I was a teenager the first time I heard about the “second coming of Christ”. It was a central focus of many of the messages I heard during that time. We lived with an expectancy that Jesus would come at any minute. In many ways I believe it was a driving force in how we lived our lives. No one wanted to be like the foolish virgins in Matthew 25. We wanted to be ready and watchful. 

One of the most vivid dreams I ever had was a dream about the rapture. In the dream I heard the trumpet sound and saw the skies split to reveal a breathtaking light, unlike anything I had ever seen. I ran next door to my neighbors house to try to tell them, “Jesus is coming”, but my hand could never make contact with the door as I tried to knock. I heard the voice of the Lord say, “Come away by beloved.” Then my body became weightless and I began floating effortlessly into the light. It was both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time … because I knew I was going to be with God, but my neighbor was being left behind. 

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” – I Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NKJV)

“Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” – Matthew 24:40-42 (NKJV)

Somehow over time I seem to have lost the urgency of preparing for this great event. Today’s photo was a reminder to me that I need to be eagerly waiting for the coming of the Lord. What would I do differently if I knew today was the day? Who would I reach out to that might not be ready to meet Him. How would I prioritize my time? 

How about you … are you eager for the return of the Lord? Share the GOOD NEWS with someone today. After all, eternity is a breath away. 

I love contemplating the mystery of creation. While science seeks to disprove a divine design, I find it takes much more faith to believe that the majestic complexity of life came about by shear chance.

Every time I board a 747, I am amazed by the intelligence it took to build a machine that weighs 403,500 pounds and flies at 570 mph. Were I to believe this magnificent design was formed by chance, without a creator, I would be deemed a fool … and rightly so.

God cannot be dismissed, simply because he cannot be understood by the limitations of the human brain. Several years ago I was watching a colony of ants busy at work. After observing them for a few minutes I realized trying to comprehend God would be like those ants trying to understand me.

What astounds me even more than His creation, is His capacity to love. Why would a God, capable of speaking 8.7 million known species into existence choose to love me?  And yet, He does. The Word of God details His passionate pursuit of a relationship with the works of His hands.

Imagine that. You and I are deeply loved by the maker of all things.

Have you ever been in a frightening situation and afterwards thought about all the things you should have done? Recently I stopped for a quick meal with a friend before church at a local fast food chain. While we were eating an extremely angry man began shouting at someone. At first we thought it was a disgruntled customer but quickly realized it was a drug deal gone bad.

My first instinct was to get up and run. My friend however said, “no … we can’t move. If he has a gun it might cause him to start shooting.” As I looked around I realized the wisdom in her words. Everyone stood frozen in their spot. I watched a young mother draw her children close and wrap her arms around them.

Even the object of his anger never spoke a word in response. The only voice to be heard was the threatening rant of this stranger who could very well have been the last voice we heard.

He finally left and we all breathed a sigh of relief. In that moment I whispered, “Thank you, Lord for protecting us.” And then the second guessing began … we should have crawled under the table … we should have ran out the emergency exit or into the bathroom, etc. And then it hit me. The one thing I should have done, but didn’t was pray.

I feel very blessed that we walked away from what could have been tragic. I also feel sorrow for the many lives that have been lost in the crossfire of needless violence.

Afterwards the Lord reminded me of David’s prayer, “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me.” How comforting to know we are never alone in times of trouble.