A meaningful conversation: Jesus and Nicodemus

Many would argue the art of good conversation is becoming a lost art. There are many reasons for this, ranging from the evolution of technology to people just not being that interested in what others have to say.

These people have a point. After all, technology now allows us many ways to communicate with each other without directly talking. E-mail, text messaging, voice mail and other forms of communication emphasize convenience more than interaction.

And maybe we like it this way. For some of us, talking to tons of people each day can be exhausting. While this is so, we are really missing something if we are easing the art of conversation out of our lives.

Sometimes the most fascinating conversations can be ones in which we are not involved.  They can be ones we observe or maybe read the transcript of.

When I think of a meaningful conversation, my mind often wanders to the encounter that Jesus had with a man named Nicodemus as it is recorded in the third chapter of the Gospel of John in the New Testament.

This was an important conversation. Jesus’ earthly ministry was in its early stages and He was drawing lots of attention. Some of this attention came from people wanting to stop Him, but others sought Him out wanting to know more.

Nicodemus fits the second category. He was not just an ordinary man. He was a person of high standing in his community and a member of the Sanhedrin, which was a Jewish leadership body.

Despite his stature, it was he who made the effort to seek Jesus out. Perhaps the first fascinating aspect of this conversation was the circumstance in which it took place. Verse two points out that it took place at night.

Why did Nicodemus approach Him at night? We can only speculate, but there could be a couple of reasons. It could have been for convenience. Jesus had been drawing crowds, and if a person of Nicodemus’ standing had approached Him during the day, it could have been a wild scene.

A more likely reason is that Nicodemus did not know what to make of Jesus who was already becoming a controversial figure among the religious establishment. Therefore, at night, he could approach Him without drawing attention to himself and causing more controversy.

The conversation itself is a dialogue between two heavyweights. Jesus pointed out the need for people to be born again and Nicodemus was struggling with the concept while asking probing questions.

The conversation culminates with probably the most famous verse in The Bible. In the sixteenth verse, Jesus states:  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

It is not everyday that a conversation produces a quote that is remembered almost 2,000 years later. I have never said anything that will be around 2,000 years from now. For most reading this essay, it will be forgotten almost as soon as the wind changes direction.

However, the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus is one that still carries tremendous weight and is as relevant today as it was back then. Even non-followers of Christianity are familiar with the verse quoted above. Scan the crowd at a football game and inevitably, there is at least one person holding a sign that states “John 3:16.”

The bottom line is the art of conversation will never die as long as we have examples like this to remind us how meaningful personal interaction can be. A little effort can result in much gained if we try.

Seasoned with salt

When we do not choose words wisely, the problems in our lives become much more intense. Seriously, who among us has never gotten into trouble for words that carelessly tumbled out of our mouths? “Foot-in-mouth disease” is a malady not for the weak of heart.

Culturally, it seems we have gotten much looser with the words we say to each other. In politics, Democrats and Republicans often throw terms at each other that make us cringe. In these situations, it is funny how often the person speaking negatively winds up being the one looking bad.

All this political rhetoric would not be so destructive if it did not impact other parts of our culture. We have a lot of negative communication taking place. When we hear somebody speaking negatively on television or the Internet, it becomes that much easier for us to do the same.

We certainly see this in entertainment. There is a lot of emphasis on “reality” programs on television, and a staple of this type of programming is conflict. Makers of these shows apparently believe verbal jousting is a one-way ticket to good ratings, and many times, they are not wrong. After all, they keep making these shows so somebody must be watching.

Despite this, choosing our words wisely is one way we can make life go more smoothly for ourselves and the world in general.

This is an important concept. For example, The Holy Bible has this to say about our speech in Colossians 4:5-6: “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

As with everything in the Bible, context is important when looking at just a couple of verses. This comment was directed at believers and the approach they should take when talking to other believers and non-believers. However, this has a universal application.

The words “seasoned with salt” is the phrase that especially leaps out. One biblical commentary correctly summed up the importance of this phrase when the writer stated: “This image carries with it several ideas, including preservation and something that is necessary to life. Down through the centuries salt has been used as a food-preserving agent because it destroys what is harmful in the food. Likewise, our speech should preserve by destroying harmful ideas with the truth, which we speak with love. Like salt, our speech should also provide what is necessary to life.”

The interesting aspect of that comment is it does not say we should not boldly stand up for what is right. The key point is we must commit ourselves to delivering these words with a heart of love that keeps the well-being of who we are talking to as a priority.

Too often in the arena of debate, the sole focus is on the making of a point without care for the person we are taking to. When it comes to swaying opinions, a popular technique can be the attacking of the person instead of the content of what is being said. While the credibility of a speaker is important, this approach is often used as a crutch to justify a “win at all costs” approach to conversation.

Whether this debate takes place in the political arena or a conversation between two people, the principle remains the same. We are all in this together, and unless it is an extreme case, we better be willing to keep the well-being of others in mind rather than just steamrolling them with our ideas.

We can make our points but still respect other people.

God: the Father of mercies

Hundreds of terms have been used to describe God, but one of the best ones is recorded in II Corinthians of the Bible where the Apostle Paul referred to Him as the 'Father of mercies.' This term, which appears in the third verse of chapter one (King James translation), makes an important point. Above all things, God is merciful.

First of all, what is mercy? There are a lot of definitions, but I define it as showing compassion toward others who might not necessarily deserve it. In a spiritual context, God showed mercy toward mankind by providing a plan of Salvation through Jesus. He made available to everybody a way to spend eternity with Him if they will accept that Jesus was crucified as an atonement for their sins and that Jesus rose on the third day.

If a person accepts this, He will protect them from His holy judgment against the world. It is important to remember that God was not obligated in any way to provide a way for us. Mankind rebelled and chose to sin against Him causing a barrier to be brought down between us and Him. He gave us paradise, but it just wasn't enough for us. However, because of His mercy, He provided a way out of a circumstance that was totally hopeless.

Today, there are many who scoff at the notion of God being merciful because of the serious problems in the world. There is war in the Middle East, famine in Africa, and indifference in Europe and the United States. Many say, how could a loving and merciful God allow all this to happen?

However, the things I just listed are man made. If this world genuinely turned toward God, these problems would go away. This is because if we interacted with each other with the love of God in our hearts then it would be harder for us to inflict the pain we currently do on each other.

Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to be prepared for the next life. Your past does not matter; go to Him. God loves you and wants to spend eternity with you.

Take it from somebody who is the chiefest of sinners, He is waiting for you.

Easter and the transformation of the disciples

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday, and for Christians worldwide, the services they attend will focus on the glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

It is the event that makes Christianity possible. Without it, the course of human history would have been quite different over the last 2,000 years. Regardless of whether a person is a believer in Christianity, there can be no doubt that it has greatly shaped the path our world has taken.

Because of the importance of the Resurrection, a fair question people might have is: how can it be proven? For an event this important, it is something that must withstand serious scrutiny.

There are many ways a person can go when addressing this topic. Obviously, the Bible is a trusted document that supports the Resurrection. Though the Book has many critics, historical, archaeological and scientific data can be used to support its accuracy.

However, when studying the Resurrection, one of the most compelling pieces of evidence that supports its truth is the behavior of those closest to Jesus. The circumstances surrounding His crucifixion were volatile, and the actions of his disciples changed radically during this time.

His disciples were with Him as He entered Jerusalem for the last time before the crucifixion. When He entered the city, it was a moment of triumph. Many believed that Jesus was coming to remove the ruling Roman government from the city.

When this did not unfold and members of the existing religious establishment conspired against Jesus, the walls began closing in. His disciples initially pledged their loyalty to Him. Peter famously said that he would never leave Him, but Jesus told his friend that he would deny Him three times before sunrise.

Peter did not believe this, but he did just as Jesus told him he would do. Peter’s forsaking of Jesus was something that was repeated by the others when He was arrested. The disciples scattered and were looking out for themselves. Their Master had been arrested and was being taken before Pontius Pilate. They were scared for their lives, and as Peter’s behavior demonstrates, he was willing to protect himself as Jesus’ expense.

We should not be too critical of Peter’s actions (and the other disciples, as well). We have all failed in tremendous ways, but it was not recorded in the best-selling book of all time. We can all breathe a sigh of relief that our blunders were not noticed by large audiences.

However, compare the disciple’s behavior at this time with their behavior only days later. Not only had they stopped running, but they were readying themselves to take the Gospel into a hostile world. They understood hardship and persecution awaited them, but they were willing to move forward. What could have caused such a startling about face?

They had come face-to-face with the resurrected Jesus. When they encountered Him, all His teachings were cemented in their hearts. The hurt, pain, and fear that had been there only a few days earlier had been replaced by hope.

The reason they were able to go into this hostile world was that they knew what they were preaching was true. Seeing Jesus again and alive was the final step in understanding who He is. If Jesus had not been resurrected, He would have been just another false prophet. Any remaining doubt was gone for the disciples.

Remember, people won’t willingly go out and risk their lives for something they know to be a lie. The disciples had witnessed a truly incredible event, and they knew they must share it with the world.

Jesus had transformed them. And He can do the same for all of us.

Opportunities abound as Easter approaches

This is an exciting time of year. Though it has felt spring-like since February, spring will hit its stride as we head into April.

All the great aspects of the season will be on display for us. Along with nature’s beauty, we will have lots of options when it comes to filling our time. This is primarily because of the longer days of sunlight, but not everything is tied to that.

However, as April gets started, Christians around the world will have the chance to take part in that religion’s most important holiday. Easter is just around the corner on April 8.

The importance of this holiday cannot be overstated. The holiday commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ following His crucifixion. Simply put, Christians believe this is the most important event in world history.

All aspects of the religion point back to this event. Without it, the religion would collapse like a house of cards. The religion would be just another false faith, and the followers of Jesus would be wasting their time.

While those sound like harsh statements, it is the truth. If Jesus had not been resurrected, He would not have fulfilled what he told His disciples. Jesus told them this would happen, and if it had not, He would have been just another false prophet. Therefore, Christianity without the Resurrection would be like ice cream without the ice or the cream.

Currently, the holiday is a little over a week away. At this point, there has been little build up to it. There have been some observances, but compared to Christmas, the lack of anticipation for Easter is noticeable.

That is not meant as a knock at Christmas. Recognizing the birth of Jesus is very important, but our society has taken the holiday and trivialized it to the point that it is hardly recognizable. The spiritual aspects of it have been ground into a fine powder by many.

This has not happened to Easter, and perhaps this is why the build up to it is not the same. Businesses have not developed a way to make billions of dollars off it so it has been left alone to a certain degree.

Still, the holiday deserves more attention than it receives. Because of this, Christians have a tremendous opportunity. Simply by taking the time to take part in the various commemorations in the coming week, they can shine a bright and positive light on why these events are observed.

Sunday is considered ‘Palm Sunday’ by many. This commemorates Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem when palm branches were strewn before Him. Of course, many of the people who cheered Him that day were likely among the ones who cried for His crucifixion only days later. This is a vivid example of human nature, and how people can turn on others in an instant. In this case, many who viewed Jesus as someone who could liberate Jerusalem from Roman rule turned against Him when the winds of change blew. However, that is a story for another time.

Just taking the time to ponder the circumstances of ‘Palm Sunday’ or ‘The Last Supper’ (later in the week) can cause Easter to have a more meaningful impact for you personally. It really does not take that much effort. We have the world at our fingertips on-line. How difficult is it to at least ‘google’ these events and read about them?

Like most things in life, the next week or so is what we make of it. This time can be just another week for all of us. Or it can be a time when we stop and consider this amazing part of history.

Let’s make a good decision.

Quote of the day: John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." -- John 3:16 in the Holy Bible.

Quote of the day

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." -- Matthew 5:7 (NIV)

Considering Easter's importance

Tomorrow, Christians worldwide will observe the Easter holiday, and it is impossible to overstate the importance of this day.

Easter commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus that Christians believe took place following His crucifixion. As a society, we do not put as much emphasis on this holiday when compared to others, and that is a big mistake.

After all, without the Resurrection, Christianity would simply be another false religion. I know that seems like harsh language, but it is the truth. Jesus said He would rise, and if that had not happened, He would have been just another false prophet who did not deliver on what was promised.

Of course, Christians believe the Resurrection took place, and billions of people will commemorate this event Sunday.

It is a shame that Easter does not get the build up that Christmas does. I know the tone of the two days is totally different, but in general, there appears to be more anticipation for Christmas by our society.

As soon as Thanksgiving ends, all eyes turn toward Christmas, and the mood of our nation changes. Admittedly, Christmas has been exploited in ways that has nothing to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus. Still, there always seems to be more buzz about that day than Easter.

Perhaps part of the reason for this is how Christians approach Easter. After all, not all people calling themselves Christians agree on how the Resurrection took place. While most would agree that Jesus physically rose from the dead, there are others who believe that it was only a spiritual event.

The Bible clearly supports that Jesus physically rose, but others still disagree. If Christians cannot agree on a point as fundamental as this, should we be surprised the holiday does not get the treatment it deserves?

Still, it is important that the Resurrection be focused upon tomorrow. It is the pivotal event of Christianity. Without it, there would be nothing.

Perhaps the most compelling piece of evidence that supports the Resurrection took place was the behavior of those closest to Jesus. Despite claims that they would never leave His side, the disciples ran when the Roman authorities arrested Him.

Peter went as far as to deny Him three times. This was a tremendous personal failure for Peter, but we should not be too hard on him. After all, we have all made big mistakes, but we are lucky that they were not recorded in the best selling book of all time. So, think twice before criticizing him too harshly.

When Jesus was crucified, the disciples were at rock bottom. They were hiding from the Roman authorities and the religious establishment. Because of their association with Jesus, they were afraid for their lives. Life looked bleak for them.

However, compare their behavior at this point to what it was only a few days later. Instead of staying in hiding, they began to boldly go into the public and proclaim the Gospel.

What could have caused such a stunning turnaround in only a few days? Christians believe it was their encounter with the resurrected Jesus.

When they encountered Jesus, all His teachings were cemented in their hearts. The hurt, pain, and fear that had been there only a few days earlier had been replaced by hope.

When the disciples went out to spread the Gospel, they understood they would face hardship and persecution. The reason they were able to do this is because they knew what they were preaching was true.

Remember, people won't willingly go out and risk their lives for something they know to be a lie (unless they are mentally disturbed).

Jesus had transformed them. And He can do the same for all of us.

The most important eight days of the year for Christians

Many people recognize today as Palm Sunday, and it is meant to commemorate Jesus' final return to Jerusalem before His crucifixion and Resurrection. This kicks off a series of important observances this week that culminate with Good Friday and Easter, which is next Sunday. Obviously, these events are detailed in the Bible, but here is a list of events that chronicle Jesus' last week and the days on which they occurred. Sometimes these events feel more real when we can apply them to the day of the week on which they took place. This information comes courtesy of Love in Action: The Gospel of Mark by the David C. Cook Ministries.

Sunday (today): Jesus triumphantly enters Jerusalem and surveys the temple (Mark 11: 1-11).

Monday: Jesus clears the temple and curses a fig tree (Mark 11:12-19).

Tuesday: Jesus teaches about faith, replies to His opponents in the temple, and teaches His disciples on the Mount of Olives (Mark 11:20—13:37).

Wednesday: Nothing is recorded.

Thursday: Jesus celebrates Passover with His disciples. He goes to Gethsemane where He is arrested. (Mark 14:12-52)

Friday: Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin and is denied by Peter. He is handed over for crucifixion by Pontius Pilate. He dies and is buried. (Mark 14:53—15:47)

Sunday: He is risen.

A lively dinner party

At one time or another, we have all wondered what it would be like to meet famous people from history. However, why not take this thought one step further?

Suppose a person could host a dinner party and choose four people from history as the only guests. Who would they choose?

I had some spare time this week, and my mind drifted to this topic. My choices surprised me a little bit, so here is who I would invite and why.

My first invitation would be to Jesus Christ. Whether or not a person is a Christian, there can be no disputing His impact on history. His teachings have shaped the personal conduct of billions of people for the last 2,000 years and will hopefully continue to do so.

Even atheists have been touched by Him though I am sure many of them would not admit it. Especially as the Easter season approaches, it would be wonderful to spend an evening with Him and just have a conversation.

My next invitation would be to President Abraham Lincoln. When reviewing our nation's history, it would be difficult to find a more important person. Lincoln steered the country through its worst moments.

Given the freedom we currently enjoy, it is difficult to fully appreciate the challenges Lincoln faced during his presidency. Obviously, our country is going through a lot of strife right now, but it is not in the same universe when compared to the Civil War.

Lincoln literally gave his life so that our country could be preserved. He had to watch as America tore itself apart so it could be rebuilt again.

Without a leader of his caliber, our country might be much different today. If he had failed, the United States likely would have splintered into several countries, and we would look like Europe today.

For that alone, we should be grateful. Who would want to be Europe?

The next person I would invite is former baseball player Bill Buckner. Sports can be cruel especially if somebody gets labeled a goat for a mistake that costs his team a big game.

This happened to Buckner in the 1986 World Series when he played first base for the Boston Red Sox. During game six, he let a ground ball roll between his legs that allowed the winning run to score. If he had made the play, Boston would have won the Series. Because of his misplay, a seventh game was played that Boston also lost, and the New York Mets became world champion.

Even though Boston finally won a World Series in 2004 and 2007, Buckner still gets unfairly treated.

After all, one play does not win or lose games. A mistake in the first inning of a game can be as costly as one in the last inning. Also, people conveniently forget that Boston had a three-run lead in game seven of that series, but let it slip away. And Buckner had nothing to do with that.

Because of this mistreatment, I think I would like to be Buckner's friend.

The fourth person I would invite is Adolf Hitler. I know this is sounds controversial, but hear me out. Obviously, Hitler was an evil man. There is nothing about him that is to be admired. He dedicated his life to unleashing unspeakable horrors on mankind, and he was despicable.

However, to truly understand good, I think a person has to try to understand evil. What would it be like to look into his eyes? Imagine what Jesus would say to him. I don't know what He would say, but I know it would be memorable and perfect.

It would definitely be a lively conversation.

Easter is April 24, but it is not too early to start thinking about it

The Easter holiday falls late this year and will be observed on April 24. I know that seems like a long time away, but we need to begin focusing on it now.

After all, the focus on Christmas begins weeks in advance, and it is not as significant as Easter. This is not meant as a slap at Christmas. It is a wonderful time of year, and the event it celebrates is critical to Christianity.

However, the Resurrection of Jesus is the most important event of Christianity. More and more people have begun calling this holiday Resurrection Sunday instead of Easter. It certainly seems more fitting. With no Resurrection, everybody could just stay in bed on Sunday mornings because this faith would be a complete fraud. Without the Resurrection of Jesus, He would be another false prophet. I know that sounds blunt, but it is the truth.

So, as the weeks unfold, let us try to focus on its approaching. I know we are all busy people, and our lives move at a breakneck speed. However, if we can make time for a multi-week build up to Christmas, why can't we do the same for Easter?

Obviously, the tone of the two holidays is completely different. Still, there are long-term ways to prepare for Easter. I will not map out a list of suggestions for you all because I think you must follow your own hearts.

The most important point right now is that we begin our preparation. If we do not, it will come and go with such speed it will be nothing more than a blip on the radar.

When we consider the events that led up to the Resurrection (betrayal, rejection, crucifixion, and more), I think we would all agree that this needs to be more than just one day of reflection.

Merry Christmas to all

The Christmas season is remarkable. For Christians, the holiday is meant as a commemoration of the time Jesus entered into the world as a baby. Despite His importance, His entrance was in a very unlikely way.

Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah who came into the world to act as a sacrifice for our sins, and then be gloriously resurrected.

Whether a person is a believer or not, there can be no argument that Jesus is the most important figure in our world's history. For believers, His importance is obvious. For non-believers, His teachings have impacted them in ways they likely do not even realize.

In spite of His significance, His entrance into the world was in just about the most humble way possible. With no lodging available, He was born in an animal stable.

While His birth was re-created in Christmas pageants all across Coffee County in recent weeks, none of them did the event justice.

This is not meant as an insult to any of the organizations that did this. I am sure they were all tastefully done and appropriately emphasized the importance of the event. It is just that this is one of those times where it is impossible to recapture the power of the original event.

The circumstances of His birth must have been difficult at best and should be a lesson for us all. In our world, the emphasis is often on wealth and events that are cosmetically beautiful.

Frankly, a homeless child being born in a stable is an event that most of us would go out of our way to avoid. In our current day, it is like seeing a homeless person approaching then stepping to the other side of the street to prevent interacting with him.

Again, that is not meant as an insult. It is just part of our human nature. Simply put, there are times we do not want to deal with situations like that.

It is horrible that we sometimes do things like that, but it would be worse if we ignored that we do it. When we do this, it is the opposite of what the Christmas spirit is supposed to be.

If we all believe that everything happens for a reason, then there has to be a significant reason why Jesus entered into the world the way He did. I am sure there are lots of reasons, but I keep going back to the humility of it all.

If there is one characteristic lacking from America’s celebration of Christmas, it is humility. We live in a culture where bigger is better, and our approach to Christmas is an example of this.

The overemphasis on commercialism during the Christmas season is a primary culprit in all this. In most stores, decorations go up well before Thanksgiving in an attempt to get us in the spending mood.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, there are far more news reports on the spending habits of people than the actual reason the holiday is being commemorated. I agree that spending is important from an economic point of view, but what does it really have to do with the essence of Christmas? Nothing.

The words I just wrote are nothing new, and I could point to countless examples that back that up. For example, all of us have watched 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' and one of its themes is searching for the meaning of Christmas in a sea of commercialism.

And that show was made in 1965.

If nothing else, I want all of you to be in a more reflective mood about this holiday.

Do not let the accumulation of 'stuff' stand in the way of a true appreciation of the holiday.

Take off the rose-colored glasses and see it for what it really is.

Life is a whirlwind

When describing life, one of the most common clichés used is that most people experience many seasons to their lives.

Going back to the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament and moving forward, it is an analogy that writers have repeatedly used to describe the ups and downs of life.

For every season of prosperity and beauty, there will be a season of drought and despair. This is a fact that can be counted on as surely as the falling of leaves in autumn. It is one of the inarguable facts of life. I guess this analogy is a little more than a cliché then, right?

For people paying attention the last couple of weeks, we know that there have been unspeakable crimes and deaths that have taken place in our community. They are usually the types of crimes that we read about taking place in big cities instead of a small, lovely town like Manchester.

I will not recount the events. They are already burned into our souls so there is no need to endure these facts one more time. All that will be said is that those who passed away are greatly loved, and the family members who remain are just as loved.

We understand that no place is protected when an evil whirlwind blows through a community. Sometimes the power of the whirlwind is so strong that all people can do is lift their hands to shield their eyes. And pray.

Among the frustrating aspects of an event like this is the feeling that those impacted (directly or indirectly) have to just sit there and take it. The fury of the moment takes place and lots of people have to deal with the aftermath.

However, there is good news. People do not have to just sit there and take it. And from what I have observed, the people involved in this situation have not sat there and taken it.

This is because for every evil whirlwind that passes through there is a good whirlwind as well. It is a whirlwind filled with love, compassion, and togetherness. The power of those three things becomes a lot more obvious during times like these.

It makes me wonder why we do not spend more time investing in them when times are good. I guess we believe we always will have tomorrow to get around to that, but of course, tomorrow does not always come.

If nothing else, events like this demonstrate that we will all face the end of our physical lives some day. Why don't people put as much thought into that as they do other parts of their lives? I don't know.

Most folks spend a lot of time planning for retirement. They save their dollars so they can live a lifestyle that will suit their needs. Physical fitness is a big part of this retirement preparation as well.

Still, I do not believe people spend a lot of time contemplating death. We can save all the money we want and work out until our feet ache, but there is no guarantee we will sail past retirement age.

The bottom line is a whirlwind could blow through our lives with no notice. When that happens, all the best intentions that people have about preparing for the afterlife are pretty much out the door.

Most people reading this are likely doing so on Saturday morning or afternoon. I hate to be Captain Bringdown when it comes to your weekend, but time does not wait.

Decisions need to be made.

What are you going to do? Trusting Jesus as your Savior would be a good start.

The miracles of Jesus

Something to consider...

Jesus told us to believe in Him, if for no other reason than the miracles He performed. Here is a list of the miracles of Jesus. I forgot where I got this list, so I apologize in advance for not crediting the source. Also, I know I have posted this before, but I really like it.

"Many healings" – Matthew 4:23 and Mark 1:32
Healing the leper – Matthew 8:1, Mark 1:40, Luke 5:12
Healing of the Centurion’s servant – Matthew 8:5 and Luke 7:1
Healing Peter's mother-in-law – Matthew 8:14, Mark 1:29, Luke 4:38
Calming the storm – Matthew 8:23, Mark 4:35, Luke 4:38
Healing the men of Gadara – Matthew 8:28, Mark 5:1, Luke 8:26
Healing the lame man – Matthew 9.1, Mark 2:1, Luke 5:18
Healing the hemorrhaging woman – Matthew 9:20, Mark 5:25, Luke 8:43
Raising Jairus's daughter – Matthew 9:23, Mark 5:22, Luke 8:41
Water turned into wine – John 2:1
Healing two blind men – Matthew 9:27
Healing a demon possessed man – Matthew 9:32
Healing the withered land – Matthew 12:10, Mark 3:1, Luke 6:6
Feeding over 5,000 – Matthew 14:15, Mark 6:35, Luke 9:12, John 6:1
Walking on the sea – Matthew 14:22, Mark 6:47, John 6:16
Healing the Syrophoenician's daughter – Matthew 15:21, Mark 7:24
Feeding of 4,000 – Matthew 15:32, Mark 8:1
Healing of the epileptic boy – Matthew 17:14, Mark 9:14, Luke 9:37
Healing the two blind men – Matthew 20:30
Healing the man with an unclean spirit – Mark 1:23, Luke 4:33
Healing the deaf, speechless man – Mark 7:31
Healing the blind man at Bethsaida – Mark 8:22
Healing the blind Bartimaeus – Mark 10:46, Luke 18:35
The miraculous catch of fish – Luke 5:4, John 21:1
Raising the widow's son – Luke 7:11
Healing the stooped woman – Luke 13:11
Healing the man with dropsy – Luke 14:1
Healing the ten lepers – Luke 17:11
Healing Malchus’s ear – Luke 22:50
Healing the royal official’s son – John 4:46
Healing the lame man – John 5:1
Healing the blind man – John 9:1
Raising Lazarus – John 11:38

Happy Easter

On Sunday, millions of Christians worldwide will celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. For believers, the Resurrection is the pivotal event of Christianity. Other holidays get a lot more attention, but this is the event that defines the faith.

Without it, Christianity would crumble and could easily be classified as the biggest hoax of all time. Jesus would have been just another false prophet who did not deliver on what He promised if the Resurrection did not take place.

I know these are strong words, but it is impossible for me to over-emphasize the importance of this event. Simply put, deciding whether Jesus was crucified as an atonement for our sins and then was resurrected is the most important question a person will face.

When analyzing whether Jesus rose, one of the most compelling pieces of evidence supporting this is the behavior of those closest to Him. In this case, I am referring to his closest disciples.

When Jesus was arrested and crucified, they ran for their lives. They were terrified, and Peter went as far as to publicly deny Him three times.

Some are quick to criticize Peter, but we should all know better. All Christians at some point have denied Jesus in some way. We should be grateful that our denials were not documented in the best-selling book of all time. Jesus forgave Peter, and we can all learn from that act of forgiveness

The main point here is that the disciples were distraught. Their Master was dead, and the religious leaders, the Roman authorities, and the public were after their hide.

In contrast with that, compare their behavior then to their behavior only a few days later. Not only did they stop running, but they began to actively proclaim the Gospel.

What could have caused such a quick turnaround? They met the resurrected Jesus.

As previously stated, they fled with fear after Jesus was arrested and crucified. It would have taken a supernatural event to cause such a dramatic turnaround.

This is exactly what happened. They encountered Jesus again, and their perceptions of Him and what He was sending them to do fortified their hearts. Despite the torture and hardship that awaited them, they willingly took the Gospel into the world.

Consider what these men were undertaking. These men were basically poor peasants with no clout, and they were going to challenge the most powerful empire in the world.

The message they would carry would bring upheaval, and history shows us that the Romans were not patient when it came to those bringing instability to their empire.

Again, why would they do this? Because they were absolutely certain what they believed in was true. The reality of the Resurrection of Jesus cemented His teachings in their souls.

People don't suffer and die for something they know to be a lie or a hoax. A person would be nuts to willingly suffer in the ways these men suffered if they knew it was all a lie.

History is littered with people who committed to a cause but then jumped ship as soon as it got tough.

However, it did not work that way with the disciples. They did not compromise. And we are the people who benefited from this the most.

An important week coming

In the coming week, March will end, and April will begin as 2010 continues to unfold at a breakneck pace. It is almost unbelievable that one quarter of the year is already finished, but that is the case.

While the changing of the months is important on one level, a person could make a pretty convincing case that we are about to begin the most important week of the year.

All religions have important observances, and for Christians, this coming week has a few that are the most important ones of that faith. No, I am not talking about Christmas. That holiday gets more publicity and hype than any other holiday and for the wrong reasons most of the time.

Beginning tomorrow, a series of observances unfold that literally describes the purpose of Christianity.

On Sunday, there will be commemorations worldwide that re-enact the return of Jesus to Jerusalem for the final time before His crucifixion and resurrection. Most calendars describe this day as 'Palm Sunday' though the holiday goes by some other names.

It is called that because as Jesus entered the city members of the large crowd laid down tree branches in front of Him. Palm leaves were likely among those branches. It makes sense that they were palm branches because in Jewish culture the laying down of these branches was a symbol used to honor somebody that was held in high regard.

In this case, Jesus was offering Himself as the long-awaited Messiah. The crowd had either personally seen him or heard of the many miracles He performed. It looked like a happy ending was about to happen. It did, but just not in the way the people expected.

Most in the crowd likely believed that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem to boot out the occupying Roman forces and take control. However, within a week, all but a handful of people abandoned Him.

Events unfolded that led to what Christians now observe as Good Friday. This is the day that commemorates the awful circumstances of Jesus' crucifixion and Him acting as a sacrifice for the world's sins. Deserted by those who claimed to follow Him and tortured until His flesh resembled hamburger, he was nailed to the tree.

Though crucifixion was a form of punishment meant to bring shame on the condemned, this time it actually was a moment of victory because Jesus was fulfilling His mission. Jesus was no victim. He went to the cross knowing that His sacrifice would act as an atonement for all sins.

Of course, the most important moment of all this was His resurrection. This will be observed on Sunday, April 4, as Christians worldwide unite in observing this special moment.

Some folks call this day Easter. Others call it Resurrection Sunday. People can call it what they want as long as they remember that Jesus' resurrection is what validates Christianity.

Without the resurrection, Christianity would not exist. With no resurrection, Jesus would have been just another false prophet who claimed many things but failed to deliver.

What I have just written is music to the ears of Christians. Hopefully, Christians can summon up the discipline and dedication to attend a sunrise service at a church near them.

However, for skeptics and non-believers, the coming week is really nothing. My challenge to them is to spend some time genuinely reflecting on themselves and their role within the universe.

When applying the 'common sense' test, I think we can all agree that all of creation was not a big, cosmic accident.

Open your hearts. You never know what might happen.

Merry Christmas to all......

Luke 2:1-20 (NIV): In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in swaddling cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Jesus showed we can all serve

One of the things that I believe holds people back from serving God is a feeling of inadequacy. A feeling that they are unworthy to serve God. Perhaps they have done something in their past that convinces them they are unworthy to step out and do a job He needs done. Whatever the reason, feelings of inadequacy are a major weapon Satan uses to stymie the spreading of the Gospel.

However, as the Bible shows us over and over again, God does not choose people for important roles based on their past mistakes, but based on the potential in their heart. Throughout the Bible, we see examples of how God chose people who seemed like unlikely choices. Fortunately for us, God has a lot more open mind than we usually do.

There are numerous examples of this. The story of how Jesus called Matthew to join His ministry is especially interesting. Matthew (also known as Levi) was someone who was near the bottom of the social order during Jesus’ day. However, Jesus saw his potential and the fact that it upset the established order did not cause Him to sway. Jesus did not see who Matthew was but what he could become.

When Jesus called Matthew to service, Matthew worked as a publican, which we would call a tax collector today. Though there is nothing recorded that showed Matthew was dishonest, his profession was well known for being crooked. Today, we all know plenty of IRS jokes, but during this time, tax collectors actively shook down people for extra kickbacks on top of the taxes they collected for Rome. The Roman Empire ruled Judea at this time. In this situation, people were helpless because if a person did not give the tax collector a little extra money that he could pocket, the collector would report them to Roman authorities. It is no surprise that people viewed tax collectors with such scorn.

Additionally, Matthew was Jewish, which intensified the Jewish culture’s scorn toward him. So not only did he work as a representative for the Roman government, but he was also a member of the same faith of those who the Romans oppressed. For example, if another country invaded and occupied the United States, how would you view your next door neighbor if he joined the new government and worked with them to make your life worse? It’s the same principle. Jewish society viewed Matthew as a turncoat who joined the enemy.

However, in Mark 2:14, Jesus said, "Follow me," and Matthew did. The fact that Jesus wanted Matthew to help Him was scandalous in most parts of the Jewish culture. This was further compounded when Matthew asked Jesus to dine with him and his friends at his home. This meant Jesus had not only asked a person of poor standing to join Him, but He was now going to dine with a group of them. Socializing with them had Jewish leaders up in arms.

In Mark 2:16, the Pharisees (leaders in the Jewish culture) openly questioned Jesus’ character and asked Him why he was doing this. Jesus responded in Mark 2:17: "They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Any past illegal actions committed by the tax collectors who dined with Jesus could not be changed. Anything we may have done in our past cannot be changed. The past is the past. However, God can use anything in our past for good if we let Him. Sometimes our life experiences can make us more qualified to do a good work for God simply because that experience provides us with a point of view that most people may not have. Matthew had the ability to help spread the Gospel to those in his social circle because of his past. His past became a tool to reach people in ways they only understood.

If you feel like God is reaching out to you to work on His behalf, do not let the past be a stumbling block. We all carry the baggage of past hurts, and it is difficult to deal with those sometimes. However, remember that God has a purpose, and if He is leading you somewhere, always remember that he will never dessert you. Perhaps your past provides you insight that will allow God to reach somebody through you.

The bottom line is tomorrow is always a day of new beginnings. We can use experiences that hinder us for good or for bad. It is always difficult to take that first step, but remember, you are not alone.

Resource material: The Holy Bible; 'Love in Action: The Gospel of Mark' by the David C. Cooke Ministries; 'The Glorious Journey' by Charles Stanley

Jesus has a lot to say about anxiety and worry

If we are honest, worry and anxiety are a couple of our biggest sources of distraction. Financial pressures, frayed personal relationships, and career demands are only three sources of anxiety that have become staples in today's society. It is human nature to worry or be anxious about things that are often out of our control. The pressures we face are very real and can become a huge source of bondage if we do not deal with them in a healthy way.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

On first reading, these verses likely fall into the category of 'easier said than done.' Don't worry about anything? When I first became a Christian, those verses were ones that I threw up my hands and said, "Impossible!" However, Paul was not being critical of our worrying. He understood that it is human nature to experience anxiety. The bigger point he was making is that prayer needs to be our first line of defense when it comes.

Prayer is often the court of last resort for many Christians. However, Paul understood that anxiety and worry are major elements of spiritual warfare that Satan uses to drive a wedge between a believer and God.

The Apostle Paul probably knew this topic all too well. When he wrote his letter to the Philippian church, it was likely during his first imprisonment in Rome when he was under house arrest. Paul repeatedly faced harassment during his ministry resulting in multiple stays in prison and finally, in his execution.

Believers can take heart because the people in the Bible were flesh and bone just like us. True, we likely will not face execution for our faith, but we all share many of the same worries. We can learn from each other, and when dealing with worry, Paul knew from his personal experience how God had delivered him during times of strife.

Paul encouraged us in those verses to take our worries and cares to God because God is the ultimate caregiver. Despite all the obstacles he faced, Paul knew his number one source for strength and encouragement was his relationship with God. Through prayer, he received the peace from God to remember that all things in this world are temporary and are only a drop in a bucket when compared to an eternity in heaven.

That is why an active prayer life is critical for everybody. Jesus repeatedly withdrew to pray as was recorded in Luke 5:16. Prayer is often the only point during the day where we can step aside and just pour everything out of our heart.

The bottom line is that no matter what role worry plays in our lives it does not help us one bit. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:25-34: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

We are all very busy and have lots of responsibilities to other people. However, God longs to have a personal and intimate relationship with all of us. People change, but God does not. Spill your heart out to Him. He is right there waiting for you.

Source material: The Holy Bible, ‘The Glorious Journey’ by Charles Stanley, ‘Pressing Toward the Goal: Philippians, Colossians’ by the David C. Cooke Ministries

Quote of the day: 'Bigger than Jesus'

"When they started burning our records...that was a real shock, the physical burning. I couldn't go away knowing I'd created another little piece of hate in the world so I apologized." -- John Lennon commenting on when people starting burning Beatles' records in reaction to his comment about the band being more influential with young people than Jesus.