Monthly Archives: November 2020

Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Treasure Island and other classics, grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland in the 19th century. At the end of each day, as darkness spread over the city, Robert would watch with fascination as the lamplighters came down the street, lighting the gas street lamps. 

One evening, seeing their son with his face pressed against the window, Robert’s parents asked him what he was looking at. Robert replied excitedly, “Look at that man! He’s punching holes in the darkness!”

Long ago Jesus, the light of the world, was born in a dirty stable on a cold, dark night. Like the lamplighter’s in Edinburgh, Jesus came to punch holes in the darkness. He came to bring joy and hope, to light the way to a brand new day. 

Now, over 2000 years later, it seems to many that Light has gone out. COVID-19, political unrest, conflict, and natural disasters have left them reeling, their “hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth…” (Luke 21:26). For many, as they look towards the future, they see only darkness, with not even a glimmer of light. 

But that Light still shines! It shines in you and I, in all God’s children. We, like Jesus before us, “are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14). As we go about our daily lives, sharing a kind word or a helping hand with those we meet, we too are “punching holes in the darkness”, helping others see the Light.

This Christmas season, as we celebrate “the Light”, let us determine to punch holes in the darkness wherever we go. Like St. Francis, let our prayer be:

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

Let’s let the Light shine through us this season, bringing joy and hope wherever we go. Together let’s start “punching holes in the darkness” today, bringing the Light to everyone we meet!

The other day Ana and I got home from work after sundown and went to the chicken coop to gather the eggs. As we opened the barn door we saw something we weren’t expecting. There were chickens everywhere!

Turns out the door to the coop had fallen shut, preventing the chickens from getting into their home when sunset came. Instead they’d taken shelter in the barn. They were roosting on the gardening equipment, clustered around the closed door to the coop, and some were hiding in the tall weeds nearby.

It took us about a half hour to gather them all up and get them back where they belonged. As we headed back to the house, Ana laughingly said, “I can feel a story coming on!” She knows me so well!

We live in the final days of earth’s history. You need only look at the headlines to know this to be true. Soon, “…Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation,
even to that time.” (Daniel 12:1 NKJV). Soon the cry will ring out, “Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!” (Matthew 25:6)

When that day comes God’s children, all those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior and “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” will be saved. (Revelation 7:14). Like the 5 wise virgins in the parable in Matthew 25 they will be welcomed into the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Together with those who have died in Christ they will be caught up in the clouds, “to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall [they] ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

For those who have waited, however, those who are not prepared, the door will be forever shut. Like the 5 foolish virgins, and like our silly chickens, they will find themselves locked out in the cold, dark night and “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:12).

This is a sobering thought, but there’s good news! The door is still open! There is still time, but it is quickly slipping away! “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

My friend, please don’t wait a moment longer. “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 4:7). Don’t make the same mistake as our foolish chickens and wait till it’s too late. Give Jesus your heart today. The door’s still open – come on home!

Decisions, decisions! “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!” (Joel 3:14 NIV)

At this moment in time you and countless others face the most important decision of your life. How you decide will forever alter not only your life, but the lives of your children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors, in ways you can’t even imagine. The very fate of our nation and our world depend on the decisions that will be made.

This decision is a choice between two opposing parties and their leaders, two philosophies so diametrically opposed it is amazing they can coexist on the same planet. Never before has the choice been so stark.

One leader, from the moment he seized power has been determined to destroy all that is good and decent in this world. His influence has led to intolerance, bred hatred and division, encouraged violence, and stolen hope of a better life from millions.

In contrast, his opponent’s message is one of reconciliation and tolerance, promising prosperity and a brighter future. His government will bring peace to the nations and healing to the cast-out and down-trodden. Instead of hatred, he speaks of love. Instead of despair, he breeds hope.

What is this momentous decision I’m asking you to make? Well, it’s not the one you’re probably thinking of. It’s not about who you’ll vote for on November 3. It’s not about who will be our President for the next 4 years. It’s not about choosing between Donald Trump or Joe Biden, between Democrats or Republicans.

No, the decision I am asking you to make is far more important. It is truly a matter of life and death, a choice between “life and prosperity, death and destruction.” (Deuteronomy 30:15 NIV). On your decision hangs not only your future, but potentially the eternal future of all those with whom you come in contact and the ones you love and care about.

The choice you must make today is who will be your Lord and Master. Will it be Jesus Christ, who gave His life that you might live, or Satan, who seeks only to destroy? It would seem like an easy decision, but every day, every hour, thousands make the wrong choice. Don’t let that happen to you!

Time is short. Just look around and you’ll know it’s true. There is no more time for delay. “This day…I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.” (Deuteronomy 30:19). “Choose for yourselves…whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:15)

Who will get your vote today? Christ or Satan? The Dragon or the Lamb? The choice is up to you. “But as for me and my household,” our vote has already been cast – “we will serve the Lord.”

Won’t you join us and cast your vote for Jesus today?