The top 5 list for 2018

I thought I would wrap up 2018 by doing something that I’ve never done in this blog before: I want to share the top 5 blogs that you have most clicked on in 2018.

#5: On the National Day of Prayer, I wrote a blog called “I cry to You, O Lord” (this is a phrase from Psalm 130).  The heart of that blog was a quote I shared from Abraham Lincoln; he once said, “It is the duty of nations as well as men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with the assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon.”  (Source: http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/fast.htm

#4: In February, there was the blog I entitled Almost a thousand days.  In it, I mentioned how, at that point, it was nearly 1,000 days since my dad passed away.  It is always emotional for me to read the lyrics I included in that blog from the Mercy Me song Finally Home: “Going to wrap my arms around my daddy’s neck and tell him that I missed him, and tell him all about the man that I became, and hope that it pleased him.  There’s so much I want to say, so much I want you to know, when I finally make it home.”

#3: Back in January, I composed a blog installment known as Perspective is everything.  At one point, I mentioned the plight of Nick and Lexi Solder.  Nick was with the New England Patriots at the time of writing that blog.  In 2015, Nick and Lexi’s son, Hudson, was diagnosed with Wilms tumors, a form of kidney cancer.  He was only 3 months old at that time.  This battle is ongoing for Hudson, Nick, and Lexi, even to this day.    Nick Solder’s said, “I have a different perspective now because I see how frail everything is…the air we breathe is precious.”  (Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/patriots/2017/01/31/nate-solder-son-cancer-new-england-super-bowl-2017/97290770/

#2: In April, I got to thinking about how on April 13, I could write a blog titled Happy 4:13 day to call Philippians 4:13 to mind.  In the blog that day, I said these words:

I would paraphrase [Philippians 4:13] this way: “Whatever situation God has called me to do I can meet it with confidence, not because of my own innate power, but because the Lord will give me His supernatural strength to face it.”  Let me list some examples.  You’ve been hurt deeply by someone.  Your blood boils just at the mere thought of what they said or did.  You want to hold on to the anger, and harbor a secret desire for revenge, but you also know that God says the only way to experience freedom is to forgive the one who hurt you.  The problem is you don’t think you can do it.  The reality is you’re right.  But according to Philippians 4:13, Christ will give you the supernatural power to do it.

And now, (drum roll, please) the most clicked on blog installment I wrote in 2018:

#1: In June, I wrote a blog entitled Perhaps the biggest objection to forgiveness.  I had written two other blogs on forgiveness, and reasoned that someone had this objection: “I can’t forgive because to do so means I will have to reconcile with my offender.  I quoted from Deborah Pegues to refute this idea (and she even posted a kind comment in my blog in response).

She said to extend forgiveness doesn’t necessarily mean that you will reconcile with your offender.  You might do so, but if the person isn’t trustworthy or repentant, you don’t have to endeavor to become best friends with them.  I say she is absolutely right.  In fact, in some cases, to reconcile with the offender may be the worst possible idea...Got questions.org has an excellent resource on this.  The author writes, “For example, a rape victim can choose to forgive the rapist, but that does not mean she should act as if that sin never happened.  To spend time alone with the rapist, especially if he is unrepentant, is not what Scripture teaches.  Forgiveness involves not holding a sin against a person any longer, but forgiveness is different from trust.” (Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/forgive-forget.html).

I wanted to thank you, once again, for reading my words.  It is a gift beyond words to me.  I look forward to writing more blogs in 2019.  God bless you, reader.

Kevin

One year later

Last December, I had a plan for the blogs I wanted to post leading up to Christmas.  But life took over and I was instead faced with a hiatus.  The first blog I wrote this year, back on January 9th, I actually titled it Returning from an Unexpected Hiatus.  A year ago today, I had a blog ready to go, but it was never posted.  This is because when I composed the just mentioned blog in January, I chose to go in a different direction.  However, since I found this version, and it was exactly a year ago, I thought I’d share a blog I called Facing the Unexpected.  So here it is:

Somebody once said, “If you want to make God laugh, just tell Him your plans.”  I can relate to that sentiment.  You see, my plan was to submit this blog way back on December 21st, then post another blog installment on Christmas Day.  But due to circumstances beyond my control, I was unable to do any of that.  So be it.  I submit to God’s plan.  It is rattling to endure the unexpected, though, isn’t it?  It’s rattling to face those unforeseen episodes in our lives that hit us and disrupt our world.  I know a lot about that.  Once again, it wasn’t my idea to post a Christmas blog on the 28th of December, but what are you going to do when the unexpected rocks you?

Have you ever thought about how Jesus’ life was filled with the unexpected?  He seemed to always do things that weren’t expected.  It started, of course, at His birth.  God chooses to use a girl who was a virgin to give birth to the Messiah.  That’s amazing enough, but when she does finally give birth, there is hardly anywhere to place Him, except an animal feeding trough or a manger.  Talk about unexpected!  But it certainly doesn’t stop there.

For example, Jesus and His disciples endure stormy weather in a boat.  The disciples freak out.  But Jesus calmly tells the storm to stop, and quite unexpectedly (at least for Jesus’ followers), it obeys (Mark 4:37-39).  Or how about when Jesus’ friend Lazarus dies?  The grief of Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, actually moves Jesus to tears (John 11:35).  He tells Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), and He proves it by raising a man who had been dead for four days back to life!

Furthermore, Jesus’ mission was unexpected.  I once heard about the reaction of people groups, who had never heard the name of Jesus, viewing the 1979 film “Jesus” also called “The Jesus Film”.  They were resonating with Him; they enjoyed His teachings, His miracles, and His charisma.  But they began shifting in their chairs when the possibility emerged that Jesus was going to be executed, even though He wasn’t guilty of any wrongdoing.  When Jesus was being crucified on that cross, the viewers were screaming their vehement disapproval at the screen.  But actually this was what Jesus was supposed to do all along.  I love how Romans 5:6 puts it: “At just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” (NIV).

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that there was an event that no one in Jesus’ sphere of influence ever expected.  You’d think by now they would have learned to expect the unexpected, but they didn’t.  Perhaps they were blinded by their immense grief to remember that Jesus had repeatedly predicted that He was going to die; and He went on to declare that He wasn’t going to stay in that grave.  He was going to be resurrected.  That Sunday morning dawned, and angels from Heaven announced, “He is not here; but is risen” (Luke 24:6)!

Later on in the chapter, Jesus appears to His disciples, and His presence shocks them; they actually think He is a ghost.  But Jesus says, “Guys, relax.  Touch my hands and feet.  A ghost doesn’t have “flesh and bones as you see I have” (verse 39).  It may have taken His followers a while to get it, but in time they did understand – and they subsequently boldly proclaimed – that not only did Jesus shed His blood for the remission of sin on a cross, but He conquered death itself!

Kevin

Who is Jesus?

Merry Christmas, reader!  I wonder if you have ever stopped and asked yourself this question: who is Jesus?  He is celebrated every December; but just who is this man?  Billy Graham once presented a sermon that asked and answered that very question.  The sermon was from 1971 in Chicago, but his words then are still just as relevant today.  (Here is a link to Billy Graham’s sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U89zkUZPd5w)

First of all, Jesus Himself “claimed to be the unique, only begotten, incarnate Son of God,” as Dr. Graham put it.  “The Scripture says, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God’ [John 1:1].  Before time began, He existed.  He said, ‘Before Abraham was, I AM’ [John 8:58].  No wonder they got angry.  No wonder they threw stones at Him [John 8:59]... He stood and said, “I am God.”

Furthermore, “Look at His authority.  ‘Jesus spake unto them and said, ‘All authority has been given to Me’ [Matthew 28:18; KJV].  I know that He had authority over nature.  One night He was in a storm, the lightening was flashing, the thunder was roaring.  The sea was raging; the wind was blowing; the disciples were afraid.  Jesus was asleep.  He stood up, and said, ‘Peace, be still.’  The lightening quit its flashing, and the thunder quit its roaring.  The rain ceased to fall, and the wind quieted down.  The sea quieted down.  Nature obeyed Him [Mark 4:37-39].  He had power over nature.”  Dr. Graham went on to speak about how Jesus actually forgave sin, healed people of awful diseases, and He even had authority over demonic spirits.

Then he began to speak of the horrendous death that Jesus died.  He didn’t just endure the cross.  He also endured scourging (a barbaric practice that often killed the victim); His executioners placed a crown of thorns on His head, in cruel mockery.  In fact, Jesus was so physically depleted that, at one point, they had to pick someone out of the crowd to help Him carry His cross.

Dr. Graham continued, “On that cross…Jesus dropped His head, and said, ‘It is finished’ [John 19:30].  What did He mean?  He meant…God can now forgive you of all your sins, because Jesus had finished God’s plan for your salvation.  Because, you see, God knows every one of you by name.  He has the hairs of your head numbered.  God looks on you as if you were the only person in the whole universe….and on that cross Jesus had the capacity to think of you.  He loved you enough to stay on the cross.  Was there ever such love as that?”

Jesus was dead; and He was subsequently placed in a borrowed tomb.  But He didn’t stay there.  “Jesus Christ is alive,” Dr. Billy Graham proclaimed in that sermon.  “When they went out to the tomb that morning, they heard the greatest news the world has ever known: ‘He is not here; He is risen’ [Matthew 28:6; by the way, these words are from an angel].  He is alive today.  You know, some of us Christians live as if Jesus Christ were dead.  He’s not dead; He’s alive.”  Amen to that!

So who is Jesus?  He is the unique God in human flesh.  There is no one in human history like Jesus Christ.  He entered our world through the womb of a virgin.  He showcased amazing miracle after amazing miracle.  Then He experienced death, but He conquered it, and walked out of His own grave and He ascended back to Heaven.  Furthermore, this Jesus can transform your life.  How do I know this?  Because He transformed mine.   

I’ve been looking back at some of the blogs I composed in 2018.  Back in January, I wrote these words: “God loves you with a passion.  He proved that love by dying a horrific death (see Romans 5:8).  Unfortunately, it is possible for Jesus’ sacrificial death to have no difference in your life.  It’s like if you were an heir to a rich relative who bequeathed all of his wealth to you in his will, but you said, “I don’t care.  I don’t need his money.  I can make it on my own.”  Jesus paid it all on the cross for you.  But you have to say “yes” to Him and His sacrificial act for it to be of any good to you.  The Bible says, 'Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.'"  My prayer is that you would receive Christ today.  What a great day for you to do so!

Kevin

"Christmas doesn't come from a store"

Growing up, I never watched the 1966 animated Christmas special Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas in its entirety.  This may be surprising, but it’s true.  However, in recent days and years, I did view it (thanks in part to the Jim Carrey live-action adaption) and I have come to appreciate its charm.

I know the story is familiar, but let me go over it quickly.  The inhabitants of a town called Who-ville loved Christmas, except for the Grinch, who lived like a reclusive hermit on the outskirts of the town.  He hated Christmas, and the citizens of Who-ville for their passion for the day – and their habit of singing a happy Christmas tune on Christmas morning.  The Grinch wanted to find a way “to stop Christmas from coming” as he put it.  He concocted a plan.  On Christmas Eve, as Who-ville slept, the Grinch stole everything Christmas related; all the presents, Christmas decorations, even the food for their Christmas feasts was gone.

The stage was set; the Grinch was certain that the denizens of Who-ville would be sad and somber, but as he listened intently for their reaction, they still sang a joyous Christmas song!  The Grinch was shocked.  As he tried to wrap his head around it, he thought to himself, “Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store; maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”  The Grinch was changed that day.  He returned all the Christmas items, and was welcomed by Who-ville.  In fact, the Grinch cut the roast beef for the Christmas feast.

While the Grinch’s transformation is exciting, I have to admit that the example of the citizens of Who-ville is what inspires me the most.  It was their influence that inspired the Grinch to reconsider his view on Christmas.  He had completely misunderstood the appeal of Christmas.  He thought it came from the external traditions, but Who-ville taught him that it came from an internal joy that could not be taken from them.

Let me conclude with this.  I’m riveted by the line, “Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store; maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”  Christmas does mean more.  So much more.  One of the memorable modern day Christmas songs is from the Brooklyn Tabernacle choir (https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/3423034/).  The song always touches me deeply; it states, “Happy Birthday, Jesus.  I’m so glad it’s Christmas.  All the tinsel and lights; and the presents are nice, but the real gift is You.  Happy Birthday, Jesus.  I’m so glad it’s Christmas.  All the carols and bells make the holiday swell, and it’s all about You.”

Kevin

"Love came down"

I’ve been reading various Christmas themed articles from the helpful website got questions.org.  I decided to share one with you today.  I’m not going to share the entire article, but as usual, the link is included.  (You can find it here https://www.gotquestions.org/why-celebrate-Christmas.html)

“The angel who appeared to the shepherds the night of Jesus’ birth said, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).  We celebrate Christmas because, as the angel said, the birth of Jesus Christ is “good news”.  Good news is meant to be celebrated.  In fact, the angel said the news of Jesus’ birth would cause “great joy” and would be “for all the people” – the joyful celebration would be universal.  People around the globe would be glad for this occasion.

We celebrate Christmas because, as the angel said, “A Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”  The three titles the angel applies to Jesus are important.  Jesus is the Savior who delivers us from sin and death (Matthew 1:21).  He is the human Messiah (or Christ) who fulfills the Law and the Prophets, showing that God is faithful (see Matthew 5:17).  And He is the divine Lord who has entered our world: the Almighty has taken on human flesh; God and man have been fused together in an indivisible, eternal bond; God is truly with us (see Matthew 1:23).

In celebrating Christmas we celebrate the love and condescension of God.  In Texas of 1987, a toddler by the name of Jessica McClure fell into an eight-inch well casing.  Down she went, becoming stuck twenty-two feet below ground.  Once people discovered that “Baby Jessica” was in the well, they took immediate action.  They didn’t tell her to find a way to climb back up, and they didn’t just shout happy thoughts to encourage her.  No, they went down to where she was and got her.  They did whatever it took.  Rescuers worked nonstop for fifty-eight hours to free her.

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve fell.  Down they went, dragging all humanity with them into the darkness of death and sin.  And what did God do?  He did not tell us to find our own way out of the mess we were in, and He did more than shout down happy thoughts to us from heaven.  No, He came down to where we were and got us.  That’s what Christmas is all about – God’s coming down to rescue us, to do whatever it took to deliver us from sure death.

When even one person is in a life-threatening situation, we understand what has to be done.  When God looked down at our sinful planet, He saw the whole world of people in mortal danger.  We celebrate Christmas because it was at Christmastime that the Rescuer of all mankind came down to save us from the hopeless situation we were in.  God did not stay in Heaven; He came down to where we are.”

As I was preparing all this, I heard a beautiful song on the radio by Kari Jobe called Love Came Down.  The chorus is: “Love came down and rescued me.  Love came down and set me free.  I am Yours; Lord, I am forever Yours.”  Later on, she sings, “Staying desperate for you, God; staying humble at Your feet.  I will lift these hands in praise.  I will believe.  I’ll remind myself of all that You’ve done, and the life I have because of Your Son” (song lyrics and information can be found here https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/karijobe/lovecamedown.html).

Kevin

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"

I thought I'd begin today’s blog with some information on the song It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.  ““It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” is a classic Christmas song written in 1951 by Meredith Willson.  It was originally titled “It’s beginning to look like Christmas”, and has been recorded by many artists but it was a hit by Perry Como and the Fontane Sisters.” Source: https://christmas-specials.fandom.com/wiki/It%27s_Beginning_to_Look_a_Lot_Like_Christmas 

This is a special song for me because I remember, one year when Christmas wasn’t too far away, my dad randomly started to sing, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.”  He had a love for Christmas.  One of the lines of the song makes me think of Dad; it says, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas; soon the bells with start, and the thing that will them ring is the carol that you sing right within your heart.”  Dad certainly had a song in his heart.

Perhaps someone wants to ask, “Why such an abiding love for Christmas?  I mean, sure, you get presents and you spend time with family and all that, but it’s so much hustle and bustle.  What is the big deal about Christmas?”  Back in 1972, my dad wrote a song that answers that objection.  The message of his song is that though Christmas has a lot of external traditions attached to it, first and foremost it is the time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ; it’s a time to rejoice in the fact that this Jesus was born so He could die on a cross for the sin of the human race.

I’m thrilled to have some of Dad's prayers, that he gave on-air for his vocation as a radio announcer.  In a prayer, he declared, “Father in Heaven, we bow at Your feet and give You honor, praise, and adoration.  Today, as we continue to celebrate Christmas, we bless [the name of Jesus]…He is the reason for this season…we rejoice in the birth of Your Son.  Thank You that He came to Earth as a baby, to be our sacrifice, and that through Him we might have eternal life.  We worship and celebrate [Him] today.”  My dad had a deep love for Christmas, because of his deep love for Christ.

Let me conclude with this.  The Christian gospel quartet group the Ball Brothers has a beautiful song that captures what I’m trying to get across.  The song is called It’s about the Cross; it has these words:

“It’s not just about the manger where the Baby lay; it’s not all about the angels who sing for Him that day; it’s not all about the shepherds or the bright and shining star; it’s not all about the wise men who travelled from afar.  It’s about the cross; it’s about my sin.  It’s about how Jesus came to be born once, so that we could be born again.  It’s about the stone that was rolled away, so that you and I could have real life one day…the beginning of the story is wonderful and great, but it’s the ending that can save you, and that’s why we celebrate.”  Amen and amen!

Kevin