Dan Bolin's Blog, page 5

Into the Chaos

Nº 336

January 7, 2025

Christ took upon himself this human form of ours. He became Man even as we are men. In his humanity and his lowliness we recognize our own form. He has become like a man so that men should be like him.- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

My most poignant reflection of Christmas 2024 is a ramshackle house on the outskirts of town. In the center of overgrown bushes, piles of debris, broken bicycles, stacks of flowerpots, tangled garden hose, and broken-down lawnmower, directly in front of the sagging porch stood an almost life-sized Christmas creche.

There in the middle of the chaos and confusion, at the center of disorder and despair were Mary, Joseph, a few sheep, and baby Jesus.

The Son of God did not come into a serene world of peace, order, and symmetry. He left all that behind to enter a context of turmoil and pain. He came to ransom the hopeless and helpless. He willingly left the throne room of heaven to live among us, to enter a world filled with piles of anxiety, poverty, disease, injustice, and war.

John tells us, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Against the backdrop of the disorganized refuse piles that clutter this world, the image of Christmas shines in all its glory – full of grace and truth. Because of that, Happy New Year.

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries

After Party

Nº 335

December 31, 2024

Look to Jesus this Christmas. Receive the reconciliation that he bought. Don’t put it on the shelf unopened. And don’t open it and then make it a means to all your other pleasures. Open it and enjoy the gift. Rejoice in him. Make him your pleasure. Make him your treasure. - John Piper

The glorious excitement of Christ’s birth soon faded. An angel warned Joseph of Herod’s evil plot to murder Jesus. The young family scrambled to assemble their meager belongings and escaped to Egypt. They probably used some of the gold, frankincense and myrrh to finance their escape.

Their world pivoted from adoration, abundance, and angels to running for their lives.

Their Christmas joy quickly disappeared as they faced a major crisis. Many of our lives, like Joseph and Mary’s, roll down the mountaintop of joy into the valley of despair. Happy, relaxing moments give way to seasons of tension and drama.

Two things sustained them during the dark days and fearful journey. First, the gifts they received during their time of joy. And second, the assurance of Jesus’ name: “...and they will call him Immanuel – which means – God with us.” (Matthew 1:23)

If the joy of Christmas has morphed into problems and pain remember past gifts of encouraging words, thoughtful acts, and displays of love. But most of all, remember that the loving Baby of Christmas is the God who came to earth and promises to be with us.

Happy New Year!

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries

First Christmas Gifts

Nº 334

December 24, 2024

Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life. - Corrie Ten Boom

Sometime after Jesus’ birth, Wisemen arrived from the East. They brought three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Why those three gifts? We can only speculate, but perhaps they exemplified three significant aspects of Jesus’ coming ministry.

Gold was the currency of kings. When the Wisemen arrived in Jerusalem they asked, “Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? “(Matthew 2:2). The Wisemen’s delivery of gold signified Jesus’ regal nature.

God prescribed frankincense as a major ingredient for the incense that fill the Tabernacle, “where I will meet with you.” (Exodus 30:36) Like the frankincense that permeated the Tabernacle, Christ’s good news would someday fill the world with an opportunity to meet with God.

Myrrh was used to anoint dead bodies. After Jesus’ crucifixion, “Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about 75 pounds” (John 19:39) to prepare Jesus’ body. The myrrh foreshadowed Jesus’ substitutionary death to pay the penalty for our sins and offer eternal life.

This Christmas, remember the gifts of the Wisemen.

Gold – The royal Son of God.

Frankincense – Provided the world with the good news of how we could meet with God.

Myrrh – But that good news would cost him the life we celebrate today.

Merry Christmas!

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries

Angels' Special Delivery

Nº 333

December 17, 2024

The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God. - C.S. Lewis

What is a Christmas pageant without angels? This year, little children in thousands of churches will don white robes, wings, and halos to do their part as we celebrate the wonder of Christ’s birth. But throughout Scripture, angels are never depicted as children. Mostly, the Bible provides images of angels as powerful, warrior-like envoys delivering strategic and significant messages.

Mary’s messenger presented staggering, disorienting news to the young peasant girl. Her response was to burst out in song, “My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46-47)

Joseph received multiple instructions and warnings from his celestial messengers. Each time, Joseph quickly obeyed. “He (Joseph) did as the angel of the Lord commanded Him.” (Matthew 1:24b)

Shepherds enduring their mundane, lonely existence were stunned by an angle choir heralding Jesus’ birth. They raced to Bethlehem to see the baby and returned praising God. Afterwards, they shared the good news with others. “And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.” (Luke 2:18)

This Christmas, respond to the message the angels delivered 2,000 years ago; like Mary, rejoice; like Joseph, obey; like the shepherds, praise God and share the good news with others.

Merry Christmas.

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries

Give the Gift of Grace

Nº 332

December 10, 2024

It is the most wonderful message the world has ever heard, or will hear.…the ‘Christmas spirit’…ought to mean the reproducing in human lives of the temper of Him who for our sakes became poor at the first Christmas. And the Christmas spirit itself ought to be the mark of every Christian all year round. - J.I. Packer

When Mary told Joseph that she was pregnant, we can only imagine his reaction. Anger?! Hurt?! Betrayal?! Frustration?! Bitterness?! Grief?! All of these and more?!

Joseph could have exacted vengeance. The law prescribed that Mary should be put to death (Leviticus 20:10). But his crushing personal disappointment did not override his noble, merciful, and loving heart.

Before an angel arrived to provide the grand picture of God’s involvement in their lives, Joseph made his decision. “And Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.” (Matthew 1:19)

Joseph found himself caught between the harsh penalty of the law and the seemingly cavalier response of grace. Joseph was both just and gracious. He resolved to find the best alternative for all concerned.

The baby that Mary was carrying, would one day protect an adulterous woman from an angry mob bent on enforcing the letter of the law. While protecting the woman, Jesus did not affirm her sinful behavior. His concluding words were, “go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11b)

This Christmas, like Joseph, choose grace. Showing love does not sanction misbehavior. But it does reflect Christ’s gracious heart, the way Joseph showed love to Mary.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President

The Lamb of God

Nº 331

December 3, 2024

The very purpose of Christ's coming into the world was that he might offer up his life as a sacrifice for the sins of men. He came to die. This is the heart of Christmas. - Billy Graham

Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus begins with a review of Jesus’ family tree tracing the line back to Abraham. He begins, “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac...”. (Matthew 1:1-2a)

The first child mentioned in the line is Isaac. This miraculous son was born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. He would carry forward God’s promises to Abraham’s descendants.

At one point, God tested Abraham telling him to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham obeyed God’s command and was willing to kill his son, but God intervened offering a substitute ram, saving Isaac’s life.

The lineage spanning 2,000 years concludes, “...and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.” (Matthew 1:16)

The culmination of the line is Jesus.

Father Abraham’s agonizing submission to sacrifice his son foreshadowed the excruciating gift God the Father would someday provide. The baby we celebrate this Christmas is the One who would become the Lamb of God, the substitute sacrifice for our sin. The joy of Christmas is tempered by the trauma of Good Friday yet multiplied by the victory of Easter!

Merry Christmas!

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries

Thanksgiving Thanks

Nº 330

November 26, 2024

Be thankful. God has commanded it—for our good and for His glory. God’s command to be thankful is not the threatening demand of a tyrant. Rather, it is the invitation of a lifetime—the opportunity to draw near to Him at any moment of the day. - Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

This week in the United States, we celebrate Thanksgiving. The day is filled with family, friends, food, and football. But fundamentally, this holiday provides a pause in our busy lives to remember and express our gratitude to God for His amazing benefits to us.

The Psalmist understood this holiday. He said, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” (Psalm 106:1b) This short but powerful statement reminds us to thank God for both His goodness and His love. Goodness speaks of who God is, and love focuses on His relationship with us.

God’s goodness is the plumb-line against which we see our flaws and weaknesses. Compared to God’s perfection, our sinful lives are on full display; we all fall short of God’s perfect standard. Even though his goodness highlights our flaws and shortcomings, his love provides our remedy. God’s steadfast love gave His Son to die in our place and take the punishment for our sin.

This year during the Thanksgiving season, enjoy family, friends, food, and football, but also take time to reflect on God’s goodness and love. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries

Twists and Turns

Nº 329

November 19, 2024

If we trust in our worry more than we trust God we are sinning by our lack of faith in God, who has given us the richness of His constant abiding presence, for those who put their faith in Him. - Billy Graham

My five-year-old granddaughter was just tall enough to experience a big-kid amusement park ride. She appeared a little tentative about the dips, turns, and unexpected frights on the new and exciting ride.

Her mother sat next to her and off they went into their dark and frightening adventure. When the harrowing ride concluded, her mom asked her, “Were you scared?” Her five-year-old reply was precious and insightful. “Yes, but I just closed my eyes and held your hand.”

Whether we close our eyes or look straight at the threats around us, our safety, peace, and comfort come as we cling to the powerful Hand that always sits beside us.

David experienced more than his share of dangerous and threatening circumstances. He spoke from experience when he penned the words, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” (Psalm 23:4a)

Whatever fears, twists, and turns you may encounter, the solution is always found in the assurance, for you are with me. Hold tightly to the powerful and loving hand of the One who will always remain next to you, no matter what frightful adventure you face.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Thirst Quencher

Nº 328

November 12, 2024

A few years ago, I joined some young friends on a 10-mile day-hike in Glacier National Park. I lagged behind the group, enjoying the magnificent views and reveling in the beauty of God’s creation.

But before the hike was half done, my water was gone, my mouth was parched, and I wondered how I would survive the last five miles. Fortunately, after a short time of lonely misery, worry, and thirst, I encountered a resupply area with an abundance of fresh, cool water.

Life can leave us dry, fatigued, worried, and alone. God understands our thirst and He also provides the refreshment we need. He said, “When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers on bare heights, and fountains in the midst of valleys, I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.” (Isaiah 41:17-18)

God designed us to thirst for Him. If your soul is parched, spend time with God and allow Him to satiate your thirst. He alone provides the refreshment we need for life’s journey.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Locking Arms

Nº 327

November 5, 2024

The fourth chapter of Ephesians provides a list of several amazing ways to serve the Lord. God has gifted people as apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers. These very different callings all share the responsibility “to equip the saints for the work of the ministry for building up the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12)

Before presenting these diverse categories, Paul sets the stage with a longer list of things we hold in common, and he reminds us to remain unified. “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)

The seven essential of our faith that should bind us together are:

One Body

One Spirit

One Hope

One Lord

One Faith

One Baptism

One God and Father of us all.

If we embrace these seven core elements, our diverse methods and unique styles will be complementary and not competitive sources of irritation.

There is so much in our world that divides us; however, focusing on the central elements of our faith helps us look past our differences and remain unified. Don’t add to the turmoil. Lock arms with others who share this common ground, and serve God with the unique gifting he provides.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries