Christian culture

Shining Bright: Lessons from the Centennial Light

/ revkev83 / Leave a comment

How many Baptists does it take to change a light bulb? This variation of a well-known joke may make you chuckle. The answer, by the way, is at least 15: one to change the bulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad and fried chicken.

Improved technology allows us to change light bulbs less often these days. Bulb life is measured in Average Rated Life (ARL) hours, and the old, incandescent bulbs had an ARL of 750-2,000 hours. Compact fluorescent bulbs scored higher with an ARL of 8,000-10,000 hours. Now, LED bulbs can operate 5 times longer with an ARL of 40,000-50,000 hours. One bulb, however, surpasses all of these.

The Centennial Light is the world’s longest running light bulb. As its name suggests, it is well over a hundred years old. It was given to the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department in 1901 and has burned brightly since then. The bulb has burned brightly in the fire station for over a million hours! That means the bulb has remained illuminated throughout 24 presidential inaugurations. A dedicated webcam allows people to view the Centennial Light at any time.

Centennial Light

We can admire the Centennial Light not merely as a marvel but also as an example for our lives. We too are called to continuously shine, but we do so with the light of Christ. The bulbs of believers do not always remain illuminated, which is why Jesus urged His followers, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

This world craves light. David wrote, “Many are asking, ‘Who can show us anything good?’ Let the light of your face shine on us, LORD” (Psalm 4:6). People remain in darkness on their own, however. In Proverbs we read, “The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble” (Proverbs 4:19).

Christian, your light is needed. How is your light shining for Christ? When people look at your life, do they see good works that brightly illuminate the goodness of God? The light that we shine originates not from us but from God. Paul explained,

“For God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)

The more you immerse yourself in the “light of knowledge” as revealed in Jesus, the more you are equipped to continuously shine for the Lord.

How will you let your light shine?

Inventive Expressions

/ revkev83 / Leave a comment

Have you heard of the monowheel?

While looking up inventions recently, I came across one that immediately caught my interest. The futuristic-looking “Motoruota” was invented a hundred years ago, patented in France in 1924! David Cislaghi and Giuseppe Govetosa were the named inventors on the patent. Because they were never widely popular, these “monowheels” are shrouded in a bit of mystery, though they were featured in the December 1924 edition of Popular Science Monthly. It is said that the Motoruota could reach speeds of nearly 100 miles per hour.

We have enjoyed rapid technological inventions nearly nonstop for the past 150 years. This can lead us to always look to the next gizmo or updated version of a product we love. Perhaps we are sometimes too quick to disregard the inventions of the past. A few marvels lie buried that are worth some scrutiny, and, if we are honest, not all of today’s inventions are worthy of accolades.

As we live out our faith, we can be guilty of looking for the next innovation to propel us forward, though what lies in the past is often much more fruitful. We seek the next worship song, popular speaker, Christian living book, conference, or catchy verse. These are not bad, but they can leave us continually skimming the surface, looking for the next exciting thing that will boost our faith.

In truth, Christians should embrace both the old and the new, the things that stand the test of time and those new expressions of hope that will propel us forward.

God reveals this in His Word:

Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.

Isaiah 46:9, ESV

But just a few chapters earlier, we read:

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:18-19, ESV

Even at the end of the Bible, God declares He is “making all things new” (Revelation 21:5). In the next verse, He reminds us that He is the beginning and the end. The trustworthy truths of the past will always hold their value, and we can eagerly embrace new expressions of those same principles. That is because our God is the God of every moment in time!

What aspects of God’s past faithfulness do you treasure? How will you live out the hope He has placed in you in a new way in the coming days?

Image attribution: Nationaal Archief, (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)

Fish Stories

/ revkev83 / Leave a comment
Image by Khalid Mehmoodfrom Pixabay.

This time of year, the only amazing “catches” we might hear about relate to football, but fishing aficionados love to talk about their fish stories, too. You may have heard a few whoppers in your day, but I came across a fish story that involves a catch even more amazing than landing some big, elusive fish nicknamed “Bubba.”

An ABC news report describes a fishing trip that 14-year-old Connor Halsa enjoyed with his grandfather in northern Minnesota, when Connor made a startling catch. He reeled in a wallet, which contained $2,000 cash! Eventually, Connor was able to track down the wallet’s owner, Jim Denney of Iowa. Jim came to retrieve the wallet and was impressed that Connor turned down his offer of reward money. Jim gave Connor a custom fishing cooler and took the family to dinner as a thank you. I love what Connor said when asked why he was honest and returned the cash: “We didn’t really work hard for the money. He did, so it was his money.”

As Christians, we are familiar with Christ’s command to be “fishers of men.” Mark 1:17 says, “And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men’” (ESV). That promise can sometimes feel daunting and overwhelming. We strive to follow Jesus, but our fishing skills sometimes seem lacking. When I go fishing – for fish – I know the basics but lack the sense to know where the fish congregate, what time of day is best, or what angle I should cast from relative to the sun’s positioning. Experienced fishermen know these sorts of things, but when I consider them, I figure it’s best that I not cast my line into the water at all.

Have you considered that Jesus simply wants us to cast a line into the water? Following Him is more about fishing than catching. Experienced fishermen have had days with rotten luck, while newbies have enjoyed amazing days without knowing why.

But none of them can catch anything if they don’t cast a line into the water, just as Connor would not have caught that wallet without casting his line. Maybe his line had snagged a few times earlier on a stick or seaweed, or it may have even snapped on an old tire. Maybe that’s how you feel.

We all have had trouble when attempting to fish for people – to share our faith and connect people to Christ and to fellowship with other believers. If that has kept you from “fishing” recently, are you ready to try again? How might you cast a line into the water this week?

Who knows what fish stories you will tell!

Endzone Dance

/ revkev83 / Leave a comment
Image source: Instagram/JimKelly1212 https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxePIrEM0PR/

“The minute you have fame, and if you’re trying to chase status and money and all this stuff, you’ll lose your life — rather than denying yourself, picking up your cross, keeping your eyes on Jesus and His promises…that’s life, and that’s a life worth living.”

Last September, former National Football League quarterback Jim Kelly celebrated a milestone in his life. Kelly is no stranger to milestone accomplishments. While playing for the Buffalo Bills in the early 1990s, Kelly led his team to a record four consecutive Superbowl appearances. Tragically, for Bills fans, each of these games ended in a loss. In 2002, Kelly was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. During retirement, he faced two serious bouts with cancer and prevailed. What was Jim Kelly’s milestone in September? He was baptized! Posting a video of his baptism on social media, Kelly shared the following:

“I’m not a man of many words and I don’t speak ‘Christianese.’ All I know is that God changed my life…I’m far from perfect but God helped me humble myself and seek him for help. Becoming a Christian is the best decision I’ve made in my life. I wish I would’ve come to him sooner. But his timing is perfect.”

https://www.christianpost.com/news/nfl-legend-jim-kelly-gets-baptized-god-changed-my-life.html

This Sunday, Brock Purdy will quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers in Superbowl LVIII. Purdy, barely 24 years old, is already an outspoken Christian living for God’s glory. His rise to NFL glory has been surprising, but he continues to stay grounded in Christ alone. When interviewed by Sports Spectrum, Purdy shared about the vanity of seeking after the things of this world:

“The minute you have fame, and if you’re trying to chase status and money and all this stuff, you’ll lose your life — rather than denying yourself, picking up your cross, keeping your eyes on Jesus and His promises…that’s life, and that’s a life worth living.”

https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/football/2024/01/29/brock-purdy-49ers-super-bowl-glorify-god/

That perspective for a rising star is refreshing! I’m sure that Jim Kelly, whose career ended more than 20 years ago, would heartily agree. Chasing the things of the world – fame, fortune, comfort, or happiness – cannot compare to the glory that comes from living for Christ. “My identity can’t be in football,” Purdy explained. “It can’t be in the things of this world. It’s got to be in Him.”

Amen!

Where is your identity found?

These NFL players are following the same “playbook” that you and I use. Football players are known for celebrating touchdowns with endzone dances. Those short-term celebrations are nothing compared to what we can celebrate in eternity. This is how Paul described our calling to focus on things of eternal glory rather than the temporary pursuits of life:

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Col 3:1-3 NIV

That heavenly perspective reminds us that our endzone dance is not in this life but in the next. Our hearts can easily drift. Ask yourself, how often do I dwell on “things above”? Brock Purdy and Jim Kelly are examples that, whether early or late, any time is a good time to begin focusing on Christ.

Authentic Flavor

/ revkev83 / Leave a comment
Image by 彦 童 from Pixabay.

Have you ever heard of New Orleans-style wings? As a wing aficionado, I was surprised to hear of this flavor recently. If you have spent time in New Orleans, this wing style may come as news to you, too. That’s because this flavor was invented not in New Orleans but in China! It was simply given its name to boost interest and sales.

Several other foods, notes Weilun Soon of the Wall Street Journal, have been given names that do not match their place of origin. The staple Chinese dish General Tso’s Chicken was invented in New York City. Hawaiian pizza comes from Canada, and Canadian bacon is not so Canadian. We can at least trust Swedish meatballs, right? Nope. They come from Turkey. Now I’m even beginning to suspect the provenance of French fries!

As Superbowl dishes begin to appear on the horizon, we can be sure of two things. First, Buffalo wings really do come from Buffalo, New York. Second, sometimes what we think comes from God really doesn’t.

Just as someone might mistakenly associate a food with a certain region, we can mistakenly associate the Christian faith with practices that do not align with Christ.

Consider these passages that call us to truly follow the Lord:

Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

Matthew 7:21 CSB

Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1 John 2:4 ESV

They claim to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.

Titus 1:16 CSB

Thankfully, when our lives marinate in the things of God, we bear that flavor. Jesus even called His followers the “salt of the earth” – the bringers of a distinct godly flavor. When we face the fires of this life, that flavor becomes all the more apparent. We all know the wonderful aroma of good, authentic cooking, and we similarly share the aroma of Christ with others. Paul writes,

For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

2 Corinthians 2:15 NIV

Christian, does your life reflect the flavor of God’s goodness and Christ’s love? How will you let the Spirit step in, so that the next biting remark, attitude of unforgiveness, or mindset of selfishness is transformed into something that follows Christ?

Picking up

/ revkev83

I’m picking up where I left off. In 2014, God laid this idea on my heart. I dabbled in it for a bit, but the timing was not right. Now, however, this project aligns with a few others, making a restart look possible.

So, what am I trying to accomplish here? What is it that I believe God has laid on my heart?

It’s a call to faithfulness.

The world pressures followers of Christ away from full-fledged faithfulness to Christ. Distractions and new ideas pull us away from our calling.

I have a few projects underway that I pray will help to remind Christians and churches to stay faithful to their calling. Some of my old posts will be given a little face lift and reposted, too. Their continued timeliness, after 10 years, is a good sign.

Cultural Quakes

/ revkev83 / Leave a comment

With blazing speed our society is in the full throes of moral revolution, a seismic shift in values and the foundation upon which they lie.  This is not just rhetoric.  This shift is changing the landscape in seismic levels, and a similar example will further this analogy.  In 1964 a record  9.2 magnitude earthquake devastated Alaska.  It happened as a result of two plates of the earth pressing against each other. Continue reading →