In a book I read one day, two characters began discussing the concept of reincarnation. As their conversation grew deeper and more trustworthy, one reflected, Being born into this world of evil, suffering, disasters and war, only to be reborn into this same world of cruelty and death, over and over again and again, sounds like a definition of eternal hell rather than a finding of peace in the oneness of everything.  I thought it was a good point coming from a science fiction novel. Living in this world is living in a hell on earth for too many. Where do we find hope, or even a little peace?

There is much to enjoy here on earth. It is a spectacular place to explore. Look at the evening skies, finish a job well done, spend time with family and friends. Hold a newborn baby, laugh at a good joke, or remember your first love. Kiss a wound, wipe a friend’s tear, help carry a burden. Psalm 8’s question still resounds: when I consider your heavens and the work of your fingers … who are we that You are mindful of us?

The New England colonial pastor Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) observed: This world is all the hell that ever a true Christian is to endure, and it is all the heaven that unbelievers shall ever enjoy.  My definition of hell is living outside the presence of God Almighty.

We live in the agony of sin and corruption that manifests itself in daily disasters, both natural and man-made. It can overwhelm our sense of peace and hope in a God who saw that everything God made was good. In Romans 8:18-31, Paul addresses the groanings within us, even to that point of pain where we no longer know what to pray or even want to pray. He addresses the groanings of creation, comparable to labor pains, in the hope of a better future. He tells us of the groanings of God’s Holy Spirit on our behalf. He points to peace and hope as we face all that this world throws at us, real or imagined, demonic or angelic.  For nothing will separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Jesus is our Hope. And let’s continue to experience the love and power of God together.

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On February 18, 2015, Dayna and I had lunch with the Tadas. I am grateful for Dayna’s assertive initiative to make it happen. During a lunch hosted by Joni and Friends for ministry partners, we saw Joni Eareckson and Ken sitting alone at a table for six. Dayna immediately went and sat down in front of Joni. I sat down next to my wife, sitting across from Ken. I was wondering if this was okay for us to do. When I finally nodded in gratitude, realizing how amazing this day was unfolding, I saw Ken graciously smile. He began speaking with me, and for the rest of the lunch, Joni conversing with Dayna and Ken conversing with me. In 2015 I had yet to need a wheelchair myself. That began in 2020 when I needed a wheelchair occasionally. By October 2022, I began needing a wheelchair all the time. Something else that drastically changed between 2015 and 2022 involves my understanding of how indispensable the weakest members of the Body of Christ are.

Prior to my own declining health, I hadn’t ever truly thought about the truth expressed in 1 Corinthians 12:21-22, The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘l don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘l don’t need you!’ On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable. On several occasions Joni Eareckson Tada mentions that this is why we can, even should, boast in our weaknesses from disabilities. However, I could not fathom how those who are so weak could ever be so indispensable. (l never considered Joni to be weak.) In the hospital, I kept apologizing to the nurses, and I would apologize to Dayna and to the kids. With nerve damage from multiple sclerosis, I saw myself as a burden. How could a burden serve as an indispensable member of the Kingdom of God? I kept crying out to God, How could this be? How could I possibly be indispensable? I need help now with everything. By the end of October 2022, and certainly by June 2023, when I came home from my next hospital visit, I realized I was completely dependent on the Lord. I could do nothing well in my own strength, which was a blessing in disguise. Trying to do things in our own strength will always be living by the flesh instead of by the Spirit. Joni has indicated that the biggest handicap goes to those who believe they’re strong enough to live for Jesus in their own strength.

As Joni has also said in the October 15, 2025, edition of Christianity Today, “God doesn’t like spinal cord injury. He takes no pleasure in multiple sclerosis or children born with spina bifida (or other forms of suffering.) He sees the mosaic. He sees how it all fits together into this incredible pattern for not only our good but the good of all those around us, and for his glory.”

 
Kevin Avery is our Missionary in Residence ministering daily on-line in Asia and African teaching and praying with persecuted pastors and special needs ministries.

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A benediction is a blessing and a closing prayer. It is a sending forth of the people of God back to their everyday lives with a sense of faith, joy and service. Some benedictions are found in the Bible: read Numbers 6:24-26, Psalm 121:7-8, 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13, or Hebrews 13:20-21. Last Sunday Dr. Deborah Saxon read this beautiful benediction at the conclusion of our morning worship. She is program director for an interfaith organization in Indianapolis, a professor of religion and an ordained Christian (Disciples of Christ) minister.  (She is also Dorothy’s niece and has the distinction of being the flower girl at our wedding.) This benediction is adapted from the 4^th Century Church.

May the Lord Christ

Walk ahead of you,

to prepare and plan your way.

Walk beside you, 

companion on your journey as you go.

Be under you, 

to support and sustain you when you fall—

for you and I will.

Walk behind you, 

to complete and finish what 

you must leave undone, unfinished.

Be within you, 

to give peace and comfort on the journey.

But above all, 

may the Lord Christ be over you, 

Watching, calling, guiding, challenging,

Now, and forever more!

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Jesus walks with us. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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Susie Hinton had a story to tell based on an incident that happened to a friend at school. She began to turn it into a novel, although she did get a D in creative writing that junior year. She persisted in her observations of high school life and the petty cliques that amplified the differences. She graduated from Tulsa’s Will Rogers High School in 1966. Published in 1967, that novel The Outsiders, continues to be a bestseller every year.  An interesting quote from the book highlights the gaps, the social barriers, between north and south Tulsa: “Can you see the sunset from the South side real good?” “Yeah, real good.” “You can see it from the North side too.”  Ponyboy Curtis and Cherry Valence.

This week the Tony Award winning Broadway musical, The Outsiders, began its national tour here in Tulsa. The cast is making visits to the high school to talk with students and to see where it all began. Most of us know what it is to be the outsider when everyone else seems to be an insider. Insiders have their own little rules, customs, and special words. It is always hard trying to fit in. Pretending to be an insider is nearly impossible. That is why most outsiders stay quiet while trying to decipher the insider norms. The book, the movie and the musical turn very dark in places because embarrassment and anger walk hand in hand. Insiders can embarrass themselves in their treatment of the outsider. Outsiders can embarrass themselves by trying too hard to be accepted. 

Visiting a church is often an insider-outsider experience. We have taught ourselves to scan the room, look for clues, and ask ourselves if there is anyone here that looks like me. Is there anyone one here who will bridge the gap? Outsiders seek belonging, understanding, and friendships. Insiders can become so accustomed to each other that they find no need to invite anyone else into their circle. I am reminded of the biblical caution, Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2) 

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today.  Welcome in all the angels. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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This is the church. This is the steeple. Open the doors and see all the people. If you folded your hands the wrong way, then the question becomes, where’s all the people? Can you still do it—fold your hands into a church with a pointed steeple? It was hard to do the first time when we were little children in Sunday School. It gets harder as joints stiffen and muscles tighten. But it has always been a fun little illustration. When your hands-made-little-church is full of people, we cannot help but smile. But we also know that it is just easier to fold our hands together with our fingers, the people, on the outside. The lessons from our hands-made-churches remind us that churches are (1) made of people, (2) who serve and worship together, and (3) spill all out into the world with the joy of Christ. Some people want to focus on the number of people in a church. Some people focus on the style of ministries and kind of worship services. Others may want to see if the church people are as real in their faith during the week as they may appear to be during Sunday church.

Can we make a church with our hands? We can if they are servant hands of earnest prayer and faith. We can make a church if our hands are cleansed by the confession of our sinfulness and open to receive God’s merciful grace. We can make a church with our hands as we labor together with Christ, sharing His blessings and telling of His salvation for all people. We can make a church with our hands if we recognize our weaknesses are where God’s strengths begin. Hands in worship. Hands in prayer. Hands in friendship. Hands that care. Willing hands to do our part to honor Christ with all our heart. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but God who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. (1 Corinthians 3:7-9)

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. You are the church. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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