"One Way"

 

“One Way”

 

Years ago two men traveled around the country conducting week long evangelistic efforts at churches, camps and other venues. One was the preacher and the other the musician who played organ, piano, accordion and guitar. He also wrote a new song in each service. The only one I remember accurately contained the line, “Some folks…say we are traveling different roads but they all lead to Heaven.” Is this true? At the risk of being labeled a fence-straddler let me say, it depends.

It’s true that each one of us has an individual life journey. We can hear God’s salvation message at home, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, camp, church services, small groups, hospital and motel rooms through a Gideon-placed Bible and a myriad of other ways. But do they all lead to Heaven? Only if they converge at the cross where Jesus died to pay the price for sin and provide forgiveness. The next part of the song cited above accurately states, “But God’s Word does plainly say Jesus is the only way.” In speaking to the Jewish leaders Peter emphatically said, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name (i.e. Jesus) under heaven given to (people) by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12, emphasis added). And Jesus Himself declared, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6, emphasis added).

Let me try to illustrate this truth. When Karen and I plan a trip requiring a flight we have a number of options for getting to the airport (e.g. a friend dropping us off, park and fly, taxi, public transportation). But once we arrive at the terminal there’s only one way to board an aircraft: by going through the TSA security checkpoint. Now and then we hear of someone who tries to circumvent security but is promptly chased down and arrested and, needless to say, is denied access to any plane. Similarly, we may arrive at a point of encountering God in various ways but we can only be accepted by Him through Jesus (see John 14:6 above). Earlier Jesus had said, “I tell you the truth, the (person) who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.” (John 10:1).

There’s only one way to God: His way! Any other attempt is doomed to failure and separation from Him (“There is a way that seems right to a {person}, but in the end it leads to death.”—Proverbs 14:12). He’s spoken—how will we respond?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Greeting a New Day"

 

“Greeting a New Day”

 

In 1960 cartoonist Bil Keane created the comic series “Family Circus”. The family involved consists of the mom and dad, four kids and two dogs with the occasional inclusion of Grandma. I especially remember a two panel strip in which five-year-old Dolly was looking out the window on a bright sunny morning and exclaiming happily, “Good Morning, Lord!” and the second of her dad sitting bleary-eyed on his bed saying groggily, “Good Lord, Morning!” I’ve greeted new days in these and some other ways in between—maybe you have too.

How we start a day sometimes depends on what’s on our calendar. If we’re planning a round of golf, lunch with a friend or some other enjoyable event we’ll likely do so with enthusiasm as Dolly did. On the other hand, if we're scheduled for a colonoscopy or IRS audit we’d probably be more like her dad. But we’d do well to keep God’s view in mind: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24).

Each new day is a gift from God (“My times are in your hands….”—Psalm 31:15) as is our salvation (“…It is by grace you have been saved, through faith…it is the gift of God….”—Ephesians 2:8); the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives (“Repent…so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”—Acts 2:38) and everything else that’s worthwhile (“…God… richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”—1 Timothy 6:17). Do we (Do I) take the time to thank Him for these daily blessings?

The late entertainer Jimmy Durante often sang this number at his appearances:

“You gotta start off each day with a song. Now even when things go wrong

You’ll feel better, you’ll even look better, I’m here to tell you that you’ll be a go-getter.”

How do I greet each day God allows me to live? If I follow Jesus’ example it’s with prayer (“Very early in the morning…Jesus got up…went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”—Mark 1:35). But I’d also do well to include thanksgiving (“…Give thanks in all circumstances….”—1 Thessalonians 5:18), Scripture reading (“[Scripture] is to be with [us]…to read it all the days of [our] life….”—Deuteronomy 17:19) and meditation (“…Meditate on [Scripture] day and night….”—Joshua 1:8). And just now God’s convicted me to “Start off each day with a song” (“Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord….”—Ephesians 5:19). This will set the tone no matter what I face in the ensuing hours. Will you join me?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Sinkholes"

 

“Sinkholes”

 

Because of the nature of its terrain Florida is susceptible to a geological phenomenon known as sinkholes. (Polk County where we live is particularly vulnerable.) Simply stated, a sinkhole is “a depression or hole in the ground caused by some form of collapse of the surface layer.” (Wikipedia). Some of our county’s 554 natural lakes have their origins with sinkholes but the actual number is uncertain. In Lakeland 37 reports of sinkholes were documented between 1909 and 2008 according to county records. So sinkholes and hurricanes are historically the most prevalent natural disasters Floridians must be prepared for.

On May 8, 1981 a sinkhole opened up in Winter Park, just east of Orlando. It grew to 320 feet wide and 90 feet deep, swallowed up numerous vehicles, a house and other articles and caused between $2 and $4 million in damage. But after the destruction the hole filled up with water and is now known as Lake Rose, a scenic part of the Winter Park community.

As I read about this transformation I thought of how God can take the struggles, tragedies and hurts of life and turn them into things of beauty. God’s prophet said, “…He will give you beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair.” (Isaiah 61:3, NLT). He’s done this in my life (see the recent article “A Personal Gilgal”) so I write from my own experience. This shouldn’t surprise us because Paul reminds us that “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him….” (Romans 8:28, emphasis added). Around 1700 BC Joseph told his brothers who’d sold him into slavery in Egypt that “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20). So God can take ugly circumstances (like sinkholes) and turn them into something attractive (like Lake Rose).

In 1971 Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote these words which have been sung and experienced by thousands:

“Something beautiful, something good, All my confusion He understood.

All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife, But He made something beautiful of my life.”

Have you let God make something beautiful out of your life’s sinkholes?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Under His Wings"

 

“Under His Wings”

 

I’ve shared previously that for the past year or so Karen and I have read a passage of Scripture then discussed with each other what God was saying to us through its words. In late February our journey took us to Psalm 57. I encourage you to read it for yourself. Karen wrote these insights as God spoke to her:

“I love David’s words, ‘I will hide in the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by.’ (Verse 1). Every year I watch the eagle couple, Harriet and M-15, livestream from Fort Myers, FL as they hatch and raise their eaglets. On occasion, an owl has attacked to try to get those babies but the parents are mighty defenders of their little ones. On a sunny day I also see the eaglets sheltering in the shadow of a parent’s wings to get in the shade. The adult eagle will stay in place for a long time, protecting those eaglets from becoming overheated.

“Such is the picture of our God: He is our Mighty Defender and Protector and He will not leave His post. He is worthy to thank and to praise as I rest safely and securely beneath the shadow of His wings. Hallelujah!”

Karen’s thoughts sent my mind to Psalm 91. The author is anonymous but many scholars and others attribute it to David because of the similar figures of speech with Psalm 57. Here God’s penman says, “He that dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” (Verses 1-4). Some 60 years ago my (Jim’s) grandmother and another lady sang a duet of the old hymn “Under His Wings”. The last verse says,

“Under His wings, O what precious enjoyment, There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;

Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me. Resting in Jesus I’m safe evermore.”

I say with Karen: “Hallelujah!”

 

Grace and Blessings!

Karen and Jim McMillan