Accepting Mercy

Redemption.  Mercy.  These are the overwhelming themes of the show Les Miserables.  I recently attended the movie version of the well-known musical, and I was struck by how strong the message really is.  The show opens with a strong image of punishment of convicts in 19th century France.  We meet Valjean, a broken man, convicted of stealing bread for his sister and repeated attempts to escape.

He is finally granted parole, and leaves the prison.  He does not find solace in the town he dwells, as there is no mercy for convicts there.  Desperate, he steals silver from a monastery.  When caught and returned to the monastery, the monsignor claims he gave him the silver and gives him candlesticks in addition to the silver.  This man knows he should be punished for stealing.  However, the monsignor granted mercy.  Valjean responds with repentance and a vow to live right.

As we watch the show unfold years later, Valjean gets to show mercy to young woman and her child, but still remains on the run from Javert, the officer determined to find this escaped convict and return him to prison.  A revolution unfolds, and Javert is caught as a spy by the young revolutionaries.  Waiting to be executed, Valjean finds him, and shows him mercy.  He allows Javert to escape with his life.

Javert is a man who knows all crimes must be punished.  He knows he was "convicted" as a spy, and deserved to die, especially at the hands of a man he mistreated.  He has no idea how to react to this, and could not accept the concept of a pardoning.  Why is he free?  Why didn't he die for his sins?  He commits suicide, unable to bear the idea that forgiveness could trump judgement.

We were granted a pardoning by our God.  We were given mercy when we deserved death for the sins we committed.  What will you do with this undeserved mercy?  Will you respond as Valjean did, and repent?  Will you choose to live right in the eyes of God?  Or, will you respond as Javert did, and refuse to accept the forgiveness our God offered?

You get to choose.  Accept forgiveness or refuse.

"Go and say to this people: When you hear what I say, you will not understand.  When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.  For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes - so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.   So, I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it."  (Acts 28:26-28 NLT)

Addicted to Sin

I cannot wait to get to the theatre to see the new movie, The Hobbit.  I am excited that the writers brought back several familiar characters.  I am oddly fascinated with Gollum.  This is a wretched, pitiful, disgusting creature that is nasty to everyone.  What would be the draw in this character?

Gollum was once a river person named Smeagol.  While on a fishing outing with his relative, he encountered a ring, one that immediately ensnared his interest.  He refused to part with the ring, killing his relative.  His continued obsession of the ring warped his thinking patterns and contributed to his insanity.  Gollum both loved "his precious" and hated his addiction to it.  

The story of Gollum could be repeated in many of us.  So often, we unwittingly stumble upon some temptation, not realizing the chokehold that it could become for us.  Whatever it is, we love it.  For some of us, the temptation is money, for others, it is food or drink.  Some of us really have a love for mood altering drugs or alcohol.  Others fall into a trap of an extra marital affair.  No matter what it is, we love the sin, but we hate what it does to us.  Sin is deadly.  

Sin will kill us, as we continue to hold on to it.  Just look at the demise of Gollum.  He died clinging to his precious ring.  But there is a truth you should know.  Sin does not have to kill you like it did Gollum.  Jesus died to save you from the trap of sin.  He has redeemed you.  All you have to do is give your sin over to him and live in his sovereignty.  

"Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.  Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin.  Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have a new life.  So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.  Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law.  Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace." (Romans 6:12-14 NLT)

Isn't There Anyone Who Knows What Christmas is all About?!?

Who remembers the anticipation of our favorite Christmas movie to be played on network TV?  How eagerly we waited to watch Lucy trick Charlie Brown or to watch Snoopy glide so effortlessly across the ice?

As I've gotten older, I find myself getting caught up in the commercialism of Christmas, just like Charlie Brown's friends did in 1965.  However, it is getting more and more difficult to find the message of Christmas purely stated in the mainstream media these days.  I thought we could all enjoy listening to Linus give the Christmas message once again.

Let's take our example from Linus and make sure we share the message of Christmas with others this season.  

"But this will be your opportunity to tell them (your persecutors) about Me (Christ Jesus)." Luke 21:13 NLT

Puny Gods

"There's only one God, ma'am, and I'm pretty sure He doesn't dress like that." ~Captain America

Moses brought the ten commandments to the Jewish people.  The first commandment is very clear.  "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3 KJV)  The second commandment follows the first one very closely. "You must not make for yourself an idol..." (Exodus 20:4a NLT)  God was intentional in his instructions with his chosen people, telling them the first and foremost important thing is to remember God first and to honor Him.  This still applies to the new testament church.  We are to first of all, love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

What gets in the way of loving God first?  I know most of us don't worship other deities.  We struggle with idols that interfere.  What is an idol?  Put simply, an idol is anything (object or person) that we focus on more than God.  This idol becomes what we think about or do all the time.  Some people idolize their work and are consumed with thoughts of increasing power and/or money.  Others dwell on thoughts of a loved one.  Whatever our idol is, we need to take command of it, and put it in its rightful place.  God is first.  Period.

Take a minute and view this scene from the Avengers.  This illustrates how the Hulk defeats what he terms, "Puny God."

Every time I find my thoughts dwelling on an idol, I just imagine the Hulk beating it up.  It's funny, but it works.

"They (Gentiles) demonstrate that God's law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right." (Romans 2:15 NLT)

Unity of Purpose

How did they become a team?

I hear this phrase being tossed around the corporate world: Unity of Purpose.  There are many images I get from that phrase, and most of it seem kind of, well, like a patterned buzz word with no meaning behind it.  I did have a moment of clarity when I saw the dynamic of the various superheroes of Avengers.  Each of the powerful heroes were used to working alone to manage the supervillains.  What's interesting is that until they had a single united purpose, they had no reason to work together, and largely fought among one another.

That didn't work.

It took the collective effort of each of the individuals to accomplish their purpose: the removal of Loki, the brother of Thor, and the saving of the world as we know it from his destruction.

What would be the singular purpose that unites the Church?  What crisis are we waiting for?  From what I see, we are caught up in our individual lives and not spending enough time in fellowship with others who could strengthen us.  Do we lack the ability to trust another with our deep thoughts and feelings?  Do we think we will hurt less if we walk alone?

Jesus didn't want us to walk alone.  Consider his prayer the night he was betrayed.  "I am in them and you are in me.  May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me." (John 17:23 NLT)

Jesus knew we could not do the work he gave us without having a unity of purpose.  He asked his Father in heaven for that gift of unity in the body of Christ for us.  This is perhaps best illustrated in Ephesians 4:1-16.  We cannot achieve maturity without the others who make up the complete body of the Church.  We need each other.

"He makes the whole body fit together perfectly.  As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." (Ephesians 4:16 NLT)

Walking in Darkness

"Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me.  Since I live, you also will live." John 14:19

I'm taking a detour from my normal posts about Science Fiction to write down a vision I had many years ago.  I'm not sure why I keep going back to this, as I normally don't remember my dreams.  This one was so vivid, that I just felt compelled to write about it.

I find myself standing in a darkly lit room; large; drafty.  It's noisy and there are many people milling about.  They don't seem to be moving toward any specific place and there appears to be no exit from this place.  Just a dark room with people milling about.  I try to figure out what is going on, when I notice each person who is milling about carries a package.  It seems like a heavy package, and it has some kind of wrapping around it, like a gift.  The packages are identical, and every person in the room, milling about carries this package.  I look down, and I realize I am carrying that package too.  I ask someone what is in the package, and they merely look at me, and continue to wander.  The package is compelling.  I wonder what is inside.  I can't wait to open the package.  I find myself obsessing about the package and no longer pay attention to the people.  Then I notice I can't breathe under the weight of the package, and I put the package down.

Suddenly, I see a bright beam of light shining down into the middle of the room! It is a single beam of light.  I don't know why I didn't see it before.  It is so obvious to me now.  I want to go to the light.  I'm tired of wandering around in the dark.  So, I pick up the package and get ready to go to the light.  But, the light is gone.  It is dark again.  Where did the light go?  I am panicking.  I run to the other people and ask, "Did you see it?" But they just look at me blankly and continue to wander.  I want the light.  I want that light so much more than I have ever wanted anything.  I am saddened that it is gone, and I put the package down to get ready to sit down and cry, when the light reappears!

It dawns on me, that somehow, I was blinded to the light so long as I carried that package, but as soon as I put it down, I could see it.  I run to the light, now unencumbered and free.  Just as I get ready to get into the light, I look back.  There they were.  All those people, still burdened by that package they carried.  They could not see what I could see.  I then realize my responsibility is to help those people see the light, so that they may be saved.  I have to help them be free from the burdens they carry.

Let's explore some of the components of this vision.  Ephesians 5:8 indicates that we once were full of darkness, but now have light from the Lord.  John 3:19-20 says that God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.  All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed (NLT).  I think the people milling about were carrying the burden of sin, all wrapped up as a package they desired.  Because the sin package was what they focused on and desired, they could not see the light that is God.  They were blind.  What can we do to help people recognize God's light, when they are so consumed by sin?

How can we show them the beauty of God?

"But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants." John 3:21 NLT

Rebellion or Responsibility?

Luke prepares to fight the evil Emperor 

I know... two posts about Star Wars in a row!  Bear with me.  I'm a huge fan.

This morning in my Bible study, I was struck by some actions taken by disciples after the ascension of Jesus.  In the book of Acts, we read about Peter refusing to obey the commands of religious leaders, and then being thrown in jail.  We are taught as Christians to obey the laws of our land.  When is it ever okay to refuse?  Was Peter wrong to disobey?  Consider the law they disobeyed: they continued to teach in the name of Jesus, even after being warned.

This made me remember about Daniel's friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  They refused to obey the king's order to worship the gold statue.  They were ordered to go into a fiery furnace as punishment for this disobedience.  But, God protected them.  Why? After all, they broke the law.

The movie series Star Wars portrays many people disobeying the laws set by the evil galactic empire.  When we learn how evil the emperor is, we then acknowledge that the laws set by him were not laws to obey.  We then take the side of the rebels.  When the laws of the government in control contradict the actions of believers to share the gospel and worship the one true God, we have a responsibility to obey our God.  This means we may be disobeying the law(s) of our government.  The Bible warns us that in the end times, we will be martyred for refusing to obey laws that require us to renounce our Lord and savior.

It is important to know our leaders and know the laws they put into action.  We are held responsible for upholding those laws.  Be careful to know who we are voting to put into power.  There may come a time that those in power will seek to limit our ability to proclaim the gospel.  Will we be ready?

"So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.  And don't be ashamed of me, either, even though I'm in prison for Him.  With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News." ~2Timothy 1:8 NLT

Wisdom and Understanding

"Yes, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware of the dark side. Anger, fear, aggression; the dark side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will, as it did Obi-Wan's apprentice." ~Yoda

Yoda is a central character in the Star Wars series.  We are first introduced to him in 1980 as a backwards creature in a swamp world that Luke stumbles upon.  Little did Luke know he was talking to the great Jedi Master that trained so many Jedi in his years.  He had disregarded him until he finally recognized him for who he is.  

Have you ever met someone and quickly formed an opinion of them (maybe based on age or appearance)?  When you took the time to get to know them personally, did your opinion change? I had the good fortune to meet and get to know several individuals like this.  I love finding out the hidden wisdom in each of these individuals' experiences.  There is so much we can learn from those who walk before us.  Why is it that I didn't pay attention to their lessons they shared when I was young?  Why is it now, in my middle years that I recognize and value their thoughts and feelings?

I have been going through the gospels and reading about the different people Jesus interacted with.  I am struck by the words of Simeon and Anna when they encountered the child Jesus in the Temple.  Both were aging, but still had the hope you see in children.  Both were so excited to meet the Messiah, whom they had waited all their lives.  What wisdom they had, if only the religious leaders had taken the time to listen!

Let's take a few minutes to sit down with the generation(s) before us.  We might be surprised at the lessons we can learn from their experiences.

"Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old." (Job 12:12 NLT)

Beware of False Prophets

I just recently watched the movie Avengers this week, as it was released on Blu-Ray.  I admit, I didn't get to watch it on the big screen this summer, so I was a bit behind the general public.  This movie was well worth the wait!  As I watched it, I saw so many good lessons to learn.  Today, I want to discuss the power and lure of false prophets.  Loki, brother of Thor (Norse god of thunder), came to earth with the intention of ruling the world we know.  He used a scepter of power that could turn men's hearts and mind to his will.  Men like Dr. Selvig and Barton were lured by Loki's scepter (and Loki).  

Evil prophets are not limited to fictional movies and books.  Our history can remember very powerful men who claimed deity and ultimate power.  Our Bible warned us even in Jesus's day; indeed, even in the days of Adam and Eve, that there were evil men.  Today, they walk among us.  Consider the words of Peter in his letter, "But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there are false teachers among you." (2Peter 2:1a NLT)  

How can we know who is real and who is a false prophet?  Jude tell us how to recognize them, "These people - who claim authority from their dreams - live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings.  These people scoff at things they do not understand.  Like unthinking animals, they do whatever their instincts tell them, and so bring about their own destruction." (Jude 8,10)

How will we know how to defeat them when they are among us?  Jude also tells us what to do, "But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life.  In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God's love." (Jude 20-21)

Do you remember the scene in the movie when Natasha (aka Black Widow) encountered a deceived Barton (aka Hawkeye)? If you don't remember, picture how she knocked some sense into him (literally!)  Did you know that is exactly what we are to do for each other when we are deceived?  Consider more advice from Jude, "And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering.  Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgement.  Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives." (Jude 22-23)

We know false prophets exist, and that they walk among us.  Stay alert, mindful of the truth that comes from the Word, and rescue others who are or begin to be deceived.  Be like the Avengers and save the world from the evil ones.

Great Power, Great Responsibility

"With great power comes great responsibility"

Who doesn't love Spiderman?  The story is a familiar one; one that gets told in a variety of ways.  Little geeky guy who loves justice, but can't seem to get a break, gets a gifting that renders him exceptional.  Little geeky guy suddenly is able to do many things he couldn't do before, but now faces temptation to succumb to worldly treasures he didn't have access to.  Little geeky guy makes a choice to use his power to serve justice, at the expense of those worldly treasures.

Spiderman gave up his worldly dream of love with his friend, Mary Jane.  In this version, you hear that familiar line, "With great power comes great responsibility," as he walks away from her (to protect her).  I think this way of illustrating responsibility really hits home.  He was willing to walk away from her, to let her move on, to help her be safe and protected, but at great personal pain.

Paul writes about the gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12-14.  Paul declares that there are different gifts given by the Spirit, and that we should use our gifts to help each other.  What is really neat is that he takes the time to really emphasize love as he discusses the gifts.  We need love to be able to use the gifts that were given to us by the Spirit.  If we don't have love, we are nothing.  Our gifts would be useless.  We have a responsibility to love others.  Really love them.

"Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." (1Corinthians 13:7 NLT)

Struggling to Find Balance

Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS) first aired 46 years ago Friday.  I've been a fan of the various series that have been part of the franchise since I was a little girl.  Of the characters of TOS, my favorite is Mr. Spock.

Spock is a being who cherishes logic and order, and does not always appreciate emotions.  Half-human, half-Vulcan, he struggles to bring balance to his world.  His character is the one I can most identify with.  Like Spock, I really like things in a orderly way, and when problems are laid out in an orderly manner, I can usually find a solution.  When things are highly charged with emotions and chaos, I am not as functional.  Spock had a deeply seated emotional center, and struggled to keep his emotions hidden.  I do this too.  Some days I even wonder if I even have emotions.  However, on the days I am faced with multiple illogical problems, I find that emotions can overwhelm me.

I find solace in Jesus Christ, who died once and rose again to save us.  I am able to see the logic of the gospel message, and from there, see the emotions of what the ultimate sacrifice was for me. Daily prayer and reading keeps me centered on the things that are important.  This has become a needed ritual for me.  This could be the answer for you, if you find yourself becoming "illogical."

"So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.  There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." ~Hebrews 4:16 NLT

Spiritual Drought?

As weather conditions in my part of the United States continue to deteriorate into record drought conditions, more and more people are talking about the need for rain.  Rain is essential to the growth of our crops.  Rain is needed for our replenishment of water sources for home and industrial uses.  Rain is what we all are praying for.  These current conditions led me to reflect on a people from a desert planet in the self-titled movie, Dune.  The people had adapted to the harsh living conditions, conserving all available water, including their own body fluids.  They learned to live in the dry conditions, but they never lost hope for their messiah, who would bring rain to their desert planet.

I have started to compare the drought conditions of the weather outside to my spiritual condition.  During the spring season, I experienced a great spiritual growth, with a constant watering from the Lord that renewed continual growth.  But, now in the later summer season, that watering seems to have disappeared.  Where is my lord, I wondered?  I pray for rain, but none comes.  This is a dangerous place to be.  I am obedient, but I lack hope.

I think I will go back to the psalms and the prophesies of promises, as the people in the movie did.  There are many words in the Bible that point to times of dryness, but promises hope for believers in the end.  I cannot stop praying to my God who supplies all my needs.  I cannot stop walking toward Him, for to stop walking in the desert means a sure death without water and without hope.

It will rain again.  In the meantime, I will read, pray and hope.

"O God, when you led your people out from Egypt,

When you marched through the dry wasteland,

The earth trembled, and the heavens poured down rain

Before you, the God of Sinai,

Before God, the God of Israel.

You sent abundant rain, O God, to refresh the weary land." 

(Psalm 68: 7-9 NLT)

Sacrifices for Love

I just finished up the three book series of Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  I admit, I didn't rush right out to see the movie when it came out, but am now eagerly awaiting the release on Blu-Ray.  I highly recommend the book series, and if you like that one, then also read Suzanne's Gregor the Overlander series.  She creates such believable unlikely heroes that compel you root for their successes.

This is not a story about successes, though.  This is a story about sacrificial love.  Katness Everdeen is a young girl put into the role of caretaker of her young sister, Prim and her fragile mother.  She hunts for them, provides food for them, and is the overall protecter, since her father died in a mining accident.  She lives in a world of post apocalypse, a world of ruthless oppression by a dictatorship.

Part of the dictatorship requires 24 child gladiators, two from each region, to participate in fights to the death of all but one.  Gladiators are selected by lottery.  It is a sentence of death for those selected.

Prim was selected.  Katniss is horrified and rushed to volunteer to go in her place.  This is sure death for Katniss.  This death will be full of pain, humiliation, and agony.  It would not be quick.

In the Bible, Christ understood what he had to do to pay the penalty for our sins.  He did not want to die in that manner, but he understood that was the only way to save us.  He had to take our place.  He had to die in a manner of beatings, pain, humiliation and agony.  Only in this way are we free from our own burdens of sin.  Christ would only do that in his great love for us.

I know many people would say they would die for another.  However, I wonder if the death included days of beatings, pain, humiliation and agony, would we be so eager?  I can hardly stand to watch or read about the kinds of torture that takes place in our world today.  Would I be able to endure that to save the ones I love?

Would you?

He was beaten, he was tortured, but he didn't say a word.  Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered and like a sheep being sheered, he took it all in silence.  Justice miscarried, and he was led off -- and did anyone really know what was happening? He died without a thought for his own welfare, beaten bloody for the sins of my people.  They buried him with the wicked, threw him in a grave with a rich man, even though he'd never hurt a soul or said one word that wasn't true.  (Isaiah 53:7-9 MSG)

Are you Hiding?

Who was the real hero of Gotham?

I was able to watch the latest Batman movie on the opening weekend.  As I watched it, I was compelled by the characters that surrounded the title hero.  I loved the way Alfred goads his employer to be better.  I was compelled by the rise of another moral police officer.  I even enjoyed watching Catwoman struggle between doing the right thing and doing the selfish thing.  The Batman character was well done, but for some reason, I couldn't identify with him.

I found myself instead focusing on the humanness of the character of Commissioner Gordon.  I pained with him in his longtime coverup of what really happened.  Of his compulsion to allow Truth to emerge.  Of his decision to allow personal pain continue for the greater good.  What really compelled me into his character was his continued resolution to justice.  He was always concerned about the citizens of Gotham.  He continued to work even in the dark days of snow, when all hope was lost.  And in his weakness, he was able to save Gotham.

How can someone so weak become someone so important?  He was able to motivate others to fight with him.  He found them hiding, and compelled them to come out and stand with him.  He would not hide.  His actions remind me of the events on 9-11 and what must have taken place on the fourth plane. These people stood together and fought.  They effected change for the greater good.  We need to live our lives championing for the rights of one another.  We cannot afford to run away and hide.  We will not tolerate the bullying of others.  We will stand together to fight.

If you are a believer in Christ, but you are afraid to speak about Him, or to live your life out loud for Him, then you are hiding.  Find others.  Stand together and fight for the lives of the lost.  They need you.

"Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ.  Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people's trust in the Message, the good news, not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition.  Your courage and unity will show them what they're up against: defeat for them, victory for you -- and both because of God."  (Philippians 1:27-28 MSG)

What is the Stuff You're Made Of?

The First Avenger

The Captain America story is one of my favorites.  Here is a synopsis in case you haven't seen it.  A scientist develops a formula that enhances all the qualities a person already has inside.  The formula will turn a good man into a great man, but it also turns a bad man into an evil man.  This scientist was forced to give the formula to a man already known as evil and somewhat mad.  The result was a villain known as the Red Skull.




The Red Skull terrorized the people of Europe in the dark days.  The scientist needed to find just the right man to defeat him.  The man who has intensive loyalty, goodness and bravery.

He found that man in 90 pound Steve Rogers.  Steve possessed a tremendous desire to protect others from bullies.  He could not stand the idea of others like him getting kicked around.  He would die to save others without hesitation.  The scientist administered the formula.  Steve transformed into a great superhero known as Captain America.

Captain America continues Steve's great traits of loyalty, bravery and goodness.  He uses his enhanced traits to save many men from the evil ones.  I find myself wondering if I was given the formula, what would be enhanced?  Would the formula enhance my good traits or my hidden bad traits?  Would I be good for the world or would I harm the world?

I have to admit to myself, my enhanced traits would not be pretty if I did not have the Spirit of God dwelling in me.  My sin nature is proud, selfish, willful and rebellious.  I am unable to love others in this sinful state.  God has transformed me into a person that can love (with his help).  I can be a person who gives humbly, but only with his help.  Bottom line, I can only be good in Christ.  No formula will do it, since my natural state is not good.

"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." (John 13:35 NLT)
"This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.  There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:12-13 NLT)

Resurrected!

Gandalf the Grey became Gandalf the White

Most of the time when you die, you stay dead.  That's a blunt way of looking at things, I admit.  Even superheroes have to die sometime, right?

Gandalf the Grey in the "Lord of the Rings - Fellowship of the Ring" sacrificed himself to fight to the death with a Balrog in the mines of Moria.  He was bitterly grieved by his companions on the journey to send the evil Ring of Power back to its source.  You don't see his fate until the beginning of the second movie, "The Two Towers."  Here you see Gandalf was resurrected into a brilliant white being, much more powerful and focused than he had been as Grey.  He is now Gandalf the White.  That kind of thing only happens in fictional stories, right?

Wrong.  We have evidence in our history that Jesus himself was resurrected following his death on the cross.  Simply read the eyewitness accounts in the books of the Bible by the people who were there.  Here we see a man without sin, who took on our sins, paid our penalty, and then died for us.  If the story ended there, it would still be a pretty awesome account, because it is always a great story when someone dies for someone else.  But that wasn't the greatest part.  Indeed, the greatest part was that three days after his death and burial, he rose again in a new and glorified body.  He became greater and more powerful in his death.  People who saw him in his glorified state didn't always recognize him, but he was still the Jesus they remembered.  He had all the memories of the times they shared prior to his death.

If you want to read great true story about sacrifice, death, and resurrection, read about Jesus.  He was a radical man, who was also the Son of God.  You can find the story in the book of Luke.  The last two chapters (if you like to skip to the end) are specific to the death and resurrection.

"Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread.  And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them.  'Peace be with you,' he said.  But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! 'Why are you frightened?' he asked. 'Why are your hearts filled with doubt?  Look at my hands.  Look at my feet.  You can see that it's really me.  Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don't have bodies, as you see that I do.' As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet." (Luke 24:35-40 NLT)

Defeating Oppression

Locutus of Borg... or is he still Captain Picard?

Ah! I just love the Star Trek series.  The series is based on the idea of exploring new worlds and new civilizations, and to boldly go where no man has gone before!  Many people hotly debate which of the Star Trek series is the best series, and which of the Star Trek captains is the best captain.  Me, I'm partial to the Next Generation (TNG to my fellow Trekkies).  I just absolutely adore the character of Jean-Luc Picard.  What a stalwart man.  Honor and duty was his calling.

I was fascinated by the storyline of his transformation into Locutus of Borg.  If you are curious, just google it, as there is a wealth of information about this topic.  Bottom line, he was taken by a race of cybernetic beings and forced to assimilate into the collective hive.  When people were assimilated, they lost their sense of self.  But, Locutus (or Picard) retains a sense of individuality.  This assists him with accessing the person of Picard that remains under the hive mind.

I see this cybernetic modification and connection to the collective hive as an illustration of demonic oppression in the mind of the individual.  Have you ever struggled with the haze of repetitive thoughts? Maybe it is a song that plays over and over and over again?  Maybe it is intrusive thoughts of the last negative thing your significant other said to you?  Whatever it is, it prevents you from clearly thinking and performing your day to day work tasks.  I believe these are oppressive thoughts from a demonic source, and must be addressed.

Locutus was eventually defeated, and Picard emerged again, but only by defeating the hive mind and using his individuality.  He was able to communicate his needs to his people, and with their help, Locutus disappeared.  We need the prayers and support of our believers, words from the scripture, and a system of focus to defeat the demonic oppression we find ourselves under.  Only with prayer and scripture can we be free from oppression.

Sustain me, and I will be rescued; then I will meditate continually on your decrees.  (Psalm 119:117 NLT)

Ultimate Sacrifice

... either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives.

The story of Harry Potter is one series of books that I have enjoyed.  I know the idea of Harry Potter's magical world is very controversial to believers, but bear with me a moment.  Harry is a young wizard filled with many wonderful traits: kindness, goodness, loyalty, bravery, and above all, an intolerance for the dark arts.  It would be quite difficult to summarize seven books in a single blog, but I do want to highlight the sacrifice Harry made.  

There is a dark wizard, one who terrorized the magical community with his murders and thirst for power.  He was obsessed with immortality and committed many heinous acts to split his soul.  He was less than human, and would not die.  Indeed, when Harry was tasked to kill the dark wizard, Voldemort,  he discovered the prophesy reflected in the image above, "...neither can live while the other survives." Harry was anguished when he discovered that to kill Voldemort, he must die.  The reasons are outlined in the book series.

Harry does resolve himself, and did sacrifice himself for the "greater good." Here is the really neat part; he didn't stay dead! His sacrifice defeated death and the dark wizard, Voldemort.  

Who does Harry remind you of?  If you said Jesus, give yourself a gold star!

  Read the book of John in the bible, and see what kind of a man he was, and then read about his sacrifice and defeat of death.  He remains alive today.  Discover the man who is God for yourself.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 KJV

Too Late for Redemption?

Evolution of a Character

One of my most favorite movie series is Star Wars.  I admit, I find the character of Anakin Skywalker, AKA Darth Vader to be the most compelling.  He takes an interesting journey through life, first with adventure and delight, then with pain and resolution, moving into hate and revenge, and finally completely lost into darkness.  If the story had ended here, we would have seen a lost soul.  But, in the very end, Anakin felt love again, and committed one last act of redemption.  By this act, he saves his son, his soul, and brings balance to the force, as was predicted when he was just a young boy.

Have you ever believed your sins and darkness took you too far from God to be saved?  Don't believe it! God hates sin, but he loves you too much to let you die to your sin.  He wants to peel away the darkness that consumes you, and help you find the light of his love.  It's not too late.  It's never too late to find God's redemption.  

"Christ arrives right on time to make this happen.  He didn't, and doesn't, wait for us to get ready.  He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready.  And even if we hadn't been so weak, we wouldn't have known what to do anyway.  We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice.  But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him." ~Romans 5:6-8 MSG

Secret Identity?

Which identity was real to him? Clark Kent or Superman?

Do you ever wonder if the Superheroes had identity issues?  In the stories of the comics and movies, you sometimes see them struggle with having two personas.  I feel the story that most illustrated identity crisis was the story of Superman, as told by the writers of the TV series, Smallville (WB).  The series portrays young Clark Kent struggling as a teenager, growing up awkwardly with powers that grew.  Often times, he hated his power and his responsibilities, and only longed to be simply "average."  In the end, we see how he finally accepted his responsibilities to the planet Earth, and how he embraced those with great honor.

Sometimes, life as a Christian brother or sister feels just as conflicted.  We have additional responsibilities that were given to us, as the gift of life was given.  Sometimes, we would choose to ignore that responsibility, trying to stay "average," which is also known as "worldly," or even sinful.  God calls us to rise above the worldly ways, and adopt his Godly ways.  We are called to love - God and his people.  What does it look like to love that way?

This is best illustrated in the book of Galatians.  When we love others the way God intends us to love, we demonstrate fruit: we have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (chapter 5, verses 22-23).  I think Superman demonstrated these traits.  Can we?

"When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these.  Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.  But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  There is no law against these things!" ~Galations 5:19-23 NLT

Thor's Hammer

Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of THOR! ~Odin

Superhero stories always fascinate me.  Thor is an arrogant hero with powers that were stripped away when he was banished from his realm to earth.  He believed he was entitled to the power he possessed in the hammer, but was shocked to find out he was no longer worthy to possess it.  It wasn't until he was willing to die for his friends that the hammer was returned to him, restoring him to full power.

Let's think about the story of Samson in the Old Testament.  He is portrayed as strong and blessed by God, with the strength of many men.  His Godly blessing was in his uncut hair.  He made many demands, and when he did not get his way, he caused war and killings.  His power was stripped away when his lover tricked him in revealing the source of his power, and arranged to shave his head.  Humbled, humiliated, and beat down, Samson finally prays to God, "Sovereign Lord, remember me again.  O God, please strengthen me just one more time.  With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes.  Let me die with the Philistines."  With that, the temple crashed down on the Philistines rulers and all the people.  He killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime (Judges 16:28-30 NLT).

When God blesses you, take care not to allow your arrogance to overwhelm you.  God will find a way to humble you, for those who are humbled will find themselves in a place of honor.

But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. 

 ~Matthew 23:12 NLT