POLITICALLY INCORRECT MOMENTS IN THE BIBLE: Jesus talks to a woman in public! (John 4)

Jesus Christ: The Greatest Liberator
of Women in Human History.

Jesus and His disciples are headed south through Samaria. They've been walking in the sun for quite a while. They are hungry, hot, and tired. The disciples go into a nearby town for food, and Jesus sits down next to a well to rest.

A Samaritan woman comes to draw water. I'm sure she is trying NOT to catch His eye. But Jesus breaks the silence and asks her to give Him a drink. She knows by His appearance that He is a Jewish Rabbi. Totally astonished, she responds, probably looking right at Him: “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?”

John explains: "(For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)" Sounds like the history of the human race. But Jesus always ignored such sin-inspired prohibitions. Ironically Samaritans who appear in the gospels get generally better press than His own people (The "Good" Samaritan and the Samaritan former-leper who came back to thank Him for his healing.)

And how did Jesus treat women? I once searched all four gospels, asking that very question. The answer in single every instance was: "Very well. Consistently with respect and compassion." He did not give arrogant men who appear there the soft and gentle treatment.

In this case, Jesus offers Grace to this unknown and "unimportant" woman. He says to her, “If you knew the gift of God [Grace] and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.”

She responds to Grace with a little "helpful criticism:" “Sir, you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?" She then presses Him antagonistically, keenly aware of the religious "rivalry" between her people and His: "Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?”

But look, Jesus responds with Grace once again: “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Do you see what is happening? He sweeps away the religious animosities of the past and announces the non-exclusive New Covenant for "whosoever." The offer includes her, someone apparently ostracized by her own people.

Jesus tells her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” Up to now, she has been flaunting her religion, but she knows she is living in sin. “I have no husband,” she replies (her shortest line so far), studiously leaving out a few minor details.

Jesus always saw right through people, directly into their heart (No wonder He made so many uncomfortable). He says to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” Her mask stripped away, she still reverts to religious antagonism. Incredible.

Notice that Jesus responds with Grace a third time: “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

Jesus has just revealed to her--an unknown, unimportant, unnamed, immoral, “worthless” Samaritan woman--the coming of "whosover will seek God" worship. (Interesting, there is no record He talked about this to Peter, the other disciples or the Sanhedrin.)

The Amazing Grace He extends this bears quick fruit: The new believer runs and wakes up the town from their siesta (from Latin, 6th hour nap in the heat, about 3:00pm) to tell them of her encounter, literally bringing them all to Jesus. No seminary traiining. Just an overflowing, "rule breaking," over-the-top, "who cares what people think" explosion of joy that she has met the Messiah. Something wonderful has just happened in her heart, and they can all see it.

God has honored her testimony. This woman's story has been told for 2,000 years and in over 2,000 languages. And only God knows how many times it's been preached and taught. Apparently He thought a woman had something pretty important to say.

Jesus Christ, discarding the "rules of men."

What lessons can we learn from this encounter? Jesus did not treat people based on a superficial judgment and warned us not to fall into that trap. His priority should be ours: their needs, their hurts, and most especially, their potential in God. To a sinful woman He reveals His new plan for worldwide worship. Not to Peter or the disciples, but to a Samaritan woman and in public. Now, Jesus, wasn't there a better way to do that?

Historically, women have been oppressed, treated as inferiors, not loved "as Christ loved the church." But in His Kingdom, there is no male or female, no Jew or Gentile, no slave or free, all are one in Christ. In the "Latter days," says Joel 2:28-29, "God will pour out His Spirit on His servants, on both men and women." I'm not the "answer man," but I do wonder: Are we ready for any of this?

Why Christians should see “Avatar.”

Learning the ways of the Na'vi.

I’ve now seen “Avatar” twice, once with my grandson and a second time with my son and son-in-law. That’s amazing since I was initially irritated by the plot-premise and was hostile even to the idea of going. “Dances with Wolves” meets “Star Wars.” Hey, people, that doesn’t sound very original.

“This film will change the way movies are made,” I read in one review. True, the representation of the alien world is stunning and convincing. The visuals stretch the imagination. Special effects give the planet “Pandora” a magical, almost “Eden-like” aura, and not a single effect looks “fake,” right down to the varied facial expressions, striped skin, and the 10 ft. tall bodies of the Na’vi people. Fast action scenes are dizzying, realistic, and unmatched in any movie I have ever seen.

Appropriately, the word “Avatar” refers to the incarnation of a Hindu deity, often Vishnu. But the word also means “a computer user's representation of himself/herself or alter ego in the form of a three-dimensional model used in computer games.” And so the movie is ironically a blend of a vague “new age” spirituality and a dazzling new technology. In living color and three dimensions, the “Earth Mother,” Eywa, trumps the “Sky people” and their war machines. No-tech beats hi-tech. The result? Paradise regained.

But not without a messianic deliverer.

“Avatar” is not a Christian movie, or even close. Yet its story echoes many biblical themes. Not surprising since the theme of the hero-redeemer who dies and is reborn shows up in most all world literature and mythology.

At the beginning of the film, Pandora is idyllic but not quite “Eden-like.” Though there is harmony among the Na’vi, their goddess (May a female “Force” be with you), and the creatures, some of the larger, more monstrous are easily enraged killers. There is still a sort of curse.

Enter the U.S. military-industrial complex, alive and well a century into the future. Enter the Marines of the “Jarhead Tribe” (some things will never change). Enter a crippled Marine who is given a new body, a new life, a wife, and…a transcendent purpose.

Neytiri, Warrior Princess

What happens? (Read no further if my summary will spoil the plot for you.) Jake Sully becomes one of “the People” via a literal incarnation in which technology (and eventually Eywa) allows him to inhabit a Na’vi body. Initially, there is a “sign” from Eywa in which floating, glowing, jellyfish-like creatures cover his head, arms, and upper torso. He is “the anointed one.”

He prays to Eywa and later tames a red, “larger than any other” pterodactyl. He lands at a tribal gathering, having achieved the seemingly impossible: he has become “one” with the flying monster, and he is received as the “military” deliverer. He rallies the Na’vi to war and leads them to victory. ALL creatures join the fight against the Sky people, and under his Eywa-guided rule, Pandora is finally in complete harmony. He will be the King who ushers in a period of peace (at least, until the sequel).

No tech meets high tech

Sound vaguely familiar? “Avatar” repeats the Christian message embedded in all cultural myths because it expresses the deep, universal needs of the human heart: deliverance, redemption, a restoration of Eden.

Some critics brand it corny? Check the stats, “corny” is breaking box-office records.

All the more reason Christians should pay attention to what is going on. Images are powerful. Ask Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Also, evil dictators know about the power of images.

God created us to dream, and in the Bible spoke through dreams and visions. Now, we have 3-D plus CGIs (computer generated images) that can display any whim of the imagination. That’s kind of exciting and kind of scary. (For what purpose? "For ANY purpose, Morbeus." Leslie Nielsen to Walter Pigeon in "Forbidden Planet," about the hi-tech self-destruction of the Krell.)

I always ask, where is technology taking us? I wonder. What kind of world are we entering? And what will be “real” and what will be “illusion” when the two are so close? Will we be able to tell them apart?

And they laughed at Don Quijote.

ASTONISHING MOMENTS IN THE BIBLE: Jesus heals a woman with a 12-year hemmorage, raises a 12-year-old girl from the dead!

When Jesus steps off the boat, a large crowd gathers and begins pressing in. They open the way for Jairus, the Ruler of the Synagogue. He comes in desperation. His 12-year-old daughter is dying. Forget pride. He throws himself at Jesus' feet and pleads earnestly with Him to come and heal her. (Can we learn anything about prayer from this man?) Jesus does not put him off or tell him that He is too busy. He goes with him. Jesus was "interruptible."

The large crowd follows and continues pressing in around Him. In his path is a woman who has been subject to bleeding for twelve years.

She's nobody important (she is ceremonially unclean). No one makes an opening for her. I have always visualized her desperately pulling herself along on the ground, too weak to walk. She crawls up behind Him in the crowd thinking, “If I just touch the edge of His prayer shawl, I will be healed.” She does, and there is an immediate transfer of power. She instantly knows the bleeding inside her has stopped. She knows she is free.

At once Jesus realizes that power has gone out from Him. He turns around in the crowd and asks, “Who touched my clothes?”

His ne'er do well disciples get surly: “With all these people pressing You, what do You mean, ‘Who touched me?’” But Jesus says, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”

The woman, possibly feeling guilty, comes and falls at His feet. She is trembling with fear and confesses her deed. But He compassionately says to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” Faith accesses the power of God. The woman had a small measure of faith, and it was enough.  Many were pressing in, but only she touched Him with faith.

But wait! She had detained Jesus in His mission. The news arrives that the little girl has died. Was Jairus devasted? Did he look at Jesus as Mary and Martha had, thinking, "Lord, if you had hurried, she would not have died?" Ignoring the bad news, Jesus tells Jairus the good news, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Polenov, 1871

"When Jesus arrives at the house there is a commotion, wailing and mourning. He announces that the girl is only asleep. The noisy crowd quickly turns from mourning to sarcastic laughter. Bizarre.

Jesus throws them all out. No dramatics, no show, no big audience. The King takes the dead girl by the hand and speaks the Word of Life, “Talitha koumi!” ( “Little girl, arise!”). Immediately the girl stands up and walks around.

Mark says that they are completely astonished. That's an understatement.

"Don't be afraid. Just believe."

47-year-old musings

Donna and her blessings.

As I sit here on the 47th anniversary of the day of my birth, I am remembering the song that Amy Grant made popular a few years ago, Saved By Love and I have to conclude, I have been.

I was saved by the love of a mom who prayed for me even when there seemed to be no hope for me. I was saved by the love of dad who after mom died reached out to me and asked me back into his life even though there was no reason for him to do so. I have been saved by the love of a brother, who even though I was a pretty self-absorbed big sister for many years saw fit to become one of my best friends and confidants and lets me rant almost anytime I need to. I was saved by the love of Barry Scott and Tim Kemp and others of the 1st Baptist Church young adults that when I came back to church a broken mess, didn't tell me a was a broken mess but through their 'guerilla' tactics loved me back into the church. I was saved by the love and continuing to be of Tom Kennedy, who for 23 years stills comes to bed with me and wakes up with me, who even after he knew all that I was, didn't run but saw me through Christ's eyes. I am saved by the love of my two children who I don't deserve as I sacrificed two others on the altar of 'choice' and 'convenience'. I am saved and renewed by the love of friends, old and new, near and far that care for me and pray for me and kick me in the butt when I need it.

But most and first I was saved by the love of Jesus. Who loved me enough to give me the freedom to run away and then when I found myself at the end of myself, loved me enough to be standing right there with arms wide open.

Is interesting I had these thoughts before our MLK service tonight and the main sermon was on the power of redeeming love. Hmm. I guess that's what it's really all about isn't it? When we know redeeming love then we can share redeeming love. Saved by love.

MAJESTIC MOMENTS IN THE BIBLE: The Transfiguration

"The Transfiguration," Raphael, 1516

Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain. Once there, He is transfigured (Greek, "metamorphs") before them. In His incarnation, He has "no beauty or majesty that would draw us to Him" (Isaiah 53). But in this moment, His glory is revealed to the disciples. How to describe what they saw? Their various attempts only highlight the limitations of human language. The several paintings displayed here also try. We know how blinding the light of the sun is, but this is not the sun or lightning. This is the radiance of the King in His Majesty.

Matt. 17; Mk 9; Luke 9. "Like the sun." "Dazzling white."
"Whiter than any clothes could be bleached."
"Bright as a flash of lightning."

Moses and Elijah show up, also "in glorious splendor" and discuss the King's imminent mission: the cross, a very unglorious trial, torture, and execution that would precede His departure. This has been weighing heavily on Jesus' heart for some time, and every time He mentions it (Matt. 16), the disciples become upset. Peter even rebukes Him for talking about it.

And on the mountain, Peter still doesn't get it. “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Peter loves the glorious mountaintop experience, and can we blame him? I love them, too.

While Peter is still speaking, a bright cloud envelops them. This is not a rain cloud, but a cloud of the glory of God. A voice from the cloud says, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” The Father sets them straight. The Son is about to fulfill His appointed mission. Listen to Him, and stop thinking about yourselves.

Jesus immediately leads them down the mountain, to the valley of human need. That's where He always leads us after a mountaintop of refreshing and renewal. Jesus looks "normal" again, but we quickly see that He is still the majestic King.

A desperate father approaches Him: “Teacher, heal my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid.

So they bring the boy to Him. When the spirit sees Jesus, it immediately throws the boy into a convulsion. He falls to the ground and rolls around, foaming at the mouth.

The father begs, "if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

Immediately the boy’s father exclaims, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” This is a prayer I have prayed often. I don't have a lot of faith, but I do have a measure of faith that God has given me. Jesus says that it can be small, like a mustard seed, but if my faith is to grow, I have to plant it (for examples, in prayer). Nothing will happen if I hide it in the seed package.

Jesus rebukes the evil spirit with the authority of the King of the Universe. “You deaf and mute spirit,” He says, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

The majesty of the King commanding
the powers of darkness. They obey.

The spirit shrieks, convulses him violently and comes out. The boy looks so much like a corpse that many say, “He’s dead.” But Jesus takes him by the hand and lifts him to his feet, and he stands up.

And they are all amazed at the greatness of God.

What a scene. The majesty of the King of Light overcoming darkness with His Word. No created thing can resist the spoken Command of God.

He isn't just "King;" He's the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. There is none like Him. There is none higher than Him. Listen to Him.

The King of Kings
for sinners slain.
Upon that cross
He took my pain.
And paid the price
I could not pay.
For this I praise Him
every day.

AMAZING MOMENTS IN THE BIBLE: Jesus and Peter walk on water!

Jesus to the rescue!

Jesus has just fed the 5,000, and tells the disciples to go on ahead in the boat while He dismisses the crowd. They launch out, and He goes to the mountainside to pray alone. It gets dark and here comes every fisherman's nightmare. The Sea of Galilee suddenly becomes a violent, scary place. They are about 3 and 1/2 miles out, according to John 6. No chance of making land, but they are rowing hard and getting no where, wind and waves buffeting their small, wooden boat.

For a time, Jesus watches them from the mountainside, but He eventually walks down. When He comes to the lake, He just keeps on walking. Were they rowing and yelling "Where's Jesus?" He's on His way (although it might have taken Him over an hour to walk the 3 and 1/2 miles).

Did they see something like this through the rain?

But when they see Him walking on the lake, they think He is a ghost. They cry out. They go from fear of the natural to fear of the supernatural, from scared to terrified. (Mark Twain: "I don't believe in ghosts, but I am afraid of them.")

Ever been in a storm at sea? I have. I was safe in a U.S. Navy Destroyer, all metal, watertight hatches, but weird things do happen out there, waterspouts, things on land we would call "dust devils," spools of water swirling around like they are alive. I mean, the disciples weren't expecting to see Jesus or anyone out there taking a stroll. And this was not a water spout.

Jesus immediately says to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Then Peter makes a request that maybe all of us should make: "Lord, call me out of my comfort zone so I can walk with You in the storm." "Casting Crowns" have a song called "The Voice of Truth." Here is an excerpt: Oh, to have "the kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in/Onto the crashing waves/To step out of my comfort zone/To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is/And He's holding out his hand."

Peter says: "“Lord, if it’s You, tell me to come to You on the water.”

Jesus says, “Come." And Peter walks on the water with the Master. He has a measure of faith for a moment. For a short time, his eyes focus on Jesus, he forgets his fear of the storm, and he does the impossible.

We don't know how many steps he took, but at some point, logic and reason kicked in. Has this ever happened to you? "This walking by faith is crazy! What am I doing? This is dangerous? The others are safe on the boat! That's where you ought to be! Come to your senses!"

Weight displacement not a problem!
Jesus pulls Peter right out of the water!

Peter sees the wind, his faith sinks, and so does he, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reaches out His hand and pulls him up. He rebukes him, gently and with Grace: “You of little faith,” He says, “why did you doubt?”

As Jesus and Peter climb into the boat, the angry sea immediately takes on a mirror finish. The disciples are amazed. Then they bow before Him and worship: “Truly, You are the Son of God.”

God is sovereign over stormy seas. This year will be full of them. Here comes 2010 – will we walk with God or with fear?

"Childhood lost," by Canadian Christian Poet Alan Griggs

WARNING:  YOU MAY FIND THIS POEM DISTURBING

I was a brother, a nephew, a child, and a son,
and my days were carefree and filled with such fun.

I lived in a small village where we all got along,
and sometimes we would gather and break into a song.

I had friends and a family who loved me so,
and a dog who would follow me wherever I'd go.

We had very little yet we were never without,
and we lived free of fear, greed, hatred, or doubt.

I'm a twelve year old boy who loved to play in the sun,
and my life had such promise, though it'd barely begun.

I dreamed of being a doctor or a farmer like my Dad,
until some very bad men stole the dreams that I had.

They came into my village and they burned and they killed,
and did things to the women or whatever they willed.

But what they did next, I will never forget,
and for as long as I live I will always regret.

They put a gun in my hand and made me aim at his head,
and told me to shoot or my whole family would be dead.

My Dad looked at me with loving tears in his eyes,
as he screamed and he begged with these men who despised.

It was the end of my innocence and my childhood was lost;
I had no idea then, how many more lives it would cost.

Then they took me away and they poisoned my mind,
and with drugs, and hateful lies, made me one of their kind.

They taught me to shoot, and to kill, and to maim,
and I knew that my life would never be the same.

I used to paint in colours, but now paint only in red,
and each time that I do, it's another who's dead.

They tell me I'm a hero, fighting a much greater cause,
but when we roll into towns there is never applause.

I can barely recall much of my old life anymore;
I am diseased by the hatred, right down to my core.

If you don't believe in evil, come live a day in my life,
and you'll no longer complain of your trials or your strife.

I am a twelve year old soldier who is addicted to drugs,
and my family's been replaced by these vile, evil thugs.

I'm a killer, I'm a destroyer, I'm a child with a gun
and in a moment they destroyed what had barely begun.

Alan Griggs
December 31, 2009
Copyright ©

This is supposed to be funny?

JE VOULAIS QUELQUE CHOSE DE PLUS!

Le Cours de Civilization Française de la Sorbonne.
Derrière, à gauche, moi. À droite, mon prof, Yves-Michel Ergal.

Je rapporte ces détails non pas pour me glorifier mais démontrer comment un homme peut recevoir beaucoup de ce que ce monde peut offrir dans le domaine de l'éducation, comment il peut obtenir une réputation de savant aux yeux du monde et être quand même un sot.

Je m'appelle Michael Thomas. Je suis actuellement professeur. J'ai obtenu une Licence ès lettres en 1970, une Maîtrise ès lettres en 1971 et un Doctorat en philosophie en 1975. J'ai publié des articles érudits dans ma specialité dans des journaux réputés. Cependant je n'ai pas rencontré Jesus Christ avant 1977 en Septembre. Ma condition de "sot" instruit n'était pas un fait singulier, comme le remarquait Paul dans 1 Corinthiens 1:20.

J'ai été élevé dans une famille chrétienne, j'allais à l'église régulièrement quand j'étais très jeune, et petit à petit j'ai appris à connaître la Bible et Dieu. J'ai été baptisé à l'âge de dix ans, je ne regrettais pas cette dé-cision bien que je ne remarquais aucun changement en moi ou dans ma vie. J'allais à l'église parce que mes parents y allaient aussi. Je voulais être baptisé afin d'être inclus en tant que "membre" de mon église (tous mes amis y étaient membres).

Je grandissais en pensant, comme beaucoup de gens, que Dieu était quelque part au paradis, qu'on était tous supposé lutter sans Lui, que si nous étions notamment de mauvais sujets, il nous jetterait dans l'enfer et si nous étions principalement vertueux il nous laisserait entrer au paradis. Je connaissais aussi tout ce qui se rapportait à Jésus; il avait vécu il y a à peu près deux mille ans, et on disait qu'il reviendrait un jour.

Après avoir tiré mes propres conclusions de toutes ces idées, je conclus que puisque je n'avais jamais désobéi aux dix commandements, j'étais sûr d'aller au Paradis. Je croyais (mentalement) à la vérité des enseignements de Jésus, donc j'étais Chrétien. De plus, je pensais que puisque j'étais "vertueux," Dieu m'aiderait à réussir dans la vie.

J'étais encore assez jeune quand j'ai envisagé le doctorat. Je pensais qu'un diplôme de plus d'une certaine façon m'apporterait le vrai bonheur et un sentiment de contentement. Quand j'aurai le diplôme, je serai une personne bien plus heureuse. Bien que je ne m'en rendais pas compte à ce moment-là, le doctorat devint mon "remplaçant à Dieu." Je le fis le maître de ma vie.

Je travaillais dur à l'ecole et en même temps je continuais à lire à propos de Dieu. Avec du temps j'ai développé un système de croyances assez compliqué, qu'il n'y avait ni enfer, ni diable, que toutes les religions enseignaient la même chose. J'étais un universel. Je me représentais Dieu comme un nuage flottant parmi les étoiles, faisant quel que soit ce qu'il était censé de faire.

Pour une personne comme moi qui n'avait jamais éprouvé la force impressionnante du Christ vivant, mes conclusions à propos de Dieu étaient inévitables. La Bible était pleine de paroles creuses, dénuées de sens. Quand je suis devenu membre de ma première église, j'étais debout devant l'assemblée et je répétais un credo, qui à mon avis était aussi un discours creux, sans aucune signification. Avec seulement des paroles creuses pour m'épauler, je poursuivais donc ma vraie religion --les études.

Mais j'ai commencé à remarquer que quelque chose n'allait pas. Il y avait comme un vide qui grandissait en moi, un vide spirituel auquel, j'imaginais, les diplômes compenseraient. Quand j'ai obtenu ma licence, il me fallait absolument une maîtrise. Mais ce n'était toujours pas suffisant et seul l'obtention d'un doctorat me rendrait vraiment heureux. Lorsque cela ne s'est pas accompli, j'ai raisonné qu'il me fallait acquérir un poste.

Il me semblait qu'il n'y avait pas de fin aux "choses" que je poursuivais pour me procurer un bonheur permanent et avoir une vie qui ait un sens. Tout cela me troublait mais je continuais quand même à travailler sans relâche, mais je me rendais compte que mon vide spirituel grandissait progressivement. Je ne me perfectionnais pas du tout. Je devenais plus égotiste, mordant, ambitieux, décidé à faire tout ce qui me permettrait d'atteindre mes objectifs. Bien sûr, je ne l'aurais jamais avoué à moi-même. Je m'étais convaincu que j'étais une personne vertueuse qui ne faisait pas ou n'éprouvait pas des choses de ce genre.

Dans une recherche désespérée à trouver des réponses aux questions de la vie, je commençais à lire de tout sauf la Bible: perception extra-sensorielle, sciences occultes, réincarnation, religions mondiales, hypnose de soi, mysticisme, philosophie, méditation transcendantale. Tout ce que vous pouvez imaginer, je l'avait probablement essayé. Heureusement maintenant je suis enfin libéré de tous ces ténèbres et je sais qu'ils sont trompeurs.

Lors du printemps de l'année 1977, j'ai commencé à prendre conscience de qui j'étais et de ce que j'étais: ma vie était complètement dénuée de sens; je n'aimais personne sauf moi; j'avais fait beaucoup de mal; j'avais fait de la peine à d'autres. Dans ma détresse je m'aperçus que ma soi-disant vertu était due simplement à deux faits: j'avais été bien élevé et je n'avais jamais été placé dans un climat de tension émotionnelle intense. J'ai vite compris que si les circonstances s'y prêtaient et s'il y avait suffisamment de frictions, moi, j'étais capable de tout. Dans mon coeur j'avais désobéi aux commandements. Je me demandais constamment, "N'y a-t-il rien d'autre dans la vie? Nulle part où se diriger? Pas de bonheur durable?

Ma femme et moi avons commencé à aller à une église près de chez nous et j'ai été vraiment surpris de ce que j'ai vu. Je m'attendais à un bâtiment plein de gens froids, satisfait d'eux, à l'esprit étroit. Mais ces gens-là avaient comme un certain rayonnement en eux et ils sou-riaient souvent. Ils étendaient une main amicale vers moi sans savoir quoique ce soit à mon sujet et sans me demander rien en retour.

Susan, ma femme, rencontra Christ la première. Elle essaya de me raconter ce qui s'était passé mais je n'écoutais pas. Elle me disait qu'elle avait ressenti en elle la réalité de l'amour de Dieu. Elle savait qu'Il existait et qu'Il l'aimait. Elle ressentit la puissance de Dieu qui purifiait son âme et lui enseignait la vérité.

Je l'admets, je pensais qu'elle était folle. Notre mariage traversait une mauvaise période à ce moment là, donc dans ça je voyais que finalement elle perdait la boule dans une hystérie religieuse.

Mais au plus profond de moi je voulais une expérience pareille, une rencontre avec Dieu. Des choses comme ça n'arrivent pas dans la réalité, je pensais. On nous apprend constamment que seuls les gens naïfs croient aux événements surnaturels. Les histoires qui finissent bien appartiennent aux contes de fées et n'ont aucune place dans la vie réelle. Pourtant je savais ce que j'étais, ou plus exactement ce que j'avais fait de moi: déchaîné, effrayé, désespéré, cherchant et ne trouvant pas.

Finalement je m'avouais vaincu. J'ai demandé à Dieu Son pardon. C'était difficile car je suis têtu, indépen-dant, habitué à ne compter que sur moi-même. J'ai laissé tomber toutes barrières, toutes restrictions et j'ai donné mon coeur et ma vie à Jésus. Je ne savais pas comment m'y prendre ou quelle prière dire. Mon coeur tout simplement appelait Dieu et il prit soin du reste. La promesse faite par le Christ il y a presque deux mille ans se réalisait. Je reçus l'Esprit de Dieu dans mon coeur. Un amour puissant entra en moi, un éclat, une joie indescriptible. J'étais né de nouveau.

J'étais stupéfié de la nature de cette nouvelle force. Un de ces tout premiers effets était que cette puissance transformait ma façon de penser: avant je doutais l'existence de Dieu; maintenant je savais que Sa présence était réelle. Avant j'étais malheureux; maintenant j'étais heureux et je me sentais profondément satisfait. Christ m'a guéri d'anciennes rancunes, de mes anxiétés, craintes et manies.

Je vis maintenant avec la promesse divine qu'Il est avec moi et que je vivrai avec Lui pour toute l'éternité non parce que je suis vertueux mais parce qu'Il est miséricordieux envers ceux qui demandent grâce. J'ai de la paix et de la joie dans mon coeur parce que je sais que l'espoir chrétien est réel. Et ça, c'est une bonne nouvelle!

"Car Dieu a tant aimé le monde qu'il a donné son Fils unique afin que quiconque croit en lui ne périsse point, mais qu'il ait la vie éternelle. (Jean 3:16.)

Le Christ a dit: "Voici, je me tiens à la porte et je frappe; si quelqu'un entend ma voix et m'ouvre la porte, j'entrerai chez lui." (Apopcalypse 3:20.)

ASTONISHING MOMENTS IN THE BIBLE: Peter's release from prison (Acts 12)

"St. Peter released from Herod's prison by an angel."
(Sebastiano Ricci, 1710)

King Herod imprisons the apostle Peter, probably planning to execute him the following day. Herod has just had James put to death by the sword. Things look bad, really bad. Remember the prison in "Ben-Hur?" Prisoners then generally did not plan escapes or dream of them. Jailers were motivated. Their lives depended on keeping their prisoners in one place, behind bars.

Herod's authority comes from Rome and to back it up, he has soldiers with spears and swords, a prison, in sum, men and metal. Peter is a high profile prisoner. Herod has to be sure, guard him with concentric rings of guards (4X4) and walls/bars/metal doors. Herod has a good night's sleep. No worries.

So Peter is locked up tight in prison, BUT the church is earnestly praying to God for him. (I've always said, that in Acts 12, there are four big BUTs. Can you identify them?) Luke is clearly making a point. No matter how grim the circumstances, when the people of God gather to pray, and they do so...earnestly... Watch out, world! Beware, Beelzebub! Here comes the Holy Ghost!

According to Psalm 2, God laughs at the powers of the world who plot to overthrow Him and His Christ. Reminds me of when I terrorize fire ants. I kick down their mounds. They swarm angrily, plotting my destruction, but I laugh at them and destroy them easily. In this story, God easily overturns Herod's power and mocks him. Men can be put to sleep or blinded. Metal obeys God.

Meanwhile, back in the cell, a very relaxed Peter, who is on "death row," is asleep, bound by chains and flanked by two guards. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appears and light shines into the cell. He strikes Peter on the side and wakes him up.

“Quick, get up!” he says, and the chains fall off Peter’s wrists. Obedient metal. I love it. In Ricci's painting we see that the angel has Peter by the wrist, possibliy ready to drag him out if necessary. Have you ever been awakened suddenly from a sound sleep? When that happens, how do you look? I look far worse than Peter as portrayed here.

Peter follows the angel, but he thinks he is seeing a vision. They pass the first and second guards and come to the iron gate leading to the city. It opens for them by itself, and they go through it. More obedient metal. I love it.

When the angel leaves him about a block from the prison, Peter is finally awake. “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches." He immediately heads for the church prayer meeting and knocks on the door. (Was anyone there thinking, "Go away! We're praying in here!" or "Is Jacob late for prayer meeting again?")

Finally a servant girl named Rhoda comes to answer the door and recognizes Peter’s voice. She is so overjoyed and excited that without opening she runs back to the group and exclaims, “Peter is at the door!”

They exclaim back: “You’re out of your mind!” But Peter keeps on knocking, and when they open the door and see him, they are "astonished." We often have a focus problem like that. We knock on the door of heaven in prayer, but when the answer shows up, it's time to praise God and pray for something else. Problem is, it takes us a while sometimes to recognize the answer that's staring us in the face. We pray in faith but are surprised when God answers.

In the morning, there is big commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. Herod is not happy, and when Herod isn't happy, people die. He orders that the guards be executed.

Oh, well, it's off to Caesarea for a seaside vacation and a "worship-Herod" service. People from Tyre and Sidon hate him, but they need the food he supplies. On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sits on his throne and delivers a public address to the people. They shout (in complete sincerity): “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.”

Because Herod does not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord strikes him down, and he is eaten by worms and dies. The king who executed James and planned to execute Peter is himself executed by an angel. What became of his "royal robes?" He dies an unglorious death.

Luke notes, again pointedly: "BUT the word of God continued to increase and spread." Herod is cut down for his pride. God’s Word outlives a petty tyrant; Herod wasn't the first to go down; he won't be the last. And the church of God moves ahead "into all the world."

Isaiah 40:8: "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Do you have a treasure to share?

"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:2-3


Morioka, Japan. Christmas, 1941. Just weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor, area police have rounded up 30 Catholic and Protestant missionaries from the U.S., Canada, and Belgium. “All are potential Western spies,” say the authorities. The foreign Christians are interned together, uncertain about their fate and cut off from news of developments outside the country.

The winter cold is bitter, and they have no fire to keep them warm. Yet on Christmas day, they piece together a small crèche and sing Christmas carols, celebrating the hope they share. Their songs affirm that God is with them even in the most hopeless of circumstances, just as He had been with Joseph and Mary in similar hardships on the first Christmas.

Now that’s a scene you won’t read about in the history books.

A part of the group was Miss Thomasine Allen, a Baptist missionary who in 1938 had transferred to Kuji, a farming village in the north of Japan. She hoped to start a new work in a place “where nothing was known about Christ” (Romans 15:20). With the help of two Japanese believers, she established a Christian kindergarten, which had become well known and highly respected. Miss “Tommy” answered God’s call and saw Him work miraculously.

She had also suffered hardship, heartaches, and opposition from the local government. This difficult Christmas was just another step in a long and arduous journey.

Her two Japanese co-ministers, Takeshi and Kuni Yahaba, married during the war and continued the work in her absence. They labored and trusted God, even though their baby daughter was gravely ill, and for some time they had no milk or medicine. Takeshi was later drafted into the army and was ordered to serve as a “human torpedo” should the Allies attack the eastern coast of the country.

In 1943, Tommy was allowed to leave Japan in a massive prisoner exchange of 1400 captives. But after the war she returned to Kuji with an abundance of donated food and other supplies and a renewed sense of mission. In 1948, she and her co-workers saw the first adult conversions of Japanese nationals. In 1952, they established a Christian elementary and middle school, and in 1970, Allen Junior College.

During the ‘90s, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, TX, hosted large numbers of Japanese students from Allen College. Throughout those years, as many as one hundred attended the school annually to study English. While in Japan in 1990 as a university representative, I visited the college in Kuji and also the kindergarten. With a great sense of awe and wonder I stood at the door of a large room and watched 30 Japanese children do morning exercises. They were singing “Jesus loves me” in Japanese and English. Tommy had died in 1976, but her ministry and vision were still alive many years later. I felt privileged to see the beautiful fruit.

One woman with a missionary heart like the apostle Paul’s chose to sow gospel seeds in an untilled Japanese field. Though her work was and still is unknown in the world at large, it has grown from a small plant in an obscure village into a mighty tree with roots that span the Pacific Ocean and the last 5 decades of the Twentieth Century.

As we labor in the Lord’s vineyard in this life, we don’t always understand the many struggles and setbacks that we experience, but the scripture says that our work for Jesus is not in vain (I Corinthians 15:58). We will surely understand it all better when we meet Christ in heaven.

Do you have seeds to plant? A treasure to share?

[From my book, "A Harvest of Miracles." www.mikethomas.net]

(Miss Allen’s biography is out of print but may be available in used bookstores on-line: Elizabeth Anne Hemphill, “A Treasure to Share.” Valley Forge: The Judson Press, 1964.)

Merry Christmas! Here comes God!

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. "Nativity [with St Francis and St Lawrence]," 1609. I like this rendition, mostly because Mary looks exhausted, like a woman who has just traveled over rugged terrain and given birth. In some ways, it is brutally realistic, accentuating that it wasn't all halos and clean hay, colorful clothes, and an easy birth. In other ways, it is unrealistic, the not-so-bright angel with the banner and the anachronistic presence of later saints.

The meaning of Christmas has changed for me over time. Fifty years ago, during the month of December, I was completely obsessed with the presents under the tree: how many contained clothes vs. how many had toys in them? But Christmas also meant a rigid code of conduct. I had to be on my best behavior, at least for a few weeks.

Initially, I felt accountable to Santa Claus, that mysterious elf who itemized my naughty deeds all the way from the North Pole. I eventually learned that there is no Santa, but I was still under my parents’ jurisdiction. They used threats of “no presents” and “a bundle of switches” right up to December 24th because for them Christmas did not mean putting up with a loud, hyperactive eight-year-old on the point of a nervous breakdown.

Christmas Eve at Grandma’s was pure misery for me. I hated the way my mom made me dress. I had to take a bath and comb my hair, wear a bright plaid vest and a bow tie, and endure her repeated comments about how handsome I looked. The adults were in no hurry to unwrap anything. Dinner was leisurely and came in courses. Afterwards, the grown-ups would retire to the living room, drink coffee, and talk at length about the “olden days.” For what seemed hours, I would sit by the tree, stare at the presents, and try not to fidget, which got on Grandma’s nerves.

Well, I grew up and became one of those leisurely adults. Nowadays, I don’t want any toys (unless they’re electronic), and I actually prefer clothes. I look forward to family fellowship more than to opening presents. Because I became a Christian in 1977, I mostly think about the ultimate gift: the birth of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, God made flesh.

Christmas means many happy things to many people, but we should always pause to reflect on that first Christmas, which was not altogether joyful. Joseph and Mary were dealing with unreasonable taxation, oppressive Roman rule, prolonged separation from family, rejection by a seemingly heartless world, and extremely humble circumstances. Like us, they were God’s people, swept up in His mission to save humanity, no necessary guarantee of an easy life.

As we travel this season, we should reflect on their hardships, on the arduous 80-mile, 4-5 day trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem, made over rugged terrain, on foot or perhaps on the back of a donkey. Mary was nine-months pregnant. Think about that. And what was their source of income? The Bible does not say. We know that they had no medical insurance or hospital waiting for them and that they found no five-star hotel in Bethlehem. (In point of fact, it was only a one-star stable.)

Joseph and Mary were displaced people, living on the edge, but God was with them. We, too, may have financial problems or troubles with the government; we may be separated from loved ones, on the move, suffering physically, or undergoing diverse hardships. But we always have hope, because even though God may call us out of our comfort zone, He will surely comfort us in time.

On that very dark night, God encouraged Joseph and Mary. The humble stable was quickly flooded with excited shepherds. They relayed a heavenly message that confirmed all that the Lord had previously revealed about this Child. That’s the way He often works. Just when we’ve reached the end of our strength, here comes God, bringing hope and good news. When and where you least expect Him, here comes God, once again proving Himself faithful.

We sing, “Joy to the World, the Lord has come!” The Bethlehem story reminds us He has come and that in His time He will always come to bring help in hardship, hope in our darkest hour.

Merry Christmas! Here comes God!

[From my book, "A Harvest of Miracles." www.mikethomas.net]

MIND-BOGGLING MOMENTS IN THE BIBLE: The Birth of Jesus

She gave birth to her first-born Son.

The Nativity may be the most imagined and reproduced image in the history of the world. Only image of the crucified and resurrected Christ could rival it. Of course, this simple scene is an offense to the world and to the ACLU. But the real danger is not the disappearance of Christ in the public square (they have never liked Him anyway). No, the greatest tragedy would be if Christians allowed themselves to be numbed to the mystery and wonder of this humble scene, that it would become only a collection of plaster statuettes beneath a tree.

God sends the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary (Hebrew: "Myriam"). He says to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

A mind-boggling revelation for a young, unknown Jewish girl who lives in an obscure part of the world. Mary gets stuck on the first part of the revelation: “How will this be,” Mary asks the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

The "how" part of the revelation is equally mind-boggling: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. For nothing is impossible with God [Greek: "No word of God is without power].” Let this statement wash around in your spirit for a while.

Mary humbly obeys God without fully understanding: “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answers. “May it be to me as you have said.” We can all learn a lot here (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child

They travel to Bethlehem. The Bible does not detail the hardships of the journey, especially for a woman in late term, plus the obvious discomfort of giving birth in a stable. While they are there, the time comes for the baby to be born, and she gives birth to her firstborn, a son. She wraps him in cloths and places him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Meanwhile, out in nearby fields, the Armies of Heaven appear suddenly to terrified shepherds. From darkness to "the glory of the Lord," which shines all around them. But the first angel says to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” The angel is joined by "a Heavenly Knighthood" (John Wycliffe, 1330?-1384), warrior angels (probably not the ones with long flowing hair and robes made famous by Christmas cards) praise God and announce peace and Good News.

Diego Velázquez. The Adoration of the Magi. 1619.

Several years later, Joseph and Mary are living in a house in Bethlehem, apparently unable to return to their families in Nazareth. Magi/Wise Men/Kings arrive from the east, following a star. On coming to the house, they see the child with his mother Mary, and they bow down and worship Him. Then they open their treasures and present Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

Kings fall down before a Toddler and worship Him. Mind-boggling.  But that's not all: "When God brings His firstborn into the world, He says, 'Let all God's angels worship Him'" (Hebrews 1:6).

Meditating on the mystery and awe of it, keeping it fresh in our spirits, will allow us to celebrate this amazing event that would change the course of history and alter the eternal destinies of millions (billions?).  Oh come, let us adore Him.

STUNNING MOMENTS IN THE BIBLE: The Parting of the Red Sea

Behold His Mighty Hand! (Exodus 14-15).

Adonai Elohim Tzva'ot (Lord God of Hosts.)

(Note how various people react. Some are stunned. Some worshiped. This was a new scale of miracle in their eyes, but an easy feat for God to accomplish.)

When the king of Egypt is told that the people of Israel have fled, he and his officials change their minds about them and say, "What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!" That would be approximately 600,000 free male workers. Yikes! Who's going to build the pyramids?

So off he goes with his army, his 600 best chariots (+ thousands of others?) A world-class superpower is about to attack the unarmed Israelites. There is real reason to fear. Pharaoh and his chariots are bearing down on them like an army of demons. Some Israelites angrily accuse Moses of misleading them.

Pharaoh (Yul Brynner) notes "The God of Moses is a poor general. He leaves them no retreat."

But God's man answers the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Now that's a bold statement, "you will never see them again," easy to say. Faith always contradicts the "reality" of the situation, bu it's not always easy to be still and know that He is God.

Then Moses stretches out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drives the sea back with a strong east wind & turns it into dry land. The waters are divided, & the Israelites go through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and another wall on their left.

De Mille’s version shows a quicker, more dramatic parting, but the Biblical account is still stunning, the sea dividing and the waters piling up like walls on both sides.

God had revealed Himself to Moses as Yahweh [I am..., I am that I am]. Here, He reveals Himself as "I am the Lord of Hosts," the General of the Armies of Heaven. He becomes a warrior who fights for His people.

As usual, God does not fight the world on their terms. He could have destroyed them in any number of ways. Instead, He easily wounds them at their point of greatest confidence and power: He makes the wheels of their chariots come off so that they have difficulty driving. Result: Awesome warriors become the Keystone Cops.

The Egyptian army is in a trap. They can't catch the children of Israel, and they can't go back to the other shore. Their Pharaoh-general has left them no retreat. The water flows back and covers the chariots and horsemen--the entire army that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survives. Israel will see their faces no more.

Moses sings, using the first application of God's revealed Name, "Yahweh:" "The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name."Yahweh is my Savior, my Deliverer, my Warrior.

Two thoughts occur to me:

1. If God be for us, who can be against us?
2. God can make a way where there seems to be no way.

Do you believe in coincidences or in ‘God-incidences’?

María Stella Walsh, born-again Christian

In 1968, Ignacio and I were students in the same advanced literature course at Southwest Missouri State. Even though he was very bright, Ignacio often slept in class, which really irritated our professor. When I visited my friend in his dorm room, I could see that Ignacio’s family was well-off. He had no visible means of support, yet he bought dozens of very expensive books weekly. He had them stacked everywhere, leaving almost no floor space. After college, I lost track of Ignacio.

Fifteen years later, I was a professor at the University of Houston and a new Christian. I regularly shared my faith with my classes, a practice that some there found offensive. One lady seemed particularly affected by my testimony. After the semester’s end she cornered me in a hall near my office. Stella fired tough questions at me, like: How can Jesus be the only way to God? Why do the innocent suffer? Isn’t being “born again” just an emotional experience?

She didn’t seem convinced by my responses. But after exhausting her list of questions she just stood there quietly, staring at the floor. By the depressed look on her face, one might have thought that I had defeated her in the debate. I’m not sure why, but I decided to ask, “Stella, would you like to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior right now?”

Much to my surprise, she looked up and said, “That is exactly what I want to do!”

I led her in a prayer, and in a brief moment of time, the same Jesus she had been questioning made Himself very real to her. Her face now radiated something startlingly new. She had been transformed by the power of God.

Stella later invited me to come to her church to witness her baptism. Before the service, we were chatting, and I asked her about her background. She mentioned she had a brother who lived in California but had attended college in Missouri. Without initially seeing any possible connection, I asked, “Oh? And what’s his name?”

“Ignacio.”

I’m sure my eyes got really big. I didn’t even need to ask her maiden name. I looked at her, as if for the first time, and saw the clear family resemblance. Stella was Ignacio’s sister! Coincidence? Or God-incidence? But wait, that’s not all!

In the late ‘80s, I was on a long, boring international flight. I was flipping through the airline’s official magazine for the fifth time when I looked up and saw a man slowly making his way aft. I did a double- take and almost without thinking blurted out, “Ignacio!” He was as amazed as I was. He sat down, and we caught up on twenty years of news. I mentioned Stella and her conversion, but Ignacio didn’t want to discuss that. He was still very interested in books…in any book but the Bible.

After I returned to the U.S., I wrote Ignacio a letter in which I asked an obvious question: “Ignacio, do you believe in coincidences?” I gave him my answer: “I don’t. I believe that God orchestrated this whole series of events to show you that He loves you and is calling you to His eternal kingdom.” Ignacio never wrote back.

I just heard from Stella the other day. She and her husband have traveled the world on mission trips, sharing the Good News of God’s love and forgiveness. I thought about Jesus’ parable of the four soils (Matthew 13:10-23). There, the Lord explains how different people’s hearts receive the identical seed, the Word of God. Both Stella and Ignacio were raised in the same home. They had traveled similar paths in life, even after leaving their family. I am heartened by Stella’s testimony and the fruit the Lord has produced through her. But I am also sad for my friend, Ignacio. For whatever reason, his heart remains hardened toward God.

If you believe that everything in life happens by random chance, then you will dismiss all this as completely accidental. For you, life has no hope, heaven has no God, and the universe is an empty, lonely place. But I believe that the “immortal, invisible” God (I Timothy 1:17, NIV) is always actively working behind the scenes and that He is personally involved in seeking and saving lost humanity. My own conversion and Stella’s salvation were all “God-incidences,” carefully planned by the One who “loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

[From my book, "A Harvest of Miracles." http://www.mikethomas.net/]

STUNNING MOMENTS IN THE BIBLE: The Raising of Lazarus

"The Resurrection of Lazarus" (Early Baroque, 1706).
Jean-Baptiste Jouvenet. Most, not all, were stunned.

Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were close friends of Jesus. He stayed at their house. They ministered to Him. He loved them.

Lazarus fell ill, but Jesus was at least a day's journey away. With great faith, they might have comforted Lazarus: "Don't worry, dear Brother. We've sent word to the 'healer,' the 'miracle worker,' the Lord who loves us."

The message was a little crytic and telegraphic: "Lord, the one you love is sick," but Jesus would understand it. All faith. No real concern. John tells us "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus." No question.

But when Jesus received the word, He stayed where He was for two more days. Wait! Did Jesus not love Lazarus? He did. Did He not understand the gravity of the situation? He did. Did He have a plan? He did.

Back in Bethany, the sisters might have said, "Lazarus, we sent word to the Lord. When He arrives, you'll be okay."

They watched their brother die. Did they feel betrayed? Angry?

When Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for 4 days. When Martha heard she went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at home.

Martha seems to reproach Him: "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." Mary later came and fell at His feet, speaking the same words, crying. There were mourners weeping, and some in the crowd were asking "He opened the eyes of a blind man, why couldn't He keep His friend Lazarus from dying?"

Jesus was moved by Mary's grief. Jesus wept as He walked to the tomb. It was an atmosphere of death, mourning, and unbelief.

The "grave" was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. The stone would have been sculpted to fit as tightly as possible...because of the stench of rotting flesh. The Egyptians preserved dead bodies very well, but the Jews did not mummify their dead. After four days, all bodies had decayed beyond recognition.

In front of what may have been a rather large crowd, Jesus commands, "Take away the stone." Martha reminds Him that the smell will be bad.

Then, Jesus says three simple words: "Lazarus, come out." Easy words to say...

I see the crowd first staring at Jesus and then all shifting their focus to the grave entrance.

John reports, "The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped and a cloth around his face."

Probably Lazarus' legs were not bound together, and he had been wrapped in linen. He could walk, slowly, and see the bright light of the entrance. He wasn't dead any more.

A stunning moment, wonderfully portrayed by Jouvenet's painting. Many are in awe. Some are praising God. A sick man on a stretcher is applauding--things look good for him. The sisters are looking at the Lord, not at their brother. Not everyone is happy.

Jesus' simple words and their powerful result are encouragement for all Christians. One day, our mortality will be swallowed up in immortality. We shall all be changed, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, those of us who remain will rise to meet Him in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Stunning Moments in the Bible: Pentecost. 4 Visible Acts of God Before 9:30 am

Josef Ignaz Mildorfer (1750s) "Pentecost."

It is the Jewish harvest festival, Shavuoth. Jerusalem is again packed with pilgrims (as it had been during Passover). Many of these have come from distant lands to celebrate the festival in Zion; the journeys may have taken many weeks over rugged terrain, on a mount or on foot.

The disciples have been praying in the Upper Room for a number of weeks, possibly for the amount of time some of the pilgrims had been traveling. God was bringing them all together. Early on the morning of Shavuoth, "suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where the disciples were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

Shavuoth was a meaningful religious festival, but no one was expecting God actually to do anything visible and spectacular. But God does show up...visibly...fire descending, the Holy Spirit filling and transformiing, sending the church out into the street. Do we need any of this today?

My guess is that there were no clouds in the sky or wind, so that everyone in the area rushed to find the source of the unexplainable roaring sound. As the crowd gathers, the disciples pour out of the house speaking in about 15 languages (or at least speakers of those languages can understand them).

Galileans were well known for their heavy accent (Maybe they were Texans?) and not for being multi-lingual. For this reason the crowd is utterly amazed, so they ask: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that...we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” "Amazed and perplexed, they ask one another, 'What does this mean?' Some, however, make fun of them and say, “They have had too much wine.” Always a scoffer on hand to "de-supernaturalize" any work of God. (By the way, have you ever heard a drunk person trying to talk? It sounds more like the "Tower of Babel.")

El Greco (1596-1600) "The Pentecost."

God is not done yet. He has just fulfilled an 800-year-old prophecy right before their eyes: "Then Peter stands up with the Eleven, raises his voice and addresses the crowd: 'Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel'" (2:28).

Peter proclaims Jesus as Savior and Lord in approximately 6 minutes (read it aloud and time yourself). The Lord changes 3,000 hearts in a single day. I calculate that all this happened before 9:30, just before most churches start Sunday School.

While it is true that we often have to be still and wait on God, we should always be expectant and praying for the "outpouring" promised through the Prophet Joel. Did you notice all 4 visible acts of God?

Poem by Al Griggs, Canadian Christian poet

Your dreams are shattered.  You run from the pain.

"Run"

You run through the darkness;
you run through the light;
you run from the battles;
to run is your plight.

You run from commitment;
you run from the tears;
you run never dealing,
as you run through the years.

You run from the hurt;
you run from the pain;
you run seldom resting,
though you run without gain.

You run from the truth;
you run to the lies;
you run seeking answers;
yet you run in disguise.

You run for protection;
you run to perceive;
you run for no reason;
as you run, you're deceived.

You run from your fears;
you run to deny;
you run to distractions;
you run to avoid seeing why.

You run to a substance;
you run to a whim;
you run from your problems,
and run by answers within.

You run to your loved ones;
you run from them again;
you run never seeing,
that to run is in vain.

You run to the future;
you run from the past;
you run missing each moment,
because you run by them too fast.

You run to who hurts you;
you run from those who won't;
you run from what you have,
as you run to what you don't.

You run fast like a river;
you run blown by the wind;
you run from your demons,
but can you run from within?

Yes, you run to escape;
and you run to pursue;
and you run when you should stand,
because you're running from you!


Freedom is often found not by running, but by standing with courage and facing our fears. The truth we seek is often as close as a thorough examination of ourselves. Risk is unavoidable; as many as have avoided it, have found tragedy, as those who choose to.

Copyright © Alan Griggs
November 27, 2009

And I believe that Al would recommend that you run straight into the arms of Jesus!

Learning Spanish in the Land of the Gringos

I answered the call.

People who learn about my passion for Spanish frequently assume that I got it from growing up in a Spanish-speaking country or area. Nothing could be further from the truth. Many Texans, who are surrounded by Spanish, never seem to show much interest in speaking it. In fact, those who have a foreign language “forced” on them in any way often resist learning it.

I grew up in a town in the Ozarks where in the 50’s there were no Spanish-speaking people, except for the high school Spanish teacher and his family, who were from Puerto Rico. When they would speak to each other in Spanish at the grocery store, local folks in that less-than-cosmopolitan area became a little nervous and flustered.

Spanish came into my life at a time when I was not interested in much except baseball and science fiction movies. My 9th grade Spanish instructor was Miss McFann, a Latin teacher who was about five years past retirement. I’m not sure that she had ever studied Spanish, as evidenced by the fact that she regularly mixed up Spanish and Latin verb conjugations.

When Miss McFann handed back the first test, she announced that there had been only one perfect score. “Who is Thomas?” she asked. My classmates all gasped simultaneously and turned around and stared at me. I was well known as an academic dud and unknown for anything else. At the end of each school year, I always proudly turned in my textbooks in near-new condition, convinced I had somehow saved the school money.

But not so with my first-year Spanish book. I devoured it within six weeks. I memorized the verb forms, the vocabulary, even the pictures. There was no one to converse with, so I talked to myself. I did, however, occasionally say insulting things in Spanish to my sisters, who sensed the insult but couldn’t prove a thing. Though I wasn’t sure why, I loved Spanish. I just couldn’t get enough of it.

As the semester progressed, Miss McFann started asking me to straighten her out on conjugations and to clarify grammar points. In early December, I translated the well-known Christmas carol, “The Little Drummer Boy.” That woman made me stand up in front of the whole class and sing my Spanish translation. It was life’s most embarrassing moment, but it also stands out as a defining moment, one that foreshadowed God’s plan for me.

Spanish has been a big part of my life ever since. Over a period of ten years in college, I earned over 140 undergraduate and graduate hours in it. I have taught the language on the university level for more almost 40 years. Now, even after decades since that first middle-school class, I have not even begun to grow weary of it.

In 1975, God brought me to Texas with a great love for Spanish-speaking peoples. In 1977, while a professor of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Houston, I became a Christian. At last I understood the true purpose and meaning for my life’s passion. I later preached the Gospel and taught the Word of God in Spanish-speaking churches in Texas, California, Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and Argentina.

Now, in addition to pastoring New Hope Community Church on a part-time basis, I direct the Spanish program at Baylor University. Looking back, I can see how God has brought me to where I am, but, frankly, the Lord has led me down an improbable path that I do not fully understand. Except for God’s grace, I would still be back in Missouri, speaking only bad Ozark English and wondering who I am.

Many people seem to think the call of God is something mystic, mysterious, or painful. They see it as difficult to discover and even harder to follow. These fairly popular ideas are actually falsehoods that hinder some from even beginning to seek their adventure with God.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus called two fishermen, Peter and Andrew: “Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. At once they left their nets and followed Him” (Matthew 4:19-20, NIV). In a sense, the Lord used their background and training; He just shifted the focus for them, as He did for me. They continued catching fish after this, but they also learned to cast out spiritual nets and haul thousands of souls aboard the great Gospel Ship.

[From my book, "A Harvest of Miracles." www.mikethomas.net]

Stunning Moments in the Bible: "Their Eyes Were Opened" (Luke 24)

Michelangelo Da Caravaggio. "Supper at Emmaus" (1601-1602).

It was Passover Week. Jerusalem was packed with pilgrims. The Romans were understandably nervous about crowd control and possible Zealot assassins taking advantage.

Early on, Jesus of Nazareth had entered the city and had caused several uproars. Later that week, the Sanhedrin arrested Him and brought Him before Pilate, asking for His death. Pilate faced another roaring crowd that repeatedly cried out "Crucify Him!"

Jesus carried the cross down the Via Dolorosa guarded by Roman soldiers. The route was packed with people who were cursing or crying. Jerusalem was traumatized. But once He was dead, things would calm down, or so thought His enemies.

Movies about Jesus' life do a good job portraying the turmoil, the heightened emotions, both anger and sorrow. But movies only last a few hours and cannot communicate the full impact of the passion of the Christ.

Imagine if you had been there all week or all day Good Friday. Imagine being the disciples of the once popular Hero, the One they proclaimed the Son of God, the Savior of the World. He was now about to be executed, apparently unable even to save Himself. And the disciples were hunted men.

Their hopes were dashed. They were depressed and probably had serious PTSD.

A few days thereafter two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were still talking with each other about everything that had happened.

Along comes Jesus Himself, incognito. I know He had to be enjoying this.He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”Their faces were downcast (not looking at the risen Lord).

One replied, "Did You just get off the boat? You must be the only person in this whole region who doesn't know the things that have happened in Jerusalem!""What things?" asked Jesus seeming to be "out of the loop.

"We had hoped...

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. he chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel."

...but now our hopes are dashed."

It's hard for us to experience the exact emotions of their trauma, but we have all felt hopeless at one time or another, maybe even like God has failed us in His promises.

At Emmaus, when he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.

Christians also know that whenever God shows up, it is stunning.Da Caravaggio's painting helps us appreciate the shocking nature of the moment. They obviously would not have just sat there and said, "Oh, hello, Lord. Welcome back from the dead."

I urge you to spend a little time just meditating on the figures in the painting.

When we think our hopes are dashed, God reveals Himself to us and hope begins.

By the way, He was there the whole time.

"Open our eyes, Lord. We want to see Jesus."

Stunning Moments in the Bible: "Joseph is alive!"

"Joseph's Bloody Coat Brought to Jacob."
Diego Velázquez, c. 1630.

Joseph was dead. Jacob believed the "evidence" presented him. Jacob mourned for 20+ years, and Joseph's brothers experienced 20+ years of guilt for their betrayal of their brother. The Bible is full of tragic and dark stories like this. Where was the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob?

In Egypt, Joseph was a slave. Though he spurned Potiphar's wife, her false accusation sent him to prison. Joseph was no longer a "spoiled brat." But when he was in trouble and faced temptation, he remembered the God of his fathers and became a man of incredible integrity. Joseph was trained for his calling in slavery and in a dungeon.

As a 17-year-old, he had dreams that were "all about him." In prison, he interprets dreams and gives glory to God. When called before Pharaoh, he clearly states that he can interpret nothing. Only God can do that. In a stunning and quite unexpected promotion, Joseph is made ruler of Egypt, the most powerful nation in the known world at that time.

When his brothers came to buy grain, he accused them of being spies. Immediately, they believed that God was punishing them for what they had done to their brother more than 20 years before. Their guilt was still right on the surface. Now that is bondage.

They return to report the news to Jacob. Imagine, if you can, the emotional impact of this scene:

Genesis 45:25-26. So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them.

When God's plans come to fruition, it is always stunning. The brothers, according to Joseph's later explanation, meant it for evil, but God meant it for good. This story tells us a lot about who God is and how He turns defeat to victory, death to life, and darkness to light.

Thousands of years later, in the darkest hour of human history, God's Son died a horrible death on a cross. After He rose, he commanded Mary and other women to tell His brothers, "I am alive!"

But they received that awesome news much like Jacob: Luke 24:9-11. When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.

God "stuns" us with hope in the midst of despair, with deliverance when we think all is lost, with joy when we couldn't be more depressed, with life when we thought we were as good as dead.

My first encounter with Jesus was stunning. It was contrary to everything I had been told by the world about the way life is and is not. I spent 29 years without a clue, but I met the Lord of Glory in the twinkling of an eye.

For this reason, I believe that heaven must be a stunning beautiful place where I will be reunited with my loved ones who have gone before and with my Jesus, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

The most stunning moment in human history!