If Indiana Jones preached a sermon

Jim and I took a little time off last Thursday morning to go see the new Indiana Jones movie. We both wanted to write about it, so we just called that morning “research” and enjoyed the time together.

We had only been married about a year when the first Indiana Jones movie came out. We thought it was amazing! We rushed to see the second movie but didn’t like it much. I think that second movie is actually responsible for the creation of the PG13 rating. The third Indiana Jones movie promised to be better—which it was—and actually was my favorite in the series. Needless to say, we were pretty excited to go to this last movie, decades later.

Jim wrote his article about the use of AI to “de-age” Harrison Ford’s face. My blog post has a different theme. The new movie was really well done and an interesting perspective on what matters most at the end of our lives. It isn’t a Christian movie by any means, but it is interesting how often the world’s messages contain biblical principles.

So, what if Indiana Jones were to preach a sermon at the end of his life? What points would he most want to make, as seen in the movie?

First point: Preserve and cherish important relationships.

We enjoyed seeing so many of the characters from previous movies written into the script of this last film. Indiana Jones’ friends remained true to who they were. He could count on those relationships decades later. I thought of the proverb that says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17). Most if not all of Indiana Jones’ friends were apparently “born for adversity.” 

I’ve been privileged to know a lot of people throughout my life. I hope some of those relationships will be my great joy in the years ahead. Indiana Jones would tell us to invest in those people and honor them for their gift of friendship

Who do you think about when you read those words?

Second point: Don’t give up on a relationship that has failed.

I won’t give away the movie, but suffice it to say that Indiana Jones comes to realize that no amount of work, adventure, or important treasure is more important than a broken relationship. 

Modern thinking is that we shouldn’t spend time with people who don’t “add” to our sense of well-being or who don’t bring “positive energy” into our lives. That is a worldly point of view. 

Do you have a relationship that needs to be worked on or even restored? Is there someone you just don’t want to care about anymore? Jesus told Peter he needed to forgive a person more than seven times, the customary number in Jewish law: “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22). Jesus wasn’t teaching a literal number but a high standard of spiritual truth. We don’t give up on our brothers and sisters in Christ. We keep working to restore the relationship.

Another proverb reminds us why God wants us to keep working on our relationships, even the difficult ones: “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). That proverb is powerful truth for all those relationships that can “hurt” at times. God allows them for a reason. The truth of that proverb will be understood best in heaven when obedience is rewarded. Some of our eternal rewards will be the result of following the teaching of Christ even when it was tough to do so. 

How would that difficult relationship change if we stopped to consider that God may have allowed it into our lives for the sake of our eternal inheritance as well as our earthly witness?

Third point: Life isn’t supposed to be effortless; it is supposed to be lived with an effort to honor God.

In this last movie, Indiana Jones has gone from being the professor the girls swooned over to an aged professor whose class is boring to most of his students. The focus of his life was chasing archeological treasures, and he had acquired many artifacts. In this final movie, his greatest treasures are something very different.

My husband delivered the message last Saturday at the funeral of a very important man who understood how to use his life for the things God thought important. He stood for biblical principles even when taking that stand would cost him a position of high status. He stood for biblical integrity even when that stand was unpopular.

During the service 2 Corinthians 4:7–9 was read and preached because these verses represented this man’s earthly journey. Those verses say, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

If Indiana Jones could preach, he would confess his life had been a race to acquire antiquities rather than focusing his efforts on maintaining things that matter most. It took him a lifetime to learn what Paul taught the Corinthians. Our earthly lives, and all we achieve, are stored here in jars of clay.

Indiana Jones lived with some good values but lacked the most important measure of success. The point of our lives is to point others to God, “to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”

Most sermons end with a good illustration.

I’ll close with these words. My husband often says, “Great men plant trees they will never sit under.” The man we celebrated last Saturday at his memorial service planted forests of trees. He touched thousands of lives and pointed them toward the important goal of serving God for his sake rather than our own. His “jar of clay” finally broke, releasing his soul to heaven, where he is now enjoying the people he knew and loved on earth. His treasure is those eternal rewards he stored safely in heaven. 

A lot of people came to honor this man, but we also came to honor his God.

I thought the new Indiana Jones movie was a good one. As the book of Job teaches, “Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days” (Job 12:12). The acclaimed writers and producers of this famous movie franchise have aged, and this last movie revealed some wisdom learned. I wanted to point their wisdom from this movie script to the Source of wisdom. We have a great God and his truth is eternal.

What sermon will each of our lives preach? God could use a few more “Indiana Jones” sermons delivered by people brave enough to speak biblical truth in spite of the certain consequences that will follow. Preaching isn’t supposed to be effortless; strong preaching will always draw some persecution, affliction, and occasional despair.

But at the end of our lives, if our message pointed people to God, it was worth all the effort. 

 

 

The quiet moments of Christmas

Quiet moments are rare these days, especially at Christmas. We live during a time in history when there is always something available to divert our attention. Have you noticed kids rarely say “I’m bored” anymore? Adults don’t say it very often either. We can always glance at a screen and find something interesting to fill our thoughts.

God said, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10). There is something about complete silence that fills our thoughts with the greatness of God.  

WebMD has an interesting article saying, “Even just five minutes of sitting quietly can have a transformative effect on your entire day.” The article paraphrases a quote from Blaise Pascal saying, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” 

How would a few moments of silence change our day?

Scripture says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Could it be that when people do not take time to be still, they forget there truly is a God? Is the pace and noise in our world one of the reasons for our statistics these days? 

The WebMD article encouraged five minutes of silence and then discussed all of the many things that can distract us from that time. The article suggested people focus on their breathing to gain a sense of silence. God would suggest we focus on the One who gave us the air and the ability to breathe. 

How would it change our day if we spent at least five minutes quietly thinking about God and all he has done for us? 

How would those moments change your relationship with your Creator? 

How would those moments change whom you spoke with or helped today? 

Five minutes with the Lord

People will spend an hour waiting for their children to see Santa this week. People will wait in long lines to check out just so they can purchase a gift for someone they care about. How long would you have waited in line at the Bethlehem manger if it meant you could have glimpsed the baby Jesus?  

Habakkuk 2:20 says, “But the Lᴏʀᴅ is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.” When Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom. The veil was the thickness of a man’s hand. Only God could have “torn” it that way. God wanted us to know that, because of Jesus, we could come into his holy Presence. Christians can spend our “five minutes” of silence each day at the feet of the Creator God. 

We can be still and know God. We can recognize his perfect greatness and exalt him as our King. We can realize that he is our Abba Father and we are his children.  

If I could spend five minutes with my dad today, I would do whatever was necessary to be there. That five minutes would not feel like enough time, but I would do it every day if I could. Who would you love to spend five minutes with each day? 

We have the gift of God’s presence anytime we seek him. Words aren’t even necessary. We can just enter the holy temple and sit at his feet. He invited us to do that the moment his Son died for us. The God of the universe wants you to know him and spend time with him.

Just do it

Silence is a spiritual exercise. It doesn’t help to think about it; it only helps if you “just do it.” I’ve written before about becoming a “Nike Christian.” Sometimes the greatest weakness we have is that we “know” enough about God and we believe that means we actually “know” him. 

We can know God if we take the time to “be still and know” that he is God. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). If we spend our moments of quiet for the sake of purifying our hearts and minds, we can enter the temple and “see God” with our hearts and minds. 

Paul taught that Christians should make their lives a “living sacrifice” in Romans 12:1. The next verse helps us understand how to do that: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). 

How would our minds be renewed and our lives be transformed if we stepped away from the world, even for just a few minutes each day, to sit quietly at the feet of our holy God?  

Don’t just think about it—do it.

Silence is strength for your soul

God told Isaiah to tell the people, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength, but you were unwilling” (Isaiah 30:15).  

It must be difficult for God to know he has our greatest help and is willing to give us all that we need. Yet he honors our free wills, even when we refuse his blessings.

How will your Christmas season change with quiet rest?

This might be the perfect time of year to discover a daily time of pure quiet rest in the Presence of God. We could develop a new habit that would carry us through the holiday rush and lead us into the next year knowing God in deeper ways. 

Will you choose now to spend five minutes of pure silence at the feet of God? 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Now, in complete reverent silence, climb the steps to the Holy of Holies and enter through the torn veil. God is there and waiting for you, his child. 

Be still, and know he is your God. Keep complete silence before him. You aren’t there to “ask” as much as you are there to listen. Remain at his feet, undistracted for at least five minutes. That time will change you as a result. 

Keep returning to the temple each day and that time with God will become your favorite time of the day. Remember: it is in “returning and rest” that God can accomplish his work in your life. Quietness and trust will become your great strength. And don’t we need that for the rest of the day! 

The only question left is will you just do it

The God of the universe, your Father, is waiting for your visit. Start with five minutes of complete silence each day and he will take it from there. He is a good Father and wants to bless and guide your life.  

God is worthy of our time, our praise, and our attention. 

Will you freely give all that he deserves? 

Bringing the gospel back

If you have read this blog for a while, you have heard me voice my disappointment over the Hallmark Channel’s choice to bow to the demands of the LGBTQ community. This Christmas season, Hallmark will air the first “holiday” movie featuring a gay couple who are struggling to adopt a child. But, there is good news for all of you who just groaned inwardly.

There are a LOT of people who don’t want to invite unbiblical thinking into our homes. I’ve written several emails to the board of directors at Hallmark. I’ve also used my blog platform to encourage others to take a stand. 

The good news: our voices are louder than we might have thought. 

Welcome GAC to your televisions

I hope I’m not jumping the gun because this is a new station. But, everything I have read points to a channel you and your family can enjoy this Christmas without wondering if the “holiday” movie will offend. 

GAC’s tagline is “Stories well told.” They are promising to honor family, faith, and wholesome entertainment. 

Bill Abbott is the former CEO of Hallmark and is now directing the GAC channel. An article I read said, “Abbott, who helped Hallmark grow its streaming content and become one of the most popular family-friendly channels in the market, left in Jan. 2020 after the company came under fire after a commercial (and movie) featuring a gay marriage.” 

Again, the GAC station is new and I’ve not seen a lot of their programming yet, but I am encouraged by what I’ve read and seen so far. I wanted to alert you to the new channel for your Christmas season, but I also wanted to remind you that your voice and your values really do make a difference in the world.

Like Paul, we should be “unashamed of the gospel”

Honestly, I think Romans 1:16 is the theme of 2021 for me. I hope it will be for you as well. That verse says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” 

I am blogging this month on what it means to be reconciled to God, drawn into a close and righteous relationship with our heavenly Father. Our theme verse for the month says that God has entrusted us with “the message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19). You and I have been called by God to share his gospel message with boldness, unashamed and eager to be reconciled to God and help others do the same. Our boldness is born from the fact that the gospel is the power of God “that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). 

Christians have been blessed with God’s power through the Holy Spirit, and we have been given a message that can bring anyone into a reconciled relationship with their heavenly Father.  

Just when did Christians begin to feel “ashamed” to share our message with the world? 

We have been labeled “intolerant fanatics” by some, and that’s okay

I ran across an article last week that I used in my Bible study lecture. I googled “How is intolerance defined?” 

One article listed these three criteria: 

  • In general, an intolerant person displays fanaticism when defending their beliefs and stances.
  • They need security and certainty, even if it isn’t real.
  • They impose their way of seeing the world on others.

Consider the definition above in light of Jesus’ words to his disciples. Jesus “said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned’” (Mark 16:15–16). 

As I told my Bible study, those who share the gospel message might be considered intolerant fanatics by some standards, but we are disciples by the standards Jesus gave us. We have to choose who we are wanting to please and choose the goals we want to achieve.  

God doesn’t want to tolerate sin because it harms his children. He wants to forgive and redeem sin so people can be reconciled to him. And we are called to be his disciples. 

Disciples are unashamed of the gospel and share the message through the power of God’s Spirit. Disciples help others be reconciled to God and gain the promise of eternal life through Jesus. 

Your influence is more powerful than you realize

Why are God’s people choosing to stay quiet when we have been given this privilege as a disciple of Christ? 

When did we start following the world’s suggestions instead of God’s commands? 

  • Is it inappropriate to share the gospel, or is it an opportunity?
  • Are we forcing our beliefs on others, or are we sharing the gift of salvation we received?
  • Do we have “personal” truth, or is Jesus, “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6)?

I often say, “Christians have a message some might find offensive so it has never been more important to speak his truth with his love for others. Our message can seem offensive so we have to work hard not to be offensive ourselves.” 

Christians have not been set aside, as some might suggest. Our message is actually standing out in our culture. 

  • Abortions are happening less often now. Even still, one is too many. Every abortion is taking a human life. Continue speaking up for those not yet born.
  • Television networks are noticing their numbers dwindle as a result of their programming. We vote our values every time we watch—or don’t watch—a program.

Christians should never underestimate our influence. Our only job is to yield ourselves to his Holy Spirit so that Jesus can speak through our words. You will never feel ashamed when the Lord has used your life and your voice to share biblical truth. 

Our message of reconciliation

If you know John 3:16–17, you can lead someone to faith in Christ. The entire gospel message is found in those two verses.  

Let’s fill our homes with strong, family values. Let’s fill our lives with the confidence that comes from living God’s values. Let’s fill our words of influence with “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” 

I’m going to fill my house with a lot more of the GAC station. I will vote with my remote in gratitude for a company that wanted to stand out in the crowd. My hope is that the channel will steadfastly hold to Christian and family values and become one of the most-watched stations in our country. 

Christians who are “unashamed of the gospel” are going to bring that message back to our culture. It’s beginning to happen thanks to all of us who are “intolerant fanatics,” also known as disciples of Christ.  

I’m in. 

Are you?

An Expensive Towel

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog that mentioned washing windows. I received several comments about a towel that would make washing my windows an easier job. Suzanne warned me that the BacLock Norwex Window Cloth wasn’t cheap, but she said it was really worth it. 

After reading her comment, I googled it. I read the comments from other users who, like Suzanne, promised it would change my life. 

But—and this will come as no surprise to my close friends—I decided it was too much to spend on a towel. 

But then . . . 

Summer vacation 2020 

Jim and I wanted to take a week of vacation out at Possum Kingdom Lake. It was a staycation because we were at our own little house. My oldest son, Ryan, wrote Jim’s articles that week, so it was truly a vacation from work. (And shoutout to Ryan—they were GREAT articles!) 

Jim and I spent the week taking day trips to places we had always wanted to see but had never found the time. We visited three forts, a few museums, several small towns, and saw interesting historical landmarks we might never have seen otherwise. 

For the Texas history buffs, we saw the forts that built this state, protected the early settlers, and, sadly, devastated the American Indian population that had enjoyed this land first. We crossed the border into Oklahoma and saw Fort Sill, the place where Geronimo, Quanah Parker, Cynthia Parker, and many of the family are buried. 

I won’t impose any more home movies on all of you, but it was a great way to spend a week of vacation when a regular vacation just wasn’t in the cards. 

Twenty sticky handprints later . . . 

While we were exploring historical sites in Texas, our kids and grandkids spent a few days at our home in Dallas. It gave them a staycation, of sorts. It was fun to see the pictures of my grandsons playing in the pool, cooking out, and having fun. 

Our kids did a great job picking up the house, but a few “souvenirs” remained. After returning from our vacation, I was sitting in my chair when I caught a glimpse of bright orange peeking out from under the coffee table. I extracted the Lego train and two other items that had been missed. It made me smile to think of them playing with those toys. 

I also noticed the windows were once again needing some attention. I loved seeing those handprints at two different levels. It was easy to know which grandson they belonged to. I was about to clean them when I remembered that towel people had recommended. 

I wondered, “Does it really work that well?” 

I went back to my computer and all those comments convinced me it was a good towel. Then, I found some on sale because they were pink and only three remained. 

I saw that as an invitation, maybe even a calling to make the purchase. 

I enjoyed looking at those sweet little handprints until the towel arrived. 

Picture fireworks going off while a band plays 

The BacLock Norwex Window Cloth arrived at my front door on Sunday morning. I tore open the package and thought, “Oh no. I can’t believe I spent twenty-six dollars on this towel!” (And that, by the way, was the sale price!) 

But, I owned it and I was going to use it. 

I filled the sink up and added a few drops of Dawn and a touch of vinegar. I wrung the towel out and started washing all those sweet handprints away. 

At this point, if I could insert a link to Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus,” I would, just so you could have the full effect of how I felt twenty handprints later. 

I couldn’t stop. My windows have never looked so good! 

That towel is a miraculous invention. I don’t know why it works. I don’t need to. 

I don’t know why it costs so much, but I would pay it again if I ever lost this one. 

Thank you, Suzanne, for your comment a few weeks ago. I will think of you whenever I’m cleaning my windows! 

The most expensive towel in history 

That towel is incredible, but it isn’t the most valuable towel in human history. 

Consider the towel that Jesus used to dry the feet of his disciples. Imagine what historical museums would fight to spend on that towel if they could. 

Jesus knew he was headed to Calvary. His disciples were gathered in the Upper Room when the Son of God knelt to wash their filthy feet and dry them with a towel. One by one, Jesus made everyone clean, even Judas. 

People in first-century Israel wore sandals and walked through all manner of filth during their day. Washing feet was a job normally given to the lowest servant in the household. In fact, it was in the laws that no Jewish person could be forced to wash another person’s feet. 

That’s why Peter was confused and probably a bit horrified when Jesus knelt in front of him. He questioned him saying, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” (John 13:6). 

Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”  Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me” (John 13:7–8). 

Jesus did countless acts of love during his ministry, none more significant than those early moments in the Upper Room. Before Jesus told his disciples that he was going to die, he taught them how they would need to live if they wanted to share in his ministry. 

Is the towel worth it? 

I could have hired someone to wash my windows, but it would have been a lot more expensive than buying that towel. And windows get dirty again and again and again. My windows will be much cleaner a lot more often because I got that towel and learned how to use it. 

We Bible teachers don’t talk often enough about the need for extreme sacrifice, extreme love, and extreme commitment. One of the reasons we don’t teach those lessons is that they make people uncomfortable. Another reason is that those lessons make us uncomfortable too. 

But, our lives will be a lot cleaner if we think about what Jesus taught his disciples by washing their feet. Jesus could have asked someone else to do that job, but he knelt and did the job himself. 

Christians feel good when they donate to organizations that take care of people in need. Serving at those organizations and interacting with people who have great need is a larger commitment. 

We are quick to donate to missionaries who serve in places that are not as safe and comfortable as where we live. Going to those places to serve requires more of us. 

Sometimes it is easier to offer our money than it is to tie the towel around our waists and serve others, like Jesus did. 

People, like windows, get dirty over and over again. That’s why Jesus gave us his Holy Spirit. He wanted to continue to wash people’s feet, through us. 

The week after vacation

I remember thinking, “When I get back from vacation, things will have calmed down.” 

I was wrong. 

This week I’m thinking, “How do I help?” 

The towel of service might end up costing more than we want to pay, but it will be worth it—if it does the job. There is a lot to clean up in our culture. 

How can we help? 

God knows the answer to that question. The point is, are we asking and expecting his answer? 

I was washing my windows, thinking about this blog post when I had the thought, “Maybe I’m supposed to write about that.” 

Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). 

If Jesus could speak to us today, he might suggest we pick up a towel as well.