Tears

     In the movie, The Passion of the Christ, as Jesus dies on the Cross, a single teardrop is seen falling from heaven to the ground.  This tear is a wonder, falling from the face of God to the earth.  It is a wonder on two counts.  One is the God of the universe is moved by emotion.  The events of this planet touch His heart.  Next is the wonder of sorrow.  This is God's plan and will be followed soon by the Resurrection.  God is full of hope and yet He cries.
     We are not God.  We have a hard time seeing the next three days, moreover seeing the solution to deep long term problems.  Images of devastated villages in Japan, unemployed workers, battlefields in distant countries, hungry children, and other casualties of the world flood our magazines, TVs, and computer screens.  There is a helpless feeling of what we can do to alleviate suffering or stop the devastation in a world which appears out of control.
     In this God tells us to hope.  He holds solutions and a better kingdom.  He draws the world to place where He will recreate it and wipe away all the sorrows and tears found in a world which rejects Him.  But as He was at the tomb of Lazarus, He is not unmoved by the world.  And as we wait in patience for our hope to be actualized sometimes the most holy response we can have is to cry.

It's the End of the World as We Know It

A lot is happening around our world, making people reflect on apocalyptic thoughts.  The economy makes one think of the stressed filled economy of the end times.  Libya, Egypt, Afghanistan, Iran, and Israel draw up scenarios of the role of the Anti-Christ in creating a new world order.  The earthquake and tsunami in Japan create an uneasy feeling of a world which is not under control as global conditions destabilize in many ways.

Jesus talks of these type of events.  "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes." (Matthew 24:7)  So is this the end?

Jesus adds two other thoughts in verses 6 and 8:  "That is not yet the end...all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs." 

I don't expect this thought to be of much comfort.  Things are bad and this is only the beginning.  So what does Jesus expect in such times?  He tells the disciples during this teaching a proper response during tough times is to be found serving the King.  "For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me." (Matthew 25:35-36). 

The proper response is to leave worry to the world and trust in service to the King.  Difficult times show what authority is followed, where trust is placed.  God is in control and He takes care of His servants.  So give Him what is due and be found serving, so that one day you might smile as you hear the words, "Well done my good and faithful servant, enter into your rest."

Football and Orphans

John Dutton has a distinction of having two things few people have: a Wikipedia page and his image on the cover of an Xbox game.  A quarterback for the Cleveland Gladiators in the Arena Football League has John starting another season, beginning with practice this month.  In 2005, he led the Colorado Crush to the Arena Bowl title and he continues to use his skills as a quarterback now for Cleveland.

Now if you know me, you might be curious why I would have any interest in John, because I have little interest in football, and it might surprise you I even know that Arena Football exists.  However, I have an immense interest in John, even though I've never watched a single Arena Football game.

My focus comes into play for two reasons.  First, John is part of our church.  When he is available his towering presence sits on the west side of the room, along with his family.  Second, John's family are missionaries sponsored by our church, running a ministry to orphans in Ethiopia.  You don't see John much at church, because he is either running plays on a football field or he is working with parentless children on another continent.  Heavenly Hope Ministries offers an amazing chance for children to know the love of caring people.  John uses his skills at football to make his life count for the Kingdom of God.  Recently, he even spent the night with children and bugs in the streets, to get to know their life.

John, I probably won't ever play Arena Football on the Xbox, I just might watch an Arena Football game if there is a chance, because I know you.  But know I follow your career because for me you are hero because you model a life lived for the Kingdom of God.