Tuesday, January 5, 2010

So Another Decade...

I have to say that the one we just completed isn’t a time that I would like to live over. I don’t know about you, but for the Luck family it was a rough ten years. There were physical challenges like at no other period. We experienced heartbreak on many levels including the loss of cherished friends and family. It was a decade of endings, of “goodbyes” to dreams not quite fulfilled. And as the years slipped away there came the realization that Carel and I are entering the last quarter of the game.

And yet… And yet…

In that decade we experienced the wonderful truth that God’s grace, mercy and strength are new every morning. In the middle of heartbreak there have been great joys – marriages, the birth of grandchildren, new friends that make the journey lighter, new dreams to replace the old. And with the realization that we are in the last quarter of life, there is the slow dawning of an Eternal Joy. More and more our eyes are turned toward the horizon, awaiting the coming of the King.

And in the meantime…

There is much to do. There are heartbroken people strewn in the path that only we can touch. There are novels and blogs and all sorts of stuff to write. As the time grows shorter the opportunities grow greater. And this is true for the history of the world. What will the new decade hold? In my opinion, based on 40 years of study, we will face the coming of the greatest Darkness that the world has ever known. But also will appear the Greatest Light. To most people the Darkness will be viewed as light and the Light as darkness. It will be a time of pestilential fear and crumbling faith and in it will be the Mighty Hand of God. Are you ready for the new decade? I’ll be writing much more about this in the weeks ahead.

A touch of truth.

Recently I came across one of the most perceptive documentaries that I have ever seen. It is a four part series done in 2002 by the BBC titled “Century of the Self.” Here is the link for the first episode:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8953172273825999151#

The documentarian, Adam Curtis, has done a masterful job of analyzing and explaining some of the perverse influences that have destroyed western civilization. While his political biases become increasingly clear over the course of the series, they do not diminish the underlying truth of the presentation. No matter what your political persuasion, there is much here that should disturb you. For me as a Christian it underscores the strong belief that I have held for years that there is no political party where I can find a home. (God forbid that a so-called “Christian” party should ever arise.) So take a look at "Century of the Self" and tell me what you think.

An invitation for friends in the LA area.

I have been invited to teach a monthly Bible study sponsored by Premise, an entertainment industry Christian prayer fellowship. Though the study is targeted to Hollywood professionals, it’s open to anyone. The title is “The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of Hollywood.”

We will meet the fourth Sunday of each month at CBS Studio Center, 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City in the San Fernando Valley. The study will begin at 6:30 PM. Because it is on a studio lot, reservations need to be made in advance if you are going to attend. You can do this by sending an e-mail with your contact information to info@premiseonline.org or you can make reservations through the Premise Facebook page. Your name will be placed on a list at the guard gate. Hope to see you there.

Blessings on you and yours in this New Year.