WITH CLEAR VISION

Vision is a function that requires more than eyes alone! In order for the eye to do its job there must be light to see and a brain to define what it sees. As light strikes an object, e.g. another person, the light rays are reflected from that person to your eyes. The rays pass through the cornea or clear front window, through the pupil, which is the opening in the colored iris, passed the lens. The lens of the eye bends the light-rays as it passes through and then focuses onto the retina at the back of the eye. The retina then relays these light-rays through the delicate optic nerve which is connected to the brain.

Scripture has a lot to say about the eyes and the importance of having clear vision. Jesus stated: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12)." Then He challenged His followers: "let your light so shine before men." Light reveals and that is the first step to spiritual sight. The blind man of John 9 came to Jesus and received sight. Without Him we walk in darkness. A continual walk in the Light requires that we keep a clear focus on Him. The Christian who patterns his behavior by this world-system is in danger of living in darkness. To a worldly-minded church, Jesus remonstrated: "use salve to put on your eyes, so you can see" (Rev.3:18). Unaware of their visual impairment, they portrayed a distorted view of Christ.

In his book The Miracle Of Vision, Arthus Freese states that at birth the visual acuteness of an infant is about 20/700. It improves steadily with growth so that by the age of one it becomes about 20/200, by two it is 20/70 and by the age of three it reaches 20/20. Spiritual growth is a process. Maturing takes time! Peter puts it this way: "grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet.3:18).

There are two visual extremes needing corrective action. Nearsightedness, referred to as myopia, can see near objects clearer than distant ones. The other, referred to as hyperopia, sees better at a distance. In a spiritual sense we must be careful of two extremes: a preoccupation with oneself bordering narcissism; the other, a continual flurry of activities build only on human achievement. Both extremes distort the image of God before the world.

A blind man's world is bounded by the limits of his touch; an ignorant man's world, by the limits of his knowledge; a perceptive man's world, by the limits of his vision. When Jesus said "let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matt.5:16), He was getting His followers to reflect authentic Christianity by focusing on Him instead of self.

Vision gives clarity and God-focused lives reveal authentic Christianity. How is your vision?

I'VE TOUCHED THOSE SCARS!

His tender voice
I heard one day,
"Forgive them, Father!"
Was His plea.
I turned to look,
He spoke my name.
Upon the cross
He placed my blame.

I touched the scars
Those nails had torn.
I felt the healing
In His voice.
And then my spirit
Was set free,
Since by His grace
I made that choice.

My faith has found
A resting place.
The Rock of Ages
Is my hope.
His arms of love
Will lead I know,
Through every test
Of life below.

Beyond the tomb
The Spirit's power
With life infilling
Every part,
Consumes the dross
The flesh has made,
And through the cross
His name is praised.
--B. Pent

THE UNTROD PRESENT

We begin the new year trek down this untrod present. The past is history! We have some losses, some gains, some failures, some successes. Since we can't go back, we simply learn by our mistakes and use them as danger signs to be avoided. However, the fear of rejection and failure has a tendency to unnerve us as we begin this new journey. It's that old accuser laying in wait to debilitate any impulse of self-worth. So we tend to cover it up with right words, smiles, nervous laughter, but avoid its exposure to others. That cloak prevents us from dealing with fear in ourselves, our children, our mates. But when we can honestly admit the fear, then the deepest level of need begins to be met.

God's call is for us to "cast all our care upon Him for He cares for us" (I Pet.5:7). Yet our weaknesses and self-will often keep us from accepting His call. Are you seeking man's approval or God's? Do efforts to achieve in school lead to intellectual pride? Does the fear of rejection silence us? Do our present economic failures threaten our retirement and, therefore, steal our joy? Is growing world tension robbing us of inner peace? These questions become daunting.

The real question for this new year is our focus! Jesus made it clear in John 10:4, "when He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice." Christ is the God of history and the God of prophecy. He is the Alpha and Omega! Since we do not know what lies before us, we must simply "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb.12:1-2) and keep focused on Him. King David faced similar obstacles we face today. The Psalms are filled with his struggles, fears, frustrations and uncertainties. In Psalm 118:6 he stated, "the Lord is on my side; I will not fear what man can do." He tapped his lifeline. Like the water spider who lives in an air bubble, and returns to the surface for more air to fill the bubble, David breathed God's strength through prayer. When sad, fearful, discouraged or mocked, David prayed. Each time God's power was released on his behalf.

We too, can find strength along the uncharted path before us as we avail ourselves of His infinite grace through prayer. "We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not of ourselves" (2 Cor.4:7). We need to think less of the things surrounding us and more of the power of Christ in us.

What are our priorities for this new year? Is our perspective on the visible, material, created things that are subject to decay? Never forget, what we fear most will control us! Success is not judged by what we start, how big are our endeavors, or how noble our goals, but how committed we are to Jesus Christ. Faithfulness to His Word is key in fulfilling His purpose for our lives.

Our world desperately needs Christ! Our purpose must be to reach His world one person at a time. This could be the year of His return! Faithfulness will bring its reward. That's what I want to be this new year. Will you join me? God's unconditional promise is our guarantee: "trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Prov.3:5-6).

WHY IS OUR KING IN RAGS!

The Throne is empty in heaven
Legions of angels attend
As Gabriel announces His birthday
The questioning seraphs exclaim:

(Refrain)
Why is our King in rags?
What is this covering of flesh?
Coming from heaven to Man?
Its Jesus, God's free gift of love.

Prophets foretold of His coming
Wondrous miracle birth
Bringing man hope and salvation
Loudly this message proclaim:

(Refrain)
Why is our King in rags?
What is this covering of flesh?
Coming from heaven to man?
Its Jesus, God's free gift of love.

Hushed were the voices around them
Shepherds kept vigil by night
Suddenly angels re-echoed
Emmanuel, Savior is born.

(refrain)
Why is our King in rags?
What is this covering of flesh?
Coming from heaven to man?
Its Jesus, God's free gift of love.

Mary and Joseph in wonder
Look at the Word made in flesh
Glory and honor and blessing
Flooding their spirits with praise.

(Refrain)
Why is our King in rags?
What is this covering of flesh?
Coming from heaven to man?
Its Jesus, God's free gift of love.
--B. Pent
(words & music sent upon request)

ALIEN ENCOUNTERS!

News spread like a northeaster! She tried to hide it but the secret soon surfaced. Her pregnancy would be a stigma tagged to her for life! She knew her parents would feel the shame. Yet, her greatest fear was telling her fiance. Her explanation seemed a mockery no matter how she worded it.

Wedding plans were already in the works! They seemed so much in love. They had pledged fidelity throughout their courtship. Now she's pregnant! And, not by him either! The news was more than he could bear! Disappointment and anger created an impassable chasm. Like the initial shock when losing a loved one, his thoughts became paralyzed! He faced the only alternatives: break off the engagement or expose her to public disgrace. No one knows how long he wrestled with the consequence of this promiscuous evil but sooner or later a decision had to be made. It was his move!

The night before their meeting, he had some kind of dream or vision of an alien personage from some distant galactic sphere. The encounter was surrealistic! Frozen by fear, he was forced to listen to a strange explanation of his fiance's pregnancy: "what is conceived of her is from the Holy Spirit so don't be afraid to take her as your wife," the voice assured him. The initial response to this immaculate conception was so improbable and inconceivable that it momentarily paralyzed his thinking. Yet, that very experience corroborated with his fiance's unbelievable story of her alien encounter: "the Holy spirit will come upon you and the power of the most high will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." His thoughts immediately raced to Isaiah's 700 year old prophecy: "therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." Faith convinced him that his doubts, weighed in the light of this alien encounter, could produce this incomprehensible virgin birth.

Reconciliation was immediate and wedding plans were back on track. Soon after, Joseph and Mary were married.

Naturally, both parents found it hard to believe this indescribable tale! And, the more they tried, the more hollow their story sounded throughout their community. In fact, it was a stigma leveled against the Child that refused to go away.

As government regulations persisted, the young family was forced to move from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Mary went into labor as they approached the city. Joseph tried to get a room in one of the motels but the "no vacancy" signs forced him to scurry for alternative accommodations. Desperation forced him to plead for the use of a shed large enough to accommodate her soon to be delivered child. The Innkeeper relented because of his importunity. The animals, housed in this stable, were brushed aside as Joseph hurriedly laid his cloak over a straw filled manger and made a bed as comfortable as possible for his wife. Before long Mary gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Both parents had agreed with the angel's request that his name be called JESUS.

The same voice that spoke to Joseph and Mary, heralded the Annunciation to a group of shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night. Like some supernatural magnet, they were drawn to Bethlehem's stable. Their alien encounter, accompanied by myriads of angels, corroborated with Mary and Joseph's experience. When they saw the Christ, they fell down in worship. May His voice call us back to the central Figure of Christmas, who is the reason for this season, and in true worship acknowledge His Lordship in each of our lives.

LOVING COMMUNICATION THROUGH THE LENS OF I COR.13

If I speak with the tongues of
Impeccable elocution and rhetorical quintessence,
But fail to lovingly communicate,
I am a tool of confusion and a threat to dialogue.

If I master the English language
Reflecting the eloquence of Cicero,
Or capture a breath of Shakespearian splendor,
And fail to lovingly communicate,
I haven't gained a thing.

Real communication begins with one's self,
Through patience: learning the art of listening.
Through kindness: not rudely interrupting.
Never forcing your own opinions,
As if you had a corner on all truth,
Or repelling the opinions of others.

Really, communication shows up
In accepting people as they are.
In listening without making one feel stupid,
And being able to share the feelings of others.

Communication expresses concern,
When someone else is talking.
Is glad when a constructive idea is presented,
And works toward a correct syllogism,
Through loving dialogue.

Communication involves:
Pooling all suggested ideas.
Recognizing individual effort in the process,
Being sensitive to the Spirit's direction,
And waiting for God's timing in concluding the matter.

Loving communication never fails.
But as for poor attitudes,
They build barriers.
As for catchy phrases and vague generalities,
They reveal hidden prejudices.
As for meaningless cliches, they impede progress.

For man's communicative skills change,
As the mask of selfishness is removed,
By the Son-Light of God's immeasurable love.

My words, thoughts and actions,
Since childhood days,
Are only memory-scars,
That I'm leaving behind.

For though I tend to see issues
Through the mirrored reflection of past failures,
God's metamorphic grace,
Helps me to piece the communication puzzle in a new Light.
And then I begin to understand it better,
Just as God so perfectly understands me.

So then:
Truthful words can set the stage for dialogue.
Correct phrasing can ease the mind.
But only loving communication changes the heart.
---B. Pent

Hurt People Hurt People, by Dr. Sandra Wilson

"Hurt People Hurt People" is more than a catchy phrase. Too often hurt people hurt others because they themselves have been hurt. And each one of us has been hurt to one degree or another. As that damage causes us to become defensive and self-protective, we may lash out at others. Hurting becomes a vicious cycle. But God can help us break that cycle. He offers His healing and hope.

In this down-to-earth, self-help book, Dr. Sandra Wilson, draws from her own personal experiences and through counselling hundreds of others, allows each of us to reflect on our own relationships and how we too can find hope and healing from the scars of our past. Her biblically based foundation provides hope that our wounded past will one day sing the praises of Christ as we embrace the reality of choice, change, and transformation.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the only all-sufficient healer for hurt people and He graciously uses human instruments in His healing work. If you are hurt by some past experience; if you find yourself hurting others without meaning to; if you would like to take flight from some present habit, I strongly recommend a careful study of this book. I know it helped me to take a more careful look into my own relationships and find ways of dealing with past hurts that too often I've excused through self-protectionism. I have found help and healing. I'm convinced you will too. Read it!