KKLA Magazine
Issue 15
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KKLA Magazine
Issue 15
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THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER SIMULCAST FEATURING: > David Platt (pastor and author of Radical) > Nik Ripken (author of The Insanity of God) > Interviews with persecuted Christians > Award-winning musical group Selah
For more information and to download free resources, visit www.OpenDoorsUSA.org/IDOP
TERRY’S NOTE
Turning Tragedy into Redemption A friend of mine called recently with the horrific news that his niece was killed in an automobile accident. All fatal accidents are tragic, but losing a wife and mother in her early 20’s is particularly heartbreaking. Where is God when this happens? Of course God is not to blame for the accident, and we don’t know how the story will play out for the two young children or the husband who was critically injured in the accident. But we did see God quickly begin to transcend the tragedy and turn it into “new life” for the niece’s mother (we will call her Jane) and her live-in boyfriend “ Bill.”
Any thoughts on KKLA Programming? Email TERRY FAHY at tfahy@kkla.com
GOD USES ALL THINGS (EVEN TRAGEDIES) TO ACCOMPLISH HIS PURPOSES.
Shortly after the accident my friend had the opportunity to minister to Jane and Bill, and he invited them to read one chapter of Proverbs and one chapter from the Gospel of John each day. After just a couple days Bill spoke with my friend to say how much he appreciated the guidance of the Scripture but felt that, according to the Bible, he was in an adulterous relationship with Jane. Very sensitively my friend suggested that they meet with his pastor to discuss these issues further. Bill and Jane agreed, and two days later, in a pizza parlor (with blasting rock music in the background no less,) Pastor Steve shared the gospel with Bill and Jane and led them to faith in Christ! God uses all things (even tragedies) to accomplish His purposes in Christ. In this situation He used my friend and Pastor Steve to carry out what the Apostle Paul calls “ the ministry of reconciliation.” Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God! (emphasis mine.) 2 Corinthians 5:17-20.
The road ahead will be difficult for Jane and her family, but now she has an Advocate who will lead, guide and strengthen her. And one day she will look back and see how God used this tragedy to bring eternal salvation to her household. Each day KKLA is sharing the message of God’s reconciliation to a hurting world in Southern California. Thank you for listening and sharing KKLA with others!
Terry Fahy Vice-President / General Manager KKLA
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In this issue... KKLAMAGAZINE.COM
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ADMINISTRATION Terry Fahy Vice President/General Manager, Salem Los Angeles Katherine Worthington General Sales Manager, 99.5 FM KKLA Chuck Tyler Program Director, Salem Los Angeles ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Katherine Worthington General Sales Manager, 99.5 FM KKLA (818) 662-3743 Contributors: Jim Tinker, Salem Los Angeles Art Direction & Design: Olive Group Design Jake@OliveGroup.biz
04 | Turning Tragedy Into Redemption by Terry Fahy
08 | Why Forgive? by RC Sproul
14 | The Beauty of Broken by Elisa Morgan
26 | Leaning into God’s Presence by Greg Laurie
31 | Out of the Cave and Into His Light by Shawn Thornton
35 | Why is God So Hidden? by Ravi Zacharias
38 | Paradise Found by Jack Graham
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CULTIVATING DIFFERENCE MAKERS SINCE 1899 focus on training students for practical, effective ministry in the church and in the world. The seminary offers master’s degrees in youth ministry, pastoral studies, theological studies, and transformational urban leadership, as well as a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.). Innovative offerings like Programa Hispano (Hispanic Program) and the Asian Program offer bilingual courses, equipping pastors and lay leaders to serve as ministers, missionaries, and leaders in diverse communities around the globe. The seminary also supports local pastors through programs such as Partners in Ministry. “As an alumnus of Azusa Pacific serving in the local church not too far from campus, I am blessed to be able to participate in the many activities and offerings of the Partners in Ministry program,” said J. Gerry Wilson, M.A. ’96, lead pastor of Arcadia Friends Community Church. “I really appreciate the effort the school makes on our behalf, thus enabling our local church to have influence and impact for God’s Kingdom.”
A
degree can mean taking an important step forward, from getting a promotion, to gaining more responsibilities, to becoming an agent of change. At Azusa Pacific University, dedicated faculty and staff help students develop into disciples and scholars who impact the world for Christ. Azusa Pacific’s diverse academic programs place it among the best colleges and universities in the nation. Whatever their passion, students can choose from 63 bachelor’s degrees, 43 master’s degrees, 18 certificates, 14 credentials, 8 doctoral programs, and 4 associate’s degrees. Programs are available on campus, online, and at six regional centers across Southern California. From accounting to business, cinematic arts, nursing, social work, teaching, and more, students learn from expert faculty who provide academic and practical experience to prepare them for their future careers. “At APU, I quickly found that the faculty are not only well educated in their disciplines, but they also bring years of teaching experience to the classroom,” said Derek Rouch ’09, M.A.Ed. ’12. “I appreciated being known as more than a single face in a crowded lecture hall, and I cherish the relationships I made, both with my classmates and professors.” Extending APU’s mission transformational education Graduate School of Theology Azusa Pacific Seminary and
to provide a experience, the recently became will continue its
In other fields at the graduate level of study, Azusa Pacific partners with working professionals to enhance their skills and advance their careers. Whether it’s a combination master’s and credential program in education; innovative programs in athletic training, nursing, psychology, or physical therapy; MBA or management degrees; or art, music, social work, and more, APU offers a robust selection of master’s degree and doctoral opportunities for graduates desiring to join a community dedicated to professional excellence. Many graduate programs are also available online, giving students an added measure of convenience. “Flexible class schedules, a variety of programs, and extremely helpful faculty and staff made it easy to choose APU,” said Crystal Olson ’11, M.A.Ed. ’12. “My son had wonderful teachers throughout his education, and APU is helping me achieve my dream of becoming one, too.” Since 1899, Azusa Pacific has educated men and women to be effective difference makers in their organizations and fields. A member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, and recognized among the nation’s best colleges by U.S.News & World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes, APU remains committed to God First and providing quality academic programs. To learn more, visit apu.edu.
[ ARTICLE ]
Why Forgive?
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RC Sproul
IS HEARD WEEKDAYS AT 12PM ON 99.5FM KKLA
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hen someone orders us to do something, or imposes an obligation, it is natural for us to ask two questions. The first question is, “Why should I?” and the second is, “Who says so?” The why and the authority behind the mandate are very important to the question of forgiveness. To answer the question of why we should be forgiving people, let us look briefly at the teaching of Jesus in the New Testament. In Matthew’s gospel, chapter 18, verse 21 and following, we read this account:
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“Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ “Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. “‘But when that same servant went
out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and
God makes it clear that if we lack compassion and harbor vengeance in our heart, rather than being ready to forgive again and again, we will forfeit any forgiveness that has been given to us.
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they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.’” “‘So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.’” In this parable, the point of Jesus’ teaching is clear, that the why for forgiving others is rooted in the fact that we have been the recipients of extraordinary mercy and compassion. We are all debtors who cannot pay our debts to God. Yet God has been gracious enough to grant us forgiveness in Jesus Christ. It is no wonder that in the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus instructs His disciples to say,
...It is transgression against God when we refuse to forgive those who have repented for their offenses to us. This is the teaching of Jesus. It is the mandate of Jesus. “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.� There is a parallel, a joint movement of compassion, that is first received from God and then we in turn exercise the same compassion to others. God makes it clear that if we lack that compassion and harbor vengeance in our heart, rather than being ready to forgive again and again, we will forfeit any forgiveness that has been given to us.
Thus, the foundation for a forgiving spirit is the experience of divine grace. It is by grace that we are saved. It is by grace that we live. It is by grace that we have been forgiven. Therefore, the why of forgiving is to manifest our own gratitude for the grace that we have received. Again, the parable of Jesus points to one who took the grace that he received for granted and refused to act in KKLA Magazine
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a way that mirrored and reflected the kindness of God. Why should we forgive? Simply, because God forgives us. It is not an insignificant thing to add on to the why the point that we are commanded by that God of grace to exercise grace in turn. When we look at the question of forgiveness, however, we also have to ask the second query, “Who says so, and under what conditions are we to keep this requirement?” If we turn our attention to another gospel, we see in Luke 17 the following (vv. 1–4): “And he said to his disciples, ‘Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if
If, indeed, I offend someone and then repent and express my apology to them, but they refuse to forgive me, then the coals of fire are on their head. he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.’” It’s important that we look closely at this directive from Jesus regarding forgiveness. It is often taught in the Christian community that Christians are called to forgive those who sin against them unilaterally and universally. We see the example of Jesus on the cross, asking God to forgive those who
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were executing Him, even though they offered no visible indication of repentance. From that example of Jesus, it has been inferred that Christians must always forgive all offenses against them, even when repentance is not offered. However, the most that we can legitimately infer from Jesus’ actions on that occasion is that we have the right to forgive people unilaterally. Though that may be indeed a wonderful thing, it is not commanded. If we look at the commandment that Jesus gives inLuke 17:3, He says, “If your brother sins, rebuke him.” Notice that the first response to the offense is not forgiveness but rather rebuke. The Christian has the right to rebuke those who commit wrong doing against him. That’s the basis for the whole procedure of church discipline in the New Testament. If we were commanded to give unilateral forgiveness to all, under all circumstances, then the whole action of church discipline to redress wrongs, would itself be wrong. But Jesus says, “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents…,” — here is where the command becomes obligatory — if the offender repents, then it is mandatory for the Christian to forgive the one who has offended him. If we refuse to give forgiveness when repentance has been manifest, then we expose ourselves to the same fate as the unforgiving servant. We open ourselves to the wrath of God. If, indeed, I offend someone and then repent and express my apology to them, but he refuses to forgive me, then the coals of fire are on his head. Likewise, if we fail to give forgiveness, when one who has offended us repents of the offense, we expose ourselves to the coals of fire, and we are in worse shape than the one who has given the offense. In other words, it is transgression against God when we refuse to forgive those who have repented for their offenses to us. This is the teaching of Jesus. It is the mandate of Jesus. As we are united in Christ, we are to show that union by extending the same grace to others that He extends to us.
Any thoughts? Visit RC SPROUL’S website at ligonier.org.
Elisa Morgan
IS HEARD WEEKDAYS AT 1:30PM ON 99.5FM KKLA
There’s no such thing
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[ COVER ARTICLE ]
as a perfect family.
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Most of us don’t want to talk about the notso-pretty stuff of life. We’d rather focus on loveliness. Hued sunsets. Bursting flowers. Downy ducklings and fluffy lambs. Holidays. But I’ve discovered a beauty that God brings in the unseemly, unexpected, broken things. He brings beauty into broken relationships, shattered dreams, and painful realities. I come from a broken family. When I was 5, my father sat in a white easy chair in his home office and beckoned me to his lap. He looked into my eyes and said, “Elisa, I’ve decided I don’t love your mother anymore. We are getting a divorce.” My family broke, and I wondered how I could fix it. My broken family—my mother, sister, brother, and I—moved across the continent where my days started with the sound of my mother’s alarm down the hall in our ranch-style home. I pushed back the covers and padded into the kitchen where I grabbed a glass, plunked in some ice cubes, and poured Coca-Cola over it. With a handful of chocolate chip cookies from the cookie jar, I made my way down the hall to my mother’s bedroom. There I placed “breakfast” on her nightstand, turned off the alarm, and began the process of getting her up and ready for work. As a single mom, she needed to work, and it was my daily job to wake her up. My mother struggled with alcohol. My mother broke. I wondered what I could do to fix her. When I was about 16, I gave my life to Jesus. I began a journey to what I hoped would be wholeness. I looked longingly at the seemingly perfect families of my friends and wanted what they had. I determined
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that one day I would make a family immune from the breakage my first family had experienced. Gradually I clarified God’s call on my life and enrolled in seminary, where I explored and confirmed God’s call to ministry. I met and married my husband. Precious, stable, rock of a man. We pledged to each other a no-matter-what kind of love. For keeps. Forever. Because Evan had incurred and survived cancer a few years prior, we knew we’d be unable to have children biologically and so immediately began the process of adoption. I continued my determination to make a whole family, one not marked by the pain and brokenness I’d experienced. The forever process of adoption dragged on for nearly 5 years until as last we received our baby girl and then 2 years later our baby boy. Several years later I was stunned to be called to become the first president of an international mothering organization— MOPS International—where I served for 20 years, reaching millions of moms in that season. It was ironic to me to be in such a spot. Me: Mother Elisa, not Mother Teresa. Me: Mother Inferior, not Mother Superior. During these decades Evan and I both invested our professional lives in nonprofit, cause-driven work. We went to church and Bible studies. We held Jesus time every night and read from Ken Taylor and counted the ladybugs. All of them. Every night. We did it “right.” One night when my kids were in their teen years, I had a dream. I was walking with Jesus through a home under construction. Our home. I paused at a doorway to a bedroom—with another bedroom beside it. Jesus turned to me and said, “These rooms are for your daughter and her baby.” I laughed and said, “She isn’t pregnant. She’s just a teenager!” To this Jesus responded, “Yes, she is.” When I awoke, I shook it off. But a few nights later the dream repeated itself. I decided I should probably check in with my daughter. I asked, “Is there any possibility you could be pregnant?” She nodded. To me it seemed that my family fell and broke into a thousand pieces. Again. I wondered what I could do to fix my family now.
But it wasn’t just my daughter who surprised me. During those knock-me-offmy-feet years, my tenderhearted, wry-witted son began to leak out his pain, starting down a slope of surprising choices: pot, alcohol, truancy, troubled relationships, legal and money issues . . . until he veered off the road, losing himself. There’s more. Oh, so much more to my story. From the vantage point of survival, I can see now that I swallowed a myth that needs to be exposed for me and for others who have also fallen under its power: that it’s possible to create a perfect family. I thought it was my fault that my first family broke, so I determined it was my responsibility to make my second one unbroken. I honestly believed that if I implemented “perfect
...we all end up making broken families. In one way or another. There’s no such thing as a perfect family. Instead of fighting this reality—and failing—God invites us to embrace it. And to see the beauty He brings in the broken.
family values,” then I would have a perfect family. Problem is, I’m broken. Everybody is—beginning with Adam and Eve. So no matter what we do, we all end up making broken families. In one way or another. There’s no such thing as a perfect family. Instead of fighting this reality—and failing—God invites us to embrace it. And to see the beauty He brings in the broken. I’ve come to discover that God offers hope in the form of “broken family values”— values like commitment, courage, humility, reality, relinquishment, respect, love, forgiveness, and thankfulness. He understands that no one is perfect. He knows the unique journeys of loved ones. He gets it that abnormal is actually pretty normal. That people mess up and yet are worthy of respect and love and are never—ever—without hope. God holds each family close, crying with His wounded children, tenderly assembling and reassembling fallen fragments, creating us into better versions of ourselves. God doesn’t sweep the broken up into a dustpan and discard it. In order to reach the broken in our world, God himself broke, allowing His own Son to die a broken death on a cross for us. He brings beauty in the broken. God loves the broken. God uses the broken. I come from a broken family. I still come from a broken family. And I’m pretty sure I’m not alone. I’m pretty sure that my story is likely yours too. Elisa Morgan co-hosts “Discover the Word” weekdays at 1:30pm on 99.5 FM along with Mart DeHaan and Bill Crowder. She is also a speaker and the author of The Beauty of Broken. A graduate of Denver Seminary (MDiv), she served for 20 years as the CEO of MOPS International and now is President Emerita.
Any thoughts? Visit ELISA MORGAN’S website at discovertheword.org.
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99.5 FM K K L A Jim Governale 5:00 am - 10:30 am
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Truth that Changes Lives crosslinechurch.com
A New Beginning Thru the Bible Grace to You Insight for Living Focus on the Family Truth for Life Family Life Today Jay Sekulow Live! In Touch Pathway to Victory
harvest.org ttb.org gty.org insight.org family.org truthforlife.org familylife.com aclj.org intouch.org ptv.org
JP Jones Greg Laurie J. Vernon McGee John MacArthur Charles Swindoll Jim Daly Alistair Begg D. Rainey & B. Lepine Jay Sekulow Charles Stanley Robert Jeffress
David James 10:30 am - 4:00 pm
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Know the Truth Turning Point Focus on the Family Renewing your Mind A New Beginning Powerpoint Discover the Word Simple Truths New Life Live Building Champions Focal Point
ktt.org davidjeremiah.org family.org ligonier.org harvest.org jackgraham.org discovertheword.org calvarychapelpasadena.com
newlife.com faithfulcentral.com focalpointministries.org
Philip De Courcy David Jeremiah Jim Daly & John Fuller RC Sproul Greg Laurie Jack Graham Mart de Haan Xavier Ries Steve Arterburn Kenneth Ulmer Mike Fabarez
For more program information please call 818.662.3720 18
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Weekday Program Guide Frank Sontag 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
4:00 pm 6:00 pm
| The Frank Sontag Show | Jay Sekulow Live!
kkla.com aclj.org
Frank Sontag Jay Sekulow
Katy Evans 6:30 pm - 11:00 pm
6:30pm 7:00 pm 7:30 pm 8:00 pm 8:30 pm 9:00 pm 9:30 pm 10:00 pm 10:30pm
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All Things New Light of the Word Grace to You Thru the Bible Insight for Living Real Radio Stories from Skidrow Focus on the Family Local Programs
pastorshawn.com ccsouthbay.org gty.org ttb.org insight.org
Shawn Thornton Steve Mays John MacArthur J. Vernon McGee Charles Swindoll Jack Hibbs Andy Bales Jim Daly
realradioactive.com
urm.org family.org kkla.com
Chandler Haynie 11:00 pm - 5:00 am
12:00 am 2:00 am 3:00 am 3:30 am 4:00 am 4:30 am
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Hope in the Night Local Programs Ministry Programs Local Programs Living Truth Focus on the Family
hopefortheheart.org
June Hunt
kkla.com kkla.com livingtruthcorona.org
family.org
Michael Lantz Jim Daly
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99.5 FM KKLA Weekend Highlights Saturdays
12:00 am | Apologetics.com
apologetics.com
6:00 am
| Jay Sekulow
aclj.org
Jay Sekulow
7:30 am
| Natren
natren.com
Natasha Trenev
9:00 am
| Healthline
healthline.cc
Dr. Bob Marshall
10:00 am | The Gold Show
startwithgold.com Jonathan Rose
12:00 pm | The Money Manager
legacymoney.com
D. McNaughton
1:00 pm | Living Pain Free
1800rehab10.com
Dr. Marc Darrow
2:00 pm | Building a Better Retirement
muchfinancialservices.com
4:00 pm | Healthline
David Much
Dr. Bob Marshall
5:30 pm | Amazing Stories from Skidrow
urm.org
Andy Bales
6:00 pm | The Sue Fries Show
suefries.com
Sue Fries
7:00 pm | Local Programming
kkla.com
7:30 pm | Real Life with Gina Pastore
facebook.com/ Ginapastoreradio
8:00 pm | Core Truth
corechurchla.org
9:00 pm | Local Programming
kkla.com
Gina Pastore Steve Wilburn
10:00 pm | Be Yourself with God
favorflowsministries.org Ken Mosley
11:00 pm | LA Night LIVE
la24hours.org
NAVIGATING
GENESIS
LA Gil
The case for the reliability of Genesis just got stronger.
A new science-faith small group study
(855) REASONS www.reasons.org 20
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Frank Sontag
Now on Sundays from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Sundays 7:00 am
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The Lutheran Hour
lutheranhour.org
Greg Seltz
7:30 am
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Let My People Think
rzim.org
Ravi Zacharias
8:00 am
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Thru the Bible Sun. Sermon
ttb.org
J. Vernon McGee
8:45 am
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Fresh Bread
calvaryonglendale.com
Philip George
9:00 am
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Lift Up Jesus
theshepherd.org
Dudley C. Rutherford
9:30 am
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Core Truth
corechurchla.org
Steve Wilburn
10:00 am
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Soli Deo Gloria
branchofhope.org
Paul Viggiano
10:30 am
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Truth that Changes Lives
crosslinechurch.com
JP Jones
11:00 am
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Jeff Vines
jeffvines.org
Jeff Vines
11:30 am
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Faith that Works
paznaz.org
Scott Daniels
12:00 pm
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Local Programming
kkla.com
12:30 pm
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Local Programming
kkla.com
1:00 pm
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Road to Reality
gfa.org
K.P. Yohannan
1:30 pm
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Thru the Bible Q&A
ttb.org
J. Vernon McGee
2:00 pm
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Good Fight Radio
goodfightradio.org
3:00 pm
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University Christian Church
univcc.org
Scott Julian
3:30 pm
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Made for Fellowship
madeforfellowshipradio.org
Albert Tate
4:00 pm
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Frank Sontag Show
kkla.com
Frank Sontag
6:00 pm
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Core Church
corechurchla.org
Steve Wilburn
6:30 pm
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Adoption Answer Show
theadoptionanswershow.com
M. Dettman/L. Scott
7:00 pm
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Revive LA
nbcministry.com
David Diaz
7:30 pm
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God Loves LA
gatheringplace.us
Rick Wright
8:00 pm
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Family Focus Radio
familyfocusradio.org
P. Ludwig & D.Smith
8:30 pm
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Life Study of the Bible
lsm.org
Matt Miller
10:00 pm
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Living by the Word
lbtw.org
LBTW Radio Team
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The writer of Hebrews tells us that faith is assurance of things hoped for, the certainty of things unseen. We all discovered that his asthma attacks became less frequent until hoped for things we do not see, whether it’swent a better job, this process, the concept ultimately they away. Through the importance of alternative solutions and the “green” marriage, healing of an illness orofinjury, or countless other lifestyle took a foothold in my personal life. From that day aspirations. Where does our assurance come from? SATURDAYS, 6-7PM ON 99.5 KKLA forward I devoted myself to making the ON environment a better SATURDAYS, 6-7PM 99.5 KKLA The answer is Jesus Christ. place, knowing that my son isn’t the only person to ever have breathing Thehealth, writer ofperfect Hebrews tells us that faith is assurance Does this assurance imply problems. of things hoped for, the certainty of things unseen. We all And monetary success or marriage? No. Our assurance is that maybe I could hoped for things we do not see, whether it’s ajust better job, Christ rose from the deadmarriage, and wehealing do notofneed to suffer for make a difference an illness or injury, or countless other the lives of our wrongs in separation aspirations. from God.Where does our assurance comeinfrom? others. SATURDAYS, 6-7PM ON 99.5 KKLA Thetoanswer Christ.of those That God causes all things work is forJesus the good I incorporated Does this assurance imply who love him and are called according His purpose. The writer ofto Hebrews tellshealth, us thatperfect faith is assurance the alternative monetary success or marriage? No. Our assurance that of things hoped for, the certainty of things unseen. Weisall solution lifestyle That He promises to takeChrist care rose of our needs if we seek His from the dead and we do not need to suffer for hoped for things we do not see, whether it’s a into better myjob, business, righteousness and His kingdom and not our righteousness our wrongs inhealing separation from marriage, of an illnessGod. or injury, or countless other ECOLA Termite aspirations. Where ourto assurance from? That God causes alldoes things work forcome the good of those or our prideful pursuits. and Pest Control. Thehim answer is Jesus Christ. who love and are called according to His purpose. And it is this This hope gives us confidence, which develops faith, Does this assurance That He promises to takeimply carehealth, of ourperfect needs ifenvironmentally we seek His monetary success or marriage? No. Our is that which gives us endurancerighteousness and perseverance, knowing thatassurance and His kingdom and not our righteousness friendly approach Christ rose from the dead and we do not need to suffer for any trial we may be goingorthrough cannot be compared our prideful pursuits. that is the our wrongs in separation from God. foundation This hope gives us confidence, which develops faith, to the glory we will have with Him when he calls us home. That God causes all things to work for the good of those of ECOLA today. which gives us andaccording perseverance, knowing that who love himendurance and are called to His purpose. He wants to showcase us as His personal ambassadors That we He may promises to takethrough care of our needsbeif ECOLA we seek His helps any trial be going cannot compared to show the world who Hetois, and this is seen most inwhen our protect righteousness His with kingdom not he ourcalls righteousness the glory we willand have Himand us home.your family, or our prideful pursuits. hope, joy, confidence, andHeassurance of ourus hope inpersonal and ambassadors the wants to showcase as His This hope gives us confidence, which faith, to show the world who He is, and this is develops seenenvironment most in our and through these types of trials. whichyour gives us expensive enduranceinvestment, and perseverance, knowing thatmany most your home. There are hope, joy, confidence, andstrong assurance of our hope in and We will receive the crown of ifwewe finish incannot this anylife trial may be going through compared offering companies doing similar things, butbepersonally, through these types ofhave trials. to drive the glory we will with Him when he calls and us home. environmentally friendly alternative termite pest control race. Our minds and attitudes our behavior. Going WeHewill receive the crown of mine, life personal if as we finish strong in this wants to showcase us as His ambassadors treatments is a passion of it may have been the saving from, “I’m broken,” to “I’mrace. healing everyday,” is a matter of minds and attitudes drive our behavior. Going toOur show the world who He is, and this is seen most in our grace for my son and his life. hope, joy, assurance of our hope andmodern from, “I’m God broken,” “I’mand healing everyday,” isthrough a in matter of perspective through God’s eyes. hasto complete control Byconfidence, personally using fewer chemicals through these types of trials. perspective through God’s eyes. God has complete control I hope to minimize chemical use worldwide and of our lives and the timeframe We oftechnology, events. willand receive the crown ofoflife if we finish strong in this of our lives thewith timeframe events. truly help informing people of environmental factors These are just a few things I am to not race. Ourpursuing minds and attitudes drive our behavior. Going These such are just a few things I am pursuing not their health. as their indoor air quality and how itto affects from, “I’m broken,” to “I’meach healing everyday,” is a matter of only know, but to live in the of. Join me And with recent advancements and newme technologies offered onlyreality know, but to live in the reality of. Join each perspective through God’s eyes. God has complete control by ECOLA, consumers can choose from a variety of nonfrom 6-7pm on KKLA to learn and explore all Saturday from 6-7pm onSaturday KKLA to learn and explore all of our lives and the timeframe of events. fumigant solutions including ECOLA Heat™, Microwave that God has for us to walk in. are just a few things I am pursuing to not that God has for us to walk in. These and Electro-Gun and a borate compound called Tim-Bor and
How My Battle WithThe TheSue SueFries FriesShow Show
Dust Mites
Helped My Son Overcome His
Breathing Problems
And Changed My Lifestyle
The Sue Fries Show
Pursuit of Passion, Pursuit ofPurpose Passion, &ofConnection Pursuit Passion, Purpose & Connection Purpose & Connection 99.5 KKLA-FM only know, but to live in the reality of. Join me each
Bora-care protects wood against infestations. Written By Susan Fries Saturday fromthat 6-7pm on KKLA to learntermite and explore all if you’re like me and want more control over what There is no better feeling in life than when you become that GodSo has for us to walk in. chemicals you introduce into your home environment, I invite a parent. And there is no greater sense of helplessness, than you to contact ECOLA for your termite and pest control when your child faces a serious medical challenge. needs. We have seven offices to serve you from San Luis When my son turned 2 years old he started to have a series Obispo to San Diego. Call ECOLA toll free at (877) 332of asthma attacks. Eliminating a medical condition or disease BUGS or on the web at EcolaTermite.com. responsible for the attacks, I began to wonder if environmental factors were contributing to his breathing problems. With my Susan Fries, also known maternal instincts engaged, I made it my mission to discover as the Termite Lady, is what was affecting him so adversely. I started by process of the President and CEO of elimination, changing shampoos and soaps, different types of ECOLA Termite and Pest material and clothing, foods and the like but the results were Control. You can hear inconclusive. We decided to have him tested and discovered ECOLA and the Termite that he was allergic to dust mites. Susan Fries, known as “The Termite Lady” Lady on 99.5 KKLA-FM DUST! So, I tore out the carpet in his bedroom put vinyl is the PresidentSusan of ECOLA Termite and Pest Management Services. Fries, known as “The Lady” and inTermite San Diego on 1210 coverings on his mattress and dusted and vacuumed daily. She a wife,ofmom and a woman withManagement a heart to help others. is is thealso President ECOLA Termite and Pest Services. KPRZ-AM, talking on the I started to use more organic items and slowly but surely I She is also aFollow wife, momSusan and a woman with a heart to help others. at www.SueFries.com pursuit of passion, purpose created our own “green” environment. As I began to modify Follow Susan at www.SueFries.com and connection. our home environment with green and organic solutions, I
99.5 KKLA-FM Listeners99.5 are encouraged to call the show 99.5in during KKLA-FM KKLA-FM
Listeners are encouraged Saturdays to call are in during show fromencouraged 6-7pm with insights or the questions. Listeners tothe call in during show Listenersfrom are encouraged toSaturdays call in from during the show Saturdays 6 - 7pm with insights or questions. 995-KKLA (5522) 6-7pmCall: with(888) insights or questions. Callfrom (888) 995-KKLA (5552) Call: (888) 995-KKLA (5522) Saturdays 6-7pm with insights or questions.
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Susan Fries, known as “The Termite Lady”
Issue 15
is the President of ECOLA Termite and Pest Management Services. She is also a wife, mom and a woman with a heart to help others.
WHAT ELSE IS
CRAWLING AROUND YOUR HOME?
PROTECT YOUR HOME.
PROTECT YOUR FAMILY.
Celebrating 30 years in Business! SUSAN FRIES, PRESIDENT/CEO
SEVEN SOCAL LOCATIONS SO WE’RE NEVER THAT FAR AWAY
Smar t Choice Simple Solutions Problem Solved
TM
Mother Approved
EcolaTermite.com (877) 332-BUGS (2847)
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TM
H
ave you said “Thank You” to those special people in your life who have helped you grow in Christ? Maybe it’s your spouse, a close friend or your pastor. Or perhaps your favorite Bible teacher on 99.5 KKLA. Now is a good time to say thanks. As Paul encouraged the Galatians: “Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.” Galatians 6:6 We invite you to take a moment to share a heartfelt thank you or word of encouragement with your favorite Bible teacher. KKLA Magazine (kklamagazine. com) includes our Program Guide (pages 18 - 21) where you’ll find the web address of each ministry. Or visit us online at www.kkla.com, and select the Programs
menu. Our online listings include direct links to each ministry’s home page. When you visit your favorite Bible teachers website, click on their Contact Us link and send them an e -mail, make a donation online (they’ll really appreciate that!) or send them postcard or letter. Remember to tell them you listen to their broadcast on 99.5 KKLA. We’d like to hear from you as well. If you have a comment, suggestionor word of encouragement for the staff and management of 99.5 KKLA, visit our website at www.kkla.com and click on our Contact Us link at the bottom of our website for the various ways you can reach us or feel free to send an email to one of the addresses listed in the front of this magazine. And Thank You, for supporting 99.5 KKLA and the many ministries and programs we feature.
KKLA 99.5 24
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LEAN INTO
GOD
PRESEN Greg Laurie
IS HEARD WEEKDAYS AT 5:30AM & 12:30PM ON 99.5FM KKLA
D’S
NCE
[ ARTICLE ]
Y
ou know the drill. Things are going well, no crisis, no conflicts to speak of, pretty much smooth sailing. Then seemingly out of nowhere, a storm hits. Maybe it’s a crisis, or a hardship. Maybe it’s a personal tragedy. So what do you do when a hurricaneforce storm hits and water is filling your boat? Answer: You take heart, because you are not alone. When Paul was at sea on his way to Rome and the mighty tempest hit him and the others on board, he was able to courageously encourage others. He told them, “But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me” (Acts 27:22–23). God Was with Him How was Paul able to be so confident? He was conscious of the presence of God in the face of danger. He knew that God was there with him. And God is with us in our storms as well. God will always give us what we need when we need it. You remember that Paul had what he called his “thorn in the flesh,” which was presumably some kind of physical disability or illness. He asked the Lord three times to remove it (see 2 Corinthians 12). God’s answer was, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9), which is another way of saying, “I will be with you, Paul. Instead of a healing, I will personally be there in a special and sufficient way.” He Is with You Too! God is with you right now, regardless of the storm or even the shipwreck. We may not hear an audible voice, but you may hear that “still small voice” of God’s Holy Spirit. Or He will speak to you through His Word. Then you, like Paul, can reassure KKLA Magazine
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The faith that cannot be tested is the faith that cannot be trusted. Real faith gets stronger through hardship, not weaker. It becomes more resilient; it doesn’t fall apart. others that “the Lord is in control.” Time and time again, God reminded Paul of His presence. 1. He was there when Paul was in jail in Jerusalem, as Jesus told him to “be courageous!” (Acts 23:11) 2. It happened in 2 Timothy 4:16– 17 when Paul said, “All deserted me . . . but the Lord stood by me.”
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3. And it happened in Acts 27, in the midst of the terrible storm. When the boss calls you into his office . . . You can take heart in the face of danger or uncertainty because you are aware of God’s presence with you. When your boss says, “I’m really sorry, but I’m going to have to let you go!” Or when the doctor says, “The test results are back and I need you to come in.” Or
when the telephone rings and someone says, “There’s been an accident.” You are not alone. The Lord is standing next to you. He cares. Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). What If I Don’t Feel His Presence? In Acts 14, we read that Paul and Barnabas encouraged the believers “to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God” (verse 22). Notice that Paul and Barnabas encouraged them to continue in the faith— not in the feeling. Emotions come and go. There are times when you feel God’s presence, and then there are times when you don’t. So what do you do then? You press on, because “the just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17). Whether we feel God’s presence today
You are not alone. The Lord is standing next to you. He cares. Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Remember that God is with you, and one day you will join Him in glory.
or we don’t, that is okay. We are to press on, because this is a walk of faith. Don’t worry about emotions. Don’t focus on feelings that fluctuate. Remember that God is with you, and one day you will join Him in glory. God Alone A. B. Simpson wrote these words: “Once it was the Blessing, now it is the Lord. Once it was the Feeling, now it is His Word. Once His Gifts I wanted, now the Giver alone. Once I sought Healing, now Himself alone.” When you are a young Christian, you want the blessing. But as you grow, you just want God. That is a mark of maturity. We need to continue in the faith when the skies are blue and also when they are filled with clouds. We must press on when our health is good and also when it is not what it used to be. Because we know in that final day it will all be worth it. If your faith cannot make it through adversity, then, with all respect, I would have to say that it isn’t real faith. The faith that cannot be tested is the faith that cannot be trusted. Real faith gets stronger through hardship, not weaker. It becomes more resilient; it doesn’t fall apart. A Future Hope Now we walk by faith, not by sight— but that won’t always be the case. Hebrews 11:10 tells us that “Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.” Abraham’s hope is our hope too. There is coming a day when we will literally see Jesus and stand in the presence of our Lord, with all of our questions answered. In the meantime, we need to learn the important lesson of how to exercise faith. The things that we go through in life are not just preparing us for the opportunities God will reveal during our time on this earth. God is also preparing us for heaven.
Any thoughts? Visit GREG LAURIE’S website at harvest.org.
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How My Battle With
Dust Mites
Helped My Son Overcome His
Breathing Problems
And Changed My Lifestyle
Written By Susan Fries There is no better feeling in life than when you become a parent. And there is no greater sense of helplessness, than when your child faces a serious medical challenge. When my son turned 2 years old he started to have a series of asthma attacks. Eliminating a medical condition or disease responsible for the attacks, I began to wonder if environmental factors were contributing to his breathing problems. With my maternal instincts engaged, I made it my mission to discover what was affecting him so adversely. I started by process of elimination, changing shampoos and soaps, different types of material and clothing, foods and the like but the results were inconclusive. We decided to have him tested and discovered that he was allergic to dust mites. DUST! So, I tore out the carpet in his bedroom put vinyl coverings on his mattress and dusted and vacuumed daily. I started to use more organic items and slowly but surely I created our own “green” environment. As I began to modify our home environment with green and organic solutions, I
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discovered that his asthma attacks became less frequent until ultimately they went away. Through this process, the concept of the importance of alternative solutions and the “green” lifestyle took a foothold in my personal life. From that day forward I devoted myself to making the environment a better place, knowing that my son isn’t the only person to ever have breathing problems. And just maybe I could make a difference in the lives of others. I incorporated the alternative solution lifestyle into my business, ECOLA Termite and Pest Control. And it is this environmentally friendly approach that is the foundation of ECOLA today. ECOLA helps protect your family, the environment and your most expensive investment, your home. There are many companies doing similar things, but personally, offering environmentally friendly alternative termite and pest control treatments is a passion of mine, as it may have been the saving grace for my son and his life. By personally using fewer chemicals through modern technology, I hope to minimize chemical use worldwide and truly help with informing people of environmental factors such as their indoor air quality and how it affects their health. And with recent advancements and new technologies offered by ECOLA, consumers can choose from a variety of nonfumigant solutions including ECOLA Heat™, Microwave and Electro-Gun and a borate compound called Tim-Bor and Bora-care that protects wood against termite infestations. So if you’re like me and want more control over what chemicals you introduce into your home environment, I invite you to contact ECOLA for your termite and pest control needs. We have seven offices to serve you from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. Call ECOLA toll free at (877) 332BUGS or on the web at EcolaTermite.com. Susan Fries, also known as the Termite Lady, is the President and CEO of ECOLA Termite and Pest Control. You can hear ECOLA and the Termite Lady on 99.5 KKLA-FM and in San Diego on 1210 KPRZ-AM, talking on the pursuit of passion, purpose and connection.
[ ARTICLE ]
WHAT ELSE IS
CRAWLING AROUND YOUR HOME? T O U
O F
+
T H E
CAVE AND
into his
PROTECT YOUR HOME.
PROTECT YOUR FAMILY.
LIGHT Celebrating 30 years in Business!
SUSAN FRIES, PRESIDENT/CEO
SEVEN SOCAL LOCATIONS SO WE’RE NEVER THAT FAR AWAY
Shawn Thornton IS HEARD SolutionsWEEKDAYS Solved Smar t Choice Simple ProblemAT 6:30PM ON 99.5FM KKLA
TM
Mother Approved
TM
EcolaTermite.com (877) 332-BUGS (2847)
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If People Magazine had been around in ancient Israel, for months the cover would have featured the face of David, the giantslayer. Young women sang about the handsome, national hero. David was the man women adored and men admired. God had already chosen David to follow Saul as the next King of Israel. David must have thought this fame and notoriety was all part of the plan. It all looked so perfect. God was doing something incredible! But a few spears aimed at David by a jealous King Saul seemed to change everything! Saul’s jealous rage caused him to become obsessed with destroying David. We learn in 1 Samuel 21 that David even fled to his enemies for help. He turned up in Goliath’s hometown of Gath – the capital of the Philistines. After asking to see Achish, the Philistine King, David realized this was a bad idea. So, he presented himself to Achish and he pretended to be insane, even drooling in his beard. Achish sent the supposed madman packing. According to the opening sentence of 1 Samuel 22, “David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam.” Scholars believe David spent three to six months living in the muddy, dark, lonely cave. We pick up the story there with David sitting defeated -- his own drool dried up in his beard. What a low point! Most of us come to a cold, dark cave experience. We find ourselves alone, facing the shattered dreams, inexplicable pain, and desperate grief that life sometimes deals. Cold, dark, difficult caves, indeed! David’s experience in the cave teach-
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es us about handling life at its darkest and most difficult times. David wrote several Psalms during his months alone in the cave. Let’s look at three keys to handling a cold, dark cave experience.
David’s experience in the cave teaches us about handling life at its darkest and most difficult times... Many people discover the value of telling God how they feel when they are stuck in a cave experience. But too few turn the corner to praise God even in the cave. #1: Tell God How You Feel (Psalm 142) Read Psalm 142 and you will sense the overwhelming emotions David experienced after he arrived in the Cave of Adullam. While there are hints of determination and even worship of God, the predominant mood is one of deep discouragement. Early in his time in the cave, he learns the importance of simply telling God how he feels. Notice his dejected phrases:
When we choose to praise God based on who He is, instead of what our circumstances are, good things happen. We see the eternal God in Whom we have put our trust. • “Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need” (v. 6) • “No one is concerned for me” (v. 4) • “No one cares for my soul” (v. 4) • “Set me free from prison.” (v. 7) Ever been there? Have you ever been so low that you felt like no one cared and despair wrapped its tentacles around you? Some think it is wrong to tell God how badly life stinks. They think that being grateful means you never express your pain and emotions to God. But, for David, telling God how bad he felt, with a raw honesty, was key to the process of experiencing God in a cold, lonely cave. Whatever you are going through today, no matter how dark and
difficult, tell God how you feel. #2: Praise God for Who He is (Psalm 57) As you read through the second Psalm David wrote while in the cave of Adullam, you sense a subtle shift in tone. Many people discover the value of telling God how they feel when they are stuck in a cave experience. But too few turn the corner to praise God even in the cave. David declares, “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth” (57:5). Boldly he commits to God, “I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples” (57:9). Proactive praise does something transformative in us. When we choose to praise God based on Who He is, instead of what our circumstances are, good things happen. We see the eternal God in Whom we have put our trust. True worship is not based on what our circumstances are but on Who our God KKLA Magazine
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is! Our circumstances will change, but our God never changes. #3: Serve God by Helping others (Psalm 34) God does a work in David’s heart at one of the lowest points in David’s entire life. God listens as David tells God how he feels. He refocuses David’s heart as David chooses to praise God for Who He is. Back in 1 Samuel 22 we learn that some of David’s friends and relatives choose to join David in the cave. Samuel tells us that “all those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him there” (1 Samuel 22:2). Few of us want people with problems showing up while we are still dealing with our own issues. But God knew what David needed next. The most practical way we serve God is by helping others. David did that. God expects us to use our dark, difficult experiences to help others. We may not even be fully free from the cave when He brings a bunch of broken people to our
doorstep. So, look around. Maybe God has planted some hurting people near your cave. You don’t have to have it all together for God to use you. Maybe you are at one of the lowest points of your life… a dark cave with spit on your face. Learn from David. Tell God how you feel, praise God for Who He is, and serve God by helping others. Watch what God does to transform you and use you to impact others! Shawn Thornton is Senior Pastor, Calvary Community Church, Westlake Village, and Bible Teacher, All Things New Radio, heard daily at 6:30pm on 99.5 FM. www.pastorshawn. com
Any thoughts? Visit SHAWN THORNTON’S website at pastorshawn.com.
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[ ARTICLE ]
Why is God so Hidden?
Ravi Zacharias
IS HEARD SUNDAYS AT 7:30AM ON 99.5FM KKLA
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Out of the scores of letters that I have received over the years, one in particular stands out. The writer simply asked, “Why has God made it so difficult to believe in him? If I loved somebody and had infinite power, I would use that power to show myself more obviously. Why has God made it so difficult to see his presence and his plan?” It is a powerful question that is both felt and intellectual at the same time. One might say, “Why is God so hidden?” The question ultimately gains
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momentum and parks itself in our heart’s genuine search for meaning, belongingness, and relationship to our own creator. I recall the restlessness and turning point of my own life. I had come to believe that life had no meaning. Nothing seemed to
As a child of God, you are valuable because the One who has called you by name says so. Your true identity is safe and secure with Him . . . forever.
I believe God intervenes in each of our lives. He speaks to us in different ways and at different times so that we may know that it is He who is the author of our very personality... connect. When still in my teens, I found myself lying in a hospital bed after an attempted suicide. The struggle for answers when met by despair led me along that tragic path. But there in my hospital room the Scriptures were brought and read to me. For the first time I engaged the direct answers of God to my seeking heart. The profound realization of the news that God could be known personally drew me, with sincerity and determination, to plumb the depths of that claim. With a simple prayer of trust, in that moment, the change from a desperate heart to one that found the
fullness of meaning became a reality for me. The immediate change was in the way I saw God’s handiwork in ways I had never seen before. The marvel of discovering even splendor in the ordinary was the work of God in my heart. Over a period of time, I was able to study, pursue, and understand how to respond to more intricate questions of the mind. That divine encounter of coming to know Him brought meaning and made answers reachable. I believe God intervenes in each of our lives. He speaks to us in different KKLA Magazine
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ways and at different times so that we may know that it is He who is the author of our very personality; that his answers are both propositional and relational (and sometimes in reverse order); that his presence stills the storms of the heart. Oddly enough, in history, the most questioning and the resistant became God’s mouthpieces to skeptics. Consider Peter, Paul, and Thomas—just to name a few. They questioned, they wrestled, they challenged. But once convinced, they spoke and wrote and persuaded people in the most stubborn of circumstances. That is why they willingly paid the ultimate price, even as they sought God’s power and presence in those “dark nights of the soul.” In the end, in the face of difficult questions, the answers that are given and received must be both felt and real, with the firm knowledge that God is nearer than one might think. Yes, the Scriptures reveal, as many can attest, that this assurance of nearness sometimes comes at a cost, like any relationship of love and commitment. But God is grander than any wondrous sight we may behold and the answer to every heart’s
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deepest question. The final consummation of that glimpse is yet future. I firmly believe as the apostle Paul declared—that “eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). Then we shall see, not darkly, but face to face. That is when the soul will feel the ultimate touch, and the silence will be one of knowing with awesome wonder. The only thing we would want hidden is how blind we were. Ravi Zacharias is founder and chairman of the board of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. He can be heard Sundays at 7:30am on 99.5 FM. www.rzim.org
Any thoughts? Visit RAVI ZACHARIAS’S website at rzim.org.
[ ARTICLE ]
Jack Graham
IS HEARD WEEKDAYS AT 1PM ON 99.5FM KKLA
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John Milton’s 1667 epic poem Paradise Lost is considered by most literature buffs to be one of the greatest literary works in the English language and has gone on to influence countless other poets, songwriters, screenplay writers, and authors, including C. S. Lewis and Frank Peretti. The twopronged plot is fairly straightforward: Lucifer is banished from heaven’s paradise and Adam and Eve are banished from earth’s. Along the way, there is deception and manipulation, lust and lying, sin and outright war. There is rebellion and rhetoric,
Studies show that previous generations were far happier than we are today...previous generations were quicker to concede the fact that life isn’t contained in the here and now. 40
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debate and defeat, nightmarish negligence, chaos and contempt. Edicts are ignored. Freedom is abused. Knowledge is wasted. Vanity is revered. And all the while, we, as readers, find ourselves thinking, “Something feels familiar here.” Indeed, you and I are part of the sin-scarred landscape Milton described hundreds of years ago. Still today, we don’t have to look far to see the effects of paradise lost: Our hearts are burdened, our anxieties are weighty, our schedules are busy, and our waistlines are thick. Still there is rebellion. Still there is lust. Still there is chaos. Still there is outright war. Some days, our only hope is that we know we’re not home— eternally home—yet. Pilgrims Headed to a Better Place Jonathan Edwards once compared our present life to a pilgrimage, the goal of which is eventual eternal life with God in heaven. He wrote: God is the highest good of the
reasonable creature, and the enjoyment of him is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows; but the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but scattered beams; but God is the sun. These are but streams; but God is the fountain. These are but drops; but God is the ocean. Therefore it becomes us to spend this life only as a journey towards heaven, as it becomes us to make the seeking of our highest end and proper good, the whole work of our lives; to which we should subordinate all other concerns of life. Why should we labour for, or set our hearts on, anything else, but that which is our proper end, and true happiness? Studies show that previous generations were far happier than we are today, and that one of the reasons for this phenomenon is that people from those previous generations were quicker to concede the fact that life isn’t
What Jesus intended was transcendence, and we see only fragments of it sometimes, fleeting moments we wish we could capture and bottle, the occasions of this temporal life we wish could somehow last forever. contained in the here and now. “A heavenly mind is a joyful mind,” the great Puritan Richard Baxter once said, and these folks lived that idea out. One in eight Americans today is being treated for depression of some sort, a percentage that is higher than at any other point in history—and astoundingly, mentalhealth professionals believe the number of those who should be treated, based on symptoms alone, is one in five. I daresay this is not what Jesus intended when He promised abundance and peace and joy. What Jesus intended was transcendence, and we see only fragments of it sometimes, fleeting moments we wish we could capture and bottle, the occasions of this temporal life we wish could somehow last forever. A breathtaking sunset, the gaze of a newborn baby, those magical first few moments after your girlfriend has agreed to become your wife—these and a thousand
other shadows and beams and streams and drops bring beauty and magnificence to this earthly life by captivating our attention and warming our hearts. Randy Alcorn writes, “Whenever we see beauty in water, wind, flower, animal, man, woman, or child, we see just a sample of what Heaven will be like.” Indeed. We weren’t made for this world—this is the crux of my argument. “Our citizenship is in heaven,” Philippians 3:20 reminds us; our names are written there. We lay up treasures in that place, not here, where moths and rust destroy. We eagerly anticipate that endless hallelujah, where paradise finally can be found.
Any thoughts? Visit JACK GRAHAM’S website at jackgraham.org.
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