Happy Feet and Holy Hearts

It was my privilege recently to be on the receiving end of a concert by the Ugandan Children's Choir of the Royal Junior School and Orphanage in Kampala, Uganda, Africa. They are in the states during the Summer of 2006 spreading the message of Jesus through their music and ministry. They captured my heart.

One of the many things that they reminded me of is that "joy" is not tied to circumstances and material possessions. It is not the byproduct of birth, ancestry or culture. "Joy inexpressible and full of glory" comes from only one place and that is a vital and vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ.

From now on when I hear their music and think of them I cannot do it without thinking about "Happy Feet and Holy Hearts." They had both. They sang with conviction. They danced with joy and their faces were aglow with presence of the Lord.

They gave us an opportunity to give so that a new school can be built to house, teach and disciple Ugandan children that the next generation might have hope. I have no doubt that by the time they return to their native land that God will provide their every need.

Deal or No Deal

There's a game show where contestants try to win a million dollars by selecting numbered brief cases containing $ increments from $1 to $1,000,000. The rules are simple. Choose a briefcase. Then as each round progresses, you must either stay with your original briefcase choice or make a "deal" with the bank to accept its cash offer in exchange for whatever dollar amount is in your chosen case. Once you decide to accept or decline the bank's offer, the decision is final.

Contestants are encouraged to ask friends or family in the audience for advice; however, only the contestant's answer will be considered binding and final. Of course, the brief cases are being held by some of the most beautiful women in the world. I wonder if this is a game show or a guy show.

NBC was not the first to come up with this game. People have been playing it for a long time as they gaze into the uncertainty that the world offers and select what they hope will be the answer to their dreams. As people approach life like a slot machine dropping in tokens and hoping for a win and maybe a jackpot. Sometimes their response is yeah baby and at others it is awww! Then they wait on the banker to call.

God offers us the deal of a lifetime. His Son for our sins. His blood for our bondage. Christ's cross for our crime. His death for our life. What a deal!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16).

"Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal" (John 6:27).

Jesus...said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." (John 6:29 NASB)

Life Goes On

I just returned from a funeral. There's nothing like a funeral to put life in perspective. There is no doubt about it, we live and we die. However, there is a way to live and a way to die. Jesus said, "I am come that you might have life and have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). So it is the plan of God for us to have a certain kind of life and that is a life in relationship with Him.

Back to the funeral. The gravesite was located close to the road. During the graveside service a number of cars passed by. Some passed by seemingly oblivious to what was taking place. Others slowed down and perhaps out of respect passed slowly. But as I looked at the family it was obvious that although they were laying to rest a mother, a sister, a grandmother and a friend, that life goes on.

Funerals remind us of our mortality. They remind us that life is temporary. That is life on this plane. They remind us that one day "our number will be up." To some people the grave is the end. Boy are they in for a surprise. To others it is the door into the afterlife, which perhaps to them is some mystical existence of Nirvana. However, to those of us who have been born again by the Spirit of God it is the door into an eternity in heaven with our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I was at the hospital the other day sitting with a family while a family member was in surgery. There were other families in the waiting area. One particular family was sitting behind us passing the time by catching up on news and family stuff. Their mother was having a hernia repaired. Simple routine surgery...or so they thought. Doctors were coming in and out of the waiting area informing families of the results of the surgery and the condition of their family member.

A patient representative came into the waiting area and called this family out. "The doctor would like to speak with you, come with me," she said. They followed her from the room, but when they returned their contenance was different, their walk was different. Shoulders were slumped, faces showed shock and tears were beginning to well up in their eyes. During this "routine surgery" something else was found. Something that could not be repaired. Once again the mortality of life was realized.

To watch people live life today you would think that this world is all there is. People are living life in the fast track. Eternity is way out there. They have plenty of time. Many of them know that's not true, but it is something they can deal with "tomorrow." Well, tomorrow can be sooner than you think.