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As we approach this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, many people are thankful the presidential election is over. Not everyone is happy about the outcome, as evidenced by protests in some cities.
Some, maybe most of us, are just glad this contentious presidential campaign finally came to an end. Now we wait to see what the next year will bring.
'm among the many millions who watched Star Wars when it came out in 1977. Although I'm not a fanatic fan, I was always intrigued with the lightsaber—the sword made of light—used by Luke Skywalker and others.
The first laser was developed in the mid-1950's, and medical applications of the laser developed for surgery began in the mid-1960's. It's been refined for delicate and difficult surgeries since then.
The medical use of lasers is almost like tiny lightsabers. This illustrates a spiritual truth, as well as one known in physics—the penetrating power of light.
I met a young couple from New Zealand in the Hong Kong airport years ago. We were waiting for our next flight and got to talking. I asked them about their experience in my home country, the USA.
They had worked in the US for a few years and shared a simple observation about Americans and rest. Generally, they realized we don't seem to know how to take time to rest, even when we're sick.
Think about it. Immense amounts of sick leave and vacation time go unused each year by Americans. When we do take vacations, they're often expensive and so activity-filled, we need a rest after our vacation! This carries over to our faith.
Not everything in the Bible is to be taken literally. And yet, what's written in the Bible is not just figurative or symbolic. Discernment, spiritual discernment, is needed for a true understanding.
Events in the Bible are real, but they can also be figurative. The stories recorded in the Bible aren't random events, they're selected by God for a purpose.
They are intended to teach us something by example or by way of illustration. Just as in life, where we can learn from the success or mistakes we make, we can learn from the successes, wisdom, and failures of others.
Have you ever watched a child's body language when they don't want to do something? They turn away in some way. They're defiant and often stubborn in their defiance.
As we get older, not really more mature, we learn to do this in more subtle ways. It's called passive-aggressive behavior.
This reaction—whether external or internal—can be destructive, especially when we get defiant and stubborn with God.
The Christian faith is not a set of abstract beliefs. A confession of faith is more than words and thoughts written out or spoken.
Genuine Christian faith is anchored in Jesus. Not only what is believed in Him as the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of the world, but in relationship with Him.
Genuine Christianity is centered on the person of Jesus Christ, not a set of doctrines to be practiced or beliefs to hold. The book of Hebrews makes this very clear.
An important part of counseling at any level, for whatever the need may be, is trust. Often, what builds trust is when we know a person identifies with our situation and knows what we're going through.
Peer counseling in self-help groups, even with Christian fellowship, can be reassuring because of shared experiences in life.
In matters of faith, we also need to have similar assurances. This is an important reason for Jesus, God's Son, becoming human to live among us.
Why is it so important that Jesus—God's Son—became human? Is it? Yes! But why? For one thing, people say they would believe in God, if only He appeared in front of them. If they could see Him, they'd believe.
Jesus did just that, but long before any of us reading this were alive.
He experienced life and death on earth for humanity's benefit.
I've lived near an ocean most of my life—in Southern California, the Visayan region of the Philippines, and now in NE Florida. I'm familiar with the power of currents and tides.
Solid footing, secure moorings, and anchors are needed to prevent a person or a vessel from drifting off. Even where currents are gentle, if a boat isn't tied securely to its mooring it will drift away.
Rivers can be treacherous and even lakes when unexpected squalls kick up. Jesus' disciples knew this from experience. They also learned to not rely upon their own expertise and experience when it came to matters of faith.
Long ago King Solomon declared with a sigh, " There is nothing new under the sun" (Eccl 1:9). Centuries later, William Shakespeare echoed this conclusion.
And yet, change itself seems constant and continual. Sure, new discoveries are made, but these often reveal what already was. New inventions bring change, yet the nature of people hasn't changed, nor the necessities and priorities of daily life.
Continuous changes around us tend to distract us from the one constancy all people rely on more than anyone realizes.
