A Good Read

I love a good book and my favorite fiction writer is Jerry B. Jenkins. You may be most familiar with his Left Behind series. He's started a new series, the Brotherhood, and it's been my pleasure to preview the second installment, The Betrayal.

I did not read the first installment, but I absolutely intend to now. I did not feel lost at all. Jenkins does a great job of telling the story and not leaving any gaps. That's why he's one of the best. This was a real fun story with some great twists. I agreed not to give away the actual betrayal, but I will tell you it's a well woven plot line and it will surprise you.

Basically the story is about Chicago police detective Boone Drake, who we meet in the hospital after he is injured protecting the life of a key witness. Boone discovers that the attack was part of an inside job within his own department. At the opening, Boone's own girlfriend is the prime suspect. Boone fights through the pain of his injuries to get to the truth.

A story like this actually gives us a great BTW moment. As with every mystery story, be it a book, movie or TV show, the audience follows the quest for the truth. For so many of us, that is our life - the journey for the truth. Of course, I'm talking about the one who called him self the truth, Jesus.

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6

Can you see the connection? As every mystery has a truth that must be discovered and we are following the way - In this life there is a big truth and one way - Jesus!

Stained Glass

"Each generation of the church in each setting has the responsibility of communicating the gospel in understandable terms, considering the language and thought-forms of that setting." - Francis Schaeffer

Do you recognize this famous piece of stained glass? This is the Rose window of Notre Dame in Paris. If you look carefully at the sections, they are all images from biblical stories. These beautiful windows are reminders for people of the great events from the scripture. The art form hit it's zenith during the Gothic period in Europe from the 12t to the 16th century.

During that time many of the people were illiterate, they could not read the Bible for themselves. The very church building itself served as a reminder of the greatness of the Word of God. It became, as Francis Schaeffer said their method for their generation.

As we see stained glass windows, whether religious or not, let us think about our world today:

• What is the main medium for communication? (Well, you're looking at this on your computer or maybe even your smart phone.)
• If we could think of new way to communicate the Gospel to this generation, what forms could we use?
• What is our "stained glass"?
• What is our language of thought form in the 21st century?

May we find ways to use our gift and talents to help spread the gospel in our world. May we develop an attitude like Paul:

"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." 1 Corinthians 1:17 (New International Version 1984, ©1984)

And Presents Under the Tree...

OK here we are 4 days removed from Christmas. Has your house recovered? We still have a toy pile near the tree. The boxes are gone and the wrapping paper is picked up but some of the gifts linger.

If you have not fully picked up yet or if you catch the kids playing with their favorite gift, you can get them to think a bit more about the real reason for the season.

Ask the family, Why do we celebrate Christmas? "To remember Jesus' birth," comes the reply.

Why do we give gifts to each other? Hmmmm.. that a thought provoking question. Do we give gifts because the wise men brought Jesus gifts? Do we give gifts to show our love for each other? Good intentions but not the heart of the matter.

We should give gifts because God gave us, on that first Christmas, the greatest gift of all - Jesus.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Don't forget, the greatest gift ever given was wrapped in cloths not paper and ribbons. Remind your family that love is not demonstrated in things but in love. And love is demonstrated when Jesus died for us.

Construction

Is this a familiar sign in your city? It is in Las Vegas. It seem like no city is ever complete. The next time you're stuck in construction traffic remind your family of Paul's familiar verse:

Phil. 1:6
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus

Just as the city is not done with these roads, God is not done with us either. Are there places in your life where you would see construction cones? Perhaps there's more anger than patience. Or maybe there's more criticizing than encouraging.

Let that construction site remind you that "I am a work in progress". Thank God today that He is not done with you yet and praise Him that a day is coming when we will be perfected.