Category Archives: Bread And Spirit

CS Lewis on Pride

“CLIVE STAPLES LEWIS (1898-1963) [The same generation as my grand parents.] Was one of the intellectual giants of the 20th century and arguably the most influential Christian writer of his day. He was a Fellow and tutor in English literature at Oxford University until 1954 when he was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance English at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include The Chronicles of Narnia, Out of the Silent Planet, The Four Loves, The Screwtape Letters, and Mere Christianity.”

The above quote from my book’s cover goes on to say, “One of the most popular introductions to Christian faith ever written, Mere Christianity has sold millions of copies worldwide. … He set out to simply “Explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times.”

In Mere Christianity, I was very much surprised and delighted at Lewis’ candor and intellect as he spoke to the problems of his times and our times, and the solutions on a global and personal level. On a historical note, the book is mainly a collection of wartime (World War II) talks the BBC arranged for him to deliver over the radio to remind Great Britain of its faith and historical roots in Christ and the Bible. One could make the case that godlessness, secular humanism, and the enlightenment had weakened Europe, and brought their evil fruits to maturity in the Third Reich. The church in England was divided at the time by schisms between Catholics, protestants, and different Protestant denominations.

Lewis spoke to this disunity among Christians, saying that the differences are not so important as the core truths. And that we should concentrate on the main tenants of Christianity that we can all agree upon. Hence, the name of perhaps his most influential book is Mere Christianity.

The BBC thought him perfect for the task because he was not religious, a relatively new convert, and one of the most respected minds in England from its most prestigious universities. He was a brilliant philosopher and expert in all the literature and history of western civilization. He could appeal to those caught up in secular humanism, as well as, explain the main tenants of Christianity to Christians in a fresh way. The nation was aware of their great need for God to deliver them from the bombs of Nazi Germany. He reminded everyone of the great need we have for Christ to deliver us from the evil one and from ourselves.

I was shocked and surprised at the chapter topics he addressed: the beauty of morals, rival conceptions of God, morality and psychoanalysis, sexual morality, Christian marriage, forgiveness, the great sin, charity, hope, and faith. He ends with philosophical thoughts, challenging and helping those searching for truth in all the wrong places. The book ends with chapters entitled “Nice People or New Men” and “The New Men”—very insightful!

The Great Sin

“The Great Sin” probably stuck out to you as it did to me, along with the brilliance of his other topics. The great sin is pride and it tops the list of “The Seven Deadly Sins.” Read his book to learn how he deals with it and it’s importance to humans and civilizations.

Please allow me another moment and thought about Francis of Assisi. He humbled himself a great deal in stripping away wealth and privilege in deference to Jesus, to show Christ followers again the path toward a meaningful life and eternity during a very dark time.

The Church—The New Men

Saint Francis allowed me to see pride in myself, and in the protestant church of which I’m a part. Without giving a lot of thought to it, I would suggest most protestants look down on the Catholic Church a bit because they consider the Church took some wrong paths with errant doctrines diverging from the Bible at certain junctures. I was reminded standing in Assisi, that none of us have the whole unadulterated truth. We should be more humble, and we should look again at Mere Christianity.

When I pondered the life and times of this spoiled rich kid, Francis, who met Jesus on his way, I realized that I probably wouldn’t even have a Bible or know Jesus myself if he hadn’t reformed the church, in the obvious power of the Spirit. He did this three hundred years before Martin Luther, a Catholic priest, spurred another reforming of the Church. That’s humbling to consider, and it’s healthy.

May C.S. Lewis help you know Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah. If you already know Him, C.S. Lewis, a humble man in this humble book, can help you refocus on Him, which is the right direction—“The way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

אמן
Amen

“…The humble shall hear and be glad.”
(Ps 34:2b)

“Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth.”
(Numbers 12:3)

“Humble yourself in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”
(James 4:10)

“The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor and life.”
(Proverbs. 22:4)

[Also see Ex 10:3, 2 Kings 22:19, 2 Chron 34:27, Dan 5:22, Dan 10:12, Rom 12:3, and Ephesians 2:8-9 ↣ No boasting! Consider, humility.]

More Photos of Umbria & Italy

Francis of Assisi

From my journal in Perugia, Italy, September 24, 2026.

Today we visited Assisi and learned about it’s most famous resident, a young man named Francis (1181-1226). The town and church are unusual in their own ways, beautiful, but not really my favorites of all the cathedrals, basilicas, and towns we visited. All were medieval, built atop Roman or Etruscan ruins.

The Etruscans were quite advanced and the Romans learned a lot from them about aqueducts, etc. They were also idol worshipers and turned upon themselves, becoming weakened, allowing the Romans to conquer and assimilate them. Let’s fast forward a thousand years and get back to medieval Europe.

The Basilica of Saint Clare was impressive in its own way, but the basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels which was built over the small chapel where Francis first took refuge was the nicest church of the day for me.

There Francis heard Christ say to him, “Rebuild my church.” He took this literally and started repairs on the little chapel which was already 400 years old. He would do the same for other small chapels too. But eventually he came to see his call was spiritually rebuilding, or reforming, the Church.

It was a Catholic Church in an unhealthy state, in need of its own reformation. According to the AI search engine Grok, “Francis renewed the church from within at a time of wealth, institutional strain, and dissenting movements. He insisted on loyalty to the pope and the sacraments while calling Christians back to literal poverty, humility, and itinerant preaching of the Gospels. The Franciscans became one of the great mendicant orders, emphasizing care for the poor and sick rather than monastic enclosure.” (Britannica)

“He deepened popular devotion to the humanity of Jesus—through the Christmas crib [nativity scenes at Christmas], and later influenced the stations of the cross, by his own identification with Christ’s passion.”(Britannica)

“His example of joyful simplicity, peaceful encounter with others (including Muslims), and seeing God in the marginalized, and in nature, has shaped Catholic spirituality, missionary work, theology, and popular piety for eight centuries. The Franciscan family remains one of the largest religious families in the church.” (Britannica & en.wikipedia.com)

Possible Error

Francis might not be happy or comfortable with all the attention given him in the cathedral dedicated to his honor. In some ways one might think it bordered on worship of the man and putting him on the same plane as his Lord. Reading the first lines of his most famous canticle or poem, you see that he was completely enamored with and worshipped only Jesus. But I’ll leave that issue to the church and God. Of course there’s the possibility of mixture—there always has been. But I now see the massive importance of the man. I see Saint Francis more integral to church history and God’s plan for the ages than ever before. “Repair my house” is a strong calling and message from Christ! It may be on the same par or similar to the Apostle Paul’s encounter with the risen Lord on his way to persecute the early church in Damascus.

Impossible Task

It was a tall order for a rich, young playboy, who aspired to be a knight, but ended up wounded and a prisoner of war with a neighboring city state, Perugia, for a year until he could be ransomed by his wealthy father. Then he was very ill for a while. It was during this time,1202 to 1208, when he was 20 to 26 years of age that Francis came to faith. His conversion was described as a “Long turning,” rather than a sudden vision or event. On his deathbed, he only recounted the incident with the leper among his encounters with Christ and pivotal times in his life. It was then he felt peace, joy, and knew his heart had been changed by the Holy One. He died at the age of 44, only 20 years later, ill and nearly blind.

The major evidences of the power of the Holy Spirit within him was the numbers of devoted followers who joined him, his effect on the common people to become devoted to Christ, his favor with the pope and governing authorities within the church, and the approximately one million Franciscan friars wearing the brown-hooded robe who have vowed his vows and lived his way during the 800 years since his death, exactly 800 years ago today!

His praise of God and joy, even amidst suffering, are also strong evidences of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit within him.

I’ve lived more than 70 years and witnessed the second law of thermodynamics in the natural and spiritual realms, how things tend toward disorder and decay if left alone. The most compelling evidence Francis heard from God and was empowered by the Holy Spirit was the first words he heard Christ say to him, “Repair my house,” and the fact he was able to do so, as a very weak vessel, in twenty years, a very short time!

God uses imperfect people. It’s all he has to work with. That he includes humans in his plan is testimony to His great love and grand plan (Isaiah 46:9-10). It’s the story of the Holy Scriptures. It’s the story of the lives of all who know Him and are known by Him (John 10:14-17).

I’m humbled and grateful to have visited Assisi and learn the story of Francis for myself on location with friends. I’m grateful to the Spirit for allowing me to see farther into these things than possible in my own power. I’m grateful to Francis of Assisi for a life well lived—a life of devotion to his King. By his life of simple obedience, service, and worship, he showed us something we should all aspire to as Jesus’ disciples. Following Jesus is doable no matter the circumstances of our lives, by His power. Draw near, listen, and obey. Be a follower of Jesus, not just a fan or a learner. Godspeed.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28).

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

“Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Emphasis mine, Zechariah 4:6).

“But we have this treasure [the Holy Spirit] in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves” (Emphasis mine, 2 Corinthians 4:7).

“Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,  yours is the praise,  the glory and the honor and every blessing.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong,  and no one is worthy to speak your name.
Praised be you, my Lord with all your creatures, ….”
(From the most famous poem by St. Francis of Assisi,
The Canticle of the Creatures)

Salmon & Salvation

A couple weeks ago, four friends stood outside the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels near Assisi in Umbria, Italy. We had just finished a Mediterranean cruise and now we’re standing near a small chapel built in 801AD where Francis of Assisi started his spiritual pilgrimage with Christ. As we pondered his life, it seemed appropriate to ask each other about our own spiritual DNA and journeys, especially since we were all in our 70s and 80s.

We are all created by God, our Father (Eph 3:8-21, Ps 139:1-14) with some mystical, biological connection to Him. It’s coded in something like some physical or spiritual DNA, a bit like the salmon.

We grow, learn, mature (“live, move, and have our being” Acts 17:28) and enjoy the shallow, clear waters of our birth. Then, in some fashion, we begin to explore and make our way down descending, widening, rivers of choice and new experiences, until at last we reach the sea—the ocean of seemingly endless size and possibilities filled with more choices and new experiences. There we spend most of our lives, amidst all kinds of creatures and sights—many creatures like ourselves, and many who are not.

We eat, we swim, we reproduce, we look around, we explore—sometimes the depths and darkness, sometimes up near the surface and light.

We wonder, “What could be above the surface, the boundary fixed for our existence?” In our present biological form, we can jump above it a short distance, splash, and play. But we can’t live there, or see much beyond.

Then there comes a time something draws us toward the waters where we were born and given life. We start making our way along with many others like us, from the ocean of love and choice and experience to the very river from where we came. We know not how? We know not why? But the ability has been given to us at the mysterious and mystical beginning of our journey to finish our journey with some purpose, perhaps, for our lives and existence.

The mystery of how we find our way back home to our Father to the place we began is as strong as the force of the descending currents flowing against us. Indeed, at the end of our journey, the currents are steep and swift, between shallow, vulnerable resting pools of fresh, clear water.

We continue until we are there, or perish in the trying. Mystery, marvelous mystery is the birth, the journey, and the return. The Preacher has called it vanity—a shadow, like vapor or mist. He has also called it, “Eternity in [our] hearts.” He said it is a beautiful period of time—a time for everything, with everything beautiful in it’s time” (Eccl 3:1-11).

What is the purpose of our journey? It might be to enjoy the gift of life and the gift of choice, and hopefully come to know the Giver—the biggest prize of all! (Col 1:27, Gen 15:1, Phil 3:10).

There are millions of paths in the ocean, with much to hear, see, taste, touch, and feel. But in our heart of hearts, we sense there is more, and that it is real (Eccl 3:11).

I end with a prayer that we find our way. Back to the place we were born, where we’ll die, then stay with the One who gave us life, light, choice, and experiences galore. If we know Him, He will take us above the surface to some celestial shore. There we’ll continue to explore in the presence of this good Father and Creator forevermore.

The End

[I Cor 2:9, Job 19:25-27, 2 Tim 1:12, 1 Tim 1:17]

Wayne and Jackie, I should’ve gotten your contact information. I enjoyed your company very much, getting to know you a bit, and would love to spend eternity with you. It’s my prayer you’ll stumble onto this blog and it will prove meaningful or guiding to you in some small way on your journeys. Wayne, I think it no coincidence that I am reading “Mere Christianity,” a Christian classic by C. S. Lewis for the first time. He’s philosophical, not religious, and intellectual. I think it would speak volumes to a guy like you! I would also recommend a book I recently read and thoroughly enjoyed by Eric Metaxas, “Is Atheism Dead?” Jackie, you are beautiful within and without, with a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:4), easy to be with, and a joy to be with. I believe you are also a truth seeker. I pray you find truth, peace, and rest.:):) Shalom.

Discipleship Is The Future

Ron, the leader of our Nehemiah men’s group, chose DISCIPLESHIP as our theme for the fall, and we’re well into it with the THREE CHAIRS illustration pointing to Commitment, Compromise, or Complacency in our walk and relationship with Jesus. Where are you within these three Cs?

Simply said, Jesus calls us to be DISCIPLES our whole life long, daily, and to DISCIPLE others as we go. (Matt 28:19-20) This morning we heard some thoughts on and DISCIPLESHIP practices from Ray Vander Laan and Francis Chan. I noticed the sign on the stage where Fracnis Chan was speaking said, “DISCIPLESHIP IS THE FUTURE.” Probably the Holy Spirit is saying the same thing to the church now, and has been since Jesus gave the command. Can we hear it? Can we do it?

We’ll be discussing and praying and acting upon DISCIPLSHIP this fall and hopefully in a fuller measure for the rest of our earth lives. We heard about the Shema this morning. The first word coming from Jesus’ mouth when asked what is the greatest commandment, was Shema “HEAR and OBEY” the God Who Is One, and show your love for Him in this way–hearing and obedience.

It was pointed out that the word translated “HEAR” in the Bible (Shema, שמע) is translated “OBEY” 90% of the time. Stay close enough to hear, and you’ll have His Holy Spirit whispering to you and giving you the power to act and bring God’s power into situations involving family, work, and play as you journey. Be a DISCIPLE, and by your example, making disciples.

God’s Shalom be yours…

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“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5).

“Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)

I read a post today entitled, “Words Have Wings” by a beautiful Jewish woman we met on a recent cruise. The thoughts and Scripture she shared seemed to be apropos to her point, and to the call to DISCIPLESHIP:

“Moshe, the great teacher and leader, sees his end approaching and perhaps it is for this reason that these messages appeal to people’s hearts? We read:

כִּ֚י הַמִּצְוָ֣ה הַזֹּ֔את אֲשֶׁ֛ר אָנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ הַיּ֑וֹם לֹֽא־נִפְלֵ֥את הִוא֙ מִמְּךָ֔ וְלֹ֥א רְחֹקָ֖ה הִֽוא׃
לֹ֥א בַשָּׁמַ֖יִם הִ֑וא לֵאמֹ֗ר מִ֣י יַעֲלֶה־לָּ֤נוּ הַשָּׁמַ֙יְמָה֙ וְיִקָּחֶ֣הָ לָּ֔נוּ וְיַשְׁמִעֵ֥נוּ אֹתָ֖הּ וְנַעֲשֶֽׂנָּה׃
וְלֹֽא־מֵעֵ֥בֶר לַיָּ֖ם הִ֑וא לֵאמֹ֗ר מִ֣י יַעֲבָר־לָ֜נוּ אֶל־עֵ֤בֶר הַיָּם֙ וְיִקָּחֶ֣הָ לָּ֔נוּ וְיַשְׁמִעֵ֥נוּ אֹתָ֖הּ וְנַעֲשֶֽׂנָּה׃
כִּֽי־קָר֥וֹב אֵלֶ֛יךָ הַדָּבָ֖ר מְאֹ֑ד בְּפִ֥יךָ וּבִֽלְבָבְךָ֖ לַעֲשֹׂתֽוֹ׃ (ס)
רְאֵ֨ה נָתַ֤תִּי לְפָנֶ֙יךָ֙ הַיּ֔וֹם אֶת־הַֽחַיִּ֖ים וְאֶת־הַטּ֑וֹב וְאֶת־הַמָּ֖וֶת וְאֶת־הָרָֽע׃

“Surely, this Instruction which I enjoin upon you this day is not too baffling for you, nor is it beyond reach. It is not in the heavens, that you should say, “Who among us can go up to the heavens and get it for us and impart it to us, that we may observe it?” Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, “Who among us can cross to the other side of the sea and get it for us and impart it to us, that we may observe it?”
No, the thing is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to observe it.”

Deuteronomy 30:11-14 (Translation taken from Sefaria)

Sons of Korah & Suffering

I had an unusual, disturbing dream last night. It wasn’t a nightmare, but more of an endless chase after something insignificant—a blue colored baseball thrown or hit out of play, that I went to retrieve. I chased it down a swiftly moving brook, jumping on rocks, from side to side, almost getting it occasionally with a stick, but it was always just out of reach. At last, maybe a mile from where I started, it went over a small waterfall not to re-emerge to the surface from deep water. It was either stuck on the bottom or finally waterlogged.

After the unsuccessful chase, I returned to find that we didn’t get to do the activity we paid for with friends and family. Our small group appealed to the owner of the enterprise for mercy, grace, and in the end, just the return of the small deposit ( $2.75 ) I had paid to ensure the return of a metal key. We received nothing. The end.

Disturbing? A bit. Things not going to plan. Some injustice and unkindness in the end. Wasted time. Wasted energy. What did it mean? If anything?

It’s August 2026! Whew, where has this summer and year gone? Time flies. And occasionally time stands still.

The death of a loved one. A season of darkness or depression that challenges hope and causes us to wonder about the value of our very existence. Maybe some nagging pain, sickness, or physical condition that persists without resolution or answers. Psalm 88, the last of the Psalms of the sons of Korah was written in and about such a time of suffering.

Dave, a young, PhD elder at our church spoke about it yesterday at our church’s Sunday service. Suffering is not a popular topic in the affluent West or with people in general. But it’s part of an earth life and can lead to a time of spiritual breakthrough or revelation, seeing God more clearly, and His good purposes for you and for the Earth.

Suffering gives us pause. It makes us still, so as to focus on the moment, or for a moment, on what’s real, and not just on what’s new, shiny, or exciting.

God did not hide from us that suffering would be a part of every human life, even for the upright and spiritual. The oldest book in the Bible, Job, gives important insights into this and sets the stage for why humans suffer and what God intends it to accomplish by it.

Jesus, God in the flesh, suffered horrifically, as the most important and critical part of that plan—redemption and gifting us eternal life as part of God’s forever family. In doing so He demonstrates to Satan, dark and deceiving demons, angels, individual humans, and nations the powerful, good, loving, just, merciful, gracious heart of the Creator. He demonstrates that some humans would choose to love, serve, and know him, even in the presence of suffering.

Dave pointed out that Heman, one of the sons of Korah, is the only author mentioned by name in these beautiful and telling Psalms. In Psalm 88 he begins with a prayer to God for help in the midst of suffering and for an awareness of God’s presence. The Psalm ends with Heman in a dark place—not yet sensing the God of all comfort and light.

Heman is mentioned in the Chronicles of the kings of Israel, along with Solomon, as one of the wisest of the wise. They both attested to the value of darkness, mystery, and suffering in knowing God.

So embrace it, when it comes, as you pray and look for the God of mercy, light, and peace. Godspeed on your journey in suffering and in health; in dark times and in light times. He is good! He is faithful, loving, and true. His shalom be yours.

“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.”
(Job 1:1,6)

“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death….”
(Paul in Philippians 3:10)

“For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison….”
(Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:17)

As for the dream, I’m still meditating on the fuller meaning, but on the surface it suggests we not live distracted by trivial or meaningless pursuits. Rather we should seek the important, live in the moment, and look to know God better every day of our lives and journey—in darkness and in light. Typically, as humans, we see Him most clearly in darkness, when He has our attention. As recommended in my book, God Stays Near, let’s make it our habit to seek Him at all times by being still, and practicing the habits or spiritual disciplines that keep us spiritually sensitive. Maybe the darkness will come less often. At least we’ll be better able to see clearly and listen closely when it comes. Shalom.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
(Psalm 46:10)

“Listen to this, O Job; stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.”
(Job 37:14)

“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;  but now my eye sees You; therefore I retract,  and I repent in dust and ashes.”
(Job 42:5-6)

“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” (James 1:17)

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Addendum: Although “suffering” isn’t listed in the spiritual disciplines, the ancients and spiritual fathers all attest to its value in spiritual sensitivity, hearing, and knowing God. John Mark Comer, a nationally known teacher, in his series of teachings on the spirtual disciplines addresses “suffering.”

Stop!

“Stop in the Name of God” by Charlie Kirk…

That’s the name of a new book written by one of the busiest men in America. It’s about the ancient practice and biblical command to observe the Sabbath. The ancient Hebrew word, Shabbat, which translated into English as Sabbath means literally, “stop” (your labor, and rest).

Has it ever occurred to you that the Sabbath was first observed by God Himself, at creation? He rested Himself after six days of creating, not because He was tired, but because He was finished. He then blessed the Sabbath, the seventh day, a mystical act that held some importance to all humans who would inhabit His earth.

This was millennia before the Law was given to Moses on Mount Sinai, and that additional-Mt Sinai-insight into the Sabbath was given millennia ago. This mystical Sabbath celebration is ancient and enduring. Why do you think we might be so blind to it? Is it possibly important to our lives today? Might observing it be a lens to finding our way out of spiritual darkness in our day and culture?

Have you ever wondered why Christians pause for worship and rest on Sunday instead of Saturday? Have you ever wondered why Sabbath is so important and central to Judaism and the Jewish people? Its ancient and constant practice prompted one famous Jewish thinker, Ahad Ha’am, to say: “More than Jews have kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept the Jews.”

Have you ever wondered or read what the early church fathers said about the Sabbath? Men like Ignatius and Augustine? Or more recent church fathers like Luther, Calvin, Wesley, and Pink?

I have some wonderful news. All those questions and more are answered in a concise and beautiful manner in a recent (2026) book. It’s a fascinating read, geared to the modern reader. Charlie Kirk may have been even a better writer than speaker, famous for thinking on his feet in college debates.

The real genius of a person shows itself in brevity, simplicity, and the concise sharing of complex information and ideas. Charlie Kirk hit a bull’s-eye here and it’s one worthy of hitting. I recommend it to you wholeheartedly, even before I’ve had time to process it all. I finished it yesterday and I’m still in shock about the possible power and importance of what I read. You’ll be informed, blessed, and challenged to think about it too.

Shabbat Shalom, Dwayne

A Good Friday For Us

It wasn’t the nails that held Jesus on the cross, it was the joy set before Him. It was the thought of His soon-coming resurrection, and the joy that would entail for us, the family of God, His bride, from the time we believe throughout an eternity with Him. He even told His twelve disciples with a grin on His face and in His heart, “I’m going to die, but I’ll rise in three days, and meet you in the Galilee.” But they didn’t get it. They couldn’t see it. He did.

He didn’t defend Himself before Pilate or the High Priest. He simply told the truth, and went resolutely to the place of the scull as hundreds of passover lambs were being led up, bleating in His hearing, to the Temple Mount on preparation day, April 3, 33 AD. He knew the pain and suffering would be great, as was the humiliation, and now he was feeling the full weight of it, quietly.

He knew He could have stopped this injustice in the Garden the night before when He was arrested and betrayed, and He could stop it now. I suppose He was still thinking of obedience to His Father, and of the Joy set before Him.

He heard of Barbarbas, a convicted murderer going free while He Himself died in his place. He granted salvation and eternal life to criminal dying beside Him. Then shortly thereafter, He summoned what air He could in His collapsing lungs and told His Father in a quiet prayer that He was finished, and sending His spirit back to the Father from where it came.

Earthquake

God the Father wasn’t finished honoring and testifying about His Son. It was about three in the afternoon, and dark for some reason. Then at the moment of Jesus quiet prayer and expiration on the cross, there was a violent earthquake. These manifestations of supernatural power, and revelation from the Spirit of God, caused Jesus’ executioner, a gentile Roman centurion, to come into the family of God confessing the truth of the matter to all who could hear, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

Resurrection Tied to Joy

The resurection was Jesus’ goal and the joy of His heart. At our Wednesday Nehemiah men’s meeting we watched a video teaching by John Piper that made the best case for this I’ve heard from the Bible and history. Jesus said, “No one takes it [My life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.” He also said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” in the context of suffering. Then we’re told to keep, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

1993 Years Ago

This evening, about 250 people filled the space where our community of believers worship together on Sundays. We were a bit late and it was dark in the room except for the stage when we entered. As our eyes grew accustomed to the dim lighting of the seating area, we could see almost all the seats were taken. There were children, youth, college students, young adults, and older adults — generations, worshiping, singing songs, reciting Scriptures, and remembering what happend on that Friday in Jerusalem on this very date. On a Friday night in the USA in 2026 we experienced this. That was 1993 years ago, almost two millennia, and people still remember, reverence, and revere “the Lamb that was slain” and raised from the dead for all who believe. It would be a joy to know how many were celebrating this day around the globe. Someday we will, in His presence, and experience even more of the Joy set before Him.

His name be praised. Amen.

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“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)

“For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

An Easter Hallelujah

Chris Tomlin – Resurrection Power

Belize Blog 🌴

Unbelizable! Belize It or Not? Those were titles I considered for this short report on the fantastic spiritual adventure I just completed with six friends from Northwest Arkansas, January 3-9, 2026.

Unbelizable! Because of the ways we experienced God, the people we came to know, and the sights we saw.

Belize It or Not? Because initially there where just two college women and myself signed up for the trip, and I didn’t think we should go. But our mission leadership said, “Go for it!” And the two ministries we were going to serve said, “Come anyway. It will keep our relationship growing and God will use it.” Well, we’re back home now, in a snow storm with temperatures in the teens for a week, still processing what happened there. We became a team of seven, and God did all those things, “…Above all we could ask or think” (Eph 3:20).

Background

Our church community is an average size, and fairly young, but very mission minded. They envisioned and promoted this short term mission adventure to Belize in Central America. The thought was that not everyone can muster the time and financial resources necessary to go on our longer mission trips such as Malaysia and Uganda. Therefore we should provide opportunities for Harvest Community Church members who have it in their hearts to participate in the great commission by going to other nations and sharing the gospel and making disciples in a shorter and more accessible timeframe and place.

Let’s Go!

I co-led this adventure with a young couple, Colt & Taylor, from our church and community group. I’ve been on 20+ short term mission trips since my first to Burkina Faso, Africa, in 2002. But I’m encouraging the next generation to go and learn to lead them. I tell them often, “All you need is someone you know, and some place to go.” “The Holy Spirit will be with you to lead and guide and do the things He does.”

Our young team got it! We so bonded with the young pastor and his wife with their two young daughters and their community in Bella Vista, Belize, that we hated to leave and tell them good bye. The feeling was mutual and we all felt a loving, spiritual, and family bond that’s impossible to forge in three days, unless the Holy Spirit is working, or the wind is blowing among His people (John 3:8). I wrote a several-page, after-action report for our elders and leaders, but there isn’t space for that here. I only want to report that we went, and you should consider going yourself.

I’m giving a thumbnail sketch of our trip, along with some photos, and I’ll let those do the talking. Normally one wouldn’t visit two places on a short adventure like this. But we were led to do so from an earlier scouting trip to Belize in April 2025. I had made five trips to Belize with our church in Fort Smith, Arkansas, but that was more than a decade ago. So we were asking the Spirit to lead us to ministries we could support and people we could trust to allow our short term groups to do kingdom work there in the future.

Our first three days were in service to a small, growing, multigenerational church in southern Belize with lots of kids. Our second three days we served the discipleship ministry of a young couple from Northwest Arkansas, who intend to disciple Belizeans to disciple future generations of Belizeans. We were welcomed into their lives and saw the places they minister and their vision for a campus on the outskirts of the capital, Belmopan, high on a jungle mountain top. We ministered in area high schools, and were connected serendipitously with the East Texas Baptist University track team which was staying at the same camp where we lodged and had our meals.

There were so many opportunities for prayer, ministry, interactions, and friendship that we will be processing what happened for a long time with a sense of mystery, wonder, and joy.

During our ministry time, we visited the beach at Placencia to buy paint, for a brief swim, and to admire the beauty of Belize. We also visited a Mayan ruin near the Guatemala border, and ate some of the world’s best ice cream at a dairy owned by Mennonites, who produce most of Belize’s food in the community of Spanish Lookout. Most mission teams include a day of recreation and reflection to further enjoy a new culture and place, while meditating and talking about the experiences they’ve encountered–still fresh on their minds and hearts.

Go Ye Therefore…

I hope you’ll find a group who takes these kinds of adventures and go! We are blessed more than the people we go to serve. But they are blessed too, so it’s a win, win situation.

Also, you almost have to go away to get to know your friends in our day and time. It’s a bonding time with friends in your church community that you’ll always remember, and a fresh experience with God. You’ll discover, or rediscover, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand….” as Jesus frequently told us ( Matt 3:2, Matt 4:17, Mark 1:15). Adventure with purpose!

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“The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!” (Psalm 16:3 NLT)

“You have also given me the shield of Your salvation,
And Your right hand upholds me;
And Your gentleness makes me great.” (Psalm 18:35 NASB1995)

“Brethren, sons of Abraham’s family, and those among you who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent.” (Acts 13:26)

“‘That the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
even all the Gentiles who bear my name,’
says the Lord, ‘who does these things’— things known from long ago.” (Acts 15:17-18 NIV)

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 NASB1995)

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Fun Photo from Xunantunich Mayan Ruins

College Girls Tell of Their Belize Experience

Belize 26 Short Story (Small Photo Collection)

Belize 26 Larger Story (Large Collection)

The Garden in Belize / Vision

Why Christmas? Why War?

“You will never know what prayer is for,
until you know that life is war.”
John Piper

The answer to those questions may be the same. Because there is war, Jesus came to restore hope, peace, justice, love, and give power to overcome an evil enemy. Because Jesus came, the evil enemy is stirred up to inflict as much pain, destruction, and havoc as possible because he hates Christ, Christ’s followers, and humans in general. He also knows his time is short—the King has come, the King’s Spirit is here, and the King’s powerful, personal second coming is near.

The King

I grew up a Baptist, and I grew up in the United States of America. Both are strikes against me coming to see Jesus as King. As I’ve lived, continuing to read the Bible and study history, it’s clear that the Bible story and human history is the story about a King and His Bride—Christ and the Church, God and Israel. Read Psalm 2, Psalm 24, Isaiah 9:6, Micah 5:2-4, Numbers 24:17, Zachariah 9:9, John 18:33-37, John 19:19, Luke 1:32-33, and The Apocalypse also called The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Christ means “anointed one,” “Messiah,” “King”), or my first book, A Friend of the King.

Understated

God, our Creator, is so understated in how He chooses to mysteriously move in history and in the individual lives of men and women compared to what He obviously could do, and has done a few times in history, e.g. The Exodus from Egypt. Why the mystery? Have you ever pondered that? I think it’s to give us plenty of room to believe what we want to believe, without overly influencing our decisions or desires—in a word, “choice.” I love what A W. Tozer said about God’s ways, “They are secret, but it’s an open secret.”

The Magi

The most loved and complete Christmas story is recorded in Luke chapters one and two. It’s filled with love, beauty, simplicity, mystery, destiny, and joy. But my favorite story from Jesus’ birth is that of the king makers from the east.

Their mysterious story is only recorded in Matthew’s Gospel (Matthew 2:1-12). Why would they come from Persia, modern-day Iran or Iraq? It’s over 500 miles away, a journey taking months to complete. The best conjecture is that Daniel, a gifted Hebrew prophet, and the chief of the Magi in Babylon after 605 BC, told them of a most important future king. The magi were an ancient college of king makers, training young princes from antiquity in the sciences, politics, and how to rule. It’s surmised that Daniel told them a secret they treasured and passed down for centuries, “If you see these signs in the heavens, follow the star and it will lead you to the King of Kings.”

They knew the stars well. They studied them nightly and recorded their movements for what could be learned about nature, about the future, and about God. The movement of the stars are like the hands of a giant clock, predictable and mathematically precise. That God would arrange the planets and stars to signal the coming of His Son the King and cause these prestigious and powerful people to be aware of the occurrence, making a sacrificial trip to honor Him with extravagant gifts as a toddler in Bethlehem overwhelms me.

Every year I watch a documentary The Star of Bethlehem by Rick Larson to refuel and add to my wonder of that happy event. Larson is a lawyer who became interested in these things, taking clues from Matthew and then using modern astronomy software to “puzzle it out.” I highly recommend it. In the same vein, I recommend this short YouTube video remarkably capturing some of the mystery, humility, and majesty of what happened in Jerusalem and Bethlehem 2025 years ago.

Christmas shalom to all.
Christ, the King is born…
Noel! ✨

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“The Lord is good,
A stronghold in the day of trouble,
and He knows those who take refuge in Him.” (Nahum 1:7)

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.’” (Matthew 2:1-2)

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There are two chapters on soul care and spiritual warfare in my latest book God Stays Near, Faith and Flight. They are entitled “Prepare for War” and “Israel–A Time for War.”

IDF Soldiers on Mt Hermon 2025

Eschatology Important?

Eschatology, Who Needs It?

It’s interesting that I’m writing about the second advent of Jesus Christ, on the first day of Advent 2025, when Christendom starts celebrating Christ’s first advent—His first “coming.”

Jesus second coming to Earth and the study of events surrounding that cosmic event is called eschatology. But who needs it? Maybe we all do! I’ll repeat the eschatology being taught us recently from Luke, Daniel, and Revelation, and I’ll also include thoughts on personal eschatology. I’ll call that “Solomon’s Eschatology” from the book of Ecclesiastes. There we see what the wisest thought about the end of our lives with inspiration and insights from the Holy Spirit. We all will have a personal end-times, if the Lord doesn’t come back first. We should give that equal thought and live with it in mind. You can read Ecclesiastes 12 for Solomon’s perspective and conclusion, but I’lll get to that.

Why is eschatology important? Four reasons come quickly to mind:

So you won’t be confused or disillusioned when the end time events start happening. You will be at peace and able to make some sense of it all knowing God is in control and He told us about it before hand.

There will be a lot of deceit involved and flying around like there was in 586 B.C., 70 A.D., and nearing 2026 A.D.. Jesus started one of his end-time’s discussions like this, “Let no one deceive you.” Paul said essentially the same thing before 70 A.D. as recorded in II Thessalonians 2:4-11. That’s important to know as a sign to the approaching end times, and as a deterrent to lethargy and hurtful surprise—being caught unaware.

So you will continue to put your trust in God who told you these kinds of things in the past through His prophets and recorded them in His Word. They came to pass. God is 100% faithful to His Word and plan (Isaiah 46:9-10).

It’s a part of the process of having faith, and growing in your faith, confidence, and love of the Lord. In reading the book of Ezekiel anew, I noticed the phrase, “Then they will know that I am the LORD” was often stated. I asked the AI engine, Grok, how many times that phrase was in Ezekiel, and was quickly told 63 times!

Thumbnail Sketch of the End Times

Ben Wilson, our Cambridge-educated, PhD, Pastor recently taught on Luke 20 through 24 a message series entitled, “The Week That Changed the World.” Within it, he outlined the timeline of biblical prophecy. In theology the study of end-time events is called eschatology and is mostly taken from the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, Daniel, Revelation, and the words of Jesus in the Gospels. Jesus addressed the subject during His final week on earth with some prophetic insights and predictions. Peter, Paul, John, and Jude, were New Testament prophets and apostles who added to the clues under the Spirit’s inspiration.

Ben mentioned that all Christians believe that Christ is coming back, in the resurrection of the dead, and in the judgment. He emphasized that in eschatology, where the doctrines of the Bible are more complex, we should employ the same straightforward reading of scripture to order the predicted events most accurately.

Then Ben said that the future events of the end times are important because they give us hope, a focus on God, His promises, and His character. A thumbnail sketch, or timeline of those future end-time events that come from the straightforward reading of scripture would look like this:

[1] RAPTURE (Christians meet Christ in the air, spared the wrath of the tribulation, and live forever with Jesus — Luke 7:43-35, Matt 24:40-41, John 14:1-3, 1 Thess 4:13-15 & 5:9).
[2] TRIBULATION (A time of violence, intrigue, evil political powers, and judgment; the 70th week of Daniel, it ends with Satan’s defeat, the battle of Armageddon and the return of Christ as King — Daniel 9:24-27, Matthew 24:4-28, Revelation 6-18, and Zachariah 11-12).
[3] MILLENNIAL KINGDOM (Christ reigns on the Earth for 1000 years from Jerusalem with the Saints who died during the tribulation—Revelation 20:1-3).
[4] NEW CREATION (Believers experience a new heaven and a new earth with Christ forever—Revelation 21:1-4).

The discussion of personal eschatology will have to wait for another blog. This has become lengthy enough and I want to keep the timeline and the reasons for having a timeline simple, so it’s meaningful and easier to recall.

Summary

The complexity of the subject comes from the fact that the pieces of the puzzle are spread over 4000 years of Bible history scattered through many epochs and eras. But they do fit together in a grand, cosmic, mysterious story our Creator wished to make known—one that is hard to ignore if one wishes to look at the puzzle pieces searching for truth and honoring the tug of a God who put “eternity in our hearts.”

I’m learning to use AI like the rest of the world, and consulted my favorite AI engine Grok for a summary. Here’s my question and Grok’s answer:

Q: What’s the most commonly taught eschatology or sequence of end-time events?

A: Probably the premillennial dispensationalist view-top dog in evangelical circles. Jesus comes back before a thousand-year reign, raptures the church first, then there’s seven years of tribulation with the Antichrist, Armageddon, and finally Satan’s defeat. Folks teach it heavy in seminaries and churches-big on literal timelines from Revelation, Daniel, and Matthew twenty-four.

I hope this helps you to remember or serves as a starting point for your own investigation of the facts the Bible and history provide about the end times and Christ’s return. Godspeed on your journey to truth, and knowing God better each year of your journey. Shalom in Jesus, “The author and finisher of our faith,” the Son of God, Prince of Peace, Bright and Morning Star, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth;
and after my skin is destroyed, this I know,  that in my flesh I shall see God,
Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”
(Job 19:25-27)

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3)

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John…” (Revelation 1:1)

A 2018 Blog About the End Times

A PDF with more end times references and explanations South Fork, Colorado 2025