In 1947, one of the most beloved Christmas movies of all-time was released, “Miracle on 34th Street”. It was an instant hit winning five Oscars, obtaining millions of viewers and becoming one of the top 10 most inspiring films of the last 100 years, according to the American Film Institute.
In the movie, Kris Kringle (the real Santa Claus), becomes incensed when he observes the designated Macy’s Santa flat out drunk during the Thanksgiving Day parade. Eventually, Kris is awarded the job himself. Despite his success at the job, he spends the movie trying to convince people, especially the adults, that he is not a fake, but the real Santa. Through a number of twists and turns the end of the movie finds a judge being put on the spot to decide if Kris Kringle is the real Santa or not.
Although I love the heartwarming film, the real story of Christmas is noticeably absent. Just as Kris Kringle was incensed at his Santa imposter so Jesus likely is at the revision of modern Christmas where He is replaced with a business friendly Santa Claus. The origins of Christmas go back to between 3 and 5 B.C. On a starlit night in the small country town of Bethlehem was born a little baby boy named Jesus who would eventually grow up to change the world. Years later, followers turned His birth into a celebration calling it Christmas after Jesus the Christ child.
Santa can offer the gift of a toy and or other things, but only Jesus continues to offer the original and greatest Christmas gift ever – the forgiveness of sins for all those who will believe in Him. The Bible says about Jesus’ birth, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). This gift promises to bring the hope of a new life, freedom from guilt and rest for the soul. As part of your task to find the perfect gift this Christmas, turn to the Bible and read about the greatest gift that is still available and without charge. May Jesus bring hope to your Christmas this season.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
HOPE FOR TODAY: Lifted to Freedom
“Are they alive?” Friends, family and the world all wondered after the Chilean gold and copper mine collapse on August 5. Meanwhile, 2,300 feet beneath the surface 33 miners began desperate attempts at escape and survival. Efforts to find a pathway out or to send up signals to identify their location all ended without success. There the 33 men sat, in an emergency shelter, the size of a living room, with a 48-hour supply of food, water and limited medical supplies. As the weight of total darkness, dust and despair rested upon them they wondered if that mine would also become their grave. Survival was up to them, but a rescue was not. Their fate rested in the hands of others.
Back on the surface, the Chilean President, Sebastian Pinera, called out to his nation and the world to help rescue these men. And the response came. Businesses, governments and individuals gave sacrificially. Then on day 17 a breakthrough came! Contact was made with miners through a hole the size of a grapefruit that was bore through the rock. Hope along with much needed supplies came to them. No one knew that the miners would need to face an additional 52 days before hope would come a second time. And it came on October 13, after 800 people worked night and day to finally bore a hole through the rock where they could be lifted to freedom.
In a way, many of us are like the miners. We are trapped beneath our sin and brokenness. We may feel like there is no way out and that hopelessness and despair are all around us. Yet, we are unaware what is taking place in heaven. There, God knows our situation. He has decided not to leave us to ourselves. Jesus, His only Son, was sent to earth to suffer, die and rise again to show us the way to freedom. God has released His message of good news through people all over the world. This good news is our hope. It is our rescue capsule. If we will only reverse our sinful ways and cling to Jesus, then we will be lifted to freedom.
Miner, Jose Henriquez, led prayer services twice a day, calling upon God for His help. A Christian ministry got them the Jesus Film on mp3 players along with Bibles. Soon they realized there were 34 miners, not just 33. God was with them. Henriquez wrote a note with a Scripture verse quoting Psalm 95:4, "In his hand are the depths of the earth, and mountain peaks belong to him."
You may feel trapped. Recognize God is there. He’s waiting for you to call out and trust Him with your whole heart. Now you will find your hope for today.
Back on the surface, the Chilean President, Sebastian Pinera, called out to his nation and the world to help rescue these men. And the response came. Businesses, governments and individuals gave sacrificially. Then on day 17 a breakthrough came! Contact was made with miners through a hole the size of a grapefruit that was bore through the rock. Hope along with much needed supplies came to them. No one knew that the miners would need to face an additional 52 days before hope would come a second time. And it came on October 13, after 800 people worked night and day to finally bore a hole through the rock where they could be lifted to freedom.
In a way, many of us are like the miners. We are trapped beneath our sin and brokenness. We may feel like there is no way out and that hopelessness and despair are all around us. Yet, we are unaware what is taking place in heaven. There, God knows our situation. He has decided not to leave us to ourselves. Jesus, His only Son, was sent to earth to suffer, die and rise again to show us the way to freedom. God has released His message of good news through people all over the world. This good news is our hope. It is our rescue capsule. If we will only reverse our sinful ways and cling to Jesus, then we will be lifted to freedom.
Miner, Jose Henriquez, led prayer services twice a day, calling upon God for His help. A Christian ministry got them the Jesus Film on mp3 players along with Bibles. Soon they realized there were 34 miners, not just 33. God was with them. Henriquez wrote a note with a Scripture verse quoting Psalm 95:4, "In his hand are the depths of the earth, and mountain peaks belong to him."
You may feel trapped. Recognize God is there. He’s waiting for you to call out and trust Him with your whole heart. Now you will find your hope for today.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
HOPE FOR TODAY: Woody Allen’s Great Delusion
Legendary filmmaker Woody Allen has over 40 films to his name along with three Academy Awards. In September he released his latest film, “You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger”.
The New York Times columnist, Dave Itzkoff, interviewed the 74 year old about his film and life. Itzkoff noted the supernatural is important to the movie, which opened the door for Allen to comment about his view of faith. Allen said, “I was interested in the concept of faith in something. This sounds so bleak when I say it, but we need some delusions to keep us going.” Allen is not alone in his sentiments. The results of a major religious survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found the largest increase was in the category of “Unaffiliated”. It grew to 16.1% of all adults and 25% of 18-29 year olds. A majority of this group says they do not believe “in anything in particular” and that religion is “not important” to them.
Allen has it backwards. Faith in God is not delusional. Rather, having no faith in God and putting faith primarily in oneself is delusional. It is a grave mistake to believe that all I need is myself – my own goodness, education, wealth or personal effort. It is unwise to simply decide God does not exist or that you do not want Him in your life so you can continue with your lifestyle.
Throughout the history of mankind, the God who made the heavens and the earth has shown He is real through a myriad of ways. He has revealed Himself through Jesus, His only Son, who was a real historical figure who rose again from the dead. God has also revealed Himself through the Bible a truthful and accurate sacred text and through millions of people who have personally encountered this God and have been everlastingly changed.
The delusion of trusting in oneself does not stand up well in times of unexplained tragedy, or with the guilt and shame from our mistakes and in the faces of death and dying. Itzkoff asked the 74 year old Allen about the aging process. He stated, “I’ve experienced that thing where you wake up in the middle of the night and you start to think about your own mortality and envision it, and it gives you a little shiver.” Where is the hope, the peace?
God is real. Put your trust in Him. Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me” (John 14:1). Do not delude yourself anymore. God knows your name. He is calling you. Turn from yourself and to Him. May you find hope for today.
The New York Times columnist, Dave Itzkoff, interviewed the 74 year old about his film and life. Itzkoff noted the supernatural is important to the movie, which opened the door for Allen to comment about his view of faith. Allen said, “I was interested in the concept of faith in something. This sounds so bleak when I say it, but we need some delusions to keep us going.” Allen is not alone in his sentiments. The results of a major religious survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found the largest increase was in the category of “Unaffiliated”. It grew to 16.1% of all adults and 25% of 18-29 year olds. A majority of this group says they do not believe “in anything in particular” and that religion is “not important” to them.
Allen has it backwards. Faith in God is not delusional. Rather, having no faith in God and putting faith primarily in oneself is delusional. It is a grave mistake to believe that all I need is myself – my own goodness, education, wealth or personal effort. It is unwise to simply decide God does not exist or that you do not want Him in your life so you can continue with your lifestyle.
Throughout the history of mankind, the God who made the heavens and the earth has shown He is real through a myriad of ways. He has revealed Himself through Jesus, His only Son, who was a real historical figure who rose again from the dead. God has also revealed Himself through the Bible a truthful and accurate sacred text and through millions of people who have personally encountered this God and have been everlastingly changed.
The delusion of trusting in oneself does not stand up well in times of unexplained tragedy, or with the guilt and shame from our mistakes and in the faces of death and dying. Itzkoff asked the 74 year old Allen about the aging process. He stated, “I’ve experienced that thing where you wake up in the middle of the night and you start to think about your own mortality and envision it, and it gives you a little shiver.” Where is the hope, the peace?
God is real. Put your trust in Him. Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me” (John 14:1). Do not delude yourself anymore. God knows your name. He is calling you. Turn from yourself and to Him. May you find hope for today.
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