“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.
Monday, November 8, 2010
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.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
HOPE FOR TODAY: Rich vs. Poor
Tax cuts enacted by the previous presidential administration are set to expire the end of this year. There is much discussion over whether to maintain, change or eliminate these cuts. As I looked at various articles on the subject a familiar theme surfaced that went something like this, “Let us have the cuts expire on the rich, but remain for the poor”. This theme also showed up during the healthcare debate and a series of bailouts.
In times like these, the rich and poor become political footballs that seem to be used to help others achieve their chosen agendas. When it comes to cutting government costs, people stereotype the poor as victims to help save their programs. When it comes to increasing government revenue, people stereotype the rich as villains to get their money, in order to help save or expand their programs.
Fanning the flames of division between the rich and poor is dangerous. There is no common sense reason to pursue this. Fostering division over income levels or positions in society opens the door for class warfare, pitting American against American.
Our country can rise above this growing division by running quickly in the opposite direction. The root of division is when people are out for their own self-preservation. The foundation for unity is when people serve others, putting the needs of their neighbors above their own. One of the two Greatest Commandments from the Bible communicates this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).
As a nation, what if we sought to give rather then get and purposed to help rather than to have? I believe it would dramatically change our culture, put the political straw men arguments to bed and shatter inaccurate stereotypes.
The God who made you and me is an example of selfless giving. When God gave Jesus, His Son, to our world He demonstrated selfless giving so that we may receive His rich blessings. When we turn from our sin and place our faith in Jesus, God opens His doors of blessing.
There is no favoritism or partiality with God. Rich or poor, black or white, man or woman, known or unknown, all are alike to Him. God welcomes all. Everyone stands on level ground before Him. May you find hope today in whatever circumstances you face, by turning to Jesus and giving yourself away to others, no matter your position in life.
In times like these, the rich and poor become political footballs that seem to be used to help others achieve their chosen agendas. When it comes to cutting government costs, people stereotype the poor as victims to help save their programs. When it comes to increasing government revenue, people stereotype the rich as villains to get their money, in order to help save or expand their programs.
Fanning the flames of division between the rich and poor is dangerous. There is no common sense reason to pursue this. Fostering division over income levels or positions in society opens the door for class warfare, pitting American against American.
Our country can rise above this growing division by running quickly in the opposite direction. The root of division is when people are out for their own self-preservation. The foundation for unity is when people serve others, putting the needs of their neighbors above their own. One of the two Greatest Commandments from the Bible communicates this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).
As a nation, what if we sought to give rather then get and purposed to help rather than to have? I believe it would dramatically change our culture, put the political straw men arguments to bed and shatter inaccurate stereotypes.
The God who made you and me is an example of selfless giving. When God gave Jesus, His Son, to our world He demonstrated selfless giving so that we may receive His rich blessings. When we turn from our sin and place our faith in Jesus, God opens His doors of blessing.
There is no favoritism or partiality with God. Rich or poor, black or white, man or woman, known or unknown, all are alike to Him. God welcomes all. Everyone stands on level ground before Him. May you find hope today in whatever circumstances you face, by turning to Jesus and giving yourself away to others, no matter your position in life.
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