How to be Happily Sad | John Ortberg

 

The Love of God

Shadows turn to monsters, light retreats from view

No relief from darkness, no matter what we do

Our age is fraught with tension, and peace flees from our minds

For when storms become the norm'

And shelter cannot be found

Our dreams no longer attainable

We escape reality with remotes in hand

Seeking our rescue in the company of playthings,

Governments, celebrities, pursuits, friends and pets

Yet none can provide,

The peace that the world rejects

For Jesus, is our only hope

The true Light in a world bathed in darkness

He is our Savior and Creator

Where else are we supposed to run?

Thoughts On The 2024 Election

In anticipation of our first presidential caucus of the 2024 election year, I would like to make a few declarations, which are my own opinions and not representative of where I work, where I shop, my parents, and any other implied authority anyone might imagine. 

I do not believe that any political party in America has a monopoly on what I consider to be truth. God says, for instance, that all lives are valuable and that all of us are made in His image. Yet, both parties support and deny this basic truth in their respective political platforms. 

The Republican party states that because of their support for the unborn child that they are the party that best represents Christian values. At the same time, this same party rewards the greedy and the powerful, and fails to look for ways to take of those who are less fortunate in our society. (See tax breaks, medical insurance policies, education policies for those attending college, are just a few examples). But the Democrats are no better represented, they tend to land in favor of pro-choice, supporting a policy that whatever future the unborn faces is not the greater issue. They tend to believe in more socialist-type policies that reward all equally, no matter the work put forth by the individuals. They tend to be less bullish on respecting authority in our society to the point that liberal cities and states, led by Democrat leadership, are forcing businesses and individuals to flee to states that do represent their beliefs in justice. 

The Most Important Question

What is the most important question anyone can ask? Christianity says that it is the question of how all will die. This is not the question of what way will they die, but it is the question of the state of the soul when they die. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, (1899-1981) explains in his sermon, "Two Ways To Die", how many simply wonder if they will die rich or poor, lonely or surrounded by friends, in war or peace. Yet, while these may be important questions, the most important is whether or not one is right with God. 

Jesus teaches that all who die in their sins and apart from Him will be condemned. While many may believe that they will continue to exist after they die, this is still wrong if it does not include the Bible’s teaching in the final judgment, resurrection of the dead, and necessity of believing the gospel. What, then, is the right way to die? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that the only way to die in peace is to believe that Jesus is who He says He is, and that He has done what He has said He will. It is to believe that Jesus is the only savior of the world and that He has redeemed all those that believe in Him.

In a blink of an eye, we will exchange realities when we die. (2 Corinthians 5:8 – “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”) We will either be with Jesus, our souls present with Him in Heaven, or we will be apart from Him, our souls permanently residing in Hell. That is what the Bible teaches and I believe it to be true.