What’s Right With Our World?

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G.K. Chesterton, the prolific British author once posed the question, “what’s wrong with the world?” and left many stunned when he answered, “I am!”

In our day if you would ask that question on social media I would imagine very few would respond, “I am!” We live in an cultural climate where it is everyone else’s fault but our’s. We are quick to place judgement on the other person believing we have the truth and if only others would see it “my way” things would work out right.

But Chesterton is exactly right, the biggest problem in our world is you and me. Before we can judge others we must take a deep long look at our own heart and see it as the prophet Jeremiah diagnosed it:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” 17:9

This past week Patty and I attended a prayer event in our area led mainly by young people. The testimonies were moving as many of the teens struggled with mental health issues which led to substance abuse, destructive behavior, and even suicide attempts.

Their answer to their struggles was so encouraging, as they stated encountering a Savior who could heal their broken, sin stained heart was what brought hope. One of the students found Jesus through caring foster parents who poured out the unconditional love of Jesus upon him. Another student experienced forgiveness, healing, and the gift of God’s grace through a youth group he attended.

As I listened to these miracles I gazed up at the blue sky with puffy white clouds dancing about, I thought about how the wrongs of this world are made right. Perhaps it is when we come to see our own broken, sinful, heart condition for what it is,”desperately sick,” that a transformation can begin.

Understanding the issues deep within my heart points me to the One who has the power to heal with His perfect heart of love and forgiveness. Our loving Father sent His son Jesus to this world in order to break the power of my sinful heart and turn it right again. In Jesus’ very first sermon He preaches from Isaiah 61 declaring a new day has come where He is making all things right again:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed Me to be hope for the poor, healing for the brokenhearted, and new eyes for the blind, and to preach to prisoners, ‘you are free! I have come to share the message of Jubilee, for the time of God ‘s great acceptance has begun.” Lk. 4:18-19

What’s right with our world? I witnessed it again the other night, in those testimonies of King Jesus healing wounded hearts and making them whole by bringing young people into the Father’s Kingdom. I was reminded in that beautiful out door sanctuary how the Spirit of God is on the move and it will not be stopped until the whole world is filled with His glory.

 

 

 

 

 

Theo of Golden

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My genre of reading doesn’t include a lot of fiction novels. However, Patty received a New York Times Bestseller from our daughter-in-law which she couldn’t put down and she kept telling me, “you have to read this.” So one day when she was out I cracked open the book and for the next 6 days I was completely mesmerized.

Theo of Golden is not only a literary masterpiece which may go down as one of the most moving writings in our time, but it also shares a message  desperately needed in our chaotic culture. Here is a brief summary from the back cover of the book:

“A story of giving and receiving, of seeing and being seen. Theo of Golden is a beautifully crafted novel about the power of creative generosity, the importance of wonder to a purposeful life, and the invisible threads of kindness that bind us to one another.”

Both Patty and I were at a loss when we finished the book, but we found solace in the many hours of discussion and reflection on the Biblical themes flowing through it.

One of those themes which captivated me from the start was the prominence of rivers highlighted from the beginning to the end of the book.  It made me think of one of the greatest Biblical events in history, which the church will soon celebrate, Pentecost. At Pentecost the Holy Spirit was poured out like a mighty rushing river flooding the earth with the Father’s glorious life changing love.

Over and over again as I read Theo of Golden I was brought back to Ezekiel’s vision of water flowing from the Temple into a life changing river bringing life to parched souls:

“And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish…everything will live where the river goes…And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.” Ezekiel 47:9-12

As I pondered this amazing novel I thought about all the Theo’s in my life who played a part in the River of pointing me to the Father’s kindness, generosity and love. How today we need people whose hearts are rivers of His grace bringing them to eat from the TREE of Life, our healing Savior Jesus.

This thought provoking novel illustrates a beautiful portrait of what it is like to produce a fruitful life and flourish even in the midst of living in challenging circumstances. The vision given is both simple and profound and so needed in our world. I truly hope you will consider picking up a copy of this book and experience it’s timely and prophetic message.

 

 

 

One Night in a Bad Hotel

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Have you ever spent a night in a shady hotel? We left Colorado and were driving back to California. This was way before the days of cell phones, and I promised our kids we could stop at a hotel with a swimming pool. As evening approached we got off the freeway in Richfield, Utah. The hunt began to find a hotel with a pool and a vacancy sign.

As the sun was setting the search became more desperate as all the well-known hotels were booked. Finally, in the heart of the city a vacancy sign popped up with the all important word, “pool” flashing from the neon sign. The place looked a little run down from the outside but at least we found something.

Without going into too much detail……the pool was green, the room was dirty, and the residents were loud, all night. I have stayed in many hotels over the years, but I will never forget that very long night.  The dawn of first light could not come fast enough for us to pile in the van and head back to the safety of our own home.

The memory of that traumatic night was triggered by a quote I recently read from St. Teresa of Avila;

“The joy of what is to come will make the most miserable life feel like one night in a bad hotel.”

What a powerful sentence. It puts this life and the trials we go through in a perfect perspective. Because of the Resurrection we can claim this enduring hope planted into our hearts by the Holy Spirit of “The joy of what is to come…”

Hear what the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:9;

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

If you are feeling as if you are trapped in a dark, dirty, depressing, place and the night never seems to end, take a few minutes to open up your Bible and dwell on the promises found in Isaiah 25 and Revelation 7. Both prophecy “The joy of what is to come…”  The splendid sunrise which is about to break forth for all believers in Christ will be like a magnificent feast which will never end. The wine will run freely bringing the joy of a wedding celebration. The heavenly food will satisfy our deepest hunger, and rivers of living water will quench our parched souls.

All our sorrowful tears will be wiped away by a loving Shepherd who will bring us into the Father’s home. A home which is defined by the presence of a perfect, life giving, everlasting love. A love which we have longed for from deep within.

As a child I remember hearing this chorus sung in church from Psalm 30:5;

“Hold on my child, joy comes in the morning, weeping only lasts for the night…the darkest hour means dawn is just in sight.”

So hold on dear friend, you might feel like you are stuck in a bad hotel at the moment, but be encouraged the dawn of eternal joy is about to break forth.

 

Remember The Gardener has Returned

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Lilac bushes bursting forth with purple blooms, tulips dawning beautiful hues, green overtaking the dead brown grass of winter, all signs of the new life of Spring.  Spring has always been a favorite season for me as the death of winter is forced to surrender to the mysterious power of life from death.

No wonder the Father chose this season before the creation of the world for the Resurrection of His Son. It is a season of hope and anticipation as the spell of winters gloom gives way to longer days filled brilliant light that awakens life. If you live in places where clouds and cold dominate much of the winter months you know the joy of this season.

It is so good for us to be reminded spiritually that because of the Resurrection the long winter rule of Satan has come to an end as The Gardner broke forth from the tomb to plant a new garden which will one day over take the entire earth. He did what our first parents failed to do as they chose to listen to the lie of the enemy.

I realize some who read this might think we are still in the dark of winter, or perhaps thought Spring had arrived and then a massive wintry storm hit once again delivering a crushing blow. If we put our hope in the god of politics, money, people, or stuff, we will end up trapped in the gloominess of winter.

Those who remember and truly believe The Gardener has come and believe He is busy tending to His precious garden and expanding it daily, can claim Spring has come and experience hope and joy. As the Scripture states, “Behold I’m making all things new,” (Rev. 21:5). The One who said these words is Jesus. And it is Jesus who sits on the throne directing and expanding His Kingdom.

Sometimes believers find themselves listening to the lie that things are getting worse as our enemy has a great PR department. But The Word explicitly states that His Garden Kingdom IS taking over hearts through the powerful work of the Holy Spirit. And don’t forget what the prophets boldly declared:

“The earth will be filled with knowledge of the glory of God as the water covers the sea.” Hab. 2:14, Isa. 11:9

The prophets were proclaiming a new Spring would come at the Resurrection which would make dead hearts come alive as the Father’s glorious love poured out upon them. Take some time to see how God’s creation is bursting forth. Listen to the voice of His Spirit.  Spring has come. Yes, there will be spiritual snow storms, tornados, and violent weather at times. But what started at the empty tomb cannot be stopped. His Glorious Loving Reign is engulfing hearts throughout the world.

Be encouraged. Join the Gardener! Know without a doubt that His beautiful garden is expanding. He is reminding you of this message of Joyful Hope…. an unstoppable Spring has arrived! Now go and take this good news with you!

Finding Your Africa

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At the end of each Kingdom Encounter trip students are encouraged to find their Africa back home where the Father has  purposely placed them. For many being in a different culture, serving and worshipping with other believers opens their eyes to encounter Jesus and His Kingdom in life changing ways.  Some hear the Father’s voice sing over them with delight as His love transforms hearts and His healing floods deep within wounded hearts.

On this last trip there were many tears the last day and hugs at the airport with hopes to come back. It is always a blessing to watch what the Spirit does in these young lives while in South Africa. But our earnest prayer is that each one will “find their Africa” in their school, home, team, place of work, or wherever the Father has placed them.

I have a good friend who has never been to Africa, though one day when he retires he promises to come. He works in a corporate manufacturing job with about 60 people who work under him. He often calls me on his 30 minute commute to work and we catch up on life and what the Lord is doing in our lives.

I love hearing stories of how his “Africa” is within the walls of his office. Every day people come in and out asking questions, seeking wisdom, and sharing their problems. He listens, loves, and many times will ask them if they would like prayer. His office has become a safe sanctuary where many have encountered the love of Christ in him. Some have even found Christ’s saving love right in that office.

When I think of my friend, I recall the last words of Jesus before He took the throne beside His Father in heaven: ”

Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Mt. 28:19-20

If you noticed, I highlight a few words, the first is “Go.”  From the Greek you could translate it “while you are going.” Meaning wherever the Father has placed you, go and shine out the Christ who lives within you.  His promise is “I am with you always.” If you’ve placed your faith in Christ He walks with you everyplace you go.

Your mission field starts when you wake up in the morning and see your family, when you walk out of the door into your neighborhood, when you enter math class, or when you stand in a long line or are stuck in traffic.

Don’t miss your Africa.  You don’t have to take a 10,000 mile journey across the ocean to show and share Jesus. The Father has placed you right where you are and has given you His Spirit to be Jesus’ love to someone who needs to encounter Him through you. Just “Go!” and remember He is always “with you!”