Friday, January 23, 2015

"American Sniper"


"American Sniper,” starring Bradley Cooper is all the rage.  Is he a real-life hero or a real-life coward?  The buzz is intense, pro and con.  And apparently there’s no in between.

Only 10 years ago, “The Passion of the Christ" which brought in nearly $84 million during its opening weekend was considered a blockbuster despite the media’s lack of attention to its success; however, “American Sniper” has absolutely crushed that mark by grossing nearly $119 million total in its short release.  

Between 2004 and 2014 the world has radically changed, hasn’t it?  In 2004 the world was challenged to look at the real-life story of a man named Jesus making a decision about life and death to save a lost and endangered world.  Today, our endangered world is now intrigued by the real-life story of an American sniper making decisions about the life and death of others through the lens of his sniper scope, hoping to save them from a real and unsuspecting danger in our world, terrorism; Hero or Coward?  That appears to be the debate.  

But what grabs my attention is the stark contrast of how God saves the world and how we must now try and save it…let’s not fool ourselves and believe that words alone will save this lost world; Jesus tried a diplomatic approach with Pilate, but he rejected God’s argument of salvation for a lost world when he turned to Jesus and said, “What is truth?”  Don’t get me wrong, politicians, ambassadors, diplomats and even American snipers can help bring a temporal peace to this lost and destitute world, but only One can bring true salvation and lasting peace.  And that is, the Prince of Peace, the King of Truth, the Lord of Heaven and Earth, Jesus, the Christ!  I wonder what we will be talking about 10 years from now?  


Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.
                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                               John 14:6
 

Thursday, January 8, 2015

"His Year"

Happy New Year!  It’s what we say at this time of year, isn’t it?  Often just words though.  Just like the guy passing by you in the cereal aisle at the grocery store.  He makes eye contact with you, and in that awkward moment you say, “How’s it going?”  But before he can respond, you’re half way down the aisle exploring the special on pop tarts.  He didn’t really care you asked, and you didn’t really want to know how he was doing.  So why say it…just words…it’s what you’re supposed to say, right?  It’s a new year so you’re supposed to say it.

As the horns, whistles, fireworks, and confetti canons blast, you can hear the shouts of “Happy New Year” resounding everywhere; a hopeful recognition that this year will be different, but that hope often fades quickly.  Soon, very soon, the excitement of a Happy New Year becomes the blah reality of simply “Another Year.”  My prayer is that 2015 will be “His Year” in your journey.  Start your new year under new management.   Turn the same old, same old “Happy Another Year” into a refreshing “Happy New Year” by committing yourself to making it “His Year”!   His way will keep you celebrating long into this next year!

”Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.”                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                     Psalm 37:4