Author: Wick

Began reading N.T. Wright’s book “Surprised by Hope” this past week. Only a few chapters in…but really dig it. A lot of what he’s saying so far isn’t so much a BRAND NEW idea, but the way he presents them, and the biblical scholarship he’s got backing him up…it smells good.

We all recognize the hope that comes from believing that “Heaven” is ultimately going to happen. But for so many, the Christian faith comes down to “doing good stuff until finally we are relieved of this earthly body/world and finally float off to the city of gold”. (paraphrased)

For those people…this world and the lives we live here, and how we live in these bodies holds little to no significance. “Surprised by Hope” is a message to a church that is simply waiting for “Heaven” that the KINGDOM IS NOW.

The importance of a bodily (physical) resurrection, that is very much connected to these bodies we live in. The fact that when Jesus rose physically from death, it was the Kingdom of God (the reign and rule of God) breaking through into TODAY. The fact that God will someday restore all things, creating a new Heaven and a new Earth…and connecting these things will be the New Jerusalem (as described in Revelation)…..and that it’s not so much about the physical description of all these things, as it is the “reign and rule of God” finally….whew. I get a bit excited.

I still have some questions, that he sounds like he will address later in the book. Questions about cremation, about where those who have passed on might be “right now” (which he’s already addressed in another book at length), etc…and really looking forward to his words of how all of this transforms our Hope.

But to realize that, beginning with Christ’s resurrection, the Kingdom of God has begun “on earth as it is in Heaven”…is definitely to be surprised by Hope. This life is NOT about waiting to die so we can finally get on with Heaven.

It’s about joining the reign and rule of God in His redemptive, restoring work where we can. The world we live in is broken and fragile. Feed the hungry, care for the orphan, and for the widow. Visit those in prison. Heal the afflicted. Free the slave. Live from the Spirit in our daily relationships with one another. Love. Forgive.

When we do this, the Kingdom breaks through into NOW. The more we as individuals, and as the Church realize this….the more we can join with God in His work. Now THAT is Hope.

It was almost TOO easy. Detroit has toppled the Colorado Avalanche in a 4-0 sweep. Last night wasn’t even a match up. With a final score of 8-2, it was a bit ridiculous. I’m glad we’re heading to the Western Conference Finals (probably against Dallas)….but I’m also a bit disappointed.

This is the first time we faced Colorado in the playoffs since 2002. Back between 1996 and 2002, the rivalry was FIERCE. Huge fights, double overtimes, and hockey that made your blood pump just watching it. So this year, when it was released that we were to face off once more…….naturally, I got excited.

…and this isn’t me just being arrogant because the Wings are the best team ever…but seriously, how did these guys even make the playoffs? I was hoping for rivalry. All we got was a few practices between Quarterfinals and Finals.

Meanwhile….having a great week! Finished up my first month of curriculum for CREDO Magazine (see link on the right). Usually I just write devos for them, but they gave me a chance at this….we’ll see if they can use anything I wrote. Had a great night with the youth wednesday night talking about “Identities”. There are so many of them who define themselves by things or life situations…and I’m praying they heard something we talked about.

And finally, this weekend!! Today I get to go down to Greenville College and help teach a youth ministry class. A little intimidated here…cause I’m not sure how much I’m doing right. But God can use it. My brother and his wife are coming to visit tonight, and we’re all headin’ up to see my sister graduate tomorrow from ONU!!!! WOOT. Then Sunday, it’s back to Decatur for Sophie’s dedication service!! (10:45 at Moundford, you’re invited!) Followed by an evening baptism service!!! (not of Sophie….but some great friends at church….6pm…come to this too!)

Next weekend….Western Conference Finals…game on.

So this past Saturday, a friend of ours had won tickets to see the “Jeff Corwin Experience” live at Millikin University here in Decatur…and had invited us! (which was cool in itself, being “invited” somewhere…..doesn’t happen much post-kids). We thought, hey, we like those animal shows as much as anyone….we’d love to go. And secretly, I knew there’d be snakes.

On the way in, we were stopped abruptly by 3 guys with very nicely tucked in shirts, asking us if we were “born again”. Having built up a callous to approaches like this, I said “yup” and kept walking. My wife and our friends are too nice, though….and at least stopped long enough to receive their fliers. There were 2 main ones: “There are only 4 steps between Heaven, and HELL” (with Hell being written in flame letters, obviously). I can’t remember the title of the other one, but it was kind of like a “kids menu” of the first one. It included a maze in the middle, with the cross being the ultimate goal. I eventually ended up with the less entertaining one.

Both offered all of Christianity as being 2 choices: You can burn forever in a flaming pit…or you can enjoy bliss forever in a golden city. I was surprised churches still use these things. Duh…when offered the choice like that…..anyone would choose bliss, right? I have a hard time imagining someone reading one of those fliers, and looking up at the world, believing it for the first time….and calling the church listed right away for help on moving towards bliss.

I also don’t like how it reduces all of what I am to “avoiding an eternal death”. I use this illustration all the time with my teens: If Heaven were fire and pain, but God was there….and Hell were gold, hot tubs, and ice cream, but no God….where would you want to spend eternity? It’s a good door opener, for asking why we actually follow God.

Meanwhile…the Corwin experience went on. The first 45 minutes was cool…he brought out a giant toad, snapping turtle, albino alligator, snake, etc…and had cute kids some up and hold them each. Then it went downhill. An hour of open “Q & A” format with the audience. In Decatur, IL. We’re not known for our cumulative intelligence.

“Hey Jeff, when’s the best time to mate my iguanas??” – Was about on par for the rest of the night. So it came as a relief when our babysitter sent us a text to come home, cause Sophie was upset.

The lesson here? If Jeff Corwin comes to your town…..and you’ve already seen him on TV…save your money. But if you win free tickets on the radio…..you should go. You might even get to Heaven because of it.