Your Eye: More than a Window to Your Soul

Your eyes are a window to your soul.

Perhaps you've heard that expression.  There is much debate as to the origins of this quote, many think it is from Shakespeare.  

And when you think about it, it makes sense.  When you look at someone, you look at them in the eyes.  You can see so much, you can read so much, from someone's eyes.  Often you can see their love, their anger, you can see if they are truthful, or deceiving.

When you look deeply into one's eyes, you may feel like you are seeing something deeply personal---their inner most selves, perhaps even their soul.

Jesus alluded to this.  In Luke 11:34 He said:

Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. 

But Jesus isn't really talking about physical health.  He is talking about spiritual health, and our relationship with Him.

In Luke 11:35-36 He warns us:

Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.  If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.

God is warning us to be careful what we expose ourselves to, what we focus on, what we watch and listen to.   God knows that when we continuously expose ourselves to darkness, we will become dark.   Darkness separate us from Him, because  He is the Light.  

Think about it.  

If you continually play violent video games, watch R rated movies, listen to explicit music, it becomes no big deal.  That is because you have become de-sensitized to these things and they seem "normal".  And the more you immerse yourself into these things, the darker you will become.  

You will be more likely to be irritated with others rather than forgiving.  How does that make you feel about yourself?

You may find it easier to curse someone rather than bless someone.  How does that make you feel about yourself?

You may be more likely to laugh at someone rather than help them.  How does that make you feel about yourself?

You might think it better to video something violent you witness to post to vine or you tube rather than get help.    We see that on the news / vine / facebook everyday,  A video of a gang beating up on someone----why are they making videos and not calling 911?

What if you put away video games and instead collected items from the neighbor hood for Hospice?  How would that make you feel about yourself?

What if you lifted someone up with your words rather than mock them.  How would that make you feel about yourself?

Immersing yourself in uplifting movies, books and music will instill Joy into your heart.  A Joy you will want to share with others.   

This is how you keep your eye healthy.  This is how you let light through your eyes, the lamp, and into your body and soul.  This is how you become closer to God.  And  you will feel brighter and you will radiate with this light. 

You'll make others wonder---why is he /she so happy all the time?  

And they will say to you, that they wish they could be like you and not let life get them down.  

That is your opportunity to share with them the Good News about Christ.

Remember, Jesus also said in Luke 11:33  

3 “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light

You let the light of God in your soul shine outward.  Let others see your Joy and Light in your eyes, your windows of your soul,

Go, and let your light shine.

Breakfast with Jesus

This is a short story inspired by the sermon I heard today in Church:

***

“What if you could invite Jesus to breakfast?”

That’s what my five year old, Michael, remembers from today’s sermon.   He has rolled it around and around in that cute little head of his and at lunch announced that he was going to invite Jesus to breakfast at our house next Sunday.

So sweet. I smiled at him.   He did not smile back--he was focused.  This was serious business.  Michael cleared a place at the table and pulled out his drawing pad and Crayolas and went to work. This was: Very. Serious. Business.

About 45 minutes and five pieces of paper later Michael proudly produced an invitation worthy of a king. Colorful borders, rainbows and soaring doves bordered the words:

“pleese come to brekfast 

at our hous on sunday”

“How will you get that to Jesus?” I asked, amused.

“I’ll mail it.”  Problem solved

“But I don’t know Jesus’s address, do you?”

“Of course!  Everyone knows His address.  He lives in heaven!  Can you mail it for me please?”  Michael thrust the invitation towards me.  Reluctantly I took it.   What do I do now?   I am proud of Michael’s love for Christ, but I know this isn’t going to happen.  How do I explain that to a five year old?

“What if Jesus is busy?  Sunday is a very busy day for Him---Church you know.”  There.  That’s a good way out.

“He can come after Church and we can have a big after church breakfast with pancakes and bacon, okay?  I’m going outside to swing, bye!” And out the back door he ran—leaving me, invitation in hand, clueless as to how I was going to explain this one.  I put the invitation on my dresser and resolved to pray on it that night.

***

I shift the baby to my left hip and grab Michael’s hand.

“Great sermon, Pastor,” my husband shook our minister’s hand.   As we are leaving church I am still mulling over what to tell Michael when Jesus does not come to our house later this morning.  Michael has worked so hard on this—insisting on setting the table before church so we are ready for the guest of honor.  Earlier in the week Michael insisted I buy “The bestest” pancake mix----the kind you add water, shake and pour.  I also had to buy two pounds of bacon---because Michael assured me that Jesus really loves bacon.

As we drive home I am rehearsing what I will tell Michael when Jesus does not come.  Maybe He is busy with other Churches.  Maybe he is helping sick people and busy doing miracles all over the world. I am lost in these thoughts as I realize our car is pulling over to the shoulder and coming to a stop.

“What is it?” I ask my husband, even though I can plainly see a car on the side of the road and a man sitting on the grass with his head in his hands. 

“That’s what I’m going to find out; be right back.” My husband leaves the car and I see the man rise and watch the two of them talk at length.   I smile, thinking maybe I’ll tell Michael that Jesus’s car broke down.   I watch as my husband pulls out his cell phone and offers it to the man.   

A few minutes pass and I hear a huff from the back seat. “How much longer are we going to be here?” Michael frowns. “We’re going to be late for Jesus.”

“I don’t know, honey.”  I paused. “Oh wait, Daddy’s coming back now.”

The two men return to our car and my husband asks me to sit with the kids in the back so that this man, whom he introduces as Mr. Reynolds, can sit up front with him.   Mr. Reynolds is an older gentlemen, who looks very tired and worn out.  His eyes are puffy and red as if he’d been crying.   As we begin to pull back onto the highway my husband explains that Mr. Reynolds was on his way to the hospital to see his wife when his car broke down.  His wife is very ill from her chemotherapy. 

I offer a quick prayer in my mind for Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds and I thank God for giving me an excuse for Michael on why we will miss Jesus at breakfast.

“Can we hurry please!”  Michael whines, “We have important company coming!”

Mr. Reynolds quickly offers to find another ride; call a cab perhaps.  But my husband re-assures him that the hospital is only 15 minutes away and-- as he winks at me, states that our ‘company’ will surely understand and forgive our lateness.  Michael doesn’t look convinced, but isn’t going to pout in front of a stranger.  Instead he quietly watches the world zip by out his car window.

It isn’t long before we arrive at the hospital to drop off Mr. Reynolds.  My husband refuses the money offered to him and the two men shake hands and part.   As my husband returns to the car I beam telling him, “That is a good thing you did!”

“It was weird.” As he drove the car out of the parking lot, my husband smiled.  “I saw him there and almost drove by, like everyone else.  But I felt a tug in my heart and I just had to stop.”  As he merged the car onto the highway he added, “I am so glad that I did.”

I am offering a quiet prayer in my head, thankful for God’s guiding hand and asking comfort and healing for the Reynold when my son calls out, “Oh!  I get it!”

“What’s that?”  My husband asks.

“Jesus isn’t coming to breakfast, but I know He got my invitation!”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“In Sunday School today Miss Lewis told us how Jesus said if you help someone else that you are really serving Jesus.  So don’t you see Mom?”  I shook my head and Michael grinned. 

“We just served Jesus His breakfast!”

***

³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:35-40 (NIV)

A Christian Message to ISIS

You've heard the numerous atrocities ISIS is committing.

Don't give in to Hate

God Commands us to Love our Enemies.

Although God grieves over their evil actions,

God loves ISIS

God longs for them to lay down their evil ways

and to turn to Him.

Pray for ISIS

The Book of Revelation

The Book of Revelation

was written by the apostle John

to Reveal information for Christians

as it was Revealed to John in a vision.

For a Book that was meant to "Reveal" information

it is so difficult to understand that in truth

that it seems to reveal very little!!

That is because of the numerous symbols and imagery 

in this Book make little sense to us today.

Even scholars who spend their careers 

studying this book cannot agree on its meaning.

But I bet it made perfect sense to first century Christians.

This New Testament Book was written during the first century

after the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans in 70 AD.

when Roman persecution of Christians 

was wide spread and horrendous.

Christians suffered greatly at this time.

Some Scholars believe that the Book of Revelation was written 

especially (if not only) for these persecuted Christians.

That is, it is not a prophecy for the future

Especially not the distant future, 

where we are living today---or beyond

Other Scholars look at the symbols in Revelation

in the context of other prophetic writings 

such as in the Book of Daniel or the Book of Isaiah

Read more HERE

and determine that it is written to prepare all Christians

for the return of Jesus Christ---the Second Coming.

Some verses in Revelation seem to suggest 

things that could only occur in present day

For example Revelation 13:16-18 seems to suggest a 

cashless society whose members are "marked" 

to identify who can buy / sell products.

Could such a "mark" be an implanted computer chip?

Another interesting verse is Revelation 11:9-10

which states that the entire world will witness 

the death of two great prophets.

Never before present times did we have the technology 

to allow the entire world to view an event live

in real time.

Revelation 9:15-16 describes an army of 200 million soldiers 

from the kings of the East.

That was the entire population of Rome 

under the Roman empire in the first century, thus an impossible thing.

But today, China is East of Israel

and this nation could easily raise an army of 200 million.

So--who is the Book of Revelation written for?

First century Christians?

Or future Christians---maybe even us?

I believe it is for All Christians

in All Times.

Everything I study in the Bible, I am amazed

that wisdom written literally 1000's of years ago

are still applicable today.

And given that God's truths are eternal,

I truly believe the message of Revelation

was written to comfort 

suffering Christians every where

and 

every when

And to remind us to remain faithful

because in the end,

Even if that end is death,

God wins

and His Good conquers all evil.

And that, I believe,

is what the Book of Revelation

Is meant to Reveal

The Many Faces of Earth Day

Happy Earth Day!

But what exactly is Earth Day?

It began in 1970 by Environmentalists in the USA

not just as a tribute to Mother Earth,

But also to promote Environmental reform through Peaceful Protests.

In 1990 the movement went International to 141 countries

and was largely focused on Recycling.

Today Earth Day is the world's largest Secular Holiday

involving 192 countries and celebrated by a Billion people each year.

***********

The first "Face" of Earth Day is a Political one.

Protesters push for Government regulation to clean up the environment.

The enemy:  Big Corporations.

And the attention Earth Day has brought to the issues  resulted in regulations

 being passed limiting the amount of pollution 

that can be produced by any industry or face heavy fines.

As a result, 

Today America has the cleanest air, water and soil 

than ever before since the Industrial Revolution.

The Political Face of Earth Day continues, 

now with the focus on

 "Clean Energy" and limiting "Carbon Foot Prints"

***********

The second "Face" of Earth Day is a Religious one.

Protesters push for worship of the environment.

The enemy:  Mankind.

Activists in this camp believe Nature Trumps Human.

And celebrate Earth Day to increase awareness that Humans are Evil.

Some call Mankind a Cancer or Plague upon Earth.

They claim mankind rapes, pillages and plunders the Earth

These activist rally for people to become Environmentally Re-born.

The Religious Face of Earth Day continues, 

With the focus on "Vegan-ism" and "Minimalism"

*********

I'd like to introduce a third "Face"  for Earth Day 

A Christian one

The Enemy:  False Idols



 I don't want to protest anything.


As a Christian we should be spreading God's word

in all circumstances.

And I think Earth Day is an excellent opportunity.



We need to remember that Earth and all of Nature are God's creations.




And God's creations are Good.

And God created Mankind in His image

and He called this creation Good as well.


And God gave rule over the land and creatures to mankind.




God has entrusted US to care for HIS creation!

That is a huge responsibility!

It is a gift and a command.


And if we take this responsibility seriously in all that we do

we would not need regulations to guide our corporations



to limit their impact on the environment.



And as good stewards of the Earth we would use the land and animals

in a healthy and sustainable way.






And if we remember that God is the creator of all nature

we would remember to worship Him.

Because His creations are, indeed, Good.

Read more at:  Wikipedia Earth Day

and:  Book Excerpt: Taking the Environment Seriously

and:  Bible Verses and Christian Teens