The news has been filled the last several weeks about celebrity after celebrity dying. The coverage began with Ed McMahon which was dwarfed by Farrah Fawcett, whose coverage was eclipsed by Michael Jackson, then there was semi-celebrity Billy Mays, and now over the weekend Steve "Air" McNair. And if you have tried to watch any t.v. in the last few days everything has been focused on MJ's memorial.
If anything has been proven it is that our society is OBSESSED with celebrities. Why else does our society fawn over every detail, every magazine, every "news" show that talks about them? So much is made of their deaths, particularly the so-called "untimely" ones. In the midst of the "news" of their deaths I have been struck by one thing; we ALL will face death as well. In the end death makes us all equal; no matter how we try, it is something all humans will have to face. Why is that?
As a Christian who studies the Bible I find that the reason is because of sin. I believe that God created the universe and placed a man and woman on this earth; and this was done in complete perfection. I also believe that when God created the human race He endowed us with the freedom of choice. Exercising that freedom man and woman chose to disobey God's one "thou shalt not" and through that decision sin entered and a curse fell upon creation and humans. That curse includes death and ever since that decision the human race has had to deal with death.
The Bible further reveals that by our sin (our disobedience of God's decrees) we have EARNED death. It is not something that God punishes us with because He is cruel, but it is something that we have brought upon ourselves. As a good parent I try to instill good virtues in my children. Part of that process involves disciplining them when they have disobeyed me. If I were to ignore their disobedience or worse allow them to do whatever they so desire, then my children would be ruined. I rather choose to set limits for them and when they are outside the limits by their own choice then there are consequences for those decisions. It is the same with humans and God; when we choose to live outside the limits God has placed then there are consequences; death is one of those.
It does not matter if I am completely unknown or the entire world knows me, because I live under the curse of death and one day death will be a reality for me, and the same is true for you. As sobering a thought that is, there is hope. The Bible tells me that though the wages of sin is death, the GIFT of God is eternal life through His Son Jesus. Those who place their trust in Him and His death on the cross as payment for their sins have the hope that though they die they will be given a new life. Now this may sound a little strange or hard to understand, and if you contact me I'll be glad to explain more. But let me simple state here that because God is loving, though we choose to rebel against Him, He does not want us to experience death without a chance at life. So Jesus, God the Son, was born that He may take our place by dying on a cross. So while death makes us sinners all equal, Jesus gives us the opportunity to be equally forgiven.
My question for you is "in light of these recent deaths have you contemplated your own mortality?" Have you thought about the day that you will breath your last breath? Are you prepared to face what awaits you when you do? Are you prepared to face the consequences of your choices? Have you sought the forgiveness God provides to us sinners condemned to death?
If not, why not today?
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Tragedy of John & Kate
I must admit that I have not been a faithful follower of the popular TLC show "John & Kate plus 8." Jennifer has watched the show from time to time and so I have seen a few episodes and had a chance to see their story. That being said I watched their "special" episode last night with her. I can truly say I came away saddened and heartbroken. If you are one of the few who have not heard by now, John and Kate are ending their 10 year marriage. 10 YEARS...10 YEARS! And yet as I contemplate that, I understand that according to Jennifer something like 75% of all marriages with multiples end in divorce.
My purpose in writing about this is NOT, repeat NOT, to pass blame on one or the other or decry their decision as a HORRIBLE SIN as some might chose to do, but just to share my thoughts on the tragedy of divorce. As you read understand that I have never personally experienced the tragedy of divorce; thank God my parents have been married going on close to 40 years. Without going into details Jennifer's parents divorced when she was young and we have had to deal with those dynamics since we were dating as teenagers.
The reason I see John and Kate's divorce as something to mourn is not solely for the children as most will assuredly speak of (including themselves), but rather because of what has happened to the relationship they once shared. I view marriage as a sacred covenant that God Himself instituted; not the current held view of society and law that marriage is a social contract. My beliefs as a Christian convince me that a husband and wife are united and made one flesh and that is why the Bible speaks of not being able to tear the marriage bond asunder.
I realize no one is perfect, most of all me, mistakes are made, personalities clash, things change, but marriages are not kept solely on emotion. It takes commitment, understanding, and yes love...unconditional love. Whether it is John and Kate, your neighbors, your parents, or even yourself when we become selfish and want things our way, problems are bound to develop, differences will be magnified and vilified.
Though I have fallen short many, many, many, many (you get the idea!) times, as men our example is how Jesus loves the Church. For those of you aware of this you know that Christ sacrificed Himself for the Church (that's all of us Christians). If you aren't aware of this, in the Bible's New Testament, the book of Ephesians, Paul writes that husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the Church. He writes inspired by God, "For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church." (Ephesians 5:25-29, New Living Translation) I don't include this to place the blame at John's feet, I include this because I'm a man and therefore writing from the male perspective. That and I believe that God has given the husband the task of leading his household as the spiritual leader and therefore Paul was concerned more with the husband's ability to live out this divine task.
I can't point to one issue or one moment in time and say, "See, here it is, here is where John & Kate went wrong!", nor would I want to do so. My simple point is that John and Kate have made a mutual decision to go separate ways and I grieve that decision. It would be my hope that the lesson everyone learns from this tragedy is that it can happen to anyone, and therefore we must strive to not let it happen. Marriage is work, but can be rewarding work and most of all it takes having Christ involved.
Marriage is a beautiful gift God has given the human race and I mourn anytime I hear of a couple's divorce because I know it grieves God as well. I am even praying now that God will intervene and that John and Kate will reconcile, but I don't pray for them because they are some "celebrity couple" and I recognize their face. It should be the prayer of every Christian that reconciliation occur, that should be our prayer for every couple dealing with the possibility of the tragedy of divorce. And for those who would be quick to site examples of abuse or infidelity my response is that of my Savior's, "what is impossible for man is possible for God." God can change any heart if it will but crack just a little to God's love.
My purpose in writing about this is NOT, repeat NOT, to pass blame on one or the other or decry their decision as a HORRIBLE SIN as some might chose to do, but just to share my thoughts on the tragedy of divorce. As you read understand that I have never personally experienced the tragedy of divorce; thank God my parents have been married going on close to 40 years. Without going into details Jennifer's parents divorced when she was young and we have had to deal with those dynamics since we were dating as teenagers.
The reason I see John and Kate's divorce as something to mourn is not solely for the children as most will assuredly speak of (including themselves), but rather because of what has happened to the relationship they once shared. I view marriage as a sacred covenant that God Himself instituted; not the current held view of society and law that marriage is a social contract. My beliefs as a Christian convince me that a husband and wife are united and made one flesh and that is why the Bible speaks of not being able to tear the marriage bond asunder.
I realize no one is perfect, most of all me, mistakes are made, personalities clash, things change, but marriages are not kept solely on emotion. It takes commitment, understanding, and yes love...unconditional love. Whether it is John and Kate, your neighbors, your parents, or even yourself when we become selfish and want things our way, problems are bound to develop, differences will be magnified and vilified.
Though I have fallen short many, many, many, many (you get the idea!) times, as men our example is how Jesus loves the Church. For those of you aware of this you know that Christ sacrificed Himself for the Church (that's all of us Christians). If you aren't aware of this, in the Bible's New Testament, the book of Ephesians, Paul writes that husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the Church. He writes inspired by God, "For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church." (Ephesians 5:25-29, New Living Translation) I don't include this to place the blame at John's feet, I include this because I'm a man and therefore writing from the male perspective. That and I believe that God has given the husband the task of leading his household as the spiritual leader and therefore Paul was concerned more with the husband's ability to live out this divine task.
I can't point to one issue or one moment in time and say, "See, here it is, here is where John & Kate went wrong!", nor would I want to do so. My simple point is that John and Kate have made a mutual decision to go separate ways and I grieve that decision. It would be my hope that the lesson everyone learns from this tragedy is that it can happen to anyone, and therefore we must strive to not let it happen. Marriage is work, but can be rewarding work and most of all it takes having Christ involved.
Marriage is a beautiful gift God has given the human race and I mourn anytime I hear of a couple's divorce because I know it grieves God as well. I am even praying now that God will intervene and that John and Kate will reconcile, but I don't pray for them because they are some "celebrity couple" and I recognize their face. It should be the prayer of every Christian that reconciliation occur, that should be our prayer for every couple dealing with the possibility of the tragedy of divorce. And for those who would be quick to site examples of abuse or infidelity my response is that of my Savior's, "what is impossible for man is possible for God." God can change any heart if it will but crack just a little to God's love.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
It's the First One So Make It Count
I must say that the task of beginning a blog is a daunting one; who in their right mind would be even remotely interested in what I have to say. It seems to me that we live in a society that thrives on being in constant contact with the world around us; always "in the know" where it concerns our friends and neighbors. And yet I cannot help but sense the possible global impact one's thoughts could have particularly if it is used for the advancement of Christ's Kingdom.
Never before in the history of humanity have we been able to reach so many people with the gospel. Can you imagine what the Apostle Paul could have done if our technology had been available to him? And while all of this technology is at our fingertips we Christians cower and hide or insipidly pass along pointless emails that either are suppose to make us laugh or make us feel guilty.
My point in all of this ranting is to encourage and challenge to make it count...whatever we do, do it for the glory of God. The moment is right, the time is now, use every opportunity God gives you to impact the world around you with the gospel: Christ crucified, buried, raised.
Never before in the history of humanity have we been able to reach so many people with the gospel. Can you imagine what the Apostle Paul could have done if our technology had been available to him? And while all of this technology is at our fingertips we Christians cower and hide or insipidly pass along pointless emails that either are suppose to make us laugh or make us feel guilty.
My point in all of this ranting is to encourage and challenge to make it count...whatever we do, do it for the glory of God. The moment is right, the time is now, use every opportunity God gives you to impact the world around you with the gospel: Christ crucified, buried, raised.
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