A Christmas Truce: Luke 2:14

In the final weeks of 1914, German and British troops were engaged off and on in battle, as they were stationed a few hundred yards apart on the Western Front. With Christmas approaching, the young soldiers were ready for relief.

It began on the night of Christmas Eve, when German soldiers lit candles on their Christmas trees -- not a good wartime move, since the enemy could easily spot their position. British soldiers responded by shooting off rockets and building bonfires.

The Germans began singing Christmas carols, inviting the British to join in. One British soldier called out, "We would rather die than sing in German." A German soldier responded, "If we had to listen to you sing in German, it would kill us, too." Throughout the night, each camp listened to the other sing.

The next morning, hundreds of soldiers left their trenches to meet the enemy in no-man's land, where they shook hands and exchanged gifts of food, candy, and tobacco. Some traded names and addresses. Meanwhile, a soccer game was played between the shell holes and barbed wire.

Both German and British generals spoke out against the truce, fearing that such fraternization could sap the troops' will to fight. Of course, it didn't. Fighting resumed the following day. Eventually ten million people would lose their lives in World War I. But on this single day, two enemies put aside their differences long enough to practice peace.

What a great place to begin. What if we called a truce, at least for this season? Imagine if husbands and wives would do this. And brothers and sisters. And in-laws. And neighbors. And co-workers. And church members. What if we made a determined effort to live in peace with one another – even the most contentious among us – just for the season?

If we would try it, we might begin to experience long-term what those embattled soldiers experienced for one day, and what the angels promised the shepherds on that first Christmas night: Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, goodwill towards men.

With love,

Mike

PRAYER

At the age of forty-seven, Nick Thomas found himself unemployed and under tremendous financial pressure. Though he had had a successful career in the Air Force and the insurance business, some reversals had set him back and left him with no place to go. The stress was overwhelming.

Nick’s wife, Liz, made their situation a matter of prayer. She was in church one morning praying about their dilemma, when she thought she could almost hear the words, "Make the mustard." Her family had a mustard recipe from Russia, and every Christmas she made gift jars of mustard for her friends.

Nick and Liz decided to listen to the voice. She prepared a substantial amount of mustard. They packaged it and then called on a local cheese shop. The manager tasted it and immediately bought out their inventory. Within three months, they had cracked the highly competitive New York major deli market, and their financial situation began to turn around. Because Nick and Liz committed their troubles to prayer and looked expectantly to God for guidance, he gave them direction.

We face an uncertain future in a chaotic world, but there is no reason for despair. When we don’t know where to turn or what path to take, God stands willing and ready to help: “If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.” James 1:5

With Love

Mike

Staying Power

As the persecution of Jews increased during World War II, Austrian psychologist Victor Frankl had the opportunity to go to America and avoid the imminent threat of suffering. His parents were thrilled for him, but he struggled with the question: Should I leave my parents behind in Gestapo-controlled Austria?

One day Victor's father, who knew nothing of his son's inner turmoil, brought him a piece of marble taken from a bombed out synagogue. It contained a small bit of writing that Victor recognized as being from the fourth commandment: Honor your father and mother.

Frankl decided to stay. The decision was not without a price; he and his family were arrested and imprisoned. His parents died in concentration camps, and he himself spent years in Auschwitz. But he survived, and as a result, he was able to provide strength and encouragement to millions through his writings, most notably his book "Man's Search for Meaning."

During this time, a German theologian named Dietrich Bonhoeffer had the opportunity to take a teaching post in America. He, too, struggled with the decision. Ultimately he declined the offer, choosing to stay in Germany because he felt an obligation to be with his own countrymen during the time of national crisis. Bonhoeffer was eventually arrested and sent to a concentration camp, where he died shortly before the war ended.

Both men had the opportunity to leave; both made the decision to stay and both paid a price for their choice.

The Apostle Paul wrote: Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1)

Each of us has an individual race to run, and at times we face difficult decisions regarding the best course to take. Paul was singularly focused when choosing his course, and I think his advice carries great wisdom: Throw off everything that hinders. Ignore the things that would distract you, and simply ask yourself, “Which path takes me closer to the prize?” If you need a hint from heaven, God will provide one; just be ready to take an obedient next step in the race marked out for you.

With Love,

Mike Tucker

Thank God for Home

As we approach Thanksgiving, my thoughts turn to the many blessings which God has bestowed upon me, not the least of which is the free country in which I make my home.

George Shultz served as Secretary of State for the United States during the Reagan administration. During that time, he kept a large globe in his office. When he interviewed newly appointed ambassadors or met with ambassadors returning from their posts abroad, Shultz would test them. He would say, "Go over to that globe and prove to me that you can identify your country." They would go over, spin the globe, and without fail, would put their finger on the country to which they were appointed as ambassador.

When Shultz's old friend and former Senate majority leader Mike Mansfield became ambassador to Japan, even he was put to the test. This time, however, Ambassador Mansfield spun the globe and put his hand on the United States. He said: "That's my country."

In 1993, Shultz related this story to Brian Lamb on C-Span's Booknotes. He said, "I've told that story, subsequently, to all the ambassadors going out. 'Never forget you're over there in that country, but your country is the United States. You're there to represent us. Take care of our interests and never forget you're representing the best country in the world.' "

I am sincerely grateful for my country and the freedom that is afforded me here. Yet, I am also conscious of the reality that the United States is not my true home. I am a citizen of Heaven!

Wherever you dwell in this world, may your heart be filled with gratitude for the provision God has made for you in that place. But above all, may you realize that you are but an ambassador in the world, representing Jesus Christ, the King. Your home is in Heaven – and that’s cause for true thanksgiving and praise!

With Love,

Mike

Success

Albert Schweitzer was born in 1875. He was a sickly child who was slow to read and write and was a poor scholar. As he grew up, he forced himself to master subjects that were particularly difficult, such as Hebrew. He turned out to be a genuine music prodigy, playing the organ at age eight, and by nine, he was substituting for the regular organist in a church service.

By early manhood, Schweitzer had several professional lives proceeding concurrently. At the University of Strasbourg, he earned his first Ph. D. in philosophy, then another in theology, followed by one in music theory. By the time he was thirty, he had a successful career as a concert organist and was publishing a stream of books in selected fields. Suddenly, one day, he decided to stop his academic career in order to study medicine. It was a dramatic move inspired by a decision to devote the rest of his life to being a missionary. His decision was made after he read a magazine article about the Congo. “While we are preaching to these people about religion,” the article had said, “they are suffering and dying before our eyes from physical maladies.”

Schweitzer knew what he wanted to do and began to lay plans to go to Africa. Friends and academicians protested: If Africa needed help, let Schweitzer raise the money necessary to increase their quality of living. He certainly had more ability than to wash lepers with his own hands, they believed.

Someone once said, “Success is doing what you want to do because you feel called to do it.” Others questioned Schweitzer’s dreams, but he maintained a plan of action that he knew would enhance his life. No one could take away what he believed was right for him.

Schweitzer fell in love with Helen Bresslau, the daughter of a Jewish historian. His proposal to her was, to say the least, unique: “I am studying to be a doctor in Africa. Would you be willing to grow old with me and spend the rest of your life with me in the jungle?”

Helen’s response was not of the usual nature. “I love you, Albert. Therefore, I will become a nurse. You will not be able to go without me.” So, on Good Friday of 1913, Schweitzer and his wife departed for a lifetime of service in French Equatorial Africa. In over 50 years of service, Albert Schweitzer became a legend in his own time.

For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8

With Love,

Mike

Words of Encouragement

Anatole France once said, "Nine tenths of education is encouragement." The same can be said for preaching, with a slightly different percentage. According to Paul, 33% of preaching is encouragement. He said, "But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort." (1 Corinthians 14:3)

I believe this principle applies to our conversations, as well. Perhaps we should check the content of our conversations to see how much time we spend encouraging others, as opposed to how much time we spend pointing out their sins, or complaining about how bad things are, or warning about how bad things will get, and so on. People need encouragement.

So, what is encouragement? According to various online dictionaries, it can be defined as:

+ contributing to the progress or growth of someone or something;

+ the expression of approval or support;


+ to motivate, incitement to action or practice;


+ to give hope or courage to someone.

You might say that encouragement is telling someone what they most need to hear in order to take the next right step.

The conversations that I find most encouraging are the ones that remind me that God's mercy is always more powerful than my sin, and there is no situation beyond his ability to restore, and that restoration can begin today if I start taking action today.

The conversations that I find most encouraging are the ones that remind me that holiness isn't an unattainable goal, that becoming like Christ isn't beyond my grasp, that it's the birthright of every believer -- including me -- if I will only start taking steps in that direction.

All of our conversations should have an element of, "You can do it. Here's how." Whether we're behind the pulpit or just talking to a friend one on one, we're called to be voices of encouragement.

With Love,

Mike

Humility

Alex Haley, author of the book Roots, had a picture in his office of a turtle sitting on top of a fence post. When you see a turtle sitting on a fence post, you know that he didn't get there by himself; he had to have some help.

That's why Haley kept the picture in his office. He said, "Anytime I start thinking, 'Wow. Isn't it marvelous what I have done?' I look at that picture and remember how this turtle—me—got up on that post."

Humble people don't kid themselves about who deserves the credit for the good things that happen in their life. Humility says, "I don't deserve all the credit. I don't deserve all the glory. I didn't get here on my own; God helped me become what I am."

Humble people also accept the fact that they often won't get the credit they do deserve. The good that most people do goes by unnoticed. It happens to just about everyone: Teachers, customer service reps, police officers, firefighters, auto mechanics, medical personnel — rarely do they get the credit they deserve.

Neither, probably, do you. If you do what you do for the purpose of receiving recognition, you'll probably be frustrated most of the time.

Remember Underdog? Underdog was a cartoon superhero who frequently saved the world from certain doom at the hands of his arch-villain, Simon Bar-Sinister.

When he wasn't saving the world, he was a lowly shoeshine boy. At the beginning of every episode you saw him shining shoes. The customer would give him a nickel and say something like, "Thank you shoeshine boy. You're humble and lovable." Then Underdog would bite the nickel. (You see, he was humble, but he wasn't about to accept any wooden nickels.)

What made him humble? Even though he was a superhero, he didn't care if people thought he was only a shoeshine boy. In other words, he didn't care who got the credit. He wasn't after his own glory. The job itself was more important to him than the accolades that came with it.

Humble people are more inclined to focus on the value in their work and in others than they are to focus on themselves.

This is the example Paul gave us to follow: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

With Love,

Mike

DOUBT

Agnes Bojaxhiu, who died in 1997, was one of the most influential persons of her time. She was so passionate about her beliefs that her life became an articulate expression of her faith. She loved life, and so, hated abortion; thus even when called to speak to a predominantly American audience, she strongly criticized the policy. When asked to comment on her remarks, President Bill Clinton only noted, "Who can argue with a life so well lived?"

Yet, Agnes Bojaxhiu was privately racked by an emotional vacuum in her relationship with God. In some of her writings, published posthumously, she is quoted as saying: "The more I want [God], the less I am wanted." Sometime later she writes again, "Such deep longing for God—and...repulsed, empty, no faith, no love, no zeal. [The saving of] souls holds no attraction. Heaven means nothing. Pray for me please that I keep smiling at Him in spite of everything."

Ordinarily, this would not be anything noteworthy, as many would privately disclose that we, too, have been troubled by doubt. But the world looks back at the legacy of Agnes Bojaxhiu, who was better known as Mother Teresa, and these letters, which are very private expressions of her personal struggles, are publicly analyzed. There are many questions that this honesty about doubt raises. Is it wrong to doubt? And most importantly, how do we deal with it?

We do see in the Bible many who wrestled with doubt. Job who was in the midst of suffering said, "If I called and he answered me, I could not believe that he was listening to my voice. For he bruises me with a tempest and multiplies my wounds without cause" (Job 9:16-17). His bruises, which were many, constrained belief and encouraged doubt.

Then there is Jeremiah who cried out to God in the face of persecution. "O LORD, you have deceived me and I was deceived; you have overcome me and prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me" (Jeremiah 20:7). Though this was not a cry of outright unbelief, it was a struggle with a God who seems to be silent in the face of unjust suffering.

Then there is Thomas, whose name brings to mind the very word doubt. When the disciples recounted to him their encounter with the risen Lord, he refused to blindly believe their words. "Unless I see in his hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe" (John 20:25).

How do we handle doubt? Firstly, we should be honest about our doubt. In the Gospel of Mark there is an account of a father who brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus. He implored him to cast out the demon. Jesus agreed, saying that all things were possible to those who believed. The father of the boy then confessed, "I do believe; help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24). While there is no mechanical method or technique to rid ourselves of doubt, we can approach God with honesty, confessing our doubt and our need for his help.

Secondly, God does not want us to live by simply depending upon our feelings. While feelings are important, they do not tell us what is real. They supplement the other facets of how God has made us as humans. Thus, the oft-quoted verse comes alive with meaning in this context: "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30). We need to love God with not just our emotions, but also with all our bodily faculties, our wills, and our mind. As we observe God's world and reflect on it, there are impressions of the divine formed in the eyes of our heart, which direct us toward the true God. Thus our minds, our emotions, our wills, and all our faculties are complementary components in our relationship, by faith, in Christ.

And finally, while we are often hard on Thomas, he is to be commended because he doubted so that he could believe. It was not a doubt that was destructive, but a doubt that led to a faith that would not fail him. A blind faith may not have held him finally in the face of martyrdom. Far from a troubling secret that Christians must hide with shame, our doubts must always lead us to investigate, and then to respond like Thomas to the evidence provided by the risen Jesus—with surrender: "My Lord and my God."

Legacy

Alfred Nobel was the inventor of dynamite. Although he was a pacifist, Alfred also manufactured arms for warfare. Nobel loved literature and wrote plays, novels, and poems, but few knew him for these things. Instead, they knew only about how dynamite and implements of war had made Nobel a wealthy man.

Nobel was a bit of a recluse, preferring to work on some new invention rather than spend time in the company of people. In fact, he never married.

A curious thing happened to Alfred in 1888. Ludvig Nobel, Alfred’s brother who was a wealthy oilman, died while visiting in Cannes, France. The Newspapers mistakenly printed that it was the better-known Alfred who had died. The headlines read: “The Merchant of Death is Dead.” Apparently, the headline and accompanying obituary had a huge impact on Alfred.

It appears that this experience caused Alfred to think more seriously about his own life and impending death. He began to wonder about the legacy he would leave behind. How would he be remembered? What impact would he have made on the planet? Would history remember him as “The Merchant of Death,” or could he leave a different legacy?

Since Alfred never married, he had no heirs to whom he might leave his immense fortune. There would be nobody to carry on his name, his goals, or his values. How then, would he leave his mark on society?

Alfred Nobel decided that he would use his vast holdings to make a lasting impact. When he died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1896, his family was shocked by the details of his will. Alfred Nobel used the bulk of his fortune to establish the most highly regarded of international awards, the Nobel Prizes. Prizes are awarded for accomplishments in science, mathematics, and literature. Best known of all the awards is the Nobel Peace Prize.

Alfred Nobel left a very different legacy than the one the newspapers printed in his premature obituary. Today, few would remember Nobel as “The Merchant of Death” who invented dynamite and manufactured implements of warfare. Instead, they remember this great man as the founder of the Nobel Peace Prize.

What legacy will you leave? It’s a question worth considering, in terms of both our financial resources and the impact of the life we choose to live during our days on this earth. While you and I may not have the vast resources of Alfred Nobel, we can still leave a legacy that will make a difference.

With love,

Mike Tucker

Allow Yourself to Dream

Albert Einstein said, "Once a day, allow yourself the freedom to dream."

What do you suppose Einstein dreamed of? I would guess that a look at his life's work and the contributions he made to physics would provide some clues about his dreams.

If you were devote time each day to the task of dreaming, what would you dream about? A better family life? A closer walk with God? A better job? A more secure financial situation?

When we dream, we allow ourselves to see beyond the reality, and possibly the ugliness, of now. When we dream, we allow ourselves to explore the possibilities of what could happen, how things could be.

We know the words of Jesus. "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20)

Mustard-seed faith – which is actually mountain-moving faith – starts with a dream, an idea of what could be. You don't have to stay stuck in a rut forever. The first step to changing your situation is to allow yourself to dream.

Try it. Once a day (at least), take some time to be alone with God. Think about your life, your ministry, your family, your health, your happiness, and allow yourself to imagine how things could be. Then, exercise that mustard seed of faith to believe that God’s power can bring these things to pass.

With love,

Mike

Nostalgia

Ah, the Good Old Days!

Nostalgia is an interesting thing. It embellishes our memories and makes the past look and feel so much better than it really was. Perhaps you have a storyteller in your family who possesses the ability to tell stories of the past so eloquently that it makes you feel cheated that you weren’t born earlier. I love history, I love stores, and yet...

The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote, “There is a time for everything.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) We all manage time in different ways. Some of us live perpetually in the past. We treasure those relationships, experiences, and places; those loves won and lost. Others are always hoping to live; the best is yet ahead, somewhere over the rainbow when things will be wonderful.

Is this a symptom of an inability to dwell in the present? In a recent book called Elsewhere USA, the author cites some of the challenges to living a focused or attentive life. Because of the invasive conditions of modern technology and the press of incessant demands, many of us are seldom “present” in anything we do. We are not present for our spouses, not present for our friends, not present even in our own imaginations, as the desire of being elsewhere overrules all else.

Writing to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul urged, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.” (Ephesians 5:15) Some translations render his instruction “redeeming the time.” I like that. To see all of time in the light of eternity, to see every moment and every opportunity as a chance to glorify God, to receive life and experiences for what they are, and most of all, to be present. That is, to be present to others, in love, service, and availability; to be present when needed, as my workplace, friends, or community may need my contribution.

I don’t mean in any sense to devalue the role of telling old stories or memories. After all, they are a huge part of what makes life rich. I do propose, however, that we be careful to not allow any view of time to eclipse our ability to be fully present to our God and those who need us most today. The wise preacher was right; there is indeed a time for everything.

With love,

Mike

Who Takes the Son?

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.

He said, “Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart, killing him instantly. He often talked about you and your love for art.”

The young man held out his package. “I know this isn’t much. I’m not a skilled artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.”

The father opened the package to find a portrait of his son that the young man had painted. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.

“Oh, no sir. I could never repay what your son did for me. It’s a gift.”

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home, he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and at having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. “We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?”

There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.”

But the auctioneer persisted. “Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will take the son?” And again, he met with resistance from those who came to bid on the famous paintings.

Finally, a voice came from the back of the room. It was the long-time gardener of the estate. He said, “I’ll give $10.00 for the painting.” He was a poor man, and ten dollars was all he could afford, but he had loved the son and wanted the painting as a loving reminder.

No further bids were offered, so the gavel came down, awarding the painting to the gardener.

Then came the surprise. “The auction is over. The will stipulated that whoever bought the painting of the son would inherit the entire estate. The man who took the son gets everything.”

God gave his Son 2,000 years ago. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: “The son, the son. Who will take the son?”

Whoever takes the Son gets everything!

Love,

Mike

I Am Not

According to spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle, Jesus taught that the key to planetary transformation is for people to awaken to their identity as “Being.” In his book A New Earth, Tolle writes, “Jesus speaks of the innermost I am, the essence identity of every man and woman, every life-form, in fact. He speaks of the life that you are. Some Christian mystics have called it the Christ within; Buddhists call it your Buddha nature; for Hindus, it is Atman, the indwelling God.” Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose (New York: Plume, 2005), 71.

Where does Jesus speak of this “innermost I am”? In one group of sayings Jesus says, “I am the bread of life” (6:35), “the light of the world” (8:12; 9:5), “the gate” (10:7), “the good shepherd” (10:11,14), “the resurrection and the life” (11:25), “the way, the truth and the life” (14:6), and “the true vine” (15:1).

In another group of statements, the “I am” has a more emphatic tone. In John 8:24, Jesus says, “Unless you believe that I am, you will die in your sins." John 18:6, says, “When he said to them, ‘I am,’ they turned away and fell to the ground.” The most emphatic “I am” statement of Jesus is found in John 8:58 where Jesus says, "Before Abraham was born, I am!" The Jew knew Jesus was boldly equating himself with God by attributing to himself the divine title “I AM” revealed by Yahweh in Exodus 3:14.

Nowhere in this collection of “I am” statements do we see Jesus saying anything like, “Can you sense your inner I am-ness?” Far from being mysterious statements that tell of the widespread divine spark within us all, the “I am” sayings of Jesus are clear proclamations of His unique status as the Son of God.

I am not I AM. No amount of meditation or chanting will ever get me to believe that someone as deeply flawed as myself could ever compare to Jesus. But Scripture does give us hope, telling us that while Jesus alone is the perfect image of God, he conquered death so that we could have life. We were crucified with him, raised with him, and can daily be made new.

With Love,

Mike

Our Tears

A small article toward the back of a People magazine told the story of Ashlyn. She is an incredibly happy child, very eager and energetic. According to her mother, Ashlyn has the best laugh in the world, and according to her kindergarten teacher, she fearlessly goes headfirst into everything. In many ways she is a typical, lovable five year-old. But Ashlyn is one of only 50 people in the world with a genetic condition that leaves her unable to feel pain. She can feel touch and be tickled, but she cannot sense pain or extreme temperatures.

Pain is there for a reason. When Ashlyn was a toddler, her parents had to wrap her with athletic tape because of all the damage she was causing to her limbs. She has knocked eight teeth out and dug a hole in her eye without shedding a tear. She once came in from outside proclaiming she couldn't get the dirt off her skin. But it wasn't dirt. Ashlyn was covered with hundreds of fire ants.

Pain is necessary. Imagine not knowing when you have scalded your mouth on a hot meal or bit your tongue so badly that it bled. Imagine your child reaching out for the light of a candle and not having the pain of burned fingers to reinforce your scolding plea not to play with fire.

In our times of greatest pain we often ask why a loving God would allow it in the first place. And yet, the closing lines of Ashlyn's story were the words of her parent: "I would give anything, absolutely anything, for Ashlyn to feel pain.”

Pain is the body's signal for danger, however slight or severe. It is a force for navigating unknown corridors of life, without which we find ourselves numb to reality, robbed of caution, and disoriented to the world. "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pain," says C.S. Lewis.

We are comforted by the image of heaven as the place where God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. There is great hope in the promise that there will one day "be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4). But perhaps there is also something wonderful about a God who gives us pain.

To God the psalmist says, "You have kept count of my tossings, put my tears in your bottle" (Psalm 56:8, ESV). Tear-bottles were small urns of glass or pottery, created to collect the tears of mourners at the funeral of a loved one and placed in the sepulchers at Rome and in Palestine where bodies were laid to rest. In some ancient tombs these bottles are found in great numbers, collecting tears that were shed with great meaning.

Perhaps equally as comforting as knowing God will one day wipe away every tear from our eyes is the thought that God does not see our pain here as a pointless or empty occurrence. The psalmist reminds us that our tears on earth do not go unnoticed. God has kept count of our sorrowful struggling; each tear is recorded as pain steeped with meaning. Like a parent grieving at a child's wound, God reaches out to you in—perhaps even through—your pain, speaking gently into your heightened sense of awareness. And with the Son who wept at the grave of Lazarus, God collects your tears in his bottle until the day when tears will be no more.

With love,
Mike

Stay with It!

Albert Einstein once said, "It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer." He may have understated his intelligence, but he does so to make a point: For more than any other reason, he was successful because he was persistent.

I'm no Albert Einstein, but I can also say that any success I have experienced can be attributed to this same principle.

Solomon said, "For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again." (Proverbs 24:16) When I'm missing the mark in my life -- spiritually, financially, or in my relationships -- I have to remind myself several times a day that the difference between my being a wise man and a fool ... the difference between my being righteous and unrighteous ... is determined by my willingness to get up and keep going.

Some people give up easily. They give up on changing bad habits, completing their education, controlling their children, or saving their marriage. They will never know the success that comes from perseverance.

It is easy to try and fail and become discouraged. We’ve all done it. It is easy to interpret an early failure with absolute failure.

Have you fallen down? Has it happened more than once? If you're like me, you might be ready during these times to throw in the towel and call it quits. But remember this: if a goal is worth one good try, it's worth 10, 20, or even 100 more. Take another look at the dream God has placed in your heart. Then get up, and try again.

With Love,

Mike

The Last Word

A sales manager and two of his sales reps are walking to lunch one day when they come across an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie appears, saying, "I'll give each of you just one wish."

One rep is quick to speak up first. He says, "I want to be in the Bahamas driving a speedboat, without a care in the world." Poof! He's gone.

The next rep speaks up. "I want to be fishing in a stream in the Colorado Rockies." Poof! He's gone.

The genie turns to the sales manager and says, "Your turn."

The manager says, "I want those two back in the office after lunch."

Who has the last word makes a difference, doesn't it? We stand at the beginning of a new year, and the days of 2013 will offer many choices. The question is: who – or what – will have the last word in your life?

Will your choices be driven by ambition, by revenge, or perhaps by mere whim? Or will the Word of God have the final say? Paul said, "Let the word of Christ dwell richly within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs..." (Colossians 3:16)

Paul is saying that as you immerse yourself in scripture, the wisdom of Christ will actually dwell within you. This is not only a wonderful promise, but also wise advice for a new year. It’s a resolution you will not regret as you face the choices ahead: Let God's word be the last word in your life -- today, and everyday.

With Love,

Mike

Just One Person

A number of years ago, young Matthew LeSage, a third grader, wanted to do something to help those who were hungry in his city. He started a program called Hams for the Hungry. In its fourth year, Hams for the Hungry raised $40,000 to brighten the holiday season for people with limited resources.

Matthew's story reminds me of yet another young man, years ago, who also had a heart for other people. He was thirteen years old when he read about Dr. Albert Schweitzer's missionary work in Africa, and he wanted to help.

He had enough money to buy one bottle of aspirin. He wrote to the Air Force and asked if they could fly over Dr. Schweitzer's hospital and drop the bottle down to him. A radio station broadcast the story about this young fellow's desire to help people. Others began to respond and joined in his efforts. Eventually, he was flown by the government to Schweitzer's hospital along with 4 ½ tons of medical supplies worth $400,000, freely given by thousands of people. This, of course, would be the equivalent of millions of dollars today. When Dr. Schweitzer heard the story, he said, "I never thought one child could do so much."

Perhaps you have been hesitant to attempt to make a difference in the world since you are only one person. But the Apostle Paul’s assertion that he could “do all things in Christ” is a constant reminder of the power of just one person.

What are the needs that surround you? What needs to be done in your neighborhood – in your community? Now ask yourself – what prevents you from meeting those needs?

Is it possible that God intends to meet the needs of others in your world through you? Never underestimate the power of just one person!

With Love,

Mike

Routine Assistance

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. Galatians 5:13-15

Sir Edmund Hillary and his guide Tenzing Norkay made history in 1953 by climbing Mount Everest. Their accomplishment required remarkable skill and courage, but there was another element that ensured their success.

Descending from mighty Mount Everest, Hillary lost his footing and feared for his life. Instinctively, Tenzing held the line taut, firmly planted his ax into the ice, thereby preventing their otherwise unavoidable deaths. Hillary soon recovered his footing, and the two adventurers completed their descent.

Learning about the climbers’ perils, the press later called Tenzing a hero. He refuted the glory and refused to take any credit. Instead, he was quoted as saying: “Mountain climbers always help one another. It’s a routine part of their profession.”

Shouldn’t it be “routine” for Christians to lift each other up? Shouldn’t it be a matter of course that we encourage one another – or that we build each other up? And yet, all too often an erring or broken brother or sister meets with condemnation or criticism from their Christian brothers.

It has been said that the Christian Army is the only army on earth that shoots its own wounded soldiers. Sad commentary for those who Jesus said would be recognized by their love for one another.

I’m challenged to attempt to help a brother or sister who has lost footing. By God’s grace, I choose not to push them over the precipice. I want to routinely help those who have fallen.

Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

With Love,

Mike

What if God knew your name?

A man wearing sunglasses approached the cash register of a pharmacy and told the employees he was going to rob them. The pharmacist stepped forward and thwarted the plans of the would-be burglar, preventing the crime before it came to fruition. But he didn't scare the thief off by threat or weapon. The man was stopped dead in his tracks because the pharmacist knew his name. Recognizing his voice, the pharmacist called him by name and asked if the robbery was a joke. The man immediately spun around and ran out of the store, boarding a nearby city bus.

It is easy to enter into certain situations with a false sense of anonymity. Shielded under the veil of obscurity, the pharmacy break-in seemed somehow easier to carry out. The man walked in thinking he would carry out a faceless robbery, when in fact, the pharmacist knew his name, his address, and enough of his character to suspect it was a joke. Had someone not recognized him, he might have followed through with the crime.

God knows my name. At times, I may charge foolishly into life with the idea that some sins or thoughts can be hidden, but God shatters my false sense of anonymity by simply calling out my name. At times, like the pharmacy burglar, I may instinctively feel like running, finding myself suddenly exposed where I once thought I was safely hidden. But really, what point is there in running away from someone who knows your name?

"O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me...Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?" (139:1-7).

There is one verse in this psalm that’s easy to overlook. "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain" (139:6). There are many reasons that one might instinctively attempt to run from God. Often times, the thought of remaining in the presence of a holy God who knows your name is far too much to bear. David knew the terror of being caught in sin and called out by name. But he also knew the beautiful mystery of being in the presence of one who would never stop calling his name.

God knows your name and will not stop looking for you even though you hide. Though you turn away, God will not abstain from loving you. He will not stop striving to bring you back into his fold: "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:14-15). This God calls his own sheep by name; such knowledge is indeed too lofty for us to attain.

With love,

Mike

Beating the System

A man from Charlotte, North Carolina, having purchased a case of rare, very expensive cigars, did something very unusual. He insured them against fire!

Within a month, having smoked his entire stockpile of fabulous cigars, and having yet to make a single premium payment on the policy, the man filed a claim against the insurance company. In his claim, the man stated that he had lost the cigars in “a series of small fires.”

The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious reason that the man had consumed the cigars in a normal fashion. The man sued – and won!

In delivering his ruling, the judge stated that since the man held a policy from the company in which it had warranted that the cigars were insurable, and also guaranteed that it would insure the cigars against fire, without defining what it considered to be “unacceptable fire,” it was obligated to compensate the insured for his loss.

Rather than endure a lengthy and costly appeal process, the insurance company accepted the judge’s ruling and paid the man $15,000.00 for the rare cigars he lost in “the fires.” After the man cashed his check, however, the insurance company had him arrested on 24 counts of arson! With his own insurance claim and testimony from the previous case being used as evidence against him, the man was convicted of intentionally burning the rare cigars and sentenced to 24 consecutive one-year terms.

Forgive me, but I can’t help but chuckle at this true story. The man believed he had beaten the system and the insurance company, but in the end they had the last laugh.

There is no beating God’s justice. Sin has a wage and every sinner will pay that wage – or will they?

God doesn’t play games with justice. He will not be fooled. But He does extend grace to any sinner who confesses his sins and calls upon the blood of Jesus as payment for his wrongdoing.

In essence, we still don’t “beat the system.” The system is satisfied by the substitutionary death of Christ on the Cross. The “system” works. Jesus simply takes the penalty for our sins on Himself.

With Love
Mike