The conversation turned quickly. I was in deep water. I enjoy talking to Jon who has a doctorate degree in physics—a brilliant research scientist. Yet he can easily talk over my head.
We discussed a movie about Moses and the Jewish people I had recently viewed. I believe the movie’s miraculous Biblical portrayal: “By faith the people passed through the Red Sea on dry land.” By faith.
Jon had recently seen a movie on the same subject. The very way he said, “Educational television,” informed me that his movie version was superior. He didn’t dispute the Bible and the fact of the occurrence. He just needed to inform me of some fresh scientific facts.
I was about to be educated; I was in deep water.
He came to the crux of the issue informing me of a supposed misspelling in the Biblical text. Moses and the Jewish people actually passed through the Reed Sea not the Red Sea.
Oh. And the Reed Sea was only ankle deep. A wind blew the water hard enough to make a dry path allowing 3 million Jews to easily scamper away from the pursuing Egyptian army. Not a faith event but a windy day.
My faith held firm; I still believe in the miracles. Jon basically accepted the biblical account; it just needed fine tuning because of the “unfortunate” spelling error.
The Bible says: “But when the Egyptians tried to pass through the Red Sea they were drowned.” I asked Jon about the largest, most powerful army in the world at the time: “How did the Egyptian army drown in ankle deep water?”
Jon grinned, scrunched his eyes, was silent for a moment-- “I didn’t think of that.”
Without faith, a person encounters many I-didn’t-think-of-that moments in life. Without faith you’ll be in deep water.
7/30/05
7/23/05
B.I.B.L.E.
Ricky cut me off as I was making my way to the exit. He had a theological question. He informed me he had asked 5 other pastors his question. Not one response had satisfied him. I thought, “This could be tough, I hope can answer him.”
Ricky said, “What does the word Bible mean?”
My mind immediately started to search, bring back memories of sitting in Bible college classes. As I attempted to stir up Greek and Hebrew words in my brain, Ricky seemed impatient. “The letters that make up the word!” B.I.B.L.E.
I smiled—“Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth.”
His just-won-Jeopardy excitement was contagious. Then he told me the story of how this “truth” was revealed to his dad two years ago in a dream. “We wrote it on a plaque; it’s hanging on the wall.”
Interesting . . .
Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth, a catchy acronym. But is it true?
Hebrews 4:12 says: “The word of God (the Bible) is living and active, full of power; sharper than any two edged-sword.” For many people the Bible is a gentle butter-knife spreading of God into their life—basic. Yet meant to be more. The same verse tells us the Bible slices into our lives—“It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Twitching with delight, Ricky continued his story. He asked his dad why God would reveal the B.I.B.L.E.-truth to him. He told Ricky how he had made a decision to become a follower of Jesus, “And yesterday I took the meat cleaver and chopped up all my cigarettes.”
Ricky’s dad got both. The basic: he became a follower of Jesus Christ. And he got the power to make a cutting change in his life. The double edged sword part. Chop, chop.
Ricky said, “What does the word Bible mean?”
My mind immediately started to search, bring back memories of sitting in Bible college classes. As I attempted to stir up Greek and Hebrew words in my brain, Ricky seemed impatient. “The letters that make up the word!” B.I.B.L.E.
I smiled—“Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth.”
His just-won-Jeopardy excitement was contagious. Then he told me the story of how this “truth” was revealed to his dad two years ago in a dream. “We wrote it on a plaque; it’s hanging on the wall.”
Interesting . . .
Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth, a catchy acronym. But is it true?
Hebrews 4:12 says: “The word of God (the Bible) is living and active, full of power; sharper than any two edged-sword.” For many people the Bible is a gentle butter-knife spreading of God into their life—basic. Yet meant to be more. The same verse tells us the Bible slices into our lives—“It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Twitching with delight, Ricky continued his story. He asked his dad why God would reveal the B.I.B.L.E.-truth to him. He told Ricky how he had made a decision to become a follower of Jesus, “And yesterday I took the meat cleaver and chopped up all my cigarettes.”
Ricky’s dad got both. The basic: he became a follower of Jesus Christ. And he got the power to make a cutting change in his life. The double edged sword part. Chop, chop.
7/16/05
WOUNDER DEER
Our neighbor called: “There’s an injured deer in your yard.” From my office I was able to watch the deer as it moved to within 12 feet of my window. The lower quarter of its right front leg appeared to be nearly severed. An up-close view of it licking its wound gripped me with concern for the pain the deer was experiencing.
A couple of days later, my wife and I gathered around the dinner table with some of her friends. Four girls ranging in ages from 7 to 12.
I knew their stories. As my eyes circled the table, I thought: “How much pain are they experiencing?” Maria, will probably never see her father; he’s a wanted man who tried to murder her mom. Daleesha’s “out there” behavior shows magnified symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome, Jennifer, has moved several times recently including a stay at the homeless shelter and now lives in one of the worst neighborhoods around. And Tiffany’s every action screams, “Attention starved!”
As Nancy and I talked about the girls after they were gone, she commented: “They’re wounded deer.”
A couple of days later the deer wandered into the back woods. My deer hunting friend Mark said, “It’ll be O.K.; they’re tough.”
How about the wounded deer we ate supper with?
As a throng of commotion swirled around Jesus, he stopped everything to focus his attention on some children. The Bible says: “Jesus took the children in His arms, put his hands on them and blessed them-- He spoke kind, encouraging, affirming words to them.”
And maybe it would be something like this if Jesus blessed our guests. “I love you. You have so much potential. God has a plan for your life, trust Him to guide you. I can help you; ask Me. I’ll be there for you. I care what happens to you. I bless you beautiful children.”
God, help me bless children, especially the wounded ones that the swirl of life blinds me from seeing.
A couple of days later, my wife and I gathered around the dinner table with some of her friends. Four girls ranging in ages from 7 to 12.
I knew their stories. As my eyes circled the table, I thought: “How much pain are they experiencing?” Maria, will probably never see her father; he’s a wanted man who tried to murder her mom. Daleesha’s “out there” behavior shows magnified symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome, Jennifer, has moved several times recently including a stay at the homeless shelter and now lives in one of the worst neighborhoods around. And Tiffany’s every action screams, “Attention starved!”
As Nancy and I talked about the girls after they were gone, she commented: “They’re wounded deer.”
A couple of days later the deer wandered into the back woods. My deer hunting friend Mark said, “It’ll be O.K.; they’re tough.”
How about the wounded deer we ate supper with?
As a throng of commotion swirled around Jesus, he stopped everything to focus his attention on some children. The Bible says: “Jesus took the children in His arms, put his hands on them and blessed them-- He spoke kind, encouraging, affirming words to them.”
And maybe it would be something like this if Jesus blessed our guests. “I love you. You have so much potential. God has a plan for your life, trust Him to guide you. I can help you; ask Me. I’ll be there for you. I care what happens to you. I bless you beautiful children.”
God, help me bless children, especially the wounded ones that the swirl of life blinds me from seeing.
7/9/05
SKITTLES
“Did you mean it Christopher?” I had to know. Christopher, who could float easily from being profoundish to being off the wall, responded, “Rick, you know I did.” He was only nine, but I knew his words were truth that Friday night.
Friday night—the gathering was a seven to midnight prayer meeting. Heart felt prayers and worshipful praise music punctuated the evening.
Christopher seemed a little restless. He got up from his seat and stood at the rear of the sanctuary. I glanced back occasionally. He was doing fine, even though I did notice he was munching on candy--Skittles.
The did-you-mean-it moment came when he responded to the preacher’s invitation to accept Jesus Christ, to enter into a right standing with God. The preacher said, “Raise your hand.” I glanced back; Christopher’s hand was in the air.
After prayers of repentance were offered, I went back to Christopher. He told me, “Rick, when I came here tonight I felt hungry. And it couldn’t be satisfied by eating these.” He pointed to the Skittles he was holding. He smiled, “Now I feel satisfied.”
Jesus spoke of this type of experience during His Sermon on the Mount. “Blessed and spiritually prosperous are those who hunger and thirst for a right standing with God, for they shall be satisfied-- completely.”
And David, the masterful author of the Psalms, wrote about his personal appetite pleasing encounters with God: “My soul will be satisfied as with the richest food.”
What Jesus taught about, both Christopher and David found out personally; God has something more satisfying than Skittles.
God’s banquet table of satisfaction is in knowing Him personally. And you are invited.
Friday night—the gathering was a seven to midnight prayer meeting. Heart felt prayers and worshipful praise music punctuated the evening.
Christopher seemed a little restless. He got up from his seat and stood at the rear of the sanctuary. I glanced back occasionally. He was doing fine, even though I did notice he was munching on candy--Skittles.
The did-you-mean-it moment came when he responded to the preacher’s invitation to accept Jesus Christ, to enter into a right standing with God. The preacher said, “Raise your hand.” I glanced back; Christopher’s hand was in the air.
After prayers of repentance were offered, I went back to Christopher. He told me, “Rick, when I came here tonight I felt hungry. And it couldn’t be satisfied by eating these.” He pointed to the Skittles he was holding. He smiled, “Now I feel satisfied.”
Jesus spoke of this type of experience during His Sermon on the Mount. “Blessed and spiritually prosperous are those who hunger and thirst for a right standing with God, for they shall be satisfied-- completely.”
And David, the masterful author of the Psalms, wrote about his personal appetite pleasing encounters with God: “My soul will be satisfied as with the richest food.”
What Jesus taught about, both Christopher and David found out personally; God has something more satisfying than Skittles.
God’s banquet table of satisfaction is in knowing Him personally. And you are invited.
7/2/05
DAY OF RECKONING
The young man glanced towards his daughter and girlfriend. And then he focused his attention on the judge who had just sentenced him. Out on bond, but a police officer was waiting to take the guilty man directly from court to jail.
With an anguished look he could barely speak, “I, I need to take care of some things.” Without emotion, the judge replied: “Today is the day of reckoning.” With a help-save-me look, the man lowered his head and left with the officer.
As I drove from court to home I picked up a hitch hiker.
Tim had been in court that day also. His sentencing had been delayed because of impending heart surgery. Our rapid fire discussion soon spilled over into what might happen if the surgery turned tragic—“Are you ready to go?”
Tim appeared to be in his fifties: “I need to go see Sister Maxine.” Why’s that? “I think she’s close to God.”
Tim didn’t know if he was ready to go, but he wanted to take care of spiritual business.
The Bible states, “Man is destined to die once and after that face judgment.” A day of reckoning.
Tim had a bag full of spiritual experiences- he kept pulling them out during our ten minute drive. Baptism, vacation Bible school, a godly mother, and intermittent church attendance.
Still he was reaching for more. Facing heart surgery and the what-if possibility, he was also experiencing spiritual heart surgery. Tim concluded his life would eventually terminate with a gavel thumping, that’s-it, final judgment.
The judge in court that day wearily looked down at a stack of paperwork. Looking up, he gave his final remark to the guilty man: “People are never ready to go.”
I disagree. A person can be ready, confidently ready and worry free. With Jesus . . . there’s hope Tim.
With an anguished look he could barely speak, “I, I need to take care of some things.” Without emotion, the judge replied: “Today is the day of reckoning.” With a help-save-me look, the man lowered his head and left with the officer.
As I drove from court to home I picked up a hitch hiker.
Tim had been in court that day also. His sentencing had been delayed because of impending heart surgery. Our rapid fire discussion soon spilled over into what might happen if the surgery turned tragic—“Are you ready to go?”
Tim appeared to be in his fifties: “I need to go see Sister Maxine.” Why’s that? “I think she’s close to God.”
Tim didn’t know if he was ready to go, but he wanted to take care of spiritual business.
The Bible states, “Man is destined to die once and after that face judgment.” A day of reckoning.
Tim had a bag full of spiritual experiences- he kept pulling them out during our ten minute drive. Baptism, vacation Bible school, a godly mother, and intermittent church attendance.
Still he was reaching for more. Facing heart surgery and the what-if possibility, he was also experiencing spiritual heart surgery. Tim concluded his life would eventually terminate with a gavel thumping, that’s-it, final judgment.
The judge in court that day wearily looked down at a stack of paperwork. Looking up, he gave his final remark to the guilty man: “People are never ready to go.”
I disagree. A person can be ready, confidently ready and worry free. With Jesus . . . there’s hope Tim.
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