UPSETS!!

The NCAA tournament has begun and a number of the favorite teams have gone down already – some just barely, others were soundly beaten. 

Throughout history upsets have taken place in the world of sports, war, award shows, politics, box office results, and reality television.  Even the Bible has had its share of upsets (think of David vs. Goliath)!

But the greatest Biblical upset of all time has to be the triumph of Jesus of Nazareth who was beaten, crucified, killed, and buried by the forces of evil captained by non-other than Satan.  Because of His come-from-the grave (or behind) appearance, people worldwide can experience the forgiveness of sins, the power to live a new life, and the hope of eternity in heaven.  *See the lyrics of Carmen’s song THE CHAMPION just below.

What is needed to appropriate the benefit of Christ’s actions on our behalf is to repent from our selfish and sinful rejection of God’s authority over our lives and to place our faith in Him as our Savior and Lord.  And when we place our faith in Jesus, Satan’s grip upon our life and eternal destiny is upset and we become a victor, a champion for all time.

THE CHAMPION by Carman

In the vast expanse of a timeless place,
Where silence ruled the outer space,
Ominously, towering it stood,
The symbol of a spirit war
Between the one name Lucifer,
And the Morning Star, The ultimate of good.

Enveloped by a trillion planets,
Clean as lightning and hard as granite,
A cosmic coliseum would host the end
Of the war between the lord of sin and death,
And the Omnipotent Creator of man's first breath,
Who will decide who forever will be the Champion.

The audience for the 'Fight of the Ages' was
assembled and in place.
The angels came in splendor from a star.
The saints that had gone before were there:
Jeremiah, Enoch, Job.
They were singing the "Song of Zion" on David's harp.

The demons arrived, offensive and vile,
cursing and blaspheming God.
Followed by their 'trophies' dead and gone.
Hitler, Napoleon, Pharaoh, Capone,
Tormented and vexed and grieved.
Waiting for their judgment From the Throne.

Then a chill swept through the mammoth crowd
and the demons squealed with glee,
as a sordid, vulgar, repulsive essence was felt.
Arrogantly prancing, hands held high, draped
in a sparkling shroud
Trolled by demons, Satan ascended from Hell.

Then Satan cringed, the sinners groaned!
The demons reeled in pain as a swell of power
like silent thunder rolled
With a surge of light beyond intense,
illuminating the universe,
In resplendent glory appeared the Son of God.

Then a Persona, yes, Extraordinaire appeared in center ring.
God the Father will oversee the duel.
Opening the Book of Life, each grandstand hushed in awe as
majestically He said,
"Now here's the rules. He'll be wounded
for their transgressions,
bruised for iniquities"
When He said, "By His stripes they're
healed," the devil shook!
He screamed, "Sickness is my specialty.
I hate that healing junk!"
God said, "You shut your face, I wrote the book!"
Then the Father looked at His only Son and said,
"You know the rules.
Your blood will cleanse their sins and calm their fears."
Then He pointed His finger at Satan and said,
"And I know you know the rules.
You've been twisting them to deceive My
people for years."
Satan screamed, "I'll kill you Christ!
You'll never win this fight!"
The demons wheezed, "That's right, there
ain't no way."
Satan jeered, "You're dead meat, Jesus,
I'm gonna bust you UP tonight!"
Jesus said, "Go ahead, make my day!"

The bell rang, the crowd cheered, the fight was on,
And the devil leaped in fury.
With all his evil tricks he came undone.
He threw his jabs of hate and lust.
A stab of pride and envy but the hand that
knew no sin blocked every one.

Forty days and nights they fought, and
Satan couldn't touch Him.
Now the final blow saved for the final round.
Prophetically Christ's hands came down
And Satan struck in vengeance!
The blow of death felled Jesus to the ground.

The devils roared in victory!
The saints shocked and perplexed as wounds
appeared upon His hands and feet.
Then Satan kicked Him in His side, and blood and water flowed.
And they waited for the 10 count of defeat.

God the Father turned His head,
His tears announcing Christ was dead!
The 10 count would proclaim the battle's end.
Then Satan trembled through his sweat in
unexpected horror, yet...
As God started to count by saying,

"...10..."
"Hey wait a minute, God..."

"...9..." "Stop!
You're counting wrong..."

"...8..."
His eyes are moving...

"...7..."
His fingers are twitching...

"...6..."
"Where's all this Light coming from?"

"...5..."
"He's alive!"

"...4..."
"Oh - nooooo!"

"...3..."
"And yet,"

"...2..."
"Oh...Yessssss!

"...1..."
He has won!
He has won!
He's alive forevermore!
He is risen, He is Lord,
He has won!
He has won!
He's alive forevermore,
He is risen!
He is Lord!

Proclaim the news in every tongue,
Through endless ages and beyond
Let it be voiced from mountains loud and strong
Captivity has been set free, salvation bought for you and me
'Cause Satan is defeated,
And Jesus is The Champion
 

 

WALKING ...

It's something that we learn to do as a child. One step in front of another until we reach our intended destination.

 

In the beginning we watch others walk as we just sit or lay wrapped-up, all cozy in a blanket. Somewhere within us a desire is created to do what we see others do, to go where others are going, and to join in with the action that we see around us.

With much effort, coaxing, modeling, and encouragement we take that first step and the world cheers our progress. Older more mature people support us, protect us, and lead us onward ... and when we finally master the art ... we are off.

 

The Bible has much to say about walking --- and one of my favorite verses is: Amos 3:3 "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?" The verse speaks of having like-minded companions with whom we share the pathway of our life. That made me think ... who are you walking with?

 

AFTER? Do you have at least one spiritual mentor, sage, sensei, or rabbi whom you are seeking to model your life attitudes and actions after? Luke 6:40 "... everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher."

 

IN FRONT OF? Do you have a younger believer or person that you are seeking to influence for God and good? 1 Corinthians 11:1 "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."

 

ON YOUR RIGHT SIDE? Do you have a trusted friend in whom you can confide your dreams, sins, successes, failures, and plans with? Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

 

ON YOUR LEFT SIDE? Do you have a non-Christian that you can draw close to and influence with the message of God's love? Luke 7:34 "The Son of Man came ..... a friend of tax collectors and sinners."

 

As Christians, we are commanded to walk or have a lifestyle like that of Jesus: 1 John 2:6 "The one who says he resides in God ought himself to walk just as Jesus walked."

 

Are you? And who are those that you are walking with?

1 Corinthians 15:33 "Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character."

 

HOME!

“Home is where the heart is.”  Pliny the Elder

“There’s no place like home.”  Dorothy Gale

“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.”  Lin Yutang

Home.  After nearly two weeks in faraway Singapore and Indonesia, I arrived back in the United States, Michigan, and Nashville.  While there, I had an incredible chance to minister to people and leaders who in turn will take the timeless message of God’s love through-out S.E. Asia.  It always stirs my heart to be around passionate people who want to make a difference for God.  Ten of our group were headed back to their homes in mainland communist China where persecution of the church has again intensified.  The majority were going back to their homes across Muslim Indonesia where being a Christian is suspect and in some cities and provinces, a target of hatred.

As the conference in Jakarta came to a conclusion, we all hugged and took pictures – knowing that this short time together was a gift from God.  A once in-a-lifetime gathering of this particular group of people, never to be repeated this side of heaven.  There were tears, laughter, well wishes, and words of encouragement.  And then it was over, everyone drifting off toward home.

That last night in Jakarta I thought about home.  I missed our church, our food, our customs, our smells, our television, our way of driving, our stores, and our flag.  But most of all, I missed you – family, church, friends, and coffee-mates.  I missed your smiles, your voices, your stories, your laughter, your friendship, your love, and your co-ministry for the Kingdom of God (our eternal home).

After traveling for an entire day, I was in my booth at the local coffee shop back home. I smiled and had teary eyes as I thought about my earthly home and all of you.  What a joy to have people that you care about and want to minister to and with.  While I cannot make the promise of the following quote, I can surely feel the emotion and share the sentiment that is expressed.

“Oh, but anyway, Toto, we’re home – home!  And this is my room – and you’re all here – and I’m not going to leave here ever, ever again, because I love you all!  And … oh, Auntie Em, there’s no place like home!”  Dorothy Gale

LET'S DANCE!

Dancing With The Stars.  Flash Dance.  So You Think That You Can Dance.  Dirty Dancing (Havana Nights).  Glee.

Over the past couple of decades the subject of dance and dancing has been a topic of conversation in our culture.  And listening to some people, you would think that dancing had just been invented, but in reality dancing has been popular for a really long time – dating back to the earliest records of humanity.

As a kid I remember watching my mom sway to the subtle melodies of Glen Miller and then sitting entranced as Gene Kelly, Cyd Charisse, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, and Danny Kaye and numerous other greats glided across the dance floor in countless movies that forever have left their imprint upon my mind.

And over the years there has been no shortage of dancing greats like Anna Pavlova,  Mikhail Baryshvikov, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, James Brown, Bob Fosse, Gregory Hines, Paula Abdul, Michael Flatley, Michael & Janet Jackson, MC Hammer, Julianne Hough, and Beyonce. 

Dance styles and names have become iconic in our culture, like the Waltz, Charleston, Cha Cha, Polka, Twist, Funnky Chicken, Disco, Moonwalk, Worm, Macarena, Texas-Two-Step, Krump, and the more recent Gangnam and Harlem Shuffle have left their stamp upon the heart and soul of America.

Dance is a type of art that involves movement of the body, often rhytmic and to music. It is performed in many cultures as a form of emotional expression, social interaction, physical exercise, non-verbal communication, and also spiritual worship. 

The Bible tells us that the Israelites danced when David reclaimed the Ark of the Covenant after it had fallen into the hands of their enemies … 1 Chronicles 13:1-14 [MSG]

“They moved the Chest of God on a brand-new cart from the house of Abinadab with Uzzah and Ahio in charge. In procession with the Chest of God, David and all Israel worshiped exuberantly in song and DANCE, with a marching band of all kinds of instruments.”

And as the Israelites pondered the goodness and greatness of God, they were called to dance in joyful celebration … Psalm 48:10 -12 [MSG]

^9-10 “We pondered your love-in-action, God, waiting in your temple: Your name, God, evokes a train of Hallelujahs wherever It is spoken, near and far; your arms are heaped with goodness-in-action.

¹¹ Be glad, Zion Mountain; DANCE, Judah’s daughters!  He does what He said He’d do!

^12-14 Circle Zion, take her measure, count her fortress peaks, Gaze long at her sloping bulwark, climb her citadel heights—Then you can tell the next generation detail by detail the story of God, Our God forever, who guides us till the end of time.”

Christians should respond to God in a similar manner … passionately, creatively, and emotionally as we consider all that He has done for us through His son Jesus. 

Paul wrote in1 Thessalonians 4:1 -2 [MSG] … “One final word, friends. We ask you—urge is more like it—that you keep on doing what we told you to do to please God, not in a dogged religious plod, but in a living, spirited DANCE.”

My prayer for you would be that the words “Christian Living” would be the next famous dance craze and that your name would be placed in the Dancer’s Hall of Fame because of your commitment to that art.

THE WAY

Have you ever wanted to get somewhere and found that your path was blocked?

 Maybe there was a detour sign ... maybe not. What if that way, was the only way to get to the place you wanted or had to be? How would you feel? What would you think? Where would you go? Why would somebody block off THE WAY or keep you from taking the only route to your destination?

Jesus pointed out in John 14:6 “I am THE WAY and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

THE WAY to salvation, THE WAY to a right relationship with God the Father, THE WAY to heaven ... is through a personal relationship with Jesus. And many people aren't aware of that fact. A lot of people simply could care less about a way or THE WAY --- they are happy to indulge themselves in mindless behavior to block out their fears and pain. Others are searching for THE WAY, only to find other paths, bridges, and stairs --- through good works, a multitude of idols, gods and religions, or by believing some philosophical principle(s), Some are convinced that God isn't needed or that they will created their own god in attitude or action so they don't have to search for or humble themselves to take THE WAY.

 

But if Jesus was right about being THE WAY, and I'm inclined to believe that He is; can others find their way to Him? Are we, those who He entrusted as tour guides of THE WAY, being responsible to point others toward Him? Is THE WAY unhindered or have we through neglect allowed it to become cluttered, littered, or even closed off?

 

That can easily happen if we lose sight of our purpose on planet earth. It can happen if we turn our attention to any number of other interests, if we place barriers such as rules and regulations -- no matter how well meaning, or if we mistakenly create new paths for others to find THE WAY.

 

THE WAY is singular. THE WAY is timeless. THE WAY is personal. THE WAY is exactly that.

 

Have you taken THE WAY to God by entrusting your life to Jesus as your Savior? Are you pointing others toward THE WAY? Is there anything in your lifestyle that would confuse others about THE WAY or discourage them about taking THE WAY to God?

 

Let us be tour guides of THE WAY and do whatever we can to keep that path open to those who most need it.