This is a reprint from an article I wrote for the J103 (www.j103.com) online newsletter. Enjoy!
Life is a series of clashes or interruptions we would call collisions. When humans collide it can produce immense pain; and sometimes even destruction. But when our collision is with God, it is always an attempt by God to bring His solution into our darkness. When God sends Himself into chaos, creation is inevitable.
History's greatest collision between the infinite and the finite is described in Matthew 4:16: "the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned" (NIV).
It is in this amazing and sometimes dreadful journey that God reveals Himself; and that revelation always includes light to chase away darkness. C.S. Lewis described this life as an "astonishing cataract of bears, babies, and bananas; this immoderate deluge of atoms, orchids, oranges, cancers, canaries, fleas, gases, tornadoes, and roads." Then he pointed out that this is the place in which God chooses to reveal Himself to us. "When the biblical faith affirms that God actually uses history to reveal Himself to us, it is saying that God is to be found in that immoderate deluge. God is involved in the mess; and even more remarkable, the mess can actually constitute revelation" (italics mine).
Here are a few biblical examples of history-making collisions in which God reveals Himself:
Genesis 1:3: God's Word, "Let there be light," collides with chaos, order comes, and "it is good."
Genesis 3: God collides with a serpent that has deceived Adam and Eve and sets in motion the reality of Christmas ("He [Jesus] shall bruise your head").
John 1:5: "The light keeps shining in the dark, and darkness has never put it out" (CEV).
Judges 6: The Angel of the Lord collides with a hiding, fearful Gideon to reveal the truth of his strength and might. Victory is won by a very small number.
1 Samuel 16: A shepherd boy who knows God collides with a giant Philistine champion, cuts off his head, gains riches, wins the daughter of the king, and God's people are freed from the bondage of intimidation.
2 Kings 4: God's Word, through Elisha, collides with a widow, and all her needs are met in a time of financial distress.
Luke 1:29: The Word of God delivered to Mary by the angel Gabriel collides with the rhythm of her life. She and the world are forever changed.
Mathew 9:10-13: Jesus collides with the religious crowd because He spends time with the
"un-churched." He tells them His call is not to the well but those who are sick.
Matthew 28:18-20: Jesus collides with the forces of darkness when He bestows His very
life-giving power to His disciples.
Matthew 5:13-15: Jesus announces that we are the light of the world, thus revealing our collision course with the darkness that cannot stop His light-life in us.
Luke 10:19: Jesus reveals our part in this collision, granting us authority over all the forces of darkness.
2 Corinthians 3:2: "Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it-not with ink, but with God's living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives..." (MSG).
The story written and read in our lives shows forth God's truth colliding with the lives of those
we touch.
And this is The Christmas Experience.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Dual Citizenship
As I ponder our nation's political & economic climate and listen to broadcasters that are not mainstream I find myself more willing to entertain the words of some conspiracy theorists. Recently a well respected friend said, "Most Americans don't understand that we are possibly 48 hours away from anarchy!" This is not something I desire but if there is any truth to that observation shouldn't we be thinking of preparedness rather than fighting over the best seat to watch the next season of "American Idol" or "Dancing with the Stars?" Most Americans are asleep!
As a Christ follower and pastor I am becoming more and more aware of a tension that exists between being a citizen of God's Kingdom, and being an American that has a voice and a vote. Honestly, I am pretty sick of political correctness. I know I won't win any awards for writing this blog but at 53 years old I'm kind of over doing what I do for the praise of men.
The attempt by some to polticize the recent Tuscon, Arizona shooting is unfortunate. In the next few lines of this blog I will be quoting Dr. Ignatius Piazza, Founder Front Sight FIREARMS TRAINING INSTITUTE. www.frontsight.com
WORLDWIDE HISTORY OF GUN CONFISCATION
In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated...
In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total of 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Guatemala established gun control n 1964. From 1964 to 1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million educated people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Yes, I am a citizen of two nations. One is called America, and one is called Holy (I Peter 2:9). I intend, with God's wisdom and guidance, to function succesfully in both. How about you?
As a Christ follower and pastor I am becoming more and more aware of a tension that exists between being a citizen of God's Kingdom, and being an American that has a voice and a vote. Honestly, I am pretty sick of political correctness. I know I won't win any awards for writing this blog but at 53 years old I'm kind of over doing what I do for the praise of men.
The attempt by some to polticize the recent Tuscon, Arizona shooting is unfortunate. In the next few lines of this blog I will be quoting Dr. Ignatius Piazza, Founder Front Sight FIREARMS TRAINING INSTITUTE. www.frontsight.com
"After every mass shooting or assassination of the past, we hear the unenlightened politicians and knee-jerk liberals wailing, "If we can save just ONE life by getting guns off the street, then it is worth passing stricter gun control..."
Today is no different as the Arizona shooting is giving the usual suspects a notional spotlight to take advantage of a grieving nation, in all the hopes of stealing more of our freedom away with their slick gun control schemes.
Well, the next time you hear anybody, say [that] I want you to respond with: 'Over 170 million people would disagree with you...if they could. You can't talk with them, because they are dead! They were killed by their own governments after strict gun control disarmed them.'"
WORLDWIDE HISTORY OF GUN CONFISCATION
In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated...
In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total of 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Guatemala established gun control n 1964. From 1964 to 1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million educated people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Yes, I am a citizen of two nations. One is called America, and one is called Holy (I Peter 2:9). I intend, with God's wisdom and guidance, to function succesfully in both. How about you?
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