Columns

Almost to the day 50 years ago, I wrote the following letter to my sweetheart who would become my bride and precious wife for the past 48 years. At the time, I was attending college in Marshall, Texas, while she was back home near Houston.

Dear Precious Betty,

The blockbuster movie Titanic will be re-released in the theaters on April 6th, four days before the 100th anniversary of the real ship’s departure on April 10th, 1912. Once again in explosive, horrific, heartbreaking details the world will witness the unthinkable – the sinking of the unsinkable.

Today’s special New Year column is written by our son, Randy. But first, let me invite you to a service at Gateway Church in Southlake, where Betty and I are members. I will be speaking on Monday, January 2 at 7pm. The service will be broadcast nationwide on the Daystar Network and streamed live via gatewaypeople.com. It is part of what Pastor Robert Morris calls the “First Conference.” He likes to begin the year putting emphasis on “first things first.”

This weekend our family and friends are celebrating far more than seasonal holidays or winter break. Our hearts sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come…” We gladly receive the King and our hearts have gladly prepared room for this love gift from God. No apology for our devotion because, “He first loved us.” Imagine such royalty as a newborn baby lying in a manger, wrapped in modest rags as all heaven looked on rejoicing. Perfect love was born in a lowly stable because there was no room in the inn.

I remember clearly the first time I heard the name “Tebow.” Some of our family were watching a football game and I asked who was playing. Someone answered, “The University of Florida and some other team.” Neither were from our area. Curious, I asked why the interest in that game. Our son-in-law Terry Redmon answered, “I like Tim Tebow the quarterback.

Just before the first Christmas, the angels announced to the shepherds as they were joined by a vast heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased!” The shepherds set out to find and behold the Messiah. Their pursuit is the glorious pursuit. Discovering the Messiah personally is not only to be a priority, but it is the only way to peace in our personal lives and on this earth.

“Be angry, and sin not.”[1] The Scripture goes on to say we are not to let the sun go down on our wrath.

This Thanksgiving, many Americans are hurting. Though most of us have what we need, millions of others are either without work or have jobs but are still struggling to make ends meet and provide for their families. Even as we thank God for His blessings our hearts break for those who suffer and we continually pray for God to meet their needs while also seeking ways we can help.

We hear from many American Christians who seem to be losing hope. They’re not necessarily losing hope in their ultimate salvation; but they are filled with dread about the future.

It’s not too late, but it is much later than most people think. These are the “last days,” but do not get caught up in exactly how many days or any foolish time predictions. We see clearly that America is reaping what has been sown. The cost of forsaking God is always heavy and the consequences great. European nations are quaking while America trembles with joblessness, economic insecurity, runaway national debt, and a leadership crisis.