The Vikings have returned! Season 3 has arrived!

I didn't realize how I missed the characters of Ragnar, Lagertha, Floki, Athelstan, Rollo and the rest! It was refreshing to see all these characters...back in action!   Woo-Hoo!

 And the first episode was pretty enticing. I really enjoyed the plot as it develops as well as particular scenes within it's 3rd season intro.
 An example is the Floki scene where he is speaking with his wife Helga, stretched out on a plank...he says to his wife Helga: " We are such a happy family!" Helga replies: "What is wrong with that Floki?" Floki responds: "Families are not meant to be happy."
 Later, Floki walks away from Helga saying: "You are so horribly good!"

 What an interesting scenario that allows one to embrace such a train of thought. It equally allows the viewer to consider his own scenario in life and challenges one to consider things like what exactly does bring us joy in this life? Is is the success of a family?...Is it conquering new horizons? Are we to face  the fact there are personal thoughts that entertain our minds even today and are driven to the same question as Floki eludes to..."What does make one happy in this life?"
 It is equally captivating to consider these "deep thoughts" come from a period we refer to as the Dark Ages. Often this time period is depicted as cultures and society barbaric in nature whose only aim are to raid, plunder, and take what others have acquired. Yet in this historical drama Hurst (producer) is able to put a personal identity within the characters and bring out the fact these people also sought a way of Peace...the Peace that one seeks from within their own soul....along with a purpose as to why each of us exist, culminated by the thought "to please the gods".

 Another scene that invokes thought to me was when "King " Ragnar is speaking to his son Bjorn in reference to those in leadership saying: "It attracts the worse and corrupts the best."
 Or perhaps when Princess Aslaug was referring to the magic of the gods in reference to fate and scenarios in life one finds his/her self in...only to be captured by deceit. Ragnar replies: " I have been deceived many times, but magic was not the cause of it."

 Of course Floki gives a bit of practical wisdom to a friend caught in the love of multiple women with the statement: " To avoid trouble, it is best to keep your axe in your pants." And of course, the conversation between Rollo and Floki in reference to a woman's enticement using descriptive words like " a lurring cull, a witches flattery" and Rollo's thought " and the coil of a snake."

 Then there is King Ecbert...a rather thoughtful and luring king himself...yet deceit seems to embrace his tricky personality.

Anyway...great start of the 3rd season...the battle was one that brought excitement as it unfolded, the "divide and conquer" attitude and direction given by Ragnar...and watching the Viking longboats turn in one direction...cool stuff!!

"Does this Christian God...deal in silver and gold?"

  The History Channel will resume the historical drama entitled "The Vikings" this upcoming week. I have made it clear as to my feelings of this TV series in other blog articles, and am delighted and somewhat anxious for the 3rd season to begin...

 As I was watching a "marathon" of this series from the past two seasons, there was a particular comment Ragnar Lothbrok, the main character in this T.V. mini-series, made to Athelstan, the devout Christian monk spared by Ragnar Lothbrok after his monastery had been pillaged by Lothbrok and his fellow Vikings. Athelstan became a personal captive to Ragnar Lothbrok and in time Lothbrok befriends Athelstan.
 In one conversation between them Ragnar brings up this question to Athelstan in reference to the different gods or God they serve. Ragnar asks: "Why does your God deal in silver and gold? Is He not greedy like some of our gods?"

 Francis Schaeffer, the great Christian apologist of the 20th century once wrote how the ancient gods of various cultures were actually "glorified humans", not true deity. I have found this to be true not only in ancient times but in the times we live today. In western culture specifically, a Christian is often measured by the degree of success he or she has or the amount of wealth established. More often a Christian is judged as "in a state of sin" when an adversity in life confronts a person. It is ever more true on such deep issues like divorce, finding themselves in financial ruin, or simply outside the "rules of the Christian social circles"...questions arise like: Did this person attend church regularly?, Were they faithful in tithing?, Did the wife submit to her husband? (boy...that is a touchy subject), or Did this person pray or read the Sacred Writings? 

 As I contemplate our Christian culture today and how we relate to society, I often think how Jesus addressed the world He lived in when here on earth. My favorite is "the woman at the well". This story to me marks the importance of why He came to live among us. He came to her not seeking silver or gold, nor did He come to condemn her. In fact, as I read of this story in John 4:1-40, the only gospel to have recorded this encounter, I find myself content in knowing our God is much more than one who seeks from us silver and gold, or one that judges us according to success in life. He seeks much more than that from us...He seeks our hearts, and that is the beauty of this intimate conversation between a Samaritan woman and the Lord Jesus. 

 The Scriptures are silent as to the name of this woman, yet we do know the Samaritans were a much despised people in the Jewish culture of that day. Not only that, this Samaritan woman was despised in her own arena of friends and culture because of her numerous relationships with other men. 
 So here comes Jesus...around noon in the heat of the day and asks her to draw for Him some water. This is bold...because even the Samaritan woman was aware He shouldn't even be speaking with her, let alone ask for a drink... Jewish custom of the day would not allow it. Yet...He did!
 As this woman answers the question of how many men she had been with, I think Jesus gets a  joy as she answers the questions openly and honestly. By the end of the conversation, this woman is fully aware she has been with...The Messiah!...and expresses her joy with others.
 I love the part where the disciples return from getting food and ask Him: "What were You doing talking to that woman?" Jesus never answered their question...yet the woman at the well?...she definitely got the answer she needed.
 It's a beautiful encounter and is well worth the read and background found in John 4: 1-40.

 As for Ragnar's question regarding our God as greedy?....No, no He is not. It is not gold or silver He wants from us, rather it is our hearts...He wants us to experience the joy of knowing Him. He really is the drink of Living Water...just ask the Samaritan lady.....

"Lazarus...a Kairos moment....Thomas gets in the act"...part 2

Continuing on with a "Kairos" outlook on life, the Gospel of John writes about a moment that none of His disciples knew what was about to happen...Jesus was now leading them into the "unknown"...a special moment, one that no one could predict or prepare for...

                                               A Gleaning form John 11: 11-16

" Jesus then spoke to His disciples and said: "Hey, our friend Lazarus is resting and is asleep...it's time I must go and wake him up." Then His disciples answered: "Why don't You just let him sleep. the sleep will do him good and when he does awake, perhaps he will feel much better." ( If I were one of his disciples at that junction in time...I would be wondering why Jesus had to be the one to wake him up?...surely his sisters could do that. Secondly, and more importantly, why take the chance and get us all killed?)

{Additional Note: This unexpected moment would not have been the first time the disciples faced a "Kairos point and time". They had been with Him for a little over 3 years, some had seen the water turn into wine at Cana, they all participated in the feeding of the 5000 with a small amount of food, they all had seen various miracles for the benefit of others...like blind people being made able to see, and they were all in the boat on the Sea of Galilee when they discovered He could walk on water. The ironic part about the walking on water scenario...the Scriptures write He was travelling over to the other side. The disciples had to call for Him because they were so frightened from the storm at hand...He was simply walking on... to meet them on the shore when they got there. Now...here they are facing another unexpected moment, yet this time, their very lives could be threatened...all they had learned from Him, could seemingly be in jeopardy. Yet, although a "Chronos" type of logic would warn you not to go see Lazarus...the disciples had experienced too many "Kairos" moments, those events in their lives that could not be explained or logically planned through a "Chronos" mentality. Now Jesus brings them right into another special moment in their lives...because He had said He is walking in the Light...in other words, He knew exactly what He was doing...and did not allow a  "Chronos" way of thought limit Him from what He was about to do. He did a "Kairos" thing...He brought the Eternal...right into the Present. }

 "Then Jesus made it clear what He was about to do by saying: "Look...you're not getting it. Lazarus is dead. Yet, it has to be this way for all of your sakes. I am about to "raise the bar"  by sharing a special moment in life that I have been given the power to do...for today You will learn more about Me and who I really am."
 Then Thomas, the one they nicknamed "The Twin", spoke to his friends (the disciples) and said: "Ok...we all know He is determined to do this. We have been with Him now for over 3 years and seen some strange things. Yet, if He wants to "go out" this way, then I suggest we all go...we all go out with Him. I'm going...I have lived with Him this long...I will go out with Him now."

{Note: 2 different times Thomas is recorded in the New Testament. The famous one of course is where he has derived the nickname "Doubting Thomas" ( John 20: 24-29) which to me is a  misconception of him if you read the entirety of the passage. I think it was a "Chronos" logic trying to describe a "Kairos" moment...and the "Chronos" logic...cannot always do that. As a result, Thomas has been dubbed as a "doubter". 
 Yet, in this passage Thomas reveals his true identity. He may not have understood what was about to happen, yet he was willing to take a chance and go with Him anyway. I think this is the real Thomas...a guy that was willing to risk his life...for a "Kairos" experience.}. 

 And of course, you know what they say about this "Kairos" moment...If Jesus had not specifically requested for Lazarus to come forth...every dead person in the immediate area might have come out from their tomb... just sayin'. 

Lazarus... a "Kairos Moment"

As I conclude on these 2 different views on time and how we perceive it in our daily lives, I must highlight these thoughts with a "Kairos" moment in time that Jesus Himself seemed to embrace...

 As previously mentioned, the "Chronos" mentality states each moment of our lives are equally important and as each moment passes before us...they are seemingly lost...not to be regained. As the saying goes "Time marches on"..and we must find ways to make-up for that time.
 The "Kairos" train of thought is not so...it does not always measure our time by the passing of each moment of our lives. "Kairos" dictates there is a right time for everything...even in instances where time is or has seemingly passed,  or there seems to be no hope of recovery for a given situation we may face in life. 

Jesus demonstrated this train of thought...in the story of Lazarus.

 In the Gospel of John, a rather interesting story has been recorded. It is the story of a man who actually died...and remained dead for 4 days. In "Chronos" logic, it is time to accept the outcome for the time of this man, Lazarus, had come and gone. It was perhaps a time to cherish his memories, mourn for his absence, and move on in life.
 Yet...Jesus did not do this....

 In chapter 11 the story begins: Lazarus lived with his sisters, Mary and Martha. This is the same Mary who had earlier anointed Jesus feet with an expensive perfume and then wiped his feet with her hair. These sisters had sent a message to Jesus that his dear friend Lazarus...their brother...was sick.
 When Jesus received this message, He was in Perea, which is just north of the Dead Sea, a place where John the Baptizer was suppose to have baptized people in an outward display of repenting of sin in their lives.
 Lazarus, along with his 2 sisters lived in Bethany near Jerusalem, about 20 miles from where Jesus was located. It was somewhat of a touchy situation in relation to Jesus and the Jerusalem area. By this time in Jerusalem the Jewish hierarchy had already put plans in place as to how one might kill Him...looking for that opportune moment when a plan of this magnitude could be implemented.  When Mary and Martha had brought Jesus the message of their brother being very ill, it was a customary request of it's day to do so ( a "Chronos" mentality to follow customs). Yet, there was another factor in this prayer request...Mary and Martha were equally aware of Jesus healing power, a "Kairos" outlook on the situation, that is...could there be a "special moment in time"where God's power would be demonstrated, in this case Lazarus being healed. Yet there was another obstacle lurking, a "Chronos" understanding of Jesus apparent dilemma...returning to their home in Bethany might put Jesus in perpetual risk of a plot to kill Him.
 In verse 4, Jesus then makes a statement of definite "Kairos" origin, for His statement was one of faith that no amount of preparation or "Chronos" logic could prepare for. He said that Lazarus sickness would not end in death, but for the Glory of God and for His Son. The truth is, according to later passages in the chapter...Lazarus was indeed physically dead. Then in verse 5, Jesus remains in the area of Perea for 2 additional days. After the 2 days, Jesus then makes the announcement it was time to return to Judea...to Bethany to see Lazarus.
 It was at this time the "Kairos" outlook on life had been raised to a new level, statements of pure faith that had no rationale to the "Chronos" way of thought. How would one prepare for what lies next? The disciples themselves were at a loss as to what was about to happen...it was like the whole scenario had entered a new dimension.
 When Jesus said it was time to go back to Judea (the area where Lazarus was located), the "Chronos" way of thinking was spoken to Jesus by His disciples: "Wait a minute there Boss...it was just a few days ago the leaders in that area were trying to have You stoned...and now You want to return to the very same area?"  

 And in John 11:9 is a real key to grasping "Kairos" thought...this verse carries the very words that gives a prime directive why "special moments" in life do occur.

                                         A Gleaning from John 11:9

Jesus replies: "Look at it this way...from what nature teaches us. Our days are divided into two 12 hour periods...12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. When we travel by day, the road is clear...we can see all around us and walk accordingly...because the sun gives us light. When we travel into the night, the surroundings are different. We can not see around us and have a greater chance to stumble or walk into a situation we weren't aware of...because the sun is not out. I am the Light...I can see clearly my mission in life here with you, while those who walk in darkness are prone to stumble or walk into situations they are not aware of. I walk in the Light...now...let's go see Lazarus." 

 The thing I have noticed in everyday life, there is nothing wrong in "hoping for the best" or trusting God even when all hope seems lost. The lesson I learn from believing there are those "Divine Moments" in life are: 1) I send a message to Jesus like Mary and Martha...in other words I pray to Him for help...knowing in my heart Jesus has the power to overcome any circumstance I face in life, 2) I trust all that will happen will give glory to God and manifest to to others Jesus is alive and lives in me, and 3) regardless how dark a situation seems in my life at the moment, Jesus is the Light of the world... and He lives in me. 

 "Kairos" train of thought allows the Eternal...to break into the Present. Judy Garland may have been on to something when she sang: " Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue. And the dreams that you dare of...dreams really do come true."
 God can bring those dreams that seem so far away as a rainbow...into a given moment...in our daily life.

The "Yin and the Yang"...how about "Chronos and Kairos?"...part 3

 The subject is...2 mentalities. According to the ancient Greeks, one mentality or view on life is the "Chronos" outlook. This thought carries with it the idea each moment of our lives are equally important, and the dependence of each moment we face in life is determined how well we prepare ourselves daily. Things like daily disciplines... are we doing what the doctor recommends?, are we eating a healthy diet?, are we exercising properly?, or from a spiritual aspect...did we pray today?...do we spend time reading the Scripture? If we have not, then any negative results we face in daily life...are the result of our own doing...we didn't prepare properly.
 The other train of thought on life according to the ancient Greeks is the "Kairos" outlook. This train of thought says: "No, each moment of our lives is not equally important, and the daily disciplines we apply to our lives still is in need of those "special moments" in life to occur...and it is not dependent on our preparation, rather on Divine intervention." This doesn't mean a person with a "Kairos" mentality on life does not work on the daily disciplines in life like the "Chronos" concept...it simply means there is more...there is the need in life to look beyond our own limited preparations and recognize the need for those "Divine moments" in our everyday lives. "Kairos" thought gives way to a life changing event...even for miracles to happen.

 Look at it like this: You have an adverse event happen in your life...perhaps a medical report that comes back poor. The "Chronos" mentality says: "If you would have taken better care of yourself, you might have avoided the situation you are in now. The results of the medical report are because you failed to take care of yourself." Although there may be elements of truth to what the "Chronos" mentality dictates...the "Kairos" mentality will look at the situation a little different. The "Kairos" mentality will say: "Ok...I know I have not always done everything perfect, yet I yield myself to the mercies of God and ask for a "Divine Moment"...that the Lord would have compassion and...heal me, even though I have come short of the daily disciplines of life I have not followed completely.  "Kairos" thought from my perspective is more Grace oriented while the "Chronos" mentality is more Law oriented. Yet, both trains of thought have both positive and negative influences. A "Kairos" mentality is not a free ticket to live life in a "Que Sera Sera" sort of way, nor can a "Chronos" mentality give a guarantee we will not face adversity regardless of how well one might prepare.

 The "Chronos" way of thinking can certainly bring a confidence and courage that the Lord is with you when you face a trial in life...and we all face adverse scenarios in life, yet there are those times the "Kairos" mentality is needed as well...the looking beyond oneself  and bringing an eternal moment in our lives...into the present.
 We see these type of events even in history. In the Civil War, the battle of Gettysburg, the worse battle of the war in regards to casulaties...was initially a Confederate victory, yet ended up a Union victory...even though the Confederate army led by General Lee had done their utmost in preparation. In fact, up to that point in the Civil War, General Lee had never lost in battle.
 When London was bombed by the German Nazi air force in WWII, it was Winston Churchill who gave the "speech of a lifetime" and gave hope to the English when the Nazis had prepared in absolute detail.
 Yet, we have read of the benefits of preparation. The Alamo in 1836 stood in the way of Santa Anna and the Mexican army from sweeping across Texas...and gave General Houston (with much criticism) the time to prepare and later defeat Santa Anna's army at the battle of Jaciento...and did so in a matter of 18 minutes. 

 All this being said, the Bible is a rather peculiar book in reference to time and the outcome of events in life. It shares a respect for time itself and the benefits of preparation in our everyday lives, yet the Bible itself is not constrained by time, it confirms there are moments in life where those "Divine Moments" are needed in our lives...and Divine Moments that do not rely on our preparations...they are simply the "mercies of God Himself" given to us in our lives.
 The benefit of a "Kairos" mentality is it does allow the eternal come into our very present day lives. It brings a fullness that allows us to develop a...trust in Him.

 The purest example of a "Kairos" moment?...there was this guy named Lazarus. Not only was he as "good as dead", he was dead!...and then a peculiar thing happened...

 To be continued....