The gift of a soul.

I just finished reading Ben-Hur : A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace.  This book is a difficult read due to the high vocabulary level but it also has colorful characters and a great plot.  The book is set in the time of Christ's life.  The main character, Judah Ben Hur, is anxious to help Christ set-up a political kingdom and overthrow the Roman government.    Judah, through a long series of events meets Balthasar, one of the three wise men.  Balthasar understands that Christ's Kingdom will be a spiritual one.  The following discussion ensues as Balthasar mentors the young Ben-Hur: (this is long but very profound).

Balthasar speaks:
" I cannot tell you when the idea of a Soul in every man had its origin.  Most likely the first parents brought it with them out of the garden in which they had their first dwelling.  We all do know, however, that it has never perished entirely out of mind.  By some peoples it was lost, but not by all; in some ages it dulled and faded; in others it was overwhelmed with doubts; but, in great goodness, God kept sending us at intervals mighty intellects to argue it back to faith and hope.

"Why should there be a Soul in every man?  Look, O son of Hur-for one moment look at the necessity of such a device.  To lie down and die, and be no more- no more forever-time never was when man wished for such an end; nor has the man ever been who did not in his heart promise himself something better.  The monuments of the nations are all protests against nothingness after death;  so are statues and inscriptions; so is history.  The greatest of our Egyptian kings had his effigy cut out of a hill of solid rock.  Day after day he went with a host in chariots to see the work; at last it was finished, never effigy so grand, so enduring; it looked like him-the features were his, faithful even in expression.  Now may we not think of him saying in that moment of pride, 'Let Death come; there is an after-life for me!  He had his wish.  The statue is there yet.

"But what is the after-life he thus secured?  Only a recollection by men-a glory unsubstantial as moonshine on the brow of the great bust: a story in stone-nothing more.  Meantime what has become of the king?  There is an embalmed body up in the royal tombs which once was his- an effigy not so fair to look at as the other out in the Desert.  But where, O son of Hur, where is the king himself?  Is he fallen into nothingness?  Two thousand years have gone since he was a man alive as you and I are.  Was his last breath the end of him?

" To say yes would be to accuse God; let us rather accept his better plan of attaining life after death for us-actual life, I mean-the something more than a place in mortal memory; life with going and coming, with sensation, with knowledge, with power and all appreciation; life eternal in the term through it may be with changes of condition.

"Ask you what God's plan is?  The gift of a Soul to each of us at birth, with this simple law-there shall be no immortality except through the Soul...

"...A word as to the pleasure there is in the thought of a Soul in each of us.  In the first place, it robs death of its terrors by making dying a change for the better, and burial but the planting of a seed from which there will spring a new life... behold me as I am -weak, weary, old, shrunken in body, graceless; look at my wrinkled face, think of my failing senses, listen to my shrilled voice.  Ah! what happiness to me in the promise that when the tomb opens, as soon it will, to receive the worn-out husk I call myself, the now viewless doors of the universe, which is but the palace of God, will swing wide ajar to receive me, a liberated immortal Soul!

...I leave to him the organization of my Soul, and every arrangement for the life after death.  I know he loves me."

The gift of a soul is really the only thing that matters.  How easy it is to get caught up in everything else this life offers.  God forgive me for forgetting the gift of my soul.

Evil doers.

There has been a lot of trouble in the United States this week.  Many, many sad things have happened all over the country. The Boston Marathon bombing and North Korea's threats are foremost in my thoughts. These troubles have been caused by some very evil men.  In that context this passage of scripture really stood out to me.

"They(evil men who occupy seats of power) pour out arrogant words;
all the evildoers are full of boasting.
The crush your people, O Lord;
the oppress your inheiritance.
They slay the widow and the alien;
they murder the fatherless.
They say, "The Lord does not see;
the God of Jacob pays no heed."
Take heed, you senseless ones among
the people;
you fools, when will you beome
wise?
Does he who implanted the ear not hear?
Does he who formed the eye not see?
Does he who disciplines nations not punish?
Does he who teaches man lack knowledge?
Psalm 94:4-10

Good reminder for me.  God is still in control.

The things that matter... Number ONE!

If you were to die tonight would you go to heaven?  This is a heavy question but probably the most important one you will ever ask yourself.  It takes courage to honestly answer this question.  Hell is not pretty ... you don't want to be there.  If you are not sure if you are going to heaven I would encourage you to really examine the Bible and see what it says about heaven and hell and our response to Christ.  Jesus came to save us.  Jesus loves us.  Jesus forgives us if we ask him too.  Jesus asks us to simply put Him first.  Selfish ambition has to go.  As hard as this sounds it is an invitation to a wonderful life of service to Christ and others.

Luke 16: 9-31

We are not called to be perfect or sinless.  Our short comings are covered by GRACE.  Grace is the forgiveness of a debt we owe for our wrong doings.  This is a wonderful gift!  So claim the gift of Christ's salvation and step into Jesus' abundant life.  You were created for good works.  Jesus will use your gifts, talents, and interests for the good of His Kingdom.  You will find yourself at peace with your life. 

James 3: 13-18

Are you at peace with God?

Simply beautiful.

Last night we attended a Live Nativity at the Bridge Between Retreat Center in Maribel, Wisconsin.  It was a dark and foggy night.  As we traveled across the back roads of Wisconsin  we wondered there would be anyone else there.  We arrived to find that many others had gathered for this very special worship service.

The old barn was packed to the brim.  We sat on hay bales with other Christ followers and soaked in the quiet and joyful atmophere.  Exactly two strands of white Christmas mini-lights decorated the old barn.  The chickens, lammas, ducks and geese were present but quiet, captured by the Holy hush.

The service began.   Readings and acappella Christmas Carols were shared.  The children gathered for a Christmas story entitled "Who is Coming to our House?".  A costumed Mary and Joseph entered in answer to the story's question.  An enthralled audience was delighted with their baby (aka. Daniel) who portrayed the Christ Child.  The service was concluded with more thoughtful readings and singing "Joy to the World".

I think that this is the most unembellished and meanful Christmas worship experience I have ever had.  I was stuck by it's beauty and simplicity.   The hope and knowledge that Christ's Church is eternal and not engulfed by the troubles that beseige our world sprung up in my heart.   It is easy to get caught up in the trappings of our religious experiences and forget the simple message of redemption. Christ's church is eternal and therein lies our future and hope.

How do you keep Christ in Christmas with your family?

Sunset Beach

We had just finished enjoying one of Door County Wisconsin's fish boils.  We wandered out of the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek, Wisconsin and walked a short distance to Sunset Park.  A large quiet crowd had gathered to watch the sunset.  People were sitting everywhere quietly chatting with family and friends.  A few couples were sipping wine in glasses, others had a good book along and the family dogs were laying quietly.  Children played near Mom and Dad.  A lovely, lovely, picture of family life in America.  It was beautiful.  As the sun slipped below the horizon the crowd broke out into spontanous applause.  Lovely! 

Water... the stuff of life

It is the summer of 2012.  Most the the U.S. is experiencing a significant drought.  Water is just one of those things that you just don't think about until it's in short supply.  Corn and soybeans are dead in the field in many places.  Ranchers have been forced to sell off their herds because there is nothing to graze on.  We are simply "hosed" without H two O.

Our area has not been hit as hard by the drought.  Fall is coming and the trees are being to turn...  I was thinking about the blessing of water while driving home last evening.    As I crested a hill I could see 12 miles.  There were rolling hills, red barns, white farm houses, corn fields, woods, and in the distance Lake Michigan.  A few wispy clouds floated overhead and some mist was just beginning to rise from the hay fields.  How many water molecules must there be locked in this beautiful scene?  I cannot comprehend a number that big.  A million trillion? I am sure that is way too small.  Most plants are at least 80% water, water vapor is invisible, our bodies are at least 60% water.  Without water there is no reproduction in plants or animals.  Within this seemingly simple molecule is the stuff of life.  I am thankful for water and the great God who sends it.  I ran across this verse a few days after I wrote this...

"But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water."  2 Peter 3:5