A “heavenly birthday party” after a tragic murder

In New Mexico this past Sunday, thousands of people gathered to honor and celebrate the life of a 10-year-old girl named Victoria who was tragically murdered the week before. Supporters brought stuffed bears and other gifts to commemorate Victoria’s life and referred to the day as her “heavenly birthday party.” Those gathering chose to refer to her as Princess Victoria. They ate cake together and during a candle-light vigil sang “Happy Birthday.”

The image of a heavenly party is so beautiful in the midst of this tragedy. The people who gathered said that they wanted to focus on “life” as opposed to death and evil.

In the book of Revelation, the apostle John is given a heavenly vision. He sees a book with mysterious seals–seals that speak of war, famine, disease, and death. He begins painfully weeping over the fact that no one is able to break the power of these things. But then a member of the heavenly assembly tells John to stop his weeping. He tells him that the Lamb of God has overcome death and has ultimately brought victory over these horrible things.

There is a place where our weeping turns into a joyful realization of Christ’s victory over death. A place where we embrace the “heavenly party” of new life in Christ–ascending above earthly sorrow. Please understand that this is not meant to side-step or avoid the necessary mourning of these tragedies. This is about perspective in the midst of pain.

Jesus Christ literally bore the suffering of the world in His death. That means that Jesus co-suffered with this girl and bore her pain. Her own painful endurance of the “night” led her to a morning of resurrection life that will sweep away every tear she shed on this earth. Victoria lives on and Christ is the shining Guarantee of this. The idea of a heavenly party is a giant smack in the face to the demonic agenda that wants to exalt destruction and get us to think that these stories end with death and loss. 

This precious girl’s story does not end here. Her true identity is royalty. She is a child of God, and she lives on through Christ. Thus the reference to her as a Princess could not be any more perfect.

The book of Revelation goes on to declare that we are “victorious” by the blood of the Lamb, even if we lose our lives unjustly. Once again, Victoria’s name testifies to this great truth.

As a side-note: Be on the look-out for the movie “The Shack” to hit theaters next March. This is based on the famous book that is all about “when tragedy meets eternity.” It centers around the power of love and hope overcoming the tragic murder of a young girl. This film will be like a message from the heavenly assembly broadcasted to the many people who are weeping under the weight of grief and trauma.

Note: The story about the birthday memorial is here. We’d strongly encourage you not to research further and read the details of Victoria’s murder. Leave that to the criminal investigators who are tasked with such a burden. The news often gives us way more information than is necessary. While we don’t want to be citizens whose heads are in the sand, we also don’t want our heads in a heap of rotting garbage either. Think on things that are lovely and praiseworthy. Avoid dwelling on the stuff that will burden your soul. Your victory lies above.

Massive change in Brazil on heels of Olympics (and another Olympic miracle)

The week after the Olympics, the president of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, was officially impeached by the Brazilian senate for allegedly mishandling government funds. Her former vice-president will now assume office through 2018.

This represents a major shift in the economy of South America, as Brazil was headed in a similar direction as Venezuela and other countries who have engaged in a corrupt government system that promised help to the poor, but only brought suffocation, control, and mismanagement (and thus extreme poverty).

We have been tracking the Olympics (taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) as a sign of redemption to the world. This redemption includes greater freedom within the economic policies and governments of the nations. While many Christians believe the world is getting worse and worse, the Scriptures declare an ever-increasing Kingdom that will affect every level of society. You can be sure that even if it’s two-steps-forward-and-one-step-back, freedom will continue to win out. Brazil and other nations still have a rocky road ahead of them, but this shift definitely represents a positive move forward.

***Another ‘mini-miracle’ at the Olympics***
One last thing about the Olympics. During the games, NBC News reported a “miraculous visit” to the Christ the Redeemer statue involving the hosts of the Today Show (Matt Lauer, Al Roker, Natalie Morales, and Hoda Kotb). After walking 220 steps up to the base of the statue (while reporting live), they were let down because an immense amount of fog shrouded them and the statue. The crew made the best of it, taking photos and waving at the helicopter that couldn’t see them. But just when it seemed the trip would be a total letdown, NBC reported that “the fog dissipated, and Christ the Redeemer welcomed Matt, Al, Natalie, and Hoda with open arms and a blue sky.”

There is no minimizing the prophetic magnitude of that statement. The fog cleared in such a way that the crew called it “miraculous.” They said the timing was perfect. People saw this on live television as the beautiful blue sky emerged. Christ truly WELCOMED them with His open arms of love.

And here’s the creamy, milky center of this prophetic statement: Before all nations (literally, the nations were invited to the Olympic event and millions were watching live), Christ is clearing the religious fog surrounding Him in order to expose His true open heart of love and redemption. 

Frank Ocean’s new album

Frank Ocean released his long awaited album last week “Blonde.” It is a beautiful combination of chill, laid-back music, mysterious lyrics, and Frank’s open heart. Frank has always been one for metaphors, mystery, and the search for the meaning of life. Fans have been waiting for him to drop his album for four years as he has largely stayed out of the public eye.

Frank Ocean can be seen a symbol of this generation’s “search for God.” Frank has rejected the American evangelical version of Christianity, largely due to his questions about his own sexuality. And yet, Frank is passionately pursuing God the only way he knows how . . . by talking to Him.

The 28 year old artist, beloved by his generation, has been very open about his longing to find a more genuine connection with God. In a June Tumblr post he wrote, “We are all God’s children, I heard… I wanna know what others hear, I’m scared to know but I wanna know what everyone hears when they talk to God.”

Frank is a living embodiment of this generation’s rejection of a broken down system of Christianity and yet has a deep longing to discover the real thing. It may be within the next 10 years that Frank and this generation crashes into a fresh and genuine manifestation of the living and resurrected Christ. Just because this generation seems crazy (which they are), there is still a desperate search for the living God . . . and those who seek will find the real and living Christ.

An explosive bump in the road on the way to a more global internet

An explosion erupted at Cape Caraveral on September 1 after an unsuccessful attempt by SpaceX to launch a rocket into space. Footage of this dramatic explosion can be seen here. The rocket was carrying a satellite to be used by Facebook to bring internet access to Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Facebook is in a partnership with a French satellite firm Eutelsat Communications. The satellite, called Amos 6, was owned by the Israeli company Spacecom.

Just as the printing press transformed the world and brought greater clarity concerning the Gospel of Christ, the internet is following suit. It’s reach into the global community is central to the furtherance of the message of grace. Though this was a major bump in the road, the show will go on and SpaceX will continue to pursue this venture.

(By the way . . . it’s ironic the name of the satellite was Amos 6, which is about judgment and things being smashed to pieces. The staff of Elisha’s Riddle would like to appeal to the boards of Spacecom, SpaceX, Facebook, and Eutelsat to consider naming the next one Amos 9, which gives a prophetic word about restoration and grace. 😉 )

Special thanks to Bob Manning for supplying the Olympic miracle story.