He Has His Father’s Eyes

Whenever people see a new baby for the first time, they will see a particular physical feature that strongly resembles one of the parents.  For example, they might say, “he/she has his/her father’s eyes.” 

 

Yesterday I saw this “has-his-father’s-eyes” idiom on a billboard in San Jose; and immediately in my mind’s eye, I thought, “What if “having your father’s eyes” meant that you “see things just like your father does?”

 

Wouldn’t it be great if, after we were born again, people would say to us, “You have your Father’s eyes?” 

 

Jesus must have had His Father’s eyes, which would explain why he caught the eye of people wherever he went, especially people who sought healing for various afflictions, including blindness. For them, Jesus would have been a sight for sore eyes!  I think there is much more to this than meets the eye!

No Regrets, Judas and Frank

Even if you’re not as old as I am, you may remember Frank Sinatra's “I did it My Way,” with the familiar line: “Regrets, I’ve had a few, but then again, too few to mention.” Of course everyone knows no one can live without regrets. The Bible abounds with regretful people. ‘Regret’ is an unhealthy feeling of sorrow about something that one wishes could be different; and that  kind of sorrow can control one's life.

In Paul’s 2nd letter to the Corinthians, he speaks of two sorrows: there is self-oriented sorrow (the result of unresolved regret); and there is a God-initiated sorrow (leading to repentance and freedom). “The kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads to salvation. And there's no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death” (7:10).

Two disciples with the most to regret were Peter and Judas. Peter’s sorrow led to repentance. But Judas’ sorrow led to death. Certainly Jesus would have forgiven Judas had he repented! Or for that matter, Frank Sinatra, who could have sung, “Regrets, more than a few; but then again, no need to mention.” 

Storage Wars

There is a reality show on cable TV called “Storage Wars,” where buyers compete with each other to purchase the contents of an abandoned storage locker in hopes of turning a profit. The gimmick is that once the locker doors are opened, they only have 5 minutes to survey it for treasures before bidding.

Jesus said "Don't store up treasures here on earth where moths eat them, rust destroys them, and thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:19-20).

Until now I never thought of the heart as a storage locker. And in addition to your storage, the psalmist tells us that God is storing up goodness for those who fear Him (31:19). Just imagine your first 'day' in Heaven: your locker will be opened up and you'll be able to see all your treasures, including the ones God has been storing for you.

"Nice" is the New Amoral Ethic

When I was in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan, I chose to live with a Muslim family. They were the nicest people you will ever meet. But their view of salvation is wrong.  Sadly, being “nice” won’t save them.

In the last few years, Americans are accepting gay marriage. Not surprising when one sees TV images of “nice” people seeking equality. Likewise, gay groups succeeded in convincing the Boy Scouts of America to end its ban against homosexual members, but stopping short of removing the ban against gay adults as leaders. Will it be overturned as BSA realizes it's not “nice” to prohibit a “nice” gay Eagle Scout from leading younger scouts just because he turns 18? 

Recently, Pope Francis gave a sermon implying that atheists might be saved if they do good deeds, i.e., be “nice.”  “Nice” is the new amoral ethic. It’s hard to find fault in “nice.” But anyone holding to the timeless morals of the Bible and the exclusivity of Christ is going to be progressively thought of as not very “nice.”

Pork and Beans

In the early years of marriage and ministry, the Lord supported us through a handful of regular supporters and the contributions of those we counseled. Some call that a ‘faith’ ministry, implying that ‘salaried’ folks don’t live by faith. Moreover, there is a general perception that ‘faith’ ministers are deprived. 
 

Thus it was one Thanksgiving that one of our invited dinner guests was asked by some friends if she knew anyone who needed a food basket for Thanksgiving.  She spontaneously said “Yes,” and arrived at our home on Thanksgiving Day with food basket in hand. That day I had to swallow my pride before I could swallow any turkey.

Even though we had already prepared a great turkey meal, I looked to see what delicacies our donors had afforded us, when, to my surprise, instead of a turkey and trimmings, was a basket full of canned foods, including a gallon can of pork and beans. There are two things worth noting: 1) as a small family we could never have eaten a gallon of pork and beans; and 2) I don’t like canned pork and beans.
 
That said, I think there are many times in life when we think we’re getting a roasted turkey, but we get pork and beans. I tried so hard to be grateful that day, reminding myself “every good gift is from above” (James 1:17), even pork and beans, metaphorically speaking, of course!

Living on Borrowed Time?

Due to the generally poor prognosis for pancreatic cancer patients, if I live beyond 5 more years, people may say “he's living on borrowed time!” That aside, life expectancy for an American male is 77? Does that mean one who is 78 is  “living on borrowed time?”

“Borrowed time” is not explicitly biblical. But delayed judgment is. That God is “slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness” and “His mercy endures forever” are the things we love to hear.  But we'd rather not think about the end of His patience. “The patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, while the Ark was being built”—120 years! (1 Pet 3:20)  But it did end.  And the day of judgment came, as promised!  Are we living in the days of Noah? (Matt. 24)

Currently, in this Age of Grace, God is extending time for all to become believers in Christ. In my present circumstances, I am sensitive to the possibly-shortened time I have to become a better 'believer.'  Though my time might end sooner than expected, so might all of ours - with the return of Christ.  So then, aren't we all living on borrowed time? Given such sobering truth, Peter asks, “What kind of people ought you to be? (2 Pet 3:11).” I think one answer is, ‘people who act like they are living on borrowed time.’

Your Best Life is yet to Come!

Some years ago, I penned a post about the perilous position of Joel Osteen in his book “Your Best Life Now”—so focused on earthly attainments as to negate eternal values. Unfortunately, many lean toward a ‘prosperity’ mindset which can diminish the value of a righteous response to a rough road.

Many people presume that Romans 8:28, “all things work together for good…” is our right to a ‘good’ ride right now: good job, good spouse, good house, good health and good long life (tell that to the persecuted Christians in China). Tim Keller, of NYC’s Redeemer Church, translates ‘good’ into the phrase, “Your best life is yet to come,” focusing us on eternal 'good.'

Since we are true travelers on the highway to Heaven, you can count on collisions with earth-bound trekkers claiming to be following Jesus in this life, but are really “lovers of self… following their own desires…” Paul says they are “headed for destruction… only thinking about life on earth.” (2 Tim 3:2; 2 Peter 3:3; Phil. 3:19, edited). In the language of my 'highway' analogy, it seems like Paul is telling us to avoid sharing the road with them, “stay away from people like that.” (2 Tim. 3:5) Like what? - people going the wrong-way!

Sometimes there is no answer

The horrific tornadoes in Texas and Oklahoma this week are again showing man how helpless he is. Despite modern technology, he has no more control over tornadoes than when Job's 10 children were killed by one! You and I know this is part of a fallen “natural” world (Rom. 8:20), and won’t end until Jesus returns to establish a “new heaven and a new earth” (Rev 21:1). But try to explain that to a non-believing world looking for answers. When Job thought God owed him an explanation, God showed up in a His own tornado, with a series of questions that stopped Job in his tracks. 

Maybe that is why I liked how Dr. Albert Mohler answered the secular media when they asked him if “natural” disasters were God's judgments.  Mohler simply asked: “Why did no earthquake shake Nazi Germany? Why did no tsunami swallow up the killing fields of Cambodia? Why did Hurricane Katrina destroy far more evangelical churches than casinos? Why do so many murderous dictators live to old age while many missionaries die young?”  Sometimes there is no answer.

Buying and Selling in a Bullish Stock Market

Despite a flailing economy, the stock market is breaking records.  Economists say many people are benefiting from low Fed rates, the reason for increased investing, buying, and selling, particularly in housing and related industries.  During Obama’s first term, over 1,000 millionaires a day were added to the economy. The ‘new’ rich are buying and selling like no other time in history. 

Has the bullish market created a false sense of well-being?  I recently came across a quote by Arthur Pink, “the greatest self-deception is thinking everthing is OK when it is not.” I think the bullish market is a sign of the times. Before His return, Jesus said it would be like the days of Noah; then adding, “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building” (Luke 17).

The days of Noah and Lot have one common feature: people were going about their normal lives as if everything was OK. “When people are saying, ‘Everything is peaceful and secure,’ then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman's labor pains begin. And there will be no escape” (1 Thess. 5:3).

"Lord, what are you planning to do with me"

Any regular reader of this blog knows there has been a “frequency failure.”  Extraordinary life circumstances over the last 6 months have resulted in an energy consumption that limited my capacity to write and research.  And, looking ahead, I foresee more energy leaks that will reduce my rate of writ.  Despite this, I do have plans: to have a total of 1,000 posts by year's end (today's post is my 926th), and then to index them all by subject.

Woody Allen is credited with saying, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” Is it really wrong to makes plans? Evidently not. Solomon, somewhat wiser than Woody Allen, said “we can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps” (Prov. 16:9). To me, this simply means, “Make your plans; pray your plans, but don’t brand your plans.” Why? 

Solomon says: “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death… [Hence] the sensible man considers his steps” (Prov. 16:12, 19, NLT).  In other words, no matter how well-intentioned, man-made plans will ‘die on the vine,’ “but the LORD's plans stand firm forever” (Ps. 33:11). Thus, my prayer is, Lord, what are You planning to do with me? And that's no laughing matter.

Losing Control

When I retired from my job with the Federal government—exactly 5 years ago this week—since I would no longer have a boss telling me what to do, I imagined I was gaining control of my life.  But God cares about me too much to allow such a mockery of maturity: growing in Christ always involves giving up autonomy—“Pick up your cross, and follow Me!”

Today as I am thinking about going to my chemo infusion appointment, Jesus’ words to Peter come to mind, “when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don't want to go" (John 21:18).  Indeed, this morning I will “stretch out my hand,” and a needle will be thrust into my veins infusing a toxic substance.  I can assure you this “takes me where I don’t want to go.”  While I am aware Jesus’ words to Peter refer to the latter’s death, they most certainly also imply death to one's desire for independence: “follow Me” (20:21).

No one likes to imagine themselves getting ‘old’ and dependent.  But it will surely happen.  And how well we handle that loss of control at 65 depends entirely on how well we handled it at 25, 35, 45, and 55.

Seeing is believing

When I took classes on therapy, I learned that the most basic construct in counseling is called “reframing”—a way to help a client see his/her issues in a new light. Going through “unprecedented” events (as I have in the past half-year) have caused me to see many things in a new light.  I've learned that seeing is believing! 

Peter, James, and John probably knew Jesus better than any of the Disciples.  But when they saw Jesus transfigured, and heard God saying, “This is my own dear Son, with whom I am well pleased,” they saw Him (literally) in a new light.  Likewise, after Jesus death, when “John saw [the empty tomb], he believed” (John 20:8).  Of course Thomas didn’t believe until He saw Jesus’ nail-pierced hands (20:28).  And at Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus, Jesus called him to “open the eyes [of the Gentiles] so that they might turn from darkness to light” (Acts 26:18)? 

As I’ve pondered my own ‘revelations’ over the past few months, it has become clear to me God loves us too much to let us walk around hopelessly blind to His reality.  Thus, Paul prayed for us “that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened—see things in a new light—in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you…” (Eph. 1:8).  What do you see?  What do you believe?

My Bucket is Full

The term “bucket list” was popularized after the so-titled 2007 American movie about two terminally ill men on a road trip with a wish list of things to do before they “kicked the bucket.” (I think the term is an appropriate symbol for the emptiness of most people's lives!)    

On my personal profile page on this Dying to Live Blog, there is a place to ask a provocative question. Mine is: “If you knew this was your last day on earth, would you have to change your plans?”  Did I know how relevant that question would be!
 

As a person living on life's threshold (aren't we all!), do I have a bucket list?  Only this: to finish my race well and remain faithful. (2 Tim. 4:7).  Morose thoughts on this, my 65^th birthday?  I don’t think so.  What better day to reflect on God’s protection in a year of unforeseen events and to contemplate His promises as I look toward an unpredictable future. What better time than this to declare, I am well content, and my ‘bucket’ is full.

Is there life after death?

In 2005, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Steve Jobs gave a commencement speech at Stanford University in which he said: “No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it.” And there implied is the fear-filled question of unbelievers: is there life after death?

But, having come face-to-face with the possibility of my own sooner-than-later departure (also due to pancreatic cancer), I have pondered how many who call themselves ‘born-again’ believers are afraid of death.  I know that you who read this blog called “Dying to Live” share my strong conviction that there is no life on earth for us without our participation in Christ’s death and resurrection.  We only live because He died.  We only live when we die—to the realm of sin and self. Paul states it clearly, “we have died to this life, and our real life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col 3:3).

But I am afraid Steve Jobs was right. Even as people who want to go to heaven are afraid to die to get there, so too it is for Christians who have not understood they are already crucified with Christ, and can say I no longer live [I am dead to this world], but Christ lives in me (Gal 2:20). Is there life after death? You better believe it! And aren't you just dying to get it!

“Good Grief!”

Every “Peanuts” comic strip fan knows of Charlie Brown's signature exclamation: “good grief.” While the term is used humorously to exaggerate the severity of a situation, it begs the question: is there any such thing as ‘good’ grief.  Isn't grief about loss? What’s good about that?!

Though Peter said Christ’s followers would be “grieved by various trials,” he also said, “In this you greatly rejoice with joy unspeakable” (1 Peter 1:6). Then Peter goes on to explain that this joy comes from knowing that grief tests us to prove that our faith is genuine.  Moreover, it assures the salvation of our souls and promises to bring praise, glory, and honor to Jesus on the day when He is revealed to the whole world. Wow! Good Grief!

Spinning in Circles

Four years ago in London, a 22-year old man who was attempting to set the Guinness world record for spinning in circles suddenly collapsed and died.  The idiom “spinning in circles” or “going around in circles” means to keep going over the same ground without getting anywhere.  In other words, no progress, no life.

Of course there is a personal parallel here.  When life events seem beyond our control, and we are not getting anywhere, we have two choices.  We can surrender to God’s sovereignty: “my life and times are in your hands”—(Ps. 31:5).  Or we can attempt in our own effort to make things happen the way we want.  But when we try to take control, we may find, in the end, we are getting nowhere. 

So what do we do when we get this feeling that we are spinning in circles?  Stop moving!  Slow down!  Wait!  Waiting on God is the remedy for that awful feeling.  He promises to lead us in a straight path (Prov. 3:6, Jer. 31:9). Or, in other words, whenever you get that feeling you are spinning in circles, you should get off your feet and get on your knees.

Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!

Today is known as “May Day” or “International Workers’ Day” in 80 countries around the world. The day keeps alive the interests of the working class, the need to promote better working conditions from employers and governments. Last year on May 1, tens of thousands of members of Occupy Wall Street and labor unions marched in the streets around the US to commemorate May Day, to protest the dismal state of the economy, and specifically the growing divide between the rich and the poor. Since then, has anything changed? (a rhetorical  question!)

Paradoxically, the term “Mayday” is an emergency procedure word used internationally as a distress signal in voice radio communications. Significantly, it derives from the French venez m'aider, meaning "come help me."

It seems to many discerning believers that the dismal state of the economy is a metaphor for the dull moral state in America. Even the Church is in peril of falling in to the vortex of this moral shock wave. Perhaps today is a day we should all be crying out to God “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!” “Help us, LORD our God; save us according to your unfailing love” (Ps. 109:26)