Good News Tucson - A Family Values Magazine

Biblical Living with Mike Hoppe

Christian Mythbuster - Take the Punch

Religious Myth
James’ new neighbor, Bob, had been there now for about a year, a single guy in his mid 40’s. Early attempts to do the “right” Christian thing by inviting Bob to his church, met with polite dismissals, but that was not the issue that had evolved over the last year. Mrs. Rodriguez, the previous homeowner, and James had a long standing agreement about caring for the grapefruit tree that overhung his property.

After a year of attempts to “care share” with his new neighbor, all James had to show for it was increasingly hostile responses from Bob. The last encounter would have turned into a boxing match had James not remembered the Christian rule about turning the other cheek! That was 2 weeks ago. James had been trying to dismiss it and forgive Bob, but there was no apology forthcoming, and James was considering a restraining order to protect himself.

Kingdom Life
Six months after Bob moved in, conversations regarding sharing the care of the grapefruit tree were eliciting hostile responses from Bob that just didn’t seem to “connect” with the situation at hand. Over the years, James had often sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit and as such, had developed not only a greater capacity for discernment, but also had learned that God would often show him things in dreams that were actually accurate. After one particularly difficult conversation, James spent some time in prayer asking for insight to help Bob with whatever it was that was tearing him up emotionally. He was pretty sure there was more to it than a stupid grapefruit tree.

That night, James was given a dream about a car accident. It was a red Volkswagen with 2003 Colorado plates; the young woman in the car had not survived. He saw her driver’s license - she had the same last name as Bob and was 20 years old. The scene changed and he saw Bob and another woman arguing violently. He called her by name and proclaimed that the divorce would be final in two weeks and then they wouldn’t have to deal with each other ever again. The marriage had not survived the trauma of losing a child. Finally, God spoke to James: “Go and tell Bob what I have shown you. Assure him that his daughter is with me. Tell him I love him so much and my heart breaks for him; I know what it is like to lose a child. Tell him about my Son.”

The next morning, in obedience, James knocked on Bob’s door. Bob was not happy. It took 3 minutes to describe the dream, the details, and convey God’s love and hope for Bob. Bob stood there stunned, and then collapsed in tears, overwhelmed with what had just transpired. James and Bob now share many things in their new friendship, and James is looking forward to meeting Bob’s daughter, and Bob being reunited with her, in eternity.

It was never God’s plan (even though it happens sometimes) for James to take a punch (to strengthen his character), or experience a “trial” (to test his faith). God seems to get blamed for causing (or allowing) hurtful situations for our “benefit” when, in fact, that would be a violation of His character!

Mike is one of the Associate Pastors at Casas Church, is a graduate business school instructor, and still actively works with companies to develop their organizations after 15 years in management with a Fortune 100 company. Mike can be reached at mikeh@casaschurch.org or www.casastv.com.