Uoah had a powerful character, even after retirement from the Cuban military. He had always been a defender of Marxist-Leninism, with weapons ready to enforce. I last saw Uoah when he invited me to eat lunch with him at his place. He was keeper of the state food distribution 'bodega' across the street from the new Presbyterian Church in Varadero, ever on vigil in that special period, defending…

I wondered, what could Uoah know of God? His party had cut relationships with God by a wilful act of divorce. When Uoah's party began to ask people "Is there a God?", Uoah's orders were to imprison those who said "Yes". Soon people learned to say "No". But Uoah the soldier had party-issued weapons. Since the women were better at listening, he had the women spy out believers. And so, a faith that had once been "nurturing" was "forsaken" by many. What hope was there for the sake of the people? For Uoah? How was God with them?

There was a place long before Uoah, when God had reached out to people like Uoah. Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, came into a forsaken world, but the world did not know Him. Even His own people learned to say "No". The party at that time wilfully rejected Him. Their military enforced His crucifixion. Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." How was God with them?

Was Uoah aware that he was being included with that same party of crucifiers?

I had a visit from the pastor of that Cuban church a year ago, and he told me Uoah died. But he smiled at me and said: "It was so sudden. One day he came to tell me that he had accepted Christ. Next day, heart attack!"

If by the Holy Spirit, Uoah can know Who sent Jesus, then we too can know this:

Immanuel is the Triune God with us!

Prayer: Almighty Father, we believe that you came into the world as the Incarnate Deity. We sing out to Jesus Christ God's Son, Saviour! For we know that You have sent Him. Amen.

Isn't this like a campfire minute-mystery in the middle of the night? "You are doomed, Nicodemus, unless you solve this riddle." What better way to keep a Pharisee occupied? Nicodemus was certainly mystified at first, thinking that "born again" meant going back into one's mother's womb. Some people say they are born again every day. They say, "I am born again, again, and again". But the Greek text for 'born again' also means 'born from above'. 'Born again' implies a time, while 'born from above' implies a place. In what dimension does spiritual regeneration happen, in a time, or at a place? Some people can tell you where, and at what time, even on what day, they were born again. Others just remember the general circumstances. For those who have understood the cost that Jesus Christ paid for their redemption, receiving Jesus and the forgiveness of their sins is often like a marriage, an unforgettable blessed event. Born again. Pure regeneration. Tears and joy. For others it is an event filled with questions, as somehow they expect to feel different with Jesus in their life, and it's not quite what they expected. But Jesus came in, because he promised to come in if they asked.

But at whatever time and place spiritual rebirth occurs, it is the work of the Holy Spirit. The good news is that we have our spiritual awakening, planned and born, from above. By grace we know that the Holy Spirit has predestined our regeneration. Predestination is a word that fittingly joins time and place. 'Pre' is 'before' — in time, and 'destination' means 'final place'. Predestination means that Jesus is preparing a place for us ahead of time. The irony, of course, is that heaven, God's place which we will happily share, is in eternity, beyond time and place. And that is the dimension God works in.

Regeneration is like God's creative artwork! And How Great Thou Art!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, thank you for people born your way, born again from above. Please regenerate more. Amen.

Harsh words?

I was like that teacher of the law. I wanted to go to places where Jesus taught — Church, books, Bible studies – I followed His work. Until He asked these harsh words:

"Do you love me? I am calling around here. Can I live with you?"

I wouldn't share my place and creature comforts with anyone.

He was forgiving, and understanding. I kept my distance. On Sundays, I took notes. His laws were so big, that I just once had to invite Him home to ask Him everything. As soon as I did, He stayed. I knew He knew I loved Him. I even call Him Lord now, just like that disciple in verse 21.

So now as 'disciple', I enjoy helping His newly-called followers. Yet that same joy brings me pain. So little time remains for my own 'lost' family to hear Jesus! It scares me to death. I'm afraid for them. Is it too late? What love could possibly remove this fear?

He still asks me these harsh words: "Do you love me? I am calling them. Can you live with me?"

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, when we first believed, you placed us near you all of the time. Thank you. On our journey of faith, place us wherever you want, at any time. Amen.