Just Between You, Me, & God 4/9/2012

What a beautiful Easter Sunday in Northeast Texas yesterday. I live near Lake Gladewater and there is a sunrise Easter service at the lake each year and I was there at 7AM. Listening to the singing echoing across the lake, I watched as the sun slowly peeked over the tall pines and the mirror still water began a slow ripple to the shore. I closed my eyes and tried to put myself outside the tomb wondering how I would have reacted. Having heard the Easter story for as long as I can remember it’s hard to imagine the discovery of the empty tomb with fear and disappointment that something had gone terribly wrong as Mary and the others originally had. The turning point for them is the same as it is for all of us, the acceptance of Jesus as He becomes real and alive in our lives. The dark feelings of abandonment, confusion, and hopelessness, following the crucifixion, evaporated as the dew does in the new morning sun. Jesus changes everything. The disciples that cowered behind locked doors became bold and daring, stopping only with their last breath in spreading the truth that they knew deep in their hearts, that Jesus was the Son of God, that he had died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, that He had been buried for 3 days, and that He was raised from the dead and would live forever, just as we as believers can. Where did the boldness come from? The conqueror of death told them that He would be with us until the end of the ages. How could they not go forth and share this life changing Good News with everyone in order to offer them what had been freely given to us at such a great cost? So why, after the Easter resurrection, does the Church go back inside and close the doors behind them, afraid to go out into the darkness with the light that was given us? It is time for the Church of Jesus Christ to once again do as we were instructed in Luke 9:23-26 and pick up our crosses and follow Jesus. Jesus walked out of the tomb and too many of us walked in and took up residence there. Just as Jesus arose from the grave, the Church today needs to arise and stand up for the truth of the Gospel no matter what the cost. What have we to fear in this life when we have an eternity with Christ waiting for us? Arise from your slumber, awaken for you sleep, put aside the things of this world and begin your work for the Lord. Romans 13:8-14. I’ll see you in the mission field of our communities. God bless, Pastor Dean.

Just Between You, Me, & God 3/12/2012

Seventy years ago today, March 12, 1942, four PT boats left the Philippine Islands with a group of US military officials and their families fleeing from the oncoming Japanese and headed toward Australia. On the list of travelers was Gen. Douglas MacArthur. He arrived in Australia to set up his new headquarters for US forces and on March 20th in a small railway township in Southern Australia during a speech he spoke the famous phrase, “I shall return.” MacArthur kept his promise and on Oct. 20th, 1944, he walked ashore and proclaimed, “People of the Philippines: I have returned. By the grace of God Almighty, our forces stand again on Philippine soil.” I'm sure that for many that waited, they often had the feeling that the day might never come. Some probably gave up all together and just blended in with the occupiers in order to survive. Still, others never gave up and continued to fight against overwhelming odds for their freedom, many loosing their lives before the return of the allied forces. Almost 2,000 years earlier, in order to give His disciples hope through what would seem like the end, Jesus would often predict and talk to them about His death and ressurection. Look at Luke 18:31-33, "Jesus took the twelve aside and told them, 'We are going up to Jerusalem, and everthing that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock Him, spit on Him, flog Him and kill Him. On the third day He will rise again." After the crucifixion the disciples huddled together in hiding, not knowing what to do. True to His Word, Jesus arose on the third day and returned to His disciples, giving them freedom. Before His ascension back into Heaven Jesus addressed His disciples one last time in Matt. 28:18-20, "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey evertrhing I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." The conversation continues in Acts 1:6-11, "So when they met together, they asked Him, 'Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?' He said to them: 'It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.' After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into Heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into Heaven." We have been promised that Jesus shall return, and for many of us that wait, we often feel that the day may never come. Some have given up altogether and have blended into the world just to try and survive this life. There are still those of us who continue to fight and spread the light in the darkness of life. Some have given their lives for Him while the rest of us refuse to give up and still share the hope of His promise with others. Which category will you be in when Jesus returns? The God of the Universe promised and He will return for us. Be ready at all times and bring as many as you can with you. God bless you for all you do and we'll see you on the other side. Pastor Dean

Pastor Dean Hanssen is the Ministries & Outreach Pastor for LHF