Looking in the Wrong Places (An Overdue Post)

"I have seen all the things that are done under the sun;
all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind."
Ecclesiastes 1:14

Happiness is the primary object of human pursuit.
The desire for happiness, urges our weary steps in
the pilgrimage of life.

Have all the scenes of gaiety and mirth, of beauty
and splendor, by which the gaze has been fixed and
fascinated--supplied enjoyment, either equal to the
expectations, or worthy of the wishes of a rational
and immortal being?

Both observation and experience abundantly confirm the
truth of the paradox--that pleasure is not happiness.
Every votary of pleasure knows it. The varied forms of
fascination by which he has been wooed, have successively,
in their very embrace, surprised him by the concession--
"Happiness is not in me!" The thousand images which
imagination creates, have not satisfied him--but have
left in his soul a painful vacuum, and a distressing
sense of longing.

The moral constitution of his mind precludes any other
result of these worldly pursuits. He was designed for a
higher destiny, and for nobler joys. He possesses a
principle, whose kindred elements are not found in
worldly objects, neither in . . .
honor nor splendor,
refinement nor luxury,
revelry nor mirth,
beauty nor fine taste.
He seeks, with restless desire--the unseen and spiritual
felicities of the eternal world, and aspires to the happiness
which immortality alone can give. He will know neither
rest nor joy--until he shall have heaven for his home, and
sit forever beneath the smiles of that gracious God, who
is at once the author of his existence, and the source of
his felicity.

In order to escape from wearying toils, painful afflictions,
withering disappointments, and disquieting apprehensions
--we must "quit the mirthful delusive scene!" The giddy
mazes of pleasure's enchantment have long perplexed;
its empty pageants have already disgusted; its sickly joys
have nauseated and cloyed the heart--while the soul seeks
an introduction to holier and happier joys.

What though the siren's song has long ravished its victim,
and led him so widely astray--yet may he not "pause, reflect,
and return?" Yes, true religion will secure peace, and safety,
and hope. Thousands have proved it. Many a hapless voyager
on life's wide ocean, who had long pursued vain and perilous
wanderings, borne onward by the fluctuating tide of fashion,
or sported with by the fickle winds of worldliness; living a mad
and fearful lifestyle in the wild storm of passion; or floating,
thoughtless and mirthful, with the current of pleasure--to the
distant vortex of damnation--has been rescued from peril and
misery, and has pursued a prosperous course to the distant
land of his heavenly home, repose and felicity.

From the blandishments of ruinous dissipation, therefore--the
votaries of pleasure are invited to the genuine enjoyments of
piety. Here alone will be found repose, satisfaction, and enduring
pleasure! Let the sublime doctrines and virtuous precepts, which
the oracles of truth inculcate--engage their attentive study and
practical regard. The sentiments here exhibited, will present a
striking contrast to the spirit, maxims, and pursuits of the
mirthful world.

Contact with sacred truths must be close and constant,
that the mind may receive their complexion, and frame
its habits of thought and feeling on the sacred model.
The Word of God must be believed; it must, moreover,
be reverenced and loved. In the same proportion, will
the influence of worldly maxims and examples become
weakened, a taste for mirthful pleasures destroyed--
and the bias of the mind rendered serious and devout.

The pleasures of a pious life are indescribably exquisite.
The elevated duties of piety--
its dignified motives;
its purifying influence;
the holy restraint which it imposes on the passions;
the tranquility which it imparts to the conscience;
the bright and enduring prospects which it offers to hope;
the sovereign antidote which it supplies to the afflictions of life
--render the inspired declaration emphatically true: "Her ways
are ways of pleasantness--and all her paths are peace."

Leia Mais…

Meeting Maribel

So we'd been in Texas all of a couple weeks when we left for another road trip, this one to visit family and friends in the Midwest. We drove 15 hours the first day to Illinois where Adam's sister Alicia and her family live. After spending the night and morning with them, we left (minus Adam's mom Regan) and drove to Fort Wayne, Indiana to hang out with Bob and Sue Havenor for a couple days. It was amazing to be with them again and see how God is using them in their neighborhood. Then, it was on to Michigan to hang out with Kattie's side of the family and to meet Maribel, the newest member of the family. At just two months old, she is a beauty and very peaceful. Both Mari and Rosi keep Carrie busy, but they are amazing delights to everyone around them. We traveled to the Mackinaw Bridge, went swimming in Lake Michigan, went to a couple zoos, and had a great time catching up. After a few days we headed back to Fort Wayne and then on to Illinois, where we spent a day and a half with Jon, Alicia, and Addi again. It was a fantastic trip and we can't wait to see them all again. Only next time... they all have to come here!


Here are Bob and Sue at a great BBQ they hosted for the neighborhood.


Baby Mari (pronounced Madi) resting on Aunt Kattie's pillow.


Rosi decided the apples were ready to pick, but after trying to eat one changed her mind.


Uncle Adam took Rosi on the camel ride at the zoo.


The girls in their Texas gear.


The adorable Addi Marie...


Reading "Beetle Bop" again and again. He's not as surprised as he looks...

Leia Mais…

The Underrated Value of Family

These days, it is all too common that a person would rather have a pet than a child. What a shame! It's absurd. I mean, how could you not want one of these?

A good friend once said, "Children are hope. When people stop having kids, they've lost hope." But it's not only a child. It's a brother or a sister or a parent or a cousin. Why is it that we are so independent? How have we become this way? We have been designed for community, in the midst of a family. But rarely do we even eat together any more. If we did, then there might be something like this happen...

And that brings us laughter. That brings us joy. We have something in common: each other. There will never be a break in the bond that we have in family. No matter what happens, that's constant.

It's funny how children draw us together. They're important. I mean, we were all there once and it's fun to see someone else there too, enjoying life so innocently before all the pressure comes. It puts our hearts at ease and makes us reminisce about ourselves. Family is important. It is vital, our lifeblood here on earth.

I appreciate my family. All of them. Whether we have seen eye-to-eye all the time or not, I praise God for each and every one of them. And I am glad to have an even bigger family now that I'm married. There's so much joy to be had and so much love to give that family seems to be requisite to a full life.

Thank you, Lord, for not leaving us alone. And all this reflects your goodness to us in your personal relationship with those of us who trust you with our entire lives.

Thanks.

Leia Mais…

A Picture is Worth... Well It's Expensive, I Guess

Below includes several photos from our trip beginning in Oregon and ending in Texas. There are scenes from Redwood National Park, the West Coast, a Californian sunset, Yosemite National Park, the Grand Canyon, and a beautiful rainbow for good measure. Oh, and don't forget - Paul Bunyan and his Ox Babe, drawn to scale. We enjoyed God's wonderful creation during this trip, for sure.

Leia Mais…

A Joyous Reunion

Having just returned from a visit to our beloved Morocco, we realize how much we have missed the people there. We left for Casablanca in a whirlwind as we both had just barely finished our jobs here in Portland before heading off to the airport. We frantically got our boarding passes and headed off to Casablanca via London via Seattle. Of course, the trip was ridiculously long, but entirely worth it.

Just over one year ago, when Kattie and I told our students that we were leaving Morocco, we made a commitment to them to come back the following year for graduation, which serves as a reunion of sorts for former students and teachers of the school. So, in order to ease their hearts, we kept our commitment all year long, despite the ridiculous risen prices of airfare and the new luggage fees. So we arrived a day before graduation.

Graduations are a great celebration for so many people and a rite of passage for those to whom it means the most: the students. It was especially meaningful to a lot of those students that we would make such a long trip to see them celebrate such a great accomplishment in their young lives. But in Morocco, receiving a top-notch trilingual education is even more profound, since the literacy rate in the country is less than half. So seeing these young people take such a gigantic step in this way is incredibly special for us and for them. Words cannot express how proud we are of them. I miss seeing all those flags hanging up, representing all of the countries from which the students in the graduating class hail. This particular class boasted graduates from ten different countries! Quite a sight.

Zouheir is headed off to college in New York City, a dream come true for many foreigners aspiring to attain higher education. He was the valedictorian of his class, received the citizenship award, and was one of my former basketball players. This, my friends, is a special young man. And he's not the only one. So many of these young people, if given the opportunity, have the potential to significantly impact their own native countries in so many ways. For this reason, Kattie and I are supremely thankful to have been influential in some small measure in their lives. Now, as we are all in the United States, we hope to stay in contact with many of the alumni of our school in order to help them in whatever way we can.

And of course, there's our home church. Oh, how we've missed them! The freedom to sing as many songs as we like, with no real agenda most days, except to share about the goodness of God in our lives on a weekly basis. We were able to share with these friends about how faithful God has been to us this year in Portland. It was an inexpressible pleasure to be with these folks while worshiping our God and eating some great food afterward.

Ah, and here's our good friend Jojo. We had such great times with him, whether it be playing basketball, hanging out and being amused by his amazingly loud entertainment system, or having deep conversation over chocolate crepes. He is such an amazing man and hopefully we'll be a bit closer when he finally receives his VISA to live in Canada.

Here are the ladies that pour so much of themselves out to other people. We have learned so much from these mentors of ours, Kattie in particular. They are such great examples of godly women who are faithful in their respective callings in Morocco.

Last but certainly not least, our other family: the Bonillas. Karine instantly became our friend as she and Kattie spoke French together during their daily breaks at school, and since they are from France, Kattie learned a lot from this great friend. We also enjoyed Romain (who recently graduated and is now headed to university in Minnesota) in class and Bastien's (an upcoming 9th grader) humor and frequent injuries. It was always good to receive the hospitality that Philippe and his wonderful family gave us. We will miss our French friends.

All in all, this return trip to Morocco was an incredibly enjoyable one. We were able to enjoy all the things that made us fall in love with Morocco, while not having to deal with all the stress and difficulties of being there long-term. Also, Kattie was able to give so many friends a proper goodbye since she wasn't able to last year due to some severe sickness upon her departure. Bottom line: we've missed Morocco and it will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Leia Mais…

Triumphant?

One of the things I love most about the Gospel is that it often doesn't make a whole lot of intuitive sense to me as a man living in the West during the 21st century. It makes me think more than anything else and broadens my otherwise narrow perspective. It seems like the ideologies that Jesus discussed and displayed are radically different than mine. Than ours. Sayings like, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, If anyone slaps you on the right cheek turn to him the other also, If anyone forces you to go one mile go with him two miles, etc. And actions like, Healing the blind and lame, Forgiving the prostitute and thief without penalty, and entering the capital city of Jerusalem on a colt instead of a victorious steed. These things make me reevaluate the way I think and live. It's not because they're hip or trendy ideas, but exactly the opposite -- they seem so radical that they border on insanity. But this is how God himself has done things.

Even though some people honestly do profess to follow the teachings of Jesus and desperately try to emulate his life, their ideologies differ vastly from his. Jesus kept telling his disciples that he was going to reign victoriously for the sake of his people. But this Kingdom in which he was to be king would not be a kingdom like they thought, nor a kingdom like we think today. It's different. Drastically different. We expect a Victor to gallup right up into the tyrannical rule of our day (Gladiator style) on a white horse with shiny armor and a blazing sword to destroy evil rule and to overthrow the oppressive tyrant. But he didn't do it that way thousands of years ago, and he still doesn't seem to do it that way today.

To me, it seems like often those who take such an approach justifiably become like the one they've overthrown. For the sake of such ideologies as "Freedom of religion," or "Freedom of democracy," or "Freedom to own land," rulers have sometimes attempted to dominate a people by overthrowing a government or a ruler. Then imperialism or colonialism sets in. The plan may not have worked. Not because they were unsuccessful in accomplishing the goal of Justice in overthrowing an oppressive ruler, but because there is no peace in this.

"Freedom is seldom found by beating someone to the ground, telling them how everything is gonna be now."
(Excerpt from Amos Lee's song entitled, Freedom).

So many times, an outside force comes in with power to try to impose freedom upon the people that suffer under an oppressive rule. [Impose Freedom?!?!] They march in with their big guns, arrogance, and larger-than-life pride that screams, "Fear this!" It's almost as if arrogance can somehow produce peace, for that's the end goal isn't it? Or is it? We should all agree that it ought to be. But that doesn't seem to line up with today's priorities. In many places worldwide, we see widespread corruption because power is the priority, not peace.

Jesus is the only one in history who accomplished both. And he did it without absurd pomp and circumstance, without acclaim or renown, but on a colt and then on a cross. Here's an account of Jesus' "triumphal" entry into the capital city in his version of overthrowing the current kingdom:

"Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”"
-Mark 11:1-10

There were no tanks. No fireworks or elaborate speeches. Not even a very good reception from huge crowds since many people probably disliked him or at least thought he was crazy. There were probably some boos like when the MVP of the league steps onto an opposing court. All they saw was a carpenter, riding on a donkey, being praised by his twelve groupies and a few other people with tree branches. This does not seem at all to be how God should reclaim his throne! But that is exactly how he did it. And then he proceeded to die the most gruesome and humiliating death on a cross. Die??? Wasn't he supposed to live victoriously and reign with authority? Yes and yes. And he still does.

So why all of this? I think many times we get it ALL wrong. For the sake of one idea or virtue, we think things must happen a certain way. God may disagree. He traded unbounded power for meekness. A sword for a cross. A strong white horse for a weak brown colt. Yet his Kingdom Reigns far greater than any other earthly kingdom, and his power reaches far beyond any other power that has ever existed.

So I have to rethink my motivations, my ideas of what this Kingdom is like, especially since I have become a member in it. It might not be like I thought it was in the past.

My time here in Portland has been often difficult for a variety of reasons. Foremost is my perception of the fruit that has grown (or not grown). In my opinion, I have not seen much fruit in my life in these past ten months. But does that mean there has been none, and that I have not been used by God for the sake of his name? Absolutely not. Like I said, I must reevaluate my life, my ideas, my thinking. The kingdom that I think I serve may not be the Kingdom of God.

That's hard.

Leia Mais…

The Wait

It seems like so many people are constantly waiting for something. I know I often find this true in myself. I wait for weekends. I wait for breaks. I wait for the sunshine (here in the Pacific Northwest). I wait for the summer. I wait for the next opportunity to do this or that. Centrally in my life at this point, I wait for the time when I will move back to Africa for good. I always seem to be waiting for something.

Now, I know that being impatient and overly anxious are not very admirable qualities in a person, but they seem inescapable for me—it is as if they are deeply ingrained in me; it is my nature. The desirable characteristics are wise patience and contentment. Not necessarily a passive patience, but a calm one that realizes the passing of time. I often think of many of the wisest men I have met in my life. In them, there is a peace, a calmness, a patience. Through decades of experience, they have come to the realization that strife is meaningless, for all things have their time. The ancient King Solomon has described this in a book of wisdom called Ecclesiastes. But alas, I am young. And impatient. And often overly anxious. For young men, this is especially hard.

It is interesting, though. I say this because every time I find myself impatient and anxious, I am waiting for something. It is as if these two things are bound together in me as a figurative shackle of my humanity. Is it something that I must do in the future? Or is it perhaps something that may happen to me in the future? Some place to go or someone to meet? Or maybe it will be some thing to enjoy and find pleasure in? And then it happens: time passes and I reach the point where I can “do this thing,” or “meet this person,” or “go to this place.” The impatience withers and the anxiousness subsides, at least for a while. Then, after more time passes, I grow impatient and anxious again, waiting for the next thing, whatever it may be. I have always been this way—my mother has told me that I have gone through these cycles ever since elementary school.

If these cycles have continued for the past 20 years, then it begs the question, “If these things for which I am continually waiting are not actually satisfying me, then what am I truly waiting for?” C.S. Lewis wrote in his book, The Weight of Glory: “Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” For me, I have put away the "fooling about with drink and sex and ambition," but it seems that other things have replaced these. I now try to find satisfaction in the prospect of living life full-time overseas or in starting a family. Still, these things are far too small to satisfy me. What then?

“Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!”
–Psalm 27:14

The dictionary definition for wait for is this: to be in readiness for; be reserved for. In the past, I have often misunderstood this saying, taking wait for to mean either "wait on" like a waiter as if God needed a refill of his Diet Coke, or "wait for" as if God was delayed in carrying out his plan. To me, it is obvious that both of these misperceived definitions do not seem to agree with the character of God. It seems to me that He is the object of my waiting but I am the subject who must wait. How then must I wait? This is no passive waiting, like the passive patience mentioned above, but an active waiting as in preparing to meet. For example, no one in their right mind goes into a meeting with a powerful figure without preparing to meet them to make some sort of positive impression. Of course, this is a dim representation of how it will be when God's people are reunited with Him, but it will suffice for now.

All this to say that I often reflect on my nature as a redeemed person and am sometimes frustrated with my imperfections. I seem to have an inability to wait well. Lately, this has especially been true as I have often expressed how impatient I am and how ready I am to move on to the "next thing." At this point, as I am nearing the end of the rope of my patience, I can only hope that my God will be my strength and give my heart courage so that I can wait well for Him, not for the next upcoming stage in my life.

May I not be so easily pleased.

Leia Mais…

Beauty

We have had three of the most beautiful days in a very...very long time. Tomorrow is supposed to be the 4th day of sunshine in row! If that happens, it will be the first time since January...before that it was September. We like sunshine, so it was the perfect day to be outside. My family was camping at Silver Falls, but Adam and I weren't too stoked about camping because we were disbelieving that there would be nice weather. The weather proved amazing so we drove down for the day. We hung out with the family, played with Alex in the water, and went on a nice little hike to see 2 of the 10 waterfalls. The smaller one is called Frenchie Falls and the larger one is the South Falls. The South Falls was so amazing it looked like a movie set. We hiked down and got to go around behind the waterfall. It is truly one of God's amazing works!

Leia Mais…

Half a Year...

So, I guess it's my turn to post something... so here goes. We got engaged...
We got married...
and 6 months later, we still love it!

God's design for marriage is awesome, I can think of no better representation of his love for us. I know we both lived without each other for the beginning part of our lives, but I can't imagine being without my best friend again.

Leia Mais…

Life's Harsh Reality

“A hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”
-Proverbs 13:12

In total desperation, our only refuge is hope. As the refuge of hope gives us shelter, we become more desperate to retain it. Hope is like a warm blanket that we can wrap around ourselves in the midst of a cruel, bitter-cold world. Things are broken because they break easily. No one has ever observed an unbreakable heart or an unbreakable spirit because none of us is invincible, no matter how much we try to be. And it’s the hardest thing in the world to repair our own brokenness. The hurt is suppressive. The pain is oppressive. It’s too much for us to handle, so we become desperate. In our desperation, we sometimes turn to abusing drugs or sex, for example. Or sometimes we turn to violence or self-mutilation or eating disorders. Unfortunately, we still may turn to suicide in an unsuccessful attempt to subdue our pain and brokenness.

The pinnacle of our hope in this life is “to be happy.” Everyone wants it. Deep down inside, in the depths of our beings, we’re all hedonists. We all want to avoid pain and sorrow so that we may gain happiness and pleasure, and we’ll go to great lengths to get it. In some cultures, this might be defined as nirvana, or intellectual clarity and enlightenment. In postmodern Western culture, we typically turn to material wealth and possessions or appearances or social status or intellectual superiority or self-help manuals to try to make ourselves happy. All in all, we find ourselves lacking and our hope of happiness keeps getting deferred to a later hopeful point in life, as we naïvely say to ourselves, “Maybe I’ll get there someday.” But when that someday comes and we still find ourselves unfulfilled, our hope turns into despair as we become desperate all over again. In that sort of desperation, often people turn to last resort measures, some more severe than others. It could look like a change in career or an impulsive purchase of a Porsche 911 during a mid-life crisis. Or it could look like suicide and/or mass murders. Any perceived happiness for these people is simply the exact opposite, a counterfeit, misery in disguise. Or it could mean an entire surrender to another person because we’ve found that we are totally incapable of attaining happiness at all, no matter what day of the week it is. We may turn to a friend or a spouse or a family member or a public figure. But the rightful place to turn is to the only One who can give us true, lasting happiness: our Creator.

I’ve had many people close to me that have found themselves in positions of desperation, myself included. Life is not easy – that’s a lesson most of us learn a little later in life. There are real responsibilities, real conflicts, real broken relationships, and real battles. In the midst of this war that rages in our lives, and there is a war, pacifists will be slaughtered. There’s no draft dodging. There’s no M.I.A. or A.W.O.L., for no one can escape hand-to-hand combat with the brutality of life. Those who try to escape it can’t; they’re only living in a fantasy world. We must fight.I think the lyrics from Ben Harper’s song, “Fight Outta You,” describe a desperate reality that some of us face day in and day out:

there's always someone younger,
someone with more hunger…don’t let them take the fight outta you.
they'll say you're one and only,
then straight up leave you lonely…don’t let them take the fight outta you.
like a transplant patient,
waiting for a donor…don’t let them take the fight outta you.
like a half empty balloon,
after a party in the corner…don’t let them take the fight outta you.

This is not something that someone teaches us – we learn it as we live. It can make us resilient or it can wear us down. Regardless, we must still cling to hope, for it may be all that’s left for us to hold on to.

For one reason or another, I’ve had a few people in my life confide in me with the strains of their souls. And I know of other situations of the sobering reality of life.

Once, a teenage girl told me that she had severe difficulties with having a positive self-esteem and self-image leading to depression, an eating disorder, and thoughts of suicide. Her life became a haze of despair.

I know a woman who has lovingly poured out her entire life for the sake of other people. Despite being in excellent health for her age, she was recently diagnosed with cancer. She couldn’t believe that something so destructive could be inside of her when she felt so good. Her life became an unusual, dismal excuse for a reward.

A young man once told me that he felt very lost in his life, running away from his past. He had grown up in the Midwest, gotten into some trouble with the law, and took off with the carnival down south in order to escape the warrant that was issued on his life. As a traveling vagabond, he began to develop his drug addiction. His life became a house of shambles.

Back in college, a friend of mine struggled intensely with homosexual tendencies that tormented him to the point of depression and hopelessness. He refused to give in to the temptation to submit to these tendencies because he knew deep within himself that it was wrong. His life became a living nightmare.

A wonderful man I know fell in love with “the only one for me in this world.” As the wedding approached, she started having doubts and it puzzled him. She said it had nothing to do with him, but he still didn’t know what had changed in her. His life became a wave of uncertainty.

One of the most loving women I know encountered severe health problems and had to drop everything in her life to deal with her depleted health. Faced with double kidney failure, she had to endure dialysis on a daily basis. Her name was put on the organ recipient list. Her life became a slave to the fleeting sands of time.

In all of these stories, people became desperate because their lives became broken, in one degree or another. Their hope for happiness was deferred to a time when the brokenness would be repaired. Immediately, their hearts became sick while sadness crept in. But in all of these particular situations that have already been resolved, a common response developed in their hearts and compelled them: their desperation led to a hope in the One who could help them, namely, God Himself. They came to the realization that it was impossible for them, in and of themselves, to attain happiness and wholeness for themselves, but Jesus could because He lived here on this earth and experienced all of the pain, sorrow, and difficulty that life has dumped on us – and he overcame it all. Since He overcame it, they knew that through Him they could also overcome the despair, in hope, to someday attain true happiness. Their lives may not be fully healed or fully repaired or fully whole (yet), but hope has been their refuge and that refuge has provided a place to seek more hope, that their desire for happiness might be truly fulfilled someday.

On that day, in that place, they will find a tree of life.

In desperation, there are two paths to take. One leads to a true hope that fulfills a desire and ends at the towering tree of life, while the other leads to a false hope that makes the heart sick and ends at the wilted tree of death. Psalm 16:11 is a description of God’s intervening work in the lives of those who seek Him, that “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” At that tree of life, Jesus awaits us to fulfill our desires and make our hearts glad.

Leia Mais…

On the Necessity of True Doctrine

Forgive me for the long videos, but since we are often so visually-centered, I thought this might be a good way to convey the importance and necessity of right doctrine.

False Prophets and Teachers

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.

Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones, whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord. But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.

These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”
2 Peter 2

What a tragedy it is when we have our own fellow believers being tempted by and trusting in false doctrines! Paul says, "And [Jesus] gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love." (Ephesians 4:11-16)

When false apostles and false prophets and false evangelists and false shepherds and false teachers creep in and begin to deceive those who are seeking the true Gospel of Jesus, it is as though they are doing violence to children. No one would stand for that kind of child abuse.

Needless to say, it is crucial for those seeking a true knowledge of God to know what the Bible actually teaches: we can only know Him through faith in Jesus, the only Way to God. We MUST believe in True Doctrine. So whether it be worldwide icons like Oprah Winfrey or Tom Cruise, or even preachers with poor theology like John Hagee or Joel Osteen, we can simply listen to their babbling hot air (Tom Cruise truly is the master at this), weight it against Scripture, and toss it aside as more rubbish. And then we ought to pray for them.

Most of all, we MUST read our Bibles for ourselves. If we merely rely on other people to dictate all that we believe, we submit ourselves to the potential corrupted leadership of a fellow sinner. Yes, we have godly leaders -- who are just as susceptible to sin as anyone else. We ought to trust our godly leaders, but never more than the Scripture which is the very Word of God. So let us read our Bibles together, lest we revert back to the days before Luther and the Reformation when the Roman Catholic Church dictated the identity of Christianity instead of Christ Himself.

Leia Mais…

Alex and the Gator

We had one of the first really nice sunny days today. It was awesome. I took the kids for walks, went to the parks, we saw some ducks. It was so nice that Alex (my nephew) decided he wanted to get out the Gator. It's cool because in October when he got it for his 2nd birthday, he was way too little to drive it and now he loves it. Of course, the seatbelt and helmet are a must and mom keeps the steering wheel cranked so he just goes in circles. Smart.
For those of you who don't speak 2 year old...
"Say hi Bobby (my dad)"
"Hi Bobby"
"Say I like John Deere!"
"I like... I like cows!"
"You like cows.. Say, I like John Deere."
"I like John Deere."
He's a John Deere man in the making...

Leia Mais…

There were two!!!

Living in Portland has been some what of a challenge for us (as you might have noticed from other posts, e-mails, and conversations), but has also had its rewards. We had a hard time finding a church and began to feel like counting down the days until we moved to Texas was the way to get by. Then the Lord led us to our current "home," Red Sea Church. The community is great, the teaching is Biblical (which you may think is common in all churches, but it's not), and there are many chances to get involved. We, however, didn't want to get involved, it makes leaving hard. But one thing I've learned is that you have to get involved, you have to use your gifts, or you shrivel. One of our first weeks at church there was an announcement about an English class starting up for the local Hispanic community. Adam and I knew that this was how we were going to get involved. We started meeting with the group that was volunteering their time and talents to teach complete strangers English. They are awesome. There are only a few of us with education backgrounds, but the team that has been built in just a short month is really great. So, we planned, advertised, and waited for people to come. They didn't. Not one person showed up to the informational meeting. The best part about it was that none of us felt bad. We prayed hung up more flyers and met again last Monday night. We stood in a circle praying for God's will and His timing. Adam no more got the word "amen" out of his mouth and two men came walking in the door! We sat and talked with them for about an hour and they were very encouraged and can't wait to learn. And, they're bringing friends next time. The coolest part was the excitement that the whole team felt about having two students (there are 10 of us). We knew God had brought these two men specifically, we'd prayed for exactly that. I can't wait to see how God uses them in the community that surrounds the church. It will be a true testimony of the grace and goodness of God. Our hope is that by learning English, our students will have a sense of dignity and that their opportunities will increase greatly. This ministry has the potential to have a huge impact because of where it is located, so pray for us and pray for Antonio and Abraham.

Leia Mais…

The Tough Road Through a Narrow Gate

I grew up in the wide open spaces of Texas. It was easy to get from place to place because the roads were clearly defined and destinations clearly seen and known. Then I moved to Morocco. I can remember walking through the narrow passageways of any Medina (Old City) of a major city in Morocco. Particularly in Fes, it was a bit creepy and can be dangerous. It's tough to see your way through to any particular destination as you're continually rubbing shoulders with the masses going both ways, weaving in and out of the crowd, all the while dodging transit donkeys and darting children. It's a tough way to travel through very narrow places. Life can be likewise.

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."
Matthew 7:13-14

Following Jesus is tough. There's no way around that. No doubt it is entirely worth the struggle, but regardless of any situation in life, it's just hard to remain faithful to what Jesus has called us.

While living in Morocco, I found myself desperate for the intervention of God in my life, that He would sustain me in such an entirely different spiritual environment. It was difficult, as a follower of Jesus, to be very outward with my faith, for it was a dangerous thing to do. All I could do is walk the path that He had set out for me. But it was a hard path. I often became weary and fell to my knees in hopes that my God would persevere me. And He did, of course.

Now, I will never claim that at any time while in Morocco, I faced any degree of religious persecution. My Moroccan friends are incredible people, and I love them dearly. I miss them very much. But, in my experience, living in a spiritually difficult place produces within us a degree of reliance and dependence on God that nothing else would require. One of my most favorite quotes is from John Piper: "One of God's gifts to us in suffering is that we are granted to see and experience depths of His Word that a life of ease and comfort would never yield." I find that to be very true, especially in those dear saints that have actually been persecuted and martyred for following Jesus.

Currently, I live in a completely different environment: the "religiously free" United States. And the Suburbs, no less. Never did I imagine living in the suburbs of Portland.But never did I imagine living in Africa, either. Don't get me wrong, I praise God for leading me here so that I may get to know my family and learn how to be a husband and teach in Oregon public schools. It's just so much different, both geographically and spiritually. I find the following excerpt from the Puritan Thomas Shepard's work a very accurate portrayal of America's religious freedom, which these days is some places almost turning into religious counterfeit or religious exclusion entirely. Shepard was one of the pilgrims that left England due to the persecutions of the Church of England in order to live in religious liberty in New England more than one hundred years before the Declaration of Independence.

The Danger of Carnal Security
(an excerpt from “The Devoted Life: An Invitation to the Puritan Classics,” describing Thomas Shepard’s The Parable of the Ten Virgins)

In spite of vast differences between the [wise and foolish] virgins, the parable warns that “the spirit of sloth and security” will overcome both wise and foolish virgins in the last days. “As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept” (Matthew 25:5). Shepard explained that their sleep signifies a carnal security that posed a great threat to the health and vitality of the “virgin churches” of New England. Their lack of persecution and abundance of “spiritual gifts and graces” had produced an unexpected result. Rather than usher in the godly society of “visible saints” as Shepard had hoped, their religious freedom had led to spiritual indifference and decadence. Those who had escaped the persecutions in England had now succumbed to a “carnal security” that dulled their conscience toward sin and their passions for Christ’s return. The “virgin churches” of Massachusetts faced a great temptation to slumber and sleep because “their beds [were] made soft” and “the storms” of persecution were “past.” Shepard pointed to the divisions among them and their wars with the Pequot Indians (1636-1637) as works of God’s providence to awaken them out of their spiritual indifference. He warned them especially against settling for a “peace with their sin,” a “peace that…gives up the fight against sin and Satan.” Rather, they must rest in the Lord, “a rest which faith gives” only after it has conquered sin. For peace with Christ is not experienced through “sloth” but by waging war “against every temptation.” The peace of faith often “finds and feels its rest most in the midst of trouble” because it is “in times of persecution” and hardship that “grace is most exercised” through prayer and watchfulness. The danger of “carnal security” is its presumption of grace that refuses to be disturbed by secret sins and selfish motives…. Shepard insisted that God’s saving grace results in not merely the passive imputation of righteousness but also an active righteous disposition that should be exercised by all truly regenerated saints.

In my observation of our culture these days, in many ways, I think America is past its prime, beyond its Golden Age. But let's face it: despite this war against terrorism or any other challenge, we are far from being persecuted. Especially in the churches of America. And within those churches, especially those huge suburban megachurches. So even more dangerous is Shepard's assessment of religious freedom. I listened to a sermon entitled, Death by Suburbia, which further emphasized the dangers of such a lifestyle.

It's truly a mystery what happens when the people of God are passionate risk-takers that are unafraid of being uncomfortable. Historically, after followers of Jesus were martyred, the church tended to explode. Rather than the believers shrinking back in fear, their God granted them even greater boldness. As Shepard said, maybe America needs these divisions and a battle similar to that with the Pequot Indians in order to awaken our desperation and dependence on Him alone rather than our material wealth and comforts.

But whether I live in the dangerous suburbs or the dangerous foreign country, the spiritual war rages on. The battles look drastically different depending on the spiritual setting. But regardless, the gate is narrow and the path is hard. Sometimes, it will seem as if Satan is squeezing the spiritual life out of me, like a boa constrictor, but Jesus is always there to persevere me, preserve me, and protect me. Never will I be alone on this journey, for He will never leave or forsake me. And in the end, there will be much rejoicing after these afflictions have passed -- both in the 'burbs and in Africa. In the meantime, I don't foresee it getting any easier, but I do see it getting better as the Lord refines me through the difficulties that this road will surely provide.

Leia Mais…

This might not be popular...

Adam's been learning photoshop... That's what started this post. We were reading about the "recent" Clinton issue and I started thinking about leadership and lying. Our culture seems to be plagued by the scandals of people in the limelight (I'm talking politicians specifically here). I've mentioned this before, but the recent Clinton "mis-speak" has brought it up again. For those of you who don't know: Clinton (Hillary) recently gave a speech highlighting her "foreign policy experience." She told a "story" about a trip to Bosnia (when her husband was the President) during which, she and Chelsea had to "duck and cover" under sniper fire. Apparently, there was never any sniper fire at all, but rather happy smiley pictures of the family waving at onlookers. Does it really matter that she "mis-spoke?" Is it that she didn't remember? or is it that she was trying to make the truth look better than it is to, in turn make her look like a more "experienced" foreign policy woman? Does it really matter? Isn't lying, lying? I read a comment by a woman on a story about the Clinton lie that said she wanted to just focus on "the issues..." The issues? Isn't a leader who lies an issue?
Or have we gotten so loose in our morality that it doesn't even matter anymore? In recent months there have been several scandals have unfolded involving lying: Mayor of Detroit, Roger Clemens, the Governor of New York (and his successor), and the list could go on... The United States is supposed to be the "leader of the free world." We are powerful, educated, wealthy, tolerant, and free (according to most Americans). And yet, what marks us? Hollywood drama, political corruption, Athletic scandal, military botches, and dishonesty. Is that what we've become?
Proverbs 6 says
16"There are six things that the Lord hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers.
Interesting that lying comes up twice. Lying is simply shrugged off as though there are worse things, so it's not a concern. Murder, theft, drugs, alcohol abuse, etc. Since when did these things get put onto a list from worst to best? I don't want a leader who thinks these things (lying included) are ok. This really isn't about Hillary though, it's about us. Why don't we hold people accountable? Why do we excuse sin as though it were nothing? Of course making this suggestion is very unpopular. It would require people to be uncomfortable. It would require us to hold fast to truth. It would require Jesus. And people don't want that...
It seems that the US has seen its golden days and we are spiraling downward at a rapid pace. There have been other great civilizations with many of the same issues as we are facing today, poor leadership, severe moral decay, and vulnerability to attacks. They fell...

Below is a news broadcast about the whole "Clinton lie" if you're interested...

Leia Mais…

Tetris, Math, and God

Growing up, I never really got into puzzles. They were too scattered and time-consuming, I guess. But lately, I've been enjoying them. Not those puzzles with the weird shapes that make some picture when you piece it all together. My brain is a little more cut-and-dry and systematic.

Even though I didn't much like those types of tabletop puzzles when I was young, I was a fan of Tetris on the old-school, 8-bit Nintendo video game system. Classic. That Nintendo, in my opinion was the best gaming system ever, but that's another story.

And since becoming a high school math teacher, my appreciation for puzzles has increased. In a lot of ways, math can be likened to a big puzzle that frustrates some people to no end because it can be a little tricky if the pieces don't seem to fit. But the beauty of it all is that they do fit, somehow.

Since my mind is one of those systematic, formulaic types, math treats me well. I find it difficult, however, for many of my students to work with the pieces of the puzzle to reach a masterful end result. It can be tricky. It can be messy. Sometimes you might have to think hard. Maybe even harder than you've ever thought before. It's a challenge, but a worthy one -- not necessarily because math is the greatest thing ever, but that it gives us the opportunity to stretch and grow our minds. I guess that's the greatest reason I like math (more than I ever thought I would): it challenges me to THINK.

But far more than math has taught me how to think, God has. When I try to wrap my mind around what has gone through the mind of God since the beginning of time, although I will never be able to do it, it is a great challenge for me. And it's fun because God has a manifold plan that He has been unveiling for millennia, and He allows me to behold it as He reveals it to mankind. The single most amazing thing that I have witnessed in my life is that in His infinite wisdom, all of God's puzzle pieces fit perfectly. Sometimes even the machines that carve out those little cardboard pieces make the most minute mistakes and somehow there may be a tiny gap here or there. Not so with God. There are no gaps.

The collage above depicts an incredibly imperfect portrait of but the tiniest glimpse into God's perfectly planned puzzle. Here's the literary description...

Puzzle Piece #1: Our Condition.
"The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.”

And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;
thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”"
Genesis 3:12-19

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them."
Romans 1:18-32

Puzzle Piece #2: God's Offer.
"Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 5:12-21

Puzzle Piece #3: New Life.
"Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes....

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”"
John 20:1-10, 19-29

Puzzle Piece #4: Eternity.
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed— on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal. He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel's measurement. The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, clear as glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.

And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life."
Revelation 21

Some people may not be as amazed as I am about all this (and there is so much more to it, by the way), but I am utterly overwhelmed and blown away at the peculiarity of this plan! It is far too high for me to comprehend, much less try to fathom that any man could have possibly conjured this up or altered it in any way, as some may try to argue.

As Easter arrives tomorrow, and there will certainly be crowds of unbelievers, fake believers, and true believers attending church tomorrow, it is my hope that the True Story, that is, the Gospel of Jesus, would be delivered in churches worldwide. The historical evidence and tradition of faith (not merely man-made religion) begs for us to give an accurate account of this huge puzzle that we call our existence and our condition as Creations, as humans. May another piece fit perfectly into God's infinitely glorious puzzle as He pours out His mercy upon us, sheds His grace upon us, and lavishes His love upon us by ultimately and decisively saving His chosen ones through the work of the cross and the resurrected King Jesus. He is risen. He is risen, indeed. And we will someday rise with Him! Hosanna, save now, O Lord!

Leia Mais…