The Cross at Christmas

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given” (John 1:14a, 16)

Quite a number of years ago I invited a friend to a Christmas program put on by the church I was attending at that time.  As with many church Christmas programs, the presentation featured the entire story of Jesus – from the manger to the cross to the resurrection.  I knew my friend had attended the program and the following week asked her what she thought of it.  Her reply, “Well, I thought the music and everything was great, but I just don’t understand why we have to see all the cross stuff.  That’s what is celebrated at Easter, not Christmas!”  What a statement...and one that I know she's not alone in voicing at this time of year.

When we attend community Christmas programs, get Christmas cards, or display figurines during the holiday season, we see images of or resembling the nativity – Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, angels, shepherds, wisemen, and maybe a sheep here or there.  Rarely, if ever, are images of the crucifixion prominently displayed.  Our music around this time of the year also centers around baby Jesus and those individuals who were a part of that First Christmas.  While some carols do discuss Jesus in his later years, many times those verses are skipped for time or for the simple fact that they don’t relate to this “season.”  

The fact that Jesus’ later life is overlooked for many during this time of year is an utter shame because without the things he accomplished and did during his later years, He wouldn’t be who we celebrate Him to be at this time of year – our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Crucifixion scene at the recent 2015 Sevier Heights Baptist Church Christmas Program

We sing that “Christ the Savior is born,” but had He saved anyone at the time of his birth?  No.  Yes, Christ had come to earth, but it wasn’t until 33 years later as He died upon the cross did He really and truly become our Savior.  When He died, He took with Him the punishment of all of our sins, “‘He Himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by his wounds you have been healed.’” (1 Peter 2:24)  At the moment He cried “It is finished,” and breathed His last breath, He became the Savior of the world.  Jesus’ purpose for coming to earth as a baby those 33 years prior had now been fulfilled.  God so loved the world…past, present, and future…that He freely sacrificed His Son, Jesus, so that anyone who believes and trusts in His Son’s name would have never-ending life in heaven with Him (John 3:16, paraphrased).

Now I know that thinking about image of the cross, as it carries with it the horrors and violence that Jesus endured during his crucifixion, is hard, especially during this time of year.  The Christmas season is for the most part a very happy and joyous season and we are urged to spread “tidings of comfort and joy” to others.  I wholeheartedly believe this and I’m not discounting this at all.  Yes, we need to show love to others this year.  Yes, we should give gifts to others to remind us of God’s gift to us.  Yes, we should sing and rejoice about this little baby born in Bethlehem.  With all of that, however, it is vitally important for us also to remember the cross and Jesus’ sacrifice for us in order to be truly and fully aware of how important this time of year is for us as followers of Christ. 

If Jesus hadn’t come to earth as a baby to grow and be the man who died on the cross for our sins, He wouldn’t be the Savior we celebrate Him to be at this time of year.  Without His sacrifice, we wouldn’t know the true meanings of love, sacrifice, mercy, grace, service, forgiveness, and the list of characteristics could go on and on and on. 

At Christmas, as believers in Christ, we should be ever aware what John began his gospel proclaiming, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given” (John 1:14a, 16).  And as we reflect on His sacrifice, we can rejoice and celebrate the fact that He did not stay dead.  He arose!  This baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes at His birth, and as a man wrapped in grave clothes at His death, conquered the grave and now lives!  Now THAT is reason to sing “joy to the world!”

It’s somewhat unconventional (and uncomfortable) to think about the cross at Christmas, but it’s important because it helps us to remember, appreciate, and rejoice at the life, death, and resurrection, not just the birth, of this baby who changed everything just for you and me.

Take time this Christmas to reflect on the cross...it's how we remember the reason for the season.

Heaven is For Real (Movie Review)

“[As believers in Christ] our citizenship is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 3:20

Last month I had the opportunity to see a pre-screening of the upcoming movie Heaven is for Real.  This movie is based on the true story of the Burpo family from Arkansas.  If you’re not familiar with the story, a young boy named Colton became deathly ill due to a ruptured appendix and was rushed into surgery.  He survived and when he got better, began recounting to his parents “experiences” he had while he was under the anesthesia.  He told his parents that he had visited heaven, seen Jesus, met an unborn sister, hugged his great-grandfather, and told them other things that had happened.  I’m not going to offer an opinion on the plot of this story at all.  If Colton (the real Colton) believes he saw heaven, then he saw heaven.  I can’t say that he did, I can’t say that he didn’t – what make us unique as humans is that we have our own perceptions of things and experiences.  I do, however, want to offer some thoughts about the movie and things I felt were missing. 

I had mixed feelings coming out of the movie.  On the positive side of things, I was pleased that this movie was adding to the number of faith-based/spiritually inspirational movies that are out in theaters today and also that it is a subject matter that might cause unbelievers to think about heaven and their destiny, and maybe seek out answers at a church to those thoughts and questions.  On the negative side of things, I felt that there was a little too much “Hollywood” in the movie.  For instance, there were a bit too many romantic innuendos for a movie that is about a boy who saw heaven.  Also, the advertising for the movie was a bit misleading in that before seeing the movie, I would have thought it was about Colton.  However, it was really more about Colton’s dad, Todd, and his coming to terms with his faith and also what is going on with his son.  Sadly, it felt like Colton was just a side-note and that just didn’t correlate well with the advertising that features Colton by himself at the “door of heaven” (see photo below).

However, the biggest negative for me about the movie was a particular scene where Todd Burpo, who is a pastor, is visiting the grave of one of his parishioners’ son who died while in combat.  The parishioner, fully aware with what has gone on with Colton and also upset that God chose to save Todd’s son and not hers, sits down next to Todd and says, “Do you think my son went to heaven?”  (Ohh…great opportunity to share the gospel here!)  The scene continues and Todd replies to her question, “Do you love your son still?”  She answers, “Yes, of course I do!”  Todd says, “Do you think I love Colton?”  The parishioner says, “Yes, I know you do.”  He says, “Do you think I love my son, more than you love yours?”  She says, “No.”  Todd concludes by saying, “Do you think God loves my son, more than He loves yours?”  She begins to cry.

Huh?!  That’s TOTALLY NOT how you answer a question like that…and that is what was ringing in my mind right when this scene in the movie ended.  For those (like the parishioner's son) over the age of accountability (and I’m not going into that here), the solely and ONLY way to heaven is through salvation in Jesus Christ.  In John 14:6 Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father [who is in heaven] except through me.”  John 1:12, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in His name.”  John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  I could keep going, but you get the gist…we only get to heaven through salvation through Jesus; it’s not our works, it’s not about how good we are, it’s about Him and ONLY Him.

Heaven is For Real comes out on April 16, right before Easter Sunday.  Is it a great Christian movie?  I say, no.  It's a good inspirational movie, but in order for it to be a good Christian movie in my eyes, the directors and producers should have put the focus on salvation in Christ, something they chose not to do.  Personally, I wouldn’t spend the price of a movie ticket to see the movie in theaters (especially because movie tickets are so costly!).  I’d wait until the movie comes out on DVD and rent it.  However you see the movie, keep in the forefront of your mind that there is only ONE way to heaven.  And finally, if you take an unbelieving friend with you or if you know of an unbelieving friend that is going to see/has seen the movie, afterwards, share with them the TRUTH that was so sadly left out of this movie.  Who knows, maybe you can plant and help cultivate the seed of salvation in their lives?!

Regardless of what you or I believe about the Burpo’s experience, one thing they say over and over again is true.  Heaven IS for real; and hand-in-hand with that, so is hell.  What bridges them together?  The cross.  It’s our sinful nature that should send us to hell, but it’s Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our sin and our repentance, belief, and acceptance of that knowledge that gives us the gift of eternity in heaven.  Heaven is real and John gives us a tiny glimpse of it in Revelation 22:1-5:

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

One day, as believers in Christ, we will get to experience for ourselves the beauty and glory of Heaven, we will wade in that river of life, fellowship with those who have gone on before us, and greatest of all, worship and praise the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in His presence at His very throne-room!  “Our citizenship is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” Philippians 3:20.  Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.

A Chosen and Priceless Love

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the sacrifice for our sins.” – 1 John 4:10

Whether it’s love for a friend, a family member, your significant other, your dog, your car, or your favorite dessert (mine’s cheesecake by the way)…we’ve all experienced some sort of love for someone or something else at one time or another in our life.  It’s an emotion that brings not only joy to our soul but a smile to our hearts.  To love is to show your affection and/or concern for something that you value.  It’s a chosen and priceless emotion…not a forced and insignificant one.

1 John 4:10 is pretty straightforward about God’s love, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the sacrifice for our sins.”  God loves us so deeply and values us so greatly that He sent His one and only Son to sacrifice His life for all of our wrong-doings.  John 3:16a says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…”  God didn’t have to send His Son and Jesus didn’t have to die on the cross, rather they chose to do that for us.  It was a chosen and priceless decision based on an immeasurable love for us.  We are valuable, we are significant, and we are treasured because we are LOVED by Father God and His Son, Jesus!

Through this incredible love, we are even given a free gift of everlasting life with the Father and Jesus in heaven!  (Now how many acts of love do you know of that don’t come with a price tag?)  John 3:16b goes on to say, “…that whoever believes in Him (Jesus) will have everlasting life.”  All that is required to receive this free gift of everlasting life is to ADMIT we have sinned, BELIEVE that Jesus is God’s Son, and CONFESS our faith in Jesus as our Savior and Lord.  For us, it’s a chosen and priceless decision based on a chosen and priceless love.

No matter who you are, what you’ve done, or where you are in life, Jesus cares about you.  He gave His life for you because He values you.  Chosen by God to be your Savior, rest this Valentine’s Day in the simple and precious truth that Jesus, this Chosen Son and Priceless Love, truly loves you.

He is With Us...One Year Later

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9

So this blog is a little different.  Recently a new group called The Love & the Outcome came out with a song called “He is With Us.”  I absolutely love this song!  I’m pretty sure it will be one of my song anthems :)  Anyway…I have put the lyrics as part of this blog and have put some personal reflections about this day one year ago in between.  At the end of the blog will be a link to the YouTube video of the song.  Please listen to it and pray that these words will touch the hearts of the Lynam and Winstead families today.  Be blessed. 

 

Remember when your hope is lost and faith is shaken
Remember when you wonder if you're gonna make it
There's a hand stretched out through your deepest doubt
We can't pretend to see the ending or what's coming up ahead
To know the story of tomorrow
But we can stay close to the One who knows

One year ago.  I remember.  Two friends of mine lost their sons on this day one year ago.  Two boys full of life, love, and spunk.  Two boys who were pretty close buds.  Two friends who were celebrating a birthday and a fun holiday.  Lives cut short in the blink of an eye.  I’ll never forget the phone call I got from another mutual friend who told me what all had happened – I didn’t believe it, in fact, I had her repeat it twice just in case I wasn’t hearing it right.  It was a surreal phone call, one I hope I never hear again.  That pales in comparison, however, to the reality of what my friends went through one year ago day.  Over the that next week and throughout this past year, I have watched as my friends and their families grieved the loss of these boys.  One year ago it was hard.  One year ago we did wonder if we would make it. 

We can trust our God
He knows what He's doing
Though it might hurt now
We won't be ruined
It might seem there's an ocean in between
But He's holding on to you and me
And He's never gonna leave, no
He is with us, He is with us
Always, always
He is with us, He is with us
Always

I have never seen people live out the chorus of this song than the families of these boys.  To have your boys taken from you in such a tragic way and to come out from it stronger in your faith and love – that takes courage and so much trust in God.  It has been so inspiring over the past year to see these families grow in their faith in Jesus.  They are true testaments to placing your trust fully and solely in God and letting Him guide your life.  Yes, there have been days that were harder than others, but the families made it through them.  I’ll never forget hearing Joshua 1:9 prayed over these families before the boys’ funeral began.  It says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  These families have taken this verse to heart.  They have exuded strength and courageousness this past year, even in the midst of so much loss and God has been/continues to be with them every single step of the way.

We believe there is purpose, there is meaning in everything
We surrender to His leading
He wants nothing more than to have us close

 I miss Nate and Noah.  When I’m teaching missions in AWANA, I half expect them to be sitting in the back of the room, one of them listening intently and the other one cutting up :)  Noah’s mom and I have a desk next to each other at work and so I would often see him there.  In fact the last time I saw him was at work making a paper clip chain (of which I now keep on the wall next to my desk).  I have such sweet memories of the boys and I’m so thankful for that.  One of the verses of this song says “We believe there is purpose, there is meaning in everything.”  How in the world can there be purpose and meaning in the loss of these boys?  I can’t answer that – only God can, but I’ve seen kids come to know Jesus through this situation.  I’ve seen people recommit their lives to Him because of this.  Many around the world watched their funeral and heard the Truth.  I’ve also seen individuals be inspired to “Live Like That” and they have.  Nate and Noah have inspired so many…they have truly left a legacy that will never be forgotten!

Our faith is sealed
Our hope is real
Come what may
We're not afraid
Our faith is sealed
Our hope is real
Come what may
We're not afraid
We're not afraid

I think for many of us, our faith and hope has grown as a result of what happened.  What Satan intended for hurt and anger, God intended for us to grow in our hope and trust in Him.  I wish beyond wish that it didn’t have to be through this situation, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned through this it’s that God is God and I am not.  I pray for many of you that your faith is sealed.  That’s definitely what Nate & Noah would have wanted for you…to know that Jesus loves you, died for you, and wants you to have His gift of everlasting life.  Following Jesus is really as easy as “ABC.”  A- Admit to God that you are a sinner.  B- Believe that Jesus is your Savior and that He died for your sins.  C- Confess to others that Jesus is the Lord of your life.  Live Like That!  Give Jesus all your life!  Surrender it all to HIM!  Even though they were little boys, Nate and Noah made this extremely important decision to believe in and accept Christ and because of that, we as believers will get to rejoice with them and Jesus in heaven when God calls us there.

We can trust our God
Always, always
We can trust our God
Always, always

I am so proud of you Lynam and Winstead families.  Your lives, through this loss, have shown such strength and trust in God.  I pray these lyrics will be the lyrics of your entire lives and I know they are – “We can trust our God – Always.”  I’m so blessed to have known your boys.  I’m so thankful to know you guys.  Each day you are covered in prayer by so many.  Each day the boys are always remembered.  Each day, because of them, people are inspired to live their lives to the fullest, trust God, and never give up.

We can trust our God
He knows what He's doing
Though it might hurt now
We won't be ruined
It might seem there's an ocean in between
But He's holding on to you and me
And He's never gonna leave, no
He is with us, He is with us
Always, always
He is with us, He is with us
Always, always
He is with us, He is with us
Always, always
He is with us, He is with us
Always
Our God is with us

God was with us one year ago today, He is with us today, and He will be with us each day from here on out.  We can trust Him, ALWAYS.  Listen to this song below and pray these words for the families today.  Remembering, Praying, and Trusting…

...But Joy Comes in the Morning

"Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” – Psalm 30:5

The day after Jesus’ death had to have been an intensely difficult day for the followers of Jesus.  The day before, they had just witnessed their Good Shepherd/Teacher/friend be killed by crucifixion and placed in Joseph’s tomb.  Sorrow, hopelessness, and a deep depression more than likely began to settle into many of the followers.  Questions filled their minds and the One who could bring the answers was no longer there.  Heartache.  Weeping.  Mourning. 

Psalm 30:5 says, “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”  Never would those words ring so true than on the day following this intense day of sadness.  But how on earth could things get better to the point of “rejoicing?”  Miraculously enough, however...everything did.

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. ² They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,³ but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴ While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. ⁵ In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? ⁶ He is not here; he has risen!  (Luke 24:1-6)

Rejoicing had come in the morning!  Jesus is risen!  The women immediately ran to the other disciples to share this news.  Skeptical, the disciples ran to the tomb and discovered that Jesus was indeed no longer there.  Over the course of days and weeks, as Jesus began appearing to His followers, they came to realize that the news they had heard about His resurrection was indeed true…He had defeated the grave.  He had risen from the dead.  He is ALIVE!

This week my church lost a dear encourager, prayer warrior, and friend.  Her sweet family lost their precious wife and mother.  So many of us, including myself, can attest to the fact that our sweet friend Shirl was always one to offer her prayers and support during our time of need.  Her loss was unexpected and is so incredibly heartbreaking to so many of us.  When I found out yesterday that she had entered the throne-room of heaven, I immediately thought of Psalm 30:5.  The logic-part of my mind thinks the same thing the followers of Jesus thought on the day after the crucifixion – “how on earth can rejoicing come in the morning?”  I’m sad.  I’m heartbroken.  I miss my friend. 

Then there’s my faith.  My faith in the very One who rose from the dead.  My faith in the One my dear friend is with today because she knew Jesus as her Savior.  Because of Jesus I know that although our sadness and loss of our dear friend (and loss of so many other friends and loved ones) may endure for a while, as believers in Him, our joy will come when He comes again! 

In Revelation 22:7, Jesus says, “Look, I am coming soon!”  Someday in the not so distant future, Christ will return to take His followers to heaven with Him.  We will rejoice in heaven with our loved ones and friends at the feet of Jesus.  We will be in a place where there is “no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.  All of these things are gone forever” (Revelation 21:4).  Our rejoicing will continue for eternity!

“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen” (Matthew 24:36).  Are you ready?  Is your faith in Christ?  Have you accepted Him as your Savior?  Do you believe with all your heart that He is the Son of God?  Have you confessed Him publically as Savior of your life?  If you haven’t, He’s ready with open arms to accept you as His child.  I can’t think of anything better this Easter than to surrender your life to the One who gave His life for you.

“ALIVE!  ALIVE!  Look what mercy’s overcome!  Death has lost and Love has WON!  ALIVE!  ALIVE!  Hallelujah, risen Lord, the only One I fall before, I am His because He is ALIVE!”