Eric E. Wright's Blog, page 7

The Further We Drift From the Christian Faith, the Needier We Become – Essential Beliefs, #43

The Farther We Drift From the Christian Faith, the Needier We Become -Essential Beliefs, #43

What I’m Learning From Unanswered Prayer

What I’m Learning From Unanswered Prayer

Is Self-reliance more Important than Mutual Encouragement?

Why do we even need to ask the question?

In the western world we’ve made a virtue of independence, self-reliance, and self-sufficiency. In some ways these virtues have served us well by enabling us to avoid getting stuck in a rut dug by clinging to out-moded cultural mores. They help many to launch out into life without clinging to their parents. They have energized explorers and inventors.

But we are not meant to live as independent islands of self-reliance. For many of us, Christmas has again demonstrated to us the blessing of families. For me, at this advanced stage of life, my children and grandchildren have often been there when I needed their help.

And yet, we often run into this misplaced spirit of independence, especially in those who have lived productive lives but now come to an age when receiving help is irksome. We have a friend who needs help very badly, but every time we try to offer help, she feels the need to pay for it in some way. It’s as if she cannot conceive of the concept of grace, “freely you have received, freely give.” She seems to avoid asking her kids for help.

This concept of giving and receiving grace is meant to permeate the church. Let me apply this concept in what may seem a strange way, by asking why so many professing Christians act as if they are independent islands of self-reliance? Are individual Christians meant to be isolated? Let’s take the example of one of the strongest Christians we read about in the New Testament and see what he says.

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul sent Tychicus to the church so that “you may know how we are [and what I am doing] and that he may encourage you” (Eph. 6:21,22). Paul wanted news of the Ephesians so he could be encouraged and so they, in turn, could be encouraged.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote, “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you…Epaproditis…he longs for you also and is distressed because you heard he was ill…so that you may be glad” (See Phil. 2: 19-30) Paul recognized his need to be cheered by news from that church—and for them to be encouraged.

In writing to the Colossians, Paul wrote, “Tychicus…a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts…with Onesimus…they will tell you everything that is happening here” (Col. 4:7-9).

Paul goes on to describe how, “My fellow prisoner Aristarchus” is being sent after being a comfort to him as one who is “wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured…he is working hard for you” Then he mentions Luke, the doctor and others while asking that this letter be read also in Laodicea. (See Col. 4:10-17.)

Paul spent a whole chapter of Romans (16) listing dozens of helpers. If Paul needed co-workers, if Paul needed encouragement from other believers, who are we to think that we don’t? The church is meant to be, not only a place of worship, but a place where we gather with other believers to imbibe hope and joy and love from our brothers and sisters. God never meant us to be islands!

Isolated or connected? Hearing about how God is dealing with one another or the silence of living alone or only with our spouse? Encouragement from each other or stolid “stiff upper lip,” “I don’t need anyone,” “I’ve got it all together?” The answer is self-evident unless we are blinded by some exalted opinion of ourselves.

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10: 24,25).

In Life is Self-reliance more Important than Mutual Encouragement?

Why do we even need to ask the question?

In the western world we’ve made a virtue of independence, self-reliance, and self-sufficiency. In some ways these virtues have served us well by enabling us to avoid getting stuck in a rut dug by clinging to out-moded cultural mores. They help many to launch out into life without clinging to their parents. They have energized explorers and inventors.

But we are not meant to live as independent islands of self-reliance. For many of us, Christmas has again demonstrated to us the blessing of families. For me, at this advanced stage of life, my children and grandchildren have often been there when I needed their help.

And yet, we often run into this misplaced spirit of independence, especially in those who have lived productive lives but now come to an age when receiving help is irksome. We have a friend who needs help very badly, but every time we try to offer help, she feels the need to pay for it in some way. It’s as if she cannot conceive of the concept of grace, “freely you have received, freely give.” She seems to avoid asking her kids for help.

This concept of giving and receiving grace is meant to permeate the church. Let me apply this concept in what may seem a strange way, by asking why so many professing Christians act as if they are independent islands of self-reliance? Are individual Christians meant to be isolated? Let’s take the example of one of the strongest Christians we read about in the New Testament and see what he says.

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul sent Tychicus to the church so that “you may know how we are [and what I am doing] and that he may encourage you” (Eph. 6:21,22). Paul wanted news of the Ephesians so he could be encouraged and so they, in turn, could be encouraged.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote, “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you…Epaproditis…he longs for you also and is distressed because you heard he was ill…so that you may be glad” (See Phil. 2: 19-30) Paul recognized his need to be cheered by news from that church—and for them to be encouraged.

In writing to the Colossians, Paul wrote, “Tychicus…a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts…with Onesimus…they will tell you everything that is happening here” (Col. 4:7-9).

Paul goes on to describe how, “My fellow prisoner Aristarchus” is being sent after being a comfort to him as one who is “wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured…he is working hard for you” Then he mentions Luke, the doctor and others while asking that this letter be read also in Laodicea. (See Col. 4:10-17.)

Paul spent a whole chapter of Romans (16) listing dozens of helpers. If Paul needed co-workers, if Paul needed encouragement from other believers, who are we to think that we don’t? The church is meant to be, not only a place of worship, but a place where we gather with other believers to imbibe hope and joy and love from our brothers and sisters. God never meant us to be islands!

Isolated or connected? Hearing about how God is dealing with one another or the silence of living alone or only with our spouse? Encouragement from each other or stolid “stiff upper lip,” “I don’t need anyone,” “I’ve got it all together?” The answer is self-evident unless we are blinded by some exalted opinion of ourselves.

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10: 24,25).

Is There Life After Deep Grief?

This is the second Christmas without Mary Helen, my helpmate of 61 years. But something is profoundly different this year.

Over three years ago, Mary Helen began her downward health spiral. Caring for her in our home was a sad privilege that filled each day with purpose. Her home-going plunged me into deep grief out of which I never thought I would emerge. I’ve written about that period in my book, A Man’s Journey Through Grief—The Candid memoir of a Jesus-Follower’s Struggles to Rebuild His Life after His Wife’s Death.

Many days, when unbidden tears flowed, I felt as if my life was over. I lost my drive to press on in the Christian race. Oh, I tried. “But what’s the point,” I thought. I felt any ministry I might have in the Kingdom was over. It was time to put any gifts I had away in the closet. Although writing had been a main part of my life for fifty years, any motivation to write fizzled. Projects took up unwanted space on my laptop’s hard drive. My file drawers seemed cluttered with useless ideas.

I tried to whip up enthusiasm any way I could. That spring, I drove through the countryside seeking to savour again the awakening earth, the wild flowers, the budding trees. But the spark was gone. Life down here was over. Perhaps God would soon take me home to join Mary Helen and other friends in the presence of the One who had become our Saviour and Lord.

Of all people, a Christian should know that life is never over. God always has something in mind for us to do. Indeed, beyond this life in the new heaven and earth we will have much opportunity for service.

But persevering down here with a cheerful, positive, hopeful outlook felt impossible. My life was in chaos. It had to be reconstructed. One of the losses that accompanied Mary Helen’s homegoing was the apparent distance it created from couples and women who had been friends with us through the years. I was now a widower. It was as if I had a sign on my forehead, “Keep your distance.” I felt this deeply and asked the Lord if it was not possible for a man to be friends with women beyond the complication of romance. After all, women had contributed much to our lives through the years. But as far as romance was concerned, I knew I was a one-woman man and Mary Helen was that woman. Period!

Meanwhile, people had been encouraging me to share my journey on Facebook. My candor elicited considerable response from those who identified with my struggles. I had joined a huge cohort of lonely people. In one post to a site for those with Pakistan experience, I had admitted that going to church was one of the loneliest times of the week. Church had been a central part of Mary Helen’s and my life together. Now it had become a puzzle. Where would I sit? Who would I sit beside? Most people were sitting with their family or in a group. Would people feel sorry for me? How quickly could I slip out?

I was rather surprised when someone responded to my post by echoing my questions. She explained how she felt the same way. As a widow, herself, she often sat alone. In subsequent posts she described how she had dealt with the loneliness by starting a Koffee Klatsch Sisterhood for the widows in her large church in Ohio.

One post led to others in which I learned of her involvement in theological training, her visitation and mentoring ministry, and her service in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. Interesting, I thought. We have a lot in common. Soon we began to text in earnest. “I need to meet her,” I thought. “But no!” “Isn’t this just one lonely soul finding another? Is it just a typical a rebound?” I told myself, “I need to put this out of my mind.” “I love Mary Helen. I will always love her. Why am I even considering this?”

But the sense of my affinity with this woman increased. I seemed to be falling in love—again. How could that be? I asked a close friend to pray for me to be wise and discerning. Phyliss and I began to pray in earnest for clarity and guidance from God. God gave us the assurance that we should at least meet in person, which we did. Impossible as it seems, we were both smitten.

Soon the ether was vibrating with our conversation. Here was someone with similar experiences that I could talk to. We met twice more and carried on daily conversation. And after engaging in rigorous prayer ourselves, considering the challenges of a US and Canadian relationship and our age difference, and testing our love in various ways, we concluded that our love was from God. Some in our family were cautiously supportive, others were rightly skeptical of this whirlwind romance. Admittedly, if I had been asked to advise two other seniors under similar circumstances, I would probably have been skeptical too.

But we had become sure that our love was a gracious gift of God given to renew and refresh us at a challenging time in our lives. We set a date and made preparations for a wedding.

In Ohio, Phyliss began preparing to leave her son and grandchildren behind along with her house, her church, all her mentees, the Koffee Klatch Sisterhood, and many dear friends. Her son, Bill helped her choose what to leave and what to take. Not easy. I’m sure she felt keenly the distance she would be embracing as she came to a new country, a new church, and a new husband.

In Port Hope, I began sorting through drawers and closets, getting rid of junk, clearing space for a new life with Phyliss. My daughter Debbie helped me sort through tea cups and other mementoes of her mother to share with the grandkids. They have very happy memories of Mary Helen. As do I. Sixty-one years.

We were married on September second. Even before this date, our decision was tested. Phyliss contracted Covid weeks beforehand. Then as the date approached, a tornado tore through her neighbourhood uprooting trees, tearing off branches and downing wires. The church where the ceremony was to take place lost two of its large trees, one of which shut down the main road and made access to the church inaccessible—until the day of the wedding.

Our honeymoon did not begin auspiciously either. Phyliss got laryngitis and when we returned, I got Covid which had begun to spread among a few at my church. And so began our adjustments to each other.

A new love. A love that parachuted into our lives unbidden. A providential surprise. In an earlier book entitled, The Surprises of Grace, I had described a whole list of surprising re-directions that God had brought into my life. From agnosticism to faith in Christ. From forestry to missions. From Toronto to South Carolina. From Bangladesh to Pakistan. From evangelism to ministry training. From missions to pastoral ministry. From preaching to writing. And on and on God led. Why should I be surprised at the unexpected turn my life took? But I was surprised. God has been so good, so gracious, so loving in giving me 61 years with Mary Helen. Why would he care about my life at this advanced age? But he does.

He saw that Phyliss and I needed each other. He had more work for her to do. He had more writing for me to do—and more ministry. Already he has given me two new opportunities. Obviously, he has more for both Phyliss and I to do together.

Does this mean that every shred to grief over Mary Helen’s homegoing has been washed away. Far from it. Sometimes I am torn into pieces by memories that swirl around me. I remember the day when my daughter Debbie left with her arms loaded with memorabilia to share with the grandkids. I could do nothing but collapse and weep. And occasionally, unbidden grief still sweeps over me. Not even a wonderful new love can erase 61 years of memories. The tendrils of Mary Helen’s love are still rooted in the deep places of my heart.

Does that mean that those memories will crowd out Phyliss’s love? No. Does it mean I should have steeled my heart against any new love and cherished my first love until I was called home myself. No. Does it mean I should have waited longer to re-marry. No. God’s interventions in our lives are not to be rejected. Both Phyliss and I have embraced a new adventure. The soul-deep love we have for each other has found a home in this condo in Port Hope.

Who can understand the mystery of love? In both our lives, this unexpected love has energized us to embrace God’s service with a renewed enthusiasm and energy. God is good all the time. He has surprises of grace around almost every corner!

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

How the Fear of God Delivers us from Other Fears

The other day, I was meditating on the abundance of verses on our need to live and walk in the fear of God. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;” “Store up my commands within you…then you will understand the fear of the Lord.” “Trust in the LORD with all your heart…fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body.” (Prov. 1:7a, 2:1,4;3:5,7,8) And many more.

We’ve been discussing the fear of the Lord in one of our Bible studies. Any cursory study on what God is like leaves us astonished at his glory, the glory of the infinite, eternal, omnipotent, omnipresent God. King of the universe who rules over all. The Most High. The thrice holy. Aligning our lives with Him so we walk in loving and humble obedience to his will is the only way for a Christian to walk. Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:12; “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Submit to Christ as Lord.

But that day, I had occasion to apply this sense of the overwhelming sovereignty and power of God in a practical way. Phyliss and I were in the US on our way back to Canada. She has applied for a Canadian visa, but the process was incomplete. The car was stuffed full. Everyone tells horror stories of border agents. What should we expect?

You know the tightness you get in your stomach when a police car with sirens blaring approaches you at high speed. “What did I do? Did I go through a red light? Was I speeding?” And then it races by after some felon in the next town. Well normally, I get that feeling when we approach a border crossing. Did the agent at the booth get up on the right side of the bed today? Or?

But I had been thinking how foolish our fears were in the light of awe for and trust in God. Doesn’t he watch over us? Isn’t he sovereign of the universe—certainly officials of all kinds. Can’t I trust him? Am I more affected by dread of officials? A whole panoply of fears skate over the surface of our minds; fear of sickness,  hospitals, accidents, speaking. How puny these fears are in the light of our Father’s care. And any fear we have of him is laced with awe and love and compassion. As a Christian I should not be so impressed by things around me but live with a powerful sense of God over all.

My normal dread eased considerably. And even though the agent sent us into the customs and immigration building, we found the officers considerate and friendly. Too often our fears are misplaced.

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

How is Joy Related to Contentment? – Meditations on Christian Joy, Part 5

We just watched a movie about the indominable spirit of Diana Nyad, a swimmer in her 60’s who after 5 tries was still determined to do the impossible, swim 110 miles from Cuba to Florida. With the help of a supportive team, she finally conquered the ocean with its sharks and jellyfish. Part of the take-away from the film was a celebration of the unconquerable human spirit, that we are never too old to follow our dream, and that we should never give up. While perseverance is a worthy quality at any age, we wondered about the restlessness and unhappiness so evident in Diana Nyad.

We should have high goals and dreams. Being content with mediocrity, rootlessness, or insignificant goals is not nobility. The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about the evils of laziness. God has gifted all of us with skills that can be used to improve our own and our community’s condition. The innate creativity God gave us has enabled civilization to progress through better medicine, agriculture, manufacturing, and even housing. All of this is good.

And yet, the Bible has a lot to say about being contented with our lot. Without contentment we can never know the joy of the Lord.

But how is contentment possible while we live in a world bent on urging us to buy a better car, build a bigger house, seek a higher paying job, go on a more exotic trip, eat at better restaurants, improve our appearance with implants, get a higher golf score? We are continually bombarded with promises of winning this or that lottery. Continual discontent with our circumstances breeds unhappiness.

Clearly, the goals that captivate our hearts, affect everything in our lives. “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Prov. 4:23). But what are those aspirations that should well up from within our hearts?

Paul’s advice to Timothy is clear. We should strive for godliness. “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:6-10).

When our soul’s happiness is disrupted by an unfulfilled craving for money, status, property, or power we cannot know the joy of the Lord. Instead of these unworthy goals God urges us to strive for holiness. Holiness is manifest in various ways as the fruit of the Spirit, Christ-likeness, the beatitudes, a deep reverence and love for God, or a generosity and love for our neighbours. These are the goals of the Christian. As the Spirit reproduces them in us, we find deep contentment and joy. We learn to rest in our heavenly Father’s care. “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5).

Jesus pointed his disciples to the lilies of the field and the birds of the air while teaching them to trust God for their needs. But since the joyful life is connected to contentment, what about enduring troubles and privation, what about suffering? Habakuk boldly wrote:

Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
GOD, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places. (Hab 3:17-19)

Imagine a condition of great privation when all the crops fail. Yet in such a condition Habakkuk had learned to rejoice in the Lord. Such rejoicing is internal, within the heart where we treasure love and faith for the Lord.

This is not to say that we will not at times feel gloomy, even cry out in pain and discouragement. Contentment comes by heeding biblical examples and yielding to the training of the Spirit–and much prayer. Paul suffered from some “thorn in the flesh” which he asked the Lord to take away. In answer “He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:9,10).

Clearly, Christian joy is an attitude that flows from a heart satisfied with God’s grace. The more we celebrate God’s grace in Christ, the happier we will be. A heart captivated by a holy love for God while being content with external circumstances becomes fertile ground for the flower of joy to bloom. In other words, joy is a byproduct of spiritually worthy pursuits.

Lord help us to realign our priorities; holiness and contentment.

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

Where Do You Go When You Need Help?

Belief in Holy Spirit. Essential Beliefs, #45, Nov. 9, 23

All of us need someone to go to with a problem. When we were children we went to our parents with our hurts and questions. We recently, flipped that on its head. We went to a techie grandson for help with our laptops. We go to a doctor with a health problem or a plumber with a drain problem.

Nowadays, Mr. Google is the go-to-guy. But usually any query calls up a dozen businesses trying to sell us something we don’t want. Some of their explanations either seem too complicated or dubious. And Mr. Google is not going to help us become holy and loving and patient and persevering in truth. Mr. Google doesn’t care about Truth, nor holiness.

But Jesus promised just that kind of help, and infinitely more, in the Helper he left behind. “I will ask the Father and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth…he…will be in you.… Unless I go away the Counselor will not come to you…when he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment…When he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth” (John 14:16,17; 16:7,8,13).

This indwelling Counselor is the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. He is not an inanimate force but a personal divine spirit who possesses all the attributes of the Father and the Son. As the creeds explain, he proceeds from the Father and the Son to accomplish their work among us.

It is he who convicts us of sin and moves us to believe the gospel. Indeed, it is he who gives sinners the new hearts spoken of by Ezekiel. Jesus explained to Nicodemus, “No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. …you must be born again [regenerated]” (John 3:5,7). It is he who indwells us to gradually change us to become like Christ. “We who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:18).

He inspired the biblical authors to write the Scriptures and he enables us to understand and apply the Word of God in our lives in practical ways. “For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16,17).

He is the one who moves us to wrestle with our old natures to repudiate hatred and jealousy and bitterness with the goal of creating “the fruits of the Spirit” within us. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal. 5:22,23).

What about service? “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good,” so that the church may be edified. (1 Cor 12:7). “There are different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:4) From Romans 12 and Ephesians 4 we learn that the Spirit distributes gifts of evangelism, teaching, administration, shepherding, mercy, etc. as he sees fit.

What about prayer? “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express…the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will” (Romans 8:26,27.

From the first day of our conversion—actually long before that even—the Holy Spirit has been our constant companion, convicting, converting, sanctifying, guiding, comforting, restoring us, and filling us with the joys of salvation and assuring us we are saved. And so: “We have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature…for if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship and by him we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Rom. 8:12-16).

In his wonderful book, Keep In Step With The Spirit, J.I. Packer writes; “The Christian’s life in all it aspects—intellectual and ethical, devotional and relational, upsurging in worship and outgoing in witness—is supernatural; only the Spirit can initiate and sustain it. So apart from him, not only will there be no lively believers and no lively congregations, there will be no believers and no congregation at all.” (Preface)

Since we owe so much to this blessed Helper, let us frequently throughout the day worship, give him thanks, and seek his help!

Spirit of God descend upon my heart;

Wean it from earth, thro all it pulses move,

Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,]

And make me love Thee as I ought to love. (George Croly)

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

DNA and the Beanstalk

One thing I miss in our current condo is having a garden. I even miss the fall clean-up. I remember trying to untangle the climbing bean stalks from the poles and trellis I had set up for their growth. The beans stalks grew round and round the poles and each other, then onto anything nearby including the tomatoes. The plants had kept us in fresh green beans almost until first frost. They grew so dramatically high that if I had been able to install a two or three story lattice work they would have climbed to the top. As it was, I had to use a step ladder to pick the topmost.

And all this growth from a few little bean seeds. How did those seeds know to climb when my bush beans didn’t? How did they know they weren’t soy beans? How could they climb so high? My climbing beans reminded me of the magic beans described in the story of Jack and the beanstalk. I can see why the imagination of the writer went wild.

The information packed into the DNA of those seeds is incredible. How does God do these kind of things? A bean stalk ten or twenty feet long. An apple tree from an apple seed. And what about a giant sequoia? Moving from plants we could ask the same questions about a whale or a butterfly. As Werner Gitt points out in his book, In the beginning was information, there is no known natural law or process or phenomenon through which matter can give rise to information. And without encoded information there can be no life.

I’ve been writing about a bean seed, but what about the information stored in human DNA? We are told that every kind of life and every organ of every living thing uses specific proteins. In our bodies there are about 50,000 different proteins. Wow! The result of billions of years of chemical accidents? A product of evolution? Sorry, I’m just not that credulous. I’d rather go with David and praise our Creator God because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14) Do we know that? Do we know Him?

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. Further articles, books, and stories at: http://www.countrywindow.ca Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright –– )

 

November 4, 2023

What is Heaven Like?

I remember hitch-hiking in my late teens and early twenties. I’d stick out my thumb and hope for a car to pick me up. When a car stopped the driver would ask, “Where yuh headed?” And I’d give them a destination. They’d usually reply, “Hop in. I’m going that way.”

Life is a journey. We’re all headed somewhere. To those who believed in him, Jesus said they were going to his Father’s house where he will “prepare a place” for them. (See John 14:1-4.) At death believers go to heaven which is described in many ways, but in this passage as the Father’s house. It is a place of welcome, a place of happy hospitality, a place fitted especially for each believer’s enjoyment. Death is not the believer’s destination, but rather a doorway into the glories of heaven.

The spiritual journey leading to heaven is a transforming process with various stages as described in Romans eight. There we read that “those God foreknew (loved before they were born), he also predestined…and those he predestined, he also called (through the gospel), those he called he also justified (declared forgiven and righteous); those he justified, he also glorified” (Romans 8:28,29).

To be glorified implies a radical transformation. Second Corinthians 4:16-18 explains that this world is a place of pain and sorrow and troubles. In this life, believers struggle with their old nature to overcome its bent towards sin. They face physical and emotional challenges. But as they daily trust in Christ to renew and strengthen their resolve to become godly, obedient disciples, their walk of faith achieves for them “an eternal weight of glory.” This “hope of glory” basically involves transition through death into a state free from pain, sorrow, and sin. But it involves much more.

Three of his disciples saw Jesus shining with glory on the mount of transfiguration. This was a tiny foretaste of heaven. In John 17, Jesus prayed, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me” (John 17:24). For the believer, entering heaven will be as if the light suddenly goes on in a dark room. Or as if the sun bursts forth through dark, threatening clouds. Suddenly everything becomes bright and glorious. Believers are transformed, glorified, through seeing Christ in all his blazing glory. Believers will reflect the glory of Christ. They will see him as he is.

No wonder Chas Gabriel wrote,

When all my labors and trials are o’er,
And I am safe on that beautiful shore,
Just to be near the dear Lord I adore
Will through the ages be glory for me.

Refrain:
O that will be glory for me,
Glory for me, glory for me;
When by His grace I shall look at His face,
That will be glory, be glory for me.

Describing heaven using human language is challenging. Students of the Scripture describe believers entrance into heaven as glorification. Glory in the original languages denotes weight or worth. Coal is common and dirty but under great pressure it can produce diamonds. God takes us, if we are believers in Christ, and translates us at death from a state of negative worth into persons of glory, of light, of value. We become precious and beautiful through having become Christ-like. We shine forth—like the moon—not reflecting the sun but the glory of Christ. “It is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” This process begins in this life. We “are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the “Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18).

In this life we see God as through a broken tarnished mirror. But when we are glorified, we will have an explosion of insight and appreciation as the mysteries of God’s glory are unveiled before our astonished eyes. Worship and praise will keep bubbling up from deep within us.

Glorification implies enlightenment as our ignorance dissolves in a wave of understanding. We ask, “Why suffering? Why did this child or that young person die so early? Why does it take so long for an aged saint to pass? Why war? Why such cruelty?” Why, why, why? “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Cor 13:12). Waves of understanding will wash away our perplexity.

Glorification also introduces us to a state of excited anticipation where we will ask ourselves, “what wonder will God unveil next?” Oh, during our Christian walk God has given us hints about the glories of heaven but; “no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit” (1 Cor. 2:9,10). The reality behind the images, the types, the hints will be unveiled before our wondering eyes. Heaven is not going to be boring!

However, going to heaven does not complete the process of our transformation. As the Gospel Coalition explains, “Entering into God’s glory is a two-stage process. We must first overcome the damage caused by sin and then be transformed from the material to the resurrection world…The intermediate state; heaven; the eternal state; the new heavens and earth.”

Glorification will only be complete when Christ returns to earth in power and glory. At that time we will receive our resurrection bodies. “We will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality” (See 1 Cor. 15:50-54).

Until that time, we—like the martyrs under the throne—will ask the Lord, “How long?” We will have an awareness of the unfolding of God’s eternal purpose and a longing to see that purpose fulfilled in the new heavens and the new earth.

What a wonderful future awaits every child of God. Like a child anticipates a birthday party, like a bride anticipates her marriage, we look forward to heaven, the first stage in our glorification.

Are you bound for heaven? If you truly believe the Gospel; that Jesus died for your sins, was buried and rose from the dead, then you are heaven-bound. If not, hell is your destination. Please embrace the Gospel and be saved!

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)