Monthly Archives: April 2025

No Doubt

Doubting Thomas

I always feel bad for Thomas, forever labeled as “Doubting Thomas” because he couldn’t believe that Jesus had risen based solely on someone’s word. But then he saw Jesus alive again, and Scripture tells us Thomas said in response, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). So why don’t we call him “Believing Thomas”? Perhaps I can start a campaign to rename him.

In all seriousness, though, we have all been there: we have doubted and then Jesus showed us something about himself in Scripture or through an experience or in a song, and through the Holy Spirit, we believed.

There is no doubt that Jesus loves us and forgives us and saves us through his death and resurrection. It is only our response that needs help. That is when I turn to that father whose son needed healing by Jesus who said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). Jesus helps us to rid ourselves of lingering unbelief that hangs on even in the midst of our belief in him. The story of Thomas proves to us that doubt can be done away with. Praise be to God.

Look to the Future

Moses

And the Lord said to [Moses], “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, ‘I will give it to your offspring.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” Deuteronomy 34:4

It strikes me as somewhat sad that Moses never got to actually enter into the Promised Land after he led the Israelites through the desert for 40 years. And I think of Abraham and Sarah, who never got to actually see the multitudes of descendants that came about through them and their miracle son Isaac, whom God had promised to them.

Maybe it is because I am solidly in middle age, but it occurs to me now more profoundly that I will most likely not be here in 50 year, so I will not see the end result of some projects or plans in the works in my personal or professional life.

The same applies for us in the Church. What we do now may not see full completion in our lifetimes. So how do we respond to that reality? For me, it comes down to three areas:

  1. Place. We must do all we can to make the house of the Lord a place that remains intact. What can we do now to make sure that the building where we worship today is clean, presentable, well-kept, in good condition and a welcoming structure for visitors and members in the future who will pray, praise and give thanks to God here.
  2. Community. It is imperative for Christian believers of the future to be a part of a vibrant, reverent, dedicated, faithful, loving, caring and forgiving community. We can lay the groundwork for that type of community now in how we intereract in a Christ-like manner with those around us, and we can grow that community by offering more opportunities to gather and enjoy each other’s company.
  3. Vision. It will be hard for future generations to know where they are going if there is no vision. We must make certain that the Christian vision of a future in heaven with Jesus for all who believe in him is clearly voiced, repeated and passed on. It is this vision that will bring focus to future days here in earth, even when we are no longer here.

Think of ways you can look to the future in what you say and do. Though you may not be able to see it currently, your life now has impact on what happens later. Lean in to that privilege.

He Is Not Here!

tomb

The first words of the angel to the women outside the empty tomb of Jesus on Easter were, “He is not here!” Why make a point to say that? It is a declaration to the women and to us that Jesus is not in a place of death any longer. You cannot find him in any area dedicated to grief and sadness now. Why? Because he is risen, just as he said. What does that mean for us? We don’t need to dwell in sadness and grief anymore. We are released from the grip of death and are no more entombed by any sin. We are free to live a new life in him out there in the world and in the world to come. Alleluia! Amen.

Sirens

siren

At my mom’s church, if the sound of an ambulance siren is heard duing worship, the congregation stops what they are doing and the pastor says a prayer for the patient, the EMTs and the doctors and nurses who will care for the patient. I experienced this happening one time during a Thanksgiving worship service. I found it very touching and a nice reminder that we need to be always aware of the needs of those all around us. And it was a good way to remember that any time is a good time to pray.

Recently, at a concert I attended, something similar happened. During some high notes that a soprano was singing in a solo, the siren of an ambulance went by with high-pitched sounds that almost exactly matched the soprano’s voice. It was a moment that helped me to realize that we need to stay in tune with the circumstances of others. As the Bible tells us, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). As the body of Christ, we need to echo the outcries of joy or pain of our fellow brothers and sisters in the faith because we are one in the spirit and are called to commiserate with them.

Lately, coincidently, I have heard the emergency sirens go off a few times at work and at home to warn of a tornado in the area. The immediate response to such a siren is to go to a basement or the most interior room of a building or dwelling to keep safe from damaging storms. When the storms of life of any kind are heading toward us, it is always good to immediately seek refuge, shelter and protection from Jesus, who keeps us safe from harm through his death and resurrection.

Let any sirens you may hear in your day-to-day living be a wake-up call to you to always reach out to God, care for those around you, and find comfort in Christ.

Forever

forever

The clothing store Forever 21 recently announced that it has filed for bankruptcy and is closing all of its locations. The headlines went something like this: “Business will not last at Forever 21,” “Forever has come to an end at Forever 21,” “The ‘eternal’ store is no more.”

The shuttering of this mall staple is yet another reminder to us all that nothing on this earth lasts forever. As the Bible says, “The grass withers, the flower fades…” (Isaiah 40:8a). Only one thing remains: “…the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8b).

Jesus reiterates this fact to his disciples: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

We as Christians, who believe and follow God’s Word, know that “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself” (Philippians 3:20-21). We know, like the faithful before us, that we are “strangers and exiles on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13) and we, like them, “desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one” (Hebrews 11:16). For us, forever is a reality, not a business slogan. For we know, by faith, that our forever will come, as recorded in Holy Scripture: “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

 

Free Ice Cream

ice cream on ground

On my morning walk on March 21, the first day after the start of spring, I saw a sign by the Dairy Queen by my house: “Free Ice Cream Cone on March 20 to celebrate the first day of spring!” Then a few steps later, I saw a half eaten ice cream cone lying on the ground.

The sight of this free ice cream cone tossed to the ground brought to mind for me our struggle as humans with cheap grace. Here’s what the cheap grace approach looks like: God grants us grace—a free gift undeserved. Yet we devalue it, discard it, take it for granted, use what we want of it and care less about the rest.

What we should do instead is treasure it, savor it, appreciate the cost it took to offer this grace to us. It cost the life of Christ, who gave himself up for us on the cross, that we might enjoy the sweet taste of forgiveness for all of our sins. Consider today how amazing grace is, and never toss it aside.