Thoughts from the Desk of Gene Mims

If you have ever witnessed or experienced a miracle you know how hard it is to explain to someone else what happened.  Words we know seem inadequate, emotions we remember are indescribable, and the effects on our lives are too wonderful to articulate.  We all know that some situations in life are so far beyond our control or resources that only a miracle can help us.

In Isaiah’s time Judah had become so completely corrupted that nothing short of a miracle would help them.  The prophet predicted that over a span of years God would raise up nations as his discipline to correct the evils of His people.  The destruction would be so great that Judah as a nation would never be the same again.  The hope, however, that Isaiah gave God’s people at that time was that a King would come to “reign righteously” (32:1).  His reign would not only accomplish God’s judgments but also bring restoration.

The restoration would be so great that miracles would take place.  The blind would see, the deaf would hear, the lame would “leap like a deer,” and persons unable to talk would be given their voices. (35:5-6)  What a great time that would be!  Additionally, Isaiah declares, even the earth would be restored in a miraculous way.

The earthly miracles of Jesus did exactly as the prophet predicted!  He is truly the miracle worker in our world and in our lives.  The miracles of salvation are reminders to us that God takes the hopeless and turns the possible into reality.

As we light the candle of hope tonight let’s remember the many times and many things Jesus has done in our lives to change what was impossible into the reality of hope.  Also, trust Him for the miracle you need today.

Humans enjoy a unique ritual that other living organism don’t.  We name things and people.  Humans give names to everything in our existence.  We name our food, furniture, cars, pets, and our children.  In fact we don’t settle for just one name but most of have at least two names plus a last name.  Our names require numbers to help identify us to our government, our banks, our cars and our computer accounts. Beyond that we even give people nicknames and sweethearts have special names for one another.

Names might describe the personality of an individual, his or her occupation or perhaps what they look like.  Without names we would not easily identify others and it would make communicating with them almost impossible.

The names of Jesus are important because they reveal His character as well as His mission.  Savior, Christ, Son of Man, King of Kings are examples of the great names of our Lord that speak of His nature, power and work on our behalf.  No list of names in scripture brings more meaning to us that those in Isaiah 9:6.  The prophet makes it clear that this child who is to be born is a son given to us.  He is the Father’s gift to each of us and His names bring assurance and hope.  Jesus, the baby born in Bethlehem seemed so unnoticed, helpless, and perhaps to the world insignificant, was in fact an infant with names picked out for Him centuries before His birth.

Isaiah says that He is to us:

Wonderful-which means that He is full of wonder or that we consider Him wonderful in His person and work.

Counselor-the one filled with wisdom and truth to reveal to us what our hearts desire and our lives need.

Mighty God-not just an ordinary person but God in the flesh filled with power, authority and might to accomplish His mission.

Eternal Father-the one who provides, protects and loves us eternally.

Prince of Peace-the only one capable of bringing peace to individuals and the world.

Handel wrote the Messiah and we enjoy His music, especially the Hallelujah chorus which incorporates these names in that wonderful piece of music.

As we light the candle of Hope tonight take a few moments to think about what each of the names of Christ in Isaiah 9:6 mean to you.  Confess Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords and pray with thanksgiving for His love for you.

“The virgin shall conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.” (Is. 7:14 HCB)

Every birth and every child is unique.  When a couple has a girl there is a special feeling and the same happens when a boy is born.  When Jesus was born, however, something happened that was and remains truly unique.

First, the way Mary conceived Him was unique.  She was a virgin and scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit came in power to “overshadow” her.  Mary’s  conception points to the fact that Jesus existed before He came to earth.

Next, His birth was already documented in the Old Testament.  Not only was his conception predicted (Is. 7:14) but also Micah the prophet identified Bethlehem as the town of His birth (5:2).  The prophecies in the Old Testament fueled expectation of a Messiah from God among Jewish believers.

Finally, the prophecies in the Old Testament gave insight and meaning into the birth of Jesus as the one who came to save us from sin and death.  Isaiah wrote that the Messiah would be the one who would be “pierced because of our transgressions….”  In Matthew we read where the Angel of the Lord commanded Joseph to name the child Jesus because he would, “… save His people from their sins.” (Mt. 1:21)

The birth of Christ is the most significant one in history.  He is the only one who can reverse the ruin of our lives caused by our sins.  He is the only one who can restore what we lost and the only one who can rule our world to bring it the needed truth and light.  He is our hope not just for what He has done but for who He is to us.

We light the candle of hope tonight remembering the prophecies about the birth of the Messiah.  As you think of your hope in Christ say a prayer of thanksgiving to the Father for sending His Son to us to save us and give us everlasting hope.

This Sunday will be the beginning of the Advent season for believers around the world.  It is the time when we think about the coming of Christ to earth and what it means for us today.  It is no exaggeration to say that Jesus Christ is the most identifiable person in all of history.  There are many persons whose names are known but none surpass the name of Jesus.  He was born in obscurity, lived a short and simple life, had no assets, no home, wrote no books, and left behind a small following to continue His mission.  Yet today his followers number in the hundreds of millions where they gather on every continent.  His commands are obeyed and honored with faithful obedience.

The darkness of history before His coming is illuminated, His life is a revelation of the invisible God, the present is filled with meaning and the future full of hope for those who confess Him as Lord and worship Him as the Christ.  Take the opportunity this Sunday to begin your observance of Advent.  Prepare you heart for Christmas with prayer, Bible reading, and worship.  Join the millions of believers globally who welcome the day called Christmas and worship the King who comes to save us from our sins and to give us His eternal life.

We do not know at this time who the next President of the United States will be.  The Election in November will decide that for us as citizens across the nation vote.  As usual, the election is important, time consuming, expensive, and media driven. Most Americans tire of the rhetoric, debates, news coverage and actually decide long before the day to vote comes in November.

I would like to suggest that our next President take a leadership lesson from the Bible.  It might seem out of line to suggest such a thing but the founders of our nation used it and I think no one would be offended if our next leader ascribed to the principles it advances.  In particular I would suggest he read and re-read Psalm 72.  It is a prayer of David for his son Solomon as he prepares to take over leadership of Israel from his father.  David is concerned that Solomon do well and he prays specifically for God to help him do a number of important things.

David prays that God might help Solomon to lead in righteousness, have a peaceable government, provide and protect the unfortunate, have a global impact for good and to lead the nation to material abundance.  In all of this David assumes that the goodness, wisdom and leadership Solomon will display will be a blessing for him, for his people and ultimately for the nations of the world.

I do not think our next President has to be a believer like myself.  I am a devoted Christ follower and seek to make Him known.  I do not think either candidate shares my beliefs or passions for Christ.  I do think, however that our next leader has the responsibility to lean on our Declaration of Independence, Constitution, the Amendments and the whole corpus of writings, judgments and laws which were and are based upon scriptural principles.

A recognition that God is sovereign, the Ten Commandments are fundamental, the Golden Rule is golden, and the heart of our nation is to be a blessing to its citizens and the people of other nations is really not too much to ask.  He (our President) can surely recognize these values, live by them and lead our nation according to their truths.  Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and other religions don’t find fault with the notion of God, the Ten Commandments, or the Golden Rule.

So, in closing, I would encourage the next man to lead our nation to be righteous-not religious.  Be right, do right, and uphold what is right.  Make sure you protect us, assist us, and make our lives better materially and spiritually.  Do your best to be your best and everything will end up fine.

It is old news that generational churches are focused on younger demographic groups.  Atmospheres for worship, small groups, ministries are created to invite and keep younger adults satisfied in church.  I think that there are strengths that play well in such environments and the rise of such congregations are evident.  The problems, however, are evidently not easily seen or considered by many who have imagined that they are creating something new and lasting.

There is a biblical question in principle as to whether generations may be ignored, scorned, or even dismissed.  One mistake of the church growth movement in the last generation was its insistence on the “homogenous’ model of churches.  This principle insisted on an “our kind” only in order to accelerate church growth, especially in main-line denominations.  While it sounded good to many at the time, later reflection by many called into question its biblical merit to say nothing of the fact that it didn’t actually work.  Main-line churches continue to decline at present.  The principle is the same, however.  “Our kind” can be race, sex, or age and while it may be attractive to congregations, such is not successfully in business, government, or education.  In fact, such restrictions are not lawful in those arenas.

Another question arises whenever one thinks about this generation in maturity.  While it may be true that many in “generation now” may want relational connections it is apparent that they do not want cross-generational connections.  This is a bind spot young adults often make before they marry,  have children, face career challenges, endure health issues, attempt to purchase a home, or live happily in a complex world.  Many say these things don’t matter but eventually they do.  I know because that is exactly what I said when I was younger.  The pursuit of joy generally lasts until someone’s money runs out (read parents), accountability sets in and a new generation comes along.  To attempt to live in a generational cocoon is a nice thought but a futile path.

Recently I heard the pleadings of a young mother who is searching for a church with people in every age group that can help her and her husband raise their child, live well, be supported and mentored while finding their way in difficult times.  She said she was weary of attending “church for the short term.”  She meant that what she had once demanded in church was now not sufficient.  She isn’t thirty yet.  It didn’t take very long for her to get there.