I Deserve …

In late 19^th century in New York City thousands of people lived in poverty with no social welfare programs. One in five children in the poorest neighborhoods died before the age of 6. Contagious diseases spread rapidly in tenements where large families lived in 2 or 3 rooms with 1 window, sharing an outdoor toilet with hundreds of other people.  

Blocks away, rich men lived in palatial mansions with little concern for the poverty of others. The common idea was that the poor deserved their misery because of inferior intelligence, lack of initiative, or poor decisions!

We absorb the idea of ‘deserving’ from our earliest years. When we do ‘good,’ conforming to the expectations of others, we are rewarded in many ways. This can make us proud IF we succeed and leave us feeling worthless if we ‘fail’ to attain social marks of accomplishment.  

When we bring that idea into our faith practices, we miss the joy of truly knowing the love of God.  I am challenged by this which I read in a newsletter of Pastor Mike Woodruff -

Religion says, “I obey; therefore, God must accept me.” 
The Gospel says, “While I was a sinner, God loved and rescued me. I worship and obey out of gratitude and love.” Tragically, the former belief is the background music animating our heart unless and until we drive the Gospel into every corner of it—and do so every day.

Christian, do you really know that God loves YOU, as YOU are, where YOU are, today?
Are you running faster, working harder, to gain His approval, certain that ‘if only’ you did this or that, you would enjoy His blessings?  It is a subtle temptation, seemingly logical. However, it is untrue!

God does not love us because we deserve it. He loves us because His nature is love, His first desire our restoration to fellowship with Him, the Kingdom’s peace our provision.

Paul preached of Jesus and found converts in the ancient city of Galatia. Not long after he moved on, ‘teachers’ came who insisted that certain religious practices must be followed in order to be a child of God, to live in the Kingdom of Heaven. The apostle’s words are direct as he reminds them of the truly good news of God’s grace.

 “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.  I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard?  Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard.”  So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”  (Galatians 3)

The most amazing thing to me is the genuine transformation that comes to that person who receives the love of the Father, who trusts the grace of Christ, and in whom lives the Spirit of God, by faith!  A beauty flows from them, far surpassing mere religiosity or moral goodness. Christ makes sinners into saints.

It is terribly sad to witness that struggles of those who are attempting to live as a Christian without real conversion that comes from faith. They may be sincere about their religion. They may sincerely try to exhibit the joy of Jesus, but failure is inevitable; shame all too common. The late Dallas Willard coined a phrase to describe what their predicament is. They are practicing the “gospel of sin management.”  Using various behavior modification techniques, they attempt a life only possible through supernatural transformation, empowered by the Holy Spirit, Who is known only by faith.

The Bible says that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:17-18, NIV)

“In Christ!”  That is different from being a ‘member of a church,’ or ‘competent in knowledge of the Bible.’  It is a state of being a result of a response of faith to the invitation of the Spirit. Will you trust Him fully, letting the Spirit bring a new birth in the family of God?

The word from Word tells us that "to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan—this rebirth comes from God." (John 1:12-13, NLT) The base line is not ‘my goodness.’   We learn hard on this fact - “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16, NLT)

He loves YOU and will grant YOU eternal and full life, not because you deserve it but because Jesus gave YOU a gift of salvation. Trust Him!

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(Video of this blog at this link)

Honest Critic?

The hearings for the new administration’s cabinet appointments began in the US Senate yesterday and I watched some of the proceedings. One of the nominees was repeatedly denounced for marital infidelity and excessive drinking in the past, which he claims is over and done. By his own admission, he needed to change his ways, which he says he has done through a relationship with Jesus Christ. What I found striking was the self-righteousness of some of the Senators pressing those attacks who have past indiscretions of note. I wondered how some could adopt the tone they used without feeling some embarrassment.

Ever harshly condemned another Christian for what he’s done while conveniently forgetting your own failure?

We are so often amazingly lenient with ourselves while at the same time become harsh critics of others. They “sin.”  We make “mistakes.”  What they did we say is “without excuse” while our own similar action is “justified” by our unique situation.

Christian, Jesus reminds us that our way is to be marked by grace. He used a great illustration for the lesson.  “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”  (Matthew 7)

His challenge that we learn to live humbly so that our interaction with those who struggle is marked by a desire for restoration, not harsh judgment. We are not asked to set aside the ability to see wrong-doing for what it is, but we start with our own actions.

The principle of humble grace is echoed in one of Paul’s letters.  In Galatians, he writes to Christians who had forgotten the grace of Christ Jesus that changed their lives. They had returned to rule-keeping and perfection in the hope of salvation which caused them to be harshly critical of those who had ‘failed.’

 “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.”

Are you self-aware? 
Do you understand who you are,
what you do, and
how your life is affecting others?

We live with people who need hope, who need an advocate, who are objects of God’s love, just as we are. IF we are open, authentic, and gentle, we will find many opportunities to share the Good News that “the One who knows us best, loves us most!”  Yes, Jesus does forgive sin and by the Spirit changes us from the inside out.  And His desire is that each one of us who has known His grace will make it known to others.

The word from the Word is another teaching story Jesus told. May this wisdom help us to walk with Him and lift others up to share His grace. “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable:
 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”  (Luke 18)

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(Video of this blog at this link)

 

The Great Deception

The curriculum for my kid’s Christian Education class yesterday was about the Devil. In the Scripture he has several names: Lucifer, Deceiver, Liar, the Enemy, Satan, Tempter, Beelzebub, Prince of the power of the air – each speaking to a different aspect of the Devil’s work. His most effective work among humans is deception – presenting us with a false narrative about God.

In the early chapters of Genesis, we are informed about his basic strategy. He meets Eve and suggests that God is not good, that what God has said is not true, and that God is withholding the best from her. “He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so, they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.”  (Genesis 3)

They succumbed to his tempting words and immediately, in the poetic words of Genesis, we are told they became aware of their nakedness – vulnerable, exposed – and they covered themselves. Sadly, the text tells us that they also hid from God’s Presence!

The Deceiver is still at it
for when he can get us to question God’s goodness and love,
he has started to drive a wedge between us and our Father!

Regardless of how long we have been a follower of Jesus – the evil one remains a real foe. The Tempter and his demons play off the real circumstances in our lives, offering us 'relief' from our pain through things that will ultimately destroy us. In the hour of temptation, we seldom see those things for what they are! He wraps up his lies and often they appear to a gift!

Jesus, Himself, experienced the tempter’s appeal. In Matthew 4 we find the story. He was alone in the wilderness, where He was 'led by the Spirit’ He found Himself weakened by hunger, alone with His thoughts.The tempter shows up to exploit His desires, to offer false solutions for Jesus in the fulfillment of His God-given mission.
"Turn these stones into bread. ...
presume on God's power by forcing Him to intervene to save you from yourself ...
take a shortcut to power by giving me worship!"

Jesus did not argue with the tempter. He turned to Truth!
Each deception was countered with declaration of Scripture.  
"It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:4, NIV) "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" (Matthew 4:7, NIV) "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'" (Matthew 4:10, NIV)

When we find ourselves in the wilderness of Temptation, hearing the whispering lies that invite us to step away from God, to give in to our desires, to doubt the love of our Father, we simply cannot rely exclusively on our own determination. Who has not told himself, “I’ll never do that again,” only to find himself failing?  We cannot trust our own strength.

Instead, we go to the Scripture and find the Truth. We also must do the hard work of understanding our needs and vulnerabilities in order to live truthfully. We confess, without excuse, our failures and sins and find security in God’s absolute promise of renewal and forgiveness – because of His profound love and amazing grace.

Pray for the Light to shine brightly dispelling the shadows.
Name the temptation as God does, not with the pretty descriptions offered by the tempter, and the Lord will be your shield and strength. The wisdom of the Word reminds us of our strength. We turn first to the Lord, then we turn courageously to face the tempter. “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

Fighting some temptation? 
Questioning the goodness of God?

Here's a word from the Word. May God, the Spirit, give us faith to live the Truth and reject the deceptions. "How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes." (Psalm 119:9-12, NKJV)

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(Video of this blog at this link)

The Story You’re Writing Everyday

Like millions of Americans, I watched the funeral of President Jimmy Carter yesterday. I was surprised by the depth of the emotion that I felt. I was just 21 years old when he was elected, a man who made the phrase ‘born again’ known as he talked openly about his faith in Jesus.

His presidency was marked by a pursuit of human rights and peace, priorities shaped by the teaching of his Savior. In the half century that followed his four years in the White House, those who eulogized him repeatedly referenced the fact that he continued “to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with (his) God.”  (Micah 6.8) What a legacy!

Some believe that he made an even greater mark in the world after being President than he did while in office, again because he never forgot that Jesus was his True Center.

What story are you writing with the choices you will make today?

I’m meditating on that question today, thinking about the ordinary ways in which I can serve others, love the least, and encourage hope.

How easily we are trapped by the same impulse that fed the decisions of the man of whom Jesus spoke. He found himself rich after abundant harvests and concluded that it was time to “Eat, drink, and be merry!”  (Luke 19) Jesus said that he chose foolishly because he forgot God and good. “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”   Don’t miss the point. It was not his wealth that was wrong, it was his failure to make God first.

For those who live only for creature comforts, to accumulate possessions, or to create a fiefdom over which they can be a petty lord – there will be little to remember! Their only monument will be a piece of carved granite in a cemetery.

But for those who live with a godly passion, loving God and others deeply, who keep a humble heart, and who serve wherever and whenever without regard to the deservedness of others – they will be memorialized in people who are 'living stones.'   

Paul knew this and served without fear or selfish motive. He told the Christians in the city of Corinth that “you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.”  (2 Corinthians 3.3)

Let’s not be deceived by the lies that all of life’s rewards are found right here, right now. Beware of taking too short of a measure of life.

Instead, let us pray to live in faith!
Let us pray for opportunities to do good!
Let us seek to “walk humbly with God.”
Let us make our true wealth the love of others.

If we do those things God will fuel in us a vision for our lives that will draw us on to greater adventures of faith, not for self-aggrandizement, but for His honor.

Here is a word from the Word for this day. I hope it is what will be said of me when I exit this world for my eternal home. How about you?

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”  (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Keep writing a story of grace and good for the glory of God!

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(Video of this blog at this link)

Live NOW!

Plans are important. Anticipating future needs and making preparation for those moments is wise. A decade ago, I started to take little steps toward the goal of stepping away from full-time ministry at age 66. When that time came, I was financially ready and emotionally prepared to hand over leadership of the congregation I served for many years.

Now let me seem to contradict that opening paragraph by saying this – LIVE NOW! 

If we allow ourselves to be distracted today by a fascination with some event in the future, we will surely miss the opportunities that are unique to the moment.

The preacher, Jeremiah, taught this to the Lord’s people who had witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, who were carried off to the city of Babylon, some six hundred miles from their homes. Some of their leaders assured the people that the Lord would surely intervene so they would return to Jerusalem in a short time. These lies were attractive and comforting to those who were struggling in a new land;  lonely, and afraid.

God told Jeremiah that the exile would last for 70 years so the preacher taught the people that it was important for them to get on with life. "This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have." (Jeremiah 29:3-8, NIV)

Jeremiah told them the truth – “You are not coming home anytime soon. Your grandchildren will return so you must get on with life here, full of hope, but not empty dreams!”

At the outset of this new year, we can find great wisdom in that passage for our own lives!  Peter tells us that we are “aliens and strangers” here on this earth, but it is our present home, so we must carry on with life – even as we hope for the time when God takes us home.  We honor our God and bring glory to our Savior by being good citizens, industrious, and praying for our community. 

If we step back from engaging with our culture, living with excellence, as ‘salt and light’ because we are focused on the Second Coming of Jesus or waiting on the outbreak of some great spiritual revival, we miss God’s best right now.

There is great comfort in the promise of the “Kingdom to come,” in the anticipation of Heaven’s home. We do well to remember that we are a people of eternity, living with the long-range vision God gives to us. In tension with that, however, is the call to live for Christ in the present, finding His grace and being a blessing in the world.

After telling the exiles in Babylon that they were in it for long haul Jeremiah finished his message with promise. "This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” (Jeremiah 29:10-14, NIV)

They were people of the present with hope for the future. So are you and me!

Jesus told a parable (a story that teaches a spiritual principle) to His disciples. It was about a nobleman that was going on a long trip. Before he left, he entrusted his wealth to three servants. That nobleman told them "Occupy ‘till I come." (Luke 19:13, KJV) In other words, they were instructed to use the resources given to them wisely, to invest them in life!  Two of them did just that and were commended for their faithful diligence. One hid the treasure, keeping it safe, but unused. That servant was condemned! 

So, here is the phrase for those of us who are pilgrims, looking for a heavenly home. “Occupy ‘till I come!”

Here is a word from the Word, Jeremiah’s words to exiles that address us as well.  “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”  (Jeremiah 29)

Live NOW, for the glory of God.

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(Video of this blog at this link)

No more guilty shame

We all know the sting of shame. It drives some to despair, others to extravagant attempts to prove their worth to themselves or others. Some try to erase shame by denying their words or actions, pretending it never happened, or at least not in the way others think. Others move to a new place looking to start over with some past disgrace hopefully left behind. 

Feelings of shame and/or inferiority leads to all kinds of dysfunctional behavior. Paradoxically, shame over some past experience may even drive a person to more self-destructive choices.

At the heart of Christianity is the promise of forgiveness and restoration, that we need no longer hide our failures or pretend that we are better than what we know of ourselves. In Christ’s love shame can be erased! The Scriptures says “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” (Galatians 2)

The word ‘righteousness’ is not part of our everyday vocabulary so we may miss the assurance found there. God says that Jesus was crucified, hanging there on the Cross in shame, so that we can, through faith, become ‘right,’ without guilty shame in the Presence of a Holy God. He became ‘sin,’ bore our shame, so that we can not just be forgiven, but pardoned and justified!

There is a story in John’s Gospel that reveals the old way of religion that increases shame with the New Way of Christ that removes the terrible curse. "The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, "Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?"

As those men shamed that woman Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. It seemed like He was ignoring her pain while they kept badgering him. Finally, He straightened up and said, "The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone." Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt. Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. "Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?" "No one, Master." "Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin." (John 8:3-11, The Message)

He neither denied the reality of her failure, nor did He heap guilty shame on her. He gave forgiveness and pointed to a new way of life. Can you imagine what she felt at that moment? At one moment an outcast, publicly humiliated; in the next, a person of worth, shown great grace and deep love!

And this is the same Jesus who loves you and me! As we begin the New Year, let’s not be driven to religious perfectionism or attempt to hide our own sense of shame by pointing out the flaws of others. Instead, let’s be loved to life and become those who offer amazing grace to those who live in shame.

Remember the whole story of the Good News of Jesus. He calls us to live the potential life of the Spirit, seeing through His eyes who we can become in Him. We cannot perfect ourselves, but we can be ‘made righteous’ by His gift of love. The Cross is for us both a symbol of terrible shame and tremendous glory, for there the worst of sin met the amazing grace of God.

Let the word from the Word today occupy your thoughts throughout the day - "You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross." (Colossians 2:13-15, NLT)

Are you living in shame? There is no need to stay there any longer.
The One who knows you best, loves you most!

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Faith is not easy

Over the years times brought me testing of my faith! How about you?

When I was in my early thirties, faith was battered by the experience of a church split. I was astonished at the cruelty and selfishness of those who claimed Christ as Lord. Many questions about the reality of the Christian experience rose in me. I came to realize that we are all ‘in process’ and that Jesus is the only Perfect One.

In my mid-forty’s my faith was nearly extinguished by a terrible depression that lasted over a year. It made prayer seemingly impossible. The Hope of Christ was hidden in a deep fog of confusion and fear. Only the love of family and friends, the power of the Word, and the intervention of a caring physician brought renewal. I learned that God’s Light shines even in the darkest night.

Faith is not simple, nor is it easy, but what reward comes from enduring the hardships, becoming willing to live with the mysteries of suffering, sadness, and unanswered questions. Psalm 40 is true!

We read there
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”

St. John of the Cross called the season of faith-testing - the "dark night of the soul."   I have found those times like traveling through a desert, a journey that makes the soul dry, parched. Temptation comes to find relief, anywhere, anyway we can!

Even Jesus experienced it. When He was in the wilderness, fasting and praying, He felt Himself alone and Satan whispered to Him about turning stones into bread, about forcing a crisis with His Father by throwing Himself off of the temple walls! He did not fail, nor will we – IF we lean hard on the Word as He did. He answered the Tempter by saying ‘it is written.’

The faith chapter (Hebrews 11) describes those whose prayers were apparently unanswered, who were persecuted, imprisoned, and impoverished because of Christ Jesus. Then we read this challenge – “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (v.36)

A moment ago we read about the importance of ‘waiting patiently for the Lord.’ 
Will you? Will I?

When faith becomes difficult, when questions and even doubts come, when God is silent, choose to persevere!  How?

1. Don’t abandon the church and the fellowship of worship.

2. Take the long view, remembering that today’s crisis will pass. Eternity will come.

3.  Weep! Repressed emotions are a poisonous brew. Let your heart be broken. Tears are a language that God understands.

4. Grit your teeth and hang on as you choose to do the right thing even if your heart is not in it.  This is the promise- “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”  (James 1:12)

May we be encouraged to remain steady by this word from the Word.
“When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken. "O LORD, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. … 
Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help. You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever." (Psalm 30:4-12, NIV)

As we enter the New Year, let us pray for renewed faith, for courage, for the Spirit to lead us to light and life.

Amen

Panic or Ponder

When I was a younger man, I was convinced that when I reached a certain age, I would have life figured out, that the questions would be settled by time and experience. Many questions have found answers, but many remain. What I now realize more than then is the importance of being willing to wait, to walk through the mystery with faith intact. God’s ways sometimes confound me, sometimes confuse me. How about you?

Faith has taught me to worship Him even in such moments.

The Christmas story brings us a moment like that in the life of Jesus’ mother. We read this: “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2)

That sentence, in the middle of Luke’s story of the birth of Jesus, brings me wonderful peace. Mary was told about God’s plan in Nazareth by an angel and yet at the day of the birth of Jesus when she heard about the angelic announcement during the visit of shepherds, she was left to wonder at it all. It did not make sense to her, at that moment.

Reflecting on that same thought of her wonder, Mark Lowry wrote a song that asks “Mary, did you know…? One of the verses says -

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am?

When that blessed woman stood 33 years later at the foot of the gruesome cross where her Son hung dying I wonder if Mary retreated to that Holy Night, to the words of shepherds and angels she has stored up in her heart so that she could draw comfort from knowing that He and she were in the center of the will of God?

As we live through days where noise and confusion is all too common, when our lives go sideways with disappointment, when the future is murky – let’s be willing to return to the Word of God, to the declaration that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  (Romans 8)

When fear pushes us toward panic, let’s choose instead to ponder! As we pause and think, His Spirit can whisper to us about the wonder, the mystery of the Incarnation (God in flesh.)  He is Immanuel - ‘God with us!’

Let’s make sure that in all our celebrations the momentous message is kept in mind. It is summed up this way - "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:11-12, NIV)

I pray for you a most blessed Christmas,
a renewal of love for the Savior,
a re-centering of faith on Him, and
a recommissioning to service of the Baby of Bethlehem,
now the Lord of Heaven and Earth, our King!

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The Heavy Burden of Expectations

Our celebration of Christmas usually comes with a burden of great expectations. The bright lights and nostalgic songs stir up different longings in each of us, don’t they? We want to heal broken relationships. We hope to connect with our family in a way that is meaningful. We want to find the kind of faith that settles our restless heart. We wish for …  yes, you would likely answer that question differently than I would.

But there are choices that we can make that will help us to find our way into the New Year with a richer, fuller heart as we reflect on Christmas, 2024.

First, let’s adjust our expectations of ourselves and others!
Deep inside of us, we can become almost childish thinking that surely the carols, the candles, or even Old Saint Nick will change our lives. We love Dicken’s story of the transformation of Old Scrooge in that tale - "Christmas Carol."  Life doesn’t work that way.

Just because it is Christmas that miserable person that rains on your parade is highly unlikely to turn into Sam Sunshine. Be realistic! Know, too, that one gift or gesture, as nice or generous as it may be, cannot erase something hurtful from the past. Face the fact that a marriage that is cracking at the seams won't be repaired by an expensive gift. If we are realistic about the limits of the day, it will help us to celebrate with more joy.

Second, focus on the spiritual part of the Season.
Yep, you've heard that before, too, haven't you? It is celebration of Christ's birthday. You won't find Him on Amazon.com or in the twinkling lights of the decorations. Giving gifts can be a lot of fun. Decorating our homes and offices can add a festive air. Parties are great, sometimes.

It is worship, however, that brings true peace, which connects us to the One who came to be our Prince of Peace. Every year in my pastoral ministry I have urged people to carve out moments in which they can listen to God's voice, pray, meditate, and know Gods’ peace. Mostly we don’t!  But, I hope you will.

Serve someone in the Name of Jesus with no ulterior motive. Go to church having prepared your heart to participate in the corporate acts of worship.

Third, admit to yourself - "I cannot do it all!"
Somebody will be disappointed that you didn't get to their party. Somebody won't get the perfect gift. The pie you bake might turn out with a burnt crust. Uncle Joe may growl at your kids and remind you that you are a failure as a parent. Nobody’s 100%, able to please, and mega-competent.

It's all right to be human. Admit it - first to yourself. If you own your own humanity, it is a way to unload a ton of pressure.

And, don't forget to be child-like.
Give yourself permission to experience some wonder. Let the Grinch be cynical! Laugh at those things that are absurd. Hug Grandma. Sing, even if you can't, and enjoy the experience. Ponder the story of a Baby born in a manger, of Shepherds who heard angels sing, of God come to earth to change everything, including your eternal destiny. Ask God to give you the eyes of a child again.

I think if you'll do these things, January 1st will roll around, and you'll wish it were still Christmas, instead of being glad it is gone for another year. Let me know, won't you?

Read these ancient words today. I pray that you will experience something like the wonder in the word from the Word.

"And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:6-11, KJV)
"And all they that heard it wondered at those things ..." (Luke 2:18, KJV)

There we find the hope of humanity, our salvation, and an anchor for all of life’s storms.
Remember Jesus!

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Time to Think About It

Did your Mom ever give you a ‘time out?’  When you were disobedient or making life difficult for her perhaps you heard her say something like this – “You need to go sit on the sofa and get yourself together.” It might have just been a frustrated parent saying, “I need a break.” But, in the best world, it is a discipline aimed at forming some greater awareness, a way for the errant child to hopefully understand what he is doing and how he needs to adjust.

Did you know that God gives us a “time out” occasionally? He never just gets tired and puts us out of sight. His purpose is to help us grow in grace, to come to a place where we are better prepared to receive His will.

Part of the story of Jesus’ birth includes a kind of ‘time out.’  An older priest was selected to be the one who entered the Holy Place bearing incense, offering up the prayers of the people to a Holy God. It was a privileged honor, perhaps the only time he got to do it in his entire lifetime.  While Zechariah was there, God’s messenger showed up telling him he was going to be a father, something that was naturally impossible given the advanced age of his wife, Elizabeth, and himself.

Luke tells the story. Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”  The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”  (Luke 1: 18-19)

Zechariah got a ‘time out!’  HE had nine months of silence in which to ponder his relationship with God, to think about his depth of faith and the experience changed him. Their son was born just as Gabriel had said. His name? John, the one we call ‘the Baptist’ who was the forerunner of Jesus. His father regained his speech the day he named his son, whose name literally means “The LORD graciously gives.”

Are you questioning God, wondering about His love, pressed by the many activities and responsibilities of life, especially in this Season? Give yourself a ‘time out.’ 

Tish Harrison Warren writes “Advent exists so that every heart can "prepare him room." And this preparation cannot merely be an abstract idea. We prepare Christ's room by rearranging our schedules to prioritize silence, contemplation, and reflection. That doesn't mean we have to escape to a monastery ...  but the call of Advent is to make space and time to be healed and renewed, even if it's only for a few minutes a day.”

As has been said many times, our lives will be overtaken by the tyranny of the urgent unless we learn to put the important things first. God asks us, as His people, to keep Him first, to listen for the whisper of the Spirit and to walk in the Way He plans for us.

Finding that way will require time of worship, time alone to reflect, intentional focus on contemplative prayer. Perhaps you need to give yourself a ‘time out?’

Our word from the Word is a simple prayer, first prayed by a little boy named Samuel, as God called him to a lifetime of service. We would do well to make it our prayer.

“Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”

Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”

Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”  (1 Samuel 3)

Here I am, Lord, listening and waiting on You. Amen.

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God wins!

My Christian Education class of 5th and 6th graders is doing a survey of the Bible this year. Last night we came to the book of the Revelation. How does one take such a complex book and even make it remotely comprehensible to such young minds? l summarized it this way - God wins.

It is true that the book is full of words we find hard to fully understand and images that are strange and wonderful, but the richness of the book comes in its revelation of Jesus Christ as Master and Lord and King.

When we are discouraged or afraid John’s description of our Majestic Lord cannot help but renew our faith, right? “He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.” (Revelation 1)

The following chapters recount, in strange symbolic language, the triumph of the will of God and the struggles of His people as He works with them by His power, carrying them through incredible times of suffering and pain. God’s messenger tells John about the victory. “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them!”  (Revelation 12:10-12)

You are NOT a victim of evil nor are you helpless when temptation comes. Full of the Spirit and trained by the Holy Word, you can triumph!

And then we come to this, the glorious declaration of the end of the human saga and the full Revelation of Christ. “Praise the Lord! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice and let us give honor to him.

For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear. For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.

… Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. … On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.” (Revelation 19)

In Advent, we will celebrate the birth of the Baby in Bethlehem, the Savior who came to reveal the love of God and save us from our sin. AND, we will renew our hope in the Coming King who defeats sin, Hell, and death, ruling in perfect justice. Yes, friend, keep the faith. It is true: God wins!

The word from the Word urges us to stay steady, to finish well with hope. Take it to heart as you begin this new week. ^“But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”  (1 Corinthians 15:57-58)

God wins. Amen

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