Well, another prediction of the end of the world has come and gone. This one actually gained a lot of attention. I started noticing the billboards here in Phoenix over a month ago telling of the end coming on May 21st. Folks were really getting worked up over it too.

May 21st also happened to be the day my one and only daughter was getting married. (THAT was a life significant event and a post is coming soon on that).

I read an article that briefly reviewed reactions in social media. The one that made me laugh was the Worst. Rapture. Ever. comment. There certainly have been a number of them. Another reaction was of a billboard that said THAT was Awkward … No Man knows the day or the hour. This may have been photo shopped, but it expressed how I felt.

These predictions seem to do more damage to people’s belief than good. It opens the flood gates for the non-believers and doubters to snicker and express criticism of Jesus’s declaration that he would return.

I like what Greg Laurie had to say in response to this rapture prediction. He is a man of God and he had come out prior to this rapture warning and said it was wrong. He states while we know this prediction was wrong – on a number of accounts – we should also ask the question, “But what is right?”

Yes, what is right?

Jesus is still coming. Despite the false prediction. The signs are present, have been, and are all-confirming.

This mockery and ridicule is even a sign of the end times as the Bible says, “Mockers will say, ‘Where is the promise of His coming?’ ”

Laurie reminds us to be ready to meet the Lord. He is coming back.

I agree. And for those who believe, there is no fear or worry about when the Rapture comes.

Oh, according to the false prophet, there was a mis-calculation and the real event will be later this year. October 21 …

Yesterday I jokingly made a reference on it being time for a Come to Jesus Meeting(!). I add the exclamation because of the connotation of this expression. Ironically the same day, I heard another reference to it being time to bring the powers that be to a sit down come to Jesus meeting.

And it was then that I realized the mis-representation in this expression.

Both examples were said in references to job situations. One party had just about had enough and thougth it was time to set another party straight. Hence, it was tiem fo ra come to Jesus meeting! Problems were going to be confronted and things addressed, or else.

Come to Jesus Meetings expressions are used when one has had enough. So there is an understanding that we’re bringing Jesus and the guilty will be judged! Dealt with!

Ahhh, but therein lies the deception. For most, it seems, the return of Jesus is about the judgement of the world. All will be made known and further, all will be understood. The Bible promises that. It also is clear that at His name, every knee will bow. All authority is given to Jesus.

So this seems to be the connotative meaning behind the term come to Jesus meaning.

But, the message of Jesus was GOOD NEWS (the gospel). That His coming again was really about a rescue. That through His sacrifice, we have re-connection with our Creator. So in this light, a come to Jesus meeting would be more of a welcome! A celebration! This meeting would be one where Jesus wasn’t there to straighten you out; it was a meeting to accept you back in the fold, forgive, no questions asked, no need to defend. Grace.

I want to go to that meeting.

Next time I am invited to a come to Jesus meeting, I want to know which gospel is being used. I’ll decline the first one and look for the rescue.

If I were to ask you for examples from your life that demonstrate interactions that truly reach levels of meaning, what do those look like to you? Here is one that hit deeply in me. And it goes far beyond the shallow examples I often hear and see when people tell me about how close they are or how significant an event was in their lives.

This story begins while participating in a shallow activity … how apropo. I was watching a show on TV, The Deadliest Catch.  I got captivated by the re-runs from last year when one of the Captains, Phil, had just suffered a stroke. Phil had lived a hard life that had included drugs and alcohol. He had an advanced vocabulary only a sailor would appreciate. Smoked non-stop. Was visibly stressed all the time. Both his sons worked with him on the boat.

At the end of one of the episodes, he youngest admitted he was an addict after Phil had caught him stealing some prescription pain medication. It was an emotional moment as Dad was disowning him, calling him no good and nothing but a thief.  The viewer got a sense that these scenes were real, not played out for the camera.

Fast forward. Phil demands his son get help and enter re-hab, which he agrees. And then it happens. The timeline isn’t exactly clear, but they find Phil in his cabin, unable to move but still alive.

After a somewhat shocking surgery and apparent road to recovery, everyone is so hopeful that he is going to beat this. What follows is the moment that hit me. And I emphasize it was only a few seconds in what was a season of shows. In those few seconds was illustrated a depth of meaning that in my mind encompassed what “it” is all about.

You could tell something was not going well as Phil’s speech and overall demeanor had changed. He was struggling to communicate. I think he knew.

As his oldest was saying goodbye, that he would see him in the morning, Phil whispered with heavy sighs … that he was sorry. Sorry for not being there for them (his sons) when they were younger. So sorry. And he touched his lips with his hand and sent a kiss to his oldest. And told him he loved him. He died that night or shortly thereafter.

That few seconds during which those simple words and actions were communicated, tells what “it” is. It’s deep, meaningful beyond words, and one feels it in the heart or what I find is the Spirit God has created us with.

Inside that crass, cussing, smoking, tough guy was the Spirit of a man who had “it” or found it and understood at the right time, the things to say to his son … otherwise lost in the shallows of living.

If you saw this episode, did you feel it?

If you are looking for an Easter Service in Phoenix, AZ, try Vineyard North Phoenix! God’s Work in Caves is Brian Anderson’s topic this year.

Times: Saturday, April 23rd, 5 pm / Sunday, April 24th, 9:15 and 11 am

For additional information, visit their web site here: Vineyard North Phoenix Church

It’s a welcoming place, diverse, and contemporary.

I think I’ve written about one television show here and recommended it. That was Cash Cab. Well, here is my second recommendation of must see TV: Secret Millionaire.

In looking up some info on it, I found it interesting that it originated in the UK. I am amazed at how many great television shows (and music) have been created by the Brits! Secret Millionaire is one of just four shows I have Tivo record for me on its season pass.

I was also surprised at some of the criticism … how the show propagates false hope; is irresponsible, promotes wealth, and the like. Hogwash …. if you haven’t watched it, I suggest you do.

What Secret Millionaire is about is way beyond the obvious plot line. If the show was only about the rich finding deserving non-profits and making significant donations to their cause, I wouldn’t be recommending it nor probably watching. So what is it that I find it to be must see TV?

The real secret is the revelation I see taking place in those that are giving and those that are receiving. It is the observable affects you see that take place in the giftor … the emotions, tears and beliefs as well as those observed in the recipients … emotions, tears, and beliefs. It’s hard to explain what the viewer sees because if you watch it, you feel it.

The millionaires are heard saying similar things such as how they see life and people differently after the week they have spent in some of the worst neighborhoods in America. They are stunned at the efforts of those trying to make a difference in the lives most ignore.

And here is the secret. The revelations I see taking place are relative to foundational changes in their realizations of the true happiness felt as a result of the gifts being directly related to purpose and meaning. We so often think that if we do “things” we will be happier, find real joy, even become better people – think bucket lists. I am believing when we think like this, we are missing true meaning. It’s not about us and what we want or need.

Purpose, meaning, and lasting happiness are found where we seldom look. Secret Millionaire is showing us visually where the least likely are finding it … and it isn’t within.

It’s with others and for others.

Have you seen the show? Did you feel it?

A recent headline regarding the passing of Michael Jackson caught my attention. Its topic covered what he had done on what became his last day. That made me think. We have no idea, usually, that our last day is here. So the question is, if this was our last day, how would you hope it would be spent? The answers provide a window of understanding to what is true, important.

In thinking about what I would hope could be written about my last day, I came up with the following 10 things I would hope the writer would discover I had done.

1. Acknowledged HIM, Jesus the savior, seeking His wisdom.
2. Recognized those in need around me and acted to help.
3. Enjoyed something in the natural surroundings: Was impressed by that day’s sunrise or sunset, weather, scenery.
4. Performed an act of kindness.
5. Laughed heartily!
6. Talked with or enjoyed the kids/family.
7. Spoke to those close that I loved them.
8. Made a real friend.
9. Made a great cup of coffee.
10. Generously expressed gratitude.

I don’t have any Bucket List items on it. And I sincerely think that the day’s satisfaction is more about spending it in relationship with others rather than personal goals or interests. Not that there is anything wrong with those, and in fact, truer to an actual day, there would be things that I would be doing relative to my interests. Keeping perspective of those things on the list makes me think is key to being happy with my days.

That would be a nice article. Better, it would be a great day.