Who is God?

Charles Spurgeon once remarked that the study of God is a subject “so vast that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep that our pride is drowned in its infinity.”

Theologians attempt to capture such immensity by speaking of God in terms of sovereignty and holiness, omniscience and immutability. But not everyone finds such images of God comforting. English biologist, Julian Huxley once said, “Operationally, God is beginning to resemble not a ruler, but the last fading smile of a cosmic Cheshire cat.” Similarly, musician Dave Matthews sings of God’s “mischievous grin,” while Tori Amos croons with resignation, “Nothing I do is good enough for you.”

I find C.S. Lewis helpful here. In a scene from The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver help prepare the children to meet the great Lion Aslan for the first time. Mrs. Beaver declares that anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking is either braver than most or else just silly.

“Then he isn’t safe?” asks Lucy.

“Safe?” says Mr. Beaver. “Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.”

As Ravi Zacharias powerfully observes, God’s sovereignty is not tyrannical when it is bounded by goodness. God’s holiness is not tortuous when it is tempered by grace. God’s omniscience is not daunting when it is coupled with mercy, and God’s immutability is far from stifling when it is certain of good will.

God has given us a lifetime to explore the immensity of his love, the truth of his sovereignty, the vastness of holiness. But that you and I can approach God as Father, Christ as Son, and the Spirit as Comforter not only gives life inherent worth and meaning, it invites a relationship with the only one in whom we can say in life and in death, “It is well with my soul.”

With Love,

Mike

Baseball and the Married Life - Acts 4:32

Can baseball save a marriage? The research suggests that it certainly can’t hurt!

Howard Markman, who co-directs the University of Denver's Center For Marital and Family Studies, made an interesting discovery a few years ago. He found that cities with a Major League Baseball team have a 28% lower divorce rate than cities that don't have a team, but had expressed interest in one. Another interesting statistic is that between August 2006 and September 2007, almost 4 million married women attended an MLB game. That's 30% more than football, basketball, and hockey combined.

Markman doesn't claim that watching baseball can save a marriage, but he does claim, based on the findings of his research, that couples committed to having fun together have stronger marriages.

"The more you invest in fun and friendship and being there for your partner, the happier the relationship will get over time," he says. "The correlation between fun and marital happiness is high and significant."

A related USA Today article (July 15, 2008) goes on to say that men and women tend to have different takes on bonding. Men tend to enjoy shared activities, while women to tend to prefer shared activities as a backdrop to good conversation. Husbands and wives should be aware of these differences as they seek to create a sense of intimacy. A union is made stronger, the research indicates, when couples take time for each other -- doing fun things and talking together as good friends.

These principles are true for couples and for the wider Christian community. We all know about the importance of fellowship. The book of Acts talks about the strong connection the early church had, sharing possessions with one another, breaking bread together, spending time in each other's homes. As a result, "All believers were one in heart and mind." (Acts 4:32)

With love,

Mike

Standing Beside the King

The story is told of a particular running of the Marathon in ancient Greece. As the time drew near for the long-distance race to begin, the muscular, conditioned runners paced nervously near the starting line. They shook out their muscles, inhaled deeply, and put on their "game faces."

In the midst of it all, a young stranger took his place at the starting line. His physique was awesome. Taking no notice of the other contestants, he stared straight ahead.

Two prizes would be awarded the winner of the Marathon: a magnificent bouquet of flowers, and the honor of standing beside the king until the conclusion of other contests. As the runners eyed this new contestant, there seemed to be no question among them about who would win the prize. He seemed destined to win.

It is alleged that someone offered the young man money not to run. Another attempted to bribe him with property. Refusing the offers, he toed the mark and awaited the signal to run.

When the signal was given, he was the first away. At the finish line, he was the first to cross, well ahead of the rest. When it was all done, someone asked the young man if he thought the flowers were worth as much as the money and property he had refused. He replied, "I did not enter the race for the flowers. I ran so that I could stand beside my king!"

The Apostle Paul echoed those sentiments:

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 4:7-8

Run the race for the real prize, the prize of being with your Savior.

With Love,

Mike

Repeated Mistakes

The story is told of a man who hired a pilot to take him Caribou hunting in Canada. He asked the pilot to land in a remote place. The pilot said, "There aren't any Caribou in this area." The hunter said, "Yes there are. I was here last year." Sure enough, in a few hours the hunter returned, dragging two caribou.

The pilot said, "You can't load two caribou. The plane can't bear the weight." The hunter said, "Well, I did it last year. Same size plane, same size caribou." The pilot finally agreed, and they took off. The plane, however, couldn't carry the load, and they crashed into the side of a mountain.

The pilot got angry with the hunter and said, "I can't believe I let you talk me into this. I knew this plane couldn't carry two caribou. Now we're stranded on this mountain, and no one will ever find us." The hunter said, "Don't worry, the rescue team will find us in no time. We're just a few hundred feet from where we crashed last year."

The same mistakes! This is what I find most frustrating about myself: this tendency to repeat mistakes. They say the sign of insanity is to keep doing the same thing over and over, while expecting a different result. If that's it, most of us are insane; we get tripped up more often by old habits than by new temptations.

I wish the Bible offered a quick 3-step formula for breaking bad habits, but it doesn't. Here's the "formula" it does give: "Let us also lay aside every weight and the sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1)

Lay it aside and keep running, the writer says – especially the sins that "cling closely." Lay them aside. They'll probably be back to annoy us another day, to knock us down another time, but for now, put them aside and just keep running.

If we run the race with our hearts set on Jesus, who runs beside us and beckons us on to the finish, eventually the persistence will pay off. Bad habits and character flaws will gradually be overcome. Someday the sin will no longer cling closely; will no longer beset us. Till then, we've got to keep running the race.

Stronger than Death

The romantic words of a husband to his wife were carefully written in pencil on the back of a mail-worn postcard. With thousands of other notes and letters like it, the postcard arrived at an Ohio post office, a minuscule part of a routine shipment from the U.S. Postal Service distribution center in Toledo. But the note’s arrival was hardly routine.

Roscoe St. Myer’s postcard, mailed to Mrs. St. Myer of Port Clinton, Ohio, arrived 82 years late. The postmaster said she had no idea how the yellowed postcard ended up in the shipment or where it originated, but noted, “I think that their family would love to have this card. This is quite a keepsake for somebody.”

Post-marked September 14th, 1922 and mailed with a 1-cent stamp, the front of the postcard shows a couple embracing. In the note to his wife on the back, Mr. St. Myer promises to write again. Neither of the St. Myers are believed to be still living.

The couple is no longer alive, and yet a sign of their love for each other remains, a small indication that they were once among us, whispering again beyond the grave. Our lives wither like the grass of the field, and yet somehow—in memories, in hearts, in small signs around us—the love we leave behind endures.

King Solomon, in the Song of Songs, wrote: “For love is as strong as death.” The New Testament further speaks of such enduring love in our fleeting world. “Where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.... But these three remain: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:8, 13).

Paul reminds us that love is the greatest mark our lives can leave behind because it belongs as much to eternity as it does to this moment. Even after our faith becomes sight and our hope is fulfilled, love endures, continuing on from the present and into days long after us.

Jesus calls all Christians to live this way. “My command is this, love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13-14). In the lives we touch, the hands we hold in times of despair, and in the hearts we vow to love, we leave the indelible marks of eternity.

As we would respond to pangs of hunger with food and water, we are called to respond to the cries of a broken world with the love of God, made known at the Cross. Greater love has no one than this. Like a postcard circulating long after our days, the love we write across the lives of others will continue to speak, whispering that God is among us, crying out beyond the grave that could neither silence nor contain Him.

With love,

Mike

Shadow of the Cross

The Manchester City Art Gallery houses a painting of Christ by Holman Hunt [shown in the image above]. It shows young Jesus standing inside his father's carpenter shop in Nazareth. He has momentarily put his saw down and is stripped down to a cloth around his waist.

A weary Jesus stretches his arms above his head, casting a shadow onto the wall -- a shadow in the shape of a person crucified. A long narrow tool rack hanging on the wall intersects perfectly with his shadow to give the impression of the crossbeam of the cross.

In the foreground of the painting, a woman kneels among the woodchips with her hands resting upon a chest that houses the gifts of the magi. It is Mary, startled by the cross-like shadow cast by her son.

Hunt shows us in art form what all of Scripture shows us with words. The shadow of the cross was cast over Christ's life from the beginning. During every moment of His life on earth, He knew the magnitude of the sacrifice that lay ahead, and yet He willingly came to save us and change our eternal destiny

His death lies at the heart of his story, and ours.

With Love,

Mike

Easter

The Good Friday service in Dampara Baptist Church, Chittagong, Bangladesh, was packed. Little children sat on the floor in the aisles and across the front of the church. Rows of people stood in the back, craning their necks to see the crucifixion scene as depicted in The Jesus Film.

Weeping and gasps of unbelief could be heard in the shocked hush as Jesus’ crucifixion was depicted on the screen. As the Bengalis watched, they were feeling the agony of Jesus' pain and the disappointment of the disciples.

In that emotional moment, one young boy in the crowded church suddenly cried out, "Do not be afraid. He gets up again! I saw it before."

A small boy's encouraging cry gave new hope to the viewers of the film. "He is risen!" is the cry that gives new hope to all.

The simplest meaning of Easter is that we are living in a world in which God has the last word. On Friday night it appeared as if evil were the master of life. The holiest and most lovable One who had ever lived was dead and in His tomb, crucified by the order of a tyrant without scruples or regrets.

He who had raised the highest hopes among men had died by the most shameful means. A cross, two nails, a jeering mob of debauched souls, and a quick thrust of a spear had ended it all.

Those hours when His voice was stilled and His hands were quiet were the blackest through which the race has ever lived. If Caesar could put an end to Jesus, then no man could ever dare aspire or hope again. Hope, in such a world, could be nothing better than a mockery.

Then came Easter morning and the glorious word: "He is risen!" And evil's triumph was at an end. Since that hour when Mary in the garden first discovered the staggering fact of victory, no man who in his heart has believed in the Resurrection has ever had reason to fear or despair.

Praise God! He is risen!

With Love,

Mike

Miraculous

Charles Swindoll tells a funny story about a nine-year-old named Danny who came bursting out of Sunday school like a wild stallion. His eyes were darting in every direction as he tried to locate either mom or dad.

Finally, after a quick search, he grabbed his Daddy by the leg and yelled, "Man, that story of Moses and all those people crossing the Red Sea was great!" His father looked down, smiled, and asked the boy to tell him about it.

"Well, the Israelites got out of Egypt, but Pharaoh and his army chased after them. So the Jews ran as fast as they could until they got to the Red Sea. The Egyptian Army was gettin' closer and closer. So Moses got on his walkie-talkie and told the Israeli Air Force to bomb the Egyptians. While that was happening, the Israeli Navy built a pontoon bridge so the people could cross over. And they made it!”

By now, dad was shocked. "Is THAT the way they taught you the story?"

“Well, no, not exactly," Danny admitted, "but if I told you the way they told it to us, you'd never believe it, Dad."

With childlike innocence the little guy put his finger on the pulse of our sophisticated adult world where cool skepticism reigns supreme. It's more popular to operate in the black-and-white world of facts, and of course, to leave no space for the miraculous.

But Jesus challenges us to leave our pseudo-sophisticated world of facts and science in favor of a more simple faith.

Verily I say unto you, except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3 (ASV)

Frankly, I believe in the miraculous. More importantly, I believe in a God that is big enough to intervene in our world in ways we cannot explain or comprehend.

It is my prayer that you will be able to leave skepticism behind and embrace the simple, albeit miraculous, stories of Scripture. I pray that you will allow a childlike faith to change your life!

With love,

Mike

A Daunting Sermon

C.S. Lewis once responded to a statement made by another biblical scholar who noted that he didn't "care for" the Sermon on the Mount but "preferred" the Pauline ethics. Lewis’ response made it clear that he was bothered by the idea that we could place one scriptural passage above another based on our personal preferences.

But then he said this: "As to 'caring for' the Sermon on the Mount, if 'caring for' here means liking or enjoying, I suppose no one cares for it. Who can like being knocked flat on his face by a sledgehammer? I can hardly imagine a more deadly spiritual condition than that of the man who can read that passage with tranquil pleasure. This is indeed to be 'at ease in Zion.'"

To be "at ease in Zion" was the deplorable state of existence of which the prophet Amos spoke in his harsh words to the Israelites. Filled with false security and confidence in their economic affluence and self-indulgent lifestyles, the Israelites, Amos warned, would be the first God would send into exile if they failed to heed His words.

The Sermon on the Mount is equally startling. It is the keynote address for the kingdom of God; the kingdom the Father wanted us to see so badly that He was willing to send His Son to show us. In showing us the kingdom, Jesus challenged our thinking. "You have heard that it was so…" he said again and again, "but I tell you…". He clearly outlined the contrast between earthly thinking and heavenly thinking.

Perhaps I have become at ease in Zion if I can read the Sermon on the Mount without some measure of distress. When, behind the haze of selfish ambition, guilt, or fear, I lose sight of the kingdom, Christ's words become like a foghorn calling me to set my eyes on the one I follow and live up to the hope I embody: "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." (Matt. 5:13).

And yet, in His wisdom and unfathomable love, right in the middle of this daunting sermon Jesus proclaims gently, "Do not worry." Such a tender message to those trembling with the fear of certain failure: "It is my life that makes all things possible." Only Jesus can put us ill at ease and yet comfort us all in the same sentence.

One author writes, “All His biddings are enablings.” Perhaps that’s the best way of looking at it. Jesus paints a picture of a life so high that none of us can measure up, but just as surely as He bids us to live according to “kingdom” standards, He quietly whispers, “I will make it possible. Live in me, and I will make it so.”

With Love,

Mike

Greatness

But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 28:25-28

The world has differing ideas of what makes an individual great. Most often we associate it with power, wealth, and celebrity. The Bible suggests a different way to greatness: the way of a servant. Greatness is found in living for others.

For most of his career, Albert Einstein kept the portraits of two scientists on the wall: Newton and Maxwell. Toward the end of his life, he replaced those portraits with Ghandi and Albert Schweitzer. He said, "It is time to replace the image of success with the image of service.”

Maybe he had been inspired by Schweitzer's words: "I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know, the only ones among you who will be truly happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."

We are all on something of a self-directed journey to greatness. Let's remember that the path is paved with service to others. If you want to be great, learn to be the servant of all.

Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. Mark 10:43-44

With Love,

Mike

Prayer is Powerful

Bob was a salesman who became a Christian through the ministry of his friend Doug. One of the great things Doug did was continue to disciple Bob in his new faith. One day, Doug’s focus was on teaching Bob the importance of prayer.

At the close of their time together, Doug asked Bob what he felt impressed to pray for. Bob said he thought he should pray for Africa. Doug asked him to get more specific, so Bob named a particular country. Doug then took a unique approach. He told Bob to pray for that country every day during the coming month. If nothing significant happened, he would pay Bob $500. If something big occurred, then Bob owed him $500. The bet was off if he didn't pray every day.

Toward the end of the month, Bob was beginning to wonder if anything would happen. Then, while attending a dinner, he met a lady from "his" country. He lit up and asked her about her work. She was working in a medical center. Bob asked so many questions and was so enthused that the woman invited him to fly over and see their work.

Bob took her up on the offer and flew over. He was saddened to see such limited facilities, so he flew back and wrote to some pharmaceutical companies about their needs. He soon had solicited more than $1 million worth of donated supplies which were sent to the medical center. It was such a major contribution that Bob was invited back to see the new supplies, and they paid for his airfare this time. Even the president of that country quickly struck up a friendship with Bob. The president invited Bob to his palace and showed him the capital!

While touring the capital, Bob saw some prisoners. He asked the president why they were in prison. The president said these were political prisoners who disagreed with his philosophy of governing. Bob simply told him that wasn't a good idea.

Not long after Bob returned to the U.S., he received a call from the State Department in the middle of the night. They verified who he was, and whether or not he had seen some prisoners and spoken with that particular president. Bob affirmed their information. The representative then pressed, "Those are political prisoners we have been working to free for a very long time. They have been freed. Bob, what did you say?" Bob said, "I told him it wasn't a good idea."

Later, Bob was invited back by the president to evaluate his proposed selections for his cabinet. So what about this ordinary salesman, Bob? More importantly, what about the God to whom Bob prayed?

With Love,

Mike

Deadly Activity

Be not therefore anxious, saying, “What shall we eat?” or, “What shall we drink?” or, “Wherewithal shall we be clothed?” For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matthew 6:31-34)

In our fast-food, quick-buck, go-get-‘em world, it is easy to become caught up in activity without experiencing any accomplishment.

The French entomologist, Jean-Henri Fabre, conducted an experiment that beautifully illustrates this predicament. The experiment used processionary caterpillars—wormlike creatures that travel in long undulating lines, at the same pace and cadence, giving no thought to their final destination. Without forethought, they simply follow the leader.

Dr. Fabre placed a group of these caterpillars onto the thin rim of a large flowerpot. The leader of the group was nose to tail with the last caterpillar in the slow, non-ending, deliberate procession. Even for Dr. Fabre, it was impossible to determine which was the leader and which were the followers.

In the center of the flowerpot, Fabre placed an abundant supply of food. The caterpillars paraded around and around, day after day, night after night, until after seven days and nights, the caterpillars began to die off one by one. They died of starvation and utter exhaustion. The abundant supply of food was only a few inches away but slightly outside the path they traveled. Their source of life was visible but not available unless they altered their habitual and instinctive process.

Maybe it’s time we all took a break from our meaningless activity and focused on the only activity that really satisfies. Seek first the Kingdom of God.

With Love,

Mike

Making Shade

And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2 ESV)

Warren Buffet said, "Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago."

Most of us are living in freedom because a handful of people sacrificed years ago, decades ago, or even centuries ago to establish and protect a government that protects our freedoms.

Now the question to consider is: Who will be sitting in the shade of your hard work twenty years from now? Or more to the point: Will there be shade to sit in? It depends on you planting trees today.

When you build disciples -- whether it's your children, your church members, or your neighbors -- you're planting trees.

When you help others develop Christian character, or improve their marriage, or parent more effectively, or become a more loyal friend, you're planting trees.

When you teach the Word, and teach others to love the Word, you're planting trees.

Much of our work involves putting out today's fire. Don't let today's urgencies prevent you from making shade for the next generation.

With love,
Mike

Guilt and Forgiveness

Billy Graham told a story about a boy in the eighteenth century who left home at the age of 15 to join the British Army, but when he faced enemy bullets flying all around him, he deserted, making his way back to England. Eventually, he became one of the most famous astronomers of the 18th Century, but his secret sin haunted him for years.

In the process of his study of astronomy, he discovered a new planet, Uranus. Hearing of this outstanding discovery, King George summoned him. The young scientist came, but he was fearful the king would order his execution because of his desertion.

In the king’s court the scientist was given an envelope. Instead of containing words of condemnation, the envelope contained a royal pardon. The king said, “Now we can talk, and you shall come up and live at Windsor Castle.” His name was Sir William Herschel. He became known as the Astronomer of the King.

Dr. Graham observed, “This is what God promises us. We are guilty and helpless. But God loves us, and “he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” (Titus 3:5, NIV)

I like these words written by Annie Johnson Flint:

“His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,

His power has no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.”

The message of forgiveness is the most powerful message of Scripture. You have been forgiven! The robe of Christ’s righteousness covers you, making it possible for you to talk with the King!

Rejoice in Christ’s forgiveness! Live in the power of His grace.

With Love
Mike

PURPOSE

Author Josh McDowell tells an interesting story about finding purpose in life. He writes: “An executive recruiter, a ‘head-hunter’ who goes out and hires corporation executives for other firms, once told me, ‘When I get an executive that I'm trying to hire for someone else, I like to disarm him. I offer him a drink, take my coat off, then my vest, undo my tie, throw up my feet and talk about baseball, football, family, whatever, until he's all relaxed. Then, when I think I've got him relaxed, I lean over, look him square in the eye and say, ‘What's your purpose in life?’ It's amazing how top executives fall apart at that question.

"Well, I was interviewing this fellow the other day; had him all disarmed, with my feet up on his desk, talking about football. Then I leaned up and said, 'What's your purpose in life, Bob?' And he said, without blinking an eye, 'To go to heaven and take as many people with me as I can.' For the first time in my career I was speechless."

So let me ask you: What is your purpose in life?

If, like the executive in this story, your purpose is to go to heaven and take as many people with you as you can, what are you doing to make that happen?

The very best way to influence people for heaven is to live a life filled with love for everyone. Love will bring more people to heaven than any theological argument. Love wins every argument and eases every doubt.

Let it be your purpose to go to heaven and take everyone you can with you. And let your method be to simply love as Jesus loves.

“A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34-35

With Love,

Mike

Reason for Hope

Author James Branch Cabell writes, "The optimist thinks that this is the best of all possible worlds; the pessimist knows it."

Based on that definition, I think I should like to be neither!

Many have identified in their lives a plaguing sense of meaninglessness. If life as we see it in worldwide headlines and calamities is all there is to behold, then pessimism becomes inescapable.

Perhaps a greater tragedy than the prevalent sense of hopelessness is that it sometimes seems as if we Christians agree with this pessimistic view. It is becoming easy to gather around negative messages and dire forecasts as if our criticism of the world is its only remaining hope. Are we not entrusted with far greater a message than this? We are right to cling to a sense of urgency. Yet, should we not do so with brilliant words of hope for even the darkest of places?

Is there reason for pessimism? Certainly, there is reason to be sobered by a world of injustice, pain, and death. And we know that this world will soon come to an end. But is there reason for optimism? Absolutely, for we know that Christ has won over Satan, and because of His victory, humanity shall win! His great love and sacrifice has made us victorious. There is reason for hope as strong as death and love as unyielding as the grave, for Christ is both present and returning.

There is indeed reason to hope. Christ has announced the arrival of a kingdom that confronts our despair, calling us into a world where God Himself reigns. We should ever be the harbingers of this incredibly optimistic news.

With Love,

Mike

Keep on Trusting

Augustine's mother, Monica, was a fervent Christian believer who prayed constantly for her son's salvation. Her whole life was devoted to praying for his conversion.

At one point, when it appeared that Augustine was becoming devoted to the Manichaean philosophy, Monica begged a Christian holy man to speak to him and show him why the Manichaean beliefs were not true. The holy man refused, because Augustine was known to have a great intellect and would likely try to savage the holy man's arguments.

The holy man assured Monica that he, too, had once been a Manichaean, and that Augustine was too smart to deceive himself much longer. At this, Monica began to cry, but the holy man sent her away, saying, "Go, go! Leave me alone. Live on as you are living. It is not possible that the son of such tears should be lost."

The holy man was right. After many years and a fierce inner struggle, Augustine was touched by a revelation in Scripture, and he became a Christian. When Monica learned of her son's salvation, she declared that she had nothing more to live for, for the greatest desire of her heart had been fulfilled. Nine days later, Monica died. And the son for whom she had spent her life praying went on to influence the whole world for the Christian faith.

Monica never quit praying. "Live on as you are living," said the holy man. "It is not possible that the son of such tears should be lost." Are you concerned about someone you love? Keep on asking God for help. Don't let your tears quench the flame of your faith in God. It may feel as though God is ignoring you, but I assure nothing could be further from the truth. God loves your dear one even more than you do, so don't give up. Keep on asking, and keep on trusting!

With love,

Mike

Partners with God

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you…because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:11, 14

Have you ever thought of yourself as being in partnership with Christ? You are a partner, you know. Or maybe you have never thought of yourself in this way. If not, the time to begin thinking in “Partnership terms” is now. Where do I get such a notion? The Apostle Paul said it. Not convinced? Go to Romans 8:17:

“Now if we are children (of God), then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

Read those opening verses again, changing the wording from plural pronouns to singular pronouns. Begin by saying, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in me, he who raised Christ from the dead is living in me, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to my mortal body through his Spirit, who lives in me.” Continue by re-wording the second passage, “Now if I am a child of God, then I am an heir—an heir of God and a co-heir with Christ.”

Are you experiencing a self-image panic attack? Not any longer. You are a child of God. You have inherited His kingdom. You share the Kingdom with His Son, Jesus Christ! You are a joint heir. And not at some time in the distant future.

Now!

Will God change his mind about you? Not if Paul was correct when he wrote Romans 8:38-39. Check it out!

One more thought: Do you think God has called you, equipped you, and led you to your present assignment, only to watch you fail? Hardly. If you are a child of God, and if the Spirit of Christ dwells in you, He is a partner with you, and you are a partner with Him. And you don’t have to wait until Heaven to begin receiving the benefits of your partnership.

Partners with Christ? Yes. Royalty? Yes. Victors? Absolutely. Inheritors? God says so.

With Love,

Mike

The New Year

The start of the New Year is a time of both new beginnings and a renewed feeling of commitment to our beliefs. Interestingly, some notable American patriots were born on New Year’s Day – among them were Paul Revere, Betsy Ross, and General “Mad” Anthony Wayne, who led the charge on many British garrisons. These were individuals who exhibited deep commitment to their principles and beliefs, resulting in progress and blessing for a fledgling nation.

Historically, some leaders have used the New Year to highlight the advancement of freedom. President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.

In the first issue of his anti-slavery periodical, The Liberator, published on New Year’s Day in 1832, William Lloyd Garrison proclaimed: “I am in earnest. I will not equivocate; I will not excuse; I will not retreat a single inch; and I will be heard.” That sets a pretty high standard for all of us, and perhaps the example of these dedicated individuals should help all of us set our own tone of commitment for this New Year.

Let’s adopt the same unflinching resolve as we champion another cause this New Year – the cause of bringing God’s grace to a world imprisoned by sin and sadness. Do not back down a single inch! Hold high the standard of God’s liberty for every enslaved sinner!

Canyon Creek Project would like to wish you a very Happy New Year! May you experience a year of health, peace, blessing, and commitment!

With Love

Mike

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

On February 29, 1992, sixty-eight thousand people participated in USA Weekend's "Make A Difference Day." The idea was to take advantage of Leap Year's extra day and get volunteers to help others less fortunate than themselves.

One eleven-year-old boy truly made a difference, even though he didn't win first place in the contest. Ryan Rigney of Manchester, Tennessee convinced his parents to let him use his Christmas money to purchase one hundred pairs of socks. On Leap Day, Ryan's parents drove him to the Nashville Union Mission, which was an hour away from their home. At the mission, he handed out the socks to homeless men who humbly and graciously accepted his gift of warmth for their feet.

The eleven-year-old humanitarian said, "It sure makes you feel good when you know that, no matter how big or small you are, or what you do for someone less fortunate than yourself, you can make a difference."

Ryan won "runner-up" prize money of $250, and he planned to use it to buy five hundred more pairs of socks for his homeless friends in Nashville.

What would happen during this holiday season if we all caught a bit of Ryan’s generous spirit?

Every gift, regardless of the size, is of great value in God’s eyes. Ryan gave his “widow’s mite” gift – the gift of all he had. His generosity blessed hundreds of homeless people and has inspired many other individuals to be a blessing, too.

Never say that you cannot make a difference! Never say that no one will miss your small contribution! Every person matters to God and every gift matters as well

This Christmas, look around and see what God has placed within your hand, and then use it to bless someone else. Use it to make a difference.

With Love,

Mike Tucker