Dana's Christian Journey

musings of a thankful cancer survivor

Author: Dana

  • imagine

    —

    Dana

    Imagine that we could even imagine the Oneness of the Father, Son, and Spirit. A couple of years ago in a small village called Taipu in northeastern Brazil I was asked to share at a town gathering. Ten or twelve Americans and ten or twelve Brazilians divided into four ‘mixed’ teams and spent the afternoon walking through the streets and neighborhoods inviting everyone to the gym in the center of town to hear about the King of kings. Taipu was known for spiritual darkness; witchcraft was openly practiced and many were involved in the occult. Walking was the main mode of transportation there, so we were all excited that evening to see nearly three hundred people of all ages assemble in the old gym. We sang a few songs and several Christians shared testimonies. I spoke at the end.

    Renata, our friend and near-perfect interpreter, helped me share about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. I’m not sure how well we communicated but I remember feeling the glory of it all. Two memories stand out. When talking about the Son, I remember pointing to a baby in the back of the gym. Everyone looked at this infant held by his mother and thought about Jesus being on earth in a similar way. Expressions of joy transcend languages; everyone in the building was smiling as we realized a simple and wonderful truth. The young mother, holding her baby so all could see, was beaming. She was so proud of her son and I was reminded that a Father in Heaven was so very proud of Jesus as he spent time on earth. God is still proud of his Son!

    The second thing I remember was choosing a random lady out of the crowd to stand up and receive the message God wants us all to hear. I can’t remember exactly what I said (and I’m sure Renata made it better), but this lady from a simple village stood, looked at me as I spoke a sentence, and listened to Renata’s explanation as if Jesus was speaking directly to her. She was mesmerized… her eyes shone with tears and her face glowed as I talked of God’s amazing love. After the gathering, Chris, our friend and neighbor, fought his way through the crowd to ask me a question: “Did you know that woman?” I told him I had never seen her before. Chris said, “We led her to the Lord in her home just a few hours ago. She came to this meeting as a new follower of Jesus and you picked her out of the crowd to tell her how much God loved her. How’d you do that?”

    The Holy Spirit did that… I didn’t know what I was doing… and I imagine the Father was applauding… and Jesus was probably standing next to his throne with hands in the air in celebration. Can we even imagine? The Father, Son, and Spirit are in perfect harmony… they always have been. They cooperate with one another perfectly… with never a hint of competition. But best of all… they love perfectly. They love each other and they love us. They also want us to experience the same unity they have. “You may think I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only One.” This is what Jesus prayed: “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name – the name you gave me – so that they may be one as we are one.” Imagine…

    “I pray also for those who believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:20-23

  • come together

    —

    Dana

    John Lennon wrote the chorus of Come Together for his friend, Timothy Leary, who was planning to run against Ronald Reagan for Governor of California. Legal problems and a jail sentence hindered the campaign, but the strategy of ‘coming together in unity’ has been around a long time.

    The heart of Jesus for his followers has always included one great desire: “Come together right now over Me.” In the first week of this new year over 22,000 college-age young people gathered in Atlanta to hear God’s Word, to worship the Lord, and to encourage one another to let the Light of Christ shine on their college campuses throughout the world. Our two oldest children, Taylor and Kinsey, and their future mates, Emma and Jordan, attended this event last year and were built up in their faith. The leaders of the Passion Conferences always challenge the young people to ‘do something now’ to meet urgent needs. During this past gathering, thousands of blankets and socks were donated for the homeless of Atlanta and well over a million dollars was given to target specific world challenges. Here are a few: dig wells in India to provide clean water for villages, rescue women and children caught in sex slavery in the Philippines, serve a family from Haiti, help provide loans to start businesses in war-torn Afghanistan, feed starving children in poor countries, and perform life-saving surgeries on babies in South Africa. Amazed that lofty goals in every single area were surpassed, I could not help but think, “Wow, these must have been some wealthy college students,” but the person who shared the report gave an astounding statistic: the average gift per person was $52.

    Jesus’ call to come together goes far deeper than meeting financial needs. If the builders of the Tower of Babel had power in unity to accomplish ignoble purposes, how much more power will there be for the children of God to accomplish Kingdom purposes? We see the effects of the ‘law of gravity’ (drop an apple and it falls), but I wonder if there is an unprovable ‘law of unity’ (come together in mind and purpose as God’s children and all things are possible).

    “‘Come let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves…’ The Lord said, ‘If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.’” (see Genesis 11:3-9) God understands the power of unity… and so does the devil. Have you noticed the lengths to which he goes to divide families, communities, and the Body of Christ? Our enemy fears unity greatly, Jesus desires it greatly… so perhaps we should pursue it greatly.

    “‘…Now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of the Lord boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one proclaimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.” Acts 4:29-32

  • revolution

    —

    Dana

    These are the words of the “Prince of Peace”: “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34) What? This sounds like a battle cry! Why would the One who claimed to give peace make such a statement?

    The Beatles sang: “You say you want a revolution… well, you know… we all want to change the world…” God did not want to simply change the world, He planned to save it. The salvation of the world required a “revolution” – one that would unseat the “prince of this world” and crown the “King of kings.” From the moment the Savior was born, the devil’s aim was to destroy. What we see in the hatred, the anger, the jealousy, the persecution, and the murder on earth are reflections of heavenly struggles. Jesus is the Way to peace; He calls his followers to be peacemakers; and He knows there will be conflict.

    Local controversies over “Christmas” or “visible crosses” or “public prayers” pale in comparison to the swords, guns, and bombs used against our brothers and sisters in other lands. The “father of lies” hates the “Truth” and anything that threatens his position in a heart, a family, or a society will not be easily surrendered. The children of Light are called to fight the good fight with these unlikely weapons: prayer, love, forgiveness, mercy, and God’s wisdom. The perfect “revolution” looks like this: a perfect Man pours out his Blood, a perfect Father does the unthinkable and allows sinful man to torture and murder his only Son, and a perfect Holy Spirit baptizes all that receive salvation.

    Our challenge is to walk in the Master’s steps and hear his heart. “Trust my Father to be the perfect Judge; He will bring justice in the end. Until then follow my example and listen to my words. Don’t strike back. Don’t repay evil with evil. Love your enemy; pray for those who treat you wrong. Love those that do not understand. Remember that you were once in darkness… lost and without hope. As you have received mercy, extend mercy to others. Speak truth, but be gentle. Love, love, love… and you too will be an instrument of peace.”

    “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” Matthew 10:37-40

  • give peace a chance

    —

    Dana

    In 1969 John Lennon and his newlywed wife, Yoko Ono, stayed in bed 8 days in a Montreal hotel interviewing with reporters, receiving friends, and singing: “All we are saying… is give peace a chance.” When asked if they thought their ‘peace protest’ would make a difference, John invited anyone who had a better idea to try it out. One of the friends at the recording of the song was Timothy Leary, a psychologist who promoted the use of psychedelic drugs like LSD. Leary’s idea for peace was captured in his famous phrase: “Turn on, tune in, drop out.” Many young people followed such thinking during the 60’s and 70’s, but in the battle of ideas, the most important thing is ‘truth.’

    So what is the truth about peace? God knew the only way for there to be ‘peace on earth’ was for man to have peace with him. So the Son was sent, not to condemn but to save. Immanuel came to our world and Jesus became the Gate of peace. Any idea that does not lead to this truth will be short-lived. John Lennon was murdered in 1980 outside the New York City building in which he lived. Timothy Leary died of cancer in 1995 after exploring possibilities of freezing his body for a future resurrection. He finally decided to be cremated and some of his ashes were carried into outer space. Though they spoke and sang about peace, these voices could not deliver. Jesus also died… but he did rise from the dead with true peace as a gift for those who put their faith in him.

    “The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (Jn 14:26-27) Shortly after these words were spoken the disciples faced pure chaos. One hanged himself, one denied he even knew Jesus, and all deserted him. But after God’s plan was fulfilled: “Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’… Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you!’… And he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’… A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!… Stop doubting and believe.’” (see John 20:19-29)

    For peace to have a chance in my life I must welcome Jesus’ beautiful greeting: “Peace be with you!” For peace to have a chance in my life I must also receive the Holy Spirit. The Counselor reminds us of God’s ways and teaches us to walk with the Lord. For peace to have a chance in my life I must also obey Jesus’ words – a negative command and a positive one: “Stop doubting and believe.” Jesus faced everything we face, but he rested in his Father who he knew to be peace. The enemy wants to steal peace from the children of God, but Jesus promises to be with us… and he is peace.

    “You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:32-33

    Happy New Year!!!

  • so this is Christmas

    —

    Dana

    A Charlie Brown Christmas came on television last week. You’ll remember in the story that Charlie Brown was so frustrated by the commercialism of Christmas that he wanted to take action. At Lucy’s advice, he tried to pull together a Christmas play, which brought even more frustration. Then he took his friend, Linus, to buy a Christmas tree. Bypassing the popular aluminum trees, Charlie found a scrawny ‘real’ tree and brought it to the play. “Do they still make wooden Christmas trees?” Linus asked. Of course, everyone made fun of the tree and Charlie, in great despair, asked the all-important question: “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Linus then walked to center stage and quoted Luke 2:8-14 from the King James version of the Bible. “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them… And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.’” “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown,” Linus concluded.

    The head of CBS did not want to air the show. Those that previewed it gave horrible criticisms. The cartoon was too simplistic. The music wasn’t right. The voices weren’t right. (Children with no experience were chosen over veteran actors.) Even when producers Lee Mendelson and Bill Melendez previewed the show, they moaned, “We’ve ruined Charlie Brown.” Several argued: “You can’t read the Bible on a television show!” But Charles Schulz, the creator of Peanuts, was adamant. “If we don’t tell the true meaning of Christmas, who will?”

    The program first aired in 1965 and over 50% of American televisions tuned in. It won an Emmy and a Peabody Award and has been a Christmas classic for 45 years. Critics became fans. Harriet Van Horne of the New York World-Telegram wrote: “Linus’ reading of the story of the Nativity was, quite simply, the dramatic highlight of the season.” Many even credit the demise of the aluminum Christmas tree to this program.

    God is so good. He sees people walking through the malls asking, “So this is Christmas?” and answers with a cartoon. He sees us confused about the meaning of life and permits a child to read His Word to remind a nation of the greatest Gift of all time. He sees war and hatred and serious arguments and petty squabbles and reminds us that He sent Peace to earth in the form of a Baby. He can use children; He can use cartoon characters; He can use an unlikely ex-Beatle; and He can use you and me to proclaim peace in a troubled world.

    Of course outside of Jesus there is no true peace. Examine the life of John Lennon for a tragic example. Without the Prince of Peace no one has hope. Here’s the beautiful truth: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For He himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law and its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” Ephesians 2:13-18

    May the peace of God be yours this Christmas!
    (here’s verse two of John Lennon’s song: ‘So This Is Christmas’)

    And so this is Christmas
    For weak and for strong
    For rich and the poor ones
    The road is so long.
    And so happy Christmas
    For black and for white
    For yellow and red ones,
    Let’s stop all the fight.
    A very merry Christmas
    And a happy new year.
    Let’s hope it’s a good one
    Without any fear.

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