The ordeal of packing and moving things continued for two days. I packed. They moved. Orderly. Uneventful. Then the quiet apology came. "That table with the marble top? The marble broke as we were putting it down in the car."
I felt a twinge in my heart. I have several marble-topped pieces, and each has its own sentimental value, each given by or inherited from a special person. Whichever one, some memory was just shattered.
But the men had been so careful, so meticulous as they worked, and I could not be angry about this accident. I assured them that the marble was just a "thing" and that we would not allow ourselves to fret over a broken thing. So we continued with our work, but as I continued wrapping and packing, my thoughts went back to the broken marble. Broken is broken! No repair restores broken marble. It was gone.
And that's when God began to talk to me. In fact, that is usually when he talks to me most clearly--when I am contemplating something. He has a way of turning my thoughts to something that at first seems totally irrelevant. This time I remembered a t-shirt a friend had been wearing--one of those t-shirts with a message: "Justified! Just as if I never had!" My thoughts moved from the marble to the message, and I began to thank God for the incredible fact that his work in my life through Christ actually allows me to stand before him "justified," sinless through the finished work of Jesus! Sins taken away and buried in the deepest sea! Forgotten because Christ bore them for me on Calvary. Suddenly tears of joy began to fill my eyes! How wonderful to be so sure of my Lord's absolutely perfect work for me and of my position before Almighty God!
But how did I get from broken marble to praising God? Then he showed me. The table would never be the same. Broken is broken! That's the way of "things." And that is also the way of human life. Sometimes life gets broken, too. Sometimes it seems hopelessly shattered, unable to be mended, glued back together!
"Not so," said God to my heart. My friend's t-shirt was absolutely right. When Jesus mends a broken heart, a broken life, the result is just as if the break had never happened! The sin confessed, the hurt forgiven, the disobedience erased restores the life as if the infraction had never occurred! Jesus does not put broken marble back together! He does better! He puts broken lives back together--my own the perfect example!
I may not try to have the marble glued back, keeping the broken seam as a reminder that were it not for Christ's perfect finished work on that cruel, mean cross, I'd be as hopelessly broken as the table! I think I'll cherish the scared table more now than before the break!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
What Tomorrow Holds
Then Job arose, shaved his head, tore his robe, and fell on the ground and worshiped. Then he said, 'Naked I came from my Mother's womb, and naked I shall return there; the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.' In all this, Job did not sin or charge God with wrongdoing." Job 1:20-22
I'm back in Florida for a very few days, doing things that I have dreaded but that I knew had to be done. Three friends from North Carolina accompanied me here to dismantle the house that has been my home for two and a half years and to move me from the place that has been my home for 22 years.
My husband and I built a house here in 1983, moved into that house in January of 1989, and were extremely happy there. No happy is not the word. We were more than happy. We were content. We knew that God had made that wonderful place available to us, and we sat on the floor of the living room when no furniture had yet arrived and dedicated the house to him.
Then Wallace went home to be with the Lord in 2007. I soon realized that the house was more than I could cope with, and in a terribly flat economy when nothing was selling, I sold the house and bought another, smaller and more manageable for a woman living alone. Once again, I knew that God had made the place available to me, and my children and I sat in the new house, thanked God for it, and dedicated it to his service for my lifetime in Florida.
Well, that time is just about to end. Once again I have been very content here, and the home has been just what I needed. I have felt terribly torn as I prepared to move away, but at the same time I knew that God was doing something in my life. I really did not understand, but I was so sure that I continued to move as I thought he was directing, not having any idea what tomorrow held.
Now suddenly, I am taking apart the house that we so carefully made comfortable for me and preparing to go to a place that is not my own--owned by someone else. I have not lived in a rented house for 50 years, but now I will. I'll have to ask permission to paint or plant or change. That seems strange.
My familiar rooms no longer seem familiar because all the things that have made them mine are gone--no pictures of my Wallace or our children, no little personal things that are so much a part of my life. All gone. Packed into impersonal boxes and put into a strange looking monster sitting in my once familiar driveway.
Surely the Lord has blessed my life mightily. Surely he has provided more than generously for many years. Now, just as surely, he is taking me into another tomorrow that I do not know, that I did not plan, that is very unfamiliar, that would never have entered my mind had I been planning my own life, and that scares me more than just a little.
I actually have some very wierd thoughts. If Wallace tried to find me, he couldn't. What if I can't accomplish in the new church what they want me to do? What if I only imagine that my ideas tried and tested here will work there? What if I blow it? Where will I go? What will I do? Dumb, huh? There just the same.
Last evening, after a day of packing and labeling boxes, I climbed once more into my familiar bed--possibly for the last time in this place--and quickly fell into a deep and restful sleep. This morning about 5:30, the Lord woke me with the verses above. I lay here and thought about them for awhile. How like him to remind me that he is Lord and I am his!
The Lord has given and now the Lord is taking away, and I will praise him! I don't know where we are going, but how wonderful to know that we are going together! I don't know if I will succeed or fail, but whatever is there, I know he will use for good. I feel so sad about leaving some friends whom I love so dearly, but I know that more friends are out there for me to meet and love.
I have thought many times about Job and his terrible troubles. But one thing seemed most important to me in that story. Satan told God that Job was only faithful because his life was so full and good. But God knew Job's heart. He knew that no matter what, Job would praise his God. And Job proved God's faith in him to be justified. I have said to God more than once that I would like to be such a Christian. That I would like to be the person whom he would know would always be faithful!
Well, I have not endured the misery that Job endured, and I am grateful for that. I do know, however, that God has given me much, and now he is taking some of that away. And that's okay. I shall drive away from here soon with all my life's accumulation of things on a truck in front of me, going to a very different new phase of my life. But I go knowing who my God is and where I place my loyalty! And as I go, I can only imagine what tomorrow holds.
Even as I write these words, another verse pops into my head. "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the mind of man the wonderful things that God has prepared for those who love him."
Exciting to contemplate.
I'm back in Florida for a very few days, doing things that I have dreaded but that I knew had to be done. Three friends from North Carolina accompanied me here to dismantle the house that has been my home for two and a half years and to move me from the place that has been my home for 22 years.
My husband and I built a house here in 1983, moved into that house in January of 1989, and were extremely happy there. No happy is not the word. We were more than happy. We were content. We knew that God had made that wonderful place available to us, and we sat on the floor of the living room when no furniture had yet arrived and dedicated the house to him.
Then Wallace went home to be with the Lord in 2007. I soon realized that the house was more than I could cope with, and in a terribly flat economy when nothing was selling, I sold the house and bought another, smaller and more manageable for a woman living alone. Once again, I knew that God had made the place available to me, and my children and I sat in the new house, thanked God for it, and dedicated it to his service for my lifetime in Florida.
Well, that time is just about to end. Once again I have been very content here, and the home has been just what I needed. I have felt terribly torn as I prepared to move away, but at the same time I knew that God was doing something in my life. I really did not understand, but I was so sure that I continued to move as I thought he was directing, not having any idea what tomorrow held.
Now suddenly, I am taking apart the house that we so carefully made comfortable for me and preparing to go to a place that is not my own--owned by someone else. I have not lived in a rented house for 50 years, but now I will. I'll have to ask permission to paint or plant or change. That seems strange.
My familiar rooms no longer seem familiar because all the things that have made them mine are gone--no pictures of my Wallace or our children, no little personal things that are so much a part of my life. All gone. Packed into impersonal boxes and put into a strange looking monster sitting in my once familiar driveway.
Surely the Lord has blessed my life mightily. Surely he has provided more than generously for many years. Now, just as surely, he is taking me into another tomorrow that I do not know, that I did not plan, that is very unfamiliar, that would never have entered my mind had I been planning my own life, and that scares me more than just a little.
I actually have some very wierd thoughts. If Wallace tried to find me, he couldn't. What if I can't accomplish in the new church what they want me to do? What if I only imagine that my ideas tried and tested here will work there? What if I blow it? Where will I go? What will I do? Dumb, huh? There just the same.
Last evening, after a day of packing and labeling boxes, I climbed once more into my familiar bed--possibly for the last time in this place--and quickly fell into a deep and restful sleep. This morning about 5:30, the Lord woke me with the verses above. I lay here and thought about them for awhile. How like him to remind me that he is Lord and I am his!
The Lord has given and now the Lord is taking away, and I will praise him! I don't know where we are going, but how wonderful to know that we are going together! I don't know if I will succeed or fail, but whatever is there, I know he will use for good. I feel so sad about leaving some friends whom I love so dearly, but I know that more friends are out there for me to meet and love.
I have thought many times about Job and his terrible troubles. But one thing seemed most important to me in that story. Satan told God that Job was only faithful because his life was so full and good. But God knew Job's heart. He knew that no matter what, Job would praise his God. And Job proved God's faith in him to be justified. I have said to God more than once that I would like to be such a Christian. That I would like to be the person whom he would know would always be faithful!
Well, I have not endured the misery that Job endured, and I am grateful for that. I do know, however, that God has given me much, and now he is taking some of that away. And that's okay. I shall drive away from here soon with all my life's accumulation of things on a truck in front of me, going to a very different new phase of my life. But I go knowing who my God is and where I place my loyalty! And as I go, I can only imagine what tomorrow holds.
Even as I write these words, another verse pops into my head. "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the mind of man the wonderful things that God has prepared for those who love him."
Exciting to contemplate.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Deceember 26, 2919
Simeon took [Jesus] in his arms and praised God, saying, "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Luke 2:38
Simeon and Anna waited patiently for they were not sure what, but willingly waited because God had promised to send a Messiah, and they knew he keeps his promises! When they saw the eight-day-old infant, the Spirit of God revealed to each that their wait was over. And old Simeon, a devout man, became a poet, praising God with words that Michael Card has set to music.
Simeon says he is now ready to die, and Anna goes on to tell all "who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem" that she had seen the Messiah.
What about us? Will we sigh that the holiday is finally over, or will we go out to proclaim to all that Christ, the promised Savior has been born? Will we joyfully tell them that just as he kept his first promise, he will keep the second? He is coming again. We know for sure. He promised.
Father, make us as sure of your promises as were Anna and Simeon, and then help us speak what we believe! Amen.
Simeon and Anna waited patiently for they were not sure what, but willingly waited because God had promised to send a Messiah, and they knew he keeps his promises! When they saw the eight-day-old infant, the Spirit of God revealed to each that their wait was over. And old Simeon, a devout man, became a poet, praising God with words that Michael Card has set to music.
Simeon says he is now ready to die, and Anna goes on to tell all "who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem" that she had seen the Messiah.
What about us? Will we sigh that the holiday is finally over, or will we go out to proclaim to all that Christ, the promised Savior has been born? Will we joyfully tell them that just as he kept his first promise, he will keep the second? He is coming again. We know for sure. He promised.
Father, make us as sure of your promises as were Anna and Simeon, and then help us speak what we believe! Amen.
December 25, 2010
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. " Luke 2:13
God is just amazing! The Bible teaches us that in the councils of the ages, God planned to send Jesus to earth to rescue man, this marvelous creature whom he'd made and with whom he'd been pleased at his creation. The man had "goofed" badly, and seldom had done as he was instructed--for 2000 years. Yet God has a plan to redeem his creature, and he sends his Son--who willingly goes--to the planet where all the rebellious creatures live. And he does all this knowing that his Son is going to be horribly mistreated and sacrificed! And all because God loves his creatures.
We believe this, but we'll never understnd it!
And when the day comes for the baby go be born, God's angels have a huge celebration and fill he world with songs of praise to a loving God who would bring such a plan go pass!
God makes a plan in which he knows he is going to suffer hell, and his own angels sing glory to his name! Today we join the angels because we know this baby and the peace the angels sang about, the peace the world does not understand.
Father, your thoughts are indeed higher than ours, and in faith we receive your beautiful Christmas gift. Amen.
God is just amazing! The Bible teaches us that in the councils of the ages, God planned to send Jesus to earth to rescue man, this marvelous creature whom he'd made and with whom he'd been pleased at his creation. The man had "goofed" badly, and seldom had done as he was instructed--for 2000 years. Yet God has a plan to redeem his creature, and he sends his Son--who willingly goes--to the planet where all the rebellious creatures live. And he does all this knowing that his Son is going to be horribly mistreated and sacrificed! And all because God loves his creatures.
We believe this, but we'll never understnd it!
And when the day comes for the baby go be born, God's angels have a huge celebration and fill he world with songs of praise to a loving God who would bring such a plan go pass!
God makes a plan in which he knows he is going to suffer hell, and his own angels sing glory to his name! Today we join the angels because we know this baby and the peace the angels sang about, the peace the world does not understand.
Father, your thoughts are indeed higher than ours, and in faith we receive your beautiful Christmas gift. Amen.
December 24, 2010
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the cglory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
Some had seen God's shekinah glory, a great light that shown brighter than anything they knew. They'd seen the fire that led the children in the wilderness. They'd seen the cloud that led them by day. In a vision, Isaiah had seen the "Lord, high and lifted up." But to actually see him? Nobody had.
And now here on that first Christmas, the holy day on our calendar that we celebrate tomorrow, the world is about to see God--wrapped in human flesh and swaddling clothes. God, helpless in a manger, his first lullaby the lowing of a cow, the baaing of a sheep.
All grace and truth lie before us, looking for all the world like any otehr baby--dark and soft, sweet smelling and fragile. God whom nobody had ever seen or understood--and still doesn't--had come to earth to live with us for thirty-three years.
God came so we could know him. John quotes Jesus, "This is eternal life, that they may know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent." (17:3) A baby. This is something we can understand!
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given, as God impats to human hearts the blessing of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in.
Merry Christmas, Faher.
Some had seen God's shekinah glory, a great light that shown brighter than anything they knew. They'd seen the fire that led the children in the wilderness. They'd seen the cloud that led them by day. In a vision, Isaiah had seen the "Lord, high and lifted up." But to actually see him? Nobody had.
And now here on that first Christmas, the holy day on our calendar that we celebrate tomorrow, the world is about to see God--wrapped in human flesh and swaddling clothes. God, helpless in a manger, his first lullaby the lowing of a cow, the baaing of a sheep.
All grace and truth lie before us, looking for all the world like any otehr baby--dark and soft, sweet smelling and fragile. God whom nobody had ever seen or understood--and still doesn't--had come to earth to live with us for thirty-three years.
God came so we could know him. John quotes Jesus, "This is eternal life, that they may know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent." (17:3) A baby. This is something we can understand!
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given, as God impats to human hearts the blessing of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in.
Merry Christmas, Faher.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
December 23, 2010
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
Hebrews 9:15
The world is full of people who have absolutely no idea what Christmas is all about. They see lights, hear Rudolph or mommy-kissing-Santa songs, so overload their credit cards that they'll be months recovering, overeat, and then sigh that at last it's over.
Missed the point! It's not about presents we give or get! It's not about food. Neither is it aboaut the birthday cake we sometimes bake for Jesus. It's not even about family and the joy of being together.
It's really about being bought back from something terrible--ransomed from our old ways and set on a new course! It's about having a perfect person--a mediator--stand between God and us and make all things right so that we can be in God's presence without fear. Its about being given a present--not one wrapped in foil and tied with a bow-- but an eternal inheritance, so valuable that we can never return in kind what has been given to us!
It's almost here--the day God changed the world by entering as a baby! The world may anot know, but we do!
Father, we are so grateful for Christmas! Remind us how this tiny baby changed the world and us. Amen
Hebrews 9:15
The world is full of people who have absolutely no idea what Christmas is all about. They see lights, hear Rudolph or mommy-kissing-Santa songs, so overload their credit cards that they'll be months recovering, overeat, and then sigh that at last it's over.
Missed the point! It's not about presents we give or get! It's not about food. Neither is it aboaut the birthday cake we sometimes bake for Jesus. It's not even about family and the joy of being together.
It's really about being bought back from something terrible--ransomed from our old ways and set on a new course! It's about having a perfect person--a mediator--stand between God and us and make all things right so that we can be in God's presence without fear. Its about being given a present--not one wrapped in foil and tied with a bow-- but an eternal inheritance, so valuable that we can never return in kind what has been given to us!
It's almost here--the day God changed the world by entering as a baby! The world may anot know, but we do!
Father, we are so grateful for Christmas! Remind us how this tiny baby changed the world and us. Amen
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
December 22
I write to you that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ the righteous One. I John 2:1
If anything can make us sing "Joy to the World, the Lord has come," this should be the verse! The bay Jesus is wonderful, and we enjoy the familiar scene of a manager lighted by his presence. We almost sell the hay. We imagine the wonder of the shepherds as they saw him there, innocent and beautiful.
But if we step away from the manger for a minute, if we contemplate our own struggle to do the things we know are right and avoid those we know are wrong, the greatest picture we can imagine is of the grown-up, crucified, risen, and ascended Lord, the "one who speaks to the Father on our behalf" when we sin.
I think about this often. I try and try not to do the wrong things, not to think the wrong thoughts, not to judge another's actions, and then I goof! Sometimes badly! I tell my Father that I am sorry, and I can just imagine Jesus sitting next to him, listening to me once more confess how badly I have behaved, and I almost hear him say, "It's all right, Father. I died for that."
Now I can really sing, "Joy to the World"!
Thank you God for sending Jesus. Thank you Jesus that you came. Holy Spirit come and help us, glorify the Savior's name. Amen.
If anything can make us sing "Joy to the World, the Lord has come," this should be the verse! The bay Jesus is wonderful, and we enjoy the familiar scene of a manager lighted by his presence. We almost sell the hay. We imagine the wonder of the shepherds as they saw him there, innocent and beautiful.
But if we step away from the manger for a minute, if we contemplate our own struggle to do the things we know are right and avoid those we know are wrong, the greatest picture we can imagine is of the grown-up, crucified, risen, and ascended Lord, the "one who speaks to the Father on our behalf" when we sin.
I think about this often. I try and try not to do the wrong things, not to think the wrong thoughts, not to judge another's actions, and then I goof! Sometimes badly! I tell my Father that I am sorry, and I can just imagine Jesus sitting next to him, listening to me once more confess how badly I have behaved, and I almost hear him say, "It's all right, Father. I died for that."
Now I can really sing, "Joy to the World"!
Thank you God for sending Jesus. Thank you Jesus that you came. Holy Spirit come and help us, glorify the Savior's name. Amen.
Monday, December 20, 2010
December 21, 2010
For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men . . .. I Timothy 2:5
It's not unusual today in our multicultural society of political correctness to hear someone say, "We all serve the same God. We just call him something different, and "Some get to God one way; some another." Perhaps we should look at the verse above as we consider these statements.
If we go back to Exodus, we read in chapter 20, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me, for I the Lord am a jealous God." Would he have bothered to say that if there were no others whom we could choose? And in the verse above, he clearly tells that he is the only one, and Jesus Christ is the only way to get to him.
The baby whose birth we will soon celebrate is the Christ, the only son of the only true God, the one who grew to be the only one who could provide the only way for us to know the only God.
At Christmas, we don't like to think of a baby suffering, but that is exactly why he came--to grow up and live to show us how to live and to die to make it possible for us to live forever with the only God, his Father.
Father, only God, Creator, Son, Redeemer, worthy of praise, thank you for the Baby who leads us to you. Amen.
It's not unusual today in our multicultural society of political correctness to hear someone say, "We all serve the same God. We just call him something different, and "Some get to God one way; some another." Perhaps we should look at the verse above as we consider these statements.
If we go back to Exodus, we read in chapter 20, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me, for I the Lord am a jealous God." Would he have bothered to say that if there were no others whom we could choose? And in the verse above, he clearly tells that he is the only one, and Jesus Christ is the only way to get to him.
The baby whose birth we will soon celebrate is the Christ, the only son of the only true God, the one who grew to be the only one who could provide the only way for us to know the only God.
At Christmas, we don't like to think of a baby suffering, but that is exactly why he came--to grow up and live to show us how to live and to die to make it possible for us to live forever with the only God, his Father.
Father, only God, Creator, Son, Redeemer, worthy of praise, thank you for the Baby who leads us to you. Amen.
Friday, December 17, 2010
My New Adventure
For any of you out there who do not know where I am--why would you even think about it--I thought I'd write a little update. The months of October and November were so busy!
Planning to go to Haiti on October 15 for eight days, I worked pretty hard getting things for Christmas at the church done ahead of time, and it was a good thing. In early October my friend, Ben Shepherd, who is a UM pastor in Greensboro, called and asked me to come to North Carolina and talk with his Pastor Parish Committee (human resources) about a new position they were contemplating. Somewhat surprised, I thought I should at least listen to what they had to say, so I flew up here to meet with them.
After a long lunch with the pastor and the Committee Chair, I met in the early evening with the full committee for a pretty long interview. I wondered at their even considering me for this job because I am just not the age that one thinks of for moving from a settled position, settled life to a new position and an unsettled life. On leaving the interview, I went for a walk and had a talk with the Lord. I finally said that I would take the job if they offered it to me, even though it meant selling my home and moving to a strange place and a whole new way of life. I literally put the whole thing in God's hands, saying "If you want me to do this, I will, but you must make it really clear that this is right. So if they offer me the job--even though it seems not to make sense to my mind, I'll know you want me in North Carolina."
Well, they offered me the job, and here I am. I went back from NC to Florida, told my pastor and our Pastor Parish Committee Chair, flew to Haiti for the planned trip, went back to Florida for about three weeks, flew to PA to spend Thanksgiving with Lynne, Michael, and family, flew back to FL on Monday, November 30, left FL on Tuesday, and arrived in NC on December 1.
And I have been really busy since.
I'll go back to FL the day after Christmas to get my things, and I have rented a little house in the edge of a forest (the deer come up to the back yard in the morning) where I will live as long as I stay here, I hope. My house may never get to the market in FL because someone in my former church thinks he and his wife may want it. I'm not in a hurry about that.
All in all, I am content. I don't do well in disorder, and right now I feel that I am more than a little disordered because I am staying with someone else until I can go get my things. That will end soon, and then I'll really settle down.
I arrived on a Wednesday, and it was cool but not cold. By Thursday it was what the natives called "unseasonably cold," and Saturday by midday, it was pouring snow. We have had really cold days since then, with the temperature only once or twice getting to 40 degrees. Most of that time is was in the 20s. Then yesterday (1/16) we had a pretty serious ice storm, enough to stop everything--schools, business, etc. Today it's almost up to 40, and it feels wonderful outside.
'I am getting brave about driving. I can now find Walmart, Lowe's, a Library, several places to eat, and Noveau (for a haircut), my new bank, and a few other things of importance. Have not yet found a Post Office, but I will.
I've already got some things going here at the church, though I must confess that much of my just over two weeks here has been spent going to Christmas parties. The people are wonderful, loving, warm, and helpful. I know that this is going to be a blessing to my life, and I am excited about what God has in store for me.
I wrote about my beautiful day with one of the Sunday School classes as we visited an old church called Shiloh in Troy. It's somewhere on this blog, and if you're interested you can go back and read. Tomorrow a friend and I are going to The Nutcracker Suite, performed by the Greensboro Ballet Company. I am looking forward to that--the first, I hope, of such afternoons here in this lovely city. I guess I haven't missed such performances terribly or I would have found time to drive to Tampa or Ocala, but I am really happy that now things like the ballet and some good concerts will be only a few minutes drive to the heart of the city. I also want to investigate the lecture series at the University.
As you read, I hope you're not thinking that I should act my age and settle down. Maybe I never will. I am so thankful to feel a kind of exuberance I cannot remember feeling in a long time.
Thank you for reading. After Christmas I will write some news from Haiti.
Planning to go to Haiti on October 15 for eight days, I worked pretty hard getting things for Christmas at the church done ahead of time, and it was a good thing. In early October my friend, Ben Shepherd, who is a UM pastor in Greensboro, called and asked me to come to North Carolina and talk with his Pastor Parish Committee (human resources) about a new position they were contemplating. Somewhat surprised, I thought I should at least listen to what they had to say, so I flew up here to meet with them.
After a long lunch with the pastor and the Committee Chair, I met in the early evening with the full committee for a pretty long interview. I wondered at their even considering me for this job because I am just not the age that one thinks of for moving from a settled position, settled life to a new position and an unsettled life. On leaving the interview, I went for a walk and had a talk with the Lord. I finally said that I would take the job if they offered it to me, even though it meant selling my home and moving to a strange place and a whole new way of life. I literally put the whole thing in God's hands, saying "If you want me to do this, I will, but you must make it really clear that this is right. So if they offer me the job--even though it seems not to make sense to my mind, I'll know you want me in North Carolina."
Well, they offered me the job, and here I am. I went back from NC to Florida, told my pastor and our Pastor Parish Committee Chair, flew to Haiti for the planned trip, went back to Florida for about three weeks, flew to PA to spend Thanksgiving with Lynne, Michael, and family, flew back to FL on Monday, November 30, left FL on Tuesday, and arrived in NC on December 1.
And I have been really busy since.
I'll go back to FL the day after Christmas to get my things, and I have rented a little house in the edge of a forest (the deer come up to the back yard in the morning) where I will live as long as I stay here, I hope. My house may never get to the market in FL because someone in my former church thinks he and his wife may want it. I'm not in a hurry about that.
All in all, I am content. I don't do well in disorder, and right now I feel that I am more than a little disordered because I am staying with someone else until I can go get my things. That will end soon, and then I'll really settle down.
I arrived on a Wednesday, and it was cool but not cold. By Thursday it was what the natives called "unseasonably cold," and Saturday by midday, it was pouring snow. We have had really cold days since then, with the temperature only once or twice getting to 40 degrees. Most of that time is was in the 20s. Then yesterday (1/16) we had a pretty serious ice storm, enough to stop everything--schools, business, etc. Today it's almost up to 40, and it feels wonderful outside.
'I am getting brave about driving. I can now find Walmart, Lowe's, a Library, several places to eat, and Noveau (for a haircut), my new bank, and a few other things of importance. Have not yet found a Post Office, but I will.
I've already got some things going here at the church, though I must confess that much of my just over two weeks here has been spent going to Christmas parties. The people are wonderful, loving, warm, and helpful. I know that this is going to be a blessing to my life, and I am excited about what God has in store for me.
I wrote about my beautiful day with one of the Sunday School classes as we visited an old church called Shiloh in Troy. It's somewhere on this blog, and if you're interested you can go back and read. Tomorrow a friend and I are going to The Nutcracker Suite, performed by the Greensboro Ballet Company. I am looking forward to that--the first, I hope, of such afternoons here in this lovely city. I guess I haven't missed such performances terribly or I would have found time to drive to Tampa or Ocala, but I am really happy that now things like the ballet and some good concerts will be only a few minutes drive to the heart of the city. I also want to investigate the lecture series at the University.
As you read, I hope you're not thinking that I should act my age and settle down. Maybe I never will. I am so thankful to feel a kind of exuberance I cannot remember feeling in a long time.
Thank you for reading. After Christmas I will write some news from Haiti.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
December 16
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,and Mary Magdelene. John 19:25
We looked at this verse once, but we need to see it from another perspective. Isn't one of the most difficult emotions loneliness? I love quiet and often spend days with no TV, no music, just quiet. Other times that same quiet becomes oppressive.
Oppressive loneliness is what I imagine for the Lord on that awful cross. Did he wonder where the others were, his best friends for the past three years? Did he long for them, to see their faces, to be touched or spoken to? I know that God was with him, but he was not just God. Jesus was a flesh and blood human, hurting terribly, alone except for four faithful women and John .
Shepherds and wise men came to see him when he was born. Crowds gathered round him when he healed. Multitudes followed him as he taught, or as he fed them on the hillside. They needed and wanted what he had to give, so they got as close as they could.
Now he hangs on a cross, lonely, with only five to comfort him. He knew loneliness. Does he still long for us to come and share his solitude?
Lord Jesus, we cry out to you in our loneliness. We seek you in our need and our desires. Remind us that even now you wait for us to come near, to talk and to listen to you. Amen.
We looked at this verse once, but we need to see it from another perspective. Isn't one of the most difficult emotions loneliness? I love quiet and often spend days with no TV, no music, just quiet. Other times that same quiet becomes oppressive.
Oppressive loneliness is what I imagine for the Lord on that awful cross. Did he wonder where the others were, his best friends for the past three years? Did he long for them, to see their faces, to be touched or spoken to? I know that God was with him, but he was not just God. Jesus was a flesh and blood human, hurting terribly, alone except for four faithful women and John .
Shepherds and wise men came to see him when he was born. Crowds gathered round him when he healed. Multitudes followed him as he taught, or as he fed them on the hillside. They needed and wanted what he had to give, so they got as close as they could.
Now he hangs on a cross, lonely, with only five to comfort him. He knew loneliness. Does he still long for us to come and share his solitude?
Lord Jesus, we cry out to you in our loneliness. We seek you in our need and our desires. Remind us that even now you wait for us to come near, to talk and to listen to you. Amen.
December 19
The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead you ought to forgive and comfort him; so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. II Corinthians 2:8-9
We don't know much abut discipline in the church today. We let people be mad at each other for years and do little or nothing to resolve differences. We pout when we don't get our own way. We gossip, complain, whine, but nobody confronts us. Not so in the early church.
The reference in the Scripture today is to a man who had committed a terrible sin and had been ostracized. We cannot imagine anything worse than having our church tell us that we cannot return to worship or fellowship with them. This man must have suffered terribly for his sin. Now the church is told to forgive him and take him back.
Only a Lord who was like us could understnad the pain of an ostracized man, the loneliness he must have experienced at being cast out. Only a forgiving Lord could understand the man's need to receive forgiveness. Only a Lord who knew us well could have understood that we too have guilt but also the capacity to forgive. Only a loving Lord would challenge us to forgive even heinous sin.
Father, you have freely given us the gift of forgiveness; help us to freely give that gift to others. Amen.
We don't know much abut discipline in the church today. We let people be mad at each other for years and do little or nothing to resolve differences. We pout when we don't get our own way. We gossip, complain, whine, but nobody confronts us. Not so in the early church.
The reference in the Scripture today is to a man who had committed a terrible sin and had been ostracized. We cannot imagine anything worse than having our church tell us that we cannot return to worship or fellowship with them. This man must have suffered terribly for his sin. Now the church is told to forgive him and take him back.
Only a Lord who was like us could understnad the pain of an ostracized man, the loneliness he must have experienced at being cast out. Only a forgiving Lord could understand the man's need to receive forgiveness. Only a Lord who knew us well could have understood that we too have guilt but also the capacity to forgive. Only a loving Lord would challenge us to forgive even heinous sin.
Father, you have freely given us the gift of forgiveness; help us to freely give that gift to others. Amen.
December 18
Our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus
who being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross. Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:7-11
We say so glibly that our mission statement for the church is Everyone becoming a disciple of Christ. Yet as I read Paul's challenge to the Philippians, I wonder if we have the vaguest idea what it means to be disciples. We know disciples are learners, followers of Christ, dedicated to his purposes in this world, reaching out to others for him. But can we say that our attitude is the same as the attitude of Christ given above?
Are we living for God our Father? Are we considering our wants to be nothing as we strive for what he wants? Are we willing to die for him? Dare we answer?
Father, help us this Christmas to want what you want, to bow our knees and really confess Christ as Lord. Amen.
who being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross. Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:7-11
We say so glibly that our mission statement for the church is Everyone becoming a disciple of Christ. Yet as I read Paul's challenge to the Philippians, I wonder if we have the vaguest idea what it means to be disciples. We know disciples are learners, followers of Christ, dedicated to his purposes in this world, reaching out to others for him. But can we say that our attitude is the same as the attitude of Christ given above?
Are we living for God our Father? Are we considering our wants to be nothing as we strive for what he wants? Are we willing to die for him? Dare we answer?
Father, help us this Christmas to want what you want, to bow our knees and really confess Christ as Lord. Amen.
December 17
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver and gold that you were redeened from the empty way of life handed down to you . . . But with the pecious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. I Peter 1:18-19
I read a book years ago by Stuart Brisco in which he spoke of seeing dead men walking, eyes empty, little sign of real life as they moved through not life but existence. How true, I thought. How often I meet someone who seems to have no purpose, no sense of the importance of his/her life, no goals, no direction. These people were living in the "empty way of life handed down" to them, unaware of their value.
Put that thought together with this. "How much is this piece of real estate worth?" I asked a realtor one day. "Whatever I can get someone to pay for it," he replied.
So as we were walking around in an empty and meaningless life, what did God think we were worth? What was he willing to pay? Jesus! The Bible says that while we were yet lost in our sin, God sent Jesus to get us, to buy us back from our dreadful lives with his own blood!
We were expensive, but the Bible says Jesus counted the cost and came to earth willingly. He gave what he did not owe because we owed what we could not pay.
Thank you, Father, for life, for meaningful life. Amen.
I read a book years ago by Stuart Brisco in which he spoke of seeing dead men walking, eyes empty, little sign of real life as they moved through not life but existence. How true, I thought. How often I meet someone who seems to have no purpose, no sense of the importance of his/her life, no goals, no direction. These people were living in the "empty way of life handed down" to them, unaware of their value.
Put that thought together with this. "How much is this piece of real estate worth?" I asked a realtor one day. "Whatever I can get someone to pay for it," he replied.
So as we were walking around in an empty and meaningless life, what did God think we were worth? What was he willing to pay? Jesus! The Bible says that while we were yet lost in our sin, God sent Jesus to get us, to buy us back from our dreadful lives with his own blood!
We were expensive, but the Bible says Jesus counted the cost and came to earth willingly. He gave what he did not owe because we owed what we could not pay.
Thank you, Father, for life, for meaningful life. Amen.
December 13
For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hood of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13
My goal through this entire Christmas devotional has been to help us see Jesus not just as the tiny baby in a manger but as the Living God. How beautifully Isaiah portrays God not as an uninvolved deity, a Creator who distances himself from his creatures, leaving them to fend for themselves, but as a God who is personable, who actually holds our hands.
And knowing how difficult it is for us to grasp the reality of such a God, he comes to us a baby. Remember Paul says, "In Christ dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." The baby is the same God whom Isaiah says takes our hand and calms our fears!
The Christmas infant's hands--God's hands--would one day hold the children, touch the lepers, put spit on the eyes of a blind man, drive the money changers from the temple. They were destined to suffer rthe nails that held Jesus to a tree. And Isaiah says this same God reaches his hand to us with comfort and joy.
Thanks to Jesus, through faith we may grasp God's hand.
Father, we will never understand all of this. How can you be Father and also Son? Yet Jesus told us he and you are one, and we believe him. We need you desperately, and so in Faith we take your outstretchewsd hand. Amen.
My goal through this entire Christmas devotional has been to help us see Jesus not just as the tiny baby in a manger but as the Living God. How beautifully Isaiah portrays God not as an uninvolved deity, a Creator who distances himself from his creatures, leaving them to fend for themselves, but as a God who is personable, who actually holds our hands.
And knowing how difficult it is for us to grasp the reality of such a God, he comes to us a baby. Remember Paul says, "In Christ dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." The baby is the same God whom Isaiah says takes our hand and calms our fears!
The Christmas infant's hands--God's hands--would one day hold the children, touch the lepers, put spit on the eyes of a blind man, drive the money changers from the temple. They were destined to suffer rthe nails that held Jesus to a tree. And Isaiah says this same God reaches his hand to us with comfort and joy.
Thanks to Jesus, through faith we may grasp God's hand.
Father, we will never understand all of this. How can you be Father and also Son? Yet Jesus told us he and you are one, and we believe him. We need you desperately, and so in Faith we take your outstretchewsd hand. Amen.
December 15
But you, Bethlehem Ephratha, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient of times. Micah 5:2
Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea, wrote in the late 700s BC or early-to-mid-600s, yet he prophesied the coming of a ruler who pre-existed himself. We are such time oriented people that we have great difficulty comprehending this! One will come who has always been! Is that double speak? Possible?
Yes, not only possible but fact. From the beginning, the plan had been to send a redeemer for fallen man--God's creationthat pleased him and that he called good, God's creationwho disappointed him but whom he loved and for whose redemption he would die!
I don't know that Micah understood, but he reported faithfully what God had spoken to him..Beginning in Chapter 4, Gd tells Micah his plan, and Micah recorded it for us. From the smallest of the tribes of Israel will come a gift--a baby--who will grow to be the greatest ruler the world has ever known, a strong, eternal ruler. He'll not be just a king but The King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Hallelujah!
Father, thank you for teh King above all kings; thank you for our Lord whose birthday we'll soon celebrate. Amen.
Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea, wrote in the late 700s BC or early-to-mid-600s, yet he prophesied the coming of a ruler who pre-existed himself. We are such time oriented people that we have great difficulty comprehending this! One will come who has always been! Is that double speak? Possible?
Yes, not only possible but fact. From the beginning, the plan had been to send a redeemer for fallen man--God's creationthat pleased him and that he called good, God's creationwho disappointed him but whom he loved and for whose redemption he would die!
I don't know that Micah understood, but he reported faithfully what God had spoken to him..Beginning in Chapter 4, Gd tells Micah his plan, and Micah recorded it for us. From the smallest of the tribes of Israel will come a gift--a baby--who will grow to be the greatest ruler the world has ever known, a strong, eternal ruler. He'll not be just a king but The King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Hallelujah!
Father, thank you for teh King above all kings; thank you for our Lord whose birthday we'll soon celebrate. Amen.
December 14, 2010
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. John 19:25
This Scripture messes up our nice, clean Christmas nativity scene! We don't want to think ahead to what the baby would one day endure. As I prepared for our annual; devotional, I read the Serendipity Bible. At the bottom of the page for this text was this question: "How do you feel when you think about how Jesus died for you?" and the editors suggest several answers: "amazed, doubtful, grateful, guilty, sad, loved, relieved, uncomfortable."
Great question! Can we add possible answere? How about, "all of the above"? And when we really contemplate--as I often do at communion--don't we want to add "unworthy" because we know how messed up we are, or "awed" because we are amazed that God allowed it, or "shocked" that nobody seemed to understand what they were doing?
I wonder how the women could be brave enough to watch the horror before their eyes! Were they oblivious that only John was with them?
What do we feel when we consider the cost of our expensive Christmas present? Or do we even consider?
Father, your Christmas present is amazing. Help us to hold it close and appreciate its eternal value. Amen.
This Scripture messes up our nice, clean Christmas nativity scene! We don't want to think ahead to what the baby would one day endure. As I prepared for our annual; devotional, I read the Serendipity Bible. At the bottom of the page for this text was this question: "How do you feel when you think about how Jesus died for you?" and the editors suggest several answers: "amazed, doubtful, grateful, guilty, sad, loved, relieved, uncomfortable."
Great question! Can we add possible answere? How about, "all of the above"? And when we really contemplate--as I often do at communion--don't we want to add "unworthy" because we know how messed up we are, or "awed" because we are amazed that God allowed it, or "shocked" that nobody seemed to understand what they were doing?
I wonder how the women could be brave enough to watch the horror before their eyes! Were they oblivious that only John was with them?
What do we feel when we consider the cost of our expensive Christmas present? Or do we even consider?
Father, your Christmas present is amazing. Help us to hold it close and appreciate its eternal value. Amen.
December 12
Put your hope in the Lord, for the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. Psalm 130:7
Compromise is standard today, and most of us will admit to a certain synicism. The value of our dollars diminishes daily; marriages fail even in the church; businesses are here today and gone tomorrow; promises are not kept; nothing seems stable. Even contracts have fine print that we must read carefully, allowing parties an "out" if things do not go well. So is there anything we can count on? Absolutely!
The Christmas baby who reveals to us a God whose redemption and love we can trust! He's the One we can count on!
The psalmist tells us of unfailing love and absoluite redemption, with no small print for a way out! We see so much fail--even love. Can God's love outlast all that challenges it in our current world? We know how hard we try to be all we know is right and good, and we question that God would even want to redeem the mess we make.
Jesus came to assure us there's no mess too great for him to redeem, no sin greater than his unfailing love! "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends," he promised. Unfailing love and absolute redemption! Count on it!
Father, we understand neither unfailing love nor redemption, but we thank you that Jesus has brought both to us. Amen.
Compromise is standard today, and most of us will admit to a certain synicism. The value of our dollars diminishes daily; marriages fail even in the church; businesses are here today and gone tomorrow; promises are not kept; nothing seems stable. Even contracts have fine print that we must read carefully, allowing parties an "out" if things do not go well. So is there anything we can count on? Absolutely!
The Christmas baby who reveals to us a God whose redemption and love we can trust! He's the One we can count on!
The psalmist tells us of unfailing love and absoluite redemption, with no small print for a way out! We see so much fail--even love. Can God's love outlast all that challenges it in our current world? We know how hard we try to be all we know is right and good, and we question that God would even want to redeem the mess we make.
Jesus came to assure us there's no mess too great for him to redeem, no sin greater than his unfailing love! "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends," he promised. Unfailing love and absolute redemption! Count on it!
Father, we understand neither unfailing love nor redemption, but we thank you that Jesus has brought both to us. Amen.
December 11, 2010
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, correcting, rebuking, and training a person in right living, that the person of God may be equippped for every good work. II Timothy 3:16
This is a verse I often use to remind myself and others of the critical importance of God's Word. The verse carries a great message, but I want us to only look at two words--"All Scripture."
Remember, when Paul wrote these words to his young aide, the only Scripture recorded was what we call the Old Testament. Paul's letters to the young churches and to several individuals were vitally imortant, but we have no reason to believe that he expected those writings to be included in a later canon of Scipture. But they are included, so now we must assume that "all" means the entire Bible, Old and New Testaments.
So what is the value of our reading brief passages of Scripture as we prepare for our Christmas celebration? That becomes obvious when we remember that this is not just a daily exercise. As we read, the Word itself will "teach, correct, rebuke, and train us." God is not just getting us ready for Christmas but teaching us about himself, getting us ready for life! So I must write carefully, and all of us must look and listen carefully to the reference verses.
Father, day by day, teach us from your Word! Amen.
This is a verse I often use to remind myself and others of the critical importance of God's Word. The verse carries a great message, but I want us to only look at two words--"All Scripture."
Remember, when Paul wrote these words to his young aide, the only Scripture recorded was what we call the Old Testament. Paul's letters to the young churches and to several individuals were vitally imortant, but we have no reason to believe that he expected those writings to be included in a later canon of Scipture. But they are included, so now we must assume that "all" means the entire Bible, Old and New Testaments.
So what is the value of our reading brief passages of Scripture as we prepare for our Christmas celebration? That becomes obvious when we remember that this is not just a daily exercise. As we read, the Word itself will "teach, correct, rebuke, and train us." God is not just getting us ready for Christmas but teaching us about himself, getting us ready for life! So I must write carefully, and all of us must look and listen carefully to the reference verses.
Father, day by day, teach us from your Word! Amen.
December 9, 2010
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6-7
It's comfortable to think of the baby Jesus, warm, innocent, bright eyes looking into ours, lying in a manger or even in our arms, to think of doing things for a baby. But are we missing something in Isaiah's wonderful prophecy of Christmas?
Isaiah says that he will be our "Wonderful Counselor." Is he? Are we careful to seek his counsel even in the small things daily? Do we even seek his Counsel in the big things? Do we seek his counsel regarding our lives, our work, the on-going work and ministry of our church, or do we go about all this devising our own plans for success? This baby is destined to be our Counselor! That's God's plan.
And he's to be our "Prince of Peace. Later Jesus said we'd always have wars, so that peace must not have been world peace. Was Isaiah referring to the peace that can dwell in our hearts when we know him, the peace that Jesus spoke of in John 14, "that passes understanding"? Surely Isaiah meant the quiet calm that prevails in us even when all around is chaos, just because Jesus has been born in our hearts.
Father, thank ou for this wonderful baby who as becoem our Counselor and peace. Amen
It's comfortable to think of the baby Jesus, warm, innocent, bright eyes looking into ours, lying in a manger or even in our arms, to think of doing things for a baby. But are we missing something in Isaiah's wonderful prophecy of Christmas?
Isaiah says that he will be our "Wonderful Counselor." Is he? Are we careful to seek his counsel even in the small things daily? Do we even seek his Counsel in the big things? Do we seek his counsel regarding our lives, our work, the on-going work and ministry of our church, or do we go about all this devising our own plans for success? This baby is destined to be our Counselor! That's God's plan.
And he's to be our "Prince of Peace. Later Jesus said we'd always have wars, so that peace must not have been world peace. Was Isaiah referring to the peace that can dwell in our hearts when we know him, the peace that Jesus spoke of in John 14, "that passes understanding"? Surely Isaiah meant the quiet calm that prevails in us even when all around is chaos, just because Jesus has been born in our hearts.
Father, thank ou for this wonderful baby who as becoem our Counselor and peace. Amen
December 10, 2010
See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, . . . He tends his flock like a shepherd: he gathers his lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart. Isaiah 40:10a, 11
Do you notice anything a little subtle about the prophecy from Isaiah above? The two pictures of Jesus that almost seem contradictory? I once watched a Russian violinist in concert, a big strong man with huge hands who obviously could have crushed his violin with one blow, but when he put his bow to the strings, some gentle thing came from him and he almost caressed it as he brought forth the loveliest of sounds!
Isaiah pictures Jesus like this. A strong Messiah but also a gentle shepherd.
Recently I met with our new choir director, Dixie Lay. Jera, her two year old, was also with us, quietly drawing a masterpiece for her father while Dixie and I planned for the children's ministry in music. Tiring of her work, Jera soon climbed into her mother's lap and nestled quietly against her heart, and I wondered if the rhythmic beat soothed her.
That's what Isaiah says of Jesus our Shepherd. With strong hands, he'll nestle us close to his heart so we can be soothed by its rhythm. Oh, my! What a Savior!
Father, cause us to trust you as your strong hand takes outs, and cause us to rest next to your heart. Amen.
Do you notice anything a little subtle about the prophecy from Isaiah above? The two pictures of Jesus that almost seem contradictory? I once watched a Russian violinist in concert, a big strong man with huge hands who obviously could have crushed his violin with one blow, but when he put his bow to the strings, some gentle thing came from him and he almost caressed it as he brought forth the loveliest of sounds!
Isaiah pictures Jesus like this. A strong Messiah but also a gentle shepherd.
Recently I met with our new choir director, Dixie Lay. Jera, her two year old, was also with us, quietly drawing a masterpiece for her father while Dixie and I planned for the children's ministry in music. Tiring of her work, Jera soon climbed into her mother's lap and nestled quietly against her heart, and I wondered if the rhythmic beat soothed her.
That's what Isaiah says of Jesus our Shepherd. With strong hands, he'll nestle us close to his heart so we can be soothed by its rhythm. Oh, my! What a Savior!
Father, cause us to trust you as your strong hand takes outs, and cause us to rest next to your heart. Amen.
December 8, 2010
Therefore, the Lord will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel. Isaiah 7:14
Sometimes I am impatient with the people who seem oblivious of the fact that Jesus was an unusual baby. Babies are not born to virgins, and when that type of birth--never having happened before or since--occurs, wouldn't you think that everyone would immediately suspect that this was a special baby?
But they didn't then and don't now. So they missed the most significant birth in the whole world.
And they also missed the importance of his name! All good Jews know Emmanuel means God with us, but they missed that clue as well! God had been revealing his presence for generations. He caused a cloud to settle over the childrne of Israel and a fire by night to lead them, just to say, "I am here." Several times in the Old Testament he calls himself Jehovah Shammah, God who is here, but they missed the message. Now Isaiah says the baby's name is Emmanuel, and they again miss that message. Not very observant!
But we must not criticize. We too miss Jesus saying, "I am here" because we are looking for the familiar, the usual. Jesus is so often in the unusual.
Father, thank you for being here, for coming in unexpected ways. Help us to recognize you, Amen.
Sometimes I am impatient with the people who seem oblivious of the fact that Jesus was an unusual baby. Babies are not born to virgins, and when that type of birth--never having happened before or since--occurs, wouldn't you think that everyone would immediately suspect that this was a special baby?
But they didn't then and don't now. So they missed the most significant birth in the whole world.
And they also missed the importance of his name! All good Jews know Emmanuel means God with us, but they missed that clue as well! God had been revealing his presence for generations. He caused a cloud to settle over the childrne of Israel and a fire by night to lead them, just to say, "I am here." Several times in the Old Testament he calls himself Jehovah Shammah, God who is here, but they missed the message. Now Isaiah says the baby's name is Emmanuel, and they again miss that message. Not very observant!
But we must not criticize. We too miss Jesus saying, "I am here" because we are looking for the familiar, the usual. Jesus is so often in the unusual.
Father, thank you for being here, for coming in unexpected ways. Help us to recognize you, Amen.
December 7, 2010
Paul has been commissioned by God to present to us "the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1:27
The message that Paul says he has been commissioned to give us is staggering! Two things cause real pause because we immediately feel totally unable to live up to God's expectations.
First he says that God's message is to be delivered to the saints, and we quickly argue that we are not saints. That, however, is because we have distorted ideas of what a saint is! Saints are those who belong to Christ and in whom his Holy Spirit lives. So the message is for us, his saints, and we'd better listen.
The second challenge involves the mystery. Paul says that Christ in us must bring hope. We are to be purveyors of hope to the dying world around us! That is the mystery--Christ in us is the hope! That should not only stagger us but fill us with great joy at having such a privilege. In a hopeless world, we get to bring the message of hope! What an awesome gift this baby has brought to us!
Father, thank you for entrusting us with this great gift! Thank you for letting us bring hope to the world for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Colossians 1:27
The message that Paul says he has been commissioned to give us is staggering! Two things cause real pause because we immediately feel totally unable to live up to God's expectations.
First he says that God's message is to be delivered to the saints, and we quickly argue that we are not saints. That, however, is because we have distorted ideas of what a saint is! Saints are those who belong to Christ and in whom his Holy Spirit lives. So the message is for us, his saints, and we'd better listen.
The second challenge involves the mystery. Paul says that Christ in us must bring hope. We are to be purveyors of hope to the dying world around us! That is the mystery--Christ in us is the hope! That should not only stagger us but fill us with great joy at having such a privilege. In a hopeless world, we get to bring the message of hope! What an awesome gift this baby has brought to us!
Father, thank you for entrusting us with this great gift! Thank you for letting us bring hope to the world for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. . . . . There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called." Ephesians 4:3, 6
Isn't it funny that no matter how old we get, Christmas influences our feelings! I know there are still some Scrooges around who "Bah humbug" Christmas, but in general we get warm fuzzy feelings as the holiday approaches. People smile more; they put their dollars in a red kettle for people they don't even know; they decorate trees with dolls for little girls whose eyes they'll not see sparkle when they get them; they buy turkeys for families around whose tables they will not sit.
The baby Jesus's birthday--not even Jesus, just his birthday--makes us gentler, more patient, even kinder. Paul's words remind us that Christians are part of a body and should function in a kind of unity, but Christmas tends to even change our attitude and actions toward those that are just part of the human race--not even part of the body of Christ, people whom we may be totally unaware of the rest of the year! A little Baby's birthday changes how we treat each other.
Father, humility and patience with others are such lovely characteristics. Heop us exhibit them all year, not just at Christmas when we think of Jesus. Amen.
Isn't it funny that no matter how old we get, Christmas influences our feelings! I know there are still some Scrooges around who "Bah humbug" Christmas, but in general we get warm fuzzy feelings as the holiday approaches. People smile more; they put their dollars in a red kettle for people they don't even know; they decorate trees with dolls for little girls whose eyes they'll not see sparkle when they get them; they buy turkeys for families around whose tables they will not sit.
The baby Jesus's birthday--not even Jesus, just his birthday--makes us gentler, more patient, even kinder. Paul's words remind us that Christians are part of a body and should function in a kind of unity, but Christmas tends to even change our attitude and actions toward those that are just part of the human race--not even part of the body of Christ, people whom we may be totally unaware of the rest of the year! A little Baby's birthday changes how we treat each other.
Father, humility and patience with others are such lovely characteristics. Heop us exhibit them all year, not just at Christmas when we think of Jesus. Amen.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
"Therefore, the Lord will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel." Isaiah 7:14
Sometimes I am impatient with people who seem oblivious of the fact that Jesus was an unusual baby. Babies are not born to virgins, and when that type of birth--never having happened before or since--occurs, wouldn't you think that everyone would immediately suspect that this was a special baby?
But they didn't then and don't now. So they missed the most significant birth in the whole world.
And they also missed the importance of his name! All good Jews know Emmanuel means God with us, but they missed that clue as well! God had been revealing his presence for generations. He caused a cloud to settle over the children of Israel and a fire by night to lead them, just to say, "I am here." Several times in the Old Testament he calls himself Jehovah-Shammah, God who is here, but they missed the message. Now Isaiah says the baby's name is Emmanuel, and tehy again miss the message. Not very observant!
But we must not criticize. We too miss Jesus saying, "I am here" because we are looking or the familiar, the usual! Jesus is so often in the unusual!
Father, thank you for being here, for comint in unexpected ways. help us to recognize you. Amen.
Sometimes I am impatient with people who seem oblivious of the fact that Jesus was an unusual baby. Babies are not born to virgins, and when that type of birth--never having happened before or since--occurs, wouldn't you think that everyone would immediately suspect that this was a special baby?
But they didn't then and don't now. So they missed the most significant birth in the whole world.
And they also missed the importance of his name! All good Jews know Emmanuel means God with us, but they missed that clue as well! God had been revealing his presence for generations. He caused a cloud to settle over the children of Israel and a fire by night to lead them, just to say, "I am here." Several times in the Old Testament he calls himself Jehovah-Shammah, God who is here, but they missed the message. Now Isaiah says the baby's name is Emmanuel, and tehy again miss the message. Not very observant!
But we must not criticize. We too miss Jesus saying, "I am here" because we are looking or the familiar, the usual! Jesus is so often in the unusual!
Father, thank you for being here, for comint in unexpected ways. help us to recognize you. Amen.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Paul has been commissioned by God to present to us "the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
Colossians 1:27
The message that Paul says he has been commissioned to give us is staggering! Two things cause real pause because we immediately feel totally unable to live up to God's expectations.
First he says that God's message is to be delivered to the saints, and we quickly argue that we are not saints. That, however, is because we hav e distorted ideas of what a saint is! Saints are those who belong to Christ and in whom his Holy Spirit lives. So the message is for us, his saints, and we'd better listen.
The second challenge involves the mystery. Paul says that Christ in us must bring hope. We are to be purveyors of hope to the dying world around us! That is the mysery--Christ in us is the hope! That should not only stagger us but fill us with great joy at having such a privilege. In a hopeless world, we get to bring the message of hope! What an awesome give this Baby has brought to us!
Father, thank you for entrusting us with this great gift! Thank you for letting us bring hope to the world for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Colossians 1:27
The message that Paul says he has been commissioned to give us is staggering! Two things cause real pause because we immediately feel totally unable to live up to God's expectations.
First he says that God's message is to be delivered to the saints, and we quickly argue that we are not saints. That, however, is because we hav e distorted ideas of what a saint is! Saints are those who belong to Christ and in whom his Holy Spirit lives. So the message is for us, his saints, and we'd better listen.
The second challenge involves the mystery. Paul says that Christ in us must bring hope. We are to be purveyors of hope to the dying world around us! That is the mysery--Christ in us is the hope! That should not only stagger us but fill us with great joy at having such a privilege. In a hopeless world, we get to bring the message of hope! What an awesome give this Baby has brought to us!
Father, thank you for entrusting us with this great gift! Thank you for letting us bring hope to the world for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
A Wonderful Christmas Surprise
I didn't want to interrupt the order of the Advent Devotional I have been posting daily, but something so lovely happened today, and I want to write it before I forget the details.
Ben Shepherd, the pastor of the new church I now serve, his wife Alice, and I were invited to join one of the Sunday School classes for "tea and dinner," in a nearby town, celebrating Christmas. I didn't know what to expect, but I looked forward to meeting new friends, so of course I accepted.
Moments before we were to leave, someone said, "Look out the window!"
Snow! Great white flakes were pouring from the sky, thick and fluffy, actually obscuring vision at a distance.
We wondered if our trip would be cancelled. A quick phone call assured us it was still on, so we bundled up and joined the caravan at the church. As we drove the snow fell heavier and heavier, beginning to coat the trees and the sides of the roadway. It's been so long since I have lived in snow country that I would have been insecure had I been driving, but I felt absolutely confortable with our experienced Ben, so I just settled snugly in the back seat.
After about an hour's drive and diminishing snow, we turned into the parking area of an old, one room, white board church. The entire picture took my breath away. Tall candles carefully mounted on green wreaths that hung from the ceiling seemed to invite us inside. A Scotsman, handsome in his kilt, piped carols just outside the entry, and beautiful ladies in hoop skirted dresses invited us to sign the guest book.
Through the old doorway, we stepped into another time, a setting of early America, complete with the smell of spiced tea and shortbread cookies. The sanctuary was aglow with candles everywhere--some tiny tapers and others tall and slender. In the front of the church a huge tree. with an antique quilt for its underskirt, had been placed to the left of the altar. It was decorated with hand made ornaments from another time. Slices of dried fruit hung from ribbons; tiny balls of cotton were tucked into the branches; a huge hornet's nest was tucked deep inside the limbs; pine cones added here and there gave off an aroma from their previous homes. Under the tree were fruit and nuts beautifully arranged in old ice cream churns, bowls, a cream churn, and baskets. On the floor among the fruit were turtle shells whose occupants had long ago abandoned them.
To the right of the altar, several accomplished musicians brought forth from their instruments--two flutes, a violin, a cello, a Celtic harp, an autoharp, and another instrument that I couldn't identify, lying flat and played with strange-shaped bows--soul settling music, familiar hymns of Christmas.
Pe0ple continued to pour quietly into the small sanctuary, filling all the hard wooden benches and choosing to stand in the back when no more seats were to be had. After about thirty minutes of beautiful music that literally pulled from my being any stress I may have carried into the room, a man stood and read the familiar Christmas story from Luke 2. Two pastors--one old with a full head of white hair and a full white beard, and the other young, looking often at his six-year old daughter--spoke to us of the real meaning of Christmas, followed with their invitation to all to participate in Holy Communion.
I returned to my wooden bench on which I would never have chosen to sit for an hour but which was absolutely perfect for the moment. The snow had begun to fall again--great white flakes falling thick and fast outside the tall windows. I sat so still. I didn't want to interrupt the unexpected and wonderful peace that had settled over my entire being.
As others moved quietly back to their seats, I felt the tears spilling onto my cheeks. God was so real I wanted to freeze the moment.
Whatever else this holiday holds, this unexpected and wonderful afternoon was my Christmas present from God.
Ben Shepherd, the pastor of the new church I now serve, his wife Alice, and I were invited to join one of the Sunday School classes for "tea and dinner," in a nearby town, celebrating Christmas. I didn't know what to expect, but I looked forward to meeting new friends, so of course I accepted.
Moments before we were to leave, someone said, "Look out the window!"
Snow! Great white flakes were pouring from the sky, thick and fluffy, actually obscuring vision at a distance.
We wondered if our trip would be cancelled. A quick phone call assured us it was still on, so we bundled up and joined the caravan at the church. As we drove the snow fell heavier and heavier, beginning to coat the trees and the sides of the roadway. It's been so long since I have lived in snow country that I would have been insecure had I been driving, but I felt absolutely confortable with our experienced Ben, so I just settled snugly in the back seat.
After about an hour's drive and diminishing snow, we turned into the parking area of an old, one room, white board church. The entire picture took my breath away. Tall candles carefully mounted on green wreaths that hung from the ceiling seemed to invite us inside. A Scotsman, handsome in his kilt, piped carols just outside the entry, and beautiful ladies in hoop skirted dresses invited us to sign the guest book.
Through the old doorway, we stepped into another time, a setting of early America, complete with the smell of spiced tea and shortbread cookies. The sanctuary was aglow with candles everywhere--some tiny tapers and others tall and slender. In the front of the church a huge tree. with an antique quilt for its underskirt, had been placed to the left of the altar. It was decorated with hand made ornaments from another time. Slices of dried fruit hung from ribbons; tiny balls of cotton were tucked into the branches; a huge hornet's nest was tucked deep inside the limbs; pine cones added here and there gave off an aroma from their previous homes. Under the tree were fruit and nuts beautifully arranged in old ice cream churns, bowls, a cream churn, and baskets. On the floor among the fruit were turtle shells whose occupants had long ago abandoned them.
To the right of the altar, several accomplished musicians brought forth from their instruments--two flutes, a violin, a cello, a Celtic harp, an autoharp, and another instrument that I couldn't identify, lying flat and played with strange-shaped bows--soul settling music, familiar hymns of Christmas.
Pe0ple continued to pour quietly into the small sanctuary, filling all the hard wooden benches and choosing to stand in the back when no more seats were to be had. After about thirty minutes of beautiful music that literally pulled from my being any stress I may have carried into the room, a man stood and read the familiar Christmas story from Luke 2. Two pastors--one old with a full head of white hair and a full white beard, and the other young, looking often at his six-year old daughter--spoke to us of the real meaning of Christmas, followed with their invitation to all to participate in Holy Communion.
I returned to my wooden bench on which I would never have chosen to sit for an hour but which was absolutely perfect for the moment. The snow had begun to fall again--great white flakes falling thick and fast outside the tall windows. I sat so still. I didn't want to interrupt the unexpected and wonderful peace that had settled over my entire being.
As others moved quietly back to their seats, I felt the tears spilling onto my cheeks. God was so real I wanted to freeze the moment.
Whatever else this holiday holds, this unexpected and wonderful afternoon was my Christmas present from God.
December 5, 2010
"Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealeed and made known trough the prophetic writings of the command of eternal God, so that all nations might believe nd ob ey him." Romans 16:25-26
Do we consider that we are "established" by "mystery"? Down through the ages, God has been promising through pophets that he was going to send the Messiah, an event so shrouded in mystery that no one really comprehended what the Messiah would be like! Today that mystery prevails, and often without understanding we are established in it.
As I write, I am sitting in a cardiac care waiting room, and next to me a family waits for news of a loved one. As each additional family member joins the clan, I hear them say they are trusting Jesus as a precious life hangs in the balance. They join hands and pray to the Lord whose birthday we will soon celeb rate. In the hour or so that I have waited here, I've seen how strong this family is because they are "established
in the "mystery "of who their Lord is! They cry a little, but they are not tears of despair.
Paul wrote of this mystery in the first century. The people near me are still trusting that Mystery.
Father, we continue to praise you for your Holy Presence in a Baby, even though we don't fully understand. Amen.
Do we consider that we are "established" by "mystery"? Down through the ages, God has been promising through pophets that he was going to send the Messiah, an event so shrouded in mystery that no one really comprehended what the Messiah would be like! Today that mystery prevails, and often without understanding we are established in it.
As I write, I am sitting in a cardiac care waiting room, and next to me a family waits for news of a loved one. As each additional family member joins the clan, I hear them say they are trusting Jesus as a precious life hangs in the balance. They join hands and pray to the Lord whose birthday we will soon celeb rate. In the hour or so that I have waited here, I've seen how strong this family is because they are "established
in the "mystery "of who their Lord is! They cry a little, but they are not tears of despair.
Paul wrote of this mystery in the first century. The people near me are still trusting that Mystery.
Father, we continue to praise you for your Holy Presence in a Baby, even though we don't fully understand. Amen.
Friday, December 3, 2010
December 3, 2010
"And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things inheaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ." Ephesians 1:9-10
Just when I think things can get no worse, I pick up the morning paper and read that anaother group is trying to establish a "new world order," a uniting of all the countries of the world under one leader with one language and one monetary system. I usually smile indulgently, wishing I could tell them that they are wasting their time. Oh, it is going to happen, but they won't bring it to pass!
Jesus came the first time as an infant, but he promises to return as the world's "one head"--when, we don't know. Every generation has anticipated that return since Jesus went back to heaven. In some wonderful mysterious way, when all is just right, Paul says in Ephesians, Jesus is comingagain!
The first time he xcame as an infant, and most didn't recognize him, though he'd told them over aqnd over. This time he'll come as ruler over all! Most were surprised the first time. Will we be the second?
Just when I think things can get no worse, I pick up the morning paper and read that anaother group is trying to establish a "new world order," a uniting of all the countries of the world under one leader with one language and one monetary system. I usually smile indulgently, wishing I could tell them that they are wasting their time. Oh, it is going to happen, but they won't bring it to pass!
Jesus came the first time as an infant, but he promises to return as the world's "one head"--when, we don't know. Every generation has anticipated that return since Jesus went back to heaven. In some wonderful mysterious way, when all is just right, Paul says in Ephesians, Jesus is comingagain!
The first time he xcame as an infant, and most didn't recognize him, though he'd told them over aqnd over. This time he'll come as ruler over all! Most were surprised the first time. Will we be the second?
Thursday, December 2, 2010
December 4, 2010
"For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth . . . yet for us there is one God, the Father from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ." I Corinthians 8:5-6a
Knowing who one's god is has a huge impact on how that person lives, on what he focuses his attention. A young friend brought his new, bright red Corvette to show me. He said he wanted to take good care of it, so he parked it a long way away from crowds. If he couldn't, he'd shop at another mall or eat at another restaurant. Protecting his prize against dings!
Later when I saw him at a restaurant, I commented that I had not seen his car outside. He explained that he had sold the car. "It was all I thought about;" he said. "It had become my god."
Paul reminds us that there are indeed other gods, and we must carefully choose the one whom we will serve. Unexpected things grab our attention and easily become too important. We must serve only One God. God came as a baby, but in that tiny infant dwelt the Triune God, the same one who warned that we should "have no other god" before him! He doesn't look very "godlike" in our little creches, but we know he is indeed the great I AM.
Father, forgive us that we often focus our love and commitment on someone or something other than you! Help us to recognize you, even as a baby. Amen.
Knowing who one's god is has a huge impact on how that person lives, on what he focuses his attention. A young friend brought his new, bright red Corvette to show me. He said he wanted to take good care of it, so he parked it a long way away from crowds. If he couldn't, he'd shop at another mall or eat at another restaurant. Protecting his prize against dings!
Later when I saw him at a restaurant, I commented that I had not seen his car outside. He explained that he had sold the car. "It was all I thought about;" he said. "It had become my god."
Paul reminds us that there are indeed other gods, and we must carefully choose the one whom we will serve. Unexpected things grab our attention and easily become too important. We must serve only One God. God came as a baby, but in that tiny infant dwelt the Triune God, the same one who warned that we should "have no other god" before him! He doesn't look very "godlike" in our little creches, but we know he is indeed the great I AM.
Father, forgive us that we often focus our love and commitment on someone or something other than you! Help us to recognize you, even as a baby. Amen.
December 3, 2010
"And he made known to us the mysstery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ." Ephesians 1:9-10
Just when I think things can get no worse, I pick up the morning paper and find that another group is trying to establish a "new world order," a uniting of all the countries of the world under one leader with one language and one monetary system! I usually smile indulgently, wishing I could tell them that they are wasting their time. Oh,it is going to happen, but they won't bring it to pass!
Jesus came the first time as an infant, but he promises to return as the world's "one head"--when, we don't know. Every generation has anticipated that return since Jesus went back to heaven. In some wonderful mysterious way, when all is just right, Paul says in Ephesians, Jesus is coming again.
The first time he came innocently as an infant, and most didn't recognize him, though he told them over and over. This time he'll come as ruler over all! Most were surprised the first time. Will we be the second?
Father, cause us to look with anticipation to your second coming, to relish the idea of your kingdom, to be ready to meet you without fear and with joy when you arrive! Amen.
Just when I think things can get no worse, I pick up the morning paper and find that another group is trying to establish a "new world order," a uniting of all the countries of the world under one leader with one language and one monetary system! I usually smile indulgently, wishing I could tell them that they are wasting their time. Oh,it is going to happen, but they won't bring it to pass!
Jesus came the first time as an infant, but he promises to return as the world's "one head"--when, we don't know. Every generation has anticipated that return since Jesus went back to heaven. In some wonderful mysterious way, when all is just right, Paul says in Ephesians, Jesus is coming again.
The first time he came innocently as an infant, and most didn't recognize him, though he told them over and over. This time he'll come as ruler over all! Most were surprised the first time. Will we be the second?
Father, cause us to look with anticipation to your second coming, to relish the idea of your kingdom, to be ready to meet you without fear and with joy when you arrive! Amen.
December 2, 2010
"But we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory . . .. Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love him." I Corinthians 2:7, 9.
We enjoy little mysteries, the anticipation of new experiences--a birthday party, a trip to some new spot, a visit from an old friend. Well, the God who made us realizes this, and the Scriptures tell us that he has surprises we can never imagine! The verses above tell us not to waste time time trying to imagine because his mysteries are beyond anything we have ever seen or heard!
We enjoy our present relationship with God, the prayer time, the new things he shows us in his Word, the surprises he has in store for us each day. But what we know now is nothing compared to what we'll know when this phase of life is over, and we see him face to face! We cannot imagine light coming directly from him. We can't contemplate no more wondering, just clear understanding of life's mysteries.
The knowledge and wisdom of God are beyond us, and he understands that, but he promises someday we'll know his secrets. Christ has given us much, but there is much more to come?
Father, your mysteries are like presents under the Christmas tree, and we thank you for each revelation. Amen.
We enjoy little mysteries, the anticipation of new experiences--a birthday party, a trip to some new spot, a visit from an old friend. Well, the God who made us realizes this, and the Scriptures tell us that he has surprises we can never imagine! The verses above tell us not to waste time time trying to imagine because his mysteries are beyond anything we have ever seen or heard!
We enjoy our present relationship with God, the prayer time, the new things he shows us in his Word, the surprises he has in store for us each day. But what we know now is nothing compared to what we'll know when this phase of life is over, and we see him face to face! We cannot imagine light coming directly from him. We can't contemplate no more wondering, just clear understanding of life's mysteries.
The knowledge and wisdom of God are beyond us, and he understands that, but he promises someday we'll know his secrets. Christ has given us much, but there is much more to come?
Father, your mysteries are like presents under the Christmas tree, and we thank you for each revelation. Amen.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
December 1, 2010
"God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets . . . in these last days has spoken to us in [by] His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world." Hebrews 1:1
Often I hear the sadness in God's voice, and I'm reminded of earthly parents--how hard we try to get our children to listen to us about things we know are important to their lives. Education, health, goals, spiritual well-being. They often don't listen, but neither do we! They to us and we to God!
"I've told you through the prophets, through ancestors," he says. "Now I am telling you through Jesus!"
So what does he want so desperately for us to hear? What is he speaking now? Is he telling us there is nothing to worry about because he has sent his Son to restore us to the Father? That everything needed to reestablish our broken relationship to Him has been accomplished in Christ Jesus? That even the angels recognize that He is worthy of praise? That He has sent "ministering spirits" to care for those who love Him?
The infant-become-man is now in charge! Is that what He is trying to get us to hear? Is that this year's Christmas present? Greater understanding?
Father, we are self-willed, determined to go our own way! Cause us to listen to your voice, to obey your word. Help us not to grieve you or to resist your Son's authority in our lives. Amen.
Often I hear the sadness in God's voice, and I'm reminded of earthly parents--how hard we try to get our children to listen to us about things we know are important to their lives. Education, health, goals, spiritual well-being. They often don't listen, but neither do we! They to us and we to God!
"I've told you through the prophets, through ancestors," he says. "Now I am telling you through Jesus!"
So what does he want so desperately for us to hear? What is he speaking now? Is he telling us there is nothing to worry about because he has sent his Son to restore us to the Father? That everything needed to reestablish our broken relationship to Him has been accomplished in Christ Jesus? That even the angels recognize that He is worthy of praise? That He has sent "ministering spirits" to care for those who love Him?
The infant-become-man is now in charge! Is that what He is trying to get us to hear? Is that this year's Christmas present? Greater understanding?
Father, we are self-willed, determined to go our own way! Cause us to listen to your voice, to obey your word. Help us not to grieve you or to resist your Son's authority in our lives. Amen.
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