1-3-11<\/p>\n
The recent lunar eclipse is the last the northern hemisphere will see for a number of years. Its coincidence with the Winter solstice was the first in three centuries. Our New Year\u2019s Day, 1-1-11, is the last such group of numbers until\u2026 oh, you get it.<\/p>\n
If you think hard enough, EVERY day is the last of this<\/em> or the first of that<\/em>.<\/p>\n As Christians, we should see life that way. Every regret or painful memory, for instance, can be filed under \u201cpast\u201d because we have forgiveness and a new life offered by Jesus. And no matter what else is going on, TODAY can be the start of amazing things you can do, and God can do through you.<\/p>\n There is a traditional Irish blessing (set to music and beautiful photographs in the link below) that is both appropriate for any day, between friends, as we are; and to think upon this New Year.<\/p>\n It set me thinking about Ireland\u2019s role in Christian history. At one point, in Europe, Rome fell to barbarians, sacked and pillaged. The trappings of \u201ccivilization\u201d and Christianity were put to flight. To a great extent, learning and biblical spirituality were pushed westward, until the Atlantic Ocean became a watery end-of-the-road. In Ireland, in isolated monasteries and abbeys, the Bible was copied by hand; faith was kept alive; Christian traditions were nurtured. There were pockets of believers elsewhere, of course, but largely it was a persecuted church. It was the \u201cDark Ages,\u201d but things were not so dark in those places where the flame of faith was kept glowing.<\/p>\n I have a feeling that the decade we enter this weekend will be characterized as a decade of Christian persecution. It won\u2019t be the last, but there is no reason to think that the attacks on believers we see in the news (and many we don\u2019t), weekly and now daily around the world, will not grow in intensity or ferocity. These happen in Pakistan, North Korea, China, Iraq, Egypt, Russia, Cuba, India\u2026 and Western Europe and Canada and the United States.<\/p>\n Erosion of religious liberty, mockery of our Christian heritage, \u201clegal\u201d restrictions on the exercise of our faith and sharing our beliefs \u2013 classifying portions of the Bible as \u201chate speech\u201d is only one of countless examples \u2013 confirm that no place in the world is safe from attack. Just as The Son of Man, we believers will have \u201cno place to lay our heads,\u201d spiritually speaking.<\/p>\n When the Irish \u201csaved civilization\u201d and preserved Western Christianity for a season, it was the geographical firewall. Today, in the global community with new media, each one of us \u2013 individuals who have received the Great Commission from Jesus Himself\u00a0\u2013\u00a0will need to be\u00a0virtual monasteries unto ourselves: Holding the Word close; keeping the flame of faith alive; nurturing Christian tradition.<\/p>\n I wish you not a path devoid of clouds, nor a life on a bed of roses, No, that is not my wish for you. That you might be brave in times of trial,
\nNot that you might never need regret,
\nnor that you should never feel pain.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMy wish for you is:<\/em><\/p>\n
\nwhen others lay crosses upon your shoulders.
\nWhen mountains must be climbed and chasms are to be crossed,
\nWhen hope can scarce shine through.
\nThat every gift God gave you might grow with you
\nand let you give your gift of joy to all who care for you.
\nThat you may always have a Friend who is worth that name,
\nwhom you can trust and who helps you in times of sadness,
\nWho will defy the storms of daily life at your side.<\/em><\/p>\n