Years roll by with lessons learned,
The script plays out with experience earned.
Memories dazzle like gifts we hold,
Illuminating minds as scenes unfold.
Time won’t yield for any tears,
Pulling us through all faith and fears.
Looking back on what has been,
Proves to be the greatest sin.
Finding one who redeems the time,
Makes the past and present rhyme.
Life is who you love, not who you know.
Life is holding on, life is letting go.
-Tom Wise
I have a nephew who has reached a cuteness level which would allow him to get away with anything.
Fortunately for his parents, he has yet to understand the depth of his super power.
Early on there was concern because he was not able to stand or walk at the appropriate age. The doctors ruled out anything serious but the family was rightfully concerned.
His parents tried different motivating ideas, contraptions to assist him, and anything they could think of to help him. Most of all, they prayed, many people were praying for him. Whole churches were praying.
There are a few videos of his first steps that are burned into the minds of those who love him. We all celebrated when he started walking, then running, climbing, dancing and all the things you would expect a toddler to do.
Before the first few unassisted steps happened. My family was visiting his family and in the living room, there was an apparatus that looked similar to the parallel bars you would see in a gymnastics competition. Except it was miniaturized.
My nephew was standing on one end grasping the support rails. His mother supported him until he started his movement. His father was at the other end encouraging him on. My nephew began to take small steps with a smile on his face, keeping his focus on his father.
This “Message In A Minute” conclusion almost writes itself doesn’t it?
The religious world uses the words “spiritual walk” to describe the growth and life of a believer. The church is often referred to as the “bride of Christ,” a symbolic mother for us. And God is our Heavenly Father.
We stumble, we fall, we hear encouragement, we struggle, we take one step at a time. But keeping our Father as the focal point is the surest way to get where we want to go.
How is your walk going?
Are you tempted to give up?
Do you feel like you’re not making progress?
Keep your eyes on your Father, He is the reason we take the steps, and He won’t let you walk alone.
-Tom Wise
Pilate is a very deceptive character in Jesus’ story. At first glace, one might get the impression that Pilate is a strong calculating man. A leader of men and a ruler of people. A decisive man willing to take charge, if you will.
However, when we read the gospel accounts, we find that Pilate is a different kind of man.
Pilate is thrust into a decision making role concerning Jesus, after the religious leaders dumped Jesus on him, then demanded that Jesus be put to death. After taking Jesus into custody, Pilate performed a thorough interrogation of Him. Of his own admission, he could find no fault with Jesus. He came to the conclusion that there was no merit to the claims that the religious leaders brought against Him. Yet, Pilate lacked the courage to do what was right. Instead of letting Jesus go, he shipped Him off to Herod as a way to relieve himself of any responsibility. Continue reading
These folks found it hard to have a healthy relationship with Jesus because they were consumed with what they had to give up. Jesus brought a different kind of message that turned things upside down for the religious elite. These folks were concerned with power, affluence, and prestige. Jesus message of servanthood, sacrifice, and selflessness challenged the way of life these powerful people were accustomed to.
I have spoken to a lot of people that only see a potential relationship with God through the lens of what they might have to give up. If this is Your lens then you will find it difficult to have a healthy relationship with God.
When I was under conviction by the Holy Spirit and considering my eternal future, I was someone that drank alcohol, and frequently got drunk. I remember having a conversation during that time and expressing that I didn’t feel like I should have to give up alcohol to be a Christian. I was viewing a potential relationship with God, through the lens of what I would have to give up. Continue reading
Photo by Jacob Meyer on Unsplash
These are the words of the Apostle Paul:
12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.
— 1 Corinthians 15:12-14 (NASB)
Paul believed that the resurrection of Christ was at the heart of the Christian message. Without it, he says, all is in vain. Unfortunately, in our time, there are too many pastors that neglect this most important event in their teaching and preaching; we hope not to be numbered among them. Continue reading