Nasvhille Flood 2010, The Real Story

You have got to read this article by Larry Elder that exposes the lack of media coverage and interest from the White House about the flooding that has recently occurred in the South.

Click here for the article, "Nashville flooding...does the media or the White House care?"

Are Earthquakes a Sign of Jesus' Return?

I suddenly woke up Tuesday morning (April 20, 2010) at around 5:30 a.m. to the sound of our entire apartment shaking. My suspicions were confirmed a few hours later by the news reports that Maryville (and Blount County) had experienced a 3.3 magnitude earthquake at 5:28 a.m. According to Google Maps, the epicenter of the quake was just over a mile away from our apartment on William Blount Drive.

This was the first earthquake that I have ever experienced. It was very unsettling. When the earth moves, we quickly consider the one who holds the earth in his hand and how we are all accountable to him (cf. 2 Cor. 5:10). Such natural events can be good spiritual reminders.

The early followers of Jesus were taught to "watch" for Jesus' return (Luke 12:35-40), and they lived in a constant state of preparedness (1 Peter 4:7; Revelation 22:20). Jesus spoke of his second coming in terms of its abruptness when he said, "You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (Luke 12:40). Likewise, Paul confirmed that it would be unexpected like a thief (1 Thess. 5:3).

However, it is popularly believed that there are "signs" that a person can watch for that will signal Jesus' return. What about the "wars and rumors of wars" and the "famines and earthquakes" that Jesus warned about in Matthew 24:6-8? Does the seeming increase in seismic activity around the world signal Jesus' return and Judgment Day?

Notice carefully the context of Matthew 24. The apostles essentially ask two separate questions of Jesus (in verse 3) as they observe the large stones of the temple (Matt. 24:1-3). The first question: "When will these things be [that is, when "one stone (of the temple) will not be left upon another"-vs. 2]?" The second question: "And what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?"

Jesus answers the first question in verses 4-35. Jesus says that "this generation will not pass away until all these things take place" (vs. 34). "All these things" describe everything prior to verse 34, which includes the "wars, rumors of wars" and the "earthquakes." Jesus gave these "warning signs" that would signal the Temple and Jerusalem's destruction. This did occur in the lifetime ("this generation") of Jesus' hearers in A.D. 70. Wayne Jackson points out that ancient historians recorded the occurrence of earthquakes around the time of Jerusalem's destruction [Such were recorded by Josephus (Wars,4.4), Tacitus (Annals xii.58; xiv.27; xv.22), and Seneca (Epistle 91)].

Jesus begins answering the question of what would be the "sign" of his second coming in verse 36. It is there that Jesus plainly says, "But concerning that day and hour [of his return] no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only."

While earthquakes can be a good spiritual "wake up call" there is no evidence in Scripture to indicate that such are "signs" of Jesus' return. His return will be unexpected and without any warning. Therefore, we must be constantly ready and watching.

The Beginning of a New Life

As many of you experienced parents can surely understand, Michelle's mind and my mind have both been consumed these days with thoughts of our firstborn child that is steadily developing. If God continues to extend his grace toward us, our baby will make his entrance into this world sometime in June (Yes, we found out this past Tuesday that it will be a baby boy!).

Christians sometimes quibble over the biblical definition of a "miracle." I understand that childbirth is not a supernatural event since it occurs within the natural laws set in motion by God in the beginning. Precisely, miracles are events that occur outside of natural laws. However, in the sense that we are overwhelmed by the amazing creative ability of God to form a new life, that power is nothing short of "miraculous." Only God can create life and when we see it happening before our very eyes we see the direct power of our Almighty God! God speaks to us through the work of his hands when we look to the starlit sky, a radiant sunset, a brilliant rainbow, and certainly when we look into the eyes of a newborn child (cf. Psalm 19:1).

When I first saw the ultrasound video of our little child, the words of Psalm 139:13-16 jumped right off the page and into living color, "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well...Your eyes saw my unformed substance...." Thanks to medical science I was able to do something that once only God was able to do--see the unformed (and developing) substance of my baby boy. Anyone that has looked at an early ultrasound of a baby should recognize the truthfulness that human life has already begun. God recognizes human life as having begun within the womb, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you" (Jeremiah 1:5).

Life in all its forms is truly amazing. It is a wondrously curious event to see a seed sprout into stem and leaf. Still more staggering is to see the joyfully independent life that springs forth from a newborn colt or a spunky little puppy. But there is something more staggering about God's power to infuse a human soul into the flesh and bones of a developing human being. Human science may be able to explain human anatomy and physiology but it is at a loss to explain how a human being has a spirit (or soul) unlike all other animal life. The writer of Ecclesiastes said it well, "As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything" (11:5, ESV). It defies imagination and moves me to tears to consider that the picture on the ultrasound screen is a human life that has begun and will continue throughout eternity. I shudder at the weight of the responsibility God placed upon our shoulders as parents to train our child to come to know Him.

We can become so accustomed to our created surroundings and the events that take place in our world that we don't take time to consider the amazement of it all. There is nothing like seeing a newborn baby to give you spiritual clarity. I like the quote attributed to Albert Einstein, "There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle." Although one might go too far with this quote, I choose to live my life seeing the power of God all around me and give him all the glory!

Like a Fish Out of Water

I try to be a very organized person. I like it when everything has a place and my stuff is where it is suppose to be. I must confess to you that since arriving at Maryville, I have felt very disoriented. Don't get me wrong, you have been amazing in your hospitality and warmth toward us. You have accepted us with open arms and we feel your Christian love. The disorienting part is in the nature of a move itself. For those of you who have made major moves in your life, you completely understand.

Moving to a new place, you don't know where anything is located. You have to find a bank, doctors' offices, and of coarse the closest Wal-Mart. In our apartment, I'm still looking for things. Nothing is where it should be yet, and it drives me crazy. This is especially true in my work space. My office is chaotic and not up to my organizational demands...yet. I find it hard to focus when my desk, office, computer, and workspace are not ordered to my preferences. I may be a little obsessive-compulsive about it (maybe I need to see a counselor). However, it is getting better every day that we are here. As the weeks move on and we get more settled I'm certain things will begin to feel "right" again. But I must admit that I feel a little like a fish out of water at this point.

I wonder if that is how Jesus felt when he came into the world. Imagine leaving the comforts of heaven for a planet wrapped in dirt. The eternal Word of God left heaven where everything was right and was born as Jesus of Nazareth in a world where almost everything is wrong. (John 1:1-14). I'm sure it was a very disorienting experience for God to become flesh (John 1:14). Yet, Jesus was willing to leave behind all of the privileges he enjoyed in heaven and submissively take on the form of a servant, "being born in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:8). Jesus out of heaven was certainly more dramatic than a fish out of water. Yet he was willing to go through this disorienting experience to the point of experiencing death on a cross for you and me. Surely this is a "move" that would cause men and angels to sing!

Smoke from My Chimney

My grandparents, Guy and Hope Jones, had six children. They raised their kids on the family farm that has now been passed down several generations. Grandpa used to say that he wished that one day he could stand on his front porch and see the smoke from the chimneys of all his children. He wanted to be surrounded by his family. He wished that his family would stay close. To this day, most of them have.
Many of you reading this can probably relate to the sentiments of my grandfather. In the South it has been common for family clans to stay close together. It is not unusual for grandchildren to visit the same house where their parents were raised. During special family reunions, families across the South return to the old “homestead” and share memories of the past that thread them together.
In the Biblical text, Abraham sent servants back to his “homeland” to find a wife for his son Isaac (Genesis 24:4). Isaac took his bride Rebekah into his mother’s tent the night of their honeymoon (Genesis 24:67). Yet, it is also true that God originally intended for man to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth” (Genesis 1:28). Sometimes this requires children to launch out into new regions—to make a new “homestead” for themselves. In order for a husband and wife to really be “joined together,” God said they must first “leave father and mother” (Genesis 2:24).
It is really difficult for me to think about leaving Maury County. This place runs deep in my family history. I have the soil of this place coursing through my veins. I will never forget where I came from. This place will forever be deep in my heart. Elmer Lusk told me a few days ago, “Boy…I’ll give you two years…and you’ll be back here.” I’m not sure about that, but one thing is for certain…my mind will often be back here.
Michelle and I are going to make a new home for ourselves in a new and exciting place. While you may not be able to see smoke from a chimney three hours away in Maryville (especially since we will first be living in an apartment!), be sure that the "smoke" from our chimney is blowing west back toward Spring Hill. We love you all and you will be greatly missed!