Save the Dates: May 21, 2011 - October 21, 2011

Family Radio's Harold Camping took out 40 billboards in Nashville announcing that...

The first day of judgment will be May 21, 2011; and the end of the world will occur on October 21, 2011.

Yep...this year. In September 1994 he made a similar claim, however since then he has ironically admitted that this former claim did in fact allow some room for error?! This time he is sure, and he wants you to know. I thought I would share this claim with you and point you to a few places he has spoken of this day. Whether or not his claim is sinful, crazy, or prophetic, one thing I do hope this post communicates is the urgency with which we need to be prepared.

As for me, I am learning that the opportunity to serve Him is the gift he has given me, and obedience and discipline are the fruits. I'm moving forward with an even deeper desire to live every day—every minute—as a more disciplined, thoughtful, spirited and humble servant, as I try to see and then stay on the path He would have for me. This has become the sole focus (and one of the few joys) in living, having otherwise found myself walking in the darkest valley of my life. So I wait. Quietly. For His voice. To be able to see the work He's doing in those around me. Loving others even when they, including the church, let me down, and appreciating the encouragement I see from others. And in so doing, I'm learning that His mercies are new every day. And that living for Him is in fact the point. Not how the events and circumstances fit my desires, dreams, or timing, rather, how the work of my hands, the thoughts of my heart, and the words from my lips bring Him glory and honor. I pray that God will see me fit to use me to share His glory with unbelievers, and stir the urgency in current followers of the Lord, for surely He is coming, as the signs of His return are increasing. God used a donkey to speak, so he could surely use an 88 year old man who, frankly, sounds nearly as wacky, to do His work. Either way, we are right to study God's word and what is said regarding His return.

Whatever side of the fence you land regarding Harold Camping's claim, I ask you to reflect on the promises made in John 14: 1-4 regarding His return. You might even choose to begin studying the bible for yourself. I have started a daily devotional on the encouragement Mark Taylor, the president of Tyndale House Publishers, who is doing the same. I have chosen The Message paraphrase of the bible by Eugene Peterson as my tool for the year, but will also be using the NLT, and ESV for further study. Below is one of several places in the bible where the coming of the Lord is mentioned.

1 Thessalonians 5: 1-8

I don't think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all this is going to happen. You know as well as I that the day of the Master's coming can't be posted on our calendars. He won't call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would. About the time everybody's walking around complacently, congratulating each other—"We've sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!"—suddenly everything will fall apart. It's going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman.

But friends, you're not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You're sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So let's not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let's keep our eyes open and be smart. People sleep at night and get drunk at night. But not us! Since we're creatures of Day, let's act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation. - The Message (Paraphrase)

I feel the need to sheepishly share in full disclosure that I recently threw out several cases of murky bottled water bought on or around December 31, 1999. Having said that, understand  that this post is not intended to reflect my personal take regarding the accuracy of Harold Camping's claims, rather, I hope you will take this as an opportunity to, like myself, reflect on the insights of the Bible, and with foresight listen and discern what God might have you to do in these uncertain times.