Randy Alcorn's Blog, page 113

Shouldn’t We Share Our Concerns About a Book Directly with the Author Instead of in the Public Forum?

Recently someone asked me, “When you have concerns about a book, and disagree with it, shouldn’t you talk directly to the author rather than posting about it on your blog?”

In some cases, yes. I’ve gone directly to authors when I have a relationship with them, in the spirit of Matthew 18:15-17. For example, for years I didn’t share my review of The Shack publicly, and just emailed it directly to those who asked me about the book. Because the author and I live in the same area, I was able to invite him to discuss his book. We sat down in a coffee shop for nearly three hours in constructive dialogue. After we talked about a lot of things, I read to him most of the parts of the book that concerned me. When we met together face-to-face, he graciously agreed to respond to my questions, as I had underlined many places in the book where he has God make statements that I believe are not biblically accurate. I actually met with him a second time to discuss the issues.

When it became apparent that he wasn’t going to revise the book in light of the doctrinal concerns that I and many others have expressed, and because the book’s influence was growing and I was still getting questions about it, it seemed appropriate to finally post on my blog a link to what I wrote years before.

However, Matthew 18 addresses the need to go to people privately when they’ve sinned against us, or perhaps when we’ve sinned against them. But I’ve never read a book where I think the author has sinned against me, or I’ve sinned against the author. The author publicly takes a stand, so any ideas in the book are subject to public disagreement. This comes with the territory of being an author. After writing 55 books this is something I’ve long accepted. People routinely criticize my works and ideas, and they absolutely have the right to do so. I don’t lose sleep over that. True, sometimes I feel they have no regard for what I’ve said in context, and that they’re misrepresenting me. But I too have the right to say that just as they have the right to criticize me.

Also, often it’s simply not practical to connect directly with an author, since we don’t have a relationship. In such cases I can certainly hope and pray there are others in their lives who are willing to speak the truth in love to them. I have personally contacted several people with concerns about what they’ve said, and never heard back from them. I get that. Honestly, there are so many people who’ve taken issue with me on various things I’ve written, that often one of our staff members ends up addressing their concerns.

I could spend the rest of my life trying to respond to people’s objections and never be able to do anything else again. So I fully understand the limits of time to respond.

I think what’s central to this issue is that a book is by nature something placed in the public sphere, and is no longer a private matter. When it impacts and influences Christian readers, sometimes after careful consideration, I might feel the need to point out doctrinal and theological issues that readers should be aware of. I believe that just as others are free to do so, I am also.

Those who regularly read my blog know how rare it is for me to express opposition to a book or author. I only do so when I feel God is compelling me to. In each review of a book where I share concerns, I am not attacking the author, but rather simply expressing honest disagreement. Usually my disagreements are with some—not all—of the things he or she says.

Yes, we should all examine our hearts and motives before sharing a review. Yet every published book is fair game for honest evaluation. My books have received their share of criticism, but still I appreciate it when people are even-handed and kind, as I seek to be in my posts. My heart isn’t to tear down others or cause unnecessary division in the Church. (Ironically, some people have judged my motives while calling me judgmental.)

Scripture is clear: we’re to know the truth (1 Timothy 4:3), handle the truth accurately (2 Timothy 2:15), and avoid doctrinal untruths (2 Timothy 2:18). But even as we share what we believe honors and reflects God’s revealed truth, we are to be full of grace, humility, and gentleness. An author isn’t necessarily an opponent, but the principle found in 2 Timothy 2:25 still applies: “Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.”

Photo by Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash

Three Ways Parents Can Pray for Their Prodigal Children

There are few things in life as difficult and painful as watching your children walk away from Christ. For those whose hearts have been broken by their children’s rebellion, never give up on them. No matter how difficult their struggle, as long as they’re alive, God can change them.

Pray for your children (and grandchildren). Once they’re grown and on their own, sometimes it’s nearly the only thing you can do for them. But it’s always the best thing. Since God is on the throne, and your power is so limited, walk away from your efforts long enough to ask Him to exercise His omnipotence to do what’s best in your children’s lives.

I appreciated this beautiful article, originally posted on Desiring God, which was written by a prodigal who has come home. Sarah Walton shares three prayers parents can pray over their lost children. —Randy Alcorn

(Parents may also like to check out the book Prayers for Prodigals, recommended by one of our staff members.)

I once was that prodigal child — lost, angry, and struggling to find my identity. Hardened on the outside, but deeply hurting within. The pain of my choices was not only destroying me, but creating heartache within our family and severing my relationships with the people who loved me most.

By God’s grace, my parents did not give up on me — despite how tempting it must have been at times. Instead, they entrusted my life to God, prayed for my brokenness, and fought for me in prayers that God eventually answered.

Parents, if you are raising a seemingly hard-hearted, rebellious son or daughter (whether outwardly or inwardly), I challenge you to take up your arms, fight the spiritual battle that rages over them with all of your God-given strength, and refuse to give up on their life.

I encourage you to pray these three prayers over lost children.

1. Pray for a heart of brokenness, no matter the earthly cost.

It’s incredibly hard to pray for anything but a comfortable, successful, and pain-free life for our children. But as Christian parents, the greatest eternal good that we can pray for them is their salvation over their earthly happiness or comfort. We have to fight for them in this world filled with temporary pleasures, self-gratification, and blurry lines — entrusting their lives to our Lord — even if the path of salvation comes through pain.

I am eternally grateful that my parents loved me enough to pray for my brokenness, a brokenness that would lead to healing.

And my path of brokenness nearly killed me.

After a devastating loss of my identity as an athlete and hidden abuse from peers, my life spiraled out of control. I searched for identity and purpose in anything but Jesus. As self-destructive patterns drove me deeper into despair, I longed for an escape from this world, ultimately landing me in the protection of a hospital.

In that stark white hospital room, the choice before me was clear: be crushed by the weight of my sin or lay the broken pieces of my life at his feet. By his grace, he led me to my knees and has been redeeming those broken pieces ever since.

We will only be bold enough to pray a prayer of brokenness over our children when we ourselves have been broken before God and trust his love for our children and us. It’s only when we have completely surrendered our children to him that we can pray, “Father, use what you must to save my child from an eternity apart from you, no matter the cost.”

2. Pray against the enemy’s desire to have them.

A battle is being waged over our children’s lives. We have to fight for them, especially when blindness keeps them from fighting the battle themselves.

I remember my mom telling me the story of a time when I was standing in the kitchen with her, angry at the world, and taking it out on her. She looked at me and said boldly, “I am fighting for you, and I won’t let Satan have victory over your life!” After she spoke those words, I fell into a heap on the floor and burst into tears.

Although we don’t have a guarantee of our children’s salvation or the outcome we may desire, we can be confident that God is faithful to his promises and hears our prayers. One of the great weapons God has given parents to fight against the world’s pull and the enemy’s schemes over their children is to pray the way Christ did for Peter: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31–32).

Although Peter was a believer and the children we are praying for may not be, we can still pray to God that he would rescue our children from the power of Satan, give them faith in Christ, and use their lives to advance the gospel and strengthen other believers.

3. Pray specific Scripture over their life.

Even if your child wants nothing to do with the truth and hates to hear the word of God, they can do nothing to stop you from praying Scripture for them. This is another mighty weapon God has given to parents.

My parents prayed Psalm 18:16–19 over my life and prayed it often:

He sent from on high, he took me;
he drew me out of many waters.
He rescued me from my strong enemy
and from those who hated me,
for they were too mighty for me.
They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
but the Lord was my support.
He brought me out into a broad place;
he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

It truly amazes me to look back and see how faithful God was to answer this prayer. I was drowning in self-destruction, abuse from others, rebelliousness, and sorrows too deep to understand at the time. God, in his mercy, drew me out of many deep waters, and rescued me from my own flesh and Satan’s desire for me.

As I sat in a hospital room, no longer wanting to live, God rescued me, brought me out into a broad place, and showed me that he delighted in me (despite my unworthiness). He has continued to be faithful to this prayer, upholding me through many deep waters and carrying me through many dark days.

Parents, no matter how far your child seems to be from Jesus or what path they are on, you can fight for their life with the powerful weapon of God’s word.

The Power of a Praying Parent

The truth is, while we must teach and train our children, and put boundaries in place, we have no control over their hearts. Ultimately, God alone can fill their hearts with a love for Christ and open their eyes to see the beauty and glory of who he is.

I am learning this on a new level and from a different perspective as I now face struggles with my own children that often tempt me to despair. But we are not helpless, and we are never hopeless. Whether our children are young or old, have soft hearts or hearts of stone, we have the power of prayer, God’s living word, and a sovereign God we can trust.

Our Father in heaven loves to take seemingly hopeless lives, like my own once was, and show himself merciful and mighty. Give your child the gift of prayer, and trust that God will use his or her life for his good purposes — growing and transforming your own life in the process.

This article originally appeared on DesiringGod.org . It is used by permission of the author.

Photo by Olia Gozha on Unsplash

Some Day, Jesus Will Make It Plain

When I’m asked who my favorite character from my novels is, I always say it’s Obadiah Abernathy in Dominion, who played baseball in the old Negro leagues. He modeled dignity, grace, wisdom, and humor. My sports inspiration for Obadiah was Buck O’Neil of the Kansas City Monarchs, but my spiritual inspiration was John Perkins. Whenever I wrote dialogue for Obadiah, I asked myself, What would John say?

Here’s an excerpt from the book, where Obadiah shares thoughts with his family and sings a hymn:

Obadiah looked around the table, and Clarence could almost hear an abrupt gear change in his daddy’s head. “You know what’s missin’ in churches these days?” “What’s that, Daddy?” Clarence asked.

“The mourner’s bench. ’Member our old church in Puckett? They had a mourner’s bench. That was back in the days when you didn’t need no theologian to explain away the Bible. We just believed it. And tried to live by it. ’Member ol’ Reverend Charo, Clarence?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“Now that was a preacher. Man had more points than a thornbush.” Obadiah smiled broadly, his white teeth looking like piano ivories. “The Reverend used to say from the pulpit in this big loud voice, ‘It’s no disgrace to be colored.’ Then he’d pause and lean forward and wink at us and whisper, ‘It’s just awfully inconvenient.’”

Obadiah laughed and laughed, mostly on his own, though Geneva managed a few chuckles herself.

“Sunday was the finest day of the week, I reckon. We’d leave behind those cotton fields, that ol’ ramshackle house, and come to the house of God. Without Sundays, we woulda shriveled up and died, worked ourselves to the grave ’fore we was fifty years ol’. We’d put on our Sunday best. Mama, she’d put wheat starch in my collar to glue down the threads on my one white shirt. I’d pick the trousers with the fewest holes. We’d walk the four miles to Sunday school, rain or shine. And we had fun walkin’. Ol’ Elijah and me, we was always cookin’ up mischief along the way.”

He looked right at Jonah and Ty and nodded, as an old man who’s never forgotten what it is to be young. Everyone’s eyes focused on Granddaddy. Frail as Obadiah’s body had become, his eyes were strong and he still carried the indomitable authority of a senior black man.

“Pastor served four churches, so he’d be there once a month. We’d take a break after Sunday school, then have a big service. Preacher go up there and say, ‘Remember your mama? How she used to hug you and tuck you in? But she gone now. Can’t tuck you in no more.’ And he’d carry on and on, till we was all snifflin’ and sobbin’. He’d keep remindin’ us of our grandmammies and all our kin that died until we was almost in a frenzy. Then he’d shout, ‘But someday you goin’ to see yo’ mama again. Some day you goin’ to heaven, if you loves Jesus, and there she be—arm’s awide open, waitin’ fo’ you. How many o’ you can hardly wait for that day?’”

Obadiah’s voice had taken on the strength of the preacher’s from seventy-five years ago. “People, they be shoutin’ and clappin’, twitchin’ and tremblin.’ Not like some churches where it’s just a lecture and they has to stop at an hour so you don’t falls asleep. Now, your churches today, they don’t preach about heaven no mo’, not like that anyways. Not like that. Maybe nowadays we thinks this world’s our home. Maybe that’s whys we’s in so much trouble.”

…He scanned the children to decide which to light his eyes on, and this time chose Keisha.

“We’d come together and focus on a better life—the life to come. Always read the Scripture that said we was strangers and aliens and pilgrims. Slave stock understood that. Property owners never did. See, Keisha, black folk couldn’t own property back then. A few did, but very few. We was sharecroppers; our pappies was slaves. We knew this wasn’t our home. It’s harder when you think you own things yourself. ’Cause then you starts actin’ like a big shot owner instead of a tenant. This here is God’s world, chillens. No man owns anything. We’s all just sharecroppers on God’s land. But he never cheats us—come harvest time, he’ll give us the rewards of our labor.”

“Doesn’t seem that way sometimes, Daddy,” Clarence said. Geneva looked startled. She didn’t remember him ever taking issue with his daddy in front of the children, at least not on spiritual matters. “Lots of bad things happen in this world. Seems like sometimes our labor doesn’t pay off.”

“That’s because it ain’t harvest time yet, Son. You jus’ wait. You jus’ wait.”

“I’m tired of always waiting.”

“You trust him, boy, and yo’ sweet Jesus ain’t gonna let you down. These television preachers make it sound like today’s the harvest. Give a bunch o’ money and next thing you know there’s a big Cadillac in your driveway. Show me the chapter and verse fo’ that one, will ya? God say at the proper time we’ll reap a harvest, if we don’t give up. Proper time ain’t here yet. Don’t give up, Son. Just don’t give up.”

The old man’s eyes started to glaze. His mouth kept moving, but he was in transition. “I remembers those ol’ songs, songs black as night, black as the raven. ‘Steal away.’ ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.’ ‘I’ll Fly Away.’ ‘Just Over in Glory Land.’ ‘In the Sweet By-and-By.’ We always sung about ‘one day acomin.’ We knew this weren’t the day.”

Obadiah was somewhere else now. Was he thinking about his mama? Clarence wondered. His wife? His daughter? Little Felicia?

Suddenly, so low and quiet you could barely hear, he began singing a song Clarence vaguely remembered from childhood. “I does not know why all aroun’ me, my hopes all shattered seem to be. God’s perfect plan I cannot see. But one day, someday, he’ll make it plain.”

…“I don’t understand,” the old man continued to sing, “my struggles now, why I suffer and feel so bad. But one day, someday, he’ll make it plain. Someday when I his face shall see, someday from tears I shall be free, yes, someday I’ll understand.”

A reader recently asked me what song those lyrics Obadiah sings are from. They are a slightly revised version of “Some Day He’ll Make It Plain,” with words by Lida S. Leech and music by Adam Geibel. He wrote the melody in 1911 after his son-in-law died in a steel mill explosion. Be sure to check out this audio devotional from Joni Eareckson Tada, who shares a precious recording of her mom singing the hymn.

Photo by Brunel Johnson on Unsplash

We Need to Regain and Teach an Understanding of the Physical Nature of the Resurrection

Many Bible-believing Christians today are crippled by their unbiblical view of the life to come. This is why I have written at length on the subject of Heaven, putting primary emphasis on the resurrection and eternal state centered on the New Earth.

Ironically, there are believers who would die rather than deny the resurrection, yet they actually don’t understand or believe what the doctrine of the resurrection means! Despite the centrality of the resurrection in Scripture and church history, many of them have never been clearly taught its meaning, so they imagine they’ll live forever in a disembodied state.

But this predominant viewpoint is self-contradictory. A nonphysical resurrection is like a sunless sunrise. There’s no such thing. Resurrection means we will have bodies! If we didn’t have bodies, we wouldn’t be resurrected.

Christ’s resurrection body demonstrated what our own will be like: “See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have” (Luke 24:39).

It’s no coincidence that the Apostle Paul’s detailed defense of the physical resurrection was written to the church at Corinth. Corinthian believers were immersed in the Greek philosophies of Platonism and dualism, which perceived a dichotomy between the spiritual and physical realms.

Platonists see a disembodied soul as the ideal. The Bible, meanwhile, sees this division as unnatural and undesirable. We are unified beings. That’s what makes bodily resurrection so vital. That’s also why Paul said that if there is no resurrection, “we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:19). The truth is, God intends for our bodies, once raised, to last as long as our souls.

In an article for First Things, Abigail Rine Favale writes about “Evangelical Gnosticism” and the need for Christians to regain an understanding of what the resurrection means:

I teach in a great books program at an Evangelical university. Almost all students in the program are born-and-bred Christians of the nondenominational variety. A number of them have been both thoroughly churched and educated through Christian schools or homeschooling curricula. Yet an overwhelming majority of these students do not believe in a bodily resurrection. While they trust in an afterlife of eternal bliss with God, most of them assume this will be disembodied bliss, in which the soul is finally free of its “meat suit” (a term they fondly use).

I first caught wind of this striking divergence from Christian orthodoxy in class last year, when we encountered Stoic visions of the afterlife. Cicero, for one, describes the body as a prison from which the immortal soul is mercifully freed upon death, whereas Seneca views the body as “nothing more or less than a fetter on my freedom,” one eventually “dissolved” when the soul is set loose. These conceptions were quite attractive to the students.

Resistance to the idea of a physical resurrection struck them as perfectly logical. “It doesn’t feel right to say there’s a human body in heaven, when the body is tied so closely to sin,” said one student. In all, fewer than ten of my forty students affirmed the orthodox teaching that we will ultimately have a body in our glorified, heavenly form. None of them realizes that these beliefs are unorthodox; this is not willful doctrinal error. This is an absence of knowledge about the foundational tenets of historical, creedal Christianity.

Read the rest.

A 1997 poll of Americans found that of those who believe in a resurrection of the dead, two-thirds believe they will not have bodies after the resurrection. [1] Unfortunately, as the above article demonstrates, twenty years later many Christians are still laboring under a false understanding of the resurrection.

In response to Abigail’s article, one Christian university professor wrote on Twitter, “I did not believe this was true of my students, so I polled two of my classes today. I was floored (and dismayed) to discover the vast majority don’t believe in the bodily resurrection.” Later he wrote, “After five minutes of discussion most of them were more open to the idea.” This is encouraging, as I believe most believers are interested in learning the real biblical meaning of the resurrection (the fact that we have a physical eternity to look forward to is good news!)

So why does all this matter? Because if we don’t get the resurrection of the body right, we’ll get nothing else right concerning our eternal future. I agree with Abigail’s assessment: “The tenet of the bodily resurrection is not a peripheral doctrinal issue. It is part of the entire economy of salvation.” It’s therefore critical that we not merely affirm the resurrection of the dead as a point of doctrine but that we understand the meaning of the resurrection we affirm.

For more on the eternal life that awaits us, see Randy’s book Heaven. You can also browse additional books and resources on Heaven available from EPM.

[1] Time (March 24, 1997): 75, quoted in Paul Marshall with Lela Gilbert, Heaven Is Not My Home: Learning to Live in God’s Creation (Nashville: Word, 1998), 234.

Photo by Mike Meroz on Unsplash

The Best Gift I Brought to a Dying Friend

Today’s guest post is by EPM staff member Shauna Hernandez. I so appreciate the thoughts she shares about saying goodbye just a few weeks ago to Karen Coleman, our beloved coworker and friend. —Randy Alcorn

Recently, I was preparing to visit my friend and coworker, Karen, who was dying of cancer, and I was a bundle of nerves. This was my third significant loss in the past year and a half and I wasn’t sure I could actually go through with seeing her. My soul was tired. My emotions were wrecked. But my God was, and is, faithful.

For days, I was stressing about this visit to Karen. My mom passed away a year and a half ago and this would be the first time since her passing that I visited someone this close to death. I shared my fears with my husband and decided to go ahead and see her. I wanted to say goodbye for now and also, though it may have been selfish, I thought it would help in my personal grieving process. I asked another coworker if we could go together as I surely couldn’t do it alone. We decided we’d go on Friday, and so for the next several days, my mind was filled with this visit.

As I was preparing that week to see her, the question “But what do I bring her?” crossed my mind. Flowers? Chocolate? A fluffy stuffed animal? Certainly none of these things are bad, but they all seemed SO insignificant for the visit. None of them seemed to hit the mark for the extraordinary lady I was about to say goodbye to.

So empty handed, I entered her room that day. She was awake and quietly laying on her hospice bed in a bright, sun-filled room with huge windows that looked out on the yard filled with green grass and big trees. What a room of peace! My time with her was short and simple. I gave her hand a squeeze and told her I loved her. She returned the words to me and asked me to pass along her hello to my husband (what a thoughtful lady!).

About five minutes later, our sweet time was over. I was filled with thankfulness—I was thankful the Lord gave me the courage to see Karen that day. Thankful that I had the gift of living life with her for a few years. Thankful that Jesus defeated death and this truly isn’t the last time I’ll see her or other people I’ve lost. Thankful for the dear people taking care of my friend. Thankful I ended up just bringing myself and not a little “trinket” that to me would have been only a formality. Karen passed away less than two days later, and I was so thankful God gave me those precious five minutes.

So, for me, I didn’t need to bring a “thing” for Karen, for she was going to a place where she wouldn’t need it anyway!

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). Karen is now enjoying the presence of her Lord, whom she served so faithfully.

You lived life well, dear sister. I’ll see you again and can’t wait until that day!  

Photo by Rob Wingate on Unsplash

Who Is the Happiest Human Being Who Ever Lived?

Though the answer wouldn’t be obvious to unbelievers or even to most Christians, the Bible is clear on this: it’s Jesus. Psalm 45:6-7 is quoted in direct reference to the Messiah, in Hebrews 1:8-9, where the Father says of His Son: “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” Most scholars think “companions,” in context, is the whole human race that Jesus became part of in His incarnation.

Notice the connection between Christ’s righteousness and His gladness, whereas in Scripture wickedness brings misery. Ironically, we often think of ourselves as fun-loving, and of God as a humorless killjoy. But we’ve got it backward. We are the dull ones, not God. Did we invent wit, humor, and laughter? No. God did. We’ll never begin to exhaust God’s sense of humor and His love for pleasure-filled joy. “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

For Nanci and me, as much now as ever as she’s battling cancer, laughter is pure therapy. We were with six dear friends recently, and we ate and drank and laughed and told stories till late. I’m still smiling at the evening we enjoyed together.

We love to laugh, and there’s a lot of it with family and friends. As long as our laughter isn’t impure or demeaning, I think Christ laughs with us. On the New Earth, after the resurrection, the wit and fun-loving nature of our Lord will be our greatest source of endless laughter. I am convinced no one’s laughter will be louder and more contagious than that of Jesus.

Growing up in a faithful Jewish family, Jesus would have enjoyed many feasts and holidays, as well as the weekly Sabbath, all celebratory experiences (see chapter 33 of my book Happiness). One of the psalms that Jesus would have meditated on from His childhood says, “When the Lord brought us back to Jerusalem it was like a dream! How we laughed, how we sang for joy! . . . Indeed He did great things for us; how happy we were!”(Psalm 126:1-3, GNT).

“Be happy and shout to God who makes us strong!” (Psalm 81:1, CEV). A. W. Tozer said, “The people of God ought to be the happiest people in all the wide world!”

So thank God for laughter, and realize as long as it’s not celebrating impurity or other sin, Jesus joins in your laughter. If that’s clear in our minds, then it will counteract the stereotype of unhappy Christians, and people around us will see that the Gospel of Jesus is truly “the good news of happiness” (Isaiah 52:7, ESV).

“God will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting” (Job 8:21).

Jesus said, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh” (Luke 6:21).

“Well done, good and faithful servant…Enter into your Master’s happiness” (Matthew 25:23).

Photo by Ankush Minda on Unsplash

Clothed with Strength and Dignity: a Video Remembering Karen Coleman, and an Invitation to Give in Her Honor

Many of you read and shared your appreciation for EPM’s tribute to our staff member Karen Coleman, who went to be with Jesus in June. Thank you to those who have prayed for our staff in this time of grief, and for Randy as he prepared to speak at Karen’s memorial service. Please also keep Karen’s sons, Zac and Noah, and her daughter-in-law Hannah, in your prayers as they grieve the loss of their beloved mother and mother-in-law.

As Karen planned her service in the weeks before her death, her greatest hope was that the gospel would be clearly communicated and Jesus would be glorified. Though you may not have known Karen personally, we think you’ll be touched by hearing what was shared about her life and learning how she served Jesus with all her heart. You can watch the full video below, or just Randy’s message.  

Full video:

Randy’s message:

 
We’d like to invite you to join us in honoring Karen by giving to fund a translation of Scripture. She and her family spent 23 years as missionaries in Cameroon involved in the Scripture translation work of the Esimbi language. We can’t think of a better way to remember her legacy than to give in her honor toward the continuation of this project. We’re partnering with The Seed Company to help fund the Esimbi project, which will bring God’s Word to 20,000 people who live in isolated areas of Karen’s beloved Cameroon. You can read more and give to this project through our donation page (choose the special project “Esimbi Translation Project”).

Randy shared this at the end of his message:

I’m thinking of people in Cameroon who still well remember Karen, and the Coleman family, who will one day hold a Bible in their hands that’s in their own language. They’ll be reading the words of God, and they’ll remember Karen. And they’ll know that her friends came together to help provide the Word of God for them in their heart language.

The Lord Is My Rock, My Fortress, and My Deliverer: Portions from Psalm 18

Here are portions of Psalm 18 that I meditated on recently before Nanci and I met with her doctor. (You can read an update on her health, and some good news we’re grateful for, on her Caring Bridge page.) God spoke to me through these verses, and I hope they speak to you too:

I love you, Lord, my strength.

2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,

    my shield[b] and the horn[c] of my salvation, my stronghold.

3 I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise…

    I cried to my God for help.

From his temple he heard my voice;

    my cry came before him, into his ears.

16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me;

    he drew me out of deep waters…

18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,

    but the Lord was my support.

19 He brought me out into a spacious place;

    he rescued me because he delighted in me.

27 You save the humble

    but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.

28 You, Lord, keep my lamp burning;

    my God turns my darkness into light.

29 With your help I can advance against a troop;

    with my God I can scale a wall.

30 As for God, his way is perfect:

    The Lord’s word is flawless;

    he shields all who take refuge in him.

31 For who is God besides the Lord?

    And who is the Rock except our God?

32 It is God who arms me with strength

    and keeps my way secure.

46 The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!

    Exalted be God my Savior!...

49 Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;

    I will sing the praises of your name.

Also, Nanci has loved reading Knowing God by J. I. Packer and Trusting God by Jerry Bridges, along with A. W. Tozer’s The Knowledge of the Holy. Both of us highly recommend these three books, because they center us on the person of God which is where we all need to set our minds, whether we’re facing cancer or anything else.

Photo by Samuel Ferrara on Unsplash

Believe It by Nick Foles, a Great New Book, #5 on the NYT Best Sellers List

Of the many fine young men I’ve gotten to know through the ministry of Pro Athletes Outreach (PAO), quarterback Nick Foles stands out as one of those most serious in his Christian faith. (See my past blog on Nick and Case Keenum, as well as some of Nick’s Eagles teammates who know and love Jesus.)

Recently Nick’s new book Believe It: My Journey of Success, Failure and Overcoming the Odds, was released. As of this Sunday it will debut at #5 on the New York Times Best Sellers list! With Josh Cooley’s able help, Nick has told his story in a unique and memorable way that can be enjoyed by avid football fans and not so avid ones. I loved this book, which has excellent stories, honesty, and life lessons from a brother in Christ who is the real deal.

I consider Nick a good friend, and I respect but do not idolize him. (He’s pictured here with his wonderful wife Tori and their adorable daughter Lily.) Part of what I love is that he has learned great life lessons not just from his success, but his failures. He talks about both in his book.

In addition to our exchanging a lot of texts, I’ve spent time with Nick in three locations, including our home. I’ve talked and prayed with him and each time I’ve been struck with his sincerity, humility and genuine desire to make a difference in people’s lives for the glory of God. (After retiring from the NFL he wants to become a youth pastor—Super Bowl MVP looks pretty good on a youth pastor’s resume.)

The book is well written and authentically portrays Nick’s personal priorities and heart for others, especially young people. I’ve seen how he’s interacted with my own grandsons. He has spoken into their lives on a spiritual basis, and I believe through this book he will speak powerfully into hundreds of thousands of other lives. One of the things I love in the book is how he honors his wife Tori and deals with her health struggles. They are both honest and open and don’t airbrush life’s challenges.

Here’s more about the book:

Get ready to defy the odds when everyone’s counting you out.

When the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting quarterback went down with a torn ACL in week 14 of the 2017 NFL season, many fans—and commentators—assumed the Eagles’ season was over.

Instead, Nick Foles came off the bench and, against all odds, led the Eagles to their first Super Bowl victory in history.

How did Nick get it done—winning MVP honors, silencing the critics, and shocking the world? How did the man who was on the verge of retiring just two seasons earlier stay optimistic and rally the team to an astounding win? How did he stay ready despite numerous trades and discouraging injuries, able to step up in the moment and perform at the top of his game?

Believe It offers a behind-the-scenes look at Nick’s unlikely path to the Super Bowl, the obstacles that threatened to hold him back, his rediscovery of his love for the game, and the faith that grounded him through it all. Learn from the way Nick handled the trials and tribulations that made him into the man he is today—and discover a path to your own success.

Nick and Lily’s photo after Super Bowl win and Nick was named MVP. This photo has been put in the NFL Hall of Fame, and Nick looks forward to taking Lily there to see it:

Here’s an excerpt from Nick’s book:

Everything in my life changed in the span of sixty seconds.

It was March 10, 2015, the official start of the NFL calendar. The 2014 season was already a distant memory, which was fine by me. After enjoying a record-setting second season with the Eagles in 2013, I had regressed some during my third season. My accuracy wasn’t as sharp, and my overall statistics were nowhere near my earlier Pro Bowl level. To make matters worse, I had suffered a broken collarbone in a week eight win over Houston and missed the rest of the season.

Nevertheless, I was filled with excitement heading into 2015. Despite my statistical drop-off the year before, I had led the Eagles to a 6–2 record, and we had a solid core of players returning to a 10–6 team that had barely missed the playoffs. My collarbone had fully healed, and I was feeling better than ever. Hope abounded.

That morning I headed to Equinox, my off-season gym in Irvine, California, to play some basketball and work out. I had been a decent high school basketball player in Texas, and it was always nice to dust off those skills between NFL campaigns. I felt fluid and sharp as I played a little pickup and a couple of rounds of H-O-R-S-E with some gym buddies. Steph Curry’s roster spot was by no means in jeopardy, but I was nailing some pretty crazy half-court shots. Everything was clicking. Eventually, the weight room beckoned. The earbuds went in, the country music went on, and the volume went up. (You can take the country boy out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of the country boy.)

I was in the middle of a set of leg presses when my phone rang. Typically I don’t answer my phone during workouts, but the caller ID read Chip Kelly, and when your head coach calls, you answer.

The regular season had been over for ten weeks. My last conversation with Chip had been our exit meeting in early January before I left for the off-season. I assumed he wanted to check on my collarbone and my overall progress—maybe even discuss his roster-building plans.

Boy, was I wrong.

The call started out benignly enough. “Hey, Chip. What’s up?”

“Hey, Nick. How are you feeling?”

“I feel great. I’m in the best shape of my life.” And I meant it. “I’m really excited about this season and this team.”

Chip told me he was happy to hear that, and then he talked a little about how the team was building for the future. Then, out of nowhere, came the fifty-foot swell.

“Nick, I’m actually calling to tell you that we’ve traded you to the St. Louis Rams for Sam Bradford. I wanted to be the one to let you know. Thanks for all you’ve done for this organization and for me personally. I wish you the best of luck.”

Chip’s tone was steady and measured—almost Belichickian—a stark contrast to what I was feeling. I stood up, faced the window, and blinked, unable to find words.

I’d loved playing in Chip’s rapid-fire offense. We had so many dynamic weapons on the team—Riley Cooper, Zach Ertz, Jeremy Maclin, Jordan Matthews, LeSean McCoy, Darren Sproles. Besides, my wife, Tori, and I had quickly grown to love the city of Philadelphia, and we were excited about diving into community work there. We wanted to plant deep roots.

Now those dreams were being dashed in a matter of seconds. I was flabbergasted. What was I supposed to say? Like Barry Sanders in the open field, eloquent words escaped me.

“Well,” I stammered, “thanks for the call. Obviously, I want to be in Philly, but I understand.”

Did I?

With all the graciousness I could muster, I said, “I’m truly grateful for my time with the Eagles. I wish you the best.”

Chip informed me that I’d be getting a call from Rams head coach Jeff Fisher soon. Then we hung up.

I looked at my phone. The call had lasted exactly one minute. I stood frozen at the leg-press station, my body numb. Off-season trades are commonplace in the NFL, but you never think it’s going to be you.

What just happened?

One moment I was planning my future as the franchise quarterback for the Eagles. The next, my world was like a merry-go-round flying off its axis.

Sure enough, Jeff Fisher called a minute later to welcome me to the Rams. I tried to sound enthusiastic, but honestly I was faking it.

After we wrapped up the call, I ditched the rest of my workout. Whatever motivation I’d had that morning had evaporated. I called home and broke the news to Tori; then I called my dad.

The next day I flew to St. Louis to meet my new coaches, undergo a physical, and hold a press conference.

For the first time, I started to grasp a harsh reality: the NFL was a business, and I was an expendable commodity.

Everything I’d been working toward in Philadelphia had suddenly been stripped away.

None of this was part of my plan.

Read a longer excerpt here. Also, make sure you check out this interview with Nick on Sports Spectrum, one of my favorite sites. Nick shares his reason for writing a book, how close he was to retiring from the NFL, cultivating a culture of faith in the locker room, going from MVP to backup, and why he doesn’t want to be called a “starting quarterback.” And here’s an article about Nick’s wife Tori, and her struggle with POTS, a little-known disorder.

Here’s how Nick Foles won over my wife Nanci: if you love our dog Maggie, and love our grandsons (three not present, but Ty and Jake are in the photo), then you’re family!

   

Will Our Bodies Shine in Heaven?

Some people have asked me if our resurrected bodies will shine. They cite two passages: “The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matthew 13:43) and “Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3, NASB).

On the one hand, Jesus didn’t have a halo after His resurrection, and there’s no reason to believe we will either. Christ’s body appeared so earthly and normal that the disciples on the road to Emmaus didn’t notice He was the resurrected Lord (Luke 24:13-24). However, at this point He was not yet glorified.

During Christ’s transfiguration, His clothing “became as bright as a flash of lightning” (Luke 9:29). Since this portrays Christ as King, it makes sense to think He will literally shine in His kingdom on the New Earth. John says of the city, “the Lamb is its lamp” (Revelation 22:23). As noted earlier, John saw Christ in the present Heaven as a powerful shining being, not someone who would blend into a crowd (Revelation 1:12-18). Moses and Elijah, who joined Christ on the mountain, “appeared in glorious splendor” (Luke 9:31). After Moses received the Ten Commandments from God on the mountain, Moses’ face shone (Exodus 34:29-30).

Many believe these descriptors are figures of speech. Yet in some cases (including Moses’) it was clearly literal. Since God Himself is consistently portrayed as existing in brilliant light, it shouldn’t surprise us to think that in His presence we too will partake of His brightness. I believe that as resurrected beings, we will indeed bear this physical evidence of being God’s image bearers and living in God’s presence. To be glorified appears to mean that, among other things, we may literally shine.

If this seems hard to imagine, think of a person with drab, grayish, malnourished skin, and then imagine the same person as vibrant and healthy. Couldn’t you say the person shines? Have you heard it said of someone “she’s radiant”? I’ve met people so full of Jesus that they seem to have a physical brightness. If God Himself is bright, then it seems appropriate that we, His image-bearers, will reflect His brightness.

Now, moving beyond that weak analogy of our present condition, imagine people in the very presence of God, who are so righteous, so beautiful, so devoid of sin and darkness, so permeated by the very righteousness of God, that they have a literal physical radiance. That’s not so hard to imagine, is it?

Shining speaks of glory, the outward display of greatness and majesty. Glory is a word associated with rulers. Kings had glory. We understandably hesitate to attribute glory to ourselves, but God doesn’t hesitate to ascribe glory to us. As God’s children we should bear His likeness. It’s He, not we, who declares that we are royalty—kings and queens who will reign with Christ.

A. B. Caneday reminds us, “God is the original; we are the organic image, the living copy. We do not rightly speak of God as King by projecting onto him regal imagery because we think it is fitting for God. Rather, bowing before God who has dominion is proper, for man as king over creation, is the image of kingship; God, the true king, is the reality that casts the image of the earthly king.” [1]

Hence, our glory as lesser kings and queens will serve to magnify His greater glory as the King of kings. We won’t absorb and keep the glory given us, but we will reflect it and emanate it toward its proper object: Christ Himself. This is evident in the fact that God’s worshiping children will “lay their crowns before the throne” (Revelation 4:10).

What prepares us to participate in God’s glory? Our current sufferings (Romans 8:17-18; 1 Peter 5:1-4). “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Provided we draw our strength from Christ, the greater our troubles now, the greater our glory then.

For more on the eternal life that awaits us, see Randy’s book Heaven. You can also browse additional books and resources on Heaven available from EPM.

[1] A. B. Caneday, “Veiled Glory,” in John Piper, Justin Taylor, and Paul Kjoss Helseth, Beyond the Bounds (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 2003), 163.

Photo by Julia Caesar on Unsplash