A CRAZY OLD MAN OR ...

The entire world was watching with bated breath for the predicted end of the world on May 21, 2011. Some watched with trepidation, others with concern, while still others with skepticism for the end that Harold Camping of Family Radio had predicted.

Late Saturday evening, I called a very dear friend from St. David’s and told her that Maly, my wife, and I had been waiting for her and couldn’t find her. Bewildered that she had forgotten an event she was supposed to be at, she asked, “Where are you?” I responded, “In heaven.” We had the greatest laugh ever; She probably still is laughing.

But the end of the world and the Second Coming of Jesus as the Bible and Jesus Himself prophesized is not a laughing matter. We ought to be ready every day, either for His coming in the clouds or for our meeting him after life here on earth. And as for the day and the hour no one but the Father knows (Mark 13:32). To the list of those who don’t know the exact appointed time Mark even adds “the Son.” As if to reiterate he further writes, “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.”

The danger with false prophesies such as Harold Camping’s is their striving to know more than Jesus himself; by the way this is his second attempt (Sept. 1994). And the Jehovah’s Witnesses (1914, 1925, 1935, 1975) and others (Dec. 2012) have made similar predictions and more will come undoubtedly.  The scriptural warning: “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect,” implies that people in general and possibly even the “elect” might become complacent and smug; either ignoring Jesus’ warnings or ceasing to believe His word as the Word of God. But be assured that the day will come and lest we are prepared it will surprise us and the loss of lives for eternity will be great.

I don’t know what you think of Harold Camping, who is 89 years old and will be 90 in July, and will one day meet the Lord face to face. He is either a crazy old man (I don’t think he is) or he is a misguided reader of the Bible (I think he knows more about the Scriptures than many that today condemn him). But one thing is certain, he is trying to know more than Jesus and ignoring His warnings, by using numerology and his own human calculations, tries to set dates that he could never possibly know.

I invite you to share your thoughts and fears about the end of the world.

Lets Blog.

 

SIN AND THE LACK OF INTIMACY

At the recently held annual Anglican Men’s Weekend, men from all the congregations in the  Diocese of Western Anglicans, their sons and friends who were invited came together for a time of teaching, fellowship and renewal. This year the key-note speaker was the Most Reverend Greg Venables, Bishop of Argentina and previously the Archbishop of the Southern Cone of South America. His teaching was truly inspiring; you may view them at www.anglicantv.org. I had the blessing of being invited to speak to the men in preparation for the Fire Ring, where the men were invited to write the sins they are struggling with on a piece of paper and throw them into the fire, they also received prayers, counseling by clergy and other leaders.

This year I brought to the men the idea that the root cause of many of our sins and sinful behavior is truly our lack of intimacy with God, ourselves, our spouses and our friends. Someone has said that “Modern mankind has removed the fig leaves from our genital areas and placed them on our faces.” We are so open with our sexuality today and yet we cover our eyes which are the windows to our souls and to our hearts.

In this trade off we lose. We lose the intimacy of looking into our Heavenly Father’s eyes and seeing His unconditional love for us, the ability to see His tears and His sorrow for us, we lose the intimacy derived from looking at ourselves and seeing our own brokenness, the causes for our pain, loneliness, emptiness and for our disordered lives. We lose  intimacy with our spouses and we lose intimacy with other men/women to whom we may be accountable and who can help us in our journey of life. Consequently we try to fill our emotional gaps with other alternatives. 

Do you agree with my thoughts on the root cause of our struggles with sin? I invite you to share with us your opinions and thoughts.

Let’s Blog.

Post-Easter Blues

Just as they acknowledge the joy of Lenten preparation for and anticipation of Resurrection Sunday, people admit to feeling somewhat of an emotional letdown after the celebrations of the Season are over. “After Easter, What?” is the overriding sentiment.

Here are some suggestions that I made mention of in my sermon on Sunday.

Every Sunday is a commemorative celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. We would be worshipping on a different day if Jesus had not resurrected on a Sunday. Hence make every Sunday, Easter Sunday.

Keep the spiritual disciplines going. If you had devoted time to study the Word this past Lent, continue studying. If you had set aside time to serve fellow humanity, continue to relentlessly serve and if you chose to commune with God in prayer and worship continue to do so. Don’t stop!

Having experienced the resurrection power that is so transformational, decide to become a closer, more intentional disciple of Jesus Christ.  

Expend your time focusing on the coming of the

Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday. Make it your task to study every mention of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament and ask the Lord to prepare you to receive the Holy Spirit.

Focus your attention on the exciting appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ in the heavens at His Second Coming. If you think that Easter was a glorious event, imagine seeing the Lord returning in all of His glory. Keep your eyes on the Lord.

Take Easter out of the Church and into the neighborhoods. Share your Easter experiences and hopes with friends, co-workers and family members. The more you share it the more you yourself will get excited about it afresh.

Please share with me your thoughts and your everyday Easter experiences; and how you will keep the experience vibrant and exciting in your life.

Lets blog!