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Prayer Circle in Washington, D.C. (some photos too!)

On Monday night I had the joy of meeting up with my friend Sarah who lives in Washington…she is so interesting as she knows the city well and little details you don’t get from a tour guide. On Monday evenings she a group of her friends walk around the impressive government buildings, praying. She asked if I would join them. I was more than eager to do so.

It turned out to be just the two of us…we walked from the Tidal Basin around the White House, Executive Office Building and the Treasury. (A prayer circle – read Mark Batterson’s book by that title.) It was a muggy night but beautiful. Official Washington D.C. is really one of the prettiest cities in the world. As we walked, we stopped at various locations and prayed aloud – to those around us it would have sounded like normal conversation – we were not making a spectacle of ourselves! But God heard us as we directed our requests, with thanksgiving, to Him.

The buildings and scenery are impressive but the people in them are not in control – contrary to popular opinion. God is. He is Almighty. He is the Creator. Sustainer. He sits on the eternal throne and He is holy, just, merciful and mighty. His plans are being carried out. What a comfort!

It was a special evening! (I have attached photos.) I felt honored, humbled and privileged. And overwhelmed by the needs of those serving in our government as well as the military. They have huge responsibilities and without God’s wisdom they just cannot do it well. PLease pray for all in authority – as Paul wrote to Timothy. He didn’t say we had to agree with them or even like them – we were to pray for them. And Jesus told us to pray for our enemies. And don’t forget Jerusalem! The need is even greater in these uncertain times.

Pray for Sarah as she faithfully does this week in and week out. What a dedicated precious young woman.

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Shame, Guilt, Regret

Why did Peter deny His Friend?

Psalm 1 says, “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers.”

When Jesus was arrested in the garden Peter did not flee the scene as had the others. He tried to defend Jesus by lashing out at Malchus, the high priest’s servant, cutting off his ear. As Jesus was led away to see Caiaphas, the high priest, Peter followed. (John chapter 18) Was it love and devotion?

My friend, James Robison told me once, “Often when our emotions get involved discernment leaves”. Perhaps this is what happened to Peter. He was walking in the crowd of the wicked. This crowd was easily swayed by mob mentality and emotion. We sometimes have a good intention; our motive is right, but we do it the wrong way and get ourselves in trouble.

At this point Peter could have left the crowd. He could have changed direction. How often our whole life changes on a simple choice. It becomes what I call a “hinge decision”.

But Peter not only walked with them – he stood with them and warmed himself by their fire. He was perhaps more concerned for his own comfort than what was happening to his dear friend. Luke (chapter 22) tells us that Peter sat with them to warm himself. It was there that the servant girl saw him in the fire light and recognized him. She told those around the fire that Peter had been with Jesus.

Peter denied he even knew Jesus. He denied he was “one of them” (disciples). An hour went by – time enough to change his course. A man said that Peter was a Galilean – he must have been with Jesus. Peter vehemently denied it. Before he even finished the denial, the cock crowed. At that point Jesus looked at Peter and Peter remembered that Jesus had predicted Peter would deny him.

At that point Peter left those by the fire. It was too late – the denials had taken place. Peter went out and wept bitterly. I cannot begin to imagine the sorrow and the regret. The “if only…”

I am not sure this compares well, but I have in mind the deep grief expressed and exhibited by the “Blade Runner”, Oscar Pistorius, this week in a South African court. Gut wrenching sobs. Sorrow. Regret. Shame. His life is forever changed.

Peter knew what he had done. Peter, at that point didn’t realize he would ever see Jesus alive again. Seemingly sentenced to a life of total grief and shame and regret.

God had another plan for Peter’s life!

But before we go there…

Let’s take note of where Peter positioned himself. He walked, stood and sat where he had no business being. Where are you walking today? Close to the edge? Flirting with sin? Where are you standing? Are your friends a good, godly influence? Or do they pull you down to their level so much so that you are comfortable with them. Is your spirit trying to get your attention to warn you. Listen. Take heed.

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He Knew What Was Coming

Jesus rode into Jerusalem amid adoring throngs hailing Him as “one who comes in the name of the Lord; blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David…” He was riding a crest of popularity. He went to the temple and looked around. What did He see? People busy, weary of their busyness. People trying hard to obey all the religious laws. People wanting to please God. People trying to stay out of the religious leaders’ watchful, critical eyes. Women being put upon. The sick, lame, blind being pushed out of the way. The poor were ignored.

He knew what was coming.

He saw a fig tree that was not bearing fruit and cursed it so that it withered. A fig tree puts out leaves and fruit at the same time. To find one with leaves only was unusual. Perhaps an illustration of so many – those that have the leaves of religiosity but no fruit. Those that have all the trappings but no life. He cursed the fig tree. It reminds me of the story Jesus told of those on the Judgment Day who say, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons and in Your name perform many miracles?” But He will say, “I never knew you, depart from me.”

He knew what was coming.

He challenged the temple practices of the money changers. He violently turned their tables over and cast them out – not even allowing people to carry products through the temple. He called for he temple to be a house of prayer. This angered the religious leaders so much that they began to seek a way to kill Him. They challenged Him with trick questions which He met by confronting them with themselves. Angering them further.

He knew what was coming.

I wonder what the disciples were thinking the next day. They probably were saying to themselves, “It’s about time! He is going to set up His kingdom and we’ll have a place in it! I wonder who will sit at His right hand. Oh, boy, we can’t wait to prove to all the naysayers that He was right all along. This is going to be great!”

They did not know what was coming.

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Noah & Hollywood

I went to the movie theatre to see God Is Not Dead this weekend but when I got to the ticket counter I was too late! That was good news on one level but bad news on another. I was disappointed. Since I was already at the theatre and had the mind-set to see a movie, I decided to see the Noah movie.

I had heard a lot about it but didn’t know anyone who had seen it. So…

The first thing that comes on the screen is a statement over a bleak, dark, brooding scene: “In the beginning was nothing.” That is a lie. “In the beginning God created…”

It went downhill from there.

I kept hoping it would improve. But there are weird-looking creatures made of lava-like stones with fiery eyes that are meant to be sort of “guardians”. They appeared to be bad versions of “transformers”. They are scary. I wouldn’t want them to be guarding me!

It was reported that the producers/filmmakers wanted to be true to the biblical text. They were not. Certain evangelical leaders endorsed the film and said that the filmmakers did a good job representing the biblical text. Phooey! As my Mother would say, “It is the pig’s eye view of the pearl”. They are not reading the same biblical account I am!

There are too many errors for me to list here…it is sufficient to say, I walked out of the film. I kept thinking it might get better but it didn’t. The movie is horrible. I am nonplussed to understand why any evangelical leader would take this film seriously enough to comment on it!

Let’s stick to the accuracy of the scriptures and honor God’s word as authoritative for life.
(II Timothy 3:16-17)

I am hoping to see God Is Not Dead this week. I understand it is quite good and inspirational. I am excited that the biblical themes and subjects are being talked about – the fact that Hollywood is doing it, makes me suspicious. Unbroken is to be released later this year. I wonder how Angelina Jolie will treat Louis Zampirini’s conversion. We will wait and see. Let’s pray that in spite of Hollywood’s slant, the Gospel will be loud and clear.

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My Father’s 95th Birthday!

We celebrate my father’s birthday on Thursday, the 7th. (I’ll post my personal pictures at some point.) There is to be a big party Thursday night in Asheville but there are several parties ahead of time – and one after – he’s going to be partied out! But you don’t turn 95 every day! For him, he may just as soon have a quiet day but I know he loves the excitement and attention, at this age. At one time in his life, he told my Mother about another occasion, “I dread looking forward to it.” Have you ever felt that way, just so tired, pressed, that it sucked the joy out of life? I think Daddy felt that way far too often. When you think of all that he carried…the schedule, pressures, decisions…

I will go to Asheville for the festivities. I have heard that there are between 600-900 guest invited! I don’t think that’s just family! Although we could have that many if we added all the cousins, and all the “second removeds, 3rd removeds” (I don’t follow how that works…) and great-grandchildren and one great-great!! In other words there are a lot of Grahams. By in large, we are a nice lot! There are some I’d rather not go on vacation with but we all seem to have a good sense of humor, love the Lord and are busy contributing. Some I enjoy, some I don’t. Typical family.

We do not sit around praying and reading our Bibles all day. We don’t wear halos. We are really rather ordinary but have an extraordinary relative. That does not make us special – it just makes us different. And Daddy is extraordinary because he has followed God’s call on his life in a single-focused way. Everybody has that opportunity. Most of us slip along the way – I sure did. But my father gave me extraordinary grace. To each one who has slipped, he gives grace. We have had divorces, affairs, unwed pregnancies, drug abuse, jail time…not a pretty picture except that God’s outrageous grace has been our comfort and His faithfulness, our security.

And look at God’s family! What a messy lot we are.

My father is loved around the globe. But nowhere as much as at home. (I think that is a tribute to my Mother. Had she been a bitter person… But no, she was a loving, joyful lady who saw her supporting role as important as his.) His family loves him. He is “Daddy” to his children and “Daddy Bill” to his grandchildren. We will celebrate him and in our memories, my mother. He wouldn’t be who he is without her. He misses her terribly and probably it is exacerbated by any celebration where she is absent. They will be reunited soon in an even greater celebration.

Any celebration we have here on earth is but a shadow of what is to come!! All of glory is ahead!

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Real Power

In keeping with the “birds on the runway”…it is obvious I was walking near the runway. Actually, quite close. Being a small island, everything is close! But the road ran right along the airport perimeter fence.

Most mornings a much smaller propeller plane took off. But on the weekends, there was jet service into the island.

So…on a weekend morning a jet was scheduled to take off. I could watch the people board and the luggage being loaded – all the pre-flight activity through a space in the shrubbery. I was fascinated. Maybe I travel too much!!

Then I heard the engines come to life as the plane began its very slow taxi to the end of the runway. I got impatient with the slowness so resumed my walk. Soon I heard the whine of the motors as it turned and began to speed down the runway for take off.

It rushed down the runway in a crescendo of roar and wind that was overwhelming as it climbed into the sky. Though I could not see it, I could feel and hear it. The takeoff was a mighty show of power as the enormous plane lifted off the ground. It was quite a real (but infinitesimal) illustration of God’s power for me.

“The Lord’s voice will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth will shake. But the Lord will be a refuge for His people, a strong fortress for the people of Israel.” (Joel 3:16)

That prophecy seems so very relevant for our world today. And with all the noise in Washington, Damascus, Moscow, Tehran and elsewhere, it reminds us that God is still powerful over all the events. He is in charge. His way will prevail.

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Destiny and Opportunity

I sit at my desk typing on my iMac and listening to iTunes. Yes, Steve Jobs influenced all of our lives for the better. I am saddened by his death but he gives us a powerful illustration that all of us must face death. Whether young, old, brilliant, less than smart, rich, poor, famous or annonymous…we all will face the final hour. I don’t know much about his personal life other than he had 4  children and from what I could gather from news reports, he was a Buddhist. He entered a Christless eternity. That increases my sadness but encourages me to pray for his family.

Did he ever hear the Gospel of Jesus? Did he have a praying mother? Were there those around him that failed to present the good news of Christ to him because they were intimidated? Did he reject the good news? I have no way of knowing.

God blessed him with a brilliant and creative mind. God gave him another chance to live after his liver transplant. God gave him his family and God gave him great success. God loved Steve Jobs. “For God so loved Steve Jobs that he sent His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on HIm should not perish but have everlasting life.” God loves each one of us – the Bible tells us that God is not willing that any should perish – that is why Jesus died so that no one would have to go into a Christless eternity.

Are you sure of your destiny? Is Jesus your personal Savior? If you are not sure, take just a moment today to repent of your sin (we are all sinners) ask His forgiveness and ask HIm to come into your life as Savior and Lord. It’s quite simple to do – so simple many miss it. In the instant you tell Him, you then belong to Him forever and ever.

And for those of us who have Jesus in our lives, let’s not keep quiet – but openly share the good news to those around us. Our destiny in Christ is sure –  let’s not keep quiet.

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