Bond is 50 but I'm 65!

Part of the celebration of my 65th birthday last week was seeing the latest 007 movie, Skyfall, as guests of our daughter and her husband.  I have enjoyed every Bond movie I have seen but this one perhaps the most.  It marked the 50th anniversary of the 007 movie franchise.  That means I was 15 when the first James Bond shot his way onto the big screen.

The timing of the movie's release with my 65th was uncanny!  If you haven't seen it yet, the major theme of the film is that James, thought dead for some time, returns to 'life' and his work at MI6 only to find what he calls "a brave new world".  Young, intelligent, innovative people had replaced the older familiar faces Bond had known; technology had advanced far beyond what it was when he first got in the game.  In short, Bond was seen as the old guard in the new world of spies, espionage and fighting international crime.  His old ways couldn't possibly succeed in a world that had advanced so far and so rapidly.  But. . . . . . . . . . . .

I won't say any more about the movie; I don't want to ruin it for you!

Perhaps it was the combination of the 50 year anniversary of 007, the theme of the movie and my 65th that took my thoughts to one of my favorite passages in the Bible. 
This is what the Lord says:
“Stop at the crossroads and look around.  
Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it.
Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.  Jeremiah 6:16 (NLT).

The Church in many ways is like that 'brave new world' that James Bond woke up to; new, innovative, technologically advanced.  It can be quite captivating.  We can come up with many wonderful and creative ways of being the church.  But there are some things that God has put in place that cannot be improved upon; some things that still work and will always work.  Before we become consumed by trying to keep up with this rapidly changing world, we should take a lesson from Jeremiah.  Let's stop and take a look around at how we are doing.  And when we find that we are not doing nearly as well as God can do, let's ask Him to show us and guide us in the ways that are tried and true.  There we will find a place of rest for our souls and godliness for our churches.

A Veteran's Day Call to the Church

Acts Chapter 10 has much to teach the Church on this Veteran's Day.  It is the story of a man who serves in military service in the ancient Roman empire.  His name is Cornelius and the Bible describes him as God-fearing, compassionate and generous regarding the poor and held in high esteem by the Jews of his day.  In short, Cornelius is a good man and a respected soldier who believes in God.

On this Veteran's Day I am reminded of the men and women who serve with distinction and honor in and with our armed forces all over the world.  Many of them, like Cornelius, are God-fearing, good people.  But, also like Cornelius, something is missing from their lives.  Peter was sent by God to Cornelius to bring him what he did not yet possess:  the gift of forgiveness of sin and eternal life through faith in Jesus, the Christ.

This Veteran's Day, let the Church pray with thanksgiving for those who serve and those who have served.  Pray not only for their well-being but most of all, pray that God will put someone in their lives who will tell them the good news of Jesus.  Maybe that someone will be you!  Get ready!