Chilean miner: ” God has never left us”

Joel Kontinen

The dramatic rescue of the 33 trapped miners in Chile has caused many of them and their relatives and friends to think about priorities and that what is important in life. Even before the miners were able to leave their prison in the San Jose mine, Jimmy Sanchez, at 19 the youngest of them, sent a message to the surface that read: ”There are actually 34 of us because God has never left us down here."





Although 69 days at 700 metres (over 2000 feet) below the surface is a long time, the miners and their families did not give up hope. The wife of trapped miner Ariel Ticona gave birth to a girl the parents decided to name Esperanza, Spanish for hope. In addition, the area where the rescue crew and the families of the trapped miners camped – and from were the miners were lifted to the surface in an escape capsule built by the Chilean navy, was called Camp Esperanza.

The miners and their families expected a miracle – and they got one. Many of them were Christians so they were able to find hope in the Bible’s promises.

The Bible speaks a lot about hope. The book of Jeremiah says: ”For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

The New Testament also tells us about the blessed hope of Christians. We are ”looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

You can watch a video clip of the meeting of the miners and their families on the BBC website.

Source

Padgett, Tim. 2010. Chile's Mine Rescue: Media Circus and Religious Revival. Time (12 October).

Hope in the Midst of Turmoil

Jesus Christ promised to give us His peace in the midst of turmoil. A Greek Christ Pantokrator mosaic from the 12th century. Image courtesy of Wikipedia.



Joel Kontinen


Reverend David Wilkerson, a famous NYC pastor, recently warned of impending catastrophes such as riots, food shortages and fires, in major U. S. cities and elsewhere.

David Wilkerson is known for his numerous books, especially The Cross And The Switchblade, which recounts his ministry to gang members and drug addicts in New York City. Translated into over 30 languages, over 50 million copies have been sold.

In 1973 he wrote The Vision in which he predicted a major economic downturn, the opening of the Iron Curtain and the rise of homosexual activism. Rev. Wilkerson, pastor of NYC Times Square Church, also foresaw trouble a few weeks before the 9/11 attacks happened.

David Wilkerson points out that he is not a prophet but a pastor. He does not want to incite fear but to warn his flock.

Some financial experts have also warned of a similar scenario. If shipping goods becomes unprofitable, it could result in food shortages and riots as angry people take to the streets.

It is good to remember that the Bible has much to say about hope. At a time when the future of the Jewish nation was in jeopardy, the prophet Jeremiah wrote:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". (Jeremiah 29:11)

The New Testament is also full of hope. Jesus encouraged his disciples:

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Many signs suggest that history is irrevocably approaching its grand finale. It spite of its sombre tone, Revelation is basically a book of hope. It clearly shows that although a few sparrows might fall to the ground, God is in control of history - even in the midst of financial turmoil and civil unrest.

The Thought of the Week: Fear is Embedded by Evolution in Our Lizard Brain

Brains inherited from this creature bring about fear, at least in the mind of the evolutionist.



Joel Kontinen

A recent issue of Time magazine had an interesting view on the current financial turmoil. Discussing the panic that started with the bank crisis in the USA, John Cloud said, “Fear is a persistent emotion, one embedded by evolution in our lizard brain.”

Cloud’s diagnosis is based on the assumption that humans are the product of natural selection and mutations.

However, the Book of Genesis tells us that man was created in the image of God. Knowing this, we have no need of believing in Darwinian storytelling.

Genesis is real history. We would not understand the New Testament without it. Jesus believed in a literal creation. He did not die for a myth but for the sin of Adam and Eve.

The Bible brings us comfort even in the midst of turbulent times. Repeatedly we see the words Do not be afraid on the pages of the holy book. The apostle John for instance wrote:

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:16-18).


Source:

Cloud, John. 2008. The Moment 10/6/08: New York. Time (European edition) 20 October, page 9.