About the Future

A 20th century Christian sage said, "We are made for eternity as surely as we are made for time. Everything we do, therefore, is about the future."

Looking at that far distant country - the future - I find there is much I am only beginning to understand about God's denouement for history.

The kingdom of God has, for the most part, been relegated by some scholars to a future undetermined time and having little immediate importance. Jesus said quite a bit to His disciples (and by extension, to us) about the kingdom. There is much for us to heed as well.

In future posts I hope to take a closer look at God's kingdom and what it means for His creation and His people. Please join me in this discussion, as we are fellow travelers.

JH

Touching God

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life - " 
1 John 1:1

"And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His, glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."      John 1:14

Within these verses the Apostle John describes an active, vibrant, living relationship he had with the Jesus Christ he walked with, lived with, stood by, and knew. The one word that best describes this relationship is intimacy.

Courage, Honesty and Friendship

I received the following from a friend of mine. I thought I might pass it on in the hopes of encouraging any and all friends or acquaintances who might read this. God bless!

The Decision of a Lifetime

F. F. Bruce once commented that there are but two reasons why people have such difficulty with the Holy Scriptures: (1) because they do not understand what they are reading, either because of contextual, historical, or literary styles; and (2) because they understand all too well what they are reading. The passage below, from Romans fits well into the second category because it is remarkably clear as to its intent and focus.

Being Found

"And be found in Him." - Phillippians 3:9

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now I'm found,
Was blind but now I see.

How do you find Christ? You can find Him if you are looking for Him. He is accessible, approachable, and is both knowable and beyond knowing. Mary and Joseph found Him in the temple, in His Father's house after three days of searching (Luke 2:46). Andrew told his brother, Peter, "We have found the Messiah!" (John 1:41). Paul told the Athenian crowd that "He is not far from each one of us" (Acts 17:27). God Himself says we will find Him if we search wholeheartedly (Jer. 29:13,14).

But how are you found?

Adult Truths

A friend sent me these via e-mail. I really haven't quite figured out when these axioms begin to take effect. I am told it's just about the time you begin to realize they're not only true, but you live with them.

A Nation At Risk

I saw a billboard downtown that said, "What this nation needs is an awakening to God." I believe this to be all too true and accurate. Our nation has lost her identity, sense of purpose, and her character because she has forsaken her relationship with the living God Who birthed her and loves her. I believe she has forsaken her first love; she has turned away from Him and gone after others to give her what only God can provide. The things we presently feel - unseasonable weather, a bad economy getting worse, rising debt and unemployment, and bad counsel from ungodly leadership - are, I believe, the beginning pangs of a woodshed experience with a disappointed Father, a Holy God, a Righteous Judge. And since judgment begins with the house of God, we who call ourselves Christians do well to first get right with God so that we can know how to stand and serve Him in this hour.

Please join me in seeking the face of the Lord. Join me in praying for the boldness of God that speaks to such times as these. Join me in weeping between the porch and the altar (Joel 2:17) for a nation that has mingled with the ungodly (Hosea 7:8), that she might perhaps be redeemed.Join me in standing in the gap for a nation at risk. It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Heb. 10:31).