A pattern to the chaos

Chaotic. Random. Sporadic. Constantly shifting and changing. That's how the events of life seem. Random. Without reason. It all seems like a jumbled mess. Like a pile of puzzle pieces yet to be put in place. Like random lines drawn on a canvas. None of it makes any sense. What's the purpose and point to it all? Where is the rhyme and reason to it? Is there a method to the madness? Or is it just madness and chaos?

That's kind of how I feel about life right now. All these seemingly random events occurring, and nothing really lining up. It's a jumbled mess. I see all the puzzle pieces and I know they fit together some how. Some are already in place. But what about the rest of the pieces? Where do they fit?

I wonder if this is how Ester felt. She, who was just a lowly Jewish orphan, through a seemingly random set of events, somehow finds herself the queen of the entire Persian empire. An empire that extended from India all the way to Egypt. How could this be? What purpose did this serve? What was God hoping to accomplish in all of this?

As the story unfolds, Mordecai, Ester's cousin who had adopted her after her parents had died, uncovers and foils a plot to assassinate the king of Persia. He, however, receives no recognition for his actions, though this event is recorded in the king's chronicles. Another seemingly random event. How does this tie into the story?

Then, things take a turn for the worse. Haman, an arrogant, high ranking noble official, hashes a plot to exterminate all the Jews after Mordecai refuses to pay him honor. Not satisfied with simply killing Mordecai, Haman spins a lie to king regarding the Jews in an effort to pass a decree that would effectively wipe the Jews from the face of the earth. The decree is made, and sent out to all the provinces, causing great distress amongst the Jews. Mordecai urges queen Ester to beg and plead with the king for mercy. This is no easy task, for if anyone was to approach the king without being summoned was to be put to death, unless the king should extend his gold scepter, sparing the person's life. But at the end of verse 14 in chapter four Mordecai says this to Ester, "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

Ah, so now we begin to see some purpose to these events. Now the puzzle pieces seem to fall into place. God, in His sovereignty, foreknew of Haman's evil plan and orchestrated events so that a Jew could be in a position of power for such a time as that. After three days of fasting and praying, Ester disobeys the law and approaches the king who, by the grace of God, extends his golden scepter, sparing her life. When the king asks her what she wants, she requests that the king and Haman attend a banquet she prepared. She then invites the king and Haman to come back again the next day for another banquet where she would give the king a straight answer as to her request and petition, for the king had asked her once again what she wanted. Afterwords, as Haman is on his way home, he becomes enraged when he passes by Mordecai, who still refuses to pay him honor. After consulting with his wife and friends, he has a 75 foot gallows built upon which he plans to hang Mordecai the next morning. That same night, the king could not sleep. So he has the chronicles regarding his reign read to him, and low and behold the record of Mordecai's actions regarding the attempted assassination of the king is read. When the king learns that nothing had been done to honor Mordecai because of this, he asks who is present in the court. Uncoincidentally, Haman had just arrived on the scene on his mission to dispose of Mordecai. Haman is called into see the king where he is asked by the king, "What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?"

In his arrogance, Haman gives an elaborate response of how he would wish to be honored, thinking that the king is referring to him. But to Haman's great astonishment, the king orders him to do the very things he wants to have done to himself, to Mordecai instead. What an amazing turn of events! Haman, who was once greatly honored, is now greatly humbled by exalting Mordecai, a man of humility. To make matters worse, at home, Haman's wife and friends give him an ominous warning that he was soon to come to ruin. No sooner had these words begun to sink in when Haman is taken away to the banquet that Ester had prepared. At the banquet the king asks Ester for a third time what she wants. She replies by asking for her life and the lives of her people to be spared from the genocide that was to take place. When the king asks who would dare do such a thing, she points a finger of accusation at Haman, the other guest at the banquet. Enraged, the king storms out of the room and goes to the palace gardens. Haman, who is utterly terrified, stays behind to beg for his life; a foolish mistake as only the king could be left alone with a woman of royalty. As he falls upon the couch were Ester is laying, the king returns. Haman's face is immediately covered, and at the kings command, Haman is sent to be hanged on the very gallows that were erected for Mordecai's execution. The king then decrees a new edict on behalf of the Jews, allowing them vengeance upon those who wished to harm them on the predetermined date Haman had set for their extermination, and raises Mordecai to second in command over all his kingdom. And there was much rejoicing.

Now I'm sure you are wondering how the story of Ester relates to our crazy, random, chaotic, ever changing lives. Simply put, the randomness of our lives may not be as random as we think. Given enough time, the puzzle pieces start to come together to form a beautiful picture. Given enough time, the random lines on the canvas become a wonderful masterpiece. Given enough time, the seemingly disjointed events in our lives start to make sense and are given meaning and purpose. There is a rhyme and reason to it all. A pattern to the chaos. For it is God who is at work behind the scenes in our lives, directing and orchestrating events according to his perfect will and plan. A wonderful plan to prosper us and not to harm us, to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). To those who love Him and are called according to His purposes, all things are worked for the good (Romans 8:28). Good not as we see it, but as God sees it. In this, I take comfort. In this, I find hope. I may not know where God is leading me, or what my future holds. I may not know why events happen as they do, or if I will ever discover their true purpose. But I know that God is in control. That He is at work behind it all. I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I Know Who Holds Tomorrow ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Ira Stanphill

I don't know about tomorrow;

I just live from day to day.

I don't borrow from its sunshine

For its skies may turn to grey.

I don't worry o'er the future,

For I know what Jesus said.

And today I'll walk beside Him,

For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.

Every step is getting brighter

As the golden stairs I climb;

Every burden's getting lighter,

Every cloud is silver-lined.

There the sun is always shining,

There no tear will dim the eye;

At the ending of the rainbow

Where the mountains touch the sky.

Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.

I don't know about tomorrow;

It may bring me poverty.

But the one who feeds the sparrow,

Is the one who stands by me.

And the path that is my portion

May be through the flame or flood;

But His presence goes before me

And I'm covered with His blood.

Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.

Another year gone...

And a new one to come! This year has gone by incredibly fast, filled with its ups and downs. I've laughed harder and cried more this year than years prior. I've experienced much growth in my walk with Christ. Growth through times filled with blessings and joy, and though times of pain and hardships. I've made new friends and re-connected with old ones. I've seen what real love looks like, and how beautifully a love story can be shaped when left in the more-than-capable hands of God. I've learned the importance of having a thankful heart, mind, and attitude. I've come to see what it means to be accepting, and to remain committed even when the easiest option was to just give up.

As this year comes to a close and a new one opens up, I look forward to what is to come. To what 2012 has to bring. There will be good times and there will be bad times. There will be laughter and there will be tears. There will be joys and gladness, and there will be pain and sorrow. Events that seemed random in the past will be given new meaning, and new, puzzling events will unfold. Blessings will come, and so will challenges. But despite this ever shifting and changing walk of life, I can stand firm knowing one thing will remain: God. Jesus Christ. My personal savior and lord. Who He was is who He is; and who He is He always will be. He will always remain the same. His love will never change. His great love will always remain great. His infinite mercy will always remain infinite. His unfathomable grace will always remain unfathomable.

Thank you Lord for this past year. Thank you for how you have richly blessed me. Thank you for how you have molded me and shaped me. Molding me and shaping me into what you want me to be. Removing the dross, so that I may reflect you like pure silver reflects the image of the silver smith. Thank you for the challenges. Thank you for how you have stretched me. Thank you for the pain and the hardships. The pain and hardships have shown me just how much I need you and cannot live life without you. That the things and passions of this world cannot sustain me or fill me. Only you can fill that empty void inside of me. Lord, I thank you for the challenges and blessings that are to come. For the growth of old, and the birth of new relationships. For new opportunities to reach the lost. For events to unfold according to your good and perfect will. Lord, I thank you for your love. For your great, infinite, unfathomable love. For how you love me despite all the wrong that I do. For how you draw near to me, even when I push you away. For how you lift me up when I fall down. For how you have rescued this life from the pit. For dieing for me on that cruel, lonely, burdensome cross, even while I was still a sinner. For how I have been redeemed and purchased by the blood of your son. For how I can enter your glorious presence, white as snow, for you see Christ and not my sin. Lord, I am thankful that though this life is fleeting, though this life quickly fades, that there is more to life than this. That death is not the end of the adventure, but the beginning of a newer and greater one. A new life, in a new heaven, and a new earth, forever. Lord, I cannot possibly fathom what that day will look like, but I am confident that day will come. And I am confident that when I am finally in your arms, I will look up and see, that love has a face. Thank you Lord. Thank you. 

A tail of two banquet halls

Packed to the brim, the banquet hall was filled with guests chattering boisterously over plates filled with sumptuous food. I sat amongst the guests, digging into my own plate. The savory food and smooth drink livened the taste buds, an excellent meal. The flavor exploded onto the tongue, and a warm, euphoric feeling washed over me. 

Our hosted entered the scene. Tall and proud, adorned with splendor and dressed like a king, he sauntered about the room watching the guests, a smirk upon his regal face. He carried himself with authority, though with a very arrogant air about him. A few acknowledged his presence, most continued to eat.

The atmosphere was energetic and hectic. The guests ate in haste as though time was short, as though this was their last meal. Hidden beneath all the energy and the noise was a sense of fear, though few seemed aware. The energetic, boisterous atmosphere was artificial, fake. At first I was not aware, for this sense was clouded by a false sense of liveliness and vitality. But as time wore in, I was slowly roused to my situation.

It started with a noise. A faint noise at that, but a noise none the less. It was a rumbling. A low rumbling. At first I couldn't place it, but the horrible truth soon became evident. It came from me. This food, though savory, and this drink, though smooth did not fill. I took another bite. I felt the lump go down my throat. It went down, down, down... then... nothing. More rumbling, this time louder. I took some of the drink. It too did not satisfy; the liquid simply evaporating before bringing any real nourishment. The rumbling was becoming audible. As this revelation dawned on me, I became aware of a new sound. The same rumbling, though it did not come from me, but from the guest sitting next to me. This guest, however, was not aware of his present state. More rumbling, this time from the guest on my other side. Another horrible truth began to dawn on me. The noise within this banquet all was not talking at all, but a rumbling, growling sound coming from the empty stomachs of all the guests. This noise, overwhelming and overpowering, filled me with dread and despair. Who could save me from this banquet hall of death!

When all seemed hopeless, and fear threaten to overcome me, I began to feel a new presence. This presence, contrary to the atmosphere of the hall, was filled with life. This presence brought hope amidst the despair. This presence, even just being present, began to fill me like none of the food I had been eating could. The presence whispered my name. It called out to me. The voice was tender and kind. It was as gentile as a cool breeze on a warm summers day, as freshly washed linens. Somewhere, deep in my heart, I had known all along that this presence was there, calling out to me. I had been simply ignoring it all along. As I was about to get up, I hesitated. Staring directly at me was my host. Gone was his smile. In its place was a slight frown, a quizzical expression. I felt a touch of doubt. How could I leave behind what I have always known? I sat down, defeated. I cried and wept. The presence called out again. I tried to ignore it, but it was persistent. I knew it could offer so much more, something much better than what I had. But I was afraid.

A hand touched my shoulder. "Come", the presence said. It took me by the hand and I got to my feet. It lead me away from the hall toward an unseen door. The host of the hall glared furiously, but was powerless to act. The presence lead me through the door to another hall. A different banquet hall. This hall too was filled with guests. But unlike the guests at the other hall, these guests were not controlled by fear. These guests were filled with joy and life.The guests welcomed me gladly and offered me a seat at the table.

I sat down and took the food and drink that had been prepared for me. This food and drink, like the other banquet hall, was also savory and smooth. But unlike the other hall, this food truly satisfies, and the drink truly nourishes. As I ate, I was filled. Filled with new life and energy. Here, I was truly satisfied.

The host for this hall entered the room. Unlike the host from the other hall, this man was dressed in a simple bright white robe, but had the unmistakable air of a true, noble king. A warm, inviting smile adorned this host's face. He looked upon his guests with love in his eyes and served them whenever there was need. He would talk with the guests, and knew each by name.

The atmosphere here was warm and inviting. The guests here were relaxed and calm. Not a trace of fear could be found. Their eyes held their host in reverent awe.

It was then that I heard another voice. It called out to me. It flowed like velvet, and was sly and cunning. It reminded me of what I had, what I was missing. It called me, invited me back. I turned and looked toward the source. It was the host from the other banquet hall. He stood at the door, though he could not enter the hall. He accused the guests, calling them fakes and hypocrites. He denounced the food, calling it tasteless and unsatisfying. Though his arms were open wide and inviting, and though his words smooth and convincing, his eyes held nothing but hatred and deceit.

Confusion, doubt, and fear swept over me like a dark cloud blocks out the sun. As tears filled my eyes, I felt the hand of the presence from before on my shoulders. I looked up and saw this presence had a face, the host of the banquet hall. He showed me his pierced hands. He showed me his pierced side. He told me he had redeemed me. He told me that he had bought me. He told me that I had been adopted into his family, that I was his son. That I no longer needed to live in fear.

I was faced with a choice. To return to what I had always known. To return to the former way of life. To return to food that could not fill, and to drink that could not satisfy. To return to that banquet hall filled with death and decay. Or to remain where I belonged. To remain in this newness of life. To remain where the food truly fills, and where the drink truly satisfies. To remain in the banquet hall of life, where I was the son of the host.




The first banquet hall represents the world, and its host is Satan. The father of lies. The accuser. The roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. The thief who comes to steal, to kill, to destroy. The food and drink represents all the things the world has to offer: money, wealth, fame, power, pleasure. Things that satisfy for a moment, but never truly fill. The guests here are those who inwardly fear the coming wrath of the day of judgment but are oblivious to the fate that awaits them and have buried the truth under a mountain of lies.

The second banquet hall represents the kingdom of God, and its host is Jesus Christ. The way, the truth, and the life. The good Shepard. The one who has come to give us life that we may live it to the full. The one who has purchased us with his blood that we may be sons and daughters of God. The food and drink here represents the body and blood of Christ. The body broken for us on the cross, dieing in our place. The blood shed for us for the complete forgiveness of all our sins. The guests here are the sons and daughters of God. Those who do not fear death, for they know they have an eternal home in heaven.

We are all eating at one banquet hall or the other. We are all guests of ether the hall of sin and death, or the hall of truth and life. Now ask yourself this question: where am I? Think about it.

Don't forget the reason for the season!

Hate to burst your bubble, but Christmas isn't all about Santa Clause. It isn't about all the busyness of shopping and gift giving. It isn't about setting up the tree. It isn't about putting up the christmas lights. It isn't about the presents. It isn't even about spending time with family. While those things are all well and good, they don't fully capture the reason for the season. So what is Christmas about? The real meaning of Christmas is found in the very name of the season: Christ. The birth of our Savior and Lord! I know it's a well known passage that's been beaten into our skulls since our Sunday School years, but Luke 2:1-20 reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas:

The Birth of Jesus

 ¹ In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.  ⁴ 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. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
 ⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
 ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
 ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
 ¹⁵ 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.”
 ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The key verse here is verse 11. "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." Think about that. No really. Think about that. Ponder that. This person who was born  is a Savior.  A savior for who? A savior for us! For you, and me! To save us from what? What is he savior for? Our sin! The whole reason Jesus came was to seek and save what was lost. He came to give his life as a ransom for many. He came to die on the most cruel, painful, cursed, torture device of the day: the cross. He came to die to redeem us from our sins. His blood covers our sins! He came not only to be a payment for our sin, but to save us from our sin. To give us a new life. A life to be lived in the full. A life to be lived for Christ. He is the Messiah! The chosen one! The promised one! This plan was put in place long before the foundations of the world. Already in the beginning of Genesis, his coming is foretold. And he is the Lord. A lord was one who had authority. One who was to be obeyed. One who gave orders that were expected to be followed. Jesus is our Lord. After he rose from the grave, he ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. His work was done. He was given all authority in heaven and on earth. Jesus is our King. Obedience is not an option. Unfortunately many "Christians" today have left this part out. They recognize Jesus as Savior, and stop there. As long as we read the bible and say some prayers and go to Church on occasion we are good, right? Wrong! Jesus tells us that if we love him, we will obey his commands. An his command is simply this: to love others has he has loved us. To serve others as he has served us. To serve with unconditional, agape love. To go out into this world, building into the lives of people, guiding them as they grow in the Lord, and teaching them to do what we did for them to others. This is our calling. That is why we are here. Seems hard right? Yes, it is hard. I certainly don't do a good job of it at times.  But there is hope! Jesus reminds  us that apart from him we can do nothing. Our efforts come to nothing without him. The strength to follow these commands could never come from us. So what are we to do? We are to allow Christ to first work in our lives. Transforming us. Shaping us. Molding us into what He wants us to be. To submit to him and his authority. And as this process is taking place, he will be able to work through us. His love will fill our lives, and over flow, and flood the lives of others around us. He will work in the lives of others around us. He changes lives, not us. We just need to be faithful in submission to him. In living for him.

This is what Christmas is all about. This is the reason for the season. The coming of Christ and what that means for our lives. So for this year, next year, and all the years to come, put Christ into your Christmas, and into your life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This is Christmas~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
By Kutless

Do you find it hard to sleep til' night,
Resting by the Christmas lights?
Could there be something you forgot?
Beyond the bows, and mistletoes,
The tree with presents wrapped below,
There's more to this than you had ever thought?
Have we lost the reason that we celebrate each year?

Chorus:
What is Christmas?
If there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger.
What is Christmas without Christ?

Remember how the story goes, 
God's gift was wrapped in swaddling clothes,
Beneath the star, one great and holy night.
The shepherds heard the angels sing,
The wise man brought an offering,
Peace on Earth began in Bethelethm
Have we lost the reason that we celebrate each year?

Chorus:
What is Christmas?
If there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger.
What is Christmas?
If the angels never sang 'Glory to the new born king?'
What is Christmas without Christ?

There'd be no gloria
In excelsis deo
Gloria
In excelsis deo

What is Christmas?
If there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger.
What is Christmas without Christ?
This is Christmas,
It’s all about the Savior wrapped in a manger.
This is Christmas,
Because of Jesus Christ!
This is Christmas,
Because of Christ!
Because of Christ!

What's your Ebenezer?

I remember growing up singing the hymn "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" in church on Sundays. While it's an excellent hymn, I've always been baffled when singing the second verse which says: "Here I raise mine Ebenezer; hither by thy help I’m come..."  What is an Ebenezer? While it might be a bit humorous to imagine lifting up Ebenezer Scrooge, that's not what's being talked about. So what exactly is an Ebenezer? The term comes from 1 Samuel 7:12 which states:

"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, 'Thus far the Lord has helped us.'"

The word Ebenezer, literally translated, means "stone of help". Israel had just won a great victory over the Philistines. God had showed up big time. "The Lord thundered with load thunder against the Philistines and threw then into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites" (1 Samuel 7:10).  This stone was named "Ebenezer" to remind the Israelites of what God had done for them at this event. This wasn't the first time that something was named in remembrance of an event that had occurred. In Genesis 28:10-19, Jacob has his well known dream where he sees a stairway to heaven and God standing at the top. Jacob wakes up from this dream he exclaims, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven" (vs. 17). He then takes the stone he had been using as a pillow, puts oil on it, and named the place Bethel, which means "house of God". This was to serve for future generations as a reminder of the event that had taken place there.

 On May 1st, 2011, I was baptized as a believer at South Church in Lansing Michigan. On a table in my apartment, I have a picture setup with me and a few others who were also baptized on that day. To me, baptism signifies the washing away of the old self, and the putting on of the new self. "The old has gone, and the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). It signifies that I have died to self, no longer seeking to live for myself or my selfish desires, and that I have been made alive in Christ, to live for Him and His purposes. "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life" (Romans 6:1-4). It signifies that as I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me. This life that I now live shale be lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20). That picture serves as my Ebenezer, reminding me of what God has done for me at the cross and the new life I have been called to live. 

We all have gone through difficult times. We have all faced hardships and trials. We have all been at the point in our lives when we have wondered when we would make it through this season of tribulation. But we have all made it through those times. God had lead us through. God had reminded us of what He had done for us at the cross. God had showed us that He is still every bit as powerful of a God as He was in bible times. Never forget what God has done for you. Never forget that God has brought you through previous storms in life. Never forget the message of the cross. Never forget that God is still God and that He has unlimited power and blessings at His disposal. Never forget that He has called you to live for so much more than any plans, any goals, any aspirations you may have. Never forget.

What's your Ebenezer? 

Reference:

http://www.revneal.org/Writings/whatsan.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Come, thou fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of thy redeeming love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer;

Here by thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for thy courts above.  

Castles in the sand

I remember as a child going to the beach and building castles on the sand. I would labor tirelessly digging trenches, building towers, making elaborate structures, constructing walls. Then, out of the blue, a big ole wave would come rushing up and obliterate part of the castle. The walls no match for the power of the wave. As the walls disintegrated, the water would flood the trenches. The elaborately built towers would start to collapse as the foundation corroded away. In haste, I would do all in my power to rebuild the walls, to restore the structure. But then another big wave would come. Then another. And another. I fought a loosing battle as I watched my castle come crumbling down around me. It was no match for the waves.

I also remember having a sand toy that was a sieve. It had a plastic mesh with square holes. I could fill it up with sand, but in a matter of moments the sand would filter through the square holes, and the sieve would be empty again.

Success. Money and wealth. Fame and fortune. Dating relationships. Marriage. Having kids. Owning a house. That dream job. That exotic sports car. That big screen TV. These are just a few of the things the world says we will find fulfillment in. If we are successful, then we will be happy. If we have lots of money and can buy anything we want, then we will be happy. If you are single, then you need to get into a relationship to be happy. If you are in a relationship, you have to get married to that person in order to be happy. If you are married to someone, then you need to have kids, own a home, and have a car to be happy. But what happens when we get those things? Are we really happy? Are we really satisfied? Maybe for a bit. But we are left wanting more. After a while, we need more to be happy. We need more to find fulfillment. We need more to be satisfied. The things we already have aren't enough because we are told that we always need more. And we buy into it. Hook, line, and sinker. We put so much time and effort into things that, in the end, only bring us a little bit of satisfaction. But that satisfaction quickly fades away, like our castles in the sand, and we are left empty. That's really messed up. Is that anyway to live life? Is that what it is really all about?

Like sand in the sieve, we try to fill out lives with things we think will bring us fulfillment. We want what we want right now. We don't want to wait. We want to have that happiness, that joy, that satisfaction, that fulfillment right now. We want relief from our stress right now, so we smoke cigarettes to relax. We want relief from the pains in life right now, so we get drunk or high to block it all out. We want pleasure right now, so we watch porn, or have sex with people we barely even know. We want to buy cool things to impress our friends right now, so we spend all our money, max out credit cards, and get into debt to get those things. We want so many things right now, and we will do whatever it takes to get those things. But what happens when we get those things? Are we really happy? Are we really satisfied? Maybe for a bit. But like just as quickly as the sand gets filtered through the sieve, so too our happiness and satisfaction quickly evaporate and we are left empty. Is that anyway to live life? Is that what life is really all about?

What is life really about? What are we here for? What will really bring that lasting joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment in life?

In the beginning, God created man and woman in his own image. He placed them in a beautiful garden, the garden of Eden, where they regularly communed with God. They walked and talked with Him, and shared in His infinite love, joy, peace. They found fulfillment and satisfaction in this, and in doing His will; caring for the garden and the creatures living there. It must have been an amazing experience! Imagine, being in a garden far more splendid and beautiful then all of the seven wonders of the world combined, and being able to commune with God! Your own creator who made you in His image and likeness! Real joy, love, satisfaction, fulfillment in doing the Creator's will and just being in His presence! It was perfection!

Well, almost perfection. Then sin came into the picture. Man disobeyed God by eating of the one tree in the entire garden of which they were commanded not to eat. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan came on the scene and convinced man that God was holding back on them. "Did God really say, 'you must not eat from any tree in the garden'? Oh, so God said you couldn't eat from only that one tree now did he? And you will surely die if you do? Naw, you won't surely die. God's holding back on you. He doesn't want you to be like him, knowing both good and evil. Look! The fruit is good for eating! It is pleasing to the eye! You can gain real wisdom! Just eat, and you will truly be satisfied, for you will be like God."

So man ate of the food. But what really happened? Where they really happy? Where they really satisfied? Maybe for the first few bites. But then their eyes were open, and they became self-aware. They realized they were naked and hid themselves. They felt ashamed. They became afraid of God. God knew immediately what had happened and confronted them. Because of their disobedience, they were removed from the garden of Eden, and could not return.

I wounder what that must have felt like. To have been removed from the garden, and separated from that regular communion with God. To have severed that deep, intimate connection with their Creator. To no longer be able to fully experience the Creator's love, joy, peace and the satisfaction and fulfillment that came from that. It might have felt something like this:

Picture yourself having married an amazing person. This person is the one. Your connection with this person is so deep, and intimate that no amount of words in any language could describe it. This person is everything you could have hoped for and so much more. This person may not be a model, but they have such a beautiful heart. You cherish and love each other very deeply.

But then someone else enters the picture. And this person is drop-dead-gorgeous. Incredibly hot and seductive. Their words as sweet as honey and flow silky-smooth. They entice you and you give in. You give in and commit adultery with this person. Then your spouse finds out. And they are utterly devastated. Devastated and crushed. Devastated and crushed and hurt deeply. They had given you something so precious, so pure. They had given you their heart, their love. But in your quest for fulfilling your own selfish desires, you cast it aside for something far less. And you know it. You feel it. It tears you up inside. Your connection with your spouse becomes severed,  and they leave you.

That is only a fraction of what Adan and Eve must have felt. They were created to be image bearers of God. They were created to do His will. They experienced the fullness of God's love, joy and peace. But they blew it. Big time. So too we are created in God's image to be image bearers of God. This is our purpose. That is why we are here.

But wait! If we are called to be image bearers of God, that would require us to be perfect right? To be holy as God is holy. How is that even possible? I mean, we have a hard enough time doing what is right with our flesh constantly pulling us this way and that, let alone being perfect. After all we are tainted by sin and naturally do what is wrong! How then, is it even possible for us to be an image bearer of God?

You are correct. It is impossible. It is impossible for us to do any good on our own. Even the "good" that we do is like filthy rags before God. We are incapable of being image bearers of God on our own power.

So is that it? Are we stuck? Are we doomed to eternal punishment because of our sin and our in ability to perfectly live out our calling?

In our current state, yes. But wait! There is more to the story! Before God kicked Adam and Eve out of the garden God gave them a promise in the form of a curse to Satan: "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel" (Genesis 3:15). This "he" who will crush the serpent's head is non other than Jesus Christ, God's only son. And Jesus Christ did indeed come into the world to fulfill that very purpose. He came so that we may have life and live it to the full (John 10:10). He did not come to fulfill the desires of his flesh, but to serve others, and ultimately give his life as a ransom for ours (Mark 10:45). He came to die on a cruel cross, to bear the curse of our sin for us, and to be the righteous, perfect substitute for our unrighteousness (1 Peter 3:18, Galatians 3:13). He was the perfect image of God for he was fully God and fully man. He came to do what we could not do and die, not because of anything he had done, but for all that we had done. Through his death, burial, and resurrection, he crushed Satan's head and will cast Satan into the flaming abyss in the end times. Jesus' blood was shed for our sin, and we are washed white as snow (Matthew 26:27 , Isaiah 1:18). Jesus' blood is what makes us holy, and we can enter God's presence with confidence for we are clothed with garments of righteousness (Hebrews 10:19-20, 13:12, Isaiah 61:10). So we are not doomed at all! But instead we are declared holy and righteous before God through Christ's blood shed for us on the cross.We image God not by what we do, but by what Christ has already done for us!

So now we are faced with a choice. Will we accept by faith what God has done for us through the person and work of Jesus Christ? Will we allow Him to work in us and through us? Will we seek to love God and be loved, sustained, and fulfilled by Him alone? Or will we choose to live for our own selfish desires? Will we waste away our lives chasing after what the world says will bring us fulfillment only to receive a small amount of satisfaction that quickly evaporates? Will we try to satisfy our wants only to be left empty over and over again? The castles in the sand will wash away, and the sieve will empty faster than we can fill it, but God's love will always remain. Choose wisely.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ All Along ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
By: Remedy Drive

It’s not everything it seems - the world and its dreams
Slipping like water through my hands tonight
All the things I thought would fill me up inside
Left me empty here - and now I know why

All along I was looking for something else
You’re something else
All along I was looking for something more
You’re so much more
I finally found what I could never see before
You’ve always been the one that I was looking for

All of my castles in the sand - washed away again
And I’m left back where I began tonight
The only thing that can ever fill me up
Has been right in front of me all the time

All along I was looking for something else
You’re something else
All along I was looking for something more
You’re so much more
I finally found what I could never see before
You’ve always been the one that I was looking for

And I won’t miss you - I won’t miss you this time
And I say I want you - yeah I want you in my life

All along I was looking for something more
You’re so much more

 All along I was looking for something else
You’re something else
All along I was looking for something more
You’re so much more

I finally found what I could never see before
You’ve always been the one that I was looking for

I finally found what I could never see before
You’ve always been the one that I was looking for

Thanksgiving. A time to give thanks

Thanksgiving. Gratitude. Thankfulness. Gratefulness. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we often do not take time to sit back, think about all God has blessed us with, and give thanks for those things. Thankfulness. Gratefulness. These are the things that should characterize our lives as Christians. Thanksgiving. Gratitude. What are you thankful for? Here is a list of a few things that I am thankful for:

Challenges.

Being challenged in my faith during this period of waiting.

Friends.

Close friends I can talk to and confide in.

Heath.

Not presently being sick, no having any other physical aliments.

A job.

A job with flexible hours, fringe benefits, and health/dental/eye insurance.

A place to live.

A place to live that is close to work, Meijers (practically in my back yard!), and Church.

Food.

A fridge and cupboards stocked with food.

Water.

Clean, running, drinkable water.

Cloths.

Clean cloths and access to a washer and dryer.

Family.

Family who loves me and is looking out for what's best for me.

Laughter

Friends to laugh with and share jokes with (hurray for inside jokes!).

Modesty.

Women who know the temptations men face and dress modestly to prevent that temptation.

Church.

A place of fellowship, encouragement, worship and nourishment in the word.

Sunsets.

Declaring the beauty of God's creation, and marking the end of a day filled with God's blessings.

Prayer.

People who pray for me, and the ability to come into the presence of a holy God and offer up my praises, and requests.

Justification.

That Jesus Christ, the son of God, would die on a cross in payment for my sins, and by whose blood I am cleansed of all unrighteousness, allowing me to stand holy and blameless in the presence of almighty God.

God's love.

That crazy, unending, unconditional, unwavering, always-ever-present love in spite of all my sin and rebellion.

That love that lifts me up when I am weak.

That love which is the only true source of joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment in life.

Thanksgiving. Gratitude. Thankfulness. Gratefulness. What are you thankful for?