Reflections on the 4th
Last year on July 4, Earl and I joined some friends on their dock to enjoy the fireworks display across the lake. Although the waves unsteadied my camera, I did get a few decent photos.
The Big Bang Theory Revisited
by Linda Winn
As I studied background verses for my Sunday School lesson, I think I discovered the original "Big Bang" theory right there in the Bible. See what you think.
Considering that "There is nothing new under the sun," (Ecclesiastes 1:9 NIV) the Big Bang theory had to start somewhere. Right? How about this origin...
Moses had just come down from the mountain with God's commandments when he saw everyone dancing and whooping it up around a golden calf that his brother Aaron made all by himself. When Moses saw the golden calf, he asked Aaron, "What did these people do to you, that you led them into such great sin?"
Aaron replied,"They gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire and out came this calf." (Exodus 32:21 and 24b NIV)
Maybe that same kind of thinking is how the Big Bangers' theory evolved into... "There was a big explosion in outer space and out popped the earth!"
If you really believe that theory, go down to your local junkyard of salvaged vehicles the next time a storm comes up. You just might be in the right place at the right time when a big whirlwind blows through and pops out a brand new Cadillac just for you.
Call me cynical, but I still believe, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," (Genesis 1:1 NIV). How about you?
When I Wander
After His resurrection Jesus told His disciples, "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit," (Acts 1:4-5).
Cleopas was one of Jesus’ disciples. Yet he and his friend were in the dark about the current events of the day. Even though Jesus had told them to stay in Jerusalem, they were walking the seven mile road toward Emmaus. They were walking away from Jerusalem, ...<< MORE >>
He Is Risen
by Linda Winn
A few days before Easter Sunday the young cashier in the check-out line bagged my groceries. When I handed her a check, I wished her a "Happy Easter."
A cheery smile spread across her face as she chirped, "Happy Easter to you, too."
So I added joyfully, "He is risen!"
Immediately her world of white Easter bunnies, marshmallow chickens, and brightly colored eggs plummeted to the stark reality that God had invaded her vision of Easter.
She stood in perfect stillness, her face registering no expression and no understanding of what "He is risen" really meant. Utterly speechless, she turned to her next customer and began bagging his groceries.
The Barna Update, a newsletter of Christian statistics, reports that "one out of every three adults or 73 million adults in the United States is classified as unchurched. www.barna.org/barna-update/article/12-faithspirituality/107-unchurched-population-nears-100-million-in-the-us
If that is true, where are they going to hear the message that Jesus has risen from the grave? How will they ever understand that "By His power God raised the Lord from the dead, and He will raise us also," (1 Corinthians 6:14) if we only believe.
Perhaps they think it’s impossible. But, nothing is impossible with God.
Perhaps they need proof. The disciples needed proof, too. Jesus’ death had left them scattered, disillusioned and fearful. So, "After His suffering, He showed Himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God," (Acts 1:3-4 NIV).
Perhaps they need to hear the message of Jesus’ resurrection from a friend. Paul wrote to his friends in Corinth, "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all He appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born," (1 Corinthians 15:3-8 NIV).
God’s Word promises that "Everyone born of God overcomes the world... Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God," (1 John 5:4-5).
That belief comes from hearing the Word of God. So, share the good news, even to the girls at the cash register.
He is risen!
Digging Up God's Promises by Linda Winn
In my Sunday School class we were talking about the Jews selling their own family members to other Jews during the time when Nehemiah led the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem. As we discussed their coming out of captivity only to be sold to their own brothers, someone asked, "How long were the Jews in Babylonian captivity?"
My mind drew a blank, so I asked the class, "Does anyone know the answer to that question?"
Evidently their minds were blank, too, so I called on a retired 80 year old pastor to answer the question.
"Pastor, do you recall how long the Jews were in Babylonian captivity?"
He smiled and said, "The only thing I know for sure is that they were there from the time they were taken into captivity until the time they left."
What a great reminder that all of us know a little bit, but none of us know or remember it all. But it’s never too late to find the answer. So I did a little digging in the storehouse of God’s Word. Here’s the story...
"The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent word to them through His messengers again and again, because He had pity on His people and on His dwelling place. But they mocked God’s messengers, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against His people and there was no remedy. He brought up against them the king of the Babylonians... God handed all of them over to Nebuchadnezzar... They set fire to God’s temple and broke down the wall of Jerusalem; they burned all the palaces and destroyed everything of value there. He carried into exile to Babylon the remnant, who escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power. The land enjoyed its sabbath rests; all the time of its desolation it rested, until the seventy years were completed in fulfillment of the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah." (2 Chronicles 36:15-21)
What was Jeremiah’s prophesy?
"This is what the Lord says: ‘When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.’" (Jeremiah 29:10-14)
So... How long were the Jews in Babylonian captivity? Seventy years.
God wants to bring you back from the things that hold you captive too. I hope you won't wait 70 years. Won’t you call on Him, pray to Him, and seek Him with your whole heart today?
He’s ready to listen, reveal Himself to you, and bring you out of captivity and into His gracious promises.
Resolutions
Ah. Resolutions. The nuisance of the new year.
I resolve to eat less and exercise more. I resolve to watch fewer TV programs. I resolve to spend more quality time with my family.
The quest for these admirable goals begins with high hopes and good intentions until resolve slips a little...then a lot.
I’ll eat less and exercise more... right after lunch and a nap.
I’ll watch fewer TV programs... but that doesn’t include CSI, American Idol, and Eli Stone. Oh yeah... the bowl games. I’ve got to watch all the bowl games.
And of course I’ll spend more quality time with my family... just as soon as I finish doing all the things that I want to do.
When the realization of my failure sets in, oh well. Resolutions are made to be broken anyway; aren’t they?
Yes, in human strength, resolutions dissolve and failure triumphs.
But success doesn’t depend on high hopes, good intentions, or my resolve no matter how firm. It is only in God’s will and by His Spirit that I can accomplish anything at all.
So for this new year as I ponder my hopes, dreams, and plans, my goal is to seek God’s will. Because it’s "‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty," (Zechariah 4:6) that I can turn my resolutions from nuisance into anything of value.
Happy New Year!
May you meet The Divine in 2009
Linda
God’s Divine Plan
by Linda H. Winn
Have you ever wondered about God's divine plan for your life?
This year as I re-read the Christmas story, I was struck by the way God confirmed His will for Mary's life — that she was indeed pregnant with His Son — and how He continually reminded her that Jesus is His Son.
Through Gabriel, Elizabeth, the shepherds, Simeon, and Jesus Himself, God gave Mary many moments that caused her to think back, to ponder, treasure and marvel at how her son was God’s Son — the One Who would bring salvation to the world.
Gabriel revealed God’s plan
What a mind-boggling moment that must have been for Mary when the angel Gabriel appeared to tell her about God's plan for her life. She was chosen to give birth to the "Son of the Most High."
She didn't shriek, "Who?" Or, "What?" Or, "When?"
She simply asked, "How?"
"How will this be since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34).
Gabriel explained, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God," (Luke 1:35).
Now, if somewhere in the deep recesses of your mind you are still harboring some doubt about the virgin birth, this account was written by a physician, Luke, who knew full well how babies are made. He even researched the event to provide an orderly account for you.
If a residue of doubt still remains, consider the explanation that Gabriel gave to Mary.
"Nothing is impossible with God," (Luke 1: 37).
But if you yourself have experienced the Holy Spirit of God coming alive in your life, you know full well that nothing is impossible with God.
Mary's humble and devout faith that inspired God to choose her to bear His Son is the same faith that caused her to reply, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as You have said," (Luke 1:38).
Elizabeth confirmed Mary’s pregnancy
When Mary went to see Elizabeth who was pregnant with John the Baptist, Mary's pregnancy was confirmed to her by Elizabeth's instant recognition of her as the mother of our Savior.
"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" (Luke 1:42-45).
Mary responded, "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant," (Luke 1:46-48).
Shepherds confirmed Jesus’ birth
After Jesus’ birth, shepherds hurried to town to find Him and told Mary and Joseph how angels had flooded the night sky with the light of revelation that the Son of God had come to all people.
How did Mary respond? She "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart," while the shepherds returned to their flocks praising God all along the way. (Luke 2:18-20).
Simeon confirmed Jesus as the Lord’s Christ
After eight days, the baby boy was named Jesus– the name given to Him by the angel Gabriel. Then 33 days later when their purification was over, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem to consecrate Him to the Lord.
Moved by the Holy Spirit, Simeon– a righteous and devout man filled with the Holy Spirit– waited in the temple courts, because God had promised him that he would not die until he saw the Lord’s Christ.
When Mary and Joseph brought in the child, Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God saying, "My eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel," (Luke 2:30-32).
Mary and Joseph marveled at what was said about their son.
Jesus confirmed God as His Father
Twelve years later God continued to send Mary and Joseph reminders that He was the Father of Jesus. After the Feast of the Passover in Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph were on their way back to their hometown of Nazareth when they realized that Jesus was not with them. They backtracked to Jerusalem and found Him in the temple courts sitting among the teachers who were amazed by His understanding.
They themselves were astonished, but Jesus simply said, "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2:49).
Although they didn't understand at the time, "His mother treasured all these things in her heart," Luke 2:51).
This season as you re-read the Christmas story, I hope you’ll take time to ponder, marvel, and treasure all that the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, means to you personally. And as God continues to search your heart for a willingness to accomplish His divine plan for your life, may you respond in humble faith as Mary did.
"I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as You have said."
You Are Invited... Come Rejoicing
You Are Invited...Come Rejoicing into His Presence
Shout for joy to the LORD , all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is He Who made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving
and His courts with praise;
Give thanks to Him and praise His name.
For the LORD is good and His love endures forever;
His faithfulness continues through all generations.
(Psalm 100:1-5 NIV)
Shout and be joyful. Worship and be glad. Come rejoicing into His Presence, knowing that the LORD is God.
He made each of us and placed us in His world exactly where He wanted, when He wanted. Aren’t you glad that God is in control? Isn’t it reassuring to know that we can enter God’s presence anytime no matter where we are.
God! The One True Living God who is so good that His love endures forever and so faithful that His faithfulness continues through all generations!
During this season of Thanksgiving, may every breath we take be filled with awe and praise for His Holy Name.
May every bite that passes our lips yield thanksgiving to the LORD and Giver of life.
And, may we be found faithful in all that we say and do, for the LORD is good. Taste and see.
Happy Thanksgiving.
The Voice: Wow! by Linda Winn
Recently I had the opportunity to review the New Testament in a different format. It’s called The Voice. When my Thursday women’s Bible study group asked if it was replacement theology or sound biblical doctrine, I asked Wayne Hastings about it. He’s the Sr. Vice President and Group Publisher for Bibles, Reference and Curriculum at Thomas Nelson who published The Voice.
"The Voice is not replacement theology," he said. "It is a carefully translated work, all based on the original writings and original languages. We’ve done some things differently to make it, hopefully, more compelling (from a format perspective, not translation) and easier to read (again formatting, not language) and enjoy, but it’s sound biblical doctrine I can assure you."
After reading the books of John and Romans from The Voice, I concur. It is not only compelling, it speaks to me personally and comforts my soul.
I read it devotionally now, and when I read the book of John, I feel like a child sitting at the feet of a master story-teller: comfortable, secure, and eager to see what happens next.
The screenplay format makes it easy to understand who is speaking, while the narrative lends itself to a more personal telling of the greatest story ever told. I was so enthralled with The Voice that I read the portion that introduced Jesus as the Liberating King and John the Baptist as John the Immerser to our Thursday morning bible study group. Their response: "Wow."
There are seven of us in this group, closely knit together by the Holy Spirit, ranging in age from 56-65: all born-again, all deeply Spiritual, all wanting more of God than our churches offer, all teachers in our churches and/or students of God’s Word drawn together as a result of our individual prayers, and all transplants to Winchester, TN. We meet every week for two and a half hours and then go to lunch together to discuss subjects that came up during our study.
Each of these ladies now reads The Voice devotionally. After you read their reviews below, you might want to buy a copy of The Voice for yourself. It will impact your understanding of Scripture in a mighty way.
"I would highly recommend The Voice for both the baby Christian and the spiritually mature Christian especially for devotional reading. However, I would use it along with other translations for in depth Bible study. I plan to buy it for my sister, who is a Pastor, and recommend it to my Sunday School Class."
"While The Voice covers only the New Testament, the Introduction section beginning on p. xvii brought real clarity to the Old Testament covenants: ". . . the Old Testament stands in relationship to the New Testament as promise does to fulfillment, as foundation to temple. . . . You cannot have one without the other." For the new Christian, it is just enough information to begin a lifelong walk in the Word. For the more mature Christian, it is a concise reminder that the path to Jesus begins in the Old Testament.
"For me, the title ‘Liberating King’ adds a new dimension to Jesus' mission: He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament covenants from which we've been liberated.
"Thank you, Thomas Nelson, for the new ears you've given me to ‘hear’ the Word in The Voice."
"Another reason why I enjoyed reading this interpretation was because the writers went back to the ‘original writings and languages.’ To me, that's an important selling point since there are so many different translations out there. What a great idea to come from the angle of a format perspective. For instance, in the Gospel of John, I was reading verse 19 and then it skipped to verse 28 and then back to the chronological order of verse 20 and so forth. It made so much more sense to insert that verse within that chosen context because of the following verses.
"Lastly, I really enjoyed those extra tidbits of research and history that were within the ‘boxes.’ I did not have to look down to the bottom of the page to find the biblical references or take the time to look them up. Instead, they were already written out and placed in the appropriate spots. Also I felt those boxed comments related to practical living, our humanness, and our attitudes. An example of that which comes into play with our human thinking is when they inserted that phrase, ‘Here's the point,’ and then proceeded in explaining that point in John 3:17.
"Thanks to all of you who worked hard on giving us a new a new way to look at His Word."
"Although I have not yet read the entire book, from what I've observed, The Voice is an accurate translation of the New Testament, using today's language. It's a perfect gift book, especially for a person who is seeking Truth, and does not yet have a Bible."
"The Preface and the explanation of the project were particularly helpful in that they clarified the intent of the translation and explained the purposes of the italic type, outlined boxes, and screenplay format. I also found the Introduction to be quite informative and believe the explanation of the covenants would be extremely helpful to a new seeker.
"I particularly enjoyed the content of the outlined boxes which provided excellent historical and cultural information pertinent to the text at hand. Most readers would be more likely to read the information since it is sandwiched within the Scriptural text rather than footnoted. The format enhances the readability and will surely increase the reader's understanding of Scripture. The creative and personal style of the boxed narratives served to make biblical characters dynamic rather than flat, and I believe readers of all ages will experience a deeper connection with the men and women of the Bible because of this creative approach. The boxed content was my favorite aspect of this translation because it seemed to increase the relevance of the Word in so many ways.
"On the other hand, the italicized words and phrases were a bit of a distraction to me. I found myself wondering exactly how they differed from the original language and why they were substituted. I actually stopped to compare phrases with the NIV from time to time. I was not always convinced that it was necessary or helpful to substitute some phrasing. Some made sense to me. For example, the use of the term ‘ritual washing’ in place of ‘baptism’ seemed appropriate. But the reason for other substitutions was not as clear to me.
"The screenplay format accomplished its purpose beautifully. The text became so much more readable and the clarity of the content was increased significantly.
"I am 61 years old and beginning to realize that change is sometimes uncomfortable for me. Although I will enjoy reading The Voice as an ancillary text, I do not think I would ever use it as my primary Bible. For whatever reason, I could not get comfortable with the new names for Jesus. This is just a personal matter, similar to that of just being more comfortable in an old pair of shoes or a worn out t-shirt; and probably the overwhelming majority of the readers of The Voice will appreciate the new and fresh approach. I am sure it will be a big success for Thomas Nelson Publishers and perhaps speak to an entire new generation of seekers."
Enough Is Enough
Are you thoroughly disgusted with the liberal media? I am. I’ve had it with them; and although I had no intention of jumping into the political fray, count me in. Enough is enough.
In Jon Meacham’s Newsweek article, "The Palin Problem," published October 4, 2008 he said, "It seems only reasonable and patriotic to hold candidates for high office to high standards... It is, rather, about the pursuit of excellence no matter where you started out in life."
I’m not sure which politician he’s using as a benchmark, but it seems to me that Meacham wouldn’t recognize excellence if Palin field dressed it, grilled it, and served it to him on a platter. If Palin didn’t show up on Meacham’s chart of high standards, it’s because she set a new standard that blew it out the top.
You see, Sarah Palin doesn’t hold herself accountable to the standards of this world. She holds herself to God’s standard, and that is a standard this world knows nothing about. Her confidence is not in herself. It is in Him. And her boldness is not cockiness. It is holy boldness that comes from knowing who she is in Christ.
Meacham referred to Palin’s responses in her Katie Couric interview when Couric deliberately stalked her before moving in for the kill in a game of "gotcha." Now tell me that Sarah Palin, a card carrying member of the NRA, didn’t recognize Couric’s tactics.
Palin not only recognized the ploy for what it was, she refused to play the game. She then withdrew her forthright answers and stopped giving Couric the full disclosure that Couric desired.
When the interview was spoofed on Saturday Night Live, Palin was amused. I wonder if Katie Couric was equally amused.
Later, when interviewed by Sean Hannity and again by Carl Cameron, both from FOX News, Palin was open, honest, and at ease with them knowing that they weren’t out to get her.
Maybe one day the liberal media will stop trying to elevate themselves to a position of their own imagined superiority by playing the game of one-upmanship and start treating the ones they interview with respect.
I know. I know. I’m the eternal optimist, but at least where there is life there is hope.
Linda Winn, M.A.T., is an author, teacher, and speaker who encourages others to think from a biblical world view.