I hear that during this week's lunar eclipse that the animals were very still, very silent. They anticipate something that nature is bringing so they hush. They sit still. They gather their young and lay securely in their nests or beds, waiting.
I think that this is what happened on earth the night of the birth of Christ. I imagine that some people, caught up in their own business and importance, missed the pause. They hustled and bustled through their daily activities. But those in tune with God simply knew. Their air was heavy with anticipation of something. The wind ceased. Animals were quite. Birds hushed their singing. No wolves howled or dog barked or horses neighed.
The earth was silent. She was waiting.
Suddenly, after a young girl's cries of labor pains, a baby's cry broke the silence. Angels appeared on a hill top to shepherds. I'm guessing that birds began to sing much earlier than normal. Young kids danced while old goats watched. Horses neighed and whinnied while roosters crowed in the middle of the night. Trees danced, even without a breeze, while grass swayed. Rivers babbled a little more joyfully.
The wait was over. The Savior was born. Redemption and hope lay in a manger in Bethlehem. Isaiah 9:6 tells us "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."
The wait is over. Jesus has come.
Let's tell the world.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
"Their children are a blessing"
We're making a big breakfast for the family this morning. It's a lazy morning and a breakFEAST (as my teenagers call it) sounds like a great idea. French toast is on the griddle, bacon is cooked, and eggs will be done soon. Banana bread is in the oven. Yum!
Better than all of the delicious foods listed above is the fact that Mark and I are fortunate to be called children of God and along with that privilege comes this promise: The godly always give generous loans to others,and their children are a blessing." Psalm 37:26
Do you know what that means? That means that our children, all five of them (and the others that we consider children) are blessings regardless of the day, their attitude, our attitude, their address, their state of life in this very minute, our frustrations, busy schedules, whatever.
God has promised us this in His word. They are blessings - encouragements, special favors, mercies, and benefits (www.m-w.com). They are no accidents in our lives. God has given them to us for reasons that He had in mind and part of that reason is blessing. They are favors or gifts bestowed by God (www.dictionary.com).
Take a look around you at the children placed in your life. God has given them to you; they are blessings. Be thankful. Enjoy them today.
Better than all of the delicious foods listed above is the fact that Mark and I are fortunate to be called children of God and along with that privilege comes this promise: The godly always give generous loans to others,and their children are a blessing." Psalm 37:26
Do you know what that means? That means that our children, all five of them (and the others that we consider children) are blessings regardless of the day, their attitude, our attitude, their address, their state of life in this very minute, our frustrations, busy schedules, whatever.
God has promised us this in His word. They are blessings - encouragements, special favors, mercies, and benefits (www.m-w.com). They are no accidents in our lives. God has given them to us for reasons that He had in mind and part of that reason is blessing. They are favors or gifts bestowed by God (www.dictionary.com).
Take a look around you at the children placed in your life. God has given them to you; they are blessings. Be thankful. Enjoy them today.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The Christmas Season
I don't like the Christmas season.
Hear me clearly: I don't like the Christmas season. I love celebrating the birth of Christ.
I think that at this time of year it's easy to get swept away in chaos and frenzy of other people's ideas about what Christmas should be. Retailers entice us with glittering lights and deals "that can't be beat". There are parties to attend, some of which are attended merely out of obligation. There is a lack of time: we get to sleep later and rise earlier. We squeeze things in where there is really not time to do them.
To me, this is what has become the American Christmas season. I don't think this is what God intended.
God announced the birth of Christ to shepherds, in the dead of night, with the presence of angels. The announcement was grand but it was not harried. Check it out for yourself in Luke 2:8-15 The announcement of the birth of Christ ends with the angels saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (v.15)
This season let's remember the true reason for Christmas. Amidst the bags, bows, bells, and whistles, there is a baby who was born in a stable and placed in a manger, the Savior of the world. He became a man and died a horrible death on the cross for me and for you to save us from our sin. He overcame death so that we can live with Him forever.
That is the greatest gift of all.
Hear me clearly: I don't like the Christmas season. I love celebrating the birth of Christ.
I think that at this time of year it's easy to get swept away in chaos and frenzy of other people's ideas about what Christmas should be. Retailers entice us with glittering lights and deals "that can't be beat". There are parties to attend, some of which are attended merely out of obligation. There is a lack of time: we get to sleep later and rise earlier. We squeeze things in where there is really not time to do them.
To me, this is what has become the American Christmas season. I don't think this is what God intended.
God announced the birth of Christ to shepherds, in the dead of night, with the presence of angels. The announcement was grand but it was not harried. Check it out for yourself in Luke 2:8-15 The announcement of the birth of Christ ends with the angels saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (v.15)
This season let's remember the true reason for Christmas. Amidst the bags, bows, bells, and whistles, there is a baby who was born in a stable and placed in a manger, the Savior of the world. He became a man and died a horrible death on the cross for me and for you to save us from our sin. He overcame death so that we can live with Him forever.
That is the greatest gift of all.
Monday, December 20, 2010
My friend, Jim
On Saturday, December 18, many of us paid our respects to Mr. James Lee Bible Senior. Personally I didn't have the pleasure of knowing him for a long period of time but I did have the privilege of knowing him and I think that's great. What's even better is that I know I'll spend eternity with Jim. The duration of eternity will make this lifetime seem like the blink of an eye.
Jim Bible was very sick; stage four lung cancer had taken it's toll on his body. But guess what? There is no more pain or suffering. It gets better than simply "no more suffering". Jim is whole now. Isaiah 35:6 tells us that "the lame will leap like a deer". My friend, Jim, who often times relied on his walker for mobility, is now able to LEAP in the presence of his Savior.
I don't know if Jim liked to dance but I'm betting he has already cut a heavenly rug! Laughed with James and John (the Sons of Thunder) until his sides hurt. I believe that he has listened, awestruck, to Paul and Peter tell their stories.
After all of this, I believe that there may have been silence in heaven. The crowd stilled and Jesus looked at Jim and said, "Tell us your story, my son". And Jim spoke. Moses nodded his silent approval. Paul remembered the scar in his neck as Jim talked about his cancer. Elijah recalled not having had to taste death in this world. Peter could relate to leaving a family behind.
And after Jim finished, I'm betting Jesus said again, "Well done, good and faithful servant, well done".
I think angels applauded as the heavens broke into joyous praise for our God and our brother and friend joined them in loud voice.
You see, my friend Jim has experienced the hope of heaven. This life is but a moment, a passing through. Our home waits in heaven.
"When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be, when all get to heaven, we'll sing and shout the victory"
A-men!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Jim Bible was very sick; stage four lung cancer had taken it's toll on his body. But guess what? There is no more pain or suffering. It gets better than simply "no more suffering". Jim is whole now. Isaiah 35:6 tells us that "the lame will leap like a deer". My friend, Jim, who often times relied on his walker for mobility, is now able to LEAP in the presence of his Savior.
I don't know if Jim liked to dance but I'm betting he has already cut a heavenly rug! Laughed with James and John (the Sons of Thunder) until his sides hurt. I believe that he has listened, awestruck, to Paul and Peter tell their stories.
After all of this, I believe that there may have been silence in heaven. The crowd stilled and Jesus looked at Jim and said, "Tell us your story, my son". And Jim spoke. Moses nodded his silent approval. Paul remembered the scar in his neck as Jim talked about his cancer. Elijah recalled not having had to taste death in this world. Peter could relate to leaving a family behind.
And after Jim finished, I'm betting Jesus said again, "Well done, good and faithful servant, well done".
I think angels applauded as the heavens broke into joyous praise for our God and our brother and friend joined them in loud voice.
You see, my friend Jim has experienced the hope of heaven. This life is but a moment, a passing through. Our home waits in heaven.
"When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be, when all get to heaven, we'll sing and shout the victory"
A-men!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Friday, December 17, 2010
What You Do (Part Deux)
I've been thinking about yesterday's blog and I feel that an addendum is in order.
Yesterday's blog had a slant toward service and that needs to be expanded. WHAT YOU DO should be done because we love the Lord. Colossians 3:23 tells us "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."
Here are some thoughts:
• Go grocery shopping as for the Lord
• Go to work every day as for the Lord
• Drive in traffic on 285 as for the Lord
• Go Christmas shopping as for the Lord
The idea is that I do WHAT I DO because I love God more than anything else. My love for Him should be the motivation for all I do.
Pray and ask God that He will help you to make Him the motivation for all you do today.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Yesterday's blog had a slant toward service and that needs to be expanded. WHAT YOU DO should be done because we love the Lord. Colossians 3:23 tells us "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."
Here are some thoughts:
• Go grocery shopping as for the Lord
• Go to work every day as for the Lord
• Drive in traffic on 285 as for the Lord
• Go Christmas shopping as for the Lord
The idea is that I do WHAT I DO because I love God more than anything else. My love for Him should be the motivation for all I do.
Pray and ask God that He will help you to make Him the motivation for all you do today.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Thursday, December 16, 2010
"Would you still do what you do if your name was not on it?
If you received not credit for doing it?
If no-one knew you were involved in it?"
I took the author's name off of the above quote because I thought it was fitting. I assumed that it would be okay with the author of that quote if he/she gets no credit for it.
What about you? What about me? Do you do what you do because you love it? What you do might be parenting, being a good spouse, a great friend, serving the homeless, teaching a class, changing a diaper, picking up trash – the list of possibilities for what you do is endless.
Do you love what you do so much that you would do it even if no one knew that you did it? Jesus tells the people in repeatedly in Matthew 6 that if when they do what they do to be seen by men "that they have received all the reward they will ever get" (Matthew 6:2).
What if you were "nameless" in your service? For example:
• These children were raised (with "by Joe or Susie" excluded - no one's name here)
• This class was taught
• The garbage gets picked up
• Our babies get their diapers changed
Would you still do what you do if no one would ever, ever, ever know? Think about it. Is what you do the passion of your heart or a way that you measure your worth because others praise you for what you do?
Today, don't do what you do "publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven" (Matthew 6:1). Do what you do because God sees it; because your Father in heaven sees everything and He will reward you (Matthew 6:4).
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
If you received not credit for doing it?
If no-one knew you were involved in it?"
I took the author's name off of the above quote because I thought it was fitting. I assumed that it would be okay with the author of that quote if he/she gets no credit for it.
What about you? What about me? Do you do what you do because you love it? What you do might be parenting, being a good spouse, a great friend, serving the homeless, teaching a class, changing a diaper, picking up trash – the list of possibilities for what you do is endless.
Do you love what you do so much that you would do it even if no one knew that you did it? Jesus tells the people in repeatedly in Matthew 6 that if when they do what they do to be seen by men "that they have received all the reward they will ever get" (Matthew 6:2).
What if you were "nameless" in your service? For example:
• These children were raised (with "by Joe or Susie" excluded - no one's name here)
• This class was taught
• The garbage gets picked up
• Our babies get their diapers changed
Would you still do what you do if no one would ever, ever, ever know? Think about it. Is what you do the passion of your heart or a way that you measure your worth because others praise you for what you do?
Today, don't do what you do "publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven" (Matthew 6:1). Do what you do because God sees it; because your Father in heaven sees everything and He will reward you (Matthew 6:4).
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Monday, December 13, 2010
Dropping the Mom Ball
I dropped the mom ball recently. I juggle several balls at once and am fairly successful but I let the mom ball go, hands down. Kersplat! I didn't actually just gently release it. I inadvertently threw it to the ground.
I felt like a total bust. It was so stupid, the releasing of the mom ball. I was grumpy, the day had been long, and with a wicked and resounding thump, that usually light, airy orb dropped to the ground like a rock. A boulder even. One unthinking little (really, I mean, little) act on my behalf and disappointment was instantaneous. Hurt and confusion were apparent in the eyes of my child. No amount of explaining could rationalize what I had done in a moment of selfish pettiness.
Funny how a split second can change everything.
Thank God for repentance and forgiveness. After a deep breath I said, "I'm sorry. I won't do that again." (Repentance means saying, "I was wrong and I won't do that again".) And my baby looked at me and said, "It's okay. I love you." We've moved on. That was moment has become a drop in the bucket of our history, of our story. That forgiveness liberated me from my selfishness.
Again, funny how a split second can change everything. This time for the better.
All that from a child. How much more does Jesus forgive us when we turn to Him in true repentance, after repeated acts of selfishness, pettiness, and sheer rebellion and say, "It's okay. I love you."
We've all dropped the ball on some front. Maybe it's not the mom ball for you; maybe it's the spouse, sibling, friend, child, co-worker ball, or complete stranger ball. Maybe it's the Jesus ball.
Jesus paid everything for us because He loves us that dearly. He is waiting anxiously for us to say, "I'm sorry that I haven't lived for You, Jesus." Pass the Jesus ball to someone else today. Give them the chance to hear the Savior whisper gently to their hurting heart, "It's okay. I love you."
I felt like a total bust. It was so stupid, the releasing of the mom ball. I was grumpy, the day had been long, and with a wicked and resounding thump, that usually light, airy orb dropped to the ground like a rock. A boulder even. One unthinking little (really, I mean, little) act on my behalf and disappointment was instantaneous. Hurt and confusion were apparent in the eyes of my child. No amount of explaining could rationalize what I had done in a moment of selfish pettiness.
Funny how a split second can change everything.
Thank God for repentance and forgiveness. After a deep breath I said, "I'm sorry. I won't do that again." (Repentance means saying, "I was wrong and I won't do that again".) And my baby looked at me and said, "It's okay. I love you." We've moved on. That was moment has become a drop in the bucket of our history, of our story. That forgiveness liberated me from my selfishness.
Again, funny how a split second can change everything. This time for the better.
All that from a child. How much more does Jesus forgive us when we turn to Him in true repentance, after repeated acts of selfishness, pettiness, and sheer rebellion and say, "It's okay. I love you."
We've all dropped the ball on some front. Maybe it's not the mom ball for you; maybe it's the spouse, sibling, friend, child, co-worker ball, or complete stranger ball. Maybe it's the Jesus ball.
Jesus paid everything for us because He loves us that dearly. He is waiting anxiously for us to say, "I'm sorry that I haven't lived for You, Jesus." Pass the Jesus ball to someone else today. Give them the chance to hear the Savior whisper gently to their hurting heart, "It's okay. I love you."
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