Struggle with Darkness

Not long ago, I was saddened to hear of the death of Thomas Kincade. Today, I was saddened all over again to hear about the cause.

Could there be a person today with any kind of aesthetic sensibilities who has not heard of the "Painter of Light?" His incredible technique and gorgeous renderings of pastoral settings, soft city scenes and welcoming homey vignettes captured our hearts. He had a unique ability to depict shining light - the paintings seemed to glow. But it seems the landscape of his inner self was in contrast to his art.

Today I read a news story which gave the coroner's findings in regards to cause of death. Kincade had struggled with substance addiction in his life and, according to his brother, had relasped into that behavior before his death. His sudden passing was directly related to that fact.

How tragic that the creator of such radiance should come to the end of life in a struggle with such blackness. It is a sobering reminder to us all that the countenance doesn't necessarily reflect the soul - that has ramifications for us as we examine ourselves and as we interact with others. Not that we should live in obsessive introspection with regards to our own relationship with Christ nor should we indulge in excessive suspicion of the testimony of our friends. But rather it should cause us to see that we need be on guard lest we feel we've reached the peak above attack. And it should motivate us to realize that others, no matter the degree of accomplisment they hold, are still susceptible as well and very much need our prayers, comradeship and love.

The world will miss Thomas Kincade. And I doubt I will ever gaze at one of his lovely paintings without remembering that darkness will always try to overcome light. But there is a Light that has overcome the world; His power alone will prevail."Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12)

Jesus - the First of many brothers

Recently, I've been thinking about the relationships of Jesus. I know He is God and therefore not identical to us in the way we relate to other humans, but on the other hand, relationships began with the Godhead, so there must be some emotions present which resemble ours.

My husband has been preaching through Romans on Sunday nights, and he used this verse in one message - Romans 8:29.  "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."  (NKJV)

That last phrase jumped out at me - "that He might be the firstborn among many brothers." (italics mine)  Siblings. Jesus wanted to have siblings, wanted to share His Father, His home, His riches, His inheritance. Most of us don't have a say in the matter of siblings or the number thereof, and usually, as kids, we're not too happy to share with them. Sometimes adult siblings have squabbles and maybe serious contention. But Jesus not only wanted siblings, He wanted to redeem them with His own life.

When Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene after His resurrection, He told her "Go . . . to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."  (John 20:17, NIV - italics mine) What incredible love Jesus had for them and has for us - His Father is now also our Father.

Today, my husband used the theme of Palm Sunday, of course, and he explained that Jesus may have spent a good deal of time with Mary, Martha and Lazarus duing Passion Week, between the Triumphal Entry and the Last Supper (Passover). Again, I was reminded of the relationships of Jesus. He had friends; He enjoyed spending time with friends. I wonder if they traded gentle humor.  Did they laugh a lot when Jesus was there? Did He tease Mary and Martha? Did they fix His favorite foods and have long talks? Somehow, it comforts me to think that at the beginning of this week of terrible suffering and loneliness, Jesus could spend some time with friends who loved Him so much.

My firstborn is looking toward the horizon of college in another year. I'm peeking at it too, not gleeful to think of her leaving for sure, but trying to take it in stride, knowing that is why we raise them - to let them go. That reminded me of God the Father. He let His Son go too. He let Him go to foreign planet; He let Him go to a place where He would be misunderstood, disdained, ridiculed, tortured and killed.

There's no way I would want my child to go away knowing she would be subjected to such treatment. (And I don't believe there's a problem with that sort of thing at Bible college!) But, God let His Son do that - and willingly too. Did the Father have emotions similar to mine when Jesus left Heaven and was born on earth? Did He miss His Son? Did He wish He could make things easier for Him, to bear some of the burdens for Him? I don't know.  But I do believe His parent's heart must be the pattern, for everything good about human relationships takes expression from the Eternal.

Jesus was fully God and fully man. And He is a God of relationships. We can't miss that. It does us no good to try to obey Him or please Him or honor Him if we cannot fully embrace a relationship with Him.  Whatever else these verses mean, they assure me that Christ is not aloof from the humans He came to save, but is as close and devoted as a beloved brother. And that fact will make this week - Passion Week - all the more significant.

Almost Here!

In just one month, this new title from the Sisters in Faith (Wesleyan Publishing House) series will release for sale. I am excited about the message of this book. It is one that I am endeavoring to put into practice in my own life. Keep watching this blog and my Facebook page for more information. And I'd love to hear from you about how God is teaching you to be "simply content."

I plan to have this title available at the Dayton Convention this year. If you would like to pre-order, click here.

bright and new

For those of us who have had a "new birth" in Christ, the making of resolutions can be viewed with a bit of a jaundiced eye. Merely "turning over a new leaf" seems like human effort - just self-help amped up a bit. But, I believe God built into our world natural renewal points. True, they are less significant than one's conversion, but every bit as helpful in our journey toward Christian maturity.

Every person needs the invigoration of a new start.  Whether it's a relationship, a health issue or just a personal goal, there is something refreshing and motivating about wiping the slate clean and starting again.  That's one reason I'm not an advocate for year-round schooling.  I think it does both student and parent good to end one year, take a break and start again.

As 2012 begins, there are 12 months of life to be lived, 365 days of journal pages to be filled, and 52 weeks of challenge, faith and adventure to be experienced. Like me, you may have unfinished business from 2011; it's time to let it go and embrace the bright and new hope of another year. If we can take the risk and keep our confidence in God, we might just find this to be an astounding year of growth and change (in a good way).  At least, that's my attitude today.

Waiting for Christmas (post 12)

Waiting for Christmas is the hardest thing when you're a little kid. When I was little, we used to open gifts on Christmas Eve at my grandparents' house across the road.  Many times, my grandmother hadn't finished her Christmas wrapping before we arrived.  So, there we would sit, in our special places around the living room, waiting for the bedroom door to open and her to emerge, bringing packages galore. It seemed to take forever.

Guess that's what the Jews thought in ancient times (and still think, for the most part). Waiting for the Messiah seemed like it would never end. And for those who don't claim Christ as the Annointed One, the wait goes on.  But, for those who believe, waiting for Christmas is over.  He has come. And no gift has ever made such a difference.  Joy to the World . . .let each of us receive Him.