The Lord of the Rubble Strange times – illness, tragedy, mysteries, invasion – not your typical serene springtime Easter celebration, but neither was that first Easter! Now, like then, depending on what has grabbed your attention, it is easy today to be “afraid yet filled with joy.” We need to make sure our focus is on the risen savior! Colossians 1:15-17 “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” NIV Jesus’ death is recorded in Matthew like this: Matt. 27:45 ff “From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). … and when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. … when the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”  NIV What does Colossians have to do with Easter? – maybe the beauty of creation, but no, those last six words – “in him all things hold together” – you see, on Good Friday when Jesus died, things slipped! Research on core samples of Dead Sea mud in 2012 showed that there was a strong earthquake in AD 33. Jewish tradition tells that the massive brass doors of the temple that took twenty men to open and close were flung open, the doorframe broken and the veil torn from top to bottom. The high priest tore his garments … God responded spectaculalry! Now, think about this, if the massive temple of Herod suffered this damage … what of the rest of Jerusalem? Violent aftershocks were still rocking the city when Mary and Mary Magdalene approached the tomb at dawn on the third day. Trauma and shock mixed with grief were everywhere in...

Waken me – awaken in me

Isaiah 50:4-5 NIV The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. [5] The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away. Psalm 70:4 NIV … may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!”   Oh Lord, I seek You. Waken me, talk to me, grace me to obey. I rejoice in You – The Lord is...

This is much bigger than I thought

We have almost finished the website on Isa dreams. At times, researching Isa dreams (dreams about Jesus) has been overwhelming – seeing history unfold like a rolling video in front of you is amazing! Yesterday I spoke with a missionary in Dallas who has spent over 25 years combined in Indonesia and the Middle East and he was eager to talk about Isa dreams. He said that Isa dreams were at the heart of virtually every fruitful conversation he’s had with Muslims. He believes that the “man of peace” in every town or village is probably having Isa dreams. It is exciting to let your mind flow with these ideas – the God of the universe is taking matters into His own hands like Ezekiel 34 says, “I myself will search for my sheep … I will rescue them … I will bring them out … and gather them.” It’s not like we don’t have a role in this. It seems that God is mostly using these dreams to prepare people to respond to the gospel when they later hear it. I’ve looked at hundreds of these testimonies and they don’t talk much about individuals getting saved from the dreams, rather people are intrigued and sometimes go to Christians to get an interpretation. It’s like Pharaoh or Nebuchadnezzar, people can’t forget their dreams and wonder what they mean. That wonder opens up a whole new world for the...

When it’s really about me!

I have been praying daily prayers of repentance for six months and have found an interesting transition – what seemed rote to start with has gotten under my skin. The Lord has a way of gently peeling back defenses I made so normal that they seem legitimately who I am. Bigoted? Are you kidding? No, He’s not kidding – that’s right – bigoted in believing that somehow I deserve God’s forgiveness and favor more than somebody else. But I know He loves me … oh, it’s not all about me. He also loves people that I am definitely uncomfortable with. Oh Lord, please change my heart. Have mercy on me Lord, because I don’t want to change. There is grace to change but I have to take it. I have reached out – first agree with the indictment – yes, I’m bigoted; then ask for a changed heart. I don’t just need forgiveness, I need a miracle. I need a new...