The Bible: The Story Isn't Over

Last Sunday, over 11.7 million viewers watched the conclusion of the epic mini-series The Bible.  What a fitting way to conclude a day of Easter celebrations, from the sunrise services, cantatas, and dramatic performances, to the Easter egg hunts, delectable dinners, and time spent with family and friends.  Inevitably, Easter means a lot of things to a lot of people.  But one meaning of Easter outshines them all.  The Resurrection of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ, is the reason for this joyous celebration.  The Bible series may be over, but the story has just begun.

As I watched this moving depiction of the greatest story ever told, I was reminded once again of how the stories in the Bible are much more than stories.  Unlike fairytales, the stories in the Bible are real.  The people in the Bible are real.  Jesus Christ is real.  To sit and watch this movie, I felt as if I was watching a movie about my best friend.  When I was a little girl, I gave my heart to Jesus.  Since then, He has always been my best friend.  While tears welled up in my eyes as I watched Jesus cry out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me,” I was still smiling because I knew that God had not forsaken Him.  I knew that three days later, He would rise again.  I knew that this was not the final chapter in the book.

When they spoke of places like Ephesus, I relived the moment I set foot inside the theater where the Apostle Paul was run out due to the fact that He was preaching about the one true living God as opposed to the god of Artemis.  The same theater where my dad and I proudly proclaimed, “Great is the God of the Apostle Paul!”  Through experiences like this as well as our adventures in Rome, I have literally walked in the footsteps of many of Jesus’ disciples as well as Mary, the mother of Jesus.  I have stood firmly on the ground where they walked and I have tried to imagine what it was like when they walked upon this earth.

I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed walking in their footsteps and I also enjoy watching dramatic representations of Bible times.  Nevertheless, there is one thing I love even more than these.  I love the fact that one day, we will no longer have to imagine what it was like to sit and have a conversation with Peter, Paul, or John.  We will not have to watch a depiction of Moses parting the Red Sea or a movie showing the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  For one day, we will literally be sitting face to face with these heroes of the faith and with Jesus Christ himself.

I recently saw where someone said they were sad to see The Bible come to an end.  While this particular series they were referring to has come to an end, I couldn’t help but think how the Bible itself has not come to an end.  The Bible is a living book with prophecies that have not yet been fulfilled.  We are seeing news every day that brings us one step closer to the long-awaited day when Gabriel sounds the trumpet.  Those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will rise to meet Him in the clouds.  All of the pain and suffering and heartache will be no more.  All tears will be wiped away.  The old will become new.  We will be changed.  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.

Until that glorious day, we have a mission.  To share the love of Jesus Christ with everyone.  Like Jesus’ disciples, we are called to be fishers of men.  We are called to spread His light throughout a darkened world.  Perhaps you are still living in darkness.  I want to encourage you to call on the name of Jesus Christ.  Confess your sins.  Ask for forgiveness.  Your life will be forever changed.  You will have a personal relationship with the One who gave His life for our transgressions.  If you have already made this commitment, I want to encourage you to live for Jesus every day.  Bring the Bible to life through the way you live for Christ every day.  And one day, you’ll discover that the final chapter is really just the beginning of a forever life with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

A Grand Adventure!

 As I sit here looking at photographs from my summer vacation, I am reminded of picturesque places we explored, amazing sights we saw, and delightful destinations that I hope to see again.  Above all, I am overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude, both to my dad and to my Heavenly Father, for the amazing adventure that I was blessed to enjoy.  While I wish you could have experienced our entire journey firsthand, I pray you enjoy traveling vicariously through my story.  So, pack your bags, grab your passport, and join me as we travel across Europe.  It’s going to be one grand adventure!

One experience that was extraordinary special was our visit to Ephesus in Turkey.  As I stepped off of the bus, the hairs on the back of my neck curled with excitement as I thought about the fact that the Apostle John and Mary had walked on those streets and that the Apostle Paul preached in the theater there.  At the same time, it saddened me to know that they ran him out because they did not believe that there was one true God, shouting, great is the god of Artemis.  Standing in the theater, my dad and I both proudly proclaimed, “Great is the God of the Apostle Paul!”  This day is one that I will always remember, as it was not only exciting to see a new country, but it had a spiritual meaning to my dad and me as well.

Of all of the places we were blessed to explore, one of my favorites was Santorini, Greece.  The brilliant blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea crashing against the bottoms of towering cliffs create a sight to behold.  Following a picturesque ride on a tender and then a cable car, we were soon at the top of the cliff where we picked up our rental car for the day.  We drove across the island to Perissa Beach, a beach that has volcanic black sand.  The water was so refreshing and the three and a half hours spent here were paradise.  We stopped at a local bakery on the way back to town and shared some baklava and apple spice cake.  Between the time spent swimming in the crystal clear water and the satisfaction for my sweet tooth, I felt as if I was on cloud nine.

Perhaps my most cherished stop of all was that of Zermatt, Switzerland.  Here, we stayed in a chalet hotel with a balcony overlooking the Matterhorn.  I was in awe of the beauty that was ours to behold.  We had picnics on the balcony and I sat there, glued to the mountain vista as a child might be glued to a television set airing a marathon of their favorite program.  The goats being herded through the streets in the mornings and evenings just added to the atmosphere.  A cable car ride, fondue, and apple strudel rounded out our Swiss experience.  But still, everything else paled in comparison to the beauty of the magnificent Matterhorn.

We encountered so many incredible sights, from the ancient ruins of Olympia where the Olympic torch is lit to the city of Pompeii where structures still stand, even after enduring a massive volcanic eruption.  We stood on the Acropolis in Athens, rode a gondola in Venice, and saw the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  We walked the wall in Dubrovnik, enjoyed the sights in Paris, and even set foot on the continent of Africa with a visit to Tunisia.  While it was a wonderful opportunity to see archeological sites like the Acropolis or Colosseum, my dad and I agreed that we do not need to see them again.  But when it comes to places like Perissa Beach or the Matterhorn, we could keep returning, time after time, and they would never grow old.  The things that God has created for us to enjoy have a timeless beauty.  They capture our attention, not for a moment, but for a lifetime.  And even greater than our summer adventure, all those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will be going on a grand adventure one day that makes all vacations here on earth pale in comparison.  One day, our grand adventure will not start on a bus, a train, or a plane.  Instead, the true Grand Adventure will begin when a trumpet sounds.  Won’t you join me on the ultimate Grand Adventure?

In Christ's Love,
Jennifer