Do you know for sure where your Bible is? Is it dust covered from lack of use? Do you open it and point to a ‘roulette’ scripture only when feeling overwhelmed by life’s circumstances?
The Bible is God’s spoken word written for our edification. The Bible is His guide book, His compass, His love letter to His children. The Bible is our spiritual food source to be nourished by on a daily basis in order to help us successfully navigate our way through the ups and downs of life.
“Thy word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path” Psalm 119:105 (NASV).
“Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him” Proverbs 30:5 (NASV).
“Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him” Proverbs 30:5 (ESV).
“I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word” Psalm 119:107 (KJV).
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light” Matthew 11:28-30 (NASV).
What is GPS? The Bible: God’s Positioning System.
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I have never been crazy about circuses. Mainly because I felt the animals were not fairly treated, but the thought of a freak show just seemed so very wrong. No, I am not old enough to have experienced The Great Depression and attended a circus which included a demoralizing freak show. However, the very short film entitled “The Butterfly Circus” challenges each of us to rethink our value and become all God intended us to be.
Nick Vujicic was born limbless (tetra-amelia syndrome) and has learned to go beyond the stigma of the world viewing him as a freak show in and of himself. Nick Vujicic is a inspiration to us all because he has learned he is not a victim, but has a greater purpose uniquely his own. God blessed him to be born not as a deformity, but as a testament, a man who is not defined by his physical lackings, but by his joy knowing he is a first class son of our first class King.
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them” Psalm 139:13-16 (ESV).
“The greater the struggle, the more glorious the triumph” (Mr. Mendez, Butterfly Circus master).
“When you don’t get a miracle, be one!” Nick Vujicic.
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What makes an atheist an atheist? Losing a child to cancer led Dr. Solomon Harkens (Kevin Sorbo) to walk away from his marriage and family while also blaming God for killing his son. However, losing a child to cancer can also be the catalyst necessary in order to change the hardened heart of the world’s most famous professing atheist as he discovers who God truly is. Written by Sam Sorbo and Dan Gordon, this is such a story.
What actually does it mean to claim the title of atheist? According to Google an atheist is “a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods”. The question always remains the same: if a person does not believe in God, then why blame God when bad things happen while neglecting to give God credit when good things happen? At its root is humanistic pride which says I don’t need God.
Turning his back on his praying wife and loving family Dr. Harkens seems to have it all as he angrily and arrogantly pushes his agenda of God being unnecessary in his life, all the while ultimately blaming God for the death of his son. Giving the impression he has no need of God, Dr. Harkens’ religious credo of “party on” resounds as he chooses to live the superficial life of “sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll” yet senses in the depths of his heart something is amiss as late at night and all alone he sarcastically toasts his life of “livin the dream”.
It is clear Dr. Harkens is seeking answers, but unwilling to consider God and Jesus Christ as being a viable option. As he angrily encourages his audience to believe as he does, he makes a harsh correlation between the terrorist organization known as ISIS and that of Christianity having the same agenda (listen closely as he later explains their clear and distinct difference). With a near death experience he now finds it difficult to reckon his atheistic, strongly denounced disbelief of the afterlife as a brief encounter with his much loved deceased son helps him to grasp who God truly is and why He sent His son, thus bringing him out of the darkness and into the Light. “And God said, ‘Let there be light’: and there was light” Genesis 1:3 (KJV).
As anyone who comes to God, Dr. Harkens is a variation of the prodigal son found in the gospel of Luke. While Satan toys with those who are deeply hurting: the bold, the arrogant, the self righteous, the proud,…those who feed into his agenda, God so gently and lovingly never gives up.
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While this incredible adaptation of the crucifixion of Christ was released in 2004, it took me until today to finally brace myself for what I would be viewing. I was familiar with Mel Gibson and had seen Jim Caviezel portray the De La Salle high school football coach, Bob Ladouceur, in the 2014 film “When the Game Stands Tall”. I must say I was impressed with Jim Caviezel’s quiet reserve which came through his character, his quiet reserve which is rooted in his faith. I had no doubt his faith would once again show forth through his quiet reserve as he portrayed Jesus Christ in “The Passion of the Christ”.
As a child, growing up in a Christian home and receiving my first Bible at the age of eight, I was very familiar with the crucifixion story and believed it without question. That being my premise, it would take me many years to read the scriptures surrounding His crucifixion, unable to internalize His physical and emotional suffering as well as grasp the cruelty and hatred of those involved. Thankfully, His resurrection followed His crucifixion, or I still would not be able to go there. I have since watched other crucifixion films, all well done. This crucifixion film would be no different, or would it?
Since the movie’s release I have occasionally watched interviews of Mel Gibson, but especially of Jim Caviezel. Jim Caviezel, again with his quiet reserve, shares bits and pieces of his experience portraying Christ during His last twelve hours. I desperately wanted to see this film, knew as a Christian I needed to see this film, but didn’t want to see this film due to the graphically realistic brutality I correctly knew simply couldn’t be edited out. And I knew I needed to allow myself to get emotionally involved. It’s the very least I could do, seeing what Christ did for me. It’s not about me and myself, my selfish emotions, but about Him and what He lovingly and sacrificially did for me, and for you.
Yes, this two hour movie begins and ends with much bloodshed. And Jim Caviezel is beyond recognizable at certain points. As a mother I felt myself holding my own adult son as Mary held hers, helpless yet now fully understanding the fulfillment of what it meant to be chosen to bear the Christ child. Watching this film, I found myself wondering just how anyone could remain coherent, even alive at all, throughout this nearly twelve hours of barbaric brutality. And then I heard myself saying, but He wasn’t just a man, He is the son of God. And I again am able to return to the heart of what it means to be a Christian, what it means to love and to forgive, to be forgiven. And I am redeemed, thankfully, I am redeemed.
As C. S. Lewis was quoted “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important”. Revelations 3:15-16 (KJV) “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold or hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth”.
We each have a story to tell. Retelling our own story offers others hope as it gently reminds us of not just how far we’ve come, but of the grace of God for His gentle and continued guidance throughout our journey. And, as is often the case, our story is not just about us and us alone.
“From Pain to Paradise: The Story of How God Transformed My Life & Marriage from Brokenness to Blessing ” is Karen Evans’ story of healing, not just of her own identity but that of her marriage as well. Falling in love with the man of her dreams also meant she would be taking on his own well hidden identity issues. And so throughout her retelling, she weaves aspects of her husband’s own story of healing.
This is not a revengeful tell-all, but a story of redemption. And while Karen Evans spent time being very frustrated and angry she also knew just how deeply she loved her husband. But to love her husband as she desired, she would learn not only to first love God, but of His love for her.
I enjoy reading another person’s story of healing especially when it is told with complete transparency. Karen Evans does just this ever so naturally and honestly. It is not told from the perspective of a bitter wife as she intentionally exposes all her husband’s deep and dark secrets, but as a wife who dearly loves her husband.
While Karen doesn’t directly offer a list of do’s and don’t for a closer relationship with ones spouse, she so expertly offers wisdom applicable to any marriage. Her story is told from the perspective of a Christian woman who desires to find her true value in her relationship with God as she realizes this is also the key to her identity and marriage.
Karen has been married to Jimmy Evans for well over forty years. Together they are the founders of Marriage Today Ministries, where they not only offer help for marriages, but candidly share their struggles within their own marriage.
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When I think of the term prodigal I envision a young man, on the verge of adulthood, who had become full of himself and unappreciative of what his father has provided. Yes, I think of the prodigal son found in the gospel of Luke, chapter fifteen. In short the son demanded his share of his father’s wealth only to very quickly end up penniless and destitute having wasted this wealth on riotous living. We are quick to view this sad situation from a financial standpoint, but obviously it was more character and morals issues at the root of it all. But alas, I digress.
Prodigals are not always frustrated teens bent on bucking their parents’ disciplined way of life, but are also wayward husbands and wives as well. Karen Wheaton’s book entitled “Watching The Road: Praying Your Prodigal Home” is a testament to just this. Yes, it is a story about her daughter, Lindsay Doss, who chose to walk away from Karen Wheaton and her family. It is also about Lindsay choosing to walk away from her marriage and children. It is a story about how Lindsay seemingly chose to walk away from everything she knew and everyone she loved.
“Watching The Road” is told from Karen Wheaton’s perspective as she searches for the truth, trusting God to not only return her daughter, Lindsay, to her, but to heal and restore Lindsay’s marriage and family. This is the story of a determined and devoted godly woman as she perseveres, refusing to give up. Karen Wheaton walks her reader through her journey of praying and interceding for her daughter’s return. Hidden throughout the pages are the secrets to having the kind of faith which not only endures but grows as it reveals not only the progression of a prodigal’s journey, but just how amazing God truly is to those He loves.
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The most rewarding yet most challenging relationship one will ever experience is that of being in a monogamous relationship called marriage, especially being committed for life. Charlyne Steinkamp attests to this in her very down to earth book entitled “The Spiritual Journey Toward A Healed Marriage“. Remember the traditional “…to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part…” Christian wedding vows?
Fortunately yet unfortunately, many of us were so giddy in love as we committed to our spouse and to God, sweetly and assuredly, and naively reciting these vows on our wedding day. Fortunately we really had no idea what lay ahead. And, unfortunately, our vows would be tested.
Sadly, life happens. Sadly, we are tested. Do we have the courage to rise to the challenge? Do we take our vows seriously? Are we really committed, ’til death do us part? What do we do when our spouse chooses to walk away?
Whether a couple goes through difficult times remaining married or whether one or both want to call it quits, doesn’t matter. Marriage, even after divorce, can be restored. Charlyne Steinkamp from Rejoice Marriage Ministries speaks from experience.
In her book entitled “The Spiritual Journey Toward a Healed Marriage” Charlyne Steinkamp so revealingly points out how “The church is not able to be the ‘critical care unit’ for the wounded and broken hearts, because divorce is so rampant in the church”. Sadly, this certainly seems to be the case. Granted there are verses found in scripture which make allowance for divorce. And we seem all too quick to jump to the conclusion that divorce is the only option. But is it really the best solution?
Charlyne and Bob Steinkamp married as any young and in love couple hopefully does, much in love. Unfortunately, after twenty very difficult years of marriage and three young children, Charlyne received pastorial counsel and made the decision to divorce Bob. Fortunately, she very quickly realized she had made a horrible mistake.
Marriages can be restored and marriages can be saved, even after divorce, and it only takes one spouse to recommit to those wedding vows in order to do so. This book can very easily be used as a devotional as it includes scriptural references and suggested prayers, and even an occasional “Bobservation” from her husband to better understand the spouse who wants to call it quits. And most of all Charlyne Steinkamp not only reveals how to heal and restore your marriage not through manipulative tactics, but through your relationship with God.
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband” Ephesians 5:31-33 (ESV).
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Being a mother of young adult sons brings many opportunities to share wisdom gathered over the years. I recall my mother-in-law often pointing out how one doesn’t change the management. Our son is now in a managerial position. With this position has come more responsibility as well as frustration. And with this he has come to remember his own dreams and aspirations, none of which have anything to do with being in a managerial position. He is an extremely talented young artist with the gift of creativity. How did I encourage him?
“…do your research and give more thought to developing your ideas, your business plan so to speak. Don’t burn any bridges, lay low, don’t make waves, bide your time while you focus on you and your goals. Let your experience and time spent while in this managerial position serve its purposes for you. No experience in life is ever wasted and will serve a purpose in your future, guaranteed! This is how one acquires wisdom. Focusing on your passions guides you in discovering your God-given purposes.”
“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:13-18 (ESV).
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I realize there is a dry humored and extremely funny British sitcom called “Waiting For God” which aired in the early nineties. Of course it is about those who are in their retirement years, making the best of it as they wait for God to grant them their final rest. Recently I have discovered we need to wait for God, but in another way.
Our world is bent on taking advantage of every second of every hour, filling it with what we consider to be productive activities. Our goal seems to be somewhat like a race. This race we gradually entered as teens, then college preparation, then hitting it hard climbing the ladder of success. Success being a nice home and other acquired possessions, marriage and family, position in our choice of career,…and of course the financial means necessary to have all of this and more. How do we do this? By what we consider to be productive activities.
At the end of this race we hope to have acquired everything and more. At the end of this race we enter the retirement years. At the end of this race we celebrate this monumental milestone, but only for a moment. We very quickly begin to reflect. Where did time go? Was it all worth it? What about the regrets, the sacrifices and fallout, the wrong decisions,…the emptiness.
Not for one second am I saying we should not be productive and have proof of our productivity. Each and every one of us has specific God-given purposes and have been given specific gifts and passions with which to fulfill our purposes in life. But maybe, just maybe we should slow down a bit, pace ourselves throughout this race, and wait for God to guide us along the way. And maybe, just maybe, during those quiet contemplative moments with God we come to realize what’s really important. In doing so we still are able to attain the good life we desired, but without the need to fill every second of every hour with ‘productive activity’ followed by making peace with our past regrets.
Instead we slow down, “smell the roses”, we take the time to look up and grasp the awesomeness of God’s creation. We notice the twinkle in our child’s eye for the first time in a long time. We really feel the love of our spouse and our heart begins to swell. And then we begin to relax a bit. We begin to desire subtle changes in how we think and how we behave. We promise ourselves to not waste another second of our time on empty and hollow pursuits. We come to realize relationships with those closest to us have now become our priority once and for all. And we relish our quiet moments of waiting for God.
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