The Hollywood Hills Cross

One of the most recognizable images in the US is the " HOLLYWOOD" sign in Southern California. People from all over the globe come to " Tinseltown" to gaze at cement footprintssss of stars and perhaps catch a glimpse of celebrities who might pass by. It's hard for these visitors to miss the sign anchored in the foothills nearby.
     Less well known in the Hollywood hills is another easily recognized symbol-one with eternal significance. Known as the Hollywood Pilgrimage Memorial Monument, this 32-foot cross looks out over the city. The cross was placed there in memory of Christine Wetherill Stevenson, a wealthy heiress who in the 1920s established the Pilgrimage Theatre ( now the John Anson Ford Theatre). The site served as the venue for The Pilgrimage Play, a drama about Christ.
     The two icons showcase an interesting contrast. Movies good and bad will come and go. Their entertainment value, artistic contributions, and relevance are temporary at best.
     The cross, however, reminds us of a drama eternal in scope. The work of Christ is a story of the loving God who pursues us and invites us to accept His offer of complete forgiveness. The high drama of Jesus' death is rooted in history. His resurrection conquered death and has an eternal impact for all of us. The cross will never lose its meaning and power.
     Thank You, Father, for the eternal significance of the cross. Help us to understand and appreciate the love that caused Your Son to embrace His cross for our sakes.
     To know the meaning of the cross, you must know the One who died there.

Don't Walk Away

In 1986, John Piper nearly quit as minister of a large church. At that time he admitted in his journal: " I am so discouraged. I am so blank. I feel like there are opponents on every hand." But Piper didn't walk away, and God used him to lead a thriving ministry that would eventually reach far beyond his church.
     Although success is a word easily misunderstood, we might call John Piper successful. But what if his ministry never flourished?
     God gave the prophet Jeremiah a direct call. " Before I formed you in the womb I knew you," God said. " Before you were born I set you apart." God encouraged him not to fear his enemies, " for I am with you and will rescue you."
     Jeremiah later lamented his commission with ironic language for a man with a prenatal calling. " Alas, my mother, that you gave me birth, a man with whom the whole land strives and contends!"
     God did protect Jeremiah, but his ministry never thrived. His people never repented. He saw them slaughtered, enslaved, and scattered. Yet despite a lifetime of discouragement and rejection, he never walked away. He knew that God didn't call him to success but to faithfulness. He trusted the God who called him. Jeremiah's resilient compassion shows us the heart of the Father, who yearns for everyone to turn to Him.
      Do you sense a call from God Where in your calling have you encountered discouragement? How do you define success, and how do you react to it when you experience it?
      Beware of giving up too soon. Our emotions are not reliable guides.

His Word the Last Word

Dawson Trotman, a dynamic Christian leader of the mid-twentieth century and founder of The Navigators, emphasized the importance of the Bible in the life of every Christian. Trotman ended each day with a practice he called " His Word the last word." Before going to sleep he meditated on a memorized Bible verse or passage, then prayed about its place and influence in his life. He wanted the last words he thought about each day to be God's words.
     The psalmist David wrote, " On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings." Whether we are in great difficulty or enjoying a time of peace, our last thought at night can ease our minds with the res and comfort God gives. It may also set the tone for our first thought the next morning.
     A friend and his wife conclude each day by reading aloud a Bible passage and daily devotional with their four children. They welcome questions and thoughts from each child and talk about what it means to follow Jesus at home and school. They call it their version of " His Word the last word" for each day.
     What better way to end our day!
     Thank You Father, for Your Word in our hearts and our minds-our last thought at night as we rest securely in You.
     The Spirit of God renews our minds when we meditate on the Word of God.

A Heart of Compassion

Seven of us were attending a musical production at a crowded amusement park. Wanting to sit together, we tried to squeeze into one row. But as we did, a woman rushed between us. My wife mentioned to her that we wanted to stay together, but the woman quickly said, " Too bad," as she and her two companions pushed on into the row.
     As three of us sat one row behind the other four, my wife Sue, noticed that the woman had an adult with her who appeared to have special needs. She had been trying to keep her little group together so she could take care of her friend. Suddenly, our irritation faded. Sue said, " Imagine how tough things are for her in a crowded place like this." Yes, perhaps the woman did respond rudely. But we could respond with compassion rather than anger.
     Wherever we go, we will encounter people who need compassion. Perhaps these words from the apostle Paul can help us view everyone around us in a different light-as people who need the gentle touch of grace. " As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." He also suggests that we " bear with each other and forgive one another."
      As we show compassion, we will be pointing others to the One who poured out His heart of grace and compassion on us.
     Your compassions never fail, Father. May we mirror Your heart by showing compassion to others.
     Compassion is understanding the troubles of others.

Behind the Scenes

My daughter sent a text message to a friend, in hopes of having a question answered quickly. Her phone's messaging service showed that the recipient had read the message, so she waited anxiously for a reply. Mere moments passed, yet she grew frustrated, groaning her annoyance at the delay. Irritation eroded into worry; she wondered whether the lack of response meant there was a problem between them. Eventually a reply came and my daughter was relieved to see their relationship was fine. Her friend had simply been sorting out the details needed to answer the question.
     The old testament prophet Daniel also anxiously awaited a reply. After receiving a frightening vision of great war, Daniel fasted and sought God through humble prayer. For three weeks, he received no reply. Finally, an angel arrived and assured Daniel his prayers had been heard " since the first day." In the meantime, the angel had been battling on behalf of those prayers. Though Daniel didn't know it at first, God was at work during each of the twenty-one days that elapsed between his first prayer and the angel's coming.
     The confidence that God hears our prayers can cause us to become anxious when His reply doesn't come when we want it to. We are prone to wonder whether He cares. Yet Daniel's experience reminds us that God is at work on behalf of those He loves even when it isn't obvious to us.
     Lord, help me to trust Your care for me even when I can't see it.
God is always at work on behalf of His people.

When Yes means No

I thanked God for the privilege of serving as my mom's live-in caregiver during her battle against leukemia. When medicines began to hurt more than help, she decided to stop treatment. " I don't want to suffer anymore," she said. " I want to enjoy my last days with family. God knows I'm ready to go home."
     I pleaded with our loving heavenly Father-the Great Physician-confident He could work miracles. But to say yes to my mom's prayers, He would have to say no to mine. Sobbing, I surrendered, " Your will be done, Lord."
      Soon after, Jesus welcomed my mama into a pain-free eternity.
     In this fallen world, we'll experience suffering until Jesus returns. Our sinful nature, limited vision, and fear of pain can distort our ability to pray. Thankfully, " the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God." He reminds us that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, even when His yes to someone else means a heartbreaking no for us.
     When we accept our small part in His greater purpose, we can echo my mom's watchword: " God is good, and that's all there is to it. Whatever He decides, I'm at peace." With confidence in the Lord's goodness, we can trust HIm to answer every prayer according to His will and for His glory.
     God's answers are wiser than our prayers.

The Greatest Invitation

During a recent week, I received several invitations in the mail. Those inviting me to attend "free" seminars on retirement, real estate, and life insurance were immediately thrown away. But the invitation to a gathering honoring a longtime friend caused me to reply immediately, " Yes! I accept." Invitation+ Desire = Acceptance.
     Isaiah 55:1 is one of the greatest invitations in the Bible. The Lord said to His people who were in difficult circumstances, " Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost." " This is God's remarkable offer of inner nourishment, deep spiritual satisfaction, and everlasting life.
      Jesus's invitation is repeated in the last chapter of the Bible: " The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let the one who hears say, ' Come!' Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life."
     We often think of eternal life as beginning when we die. In reality, it begins when we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.
     God's invitation to find eternal life in Him is the greatest invitation of all! Invitation + Desire = Acceptance.
      Lord Jesus, thank You for Your promise of mercy, pardon, and eternal life. I acknowledge my failures and receive Jesus as my Savior today.
When we accept Jesus's invitation to follow Him, Our whole life changes direction.