Happy New...What?

It’s that time of year again.  We say goodbye to one calendar year and welcome a new one.  It’s been 360ish days since we did this last.  Went fast, didn’t it?  Once again we find ourselves in that small window of time giving a nod to the wisdom of Socrates:  “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

Do you remember the movie The Bucket List?  It came out a couple of years ago (I think).  As movies go, it is loaded with life themes.  You could spend a year at Starbucks talking with your coffee buddies about the one-liners, conversations and experiences that happen in this movie.  Simply put, it’s one of those movies that makes you think about your life.  Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, both terminal with cancer, come up with the “bucket list” – a list of things they want to do before they die.  And, what a list they come up with.  It’s the kind of stuff you do if one of you is a gazzillionaire!  But, off they go into the wild blue yonder of adventure.  They take their spectacular list and check"em off one at a time.  Along the way they share perspectives of life, hopes, dreams, and regrets, and they do it acutely aware that time is in short order.  The movie is loaded with laughs.  But I think it is one Socrates would have watched and enjoyed talking about.    

We don’t like to think about our mortality.  It’s…well…morbid.  We prefer the “now."  So…for the time being, let’s give the inevitability of our own mortality a rest.  In fact let’s not presume 2012 will happen in its entirety.  Sound a little weird?  Perhaps unsettling?  Behind all the parties, Times Square celebrations, and cute conversations about what we plan to do differently in 2012 is the defining reality of the biblical view of time.  Scripture says “time” is in the Father’s hands.  It was Jesus who said, “Be on the alert.  Watch!”  The apostle Paul talks about fighting off sleep and staying awake “in the Spirit."  We often talk about making a difference with our lives or mapping out all the things we want to accomplish in our “lifetime,” all the while assuming that we will have the presumed 70-80 years (and then some) to get it all done.  But, that is not the consciousness that should frame our perspective of life…of bucket lists.  We have the “now."  The window of December 31 – January 1 isn’t big enough to contain it.  Why?  Simply because the now affects every day we are given to live on the planet.  And, that takes Socrates’ familiar adage off the list marked “pithy things to think about on New’s Years Day” and puts it on the “everyday” list.

What does 2012 hold?  God knows.  And, He is the only One who knows.  More importantly, how do we need to surrender ourselves to His calling and purposes for the days that are ahead…however many they may be?  If we think about our lives from a truly Christian perspective a good time to start “the examined life is worth living” would be….well…when?   So what’s on our list “today?"

Father, bless us with an acute awareness of your calling of us today.  May we live “in the moment” every day as your servants.  Bless us with everything we need to be instruments in your hands every day that you give us in 2012.  Through Him who is the same yesterday, today and forever….amen.  

Randy Daugherty

Stephenville, Texas

My Psalm, Too!

Sometimes we may be feeling so many different emotions all at the same time.  Some are joyful and happy with glimpses of fear and sadness.  Sometimes the holiday season brings a whirlwind of emotions for many people.  Perhaps they are feelings of thanksgiving for the precious time shared with loved ones and feelings of sorrow for those who are no longer with us.  Perhaps it’s the bittersweet feelings parents of adult children have when its time for their children to return to their own lives.  Life itself can create an emotional rollercoaster for us to ride.    As individuals given souls and a spirit of love, we may struggle with these varied emotions. 

Recently, I read Psalm 86.  It is a prayer from David.  At that particular moment in time, this psalm gave words to all of my feelings.   I ask that you read it slow, as it is a conversational prayer with our Father; the one being that is supreme and has the power and the authority to work in our lives.   In some ways, it’s a challenge – to live in accordance to His will, to have a heart of a servant and to glorify God in all I do.  I found such comfort in David’s words even though they are thousands of years old – maybe you will too. 

Psalm 86 (NIV)

Hear me, LORD, and answer me,

for I am poor and needy.

2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;

save your servant who trusts in you.

You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord,

for I call to you all day long.

4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord,

for I put my trust in you. 5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good,

abounding in love to all who call to you.

6 Hear my prayer, LORD;

listen to my cry for mercy.

7 When I am in distress, I call to you,

because you answer me. 8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;

no deeds can compare with yours.

9 All the nations you have made

will come and worship before you, Lord;

they will bring glory to your name.

10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;

you alone are God. 11 Teach me your way, LORD,

that I may rely on your faithfulness;

give me an undivided heart,

that I may fear your name.

12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;

I will glorify your name forever.

13 For great is your love toward me;

you have delivered me from the depths,

from the realm of the dead. 14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;

ruthless people are trying to kill me—

they have no regard for you.

15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,

slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

16 Turn to me and have mercy on me;

show your strength in behalf of your servant;

save me, because I serve you

just as my mother did.

17 Give me a sign of your goodness,

that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,

for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me. 

Michelle Tittor

Grapevine, TX

The Best Gift

I heard a story Christmas morning at church about a grandmother who didn’t know what to get the grandkids who were growing up and lived so far away so she decided to send them cards with a check in it. She gets it all ready and mailed the cards only to realize a day later that she forgot to include the checks. Imagine the grandkids surprise when they got a card from their grandmother that said “buy your own gifts this year.”  

I love gift cards and I certainly like cash.  As someone who has plenty of “stuff” I want to buy things I need and often those things cost more than someone would be able to pay so just give the ability to go do it myself.  Merry Christmas to me!

On this Christmas day and each day before and after, I’m thankful that God doesn’t send me a card that tells me to buy my own gift or simply give me a gift card or cash so I can go get what I need.  God gave me a gift and the gift is Jesus.  It’s a gift I didn’t deserve, a gift I don’t yet fully grasp, a gift I could never acquire on my own.  

It is possible to experience Christmas all year long by simply remembering God’s gift each day and living a life that shares the joy and hope that comes from his gift to each of us.  

Grace and peace to you.        

Jeff Jones

Decatur, Texas

Incarnation means...?

To state the obvious, today is the day after Christmas. And...what do we do? The day after Easter is easy. Hurrah! Jesus is risen! We can celebrate the gift of salvation, the beauty of life’s victory over death, the relief of forgiveness of sin for as long as we want. But, Christmas. Jesus is born. Then what?

There are many trite things that can be said (and, to be fair, that have been said) about the “true meaning of Christmas” and “the reason for the season.” Those are all good things. But I think there’s a bit more to it than focusing on the nativity, giving and sharing with the less fortunate, and investing valuable time in friends and family, all in the name of the baby Jesus.

There are various feelings that come with the day after Christmas--relief, disappointment, anticipation, weariness, etc. That’s probably because we don’t really know what to do with a baby savior. We don’t know what to celebrate, what to be thankful for, beyond that which comes on Christmas Day, specifically. We know how to anticipate His coming in the days leading up to Christmas. We’re kind of at a loss after He gets here.

But think about it. It is a representation of the full meaning of the covenant that we have with the Lord as His people. Christmas is so hard to comprehend because everything about Christmas says that that which is impossible is, in fact, possible. Gods don’t become human. Gods don’t live like dirty, poor, reviled humans. Gods don’t die. And human bodies don’t rise from the dead. But God says “Yes!” to all of these impossibilities.

Jesus’ birth--this first appearance of God incarnate to man--is the beginning of the promise that we love, the promise that says God is with us “always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). The name “Immanuel” means “God with us.” This goes beyond the few months between Christmas and Easter. It characterizes the way we walk in faith daily.

We are celebrating the fullness of our covenant and the character of our God as we celebrate Christmas, and this goes beyond Christmas Day. This is sacred time, when we are reminded that our God does not stand aloof and separate from us, but enters our lives, willingly and humbly.

So, maybe it is a little trite, but that’s just because it’s almost too simple to be true. God is with us. But that isn’t all. Just as Jesus was God incarnate, we are called to live lives of incarnational spirituality. We are called to live fully in this world and in the covenant that we have with the Father, just as Jesus did. This is the essence of what it means to be a “whole person.”

When we think of “incarnation,” we think of Jesus’ entrance into the world. It’s more than that. Incarnation involves connection and relationship. Jesus’ incarnation is a manifestation of who we are called to be as His disciples--people of connections and relationships, and of connections to God and to man.

Not only does Jesus’ birth remind us of what we are promised, it also reminds us of who we are called to be.

“But to all who did receive Him,
He gave them the right to be
   children of God
to those who believe in His name,
who were born,
not of blood,
or of the will of the flesh,
or of the will of man,
but of God.
The Word became flesh
and took up residence among us.
We observed His glory,
the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father
full of grace and truth . . . .
No one has ever seen God.
The One and Only Son --
the One who is at the Father’s side --
He has revealed Him.”
--John 1:12-14, 18

Amen.

Erin E. Daugherty
Abilene Christian University

A Lesson from Gettysburg

I'll never forget watching an episode of the "Civil War" by Ken Burns and tears welling up in my eyes.  It was the third day of fighting at Gettysburg, in the afternoon of July 3, 1863.  Robert E. Lee chose a fellow Virginian, General George Pickett to organize an assault on the Union center.  Pickett's men had filed into the woods waiting for the signal to move over an open field leading up to Cemetery Ridge where the Union soldiers were located.  At a little after three, Pickett gave the order - "Up men and to your posts!"  Thirteen thousand men started out of the woods toward the stone wall on the ridge.  They were silent, forbidden to fire or to give the rebel yell until reaching the enemy.  A Union officer described..."more than half a mile their front extends, the arms of men, barrel and bayonet, gleam in the sun.  They move as with one soul, in perfect order, magnificent."  Another Union officer stated "it was the most beautiful thing I ever saw."  When the first southerners came within two hundred yards the Union soldiers opened fire.  Behind the stone wall eleven cannon and seventeen hundred guns went off at once.  "Arms, heads, guns and knapsacks were tossed into the air" one Federal officer said.  The Confederate soldiers reached the Union line at only one place.  The fighting was furious, men firing into each other's faces not five feet apart.  Men went down on hands and knees, some falling - legless, armless, headless.  Thousands of Confederate soldiers threw down their weapons and surrendered.  Others staggered back across the field.  Six thousand and five hundred men had fallen or been captured.  The entire battle at Gettysburg was bloody, 51,000 men were killed - 23,000 from the North and 28,000 from the South.

In 1913 a fiftieth anniversary reunion was held at Gettysburg.  Thousands of survivors swapped stories and looked up comrades for three days.  The climax was a reenactment of Pickett's Charge.  Spectators watched as Union veterans took their positions on Cemetery Ridge to await their old enemy.  The Confederate veterans crossed the field, not with rifles and bayonets but canes and crutches.  One photographer, Philip Myers, wrote "as they neared the northern line, they broke into one final, defiant rebel yell.  At the sound, after half a century of silence, a moan, a sigh, a gigantic gasp of unbelief rose from the Union men on Cemetery Ridge.  It was then that the Yankees, unable to restrain themselves any longer, burst from behind the stone wall, and flung themselves upon their former enemies...not in mortal combat, but re-united in brotherly love and affection."

What a powerful example of forgiveness.  But it is a minor one in comparison to what Jesus has done.  As we struggle with feeble attempts to practice love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, Jesus runs toward us to encourage, support, and reunite us with God.  During this time of year for giving, remember and practice the greatest gift of all, forgiveness.

Doug Burns

Stephenville, Texas

Sacrifices to God

My life is comfortable.  I reside in a warm, loving home.  I receive a consistent paycheck from a reliable employer.  I live in a city that seeks to continually grow and improve, yet is long-known for its supportive, community spirit.  I am a citizen of a country founded on freedom and personal happiness.  Surrounded by all these comforts, it is eternally important for me to offer sacrifices to my God.  If I want to be a follower of Jesus, I must deny myself and sacrifice daily (Luke 9:23).

 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:1-2

Living sacrificially is a testament about my priorities.  If I am to love the Lord God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, I must submit to his will and seek to please him.  I must sacrifice my will for his will.  Additionally, living sacrificially causes me to submit to others out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21).

Living sacrificially can be accomplished in numerous, concrete ways.  For example: dedicating my time and energy to help someone in need, sharing my wealth and resources to benefit those less fortunate, and giving up my comfort or safety to fulfill a commitment.  Sacrificial living can take many forms but it must be done sincerely and wholeheartedly in order to be acceptable and pleasing to God (see Philippians 4:18; 1 Peter 2:5).  Being a living sacrifice may cost popularity or friendships.  Leisure time or treasured habits may need to be given up.  Future plans may need to be adjusted.  In other words, I may need to get out of my comfort zone.

Living sacrificially will transform thinking and reinforce faith.  The sacrificial lifestyle is an eternal investment, with a heaven reward.  Sacrificial living affirms that nothing will come between me and my God.  Sacrifices to God keep me from using my God-given wealth selfishly.  I want to be a fragrant offering.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name.  And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.  Hebrews 13:15-16

Prayer:  Dear Father, I want to be pleasing to you.  Please help me to overcome my tendencies toward self-reliance.  Remind me this world is only temporary.  I offer my life as a living sacrifice and look forward to my heavenly home.  In the name of Jesus, amen.

Carl Smith
Stephenville, TX

A Secure Heart

There is probably nothing more exciting and heartwarming than to hear the story of family members who get to meet for the very first time.   I recently had such an experience myself while attending a conference on the west coast.

It was a glorious, tropical day, one of those picture-perfect days when you feel God’s presence in the beauty of nature and can hardly wait to get outside.  My friends and I had just arrived at the elevator when I noticed a young woman who was visibly shaken and trembling.   She slowly made her way to the elevator. With her back to us and her head bowed, rode quietly with us to the lobby.  She was first to get off the elevator and I was not really paying attention when one of my friends looked back and pointed her out to me.  I went to her and told her that I could tell she was upset and wondered if there was anything I could do to help.  I had no idea I was meeting a sister for the very first time.

As we sat and visited, it quickly became apparent that we had several things in common.   Early in our conversation I could tell that she was a believer so it did not take me long to ask what church she went to.  She identified herself with a Church of Christ in her community.  I then told her that I too had been a lifelong member of the Church of Christ.  She was astounded!  She said she knew there were many other churches of Christ in the world but was surprised that I was even familiar with the church.    

Through her tears she began to share her story.  She first told me that she was planning to take her life.  She had written a letter to her sister and had written several notes including one to the housekeeper who would find her in the room, apologizing for what she had done.   

She had traveled two hours the day before to meet a young man whom she had known since high school.  They had kept in touch by phone but she had not seen him in three years.  She traveled by train and had planned to meet him for dinner, visit and then return home.  She had not told anyone where she was going.  She knew her family and friends would not approve.  After dinner her friend had taken her to the hotel and they visited there for several hours.   She was devastated when he told her that he did not love her and would not be seeing her again.  She said in spite of the fact that their families would never approve of their relationship, due to cultural and religious differences, she loved him and told him that if she could not be with him, when he left she would take her life. She wanted more than anything for him to love her unconditionally as she loved him.  

My sweet sister was in the depths of depression!  She had left the room to make a phone call, to tell her sister goodbye.  She felt everyone would be better off if she just went away, evaporated from their lives.  She could see no reason to live.  Her father had left her mother when she was one year old.  She knew that he had sexually abused her sister who was ten when she was born. Her mother blamed her sister for breaking up their marriage.

She continued to tell of the difficulties she had faced throughout her twenty-three years.  Her heart was breaking as she shared that a year ago she had given birth to a baby girl.  She had given her up for adoption.  I pointed out to her that someday that little girl may want to know her biological mother.  Had she thought about how it would affect her when she learned that her mother had taken her own life?

I asked if there was anything she ever dreamed of doing.  She said she had always wanted to be a cosmetologist.  When I inquired as to why she had not followed this dream, she said everyone told her it was not possible.  I assured her that God loves her and that He has a plan and a purpose for her life.  I told her that by His grace and with His help, she could accomplish whatever she wanted in life.   

I was able to share about experiences in my life when I also needed help.  I told her about the death of my husband to whom I had been married for forty-eight years.  I shared with her a description of “true love”, a mutual love between a man and woman as God intended from the beginning of time, a love worth the wait.  

We went to my room to make some phone calls.  She called the friend who left her at the hotel to let him know she did not follow through with her plan.  When I had finished praying she asked if she could pray.  With a sincere and contrite heart she earnestly confessed her sins and thanked God for intervening and saving her life.  

She had me call her boss and her sister to let them know she was fine and would be going home on the afternoon train.  She called a friend from church who was   happy to hear from her.  She said she would arrange for someone to meet her at the train station and take her to a service they were having at church that evening.

She listened attentively as I encouraged her to share with members of her church family who could help her through this difficult time in her life.  I suggested she see a physician and told her she could get help and did not have to feel this way.  She shared contact information with me and I, with her.  I have emailed her and recently spoken with her on the phone.  She assured me that things are much better.  I look forward to staying in touch with my precious sister.  “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.  “They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”  Jeremiah 29:11

My sister and I have so little and yet so very much in common.  We both have experienced broken hearts and I’m sure will continue at times to be faced with challenges beyond our wildest imaginations.  However, we do know how to secure our hearts.  Our loving Father whom we share has seen to that!

An age-old hymn, one I sang as a girl growing up, comes to mind, “How Shall the Young Secure Their Hearts?
   “How shall the young secure their hearts, and guard their lives from sin? Thy word the choicest rules imparts to keep the conscience clean, to keep the conscience clean, to keep the conscience clean.
   Tis, like the sun, a heav’nly light, that guides us all the day, and thro’ the dangers of the night, a lamp to lead our way, a lamp to lead our way, a lamp to lead our way.
   Thy word is everlasting truth; how pure is every page!  That holy book shall guide our youth, and well support our age, and well support our age, and well support our age.”  

Jan Alderfer

Stephenville, TX

The Hope That Anchors

Can you feel the buzz? It’s in the air! Everywhere you go people are fluttering around with happy chatter as they go through their endless list of preparations for the happiest time of the year. I have to admit, I do love Christmas time and I do possibly go overboard when it comes to decorating or, as I like to refer to it, “getting in the spirit.” One of my favorite “getting in the spirit” times is to grab some coffee and perch in front of the Christmas tree and just stare at all those twinkling lights and intricate ornaments that I have so many sweet memories attached to. I love to reminisce about childhood Christmases,  memories of Christmas with grandparents, and fond memories of my daddy.  He was an incredible man of faith who not only talked the talk, but walked the walk! One of my greatest regrets is that my children never had the opportunity to meet him and receive his love and strong Christian influence. But, my precious mother, who overflows with love and has a huge heart of a servant, has always been a strong witness to them along with others, including my brother, who just so happened to start a little website called Word For Today that now reaches thousands of people worldwide.  Thank you for that ministry and opportunity, Randy…you’ve done an outstanding job!

One of my favorite ornaments is a wooden anchor that a precious friend gave to me.  It reads Hebrews 6:19-20: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.  It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus who went before us, has entered on our behalf.  He has become a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."  As I gaze upon the beauty of the tree, I can’t help but fix my eyes upon Jesus, our high priest, who provides hope and strength to press on.  It is His work on the cross that has atoned for our sins and provided access to God.  He is living today in the presence of God, where He intercedes in prayer for our well-being.  This is the hope that will anchor your life.

I love Matthew 27:50-51, “Jesus tore down the curtain that veiled it by offering the sacrifice of Himself that satisfied God’s penalty for His people’s sins."  The power of the greatest gift ever given is incomprehensible.  By becoming our righteousness, Jesus has been able to make peace between sinful people and a holy God.  “Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

When we know God and have a relationship with Him, His good and pure laws or commands are put inside us by His spirit, so that  His desires begin to be ours.  Are you experiencing the greatest satisfaction and peace that a human being can experience?

Heavenly Father – thank you for Christmas and the special joys of the season.  Help us to anchor our trust in Jesus Christ so that we might experience the amazing joy of daily drawing near to you, Father.  Praise to our Priest and King forever, Jesus Christ!
In His glorious name we pray. AMEN.

Carla Henson
Tuscola, Texas

You are Forgiven!

Which is easier: to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up and walk”?  But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins… He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Luke 5:23-24 NIV

Do you have a hard time accepting God’s forgiveness?  If so, what do you believe is the source of your difficulty?

Jesus came as the Son of Man to rescue us from the great plight of man: we have a sin problem, and we are powerless to help ourselves.  Given the right set of circumstances and the wrong state of mind, each of us is capable of just about anything.  Even if we could get our external lives under perfect and legalistic control, we’d probably rot on the inside with the heinous sin of pride.  Let’s face it we’re all hopeless—except that Jesus came as the “Son of Man” with the “authority on earth to forgive sins.”

I can remember being so devastated over a sin I had allowed to ensnare me that I repeatedly begged God to forgive me.  I confessed my sin with great sorrow and lost a few nights sleep. Still, I continued to plead for forgiveness. Then one day God spoke to my heart in those words in Luke 5, “Terry, my child, you have an authority problem. You think you can do your part which is to repent.  You just don’t think I can do My part which is to forgive.”

I was stunned.  I began to realize that my sin of unbelief in His power to forgive me was as serious as my prior sin of rebellion.  It was eye-opening!

If you have truly repented—which means you have experienced godly sorrow and a subsequent detour from the sin—bathe yourself in the river of God’s forgiveness. The Son of Man has authority to forgive sins right here on earth. You can experience the freedom of complete forgiveness right now.  Fall under Christ’s authority and accept His grace.

He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God’s face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state.  Then he comes to men and says, “I sinned, and perverted what was right, but I did not get what I deserved.  He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit (grave), and I will live to enjoy the light.” Job 33:26-28 NIV

Terry Smith
Stephenville, TX

‘O Holy Night’

There are many songs that have been written to celebrate the coming of Jesus into our world.  During this season of the year, the birth of Jesus is upon the hearts of many.  As Christians, we should take advantage of this holiday.  For those of us who wear the name of Christ and want to share the gospel with our world, we should be excited for a holiday that is called CHRISTmas.  Every time the word is spoken, there is a reference to our ‘Christ’.

Many of the songs of this season contain some wonderful truths about Jesus’ coming.  Hark! The Herald Angels Sing reminds its singers that Jesus was pleased to dwell with men.  He was God become flesh—our Immanuel.  Because of His incarnation, God and man have been reconciled.  Finally, he was born that men may no more die, to give us a second birth, and to raise the sons of earth.  So, with the angels we sing, ‘Glory to the newborn King!’

Joy To The World reminds us that Jesus came to redeem mankind and the world from the curse that began in the garden of Eden.  The world has been groaning ‘as in the pains of childbirth’ awaiting the coming of the Redeemer.  We sing ‘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’.  This song reminds us that mankind and nature join in singing about the joy that Jesus has brought to our world.

Finally, O Holy Night is a call to worship and honor Jesus who entered our world to deal with sin.  He knows our need.  He is no stranger to our weaknesses.  The song urges us to ‘fall on our knees’.  It urges us to ‘bend lowly before Him’.

There have been days in our history that are unforgettable.  We celebrate July 4th every year.  December 7th is a day of infamy, according to President Roosevelt.  September 11th is a day Americans will never forget.  THE NIGHT WHEN JESUS WAS BORN CHANGED OUR WORLD.  Truly, it was a ‘holy’ night, because of the entrance of the Holy One into our world.

Prayer:  Father, thank you for sending Your Son into our world.  As we enjoy the Christmas season, help us as Christians use this season as a door of opportunity to help others recognize Christ for who He really is—the Savior of the world.  

Terry Brown

Abilene, Texas

Grownup Nativity Scenes

I was thumbing through a 2012 calendar the other day and something caught my eye.  Have you ever thought about how the birthdays of great people are depicted?  Every one of them, without exception, is depicted as an adult.  When we remember their birthdays, we think about a “grown person” and what they did as a grown person. 

This time of year you see a lot of nativity scenes.  I think the visuals stir us and make us more aware of the birth of Jesus.  I think it’s not reaching too far to suggest that when you say “Jesus” to virtually anybody this time of year, a “baby” is the first thing that comes to their mind.  It’s quickly followed by livery stable, shepherds, caroling angels and wise men bearing gifts.  And….? 

The birth of the Christ is often disconnected from the larger story, of which the birth is but the beginning.  His birth was accompanied by declarations and announcements that foretold the purpose of his coming.  His birth may be more aptly described as an “entry."  He was both divine and human and he was sent into our world for a purpose.  That’s what the prophets foretold centuries earlier.  And, that’s what the angel Gabriel said.  His small body was wrapped in swaddling clothes.  More importantly, his life was wrapped with a declaration for human beings.  His entry said something fantastic about human beings.  It also said something horrific about us.

Have you noticed how the gospel of John presents Christ’s birth?  He says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  All things came into being by Him.  And, apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life and the life was the light of men . . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:1-3, 14).   John’s version doesn’t create the feelings of innocence and warmth that modern nativity scenes tend to create for us.  John takes us outside the familiar imagery of  nativity scenes.  Point?  There’s a lot more going on here than caroling angels, lowing cattle, and awestruck shepherds.  This baby would later say, “I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent me” (John 6:38). 

Every nativity scene should come accessorized with binoculars and a sign that reads,  “Please use these to look at who this child grows up to be.   

As we move about our respective towns over the next few days, may we look beyond the simple figurines and stage props of the various nativity scenes to the larger story that comes with the packaging of the birth story.  Yes, the Son of God entered our world.  The more pressing question is why?  To answer that question we have to pick up the binoculars and look down the road to see the man and his ministry.  In fact, that’s the most important part of the story.  For it is in his adult years that he paves the way through his teaching, suffering, sacrifice, resurrection and ascension into heaven for the blessings of hope, peace, and eternal life for any who would call upon His name in faith and obedience.  May such reflection bring the kind of awareness and awakening that God intended through Jesus' birth (entry!).     

Randy Daugherty
Stephenville, Texas

THE BIBLE: SIMPLE STORY, PROFOUND MESSAGE, HAPPY ENDING

Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God” Matthew 22.29.

Is it sometimes hard for you to read your Bible?  If so, you aren’t alone.  Even though it contains God’s message to His people, some folks find it…well…a real “snoozer,” much like trying to stay awake at the opera when you know nothing about the story.

Some people think the Bible is a disjointed tome of mostly unrelated stories.  Not so.  The Bible is one story.  One simple, beautiful, profound story repeated over and over again until, hopefully, we finally get it.  This is the story in a nutshell:  

God is omni (all) powerful, knowing, present, and just.  He created human beings to be in a loving parent-child relationship with him.  Throughout the story, however, his children repeatedly disobey, become prideful, mock him, call him weak, and forget him altogether for centuries at a time!  He lets them suffer the consequences of their rebellion, but he never abandons them.  As the story unfolds so does God’s plan.  He makes the ultimate sacrifice – hinted at throughout the ages – so his children can be with him forever, whether they deserve to or not.

     

That’s the story.  It’s told in prose, in poetry, in drama and in song.  It’s explained in metaphors, analogies, and parables.  It’s alluded to in prophecies, and repeated in letters, sermons, and testimonies.  The story is revealed through the lives and voices of heroes, heroines, and villains.  It is sorrowful and humorous, frightening and elating.  It has sex and violence, war and peace, victory and defeat.  It is set in history, stretches across cultures, and spans millenniums.

We don’t have to memorize it.  We just need to read it thoroughly enough to appreciate it, understand it, and share it.  After all, it is about us.  

According to the story, Christ won all our battles and defeated all our demons when he died on the cross.  We can slap God in the face with this gift like a rebellious child bent on destruction, or we can claim His victory as ours and live a redeemed life to His glory.  Our part in The Story is up to us.  How are you writing yours?        

Father, open our hearts to enjoy and understand your word, the only story worth reading.  Amen.

Sandra Milholland

Abilene, Texas

Silent Beauty Shining High

The other night my husband proved the depth of his love…and his insanity.  We have a small cabin behind our home that quarters a second freezer.  I had asked him earlier in the day to collect a few packages of moose sausage for lunch the next day.  As time so often does, it got away and we soon realized it was 10:30, so I began devising Plan B.  Jeff however, wasn’t hearing of it.  Wearing his pj’s and a bath robe, he threw on his cap and headlamp, and took off on his cross country skis.  After a good laugh at his appearance I went outside to enjoy the view of him skiing through the dark in his bathrobe.  That was when I saw something amazing…

One of my favorite things in Alaska is the snow.   As I watched my husband disappear into the darkness, I looked out across our yard and noticed how the cool moon light was cast across the snow.  When my eyes adjusted to the light, it revealed a white blanket of diamonds. 

The weather this fall has been erratic in Texas as well as Alaska.  On the Kachemak Bay, the temperature may rise above freezing during the day, which causes a slow melt.  At night, the temperature decreases and the snow refreezes.  The night air cools the outer surface of the snow banks faster than the inside.  As the water vapor escapes from inside; it meets with the freezing air causing a spectacular growth of icy crystals called hoar frost.  At times I have seen frost flakes the size of quarters.  When the moon is just right, these hexagonal prisms appear as fields of brilliantly cut gems. 

Waiting for my husband’s return I sat thankful for the diamonds laid before me.  I looked up to see a sky full of glimmering stars.  I basked in a field of diamonds both above and below.  The scene reminded me of a song lyric by the late Johnny Cash, “Field of diamonds in the sky, silent beauty shining high…” 

The majestic snow also reminded me of how God covers our sin.  Like a new snow fall covers over the brown death of autumn, so does Jesus’ atoning sacrifice cover our sins with love. God has sought to be his creation’s place of covering since the beginning. Romans 4:7, calls God’s protected, “blessed” because our sins have been covered.

Recently, I had the sheer terror of driving through a blizzard.  I was traveling with a girlfriend and my three month old baby girl.  Suddenly, my beautiful blanket of snow turned into an assault of blinding, white, wind.  The storm was a terrible combination of heavy sleet and snow, 80 mile per hour wind, and dangerous black ice.  It reminded me of the storms of life. 

Life is full of storms:  Loved ones fall ill, marriage is hard, then there is an accident, an abuse, and the winds begin to pick up.  Soon we begin to lose those we love; we lose a baby, we lose a spouse, we lose a friend…these unexpected, difficult times may make us question God’s covering.  The covering of God’s love is there, but it has been picked up and blown against us by the ferocious wind of Satan to such a degree that we can’t see two feet in front of us.  Panic sets in, we feel completely isolated, and we lose our bearings.  We can forget that we had a covering to begin with and only see the storm around us. 

On my road trip I had two choices.  I could have pulled over, possibly getting stuck in the foot of snow that lined the pull-outs or I could keep going.  Slowly, slowly my precious cargo and I progressed down the highway.  My arms were locked at “10 and 2”, prayer became my breath, and the road ahead my heartbeat.  At times it was only the snow berm that lined the road that kept me headed in the right direction.  When I would veer off course, the solid berm would guide me back into my lane, not unlike the way the Spirit helps us stay on course.  The journey was twice as long and exhausting, but we safely avoided two avalanches, and a road closure to thankfully make it home.

During the storms of life, when we would pay anything to find relief from the onslaught of the Enemy, our Lord wants nothing more than to tuck us under the covering of his wing.  We need only to seek His refuge during the storm. It is in God’s refuge from the storm that we can once again see the priceless beauty of the world around us.

Psalm 36:7

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!

People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Prayer:  Almighty, Lord, you are awesome and holy.  Like little chicks running toward their momma, we run to your outstretched wings.  Thank you for rescuing us.  Thank you for providing a place of refuge and security against the danger that surrounds us.  Thank you for reminding us of your love and grace-filled covering through beautiful images like snow.  From under Jesus’ loving cover, we pray these things.  Amen.

Dana Jaworski
Anchor Point, AK

Special word of thanks to Gail Presley of Happy Valley, Alaska for the photos that accompany this article.  Beautiful!

Just Ask

What in your life provides satisfaction, joy, and true meaning?  There is a void within us that must be filled, and whether we realize it or not we search desperately to fill it.   We bury ourselves in our work or our families, in sports, in politics, in humanitarian efforts, or causes.  We pursue religion and works thinking it is the answer.  We seek recognition, wealth, or power attempting to satisfy the desire inside of us.  Most of our pursuits are not bad and result in many good things, yet we are not satisfied.  There is something missing.  We want something full, and rich, and satisfying.  In our youth we search asking “what will I do with my life”, in our middle age we doubt asking “what am I doing with my life” and in our late years we look back and wonder “what did I do with my life”.   No matter where you are, if you have not found what you need to fill the void, allow yourself the freedom to hear a pure, simple promise. 

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8

 “I am the door, and the person who enters through me will be saved and will be able to come in and go out and find pasture.  A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I came to give life—life in all its fullness.” John 10:9-10

Jesus is that “something” we all seek.  He is the passageway to life; and not just any life, but life in all its fullness.  His offer is rich and full and satisfying.  He says I am the door that when opened and walked through provides all that you could ever want or imagine. 

Take notice of a few things.  The promise is bed-rock solid and there for us, but we must understand Jesus is the only way.   There is only one door to life.   We must ask to find this door and we must seek the door.   This is our choice and it is a daily choice.  Notice and be warned that there is a thief who will come to steal our hearts and minds away.  The thief, Satan will do all in his power to divert us.  We are easy prey to wealth, troubles, and the day to day worries of this life.   To be warned is to be armed. The battle is worth it.  Take heart from the promise of God that if we seek Him we will find Him.  If we seek Him first everything else we worry about will be taken care of.  He promises us that.  We must fight our stubborn and fearful hearts.  Accept that the Lord is good and that life will be found in Him and Him alone. 

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.  The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.  Psalm 34:8-11

Father open my eyes to see You and Your salvation.  Guide me in paths of righteousness.  Deliver me from evil.  Thank you for Your promises.  Amen

Scotty Elston
Shallowater, Texas

Wise men from the East followed His star and came to worship Him.  

They brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to young Jesus.

God graciously gives us at least 3 glorious gifts to find Him and worship Him.  How do we engage them?  

His Word is more precious than gold.  Through His Word we gain knowledge of God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  We learn of His attributes and His Will for our lives as Christians.  Much wisdom can be gained from the numerous stories throughout Old and New Testaments as God interacts with people.  May His Word be precious unto us as we seek Him and offer our worship daily.

His Word is forever, it is good, gives direction, it purifies as seen in the following verses:

Psalm 119:89

Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
Psalm 119:103
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psalm 119:130
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
Psalm 119:133
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
John 17:17
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

He has given us the avenue of prayer.  Two-way communication with the God and Creator of the universe.  Our offered prayers rise up as incense to the Father.  He listens and responds to our concerns.  Prayer calms our anxiety. His answers build our faith and showcase His love for us.

Psalm 102:17
He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.

Psalm 141:2
May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

Ephesians 6:18
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

James 5:13
Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.

1 Peter 3:12

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

Our LORD God gave us His Spirit without limit. He is our Comforter, our Guide, our Strength, our Teacher. The Holy Spirit leads us, intercedes for us, sanctifies us.   In the Spirit we have righteousness, peace and joy.

Psalm 143:10
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
John 3:34

For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
John 14:26
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Romans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express

Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

2 Thessalonians 2:13
But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

At this Christmas season, we see the quote, “Wise men still seek Him.”

Let us be wise men who seek Him each moment through His eternal Word, the avenue of prayer, and the guidance of His Holy Spirit.

Gracious and Glorious Father,
How truly wonderful You are.  You provide all we need, and yet we fail You.  Thank You for the precious,
strengthening gifts of Your Word, Your Spirit and the avenue of prayer.  Thank You, Father God for the grace and mercy You extend to us daily.  May we grow to know You better and to live in worship to You.

In the Sweet Name of Jesus, Amen

Mischelle Oliver

Stephenville, Texas

Theme: What is the Blessed Life?

The Beatitudes through Luke’s Eyes

When we think of the Beatitudes, we immediately think of the gospel of Matthew. Luke comes as an afterthought. But have you ever compared how the two are written?

Matthew 5:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Luke 6:

“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:

Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.

Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.”

Do you see the difference? We like Matthew’s “spiritual virtue” Beatitudes--poor in spirit, mourners, meek, thirsting for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, etc. Well, what about Luke’s? Luke addresses the poor, the hungry, those who weep, the excluded. Luke’s Beatitudes have a bit more of a tangible ring to them.

I was having a discipleship meal with my boss last week, and she asked me, “What kind of a salary would you like to have in the future?” To which I replied, “Hmm. I’m not sure! I’ve never really thought about a specific salary. I’m not concerned with being rich. I just want to do something that I love. I mean, I guess I don’t want to be a bum on the street or anything.”

Her response made me choke on my oatmeal. “Why not?” she asked.

Why not? Why don’t I want to be a bum on the street? What kind of a foolish question is that? But then I really, really thought about it. Look at Luke’s Beatitudes. Not only does Jesus prophecy abundant, holy blessings for those who are financially and materialistically poor, those who have no food to eat, those who have tears now, and those who are excluded and reviled, but He also calls down woes:

“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.

Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.

Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.

Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.”

From my sweet, hospitable, compassionate boss’s perspective, we are called to be bums on the street. We are called to seek out the poor, the hungry, the emotionally broken down, the ones that society looks at and says, “Worthless.” Nothing in scripture says we shouldn’t be homeless for the kingdom. But it does say we shouldn’t be selfishly living in excess.

I’m not saying that we shouldn’t pursue excellence in our jobs or every other area of our lives. I think we’re also called to excellence. I think we’re not called to blend into this culture of consumerism, this culture of materialism, this culture that says, “You need more” and “‘Comfortable’ means 3,000 square feet and three cars and a pool in the backyard.” I think we’re called to give and give and give until we can’t give anymore.

I think it’s so interesting that the last woe Jesus calls down says, “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.” Jesus’ message stepped on some toes, and if we’re doing it justice in our own lives, everyone will not “speak well of us,” too. Blending into this culture can’t also mean living out Jesus’ calling with every ounce of who we are. Because the essence of kingdom living doesn’t “blend in” to anything.

We aren’t just called to give our money, sit back, and be done with it. We are called to give of our money, our food, our homes, our hearts. We are called to love the hungry, the poor, the weeping, the excluded, because Jesus loved us. He invested time in people who the rest of the world thought He shouldn’t be seen with. We’re supposed to invest time in people who the rest of the world thinks we shouldn’t be seen with. We’re supposed to seek out those who embody Luke’s Beatitudes and give them everything we have. I think maybe we avoid Luke’s Beatitudes because they’re things that we can remedy. Matthew’s are easier--we can read about those and expect Jesus to take care of those people. Not so Luke’s--we have to really think about what we’re supposed to be doing where those people are concerned.

I want to be the kind of person who can leave the door to my house unlocked and invite people to make themselves at home. I want to be the kind of person who isn’t worried about something getting stolen because, at the end of the day, my possessions do not define my quality of life or my value as a person. I want to be the kind of person who finds value in meaningful relationships with other people, not in experience after experience that I pay a lot of money for. I want to give the money I would use for expensive clothes and cars and electronics away to people who need to pay their electric bill and buy groceries and have warm clothes. I want to live fully in the realization that loving God’s people and constantly seeking out new ways to do this will be the most exciting “experiences” I will have in this life.

God,

Teach us to give. Not in the cold, distant way that we’ve been taught, but in a way that is reflected in every area of our lives. Not just during the Christmas season, but year round. Not just when we think we’ve got some excess money, but when we’re not sure how we’re going to make it that month. Because we know that being able to let go of material possessions is reflective of a true love and faith in you. Teach us to give abundantly, O God. Thank you for giving abundantly to us.

Through the Giver of life, Jesus, Amen.

Erin Daugherty, Abilene Christian University