Biblical Truth Can Be Found Not Only In the Bible

Last week, my kids and I went to see the newest super hero movie, Iron Man. The kids really liked it and it was very well done. More importantly, the message was clear. (For those of you who do not know the story, I will quickly give a recap)
Tony Stark is a brilliant young man who inherits a weapons manufacturing plant from his father. Tony is everything the word “playboy” implies. He is a partying, egotistical, arrogant, and self-centered fellow who lives to make money, spend money, and meet the young ladies. But something amazing happens along the way. On a trip to the Middle East, he is kidnapped and held hostage by a band of terrorist who ask him to create a weapon of destruction for them. He begins to realize that his only hope is to use the tools available to create something that can help him escape his captors. He does… and Iron Man is born. While I will not give you the rest of the movie plot, the main thing that happens is that Stark discovers new priorities. Suddenly his former lifestyle becomes irrelevant and he realizes that his life can best be used in helping people instead of creating death and destruction for profit. I want to share with you a couple of Biblical stories which illustrate a transformation of priorities for individuals.
The first is the story of Saul of Tarsus. You know him as Paul in the New Testament. Before being renamed, Paul (then known as Saul) was one of the most adamant opponents to the Christian movement. He was having Christians arrested and stood by as Stephen was stoned for testifying to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In Acts 9:1-20, we read that suddenly Jesus appeared to Saul and he was blinded. When his sight was restored, Saul gained new insight to Jesus and literally saw his life in a different light. Saul became Paul and transformed into a zealous defender of the Christian faith. We know of that faith through all the books of the New Testament which bear his signature.
The second story is about a Syrian commander named Naaman. His story is found in the Old Testament book of II Kings chapter 5. Naaman, although a man of power and prestige, had a sever skin condition that cause him great agony. The prophet Elisha sent word to Naaman by way of a slave girl to dip himself seven times in the Jordan River. Naaman listened to the words of Elisha and did exactly as he was told to do and only then was the skin condition cured forever. Through this miraculous healing, Naaman realized that there was only one true God and swore that he would never sacrifice to any other gods except God. His life was forever changed!
That’s the challenge for us. What part or parts of our lives do we need to examine in order to see our priorities fall into place? Even in the best believer, there are ways to improve ourselves and our walk with God. When we believe we are either too good to grow in Christ or we convince ourselves we are too bad to even be in such a relationship, we are simply allowing ourselves to be fooled. You are probably somewhere in between and that means we can and should find new ways to get into a deeper relationship with God. It may be in your worship, your prayer life, your Bible study, or even your service to others. Focus in on just one of these aspects of faith and try to improve in that area. It may even be in some small way, but it is progress. Somewhere there is room for improvement and/or transformation.
The truth is… we are all put here for a reason and that reason is to glorify God and serve others in His name. We do these things by a continual effort to get to know God better. Put your priorities in order and be an Iron Man or Iron Woman for Jesus Christ.

Holy Moments Happen

This past Wednesday, in Portland, Oregon, Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon University hit a home run in women’s college softball. It was her first home run in her career as a college or high school player. Why is that significant? Yes, her three run home run made the difference in the 4-2 win over Central Washington University and eliminated them from the playoffs. But that is not significant; in fact those kinds of things happen all the time. What is significant is what happened after Tucholsky hit the ball. She was so excited that as she rounded first base, she stepped over the bag and failed to touch it. She took a step toward second base and realized her error and pivoted to return to first and touch the base. But as she spun around, she felt something POP! She crumpled to the ground and knew that she had injured her knee so badly that she could not even stand up… let alone go around the diamond and touch all the bases to complete her home run. After speaking with officials, it was ruled that Tucholsky had to touch the bases for it to be a legal home run and she could not have a pinch runner or be aided by her team in any way. What do you think happened?

In Matthew 25:37-40 says, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!”

Two members of the opposing team, Central Washington team members, went over to Tucholsky, picked her up, and walked her around to each remaining base including home plate so that her home run would count. Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace, the starting first baseman and shortstop left their positions and lifted Tucholsky up as human crutches and made sure she touched each base. WOW! The two women didn’t even know that this was Tucholsky’s first ever home run or that she was a graduating senior and her college career was now over with the injured knee. They said, “We just wanted to help.”

Now that is what I call sportsmanship or should I say sportswomanship! In an era filled with players rushing into the stands to fight each other and even fans, it is refreshing to see the heat of competition cooled off by the desire to help someone else. It was not about winning or losing, it was about doing what was right. Tucholsky hit the home run, but Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace had the biggest hit. They acted on their God given idea to help. Yes, they acted, but God planted the idea in them to assist a fallen player, even if she was on the other team. When you go out to watch a game, hold a baby, embrace someone you love, enjoy a concert (like the one last week at Lamar State College of Port Arthur featuring the Oak Ridge Boys) or any other joy in your life, you are in touch with your creator. In a very clear way, you are IN CHURCH. The creator of life and giver of joy allows us to tap into the joy shared between the Father and Son. The Holy Spirit brings us a taste of the love that exists in the Triune God. Have you seen a Holy moment or recognized God’s presence today in your life? I know that you have and if you think hard you do too, even as you have read this article, God is with you now. In Matthew 10:7 Jesus makes this claim, “The kingdom of heaven is near.” Once we realize that God is with us everywhere, we can begin to know God as our companion and shepherd each and every day. Each day God’s mighty works and love for His creation, including you and me, are breaking forth… look for God today.