I, for one, am not the least bit sad that today is the last day of 2012. This year has been, bar none, the most emotionally volatile year of my life. It has had higher highs and lower lows than I want to experience on a regular basis.
The lows have ranged from getting really scary news about diagnoses several times to making a bad decision that cost a relationship that was very important to me. I have watched as someone I love got a death sentence from an oncologist, I had major surgery, and my therapist left... all major lows. But the lowest I felt this year was when it sank in that I would never have biological children. My heart broke as I prepared for my hysterectomy with this news, but then someone reminded me of Isaiah 54:1, "Sing, O childless woman, you who have never given birth! Break into loud
and joyful song, O Jerusalem, you who have never been in labor. For the
desolate woman now has more children than the woman who lives with her
husband," says the LORD."
The highs have been REALLY high. First Bennett was born and has completely captured my heart with love. He is the greatest thing that has ever happened to my life. Bennett is absolutely perfect and his parents are extremely gracious and let me share his little life. I started a job that I love! I thought it would be weird at first to work at Whitko full-time, but I absolutely love walking into my room each morning. I love the kids and the staff. My friends Shawn and Michelle Easterling were brought on as pastor at Big Lake Church of God so they live in Columbia City now instead of Pendleton, which is a way easier drive for me to make :). I joined BLCOG's lady's group and have met some terrific people. In the high times I have been reminded to, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow."
2013 is just around the corner and I am happy to see it arrive. I do not make resolutions, but I do make commitments. I commit to:
1. Grow in my walk with God and become more involved at church.
2. Do the best at my job that I can.
3. Love people deeply, because life is extremely short.
4. Move more and eat less; hopefully that will equal more weight loss. (I made a good start in 2012 with nearly 50 pounds gone.)
5. Being more fiscally responsible.
Happy last day of 2012!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Last Sunday of 2012
Happy Sunday everyone! I stayed home from church today to rest more. I missed the fellowship with believers, my friends. I missed the music and the sermon. I missed the sense of belonging and community. I hope all of you who have been well and are well enjoyed worshiping with your local congregation this morning.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Saturday
I didn't blog yesterday because I was down and out with the flu.... YUCK! But I was thinking in the middle of the night about Christ's humanity. Did he ever get sick? Did his body ever ache with fever? Did he ever lay around for a few days thinking he may die from whatever teeny tiny virus was wracking his body? Something to ponder...
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Nothing
I literally have nothing worth writing about... There is a very cute baby looking my direction and I think I shall play with him instead of trying to come up with something to say.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Snow Day
Today is the first time in months that I have just stayed home all day. It has been, so far, a day of lounging, reading, watching movies and doing nothing. It has been great! I do not take enough time to properly rejuvenate. If God, the creator of all needed a full day off a week, I surely need at least that. Rest well my friends and look outside and remember that each flake is unique.... just as each of us- created as an individual.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
December 25, 2012
Merry Christmas everyone! Hope that you have a great, blessed holiday with those you love.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Christmas Eve- The 5th and Final Advent Candle
Tonight in churches all over the world the last candle of Advent will be lit: The Christ Candle. This white candle in the middle of the wreath reminds us that
Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins! His birth
was for his death, his death was for our birth! And the attributes of the four other candles are centered on who he is and what we become as we follow in his likeness. “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!‘” (John 1:29) “Now there was a man of the
Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He
came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know you are a
teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous
signs you are doing if God were not with him.’ In reply Jesus declared,
‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is
born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked.
‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be
born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the
kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives
birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be
surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows
wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it
comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the
Spirit.‘” (John 3:1-8)
Jesus came to give life and life eternal. Many people in my generation have seen the things of God, either in their own life or in the lives of people they know. Yet, the question remains: Is Jesus the only way? Millennials sometimes doubt Jesus cares or that he was more than an honorable man.
Culture and postmodernism have taught the twenty-somethings (unfortunately myself included) that the answer is in the question. As a result, we question everything to death. We ask things like: Did Jesus really come as a baby just to grow into a man to die for our sins? Is Christianity the path to eternal life? What is the incarnation? Did God become man?
John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation. John
1:1-14
"IN the
beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was
in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him
was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the
light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not
overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a
witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.
He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light,
which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world and
the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his
own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him,
who believed in his name he gave the right to become children of God, who were
born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of
God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen his glory,
glory as of the only Son from the Father, Full of grace and truth."
Sunday, December 23, 2012
4th Candle of Advent
Today is the 4th and final Sunday of Advent, the candle today represents love. The angles announced the good news of a Savior. God sent his only Son to earth to save us, because he loves us! “For
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not
send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world
through him.” (John 3:16-17)
Love became flesh and made his dwelling among us. This is a season of expectancy and hope. Our expectations for the Christmas season will only be met if we put them all in Jesus. I feel like the expectancy of Christ is most manifest in Anna, Simeon, Mary and Joseph. God had promised Simeon, Mary, and Joseph that they would behold the Messiah. Anna was a widow who had been serving God at the Temple for decades and she responded to Jesus by proclaiming that the infant was indeed the redemption of Jerusalem.
All four of them had their expectations finally met in Jesus. You better believe that they rejoiced. Like them we need to look for something better than presents, crowds and family. we need to be looking for Christ. If we hold Jesus in our hearts, his joy should permeate all areas of our lives. Therefore, we should always have a reason to rejoice.
Christmas however provides a special time to rejoice and celebrate the fulfillment of God’s promises. Israel had been without a noted prophet for centuries by the time Jesus was born. They had a huge reason to celebrate and rejoice over the words of Simeon and Anna. But even greater than that they had reason to rejoice over the birth of Jesus. Although their full expectations were not to be met until some thirty years later, these beginning expectations caused a heightened pitch of excitement in Israel. We have no idea when our full expectations will be met, but Christmas should heighten our excitement and rejoicing in the promises of God.
It is odd to me that so little is said about Anna and Simeon. They were devout and just, that is about all we know about their character. It is stated in scripture that Simeon waited for the consolation of Israel. That is to say, based upon the sure promises of God’s word, he looked for and fully expected the Messiah. Further, the record says that the holy spirit was upon him. The LORD had indicated to him that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord’s Anointed, that is, the one who was appointed to deliver Israel. Now the time had arrived. Simeon had faithfully waited for many years for the fulfillment of that unique promise made to him. What a fine example we have in Simeon to wait upon the Lord, always hopeful and full of expectation for the things promised to us by God! Even though the fulfillment may come many years later, perhaps more than we had hoped or expected, God has his own time schedule. It is pleasing to him that we wait upon him.
Simeon’s joy at the sight of this child who would deliver Israel was immeasurable. He immediately took him into his arms; and with great confidence he blessed God and proclaimed a message that the child eventually would have a great impact upon all the people of the earth. Simeon rejoiced. Simeon loved Jesus instantly. He knew that this child was the manifestation of love. The incarnation...
Who was Anna? Anna was a favored woman of God from the tribe of Asher. Asher was a rather undistinguished tribe that failed to completely live up to everything God had for them. They had produced no judge, hero or heroine of the faith, until Anna! Anna was at least 84, but still actively serving the Lord. No doubt, the burden of her heart and prayers were for the long promised Messiah. NO wonder such a devoted woman was favored of God to see the Messiah in the form of a baby. It thrilled her heart so much that she just had to go tell those far and near the god news! Imagine this elderly woman going from place to place preaching the birth of the messiah. She was rejoicing in the fulfillment of promise.
Simeon and Anna (and probably Joseph and Mary to some extent) worshipped Christ. Worship is a type of rejoicing. The Bible says (of the shepherds actually), "they saw the young child…and worshipped him" (Matthew 2:11). And they were right to worship Him, because He is God in human flesh, Emmanuel, which means "God with us." As Charles Wesley put it, "Veiled in flesh the God-head see, Hail the incarnate Deity…Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King". (Charles Wesley, 1707-1788). "Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing,O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord." (Latin hymn, Trans. by Frederich Oakeley, 1802-1880).
Love came down at Christmas time. Worship should be our response.
Love became flesh and made his dwelling among us. This is a season of expectancy and hope. Our expectations for the Christmas season will only be met if we put them all in Jesus. I feel like the expectancy of Christ is most manifest in Anna, Simeon, Mary and Joseph. God had promised Simeon, Mary, and Joseph that they would behold the Messiah. Anna was a widow who had been serving God at the Temple for decades and she responded to Jesus by proclaiming that the infant was indeed the redemption of Jerusalem.
All four of them had their expectations finally met in Jesus. You better believe that they rejoiced. Like them we need to look for something better than presents, crowds and family. we need to be looking for Christ. If we hold Jesus in our hearts, his joy should permeate all areas of our lives. Therefore, we should always have a reason to rejoice.
Christmas however provides a special time to rejoice and celebrate the fulfillment of God’s promises. Israel had been without a noted prophet for centuries by the time Jesus was born. They had a huge reason to celebrate and rejoice over the words of Simeon and Anna. But even greater than that they had reason to rejoice over the birth of Jesus. Although their full expectations were not to be met until some thirty years later, these beginning expectations caused a heightened pitch of excitement in Israel. We have no idea when our full expectations will be met, but Christmas should heighten our excitement and rejoicing in the promises of God.
It is odd to me that so little is said about Anna and Simeon. They were devout and just, that is about all we know about their character. It is stated in scripture that Simeon waited for the consolation of Israel. That is to say, based upon the sure promises of God’s word, he looked for and fully expected the Messiah. Further, the record says that the holy spirit was upon him. The LORD had indicated to him that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord’s Anointed, that is, the one who was appointed to deliver Israel. Now the time had arrived. Simeon had faithfully waited for many years for the fulfillment of that unique promise made to him. What a fine example we have in Simeon to wait upon the Lord, always hopeful and full of expectation for the things promised to us by God! Even though the fulfillment may come many years later, perhaps more than we had hoped or expected, God has his own time schedule. It is pleasing to him that we wait upon him.
Simeon’s joy at the sight of this child who would deliver Israel was immeasurable. He immediately took him into his arms; and with great confidence he blessed God and proclaimed a message that the child eventually would have a great impact upon all the people of the earth. Simeon rejoiced. Simeon loved Jesus instantly. He knew that this child was the manifestation of love. The incarnation...
Who was Anna? Anna was a favored woman of God from the tribe of Asher. Asher was a rather undistinguished tribe that failed to completely live up to everything God had for them. They had produced no judge, hero or heroine of the faith, until Anna! Anna was at least 84, but still actively serving the Lord. No doubt, the burden of her heart and prayers were for the long promised Messiah. NO wonder such a devoted woman was favored of God to see the Messiah in the form of a baby. It thrilled her heart so much that she just had to go tell those far and near the god news! Imagine this elderly woman going from place to place preaching the birth of the messiah. She was rejoicing in the fulfillment of promise.
Simeon and Anna (and probably Joseph and Mary to some extent) worshipped Christ. Worship is a type of rejoicing. The Bible says (of the shepherds actually), "they saw the young child…and worshipped him" (Matthew 2:11). And they were right to worship Him, because He is God in human flesh, Emmanuel, which means "God with us." As Charles Wesley put it, "Veiled in flesh the God-head see, Hail the incarnate Deity…Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King". (Charles Wesley, 1707-1788). "Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing,O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord." (Latin hymn, Trans. by Frederich Oakeley, 1802-1880).
Love came down at Christmas time. Worship should be our response.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Being the metho-geek (a person with an affinity towards the Wesley brothers, particularly John- the founder of Methodism) that I am this Christmas hymn by Charles Wesley is one of my favorites. The hymn will be in typical font, my exposition will be in italics.
Come, Thou long expected Jesus people for centuries longed for the Messiah, even how now the lost long to be found
Born to set Thy people free; Jesus came set us free from the power of sin and death
From our fears and sins release us, only he can give us victory over our fears and sins
Let us find our rest in Thee. Christ can give us rest and peace while the world bustles around us
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art; Not just for Israel but the hope of all the earth, Christ is.
Dear Desire of every nation, Even the nations that do not proclaim Christ, do not realize who he truly is... they desire him.
Joy of every longing heart. The longing, broken heart can find joy in the person of Jesus.
Born Thy people to deliver, Isaiah tells us in several places that you came to for us, to deliver us.
Born a child and yet a King, He shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Ever-lasting Father, Prince of Peace and the government shall be upon His shoulder.
Born to reign in us forever, forever and ever and ever
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring. Let your kingdom come
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone; Christ alone must rule our hearts or we are not truly committed to him.
By Thine all sufficient merit, Jesus is the only person who has sufficient merit to save.
Raise us to Thy glorious throne. oh let this be my cry.... RAISE ME TO THY THRONE!!!
Come, Thou long expected Jesus people for centuries longed for the Messiah, even how now the lost long to be found
Born to set Thy people free; Jesus came set us free from the power of sin and death
From our fears and sins release us, only he can give us victory over our fears and sins
Let us find our rest in Thee. Christ can give us rest and peace while the world bustles around us
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art; Not just for Israel but the hope of all the earth, Christ is.
Dear Desire of every nation, Even the nations that do not proclaim Christ, do not realize who he truly is... they desire him.
Joy of every longing heart. The longing, broken heart can find joy in the person of Jesus.
Born Thy people to deliver, Isaiah tells us in several places that you came to for us, to deliver us.
Born a child and yet a King, He shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Ever-lasting Father, Prince of Peace and the government shall be upon His shoulder.
Born to reign in us forever, forever and ever and ever
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring. Let your kingdom come
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone; Christ alone must rule our hearts or we are not truly committed to him.
By Thine all sufficient merit, Jesus is the only person who has sufficient merit to save.
Raise us to Thy glorious throne. oh let this be my cry.... RAISE ME TO THY THRONE!!!
Friday, December 21, 2012
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Cheating
I have been grading essays like a crazy person today... I have noticed that students think I am an idiot and that I will not catch on to cheating. I had a student turn in at least two papers that were word for word copied off of the internet. This makes me mad and frustrated. He is a smart kid who should now get withdrawal failed from my class with one day left. That is dumb!
However, this got me thinking about how often we cheat in life... imitate someone we aren't because we want to be liked. Act like the "popular kids" to make friends. We are often not true to ourselves or the calling of the cross to get ahead in life. And that is dumb too.
However, this got me thinking about how often we cheat in life... imitate someone we aren't because we want to be liked. Act like the "popular kids" to make friends. We are often not true to ourselves or the calling of the cross to get ahead in life. And that is dumb too.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
David Phelps
I saw David Phelps last night at Fort Wayne First Assemblies. It was a ton of fun. Many songs stand out but one stands head and shoulders above the rest... Let There Be Light. Shawn has been preaching about the light. I noticed the juxtaposition of the lights surrounding the tragedy in Newtown. I love Christmas lights... this year must just be about the light...
The music began at His command
And the singer drew his breath
The melody rose and dawned on the land
And pierced the emptiness.
And from a barren and lonely place
Life began to spring
As on the stage of time and space
God threw back His head and began to sing
Let there be light
Invade the darkness
Fill up the void
Replace the noise with sweet harmony
Let there be joy
And echoes the laughter
And the Singer sings on
And still writes the song of the redeemed
Though beautifully sung, the song went unheard
And darkness returned again
But God had a plan in the second verse
To win back the hearts of men
A star rose up in eastern sky
That nbight in Bethlehem
And as the baby Jesus cried
God sang out his song and the angels joined in
Let there be light
Invade the darkness
Fill up the void
Replace the noise with sweet harmony
Let there be joy
And echoes the laughter
And the Singer sings on
And still writes the song of the redeemed
And every time a soul receives that joyfull Christmas song
He rises from His throne and all creation sings along
Let there be light
Invade the darkness
Fill up the void
Replace the noise with sweet harmony
Let there be joy
And echoes the laughter
And the Singer sings on
And still writes the song of the redeemed
The music began at His command
And the singer drew his breath
The melody rose and dawned on the land
And pierced the emptiness.
And from a barren and lonely place
Life began to spring
As on the stage of time and space
God threw back His head and began to sing
Let there be light
Invade the darkness
Fill up the void
Replace the noise with sweet harmony
Let there be joy
And echoes the laughter
And the Singer sings on
And still writes the song of the redeemed
Though beautifully sung, the song went unheard
And darkness returned again
But God had a plan in the second verse
To win back the hearts of men
A star rose up in eastern sky
That nbight in Bethlehem
And as the baby Jesus cried
God sang out his song and the angels joined in
Let there be light
Invade the darkness
Fill up the void
Replace the noise with sweet harmony
Let there be joy
And echoes the laughter
And the Singer sings on
And still writes the song of the redeemed
And every time a soul receives that joyfull Christmas song
He rises from His throne and all creation sings along
Let there be light
Invade the darkness
Fill up the void
Replace the noise with sweet harmony
Let there be joy
And echoes the laughter
And the Singer sings on
And still writes the song of the redeemed
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Speculation
There are people who legitimately believe that the world will end this week. I think that the speculation is ridiculous. However, many of my students have been talking a lot about it. Some have even asked what I believe. This opens a door for me to say what I think about the situation. I believe that no one knows the hour or the day... I also don't think people thousands of years ago were predicting the end of the world. I think they simply ran out of room on their tablet for more dates. I think when the world does end it will be in the twinkling of an eye. I believe that the dead in Christ will rise first and then those who believe will also be called home. So I will let the world speculate and rest in Christ.
Monday, December 17, 2012
This is Christmas
Hear how the heavens ring-
this holy night of nights.
Praise to the new born King.
Welcome the Lord of Lights.
Into our darkness he has come.
God so loved world
He gave His only son to save us.
This is Christmas.
Joy to all the earth
And peace for all,
Our God is with us.
This is Christmas
See how the shepherds bow
before His manger bed.
See wise men journey now
to where His star has led.
Come and behold him,
Christ the Lord.
God so loved world
He gave His only son to save us.
This is Christmas.
Joy to all the earth
And peace for all,
Our God is with us.
This is Christmas
Sing choirs of angels.
Sing in exaltation.
Sing all ye citizens of heaven above.
Glory to God
All glory in the highest.
O come let us adore Him.
O come let us adore Him.
O come let us adore Him.
This is everlasting peace.
This is never ending joy.
This is love eternal
and this is Christmas.
This is everlasting peace.
This is never ending joy.
This is love eternal
and this is Christmas.
This song was composed by Travis Cottrell and I think it shows the true Christmas. Christ is everlasting peace, never ending joy and love eternal. So thankful for the gift of God's only son!
this holy night of nights.
Praise to the new born King.
Welcome the Lord of Lights.
Into our darkness he has come.
God so loved world
He gave His only son to save us.
This is Christmas.
Joy to all the earth
And peace for all,
Our God is with us.
This is Christmas
See how the shepherds bow
before His manger bed.
See wise men journey now
to where His star has led.
Come and behold him,
Christ the Lord.
God so loved world
He gave His only son to save us.
This is Christmas.
Joy to all the earth
And peace for all,
Our God is with us.
This is Christmas
Sing choirs of angels.
Sing in exaltation.
Sing all ye citizens of heaven above.
Glory to God
All glory in the highest.
O come let us adore Him.
O come let us adore Him.
O come let us adore Him.
This is everlasting peace.
This is never ending joy.
This is love eternal
and this is Christmas.
This is everlasting peace.
This is never ending joy.
This is love eternal
and this is Christmas.
This song was composed by Travis Cottrell and I think it shows the true Christmas. Christ is everlasting peace, never ending joy and love eternal. So thankful for the gift of God's only son!
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Third Candle of Advent
Today is the third Sunday in Advent; therefore, the third candle was lit today. This candle traditionally represents Mary and Joseph and joy. They received God's promise in a way that we cannot truly understand. To have a life filled with God's power and victory it is imperative take to take the lesson from Mary and Joseph and receive God's promises. The angels sang a message of JOY! “…and she gave birth to her
firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds
living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at
night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord
shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them,
‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for
all the people. 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.’ 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.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the
shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing
that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:7-15
Sometimes God’s promises are a scary and difficult to understand. Mary and Joseph knew that very well. God promised a Savior through a virgin birth and Mary and Joseph believed that and got to receive it first hand. What great joy to welcome their first son, God's son!
God gives us lots of promises all the time, to receive God’s promises you have to know who the Promise Giver and the Promise Keeper is, if anybody makes you a promise, you have got to determine the integrity and credibility of the person. If it is somebody wacky, someone who is not credible, you are not going to take them seriously. The person who gives you the promise has to have credibility and integrity. In this case, the Promise Giver and the Promise Keeper is God Himself. As we study about who God is throughout the Scriptures, we discover that He is Almighty God. Because He is Almighty God, there is credibility in His promises. He possesses all ability, all power and all power to fulfill His promises.
The word ‘power’ in Greek talks about both dunamis and exousia. Dynamite comes from the word dunamis. There is an explosion, a power, which is the ability to do. But that is not all. God himself also has exousia – the authority or the right to do. Some of us have the ability to do something, but not the right to do so. Some of us have the right to do something but we don’t have the ability to accomplish it. But God is the Almighty God, which means that He has both the ability and the authority. If God has all power and all might, and He makes this promise to you, you can be sure that He will fulfill it. God always fulfills His promises. The Bible tells us that God is not a man that He should lie Numbers 23:19), and that the promises of God are “Yes and Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20). But we also need to understand that as God gives us a promise, He waits for us to live within the boundaries of His condition. God loves to give us promises, He wants to fulfill His promises, but He waits for us to meet His conditions. I believe fully that Mary and Joseph both had to have a willing spirit for the promise of Christ to come through them.
Knowing what the promise is besides knowing the Promise Giver and the Promise Keeper, we need to know what the promise is. If you do not know what the promise is, you will not be able to grasp it and experience its fulfillment. So you have got to know what God’s promises are. I believe that Mary and Joseph knew and understood the intensity of the promise that was about to be brought forth in their lives. Are we open or closed to receiving God’s promises in our lives?
Seven is the traditional number of completion in the Bible and theology. I believe that there are seven promises that we as Christians need to become more consistent about receiving.
Promise #1 The Promise of Promotion, Deuteronomy 28:13 says, “ And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail.” You are born to lead. God promises us that you will always be leading. This promise talks about a promotion of God in our lives. The promises of God is putting you and I into a leadership position and He will promote you. Am I saying that you will always be the first, or the boss? No, I am saying that when we are living in the promises of God you won’t be lacking. God will give you guidance and that translates into leadership.
Promise 2 is you are blessed. You have the promise of purpose through this. Ephesians 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. You are going to be blessed with all the good things of heaven. You are blessed because God has a purpose for your life. You are blessed to be a blessing.
Promise #3 You are more than a conqueror this is the Promise of Victory Romans 8: 37 – Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. This third promise deals with victory. It doesn’t matter what situation or difficulty you are in right now; you will be victorious because you are more than a conqueror.
Promise #4 You will have a way where there seems to be no way [The Promise of Open Doors] Isaiah 43:19 – Behold, I will do a new thing! Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. You will have a way where there seems to be no way. That’s the promise of open doors. God promises you open doors. Sometimes it takes many closed doors to find the open one, closed ones are a blessing that don’t always feel good. Keep believing but He waits for us to meet His conditions.
Promise #5 is the promise of Grace and Sufficiency: you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. This has to do with God’s grace and God’s sufficiency. You can rise above your situation and say, “I can do all things, because God’s promise backs you up.
Promise #6 You have a hope and a future [The Promise of Hope and a Future] Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you”, says the Lord, “thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” You have a hope, you have a future. Don’t let the devil chisel you and knock you off your feet because you have hope, you have a future in God.
Promise #7 the Promise of Peace Philippians 4:7 – And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. God has promised you peace in the midst of chaos. It doesn’t matter what the situation is; it may overwhelming but even in the midst of it, you have God’s peace to anchor you, and you will walk through it successfully. I believe these are promises God wants to release into your life. If you receive God’s promises, they will transform you. They will cause you to live with intent, and living a life of intent will lead you to success. Perhaps we aren’t living with intent in the past. Perhaps you have had some bad experiences. But you can be intentional and experience new meaning in your life starting today. The Promise Giver is God Himself, and His promises are “Yes and Amen”. Receive God’s promises today!
Sometimes God’s promises are a scary and difficult to understand. Mary and Joseph knew that very well. God promised a Savior through a virgin birth and Mary and Joseph believed that and got to receive it first hand. What great joy to welcome their first son, God's son!
God gives us lots of promises all the time, to receive God’s promises you have to know who the Promise Giver and the Promise Keeper is, if anybody makes you a promise, you have got to determine the integrity and credibility of the person. If it is somebody wacky, someone who is not credible, you are not going to take them seriously. The person who gives you the promise has to have credibility and integrity. In this case, the Promise Giver and the Promise Keeper is God Himself. As we study about who God is throughout the Scriptures, we discover that He is Almighty God. Because He is Almighty God, there is credibility in His promises. He possesses all ability, all power and all power to fulfill His promises.
The word ‘power’ in Greek talks about both dunamis and exousia. Dynamite comes from the word dunamis. There is an explosion, a power, which is the ability to do. But that is not all. God himself also has exousia – the authority or the right to do. Some of us have the ability to do something, but not the right to do so. Some of us have the right to do something but we don’t have the ability to accomplish it. But God is the Almighty God, which means that He has both the ability and the authority. If God has all power and all might, and He makes this promise to you, you can be sure that He will fulfill it. God always fulfills His promises. The Bible tells us that God is not a man that He should lie Numbers 23:19), and that the promises of God are “Yes and Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20). But we also need to understand that as God gives us a promise, He waits for us to live within the boundaries of His condition. God loves to give us promises, He wants to fulfill His promises, but He waits for us to meet His conditions. I believe fully that Mary and Joseph both had to have a willing spirit for the promise of Christ to come through them.
Knowing what the promise is besides knowing the Promise Giver and the Promise Keeper, we need to know what the promise is. If you do not know what the promise is, you will not be able to grasp it and experience its fulfillment. So you have got to know what God’s promises are. I believe that Mary and Joseph knew and understood the intensity of the promise that was about to be brought forth in their lives. Are we open or closed to receiving God’s promises in our lives?
Seven is the traditional number of completion in the Bible and theology. I believe that there are seven promises that we as Christians need to become more consistent about receiving.
Promise #1 The Promise of Promotion, Deuteronomy 28:13 says, “ And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail.” You are born to lead. God promises us that you will always be leading. This promise talks about a promotion of God in our lives. The promises of God is putting you and I into a leadership position and He will promote you. Am I saying that you will always be the first, or the boss? No, I am saying that when we are living in the promises of God you won’t be lacking. God will give you guidance and that translates into leadership.
Promise 2 is you are blessed. You have the promise of purpose through this. Ephesians 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. You are going to be blessed with all the good things of heaven. You are blessed because God has a purpose for your life. You are blessed to be a blessing.
Promise #3 You are more than a conqueror this is the Promise of Victory Romans 8: 37 – Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. This third promise deals with victory. It doesn’t matter what situation or difficulty you are in right now; you will be victorious because you are more than a conqueror.
Promise #4 You will have a way where there seems to be no way [The Promise of Open Doors] Isaiah 43:19 – Behold, I will do a new thing! Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. You will have a way where there seems to be no way. That’s the promise of open doors. God promises you open doors. Sometimes it takes many closed doors to find the open one, closed ones are a blessing that don’t always feel good. Keep believing but He waits for us to meet His conditions.
Promise #5 is the promise of Grace and Sufficiency: you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. This has to do with God’s grace and God’s sufficiency. You can rise above your situation and say, “I can do all things, because God’s promise backs you up.
Promise #6 You have a hope and a future [The Promise of Hope and a Future] Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you”, says the Lord, “thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” You have a hope, you have a future. Don’t let the devil chisel you and knock you off your feet because you have hope, you have a future in God.
Promise #7 the Promise of Peace Philippians 4:7 – And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. God has promised you peace in the midst of chaos. It doesn’t matter what the situation is; it may overwhelming but even in the midst of it, you have God’s peace to anchor you, and you will walk through it successfully. I believe these are promises God wants to release into your life. If you receive God’s promises, they will transform you. They will cause you to live with intent, and living a life of intent will lead you to success. Perhaps we aren’t living with intent in the past. Perhaps you have had some bad experiences. But you can be intentional and experience new meaning in your life starting today. The Promise Giver is God Himself, and His promises are “Yes and Amen”. Receive God’s promises today!
Saturday, December 15, 2012
The Wisdom of Children
I received a text this morning from a student. She simply requested that I wear blue and yellow on Monday to stand in solidarity with those in Newtown CT. She also asked me to pass the message on to other staff members. She knows that there isn't much that can be said or done, but wanted to show them that they are not alone. Kids are smart and sensitive. I have never been more proud to work for a public school.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Love the Light
Very rarely do I post twice in one day; however, today demands for a second post. My heart, like the hearts of many, broke as the news of Newtown Connecticut unfolded. As it stands currently, there are twenty children and eight adults that lost their lives today in a senseless massacre. I sat in silence with my sixth period class watching and listening to the horrifying news. Tears streamed unashamedly down my face. The looks of my students was sheer disbelief. An event like this begs the questions why? And how evil is the world? What would make someone do that?!
There are no good answers. The world is dark. However, there is a Light. Even as I watched the coverage on the evening news, I noticed that the homes and churches in Newtown had lights on them. These little twinkling lights represent the Light. Christmas lights in the midst of this darkness almost seems wrong. The juxtaposition of sorry and hope was a powerful visual for me. John 3 says, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (emphasis added) In the midst of darkness and heartache, I pray that the light of Christ shines brighter than ever.
Definitely saying an extra prayer tonight...
There are no good answers. The world is dark. However, there is a Light. Even as I watched the coverage on the evening news, I noticed that the homes and churches in Newtown had lights on them. These little twinkling lights represent the Light. Christmas lights in the midst of this darkness almost seems wrong. The juxtaposition of sorry and hope was a powerful visual for me. John 3 says, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (emphasis added) In the midst of darkness and heartache, I pray that the light of Christ shines brighter than ever.
Definitely saying an extra prayer tonight...
Mary, Did You Know?
I guess I am just going to talk about Christmas music until my hearts content... I mean it really does combine my two favorite things- Advent and music. Mark Lowry wrote the words to "Mary, Did You Know?" on a bus when he couldn't sleep. I doubt he had any idea how far reaching that song would become. It has been redone over and over. When I really think about the words, I am taken back. Do you imagine that Mary really did know the things her son would do? What would it have been like to raise the son of God from an infant? To have him as a son? To teach him to walk, talk, read? To watch the people he came to save crucify him?
The song itself begs many questions and in its stirring line of inquiries I cannot help but stand in amazement at the power of God. We don't really know very much about Mary other than she was a young virgin engaged to be married. But she is blessed among all to be invited to change the course of history forever in the birth of her first son. She surrendered fully to God's request and brought the savior of mankind into the world, wrapped him in swaddling clothes and raised him.
The song itself begs many questions and in its stirring line of inquiries I cannot help but stand in amazement at the power of God. We don't really know very much about Mary other than she was a young virgin engaged to be married. But she is blessed among all to be invited to change the course of history forever in the birth of her first son. She surrendered fully to God's request and brought the savior of mankind into the world, wrapped him in swaddling clothes and raised him.
Mary did you know that your baby boy would some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.
Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.
Oh Mary did you know
The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will walk again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb
Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would 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
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.
Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.
Oh Mary did you know
The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will walk again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb
Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would 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
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Joy to the World
"Joy to the World" was written 1719 and has been caroled ever since. The first verse is familiar and fills us with the expectancy and joy of the season. Additionally, the last two verses give us the promise of what is to come. The wonders of God's love is the reason for our joy.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
And He Shall Be Called...
Isaiah 9:6 "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." Christmas is a mere thirteen days away. And I couldn't be happier. I am thrilled that in the form of an infant we were given the tangible Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Christmas is a mere thirteen days away. And I couldn't be happier. I am thrilled that in the form of an infant we were given the tangible Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Peace and Busyness
Many thoughts are whirling around my brain today... thinking about the hospital visit I made last night, the paper that needs to be written for school, the papers that need to be graded for my students, the interview I will have this afternoon, the glory of the Advent season, two weeks from today is Christmas and one week from today is the David Phelps concert. It is difficult for me to settle my thoughts and focus on something to write about. I am reminded of some of my words yesterday about the hustle and bustle of life edging the glory of God out.
In moments of busyness, I must pause, take a deep breathe and rediscover the peace. Right now that peace comes most easily and quickly through Christmas music. When the first notes of O Holy Night ring out where I can hear them, it stops me in my tracks and focuses my attention on the King. It doesn't matter where I am or what I am doing. The peace of God that passes all understanding floods over me in those few moments of that hymn. I feel as if I am in the very presence of God, even if I am just sitting at my desk surrounded by work. The next two weeks will be crammed full of work and fun and busyness, culminating on Christmas day with time at home and with my extended family... my prayer today is that I do not lose the awe and wonder and peace that O Holy Night provides me with- that I may rest in the promise of the first Christmas.
In moments of busyness, I must pause, take a deep breathe and rediscover the peace. Right now that peace comes most easily and quickly through Christmas music. When the first notes of O Holy Night ring out where I can hear them, it stops me in my tracks and focuses my attention on the King. It doesn't matter where I am or what I am doing. The peace of God that passes all understanding floods over me in those few moments of that hymn. I feel as if I am in the very presence of God, even if I am just sitting at my desk surrounded by work. The next two weeks will be crammed full of work and fun and busyness, culminating on Christmas day with time at home and with my extended family... my prayer today is that I do not lose the awe and wonder and peace that O Holy Night provides me with- that I may rest in the promise of the first Christmas.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Second Candle of Advent
Yesterday was the second Sunday of Advent. In lighting the second candle, we proclaim that we are in a time of preparation. We are getting ready and we will announce his coming. This candle is probably best represented in the life of John the Baptist.
Mark 1:1-8 1The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.[a]
2It is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"[b]— 3"a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' "[c] 4And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8I baptize you with[d] water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
Last week I wrote about Isaiah proclaiming the promise this week I will be looking at how John the Baptist prepared for God’s promise. John the Baptist is clear prophecy, he appears to be vital testimony of who Jesus is -> people understood prophecy.
Nothing can completely prepare us for the greatness of the incarnate Christ, but we can take steps in preparation of our hearts and lives. God's kingdom was breaking through into the ordinary in the form of an infant. Are we allowing Christ to break through the ordinary today? God's kingdom changes the rules, breaks bondage, forgives sin, heals the sick, raises the dead, casts out demons, and sets all types of people free!!! Are we prepared for that? Are we preparing for that?
I know it sounds crazy, but I know a man Dale Begley who was pronounced dead, and was dead for almost 12 hours before his mother got there… she prayed for the power of God to come down, and he woke up. Now do I know if it wasn’t some sort of medical mistake? No, but I believe that it was God. Some people will suggest I believe that it was God, because that is what I want to believe… but isn’t that the truth for anything we believe.
John the Baptist was saying that the new had begun and there would be much much more. Where is the edge of our wilderness. Where are we? Who is out there crying for the Kingdom's cause? How has the coming of Christ the second time already began? I know that sounds like a crazy question, but seriously if we are getting closer and closer all the time, how has it already started. How are we preparing our own lives, the church, the lives of those around us?
John the Baptist’s good news, then, was the kingdom of God had come and that He, Jesus, is its herald and expounder to men. More than that, in some mysterious way, he is the kingdom. The good news now, is that Jesus still is. Preparation like all action is forever. You can’t take action back. In our preparation have we been so seized by a transforming conviction, extravagant grace, and overwhelming love and forgiveness that all we can do is proclaim God’s promises? At every moment of ever day of our lives we are living in the interface between our lives and God’s kingdom among us—we should be proclaiming something and preparing for something. God is actually here, and actually out there and actually in our hearts and lives are we preparing a life that we are happy to have him a part of?
So let us go out proclaiming God’s promises and preparing for them to come to pass.
Mark 1:1-8 1The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.[a]
2It is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"[b]— 3"a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' "[c] 4And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8I baptize you with[d] water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
Last week I wrote about Isaiah proclaiming the promise this week I will be looking at how John the Baptist prepared for God’s promise. John the Baptist is clear prophecy, he appears to be vital testimony of who Jesus is -> people understood prophecy.
Nothing can completely prepare us for the greatness of the incarnate Christ, but we can take steps in preparation of our hearts and lives. God's kingdom was breaking through into the ordinary in the form of an infant. Are we allowing Christ to break through the ordinary today? God's kingdom changes the rules, breaks bondage, forgives sin, heals the sick, raises the dead, casts out demons, and sets all types of people free!!! Are we prepared for that? Are we preparing for that?
I know it sounds crazy, but I know a man Dale Begley who was pronounced dead, and was dead for almost 12 hours before his mother got there… she prayed for the power of God to come down, and he woke up. Now do I know if it wasn’t some sort of medical mistake? No, but I believe that it was God. Some people will suggest I believe that it was God, because that is what I want to believe… but isn’t that the truth for anything we believe.
John the Baptist was saying that the new had begun and there would be much much more. Where is the edge of our wilderness. Where are we? Who is out there crying for the Kingdom's cause? How has the coming of Christ the second time already began? I know that sounds like a crazy question, but seriously if we are getting closer and closer all the time, how has it already started. How are we preparing our own lives, the church, the lives of those around us?
John the Baptist’s good news, then, was the kingdom of God had come and that He, Jesus, is its herald and expounder to men. More than that, in some mysterious way, he is the kingdom. The good news now, is that Jesus still is. Preparation like all action is forever. You can’t take action back. In our preparation have we been so seized by a transforming conviction, extravagant grace, and overwhelming love and forgiveness that all we can do is proclaim God’s promises? At every moment of ever day of our lives we are living in the interface between our lives and God’s kingdom among us—we should be proclaiming something and preparing for something. God is actually here, and actually out there and actually in our hearts and lives are we preparing a life that we are happy to have him a part of?
So let us go out proclaiming God’s promises and preparing for them to come to pass.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Forgiveness
Frequently when I am trying to put myself to sleep (which is a challenge to say the least at some points), I recite things in certain categories going through the alphabet. For example if I was doing colors A = aquamarine, B= blue, C = cream, and the list would go on u
ntil I got stumped or fell asleep. Last night I was doing religious songs or verses of the Bible: A = All Creatures of Our God and King, B= Be still and know that I am God, and so on...
When I got to L I began the Lord's Prayer, but I was derailed by thought. A particular phrase in the Lord's Prayer stuck out this time, "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." This verse implies that if I do not forgive someone, then I will not be forgiven. So this morning I looked into this thought a bit deeper, and honestly I am surprised and convicted. Matthew 6:15, Mark 11:26 and Matthew 18: 35 all confirm the inference I made from the Lord's Prayer. Forgiveness begets forgiveness and unforgiveness begets unforgiveness. Unfortunately, Christians, myself included, are some of the worst at holding grudges and not forgiving people. We often mask this as righteous indignation, but it is really just pride. We do not feel like people deserve forgiveness, but the truth of the matter is this: when we fail to forgive the people in our lives for wronging us, it is us that does not deserve to be forgiven. Not that we truly deserve forgiveness anyway, as it is written in Romans "while we were yet sinners Christ died for us."
People are going to sin against us. They will inevitably hurt us. This is the sin nature, fallen humanity. We individually and corporately will sin against God and hurt Him. However, he will continue to offer us forgiveness, healing and wholeness. Last time I checked we were to model our life after the life of Christ and I believe that is possible through grace.
Here's to living with a heart of forgiveness and grace...
ntil I got stumped or fell asleep. Last night I was doing religious songs or verses of the Bible: A = All Creatures of Our God and King, B= Be still and know that I am God, and so on...
When I got to L I began the Lord's Prayer, but I was derailed by thought. A particular phrase in the Lord's Prayer stuck out this time, "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." This verse implies that if I do not forgive someone, then I will not be forgiven. So this morning I looked into this thought a bit deeper, and honestly I am surprised and convicted. Matthew 6:15, Mark 11:26 and Matthew 18: 35 all confirm the inference I made from the Lord's Prayer. Forgiveness begets forgiveness and unforgiveness begets unforgiveness. Unfortunately, Christians, myself included, are some of the worst at holding grudges and not forgiving people. We often mask this as righteous indignation, but it is really just pride. We do not feel like people deserve forgiveness, but the truth of the matter is this: when we fail to forgive the people in our lives for wronging us, it is us that does not deserve to be forgiven. Not that we truly deserve forgiveness anyway, as it is written in Romans "while we were yet sinners Christ died for us."
People are going to sin against us. They will inevitably hurt us. This is the sin nature, fallen humanity. We individually and corporately will sin against God and hurt Him. However, he will continue to offer us forgiveness, healing and wholeness. Last time I checked we were to model our life after the life of Christ and I believe that is possible through grace.
Here's to living with a heart of forgiveness and grace...
Saturday, December 8, 2012
provision
God's provision never stops amazing me. Yesterday I received some unexpected very needed money. This money was given to me annonymosly... thank you if you are reading.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Grace Part 3: Sanctifying Grace
As a firm believer in Wesley's theology, I believe in sanctifying grace. The grace that makes us perfect in love of God and neighbor. My love is not perfect. Therefore, I am still growing in grace. But I believe someday that through the power of the Holy Spirit the work of grace will sanctify my heart. Until then I will keep pressing towards the goal and repenting as necessary.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
The Good Samartian
I almost missed today, because I was sick... but that has helped me decide what to right about. The parable of the Good Samaritan shows that sometimes the least likely person to help turns out to be the most helpful. It also shows that there isn't always good medical care available. It makes me grateful for those around me that the world may not think are likely to make good friends but really do. It also makes me keenly aware of those who call themselves Christians and do not act like Christ at all... A lot to think about.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Romans 1:20
On the radio this morning, WBCL's morning light was Romans 1:20, "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." This got me thinking about general revelation. The proof of God is all places in nature. Created order shows clearly the Creator.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Sounds of the Season: part 1
I love Christmas music. My favorite Christmas song is O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.
O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Refrain
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.
Refrain
O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Refrain
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Refrain
O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Refrain
O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.
Refrain
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
Refrain
Monday, December 3, 2012
First Advent Candle
Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent. This is a season of waiting, preparing and hoping. The first candle in Advent is the prophecy candle and it represents hope. Isaiah proclaimed the coming of the Messiah centuries before his birth. His words in the ninth chapter are full of hope still. Here is the sixth verse: "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." When I look at the first candle, I remember God's promise. God promised to send a Savior to the people. God fulfills the promises made to care for us. God is loving and just. God brings peace; this gives us hope.
Advent is about hope rooted in a promise. The promise turns back to hope of new life and freedom. Isaiah trust a promise that he never saw fulfilled. We have seen God's promise of Savior and this is a time to reflect on how AND why he came the first time, but look forward to a time when he will come again. Isaiah was proclaiming God's promise, do we live our lives that way? Are we prepared for the greatness of the promise?
To light an Advent candle is to say, in the face of all that suggest the contrary that God is still alive, still Lord of all, and, because of that, all will be well. And we can believe that promise. Hope is precisely that, a vision of life that guides itself by God's promise, irrespective of whether the situation looks optimistic or pessimistic. Hope produces joyful anticipation of the coming of the Lord. It is the joyful anticipation of the realization of promise and the actualization of that same promise. Advent gives us a special chance to reflect on the promises of God and His fulfillment.
Advent is about hope rooted in a promise. The promise turns back to hope of new life and freedom. Isaiah trust a promise that he never saw fulfilled. We have seen God's promise of Savior and this is a time to reflect on how AND why he came the first time, but look forward to a time when he will come again. Isaiah was proclaiming God's promise, do we live our lives that way? Are we prepared for the greatness of the promise?
To light an Advent candle is to say, in the face of all that suggest the contrary that God is still alive, still Lord of all, and, because of that, all will be well. And we can believe that promise. Hope is precisely that, a vision of life that guides itself by God's promise, irrespective of whether the situation looks optimistic or pessimistic. Hope produces joyful anticipation of the coming of the Lord. It is the joyful anticipation of the realization of promise and the actualization of that same promise. Advent gives us a special chance to reflect on the promises of God and His fulfillment.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
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