WHERE WE'VE BEEN, WHERE WE'RE GOING

When the holidays hit we tend to get a little sentimental. I usually think about the generations who have preceded us, especially my late father and grandfather. In commenting on modern society someone said, "My grandfather had a farm, my dad had a garden, and I've got a can-opener!" That's a perfect description of my roots.

Sometimes I wonder how just much we have lost through the generations in the name of progress. Don't get me wrong, I'm really grateful for the high-speed, two-horsepower can-opener on our kitchen counter. That thing could cut through the safe door at Fort Knox! But the canned green beans and corn from Kroger are a far cry from the fresh veggies my grandparents used to grow.

Most concerning of all is what our culture seems to be losing in character. Every day in America we lose thousands of the relatively few remaing veterans of World War 2. Those men and women are well into their 80's and beyond now. When they have all passed, our nation will have buried one of her greatest generations, if not the greatest. That generation was defined by its self-sacrfice and strength of character. The kind of "self-denial" that Jesus calls His followers to seemed more prevalent in that day, than the rampant "self-promotion" of our day.

I hear young people today speak of their desire for "fame" like it's an entitlement. Perhaps it's the result of web networks like Facebook, Twitter, Blogs like this, and even YouTube that broadcast who we are to the world. Maybe it's the result of American Idol and all of those "reality" TV shows. However we got there, our culture's desire for "fame" is there in a big way.

This contrasts with the heroes of generations past. When my grandfather passed away in 2008, we found out that he had been awarded the Bronze Star for uncommon valor during the second World War. He had never before spoken of it, not even to his wife of over 60 years! That story is fairly common among war heroes, particularly from generations past.

I'm not trying to say that "fame-seeking" is necessarily a bad thing, or that hiding acts of heroism is necessarily a good thing. It's just a general observation that captures a contrast between our culture compared to that of those who've gone before us.

Rather than just being sentimental during the holidays this year and missing my fore-fathers, maybe I can try to incorporate a few of their quickly "fading" character traits into my life. Maybe I'll even start a garden.

ONE MONTH TO LIVE?

The new teaching series we're diving into during October called "One Month to Live" really settled in with me last week. I was teaching for a spiritual renewal week at a church near Richmond, VA. The pastor there, Bill Wines, took me on a tour of two incredibly historical sites. One was the Hollywood Cemetary in which three Presidents and hundreds of Civil War casualties are buried. The other was the site of the Battle of Cold Harbor in which tens of thousands of young men died as the South defended Richmond against the Union army's advance.

Strolling through such a historical cemetary reminded me that we are all "terminal." But it was seeing the trenches dug by Confederate soldiers on the battle field at Cold Harbor that really brought this reality home to me. The trenches in which young men fought and dead are still there! You could almost hear the bullets, smell the cannon smoke, and see the bodies of dead soldiers. It was a sobering moment to gaze upon those trenches, dug by young soldier's hands. For many, they were digging their own graves.

The Psalmist writes, "You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath" (Psalm 39:5).

I'm not tyring to to be a downer, but it's important for us to grasp the reality of our own mortality. Why? Because when we realize that fact that we are terminal -- last time I checked the death rate for humans is one out of one, a full 100% -- it makes a difference in the way we live!

Tim McGraw sings a song called, "Live Like You Were Dying." It tells the story of a man in his 40's who is diagnosed with a terminal illness. When a friend asks him how he responded to that news the man says, "I went skydiving, I went rocky mountain climbing, I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu. And I loved deeper. And I spoke sweeter. And I gave forgiveness I'd been denyin'," and he said, "Some day I hope you get the chance, to live like you were dyin'."

What difference would it make in your life today if you knew you had only one month to live? What would you do? Who would you see? What would you make right in your life? This life is brief. But God is clear that there's an eternity to come and where we spend it will be determined by how we spend this life.

I'm ready to live like I was dying...how about you?

FLASHBACKS

I've been flashing back 14 or 15 years this week.

As our high school senior and 8th grade kids head off to school each morning, it's been fun to hear our 3-year-old whine about wanting to go to church...literally, every day! It may sound wierd to get joy out of hearing your toddler tearfully beg to go church. But it took me took to when our older kids used to do the very same thing as toddlers. Honestly, I'm really glad that ritual is continuing in the lives of our kids!

Why would a little kid cry to go church every morning, anyway? What makes that so awesome is because they see it as a FUN place! They know they will feel LOVE there and maybe even see a FRIEND there. They intuitionally know it's a safe place to get interact with other people. And while our toddler is still too young to really connect with FAITH, I think that she senses the presence of her Creator and God in that place.

It's amazing what our kids can teach us isn't it?

I wish more adults felt the way our toddlers feel about gathering with the church, I really do. But honestly, sometimes going to a worship gathering can feel just the opposite to adults - boring, judgmental, lots of strangers, and a little scary.

The answer is probably not pulling out the "play dough" for adults -- but working hard to keep our gatherings creative, celebratory, genuine, and "real" definitely helps. Rather than crayons, we need to keep serving the coffee...and lots of it!

Psalm 100: 4-5 expresses the joy God wants us to experience when we gather with His people for worship. "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."

DEEP WATER

Jesus climbed into Simon Peter's boat and said, "Put out into deep water." This would end up being the exact day and occasion that Jesus would call Peter to follow Him as a disciple (Luke 5:4-11). You talk about deep water! Peter thought he was simply hitting the deep for another fishing excursion, but he would leave his boat that day as a "fisher of men."

I've been thinking about Jesus' phrase, "Put out into deep water." It became real last week as I kayaked through the breath-taking San Juan Islands in Puget Sound with a few good friends. One of the things that drew us there was the possibility of paddling with the orcas that reside in these waters off the coast of Washington state and Canada. The deep channels of the Sound provide a perfect habit for killer whales.

The closest we came to the orcas, while in our kayaks, was about two miles. They swam by at 10 knots, closely followed by a procession of high speed whale-watching boats. Not quite the death-defying encounter we had imagined. It was an adventure trying to spot them through our binoculars, though!

To kayak with orcas on that day would have required paddling into deep (very deep) water. But niether the conditions of the channel nor our timing would allow it. Deep water is risky. Deep water can be dangerous. But deep water is usually where the "orcas" are.

Even though Simon Peter was skeptical, having fished the entire night before with no luck, he listened to Jesus and set sail for deep water to let down his nets. He raked in so many fish that his nets began to break and his boat nearly sunk under their weight. The Bible says he was "astonished" by Jesus' power. Peter's life and mission in life changed from that very moment on. But it would never have happened if had he not put out into deep water.

Before leaving the San Juans we had our close encounter with killer whales. After a long day of paddling we set up camp on an island with a lighthouse. The problem was that the lighthouse was on the other side, a 5-mile hike away. We weren't sure it was worth it...until we heard the orcas may pass. We hit the trail. Half-way we met a couple on their way back from the lighthouse. They informed us that the orcas had already passed and we'd missed them! But we decided to press on, to put out into deep water, so to speak. The result? Beholding 27 orcas swim past our perfect perch on the bluff just a few yards away! Bulls slapped their tails and fins. Mothers and calves emerged and dove in unison. The spray bursting from their blowholes was so loud you could feel it.

Question. Is Jesus asking you to put out into deep water? Where is God calling you to take a risk in life, in faith, in relationship, in vocation, in obedience? You may feel a little skeptical about it. You'll certainly have to press through disappointment and discouragement to get there. But life's greatest experiences usually take place in deep water!

CARMEN'S PICTURE

While deep in the Peruvian Andes last week our medical missions team experienced the majestic handiwork of God. We slept at about 11,000 feet in the mountain town of San Marcos, but made daily trips to villages as high as 14,000 feet. The mountainous terrain, complete with snow capped peaks and glaciers, was awesome to behold.

The most beautiful work of God, however, was seen in the faces of the precious Peruvians we were there to serve. Most of these dear people are of direct Inca descent and have inhabited the Andes for millennium. Although many live in significant poverty, it is stunning to witness their ability to raise crops on the sides of steep mountains through the ancient practice of terraced farming. These little lots dot the mountain sides like postage stamps with soft colors of yellow, green, and light brown.

Carmen is a little girl that lives in the local orphanage in San Marcos. She is probably nine or ten years old, but because of the language barrier, I know little of her story. What I do know is Carmen did something that has forever changed my view of short-term mission journeys.

Our team had visited this orphanage one year earlier. We played games, gave gifts, replaced around 50 mattresses, and took lots of pictures of the children. I lost my camera on that trip and all my pictures with it. Which makes what Carmen did last week even more incredible. She walked up to me and pulled what looked like an old frayed piece of paper from her pocket. It was folded in quarters. As she opened it, the picture inside was revealed. Unbelievably it was a picture someone had taken the year before of this sweet child sitting on a bench next to me. She had kept it with her for an entire year!

The tears flowed. I swept her up and gave her a big hug, then walked her to several other team members to show them the picture. They all cried too (which made me feel a little less wimpy).

The little time we spent with Carmen meant enough to her to hang on to a picture for over a year! She said it was her way of "remembering" us. Sometimes it feels like spending a week or two in some foreign land, fighting cultural and linguistic barriers, in an attempt to take Christ's love to people is low impact at best. Honestly, what difference can a few days make to someone who is in desperate need? Carmen proved to me that this investment of time and energy does make a difference! Jesus can indeed work through us to touch hearts and lives like Carmen's!

Every day Carmen wakes up she sees the awsome peaks of the Andes Mountains surrounding San Marcos. I'm not sure how the natural beauty of those mountains impact her. But now I know that the beauty of Christ goes beyond the mountains of that place and even beyond the dear faces of that place. At least one little girl saw the beauty of Christ in the faces of a few Gringos who loved her and her fellow orphans enough to go to that place and share God's love with them.

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!

Romans 10:14b

THE QUARRY YOU CAME FROM

"Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry

from which you were hewn..." (Isaiah 51:1)

This week I'm preaching for a "Revival" at a great little country church in Corinth, KY called Antioch Church of Christ. A cemetery surrounds the small brick church building which stretches all the way back to the early 1800's. My dad, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-great grandfather are all buried there. One day I'll be buried there as well.

It's meaningful at a deeply personal level to stand among the dear people at Antioch, encompassed by such hallowed ground, and preach the gospel of Christ. It's even emotional at times. It certainly takes me to that passage in Isaiah in which God says, "Look to the roch from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn."

Have you touched your "roots" lately? There's something about "looking to the rock from which you were cut" that is intensely challenging. It can be humbling and inspiring, sobering and stimulating all at the same time.

God had a reason for telling His people in Israel to do this. He wanted them to look back to their forefather Abraham and remember that though he had a humble beginning, God ultimately blessed him greatly. Isaiah 51:2 says, "look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was but one, and I blessed him and made him many."

The Lord wanted the remnant in Israel to be reminded that even though they felt small and alone, that God could bless them if they stayed faithful to Him. When I look back to the "quarry from which I was hewn" it certainly reminds me of God's faithfulness through hard, lean, troublesome times. How about you?

The "rock" I'm cut from is made up of a lot of farmers and soldiers. So when I look back to my "quarry" it reminds me of Paul's challenge to Timothy to serve Christ like a "good soldier" and a "hardworking farmer" (2 Tim. 2:3-7).

So, this week what encouragement and insight can you take away from looking back to the rock from which you were cut and the quarry from which you were hewn?

GOD & GOVERNMENT

As we celebrate America's 234th birthday this weekend, let's remember to give God thanks for His provision of the land, resources, and freedom we enjoy. Freedom does not come free, it has cost many thousands of brave men and women their lives. Thank a defender of freedom this weekend, whether they serve on the battle field or in government, in city halls or in voting booths, or do battle on their knees in prayer.

Franklin D. Roosevelt offered a prayer on a national radio on June 6, 1944, as our troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, France. He prayed, "Almighty God... with Thy blessing we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogance. Lead us to the saving of our country. Thy will be done, Almighty God. Amen."

May God once again lead us to the "saving of our country." Our primary enemy is the notion that "separation of church and state" (whatever you may think of this statement found not in the Constitution but in a letter from Thomas Jefferson) means "seperation of God and government." The downfall of mankind (and government) will come whenever we choose not to "think it worthwhile to retain God in our knowledge." (Romans 1:28).

Whatever one may believe about the interpretation of Jefferson's statement about the "separation of church and state" no one can argue with the overwhelming evidence that neither our founding fathers wanted to remove the reverence and awe of God from our government. Even presidents from the last century communicated this unequivocally.

President Gerald Ford once quoted a 1955 speech by Dwight D. Eisenhower which articulates the belief of our founding fathers: "Without God there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first - the most basic - expression of Americanism. Thus the founding fathers of America saw it, and thus with God’s help, it will continue to be." And Ronald Reagan captured this reality by saying, "If we ever forget that we are ’One nation, under God’, then we will be one nation gone under."

May Almighty God always be the Primary Influencer on every government leader's heart! And may the followers of Christ pray fervently for their leaders, their nation, and the work of Christ to permeate this world!

PRAYER WALKERS

I'm really excited about First Church's PRAYER WALK throughout the Tri-State tomorrow (Sunday)! We will gather at the church campus at 4pm, then hit the streets, gathering beneath the famous "Florence Ya'll" water tower in the Mall parking lot at 5:45pm for a closing prayer.

We'll have prayer teams walking through shopping malls and casinos asking God to show people what matters most in life. Some prayer teams will walk around government centers to pray for our leaders, for those in our jails, and for people bound by addictions. Others will walk around schools to pray for teachers and students. There are teams that will walk through hospitals praying for the sick and local parks praying for families. We even have prayer teams that will walk the city streets praying for people in need.

The cool thing is that no one esle will know what we're up to! Prayer walking is a type of intercession for others in which we pray silently to God on behalf of those around us. Since you are on location, your prayers are intensified as you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch the needs you are there to pray about. It's the heart of what the great prayer warrior E.M. Bounds talked about when he said, "Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still."

We don’t want this to be a one-and-done thing. We hope people will make Prayer-Walking a regular part of their week. Every time I go for a run, I pray for people I know that are sick or who need Jesus in the neighborhoods I pass. You can do that! When you are walking, running, shopping, working, even when you are driving! If we had more “Drive By Prayers" we might have fewer "Drive By Shootings!”

Would you commit to cover your community in prayer as you walk, run, drive and fly throughout the course of your weeks? I believe this is of one of God’s elite special forces – the Prayer-Walkers! These men and women are literally covering the whole earth in prayer.

Ready, Set, Walk! And change your world through prayer!

TURN or BURN

I've heard of the POWER TEAM for years, but until we hosted the team this week have never seen them in action. These guys are huge and come from various athletic backgrounds. Their feats of strength are fun to watch and they're great at putting on a show.

The thing I've been most pleased with the positive message and influence these guys carry to students through school assemblies. This week around 15,000 students in our community have not only been entertained by the strength of these men in their school assemblies, but have also been challenged to make the best choices...to stay away from drugs, alcohol, junk food and cheating. To choose respect, abstinence, hard work and study. I've been amazed at how the team communicates and connects in different ways with elementary, middle and high school students. They really shine in these settings.

The same day the Power Team was at my daughter's High School a news story broke about one of that school's students who had been found dead outside her mother's apartment several weeks prior. The news confirmed that this high school junior was legally drunk when she died due to hypothermia. Can there be any doubt how desperately our kids need to hear the challenge the Power Team is giving?

Another thing that has blown me away has been Power Team President Todd Keene's message each evening. It's real, even raw at times, but right on when it comes choosing Jesus. It's sort of the "Turn or Burn" style of preaching. And, wow, has it been effective. Over 300 people have made professions of faith in just three nights.

I did a little study of the Gospel of Mark this morning and found that Mark only documents Jesus using the "Turn or Burn" style once - Mark 9:42-48. The Power Team has a unique way of gaining people's interest and opening hearts and minds to hear a message like this. They can say it in a way that wouldn't work for those of us preaching from week to week. And, I'm glad they're doing it. It's an important part of the overall effort of Christ's church to reach a culture that is increasingly turning it's back on God.

The Power Team is bringing more power to our community this week than what it takes to bust blocks, rip phone books, lift telephone poles, and break out of handcuffs...they are bringing the power of Jesus Christ to make an eternal difference in our lives!

POST-EASTER SOUNDS OF LIFE

The Sounds of the Passion series we wrapped up yesterday made me in think about nuances of Christ's last week that I've never really considered before. In that series we tuned into sounds like:

The Sound of My Failure: The Clanging of Coins on the stone floor of the Temple as Judas returns the 30 pieces of silver he'd been paid to betray Jesus (Judas' failure), and the Rooster's Crow as Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, just as Jesus predicted he would before the cock crowed (Peter's failure).

The Sound of God's Love: The Crack of the Whip that lacerated our Lord's back, the Thud of the Hamer that drove the nails through His hands and feet, the Tearing of the Temple Veil symbolizing God's love bursting out upon humanity. All the sounds of the agony that Jesus went through on the cross remind us that everything He endured there He did because of His love for us.

The Sound of Life: The Rolling of the Stone from Christ's tomb which demonstrated Christ had conquered the grave through His resurrection and the Sound of My Name which is exemplified as the Risen Lord calls Mary Magdalene's name just after rising from the dead.

I've been thinking of all of these sounds, and many more that the Gospels allude to, in a very "micro" kind of way. But today, as we begin the week after Easter, I began to think of those sounds at a higher level, a more "macro" perspective.

The sounds of Christ's last week preceding Easter are sounds that point to sorrow, the sin for which He died, anxiety, the agony Jesus endured at the cross. But the sounds AFTER the resurrection are sounds of joy, restoration, relief, and life!

The week before Easter we call Holy Week, but the week after Easter is holy as well. Because this week we celebrate that all the sounds of Christ's passion before His resurrection lead us to all the sounds of praise afterward!

This week enjoy the SOUNDS OF LIFE! Because Jesus has risen, every sound we hear points to the reality that there is abundant life for His followers here, and eternal life to come!

THE WAY OF THE CROSS

A couple of years ago, while on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, I walked the "Way of the Cross" via the streets of Jerusalem. It's the likely path Jesus took on that first GOOD FRIDAY as He made His way to be crucified. As I re-read my journal entry from that day the memories flooded back.

Today that sacred path is lined with the hard, wall-to-wall stone roads of Jerusalem. The streets are tight and lined with shops; a few churches and apartments along the way. It's no small feat to maintain your focus with all the distractions around you. Rather than trying to ignore all the activity, I decided to embrace it.

I wondered if what I was seeing and hearing was anything like Jesus would have seen and heard. After all, it was early in the morning on that Friday, people would have been beginning their day in busy preparation for the Passover. On the way to the place of crucifixion, this is what I witnessed:

Children playing soccer in the streets. Their soccer ball was well-worn, their faces were tinged with dust, their black hair dishoveled, but their laughter contagious. Did Jesus walk past children playing, laughing, oblivious to the sacrifice He was making for them?

Shop-keepers calling for us to check out their wares. Some were persistent, one even angry as I walked by trying to remain prayerful in spirit. The shops must have been bustling on that Friday as Jesus carried our cross. Retailers interested in making a buck on the Passover, as He makes His way to pay the price for their sin.

Armed Israeli soldiers standing guard. They added to the tension one feels in Jerusalem due to the discord between Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Did tension fill the air as Jesus walked this way? Roman soldiers bearing swords, militant Hebrews plotting rebellion, His own followers...they all pressed around Jesus as He walked the path. How did the tension of Roman swords, lust for religious control, and women weeping affect Him? Could the never-ceasing tension in Jerusalem have made His cross that much heavier?

Masses crowding the streets, mainly tourists. It must have been crowded in Jerusalem as Jesus made His way to die. People from far and wide had come for the holy days. As Jesus carried the cross through the crowds, were they simply crowds to Him, or were they individual faces and names for whom He was about to die?

The thing that amazed me as I completed the "Way of the Cross" was how Jesus kept His focus. As children played, shop-keepers bartered, soldiers patrolled, and the masses moved through the streets, Jesus maintained focus on His mission. So much so that He could pray as He finally arrived at the place of crucifixion, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." He was not distracted, but determined to finish what He came to do...to save us from sin!

"Lord Jesus, on this Friday I praise You for that Friday on which you suffered step by step along the sacred way to Your crucifixion...all for my sin and the sin of the world!"

"Palm Sunday" rings a bell for most people, and everyone has heard of "Easter Sunday." These two Sundays are the bookends of what is called "Holy Week" in the Christian calendar. Holy Week celebrates the last week of Jesus' life, which begins with Him entering Jerusalem to the praise of people waving palm branches and concludes with His resurrection from the grave.

Tucked between these two Sundays are a couple other days on the calendar that may sound familiar - "Maundy Thursday" (Jesus' last supper) and "Good Friday" (Jesus' crucifixion).

Right in the middle of Holy Week is "Spy Wednesday." Ever heard of it? Probably not. It's called "Spy Wednesday" because this is the day that Judas agrees to betray Jesus and hand Him over to be killed. This is a sad day.

Judas gets ticked off because a woman annoints Jesus with expensive perfume. He wanted to sell the perfume and put the money in the treasury, which he often helped himself to. But, Jesus scolded him and pointed out that this woman was preparing His body for burial...He knew what was coming. Jesus went on to say that wherever the gospel is preached that this lady's story would be told in her memory. That was more than Judas could handle, so he left and went to the chief priests asking what they would give him if he handed Jesus over to them. They agreed on 30 pieces of silver for the life of the Son of God.

That's why today is called "Spy Wednesday." Judas turns into a double agent and becomes a spy for the enemies of Christ. The thing is, Jesus knew it all along. Judas wasn't really hiding anything...how can you hide from the all-seeing eye of God? The next day, Maundy Thursday, as they shared in Jesus' last supper, the Lord would point out that His betrayer was at the table and tell Judas to go on do what he had in his heart to do...and Judas did, betraying Jesus with a kiss.

Judas was one of Jesus' twelve closest friends, he was an apostle of Christ. Just after Judas left to betray Him, Jesus says something that must have broken His heart, "Greater love has no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Judas was the exact opposite. He was a traitor, the kind of friend who takes what he can and then splits leaving you for dead.

It was in the middle of all the emotion of what it feels like to be betrayed by a friend, that Jesus points out the nature of real love for your friends...willingness to sacrifice for them, even to die for them. That is the kind of Friend that Jesus is. Even though we betray Him at times, He never turns His back on us. Even though we tend to focus on ourselves, Jesus doesn't have a selfish bone in His body. He sets the mark regarding what real friendship is all about.

Wow! I'm so thankful to know today, on "Spy Wednesday," that I have a Friend who will never sell me out. Quite the opposite He is the one who is sold out on our friendship...so much so, that He died to save me.

A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME...

Sometimes we think of "worry" as an acceptable sin. After all, if we are worried about something it just means we care deeply about that thing, right? But Jesus sheds a different light on worry. He said, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (Matthew 6:27).

When you think about it, what good comes from worrying? All it does is work us up emotionally or tear us down spiritually. Worry either paralyzes us with inaction or leads to unhelpful reactions. But faith leads to proactive action. All of this is "self-talk" because I can worry with the best of them!

This week I was driving away from a hospital feeling racked with worry. I was focused on all the potential downsides for the person I'd gone to see. Then...no kidding...as I was talking out loud to God about all this person was facing, a little bird fell out of the sky to the road right in front of me! It was almost comical to see this dead bird, about the size of a sparrow, falling motionless and upside down from the sky above. It was like God dropped a fake bird from Heaven right in front of me with impeccable timing.

The words of Jesus about worry took wing in my heart. "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Matthew 6:26-27).

Ben Franklin's reference to Jesus' words in 1787 when he called for prayer during the Constitional Convention, also jumped to mind and put this experience in context for me. He said, "The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth- that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?"

The sparrow-sized bird that fell to the ground in front of my car this week was a great reminder that God still governs in our affairs. He provides all that we need. The person I was worried about is more valuable to God than I could ever imagine! He will take care of her. He will take care of you!

Today I'm going to do with worry what the Apostle Peter encourages us to do with it - "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). I feel bad for that little bird, but I'm really glad it had a dying message for my life.

REFUGE!

When the poor, who are already tremendously vulnerable, experience a natural disaster on the scale of the earthquake in Haiti, it's hard to imagine how these precious people survive.

God's grace and the immediate response of His church, caring benevolent organizations, and compassionate nations like the U.S. certainly offer hope. And these take nothing away from the will to survive and strength of spirit that the Haitian people possess. They've survived so much devastation through the years, much of it man-made by his lust for power and his greed.

May God dispatch all the power of Heaven to Haiti to bring hope and healing, provision and peace, renewed strength and faith to all those who are suffering. I wonder in His dispatching the power of Heaven how God will dispatch His church to these people in need.

Already, many believers from the U.S. are on the ground. Wow, as hard as this must be for them, can you image what a high honor this is - God chose them to be there to represent His love to Haitians during such a crisis as this!

I wonder how it will affect others who've been preparing to serve in Haiti. Our high school students at First Church have been planning a mission trip to serve Haiti this April. Will they be able to go? All we know for now is that God wants us to pray, give, and serve those in need now...however we can.

The Psalm that hit me this week regarding the earthquake in Haiti, also captures God's power and promise to rescue those who love Him. It's a reminder this HE is our refuge and the Haitian refuge in ever-present trouble.

Psalm 42:1-3: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

The Mother of All Terrorists

One unexpected result of the foiled Christmas Day bombing attack for me was genuinely missing Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff! I mean, does our current Homeland Security Director, Janet Napolitano, instill more or less confidence in you regarding the defense of American lives against acts of terror? She seems well "in over her head!" Niether her statements nor her image tend to project the kind of "security" one might expect from this post.

My point is not to blast our Homeland Security Director. My disappointment with her did catch me by surprise, but it led me to much deeper reflection on our "security." For those who follow Jesus Christ, today's Muslim extremist is just one in a long line of "terrorists" we've faced through the years. Some of our Christian brothers and sisters live in daily terror of their own state governments, which censor their persecution of the saints. Such "terrorists" have always been around, unknowingly taking their cues from the Master Terrorist.

The Bible describes the Mother of all Terrorists like this, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). That is the reality of our lives, fellow believers! We have an enemy who seeks to destroy us...on a daily basis. But rather than living in fear of this Terrorist, with all of his minions and ploys, how should we live?

God says we should live "self-controlled and alert" lives. There is no need to panic as we head into yet another year of war on terror. We keep our lives under control. The call to be alert would remain whether or not radical Muslim terrorists were out there. As believers we know that the most cunning Terrorist of all still exists, so we stay alert to his weapons and wiles. The hero on the Northwest flight to Detroit from Amsterdam was a man named Jasper Schuringa. When Jasper saw the terrorist setting fire to his explosive, he alertly responded and subdued him. That kind of keen awareness should characterize our lives as Christians.

Peter goes on to write in the following verse, "Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 5:9-11)

In 2010 we will undoubtedly face more acts of terror. But in Christ we are fit with courage to "resist" the enemy; with the joy that comes from real "faith;" with the love that compels us to support our "brothers throughout the world undergoing the same kind of suffering;" and with the hope of "eternal glory in Christ" that sustains us.

So, really, who needs Janet when you've got Jesus?