I love watching the Olympics, summer & winter, esp. the closing ceremonies. Its all about celebrating- the achievements, the nations, the athletes. The Torino closing ceremonies were no different. It was filled with fun, festive music & choreography, great costumes & props, spectacular, dazzling effects. The athletes marched in, country by country, to the roar of the massive crowd, and even here in my own living room I was filled with the same wonder and emotion I could see in the eyes of those in that stadium.
There is something about the whole event that speaks deeply to me every 4 years- whether its Torino or Barcelona, Lillehammer or Nagano. The pageantry, the joy, the unity, the celebration of achievement, the wonder & awe- could it somehow be a little picture of what Heaven will be like? Think about it- People from every tongue and every nation, from every age and time, gathered before the throne of God, in unbounded wonder and celebration. The spectacle of the ages, of the universe. And it will not end. We will sing, dance, play, love- forever in the presence of our Lord and Savior. We will enjoy Him and each other forever. I think that's what my heart longs for. Doesn't yours?
Rob
"a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands..." Revelation 7:9-17

I recently rented the movie, "The Great Raid", the true story of the rescue of 500 American POW's held in a Japanese prison camp in World War II. Its really two stories in one- the survival of these men for 3 years under the brutality and deprivation of their Japanese oppressors, and the courage & determination of a band of soldiers to get them out. To go 30 miles behind Japanese lines, destroy the forces holding the camp, rescue all men still alive, then get back safely to American lines, all for these forgotten men, these "ghost soldiers" that had been left for dead- what an amazing story of courage and sacrifice.
I reflected on the movie, and I was reminded of the tremendous courage and selflessness of Jesus Christ to enter this world, facing all the wrath and hatred hell could unleash against Him, and went to the cross to rescue us from our sin. The greatest rescue of all time, no doubt. And I was a prisoner in sin, and He rescued me. For that, I am forever grateful.
"For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and delivered us to His Kingdom of light."
Rob

I saw a bumper sticker today that caught my attention-

"I like your Christ.
I do not like your Christians.
They are so unlike your Christ."
Gandhi

Some might blow that off, but it got me thinking. How many people out there feel that way today? Probably more than we realize or care to admit.
What can we do as God's people, as God's Church, to change that perception? How can we better be reflections of Jesus in this world? He set the example for us, so why can't we better be His hands, feet, and heart in this world?
Just some things to chew on...
Rob

It was beautiful weather again today, so I went out for a ride again (big surprise). While riding, I came upon an old graveyard behind a little country church. You might think this is strange, but I like walking through old cemeteries- you can read a lot of history in the gravestones. I parked and walked among the plots, and found many fascinating ones- A Civil War veteran who served under Gen. Robert E. Lee; a family that lost 4 children in a span of 8 years back at the turn of the century; a pastor who had served in the same church for almost 50 years; a soldier who died in WWI and was laid to rest here; a child died at age 6, marked with an stone angel; A woman who lived to 104 years old. Amazing. And so many others- each representing a life lived here, a person loved here. What were their lives like? What memories did they leave behind for others? I was reminded how fleeting life is, how fragile it is. Whatever years I have here, I want them to be spent in love- for my Lord & Father, for my wife & girls, for my family & friends, for those in my sphere of ministry, for those who cross paths with me. Just to live and give the life and love of Jesus Christ. I hope my gravestone will one day read- "He Loved: His Lord, his family, his fellow man."
"Life is but a vapor, here one moment and gone the next..." James 4:14