’d like a Kindle, I wasn’t interested.  They bought me one anyway.  (They never DID listen to me!) I was glad to have that Kindle when we lost power for a week after Hurricane Sandy and the library was closed.

Because they were free, I downloaded a bunch of books on my Kindle that I had never read, like “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”, and some I have read and wanted to read again, like “Jane Eyre”.  I also downloaded a few recent books that were free that I’d never heard of, like one I’m currently reading called, “Titanic 2012”.  It’s a silly book really, but I’m engrossed.  That’s what happens when you have 5 hours of darkness to kill every night!

The premise of the book is interesting.  The author takes the true story of Titanic and gives it a completely different spin.  The book flips back and forth between the past when Titanic was launched, and the present aboard a ship preparing a diving expedition into the hull of Titanic itself.  That is interesting in itself.  

Here’s where it gets a little weird.  The characters suggest that Titanic was deliberately sunk in order to destroy an alien life form bent on reproducing itself within the bodies of the passengers.  (I told you it was weird!)  This alien life form somehow survived the sinking and now, inhabiting the body of one of the crew members on the modern day expedition, it is returning to collect it’s eggs.  By now you are undoubtedly wondering why I’m still reading this book and where I’m going with this blog!  Hang in there, I’m getting to it!

I was thinking about how cool it was to take a real life story, like that of Titanic, imagine some alternate reason why it sank, and write a book about it.  Think about the fun you could have putting new spins on things like why the Lincoln Tunnel was built (aliens wanting a secret passage into Manhattan), or what would happen if the Statue of Liberty was alive.  Okay, so my imagination isn’t as creative as the author of “Titanic 2012”.

It occurred to me as I was reading that people do this kind of thing all the time when it comes to the events surrounding the life and death of Jesus as recorded in the Bible.  They prefer the alternate story.  Like the one where the disciples stole Jesus’ body.  Or the one where Jesus, a mere man, managed to self fulfill all those prophecies about his death written in the Old Testament – like none of his bones would be broken, or that he was laid in a borrowed tomb, or that the soldiers would cast lots for his garments.  Somehow these alternates seem more plausible.

I’m always amazed at how many people will read the writings of Buddha, or the Dalai Lama, or Zen masters, but will refuse to read the Bible to examine the story for themselves.  They will adamantly affirm that they don’t believe it, but when you ask, they usually haven’t read it either.

Why is that?  Because to believe what the Bible records requires a choice, a choice many don’t really want to make.  If they read it, they will need to decide whether they will believe it and deciding to believe it will require a change.  Better not to read it at all and adhere to the alternatives, even when the alternatives can be as ridiculous as alien invasions.

If you’ve NEVER read the New Testament because you’re convinced it can’t possibly be true, maybe it’s time to stop believing in unchallenged “alien” alternatives and read it for yourself.  I DARE YOU!

 

LORD, WHAT ABOUT HIM?

John 21:18-23

Jesus, in another post-resurrection appearance, the last the Apostle John records, is having a conversation with Peter.  He gives Peter a glimpse of his future when He says:

“I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”

The text goes on to say: 

“Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.  Then he said to him, ‘Follow me’.”

At that point Peter turned around to see John following them.  Looking at John, Peter asked Jesus:

“Lord, what about him?”

Jesus replied:

“If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? 

You must follow me.”

Now, when I read that, I think Peter is wondering what kind of future is in store for John – not necessarily because he’s not so happy with the death Jesus has described for him – but because he’s wondering what’s in store for this beloved brother in the Lord.

I’m wondering whether you ever think the way I do.  I’ve gone through some pretty tough things in my life, things I would rather have avoided.  Many times, even today, I have asked God why.  I confess that I have looked at the lives of other Christians I know who seem to have been blessed with every good thing – no tragedy, no apparent hardship, all their adult children walking with the Lord – and I have pangs of envy and confusion, during which I ask, “Why them and NOT me?”

I don’t question why the Lord has worked in the way He has in their lives – I’m glad He has, I’m just confused about why He didn’t work that way in mine.  Maybe you feel that way too.

So I was chastened today by this passage, and encouraged as well.  

Here are some things I took away from it:

Looking at the lives of others and wondering why God has worked in a certain way in theirs but not in mine, can distract ME from following Jesus.

• Every time I do this myself I’m effectively saying, “Lord, I think you’ve treated me unfairly.”  That kind of thinking can make me bitter and resentful and it can bring my walk with Jesus to a screeching halt!  

Following Jesus requires a personal commitment.  

• Peter had to determine that he was going to follow Jesus no matter what was in store for him, or what was in store for John.  John had to do the same, and so do you and I.  
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• How Jesus is or isn’t at work in the life of another person can’t be used as an excuse for not following Him myself. 
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• Jesus is saying the same thing to you and me as He said to Peter – “Never mind about that other person.  YOU follow me!”

God’s desire for our life, and even for our death, is that we bring Him glory. 

• I don’t know why I have never been as struck by it before but today it leaped out at me.  John says that Jesus’ words about Peter being carried where he didn’t want to go were an indication of the kind of death “by which he would glorify God”.

• Each of these men had a God given ministry while they lived.  Peter led the church in Jerusalem and wrote books which would be included in the canon of Scripture.  
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• John was also a leader in the church, wrote the Gospel and several New Testament letters that bear his name, and the book of Revelation, written while exiled on the isle of Patmos.  Each one brought God glory with his life.  Every time we read their words today and observe their lives and testimonies in God’s Word and are impacted by them, God continues to be glorified.

• And each one glorified God in his death.  John, the longest living disciple, lived out most of the last years of his life in exile, and died a peaceful death in Ephesus.  Peter, as history and church tradition record it, was crucified, but upside down, out of reverence for his Lord.

The Lord is at work in the lives of all His saints – those whose lives have been relatively trouble free and those whose lives have not.  

The question I need to ask myself when I’m comparing my life with the life of another saint is not, “Why or why not?”, but “HOW.  How can I bring you glory in this, Lord?”

Asking why, or why not, fixes my eyes firmly on THEM.  Asking HOW fixes my eyes on Jesus.

Oswald Chambers in his book, “My Utmost for His Highest”, says this under the reading for today, November 7:

“The circumstances of a saint’s life are ordained of God.  In the life of a saint there is no such thing as chance.”

The life that the Lord gives to you and to me is His gift.  We can surely make a mess of it because of our sinful nature and choices and the resultant consequences.  

But even when we do, our reaction to His choice is all important, and we need to ask:   

 How will I glorify God in this?

Am I going to fix my eyes on the seeming smoothness of some other saint’s life, comparing it always with my own and asking why or why not me?  Or am I going to choose to shift my gaze from them to Jesus, seeing the circumstances ordained for me as an opportunity to bring Him glory?  

When difficulties arise in my life, am I going to continually look at others and ask: “What about them?”, or am I going to say, “Never mind about them.  I need to follow Jesus?"   How willing am I to bring glory to Jesus even when He leads in places I don’t really want to go?

How do I want to face death?  As ONLY the avenue by which I will be translated to glory, or also as the MEANS by which I might glorify God with the last opportunity He gives me in this life to do so? 

STOP DOUBTING AND BELIEVE!

John 20:24-31

It’s a week after the resurrection of Jesus.  One of his first post resurrection appearances came just the week before when he revealed himself to his disciples in the room in which they were staying.  Thomas was the only one not present on that day.

When Thomas arrived and the disciples told him they had seen the Lord, skeptical Thomas said: 

“Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”

Now here they are again, the disciples, including Thomas, are in that same room.  The text says: 

“Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said,  “Peace be with you.”

When Jesus first appeared to his disciples a week earlier, He greeted them in the very same way – that time they were also hiding behind locked doors for fear of the Jews.  But it wasn’t only fear that gripped them.  Undoubtedly there was still grief over the loss of Jesus, and now confusion as well as they pondered Mary’s assertion that she had see the risen Lord.

You know that’s always the way it is when Jesus enters the picture – His entrance brings peace.  Are you trying to go it alone with your fear, or loss, or loneliness, or confusion?  Invite Jesus in – into your life, into your situation, into your confusion – His entrance brings peace; His Words bring comfort.  We can imagine all the emotions of that few days draining from his disciples as Jesus appears and speaks peace.  Now to bring peace into Thomas’ confusion as well.

To Thomas Jesus said:

“Put your finger here, see my hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into my side.  Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas responded:

“My Lord and my God!”

Then Jesus told him:

“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The chapter closes with this:

“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

A number of things struck me as I read this passage.  None are especially profound, but all are wonderful.

The first is that Jesus knew what Thomas said even though He hadn’t been there when Thomas spoke his doubting words.  So when he entered the room, he just held out his hands and invited Thomas to touch them and see for himself the proof of his resurrection.  

I love that.  Does that mean that Jesus knows MY doubts too, even when I only think them?  Even if I express them to friends, but never to him directly?  Yes, I believe it does.  

Does Jesus’ encounter with Thomas mean that he can handle my doubts without shaming me for them?  Yes, I believe it does.  

I think he would say the same thing to us he says to Thomas, “Stop doubting, just believe.”   

There are things you and I just don’t understand – about God, about circumstances, about lots of things.  We can ask the Lord to give us understanding and in some cases He can, and will.  But there are other things we’ll never understand this side of heaven.  For those, we’ll just have to trust – in His goodness and trustworthiness and justice.  Along with Abraham we’re just going to have to believe that the judge of all the earth WILL do what’s right.  Because that’s who He is.

I love it that Jesus graciously gave Thomas the proof he wanted and apparently needed.  He said in effect:  “Here Thomas.  Look at my hands.  There’s the proof you’re looking for!  It IS me!”

What doubts do you harbor about Jesus?  Are you having trouble accepting for yourself what your Christian friends say about him?  Maybe you think He’s simply a good man, a great teacher, the most loving person you’ve heard of, but you’re having trouble believing that He is who He says He is – the Savior, the Son of God.

What John says at the end of his gospel is for doubters just like you.  He says:

“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

In John 21, verse 25, John also says:

“Jesus did many others things as well.  If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”

What John wrote about Jesus was not inclusive of all Jesus did, but it’s all anyone really needs to believe.  Under the editing of the Holy Spirit, John says, the things that were written were written with a purpose, “That you may believe that Jesus is the Christ and that by believing, you might have life in His name.”

If you need proof that Jesus is who He says He is, John says, you have everything you need in his gospel to believe.  God Himself has seen to that because He wants you to believe in His Son.  Why?

·        So that you might have life in His name.  

·        Life. 

·        Life without guilt or shame – a sins forgiven life

·        Life to the full in the here and now. 

·        Life changing life!  Life with purpose. 

·        Life eternal – forever life in relationship with the God who made the universe and the Son whom He loves

Thomas had to SEE to believe that Jesus was alive.

But faith doesn’t work that way.  Faith is BELIEVING first, and then seeing.

“Stop doubting, just believe”, Jesus says to Thomas, and to you.  

You will never have all your doubts dispelled before you put your faith in Jesus, but when you do, you’ll be surprised at how many things will become clear.  

Thomas needed to SEE to believe, but Jesus said to him:

“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Still have doubts?  Read John’s gospel.  In it, God has given you all the proof you’ll need to believe.  You just need to stop doubting.

HURRICANE SANDY IS ALL MY FAULT!

It’s kind of a standing joke between my husband and me.  If something goes wrong in the house, or with our kids, with appliances even, and I question it, he says, “Well, I don’t know what’s wrong, but I’m SURE it’s your fault!”.  He knows me!

I have a very sensitive conscience that slips easily into guilt. It doesn’t take a lot to make me feel badly about something and it’s not uncommon for me to say, “I wonder if that (what I said, or didn’t say, or what I did, or didn’t do) was my fault.”  Hence, the standing joke.

I freely admit I’m probably not really responsible for some of the things I’m perfectly willing to own.  However, just so you know, there are plenty of things I AM responsible for that I’d rather NOT own!  But, I think what happened this week was definitely MY fault!

A week ago today we got hit with what the media was calling a ”Frankenstorm” since it hit us just two days before Halloween.  And a Frankenstorm it was!  It was a perfect storm, converging three weather patterns over a area of 900 miles, and it wrought terrible destruction.  The Jersey shore, our state’s pride and joy, was, as the governor described it, “unrecognizable”.  

 One family we’ve heard about has a summer house there and they were told they would not be able to live in it for 2 years because the town’s infrastructure was wiped out.  Locally, when it was safe, my husband and I took a walk to find many downed trees and power lines and lots of people and businesses without power.  

For the last week we’ve been living without power – no heat, no electricity, all our food spoiled.  It hasn’t been bad at all really.  We’ve kind of looked at it as an adventure of sorts.  And so many are in worse straits.  Apart from losing power, all we had was a downed tree which thankfully fell across the yard and not on the house.  

So why am I taking personal responsibility for this massive storm over which I had absolutely NO control?  Because of the lesson in it that I needed to learn.  

The Lord has gifted me with a personality that enjoys its space.  I enjoy people, but being with people non-stop is exhausting for me.  Every now and then I crave solitude to recharge my batteries. I entered the fall with a full plate of ministry responsibilities – weekly teaching assignments, a video series to facilitate, work with youth.  I love doing ministry and know that the Lord has called me to teach, but I was feeling a bit overwhelmed.  When I did have some quiet time, my brain preferred to veg out – on big doses of TV, and solitaire on my computer.  

Being busy and feeling overwhelmed created my own “perfect storm”.   Winds of busyness and stress took me further and further from the peaceful and safe refuge of time with the Lord.  Intellectually and spiritually, I KNOW that this is a recipe for disaster.  I’ve been there before.  Lack of connection with the Lord through the reading of His Word and in prayer, will lead to powerless teaching and lack of ability to hear Him when He desires to speak to me.  I saw it coming, but it took a Frankenstorm to get my attention. 

For the last week, without TV or internet connection to distract me, without ministry responsibilities to prepare for, I have spent some wonderful time with the Lord and regained my bearings.  

And guess what, He still speaks to me, so long as I take the time to listen.  His power is back as well!  

So, I thank you Lord:

·        For Frankenstorms that focus me back on you
·        For the lack of TV and internet to distract me from you
·        For the blessedness of knowing that YOUR power source is always available –  I just need to plug in!
·        For reminding me that YOU are the source of life and joy – no storm, no lack   of creature comforts can EVER take that away
·        For speaking “peace” in the midst of our storm – with your words, your presence, your comfort, your reminder that spiritual things are infinitely more important than temporal.

Thank you for your faithfulness to keep this particular promise:  

“For we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28