Time now for a character study of the Apostles...2010 style. Over the next 3 blogs, I will look at what the 12 Apostles would have been in modern terms... so just to let you know... you have been warned...
We start with Peter. Scripture tells us Peter was a tough-talking, rough-handed, impulsive, risk-taking leader. He reminds me of the man who worked himself from the factory floor to the C-E-O's office. He would be a man who got the the top by hard work and raw ability. He would not be one for doing it by the book-- just roll up your sleeves, look at the task, and get it done. He would be the one who would just do it-- and apologize later for the china he broke on the way to getting the job done.
Andrew was Peter's right hand man. He was the "consultant" apostle-- the one who did not reach the top, but gave great advice to the one who was there. He was mentioned with Peter a lot, and he probably spent a lot of it in contact with Peter. He was the one who was mentioned as consulting Peter to get him to come to Christ... he also consulted with the boy with the loaves and fishes, and he consulted with Philip about bringing some Greeks to see Christ during the Passion Week. As such, he is he apostle "most likely to belong to a Board of Directors."
James was the shortest surviving apostle. He lost his life to the tip of a Roman sword in an early persecution. Before that, he was considered a pillar of the Early Church, he was a member of Christ's inner circle, and he was the Early Church's anchor in Jerusalem. He was the strong, silent type-- he wasn't quoted in Scripture, but everyone knew where he stood on leadership matters. He was the first Apostle to be martyred-- with 10 others to follow-- but his example was not forgotten.
His brother John was the last Apostle to go. Whereas James was the first martyr, John was "The Last Eyewitness." Wow...sounds like a Tom Clancy novel... and with all the intrigue in his life and the death defying actions in his ministry (to the point of being boiled in oil and surviving it!!) in a sense, he is a little James Bondish... but God wasn't done yet. After he survived an oily grave, he was exiled to a little place called Patmos. There he wrote the Gospel of John, the 3 books of John, and Revelation. Scripture sees him as a wise old man-- but in his younger days with Jesus, the Lord call him and James "sons of thunder." Leave it to time and ministry to turn him from temper into tenderness... but he left the 2nd Century believers with a 1st Century eyewitness to Christ-- and the Transfigured Christ as well!! He saw Christ on the cross, he saw the Resurrected Saviour, he saw the Glorified Jesus, and he saw Jesus in Heaven, along with the Ark of the Covenant. The one place where Raiders of the Lost Ark had it spot on was when the Ark was lifted to Heaven. The Book of Revelation places it there too. How do we know? The true testimony of John... "The Last Eyewitness."
Next time, four more Apostles will get a 21st Century makeover.... including a 2,000 year-old Rush Limbaugh... More to come friends, stay tuned!!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
"Choose wisely..."
This is the final blog dealing with "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," I promise!! Near the end of the movie, the 800 year-old knight says to Dr. Jones and the others in the room when one of them remarks how many goblets there are... he said to them "You must choose-- but choose wisely...for as the true Grail gives eternal life, so the false one will take it from you."
We face a similar choice today. But just as Indiana Jones had the Grail diary to help him get to the choice, so we have a "diary" of our own to help us... the Holy Bible. It contains not 1,000 years of clues, but at least 6,000 years of clues to help us make the right decision-- to help be the "penitent man" who kneels before God... to step on the right stones to negotiate the Word of God-- by trusting in the Word Himself--Jehovah... (just remember-- in Latin, Jehovah starts with an "I"...) and to take the Path of God... Interesting that it said it would be a leap from the lion's head that would allow him to prove his worth. Today, we are saved because we leaped from the Lion's Head-- the Lion of the Tribe of Judah-- and took the Path of God to eternal life!! That Path was paid for by the blood of the Lion who looked like a lamb... a lamb who had been slain, according to Revelation.
However, we also have a choice of goblets. Many religions who promise all sorts of awareness and social goodness... or more soothing yet, that our works can somehow bridge the gap between the ledge and the chamber of eternal life. Remember, my friend.. only in a leap (of faith!) from the Lion of the Tribe of Judah can we take the path of God to eternal life!! At the end of this chamber there is but one to choose-- the Lord Jesus Christ...who says He provide the Water of Life freely to all who would take it...
You have a lot of goblets to choose from... but choose wisely... because in a leap from the Lion of the Tribe of Judah... you can take the Path of God to Eternal life!! And there won't be an 800 year-old knight studying a book with a sword when you get there... instead there will be the Lord of Glory saying "I knew you would come... Welcome home!!"
It is up to you to choose... but choose wisely... and "stay thirsty for Him...my friends..."
We face a similar choice today. But just as Indiana Jones had the Grail diary to help him get to the choice, so we have a "diary" of our own to help us... the Holy Bible. It contains not 1,000 years of clues, but at least 6,000 years of clues to help us make the right decision-- to help be the "penitent man" who kneels before God... to step on the right stones to negotiate the Word of God-- by trusting in the Word Himself--Jehovah... (just remember-- in Latin, Jehovah starts with an "I"...) and to take the Path of God... Interesting that it said it would be a leap from the lion's head that would allow him to prove his worth. Today, we are saved because we leaped from the Lion's Head-- the Lion of the Tribe of Judah-- and took the Path of God to eternal life!! That Path was paid for by the blood of the Lion who looked like a lamb... a lamb who had been slain, according to Revelation.
However, we also have a choice of goblets. Many religions who promise all sorts of awareness and social goodness... or more soothing yet, that our works can somehow bridge the gap between the ledge and the chamber of eternal life. Remember, my friend.. only in a leap (of faith!) from the Lion of the Tribe of Judah can we take the path of God to eternal life!! At the end of this chamber there is but one to choose-- the Lord Jesus Christ...who says He provide the Water of Life freely to all who would take it...
You have a lot of goblets to choose from... but choose wisely... because in a leap from the Lion of the Tribe of Judah... you can take the Path of God to Eternal life!! And there won't be an 800 year-old knight studying a book with a sword when you get there... instead there will be the Lord of Glory saying "I knew you would come... Welcome home!!"
It is up to you to choose... but choose wisely... and "stay thirsty for Him...my friends..."
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Dying so others might live...
I love steaks. I a red meat kind of man... and nothing is like a big steak that you cooked to perfection yourself!! By the way, yes I know how to cook-- not just grill, cook...
But anyway... to my point... on my way home earlier today I saw some cattle in the field. It got me thinking... They are sitting there grazing, and not knowing their future or their fate. They are not, I am sure, aware that their fate is to be loaded on a big truck and taken to a place where they go in 4-footed living creatures and come out as steaks. All of this so we can sustain life, and enjoy casual dining experiences...
Which brings me to my point-- Cattle-- along with hogs and sheep-- are born to die. In a similar way, Jesus was born to die. Unlike the livestock I mentioned earlier though, His death isn't just a temporary 2-hour vehicle for us to enjoy a restaurant with family and friends, His flesh will give us eternal life!! He said if we eat his flesh and drink his blood, we will have eternal life!! His body was broken so we could be made whole. His blood was spilled so ours didn't have to be. He willingly separated his body from his soul and spirit to win our freedom when he rose again!!
Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God... sent to the slaughter to be our eternal Passover Lamb. Unlike the cattle/steaks we have today though, he KNEW what was coming, and despite his misgvings in his humanity, he did what he knew had to be done. And you know what-- He did it for us to be reconciled to God. After his humiliation, God gave him the highest honor-- of the adoration of every person in the world!!
So remember next time you eat that T-bone... there was another one who was born to die so we might live... Eternally!!
But anyway... to my point... on my way home earlier today I saw some cattle in the field. It got me thinking... They are sitting there grazing, and not knowing their future or their fate. They are not, I am sure, aware that their fate is to be loaded on a big truck and taken to a place where they go in 4-footed living creatures and come out as steaks. All of this so we can sustain life, and enjoy casual dining experiences...
Which brings me to my point-- Cattle-- along with hogs and sheep-- are born to die. In a similar way, Jesus was born to die. Unlike the livestock I mentioned earlier though, His death isn't just a temporary 2-hour vehicle for us to enjoy a restaurant with family and friends, His flesh will give us eternal life!! He said if we eat his flesh and drink his blood, we will have eternal life!! His body was broken so we could be made whole. His blood was spilled so ours didn't have to be. He willingly separated his body from his soul and spirit to win our freedom when he rose again!!
Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God... sent to the slaughter to be our eternal Passover Lamb. Unlike the cattle/steaks we have today though, he KNEW what was coming, and despite his misgvings in his humanity, he did what he knew had to be done. And you know what-- He did it for us to be reconciled to God. After his humiliation, God gave him the highest honor-- of the adoration of every person in the world!!
So remember next time you eat that T-bone... there was another one who was born to die so we might live... Eternally!!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Tebow...the next Staubach?
I am taking some time off of my usual ramblings to discuss Tim Tebow... quarterback, college legend, and all-around fantastic Christian man. Tim Tebow was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the first round last night... and despite some rumblings about his NFL-readiness, he gets a chance to show what he can do. I have a good friend who is a Denver Broncos fan, and as I write this, I can just imagine what her thoughts are...
But this is less about the Broncos than this is about Tebow. A quarterback who could have had anything-- or anyONE-- he wanted-- and didn't partake. (In other words, he is the anti-Roethlisberger.) A Christian who is the son of missionairies, at the number 1 party school in the nation-- the University of Florida-- with party weather 24/7/365. A leader in and out of the locker room. And most of all, a man who put Christ in the headlines-- favorably.
Isn't it ironic that Tim Tebow-- the college quarterback who did it right-- would wind up in the same state that was home to coach Mike McCartney (I apologize if I missed on the first name...), the founder of Promise Keepers. How is it ironic? Good question-- McCartney founded Promise Keepers in part because his college quarterback DIDN'T get it right. The late Sal Aunese fathered a child with McCartney's daughter... leading the Coach to take stock... that stock led to Promise Keepers, which I would guess Tebow has had an affiliation with.
Can Tebow make it in Denver? His new coach Mike McDaniel thinks he can-- he is sold on Tebow. He's not the only one-- many others are also sold on Tebow, many aren't. If Tebow does make it, he could be another Roger Staubach-- remember him? Another solid Christian who led the "America's Team" Cowboys of the 1970's... A man not afraid to share his Christian faith AND hit Drew Pearson and Golden Richards with touchdown passes...
So... can Tim Tebow be the arrow that hits Denver's hearts? The jury is still out... but one thing is for sure... Tebow has put Christ in the headlines... and in that way, Tebow indeed has become the next Staubach. May it continue for the next 20 years plus....
But this is less about the Broncos than this is about Tebow. A quarterback who could have had anything-- or anyONE-- he wanted-- and didn't partake. (In other words, he is the anti-Roethlisberger.) A Christian who is the son of missionairies, at the number 1 party school in the nation-- the University of Florida-- with party weather 24/7/365. A leader in and out of the locker room. And most of all, a man who put Christ in the headlines-- favorably.
Isn't it ironic that Tim Tebow-- the college quarterback who did it right-- would wind up in the same state that was home to coach Mike McCartney (I apologize if I missed on the first name...), the founder of Promise Keepers. How is it ironic? Good question-- McCartney founded Promise Keepers in part because his college quarterback DIDN'T get it right. The late Sal Aunese fathered a child with McCartney's daughter... leading the Coach to take stock... that stock led to Promise Keepers, which I would guess Tebow has had an affiliation with.
Can Tebow make it in Denver? His new coach Mike McDaniel thinks he can-- he is sold on Tebow. He's not the only one-- many others are also sold on Tebow, many aren't. If Tebow does make it, he could be another Roger Staubach-- remember him? Another solid Christian who led the "America's Team" Cowboys of the 1970's... A man not afraid to share his Christian faith AND hit Drew Pearson and Golden Richards with touchdown passes...
So... can Tim Tebow be the arrow that hits Denver's hearts? The jury is still out... but one thing is for sure... Tebow has put Christ in the headlines... and in that way, Tebow indeed has become the next Staubach. May it continue for the next 20 years plus....
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
X marks the spot...
Indiana Jones was looking for a tomb when he found the Roman Numeral 10... or "X"... as the entrance to the tomb of the knight with a marker to the Holy Grail. As he said from the library/church's second floor... "X marks the spot!"
But you know, X also marked another spot-- but it wasn't an X as we think of them. Turn an X 45 degrees, and what do you have? A Cross... and on a hill called Calvary, an X marked the spot-- tilted 45 degrees to form a Cross. That is the Cross of Christ-- the Cross that provides salvation, atonement, redemption, and freedom from sin.
So you see my friend, X really does mark the spot. It was the spot where a man who was marred beyond recognition, wearing a crown of thorns, scourged by a Roman cat of nine tails, and mocked by Jew and Gentile alike-- did it all for us. He did it so we could know eternal life-- so we could know Heaven-- so we could be more than conquerors through Him that loved us-- so we could, in the words of a classic Petra song, "beat the system." (Yes, my '80's classic Christian roots are showing...)
In the words of another Petra classic... "It is Finished..." "The provision has been made...the foundation has been laid... He paid the balance due and tore the Temple veil in two... and opened up the way for me and you..." all because "X marks the spot!" By the way, X also marked another spot-- St. Andrew's Cross. Tradition tells us X marked his spot-- literally-- because he was crucified on an X-shaped cross. Andrew brought many to follow Jesus-- now he was following Jesus with his crucifixion.... where X marked the spot. (To this day, X still marks the spot in Scotland-- St. Andrew's Cross is part of the Scottish flag.)
If you forget everything else... remember this. We are saved today because X marked the spot. We can share the Holy Grail with a resurrected Christ because X marked the spot. We can be kings and priests with Him as our High Priest-- because X marked the spot. Turn that cross 45 degrees in your mind...and know when it comes to Christ's gift to us at Calvary... "X marks the spot!!"
But you know, X also marked another spot-- but it wasn't an X as we think of them. Turn an X 45 degrees, and what do you have? A Cross... and on a hill called Calvary, an X marked the spot-- tilted 45 degrees to form a Cross. That is the Cross of Christ-- the Cross that provides salvation, atonement, redemption, and freedom from sin.
So you see my friend, X really does mark the spot. It was the spot where a man who was marred beyond recognition, wearing a crown of thorns, scourged by a Roman cat of nine tails, and mocked by Jew and Gentile alike-- did it all for us. He did it so we could know eternal life-- so we could know Heaven-- so we could be more than conquerors through Him that loved us-- so we could, in the words of a classic Petra song, "beat the system." (Yes, my '80's classic Christian roots are showing...)
In the words of another Petra classic... "It is Finished..." "The provision has been made...the foundation has been laid... He paid the balance due and tore the Temple veil in two... and opened up the way for me and you..." all because "X marks the spot!" By the way, X also marked another spot-- St. Andrew's Cross. Tradition tells us X marked his spot-- literally-- because he was crucified on an X-shaped cross. Andrew brought many to follow Jesus-- now he was following Jesus with his crucifixion.... where X marked the spot. (To this day, X still marks the spot in Scotland-- St. Andrew's Cross is part of the Scottish flag.)
If you forget everything else... remember this. We are saved today because X marked the spot. We can share the Holy Grail with a resurrected Christ because X marked the spot. We can be kings and priests with Him as our High Priest-- because X marked the spot. Turn that cross 45 degrees in your mind...and know when it comes to Christ's gift to us at Calvary... "X marks the spot!!"
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Time for a break...
I am going to step away from the Indiana Jones theme today... and I know some of you are saying it is about time!! It is about time I leveled with you about the Bible's take on depression.
I have been kind of depressed recently. I don't know if it is missing my kids, lack of finances, work burnout, disillusionment with my life, or all the above. All I know is I am not the first, and won't be the last, to deal with this.
I am depressed... but I am in good company. The great Winston Churchill called depression "the black dog that hounded my steps." Many great singers and songwriters have suffered from depression-- I think it is part of songwriting inspiration.... Going to the Bible, Elijah was depressed-- and he was taken to Heaven without dying!! Remember what he said in the Kings-- "I alone stand before you, and they are trying to take my life." But do you remember God's answer (and I paraphrase)... "Not so fast, big boy!! I have 7,000 men hiding in a cave who have never bowed the knee to Baal." So much for Elijah's self-importance...
Jeremiah was depressed-- he was the "weeping prophet." Jeremiah-- in a famous Scripture reference-- uttered... "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked...who can know it?" Not many remember God answered in the next verse "I can!!!" He said "I the Lord know the hearts of men." So in the words of that great spiritual prophet Cher... God basically told both of them"Snap out of it!!" He wants you to know the same. You may be depressed... you may see your future as a purple haze (apologies to Prince); the only light in the tunnel you see is an oncoming 5:15; but take hope in this... Depression is an emotion-- love is a fact!! God loves you-- if you received Him, he gave you power (read that: the right) to be a son of God-- and not just to you, but to ALL who believe on His Name!!
So if you are depressed today, take heart... the Heart of God. Know no one can EVER pluck you out of the hand of Jesus, or the hand of God. John 10:28 and 29 say so. We have ETERNAL life through Him... remember that when you are depressed... and know that same God has your life, well-being and future in His hands.
Never forget... Jesus was oppressed to give eternal life to the depressed. He wants to help you today... He loves you-- let Him prove it!!
I have been kind of depressed recently. I don't know if it is missing my kids, lack of finances, work burnout, disillusionment with my life, or all the above. All I know is I am not the first, and won't be the last, to deal with this.
I am depressed... but I am in good company. The great Winston Churchill called depression "the black dog that hounded my steps." Many great singers and songwriters have suffered from depression-- I think it is part of songwriting inspiration.... Going to the Bible, Elijah was depressed-- and he was taken to Heaven without dying!! Remember what he said in the Kings-- "I alone stand before you, and they are trying to take my life." But do you remember God's answer (and I paraphrase)... "Not so fast, big boy!! I have 7,000 men hiding in a cave who have never bowed the knee to Baal." So much for Elijah's self-importance...
Jeremiah was depressed-- he was the "weeping prophet." Jeremiah-- in a famous Scripture reference-- uttered... "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked...who can know it?" Not many remember God answered in the next verse "I can!!!" He said "I the Lord know the hearts of men." So in the words of that great spiritual prophet Cher... God basically told both of them"Snap out of it!!" He wants you to know the same. You may be depressed... you may see your future as a purple haze (apologies to Prince); the only light in the tunnel you see is an oncoming 5:15; but take hope in this... Depression is an emotion-- love is a fact!! God loves you-- if you received Him, he gave you power (read that: the right) to be a son of God-- and not just to you, but to ALL who believe on His Name!!
So if you are depressed today, take heart... the Heart of God. Know no one can EVER pluck you out of the hand of Jesus, or the hand of God. John 10:28 and 29 say so. We have ETERNAL life through Him... remember that when you are depressed... and know that same God has your life, well-being and future in His hands.
Never forget... Jesus was oppressed to give eternal life to the depressed. He wants to help you today... He loves you-- let Him prove it!!
Friday, April 16, 2010
What you belileve...
"The time has come, Dr. Jones... to determine... what you believe." Another great spiritual line from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. This one said by the treacherous Donovan after he shot Sean Connery (the nerve of shooting James Bond!), playing Indiana Jones' father, Henry Jones Senior.
But enough background. My question is...what do YOU believe? Do you believe in your own abilities-- at work, at home, with the opposite sex...whatever? Do you believe in your friends-- and their ability to lift you up-- or give you a needed dose of humility at times? Do you believe in your knowledge-- your savvy to get through times of crisis?
Most of all, are all these beliefs wrapped up in a shroud of faith? I mean we can believe a plane will fly, but we need faith to get on board. We can believe Jesus died and rose again, but we need faith to apply His blood to our hearts. We can believe there is one God, and we do well... the devils also believe, and tremble. That belief is but the first step to faith-- remember, without FAITH it is impossible to see God. Whoever comes to Him must BELIEVE that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. So believing is but a step in the process of Faith.
Let's go back to Indiana Jones. He had his own test of faith in the task known as the Path of God-- an invisible walkway to the Holy Grail. Dr. Jones could BELIEVE the path was there, but it took FAITH for him to "leap from the lion's head, and prove his worth." So he took the step into the abyss, and wound up on solid ground.
Today, do you have a similar leap from the lion's head? Do you believe, or maybe hope, that the Path of God is there? God is not asking you to take an invisible path over the abyss, but maybe he IS asking you to step in faith where you see no path. If God is telling you to move, make the move-- and trust God to provide where you see no provision. It could be your lion's head... and lead you to His Holy Grail for your life. But it is time to ask yourself "what you believe..." and better, in what... or Whom.... do you have faith?
But enough background. My question is...what do YOU believe? Do you believe in your own abilities-- at work, at home, with the opposite sex...whatever? Do you believe in your friends-- and their ability to lift you up-- or give you a needed dose of humility at times? Do you believe in your knowledge-- your savvy to get through times of crisis?
Most of all, are all these beliefs wrapped up in a shroud of faith? I mean we can believe a plane will fly, but we need faith to get on board. We can believe Jesus died and rose again, but we need faith to apply His blood to our hearts. We can believe there is one God, and we do well... the devils also believe, and tremble. That belief is but the first step to faith-- remember, without FAITH it is impossible to see God. Whoever comes to Him must BELIEVE that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. So believing is but a step in the process of Faith.
Let's go back to Indiana Jones. He had his own test of faith in the task known as the Path of God-- an invisible walkway to the Holy Grail. Dr. Jones could BELIEVE the path was there, but it took FAITH for him to "leap from the lion's head, and prove his worth." So he took the step into the abyss, and wound up on solid ground.
Today, do you have a similar leap from the lion's head? Do you believe, or maybe hope, that the Path of God is there? God is not asking you to take an invisible path over the abyss, but maybe he IS asking you to step in faith where you see no path. If God is telling you to move, make the move-- and trust God to provide where you see no provision. It could be your lion's head... and lead you to His Holy Grail for your life. But it is time to ask yourself "what you believe..." and better, in what... or Whom.... do you have faith?
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
My soul is prepared...
"My soul is prepared.... How's yours?"
The second of four quotes I am featuring from "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." This one comes from a scene where a Grail defender and Indiana Jones are struggling with a boat slowly being destroyed by a ship propeller. In answer to Jones' comment saying we're gonna die-- that line came out... slowly and deliberately... "My soul is prepared...how's yours??"
That one got me thinking. If we were in that position-- facing certain death from a boat propeller (I mean come on, it happens to us all the time, right???) or crashing head on into a drunk driver... or colliding into a tree while driving fatigued on a rain-slick highway. Is your soul prepared for eternity?
If you read this, and you are a Christian, thank the Lord for that. You will be absent with the body and present with the Lord one day. Now, I ask you... is your soul prepared to meet him either in death or in the air? Take stock of the movie character's words to you, fellow believer-- "My soul is prepared...how's yours?? "
If you read this and you don't know Christ as Saviour, please get to know Him today. He isn't just the holder of the Holy Grail... He is the keeper of eternity... He is the door to salvation... He is what you need to prepare your soul for eternity. Proverbs tells us not to boast of tomorrow, for we don't know what a day may bring forth. He loves you so... let Him have it!! Let Him have your life and wash it white as snow. Let Him have your problems-- and give you a Heavenly Father who understands and wants to be your Father too. Let Him have your life-- and give you a life that leads to a heavenly ending!
So, Christian and non-Christian alike... I repeat my question from the beginning of this blog... "My soul is prepared...how's yours???"
The second of four quotes I am featuring from "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." This one comes from a scene where a Grail defender and Indiana Jones are struggling with a boat slowly being destroyed by a ship propeller. In answer to Jones' comment saying we're gonna die-- that line came out... slowly and deliberately... "My soul is prepared...how's yours??"
That one got me thinking. If we were in that position-- facing certain death from a boat propeller (I mean come on, it happens to us all the time, right???) or crashing head on into a drunk driver... or colliding into a tree while driving fatigued on a rain-slick highway. Is your soul prepared for eternity?
If you read this, and you are a Christian, thank the Lord for that. You will be absent with the body and present with the Lord one day. Now, I ask you... is your soul prepared to meet him either in death or in the air? Take stock of the movie character's words to you, fellow believer-- "My soul is prepared...how's yours?? "
If you read this and you don't know Christ as Saviour, please get to know Him today. He isn't just the holder of the Holy Grail... He is the keeper of eternity... He is the door to salvation... He is what you need to prepare your soul for eternity. Proverbs tells us not to boast of tomorrow, for we don't know what a day may bring forth. He loves you so... let Him have it!! Let Him have your life and wash it white as snow. Let Him have your problems-- and give you a Heavenly Father who understands and wants to be your Father too. Let Him have your life-- and give you a life that leads to a heavenly ending!
So, Christian and non-Christian alike... I repeat my question from the beginning of this blog... "My soul is prepared...how's yours???"
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
His Glory...or yours?
"Ask yourself one question... Why do you seek the Cup of Christ? Is it for His glory...or for yours?"
That is one line from one of my favorite movies-- "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." It is a movie that is full of action, adventure, cliffhangers-- and spiritual meaning-- if you know where to look. Today I deal with the first mentioned line from the movie.
The book of James tells us not to ask for things amiss, because we will consume them on our own desires. We seek the cup of Christ-- but what is his cup? It is suffering. It is being made conformable unto His death. It is the bitter dregs of his death on the Cross-- and the severance of fellowship with the Father. Know this-- his 3 hours on the cross, and 3 days in the tomb, were the only time He has been separated from His Father-- in eternity past, the present, or eternity future. We seek the cup of Christ-- but do we know what we seek? Eternal life-- as the movie tells us? Great theater-- but not great fact. The Chalice of Christ is not the marker for eternal life-- but the blood he shed after he held the Chalice at the Last Supper is!
Why do we seek the cup of Christ? He didn't glory in the cup-- he didn't want to drink out of it-- He asked His Father to take it from Him. But for you and me, he drank it all-- down the the dregs. The cup promised a Cross... but the cup was a doorway from the Cross to the Crown. Now it is a new cup of Christ he promises to us... one that will provide for His Glory... AND ours.... but not through our vainglory but through the glory of His grace!!
So if you are seeking your own glory-- ask yourself again... Why do you seek the cup of Christ? Is it for His Glory...or for yours?
That is one line from one of my favorite movies-- "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." It is a movie that is full of action, adventure, cliffhangers-- and spiritual meaning-- if you know where to look. Today I deal with the first mentioned line from the movie.
The book of James tells us not to ask for things amiss, because we will consume them on our own desires. We seek the cup of Christ-- but what is his cup? It is suffering. It is being made conformable unto His death. It is the bitter dregs of his death on the Cross-- and the severance of fellowship with the Father. Know this-- his 3 hours on the cross, and 3 days in the tomb, were the only time He has been separated from His Father-- in eternity past, the present, or eternity future. We seek the cup of Christ-- but do we know what we seek? Eternal life-- as the movie tells us? Great theater-- but not great fact. The Chalice of Christ is not the marker for eternal life-- but the blood he shed after he held the Chalice at the Last Supper is!
Why do we seek the cup of Christ? He didn't glory in the cup-- he didn't want to drink out of it-- He asked His Father to take it from Him. But for you and me, he drank it all-- down the the dregs. The cup promised a Cross... but the cup was a doorway from the Cross to the Crown. Now it is a new cup of Christ he promises to us... one that will provide for His Glory... AND ours.... but not through our vainglory but through the glory of His grace!!
So if you are seeking your own glory-- ask yourself again... Why do you seek the cup of Christ? Is it for His Glory...or for yours?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
