Ponder Anew

Today's the day! In just a few hours, we'll be on our way to Israel. As we begin our journey, I'm remembering our previous trips. I'm recalling the experiences we had there, pondering the lessons learned.

I'm really excited about this trip. Looking forward to good times with good friends, making new friends, eating some great food, and once again experiencing the land of the Bible.

While we are in Israel, the year 2013 will come to a close. In fact, we'll be celebrating New Year's Eve in Bethlehem!

As one year comes to a close and another begins, it's a good time for pondering. Thinking back on this last year and remembering all the people and places and events that were a part of the year. Pondering. Recalling lessons learned.

The beginning of a new year is also a good time for pondering. At this time of year we're often focused on making resolutions and setting goals. But I think it's a good time to ponder. To ponder anew, as the hymn writer put it.

We sang the hymn "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" in our worship service yesterday. As we sang, I was struck by that phrase.....ponder anew. It seems a good phrase as we begin the new year. To ponder who God is. To think about His character and His ways. It's a good way to begin a new year, don't you think?

I'll be in Israel for a couple of weeks. I look forward to reconnecting with you when I return. In the meantime, I challenge you to "ponder anew what the Almighty can do."

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, Who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, Who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again,
Gladly for aye we adoreHim.

(-Joachim Neander)

Let the Packing Begin!

Only 3 more days!

On Monday, we will begin our journey to Israel.  We'll board a plane in Asheville, fly to Atlanta, then to JFK, and on to Tel Aviv.  It will be a long day.  We will actually arrive in Tel Aviv on Tuesday afternoon.  Of course, there's a 7 hour time difference to consider, but even so, it will be a long trip.  But so worth the time it takes to get there!

I'm so excited about this trip.  Looking forward to revisiting some of my favorite places.  En Gedi.  The Sea of Galilee.  Jerusalem.  The Mount of Olives.  The Garden of Gethsemane.  The Garden Tomb.

And to visiting some new places as well.  This year we will be spending our first two nights in Bethlehem.  We've never done that before.  On previous trips, we only spent a few hours in Bethlehem.

This year we'll be going to Hebron.  We've never done that before either, and I'm very excited about it.  Going to the place of the patriarchs Abraham and Isaac and Jacob.  ("So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord."  Genesis 13:18 ESV)

I'm so excited to be visiting new places and revisiting familiar ones.  To be going back to the land of the Bible.  To once again walk where Jesus walked.

But before that can happen, there's lots to do!  Finishing the laundry.  Being sure we have everything we need for the trip.  Checking and double-checking our lists.  Finishing up all my Words with Friends games.  Being sure I'm leaving the house clean.  And then there's the packing!  Getting everything we need for two weeks neatly packed into one suitcase each.  Being sure those suitcases don't exceed the 50-pound weight limit!

These next three days will be very busy.  I'm sure that will help the time pass quickly.  I certainly hope it will.  Because I am so excited to be going on this trip!

Let the packing begin!

"I walked today where Jesus walked,

And felt Him close to me."

(-Geoffrey O'Hara)

 

You can listen to Larnelle Harris sing the entire song here: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5irhNWG8G8c



Christmas Future

Christmas Day 2013 is now a memory. Of course, at least for most of us, it's still with us because there's still the clean-up to do.  But the celebrating is done and we're moving on to the next thing.

I confess that I've already given a little thought to Christmas 2014.  That's because, if we stay on the same schedule that has worked for us for all these years, next year our family will all be together for Christmas.  I'm looking forward to that!

And I'm looking forward to all the Christmases to come.  I love the Christmas season!

But I'm also looking forward to the day when we are no longer here on earth celebrating the birth of Jesus.  To the day when we are in His presence, celebrating Him! 

What a day that will be!

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!  To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!"  (Revelation 5:12-13 ESV)

Christmas Present

Yesterday I wrote about Christmases past.  It was my intent to write today about Christmas Present.  To write about how we're celebrating this year.  Less decorations, less food, less of everything......probably not unlike other empty-nesters whose families are elsewhere this Christmas.  Instead, I'm writing today about something different.  About Christmas Present in a different sense of the word. 

Yesterday afternoon I got a text from Brian that we should get on-line to watch the Christmas Eve service from their church, First Baptist, Brandon, Florida.  I confirmed the service time and hooked the computer up to the television so we could see the service.

We heard beautiful music played and sung.  The third grade class from the Academy presented a play that told the Christmas story as only third graders can.  It was awesome!  We enjoyed hearing the choir sing.

The pastor shared a wonderful message.  It was about Mary "pondering these things in her heart."  That's really all I remember.  (Sorry, Tommy!)

Because after the message, during the time of invitation, our grandson Christopher came forward and professed his faith in Christ.  That is the best Christmas Present a Nana could receive.  To know that now our family circle is complete.  That all of us have given our hearts to Jesus.  That we are not just family because of physical birth, but we are also a family because of spiritual rebirth.  "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."  (3 John 1:4 ESV)

What a wonderful memory to treasure up, to "ponder in [my] heart" this Christmas!  In this season when we are celebrating the very best Christmas present ever given, the Lord Jesus!

"And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  And from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.  For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."  (John 1:14, 16-17 ESV)

Christmases Past

Christmas is such a nostalgic time, isn't it?

Every year as the season rolls around, I find myself traveling down memory lane, remembering Christmases past and the people that shared them.

It starts as I get decorations and ornaments out of their storage spaces.  Remembering where I bought this ornament or who gave me that one.  Remembering my mother as I get out the snowmen she made or as I hang the door decoration she quilted.  Remembering travels and the ornaments purchased on those trips.  Remembering.

Throughout the season, more memories flood my thinking.

Baking sugar cookies with my mother, many years ago when I was a child.

Christmas dinners with coconut cake and ambrosia and cranberry tip-tops (still my favorite!) and fruitcake cookies.  I never have acquired a taste for fruit cake, but I loved my mother's fruit cake cookies!

Christmases in the living room at Grandmother Neil's house.  Some children go over the river and through the woods to grandma's house.  I went next door!  Sometimes at Christmas all the aunts and uncles and cousins would be there as well, and we would pile into her tiny living room, which usually stayed closed off to keep the rest of the house warmer, and we would open our presents.  Grandmother loved Christmas!  She loved giving gifts.  As did my mother.  As do I.

Sending Christmas cards is a dying tradition.  (Probably that has a lot to do with the price of postage!)  But I love receiving Christmas cards from friends and family I seldom see.  I can still remember the Christmas card we sent to our friends and family on our first Christmas.  It was red, with a part of the score of Handel's Messiah embossed in gold on the front of the card.  And the greeting inside read "wishing you every blessing as we celebrate the birth of Christ."  I don't know why I remember that, but I do.

And I remember our very first Christmas tree, back in 1972, our first married Christmas.  It was a beautiful tree, a scotch pine, perfectly shaped.  It had hardly any ornaments on it, since we really couldn't afford any!  And by the time Christmas rolled around, it had not a single gift left under it, since we had opened them all long before Christmas Day arrived!

In my childhood we always had cedar trees for Christmas, decorated with large colored lights and lots of icicles.  I didn't like cedar trees then (and don't now) because of how scratchy they were and how the branches were too flimsy to hold the ornaments up.  But I loved the smell, and still associate that with Christmas!

In the early days of our marriage we always spent Christmas Eve with Al's parents and Christmas Day with mine.  That worked well when we only lived a couple of hours from my parents.  As we began to move around the country, we still usually managed to make it back to SC at Christmastime, and so that Christmas Eve/Christmas Day tradition continued.  Eventually, it became more difficult to travel back here every year, so we began trying an every-other-year visit, and that worked until we moved closer.  As our sons grew up and married, the every-other-year tradition has continued, but in a little different way.  We spend every-other-Christmas together, and Thanksgivings together in the alternate years, and so we alternate with the girls' families.  So far that has worked out for us, and so that tradition continues.

Christmas is a lot about traditions.  About where we always put the tree, and what we always eat, and the kind of cookies we always bake.  It's about what we always do together as a family, whether always going out to look at Christmas lights on a certain night, always going to Disney, always going to Christmas Eve service.  Traditions vary from family to family.  But they are part of the fabric of who we are and how we celebrate.

When we lived in Florida, it was our tradition to always attend the Candlelight Christmas program at Epcot.  When we lived in Minnesota, we always participated in the luminaries display in our neighborhood.

One of our Christmas Eve traditions has always been a birthday cake for Baby Jesus, and reading the Christmas Story from Luke's Gospel.  It's a family tradition that continues to this day.

Because Christmas is about memories.  And it's about traditions.  But most of all, Christmas is about Jesus.

"And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."  (Luke 2:6-7 ESV)

Christmas Thanksgivings

I heard it again yesterday.  A lot.  "You haven't changed a bit."  Everytime I hear that I have mixed feelings.  I think I have written about this before.  For one thing, I have a mirror.  I know I don't look exactly like I looked back in the 70s or the 80s.  My hair is different.  I no longer have the long straight hair of the 70s, or the "poodle hair" that we somehow all thought was a good idea in the 80s.  I have some extra pounds and some extra "crinkles" in my skin.

But Al tells me the overall effect is still the same.  And there's the same twinkle in my eyes.  And the same smile.  So maybe I "haven't changed a bit."

Seeing so many friends from days gone by over the course of this weekend was such a blessing.  I hated the reason we were all brought back together.  But I loved seeing all those people at the visitation and funeral service of our beloved pastor and friend.  Even though our saying to each other "you haven't changed a bit" wasn't exactly always accurate from a physical perspecitive, we still were the same in the ways that matter.  We all still have the connection that friends with a common faith have.

And that's one of the things I'm thankful for this morning.  That common bond of faith in Jesus that binds us all together.

The Christmas season is not usually associated with thanksgiving.  We seem to reserve that word for the month of November, and then we move on.  But today my heart is overflowing with thanksgiving.

I'm so thankful for all these dear friends with whom I have crossed paths over the years.  For the ways they influenced and impacted my life.  For the deep bonds of love and friendship and faith that bind us together.  I'm grateful that God in His sovereignty brought us all together, and keeps us together, even though we don't see each other often.

I'm so thankful this morning for time spent yesterday after the funeral service with Kay and Ed, precious friends for years and years and years. 

I'm thankful for the life of my pastor and dear friend for so many years, Don Davis.  For the influence he had on so many lives in South Carolina and beyond.  For his gentle spirit.  For his kindness and grace.  Truly he was a gentleman in the very best sense of the word.  And I'm grateful that he and his family were a part of my life.

And this morning I'm especially thankful for Christmas.  For the music of Christmas.  For this season when we focus on giving gifts to those we love and sharing with those we don't know who have need.

I'm thankful for Jesus.  Thankful that "though He was in the form of God, [He] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, He humbled Himself in becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."  (Philippians 2:6-8 ESV)

I'm thankful for Christmas.  Because without Christmas, we wouldn't have Easter!

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons."  (Galatians 4:4-5 NASB)

What Are You Talking About This Christmas?

"And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them."  (Luke 2:20 ESV)

The shepherds were told about the birth of Jesus while they were out in the fields, just doing their jobs, "keeping watch over their flocks by night." (Luke 2:8 ESV).

And when they heard that news, what did they do?  Well, the Scripture doesn't say so, but I sort of imagine that they were at least a wee bit frightened when that angelic host appeared in the sky in the middle of the night!  I think I might have been.  In any event, after they heard the news, what did they do?  They went over to Bethlehem to check it out!  "And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in a manger."  (Luke 2:16 ESV).

They saw Jesus.  And then they told everybody!  That's what they were talking about that first Christmas!

What about you?  What are you talking about this Christmas?  Are you talking about Jesus?  Are you telling everybody?

Or are you talking about presents.  And cookies.  And shopping.  And Santa.  And what your elf doll has been up to.  And traffic.

Or are you talking about Jesus?

Are you complaining about how busy you are.  And how the stores are so crowded.  And how everything costs so much.  And whining about this or that or everything.

Or are you talking about Jesus?

What are you talking about this Christmas?

"When they had seen [the baby] they made known what had been told them concerning this child." (Luke 2:17 ESV)

Are You Ready? (Updated)

Are you ready? We hear that question a lot at this time of year. Are you ready for Christmas? And that usually means "have you finished your Christmas shopping?" Or "are all your decorations up?" Or "have you finished the cookie baking?" Or.......you can fill in the blank.

Yesterday I stopped by a fast food restaurant to get something to drink in between appointments.  An employee there asked me that question.  "Are you ready for Christmas?", she said.  "Yes", I said.  She seemed shocked!

As I have been thinking about that question today, I've been remembering a sermon I heard a few years ago on this topic. In fact, I think the pastor may have titled his sermon "Are You Ready for Christmas?" But what he was talking about had nothing to do with decorations or shopping or cookie baking!

His point, and one I think we would all do well to remember, is that being "ready" for Christmas has very little to do with shopping or cookies or trees. It has everything to do with Jesus. And with a right relationship with Him. Being ready for Christmas is about focus......about remembering why we are doing this in the first place.....about celebrating Jesus!

I'm not anti-Christmas decorations or anti-Christmas presents or anti-Christmas cookies (especially not anti-cookies!!). But I am saddened by how easily our focus shifts away from the real reason for the celebration.

Some years ago, in a Children's Choir program I was directing, there was a song titled "Happy Birthday, Jesus." The song centered around the fact that we each have a birthday, a "special day that comes 'round once a year" and we like for people to remember that day. We often are given gifts on that day, and we like that!! The song goes on to point out that Jesus has a special day, but though everybody knows it, "the fact is often clear that we forget to remember Him on His very special day."

We spend a lot of time during the Christmas season thinking about those who are special to us and about what gift we can give to let them know just how much we love them.

Should we not also do the same for Jesus? It's His birthday we're celebrating!! What gift will you give this year?

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give Him my heart.

   -Christina Rossetti

Christmas with Jesus - Remembering Don Davis

My heart is heavy as I write this post. 

A dear friend, our pastor during earlier years of our marriage, went home to the Lord on Tuesday.  I rejoice that he is with the Lord, that he is no longer suffering.

Yet I grieve for those who are left behind.  My heart breaks for his dear wife Marie, for his daughter Allison, for her husband Stuart and her daughter Ashley.  I grieve with all of us who knew and loved Don, who were blessed by his ministry.

Since I learned of Don's passing, my heart and mind have been flooded with memories, with all kinds of random thoughts about the years he was part of our lives.

I remember a plaid suit he used to wear back in the late 70s/early 80s.  I always thought that suit looked like a blanket!  That memory makes me smile.

In the early years of our church, when we were over in the Line Street building,  Don's chair on the platform was right next to the piano.  In those days, Cindy and I would play organ/piano duets for the offertory each Sunday.  Often Don would hum along as we played.  I doubt anyone but me could hear him.  Sometimes he would tap his fingers on the arm of his chair in time with the music.  And sometimes, when we played something he particularly enjoyed, I would get a little nod of approval when we finished.  Remembering that makes me smile.

Don came to Trinity shortly after the birth of our first child.  He baptized both our sons.  I loved how he loved my boys.  In more recent years, when we would be back visiting in South Carolina, he always asked about them and was interested in all the details of their lives - where they were living, what they were doing.  I loved that about him.

I loved how he loved my parents.  How he always inquired after them for all the years of their lives.  How he was always interested in how Al's parents were doing.

Don was such a kind and compassionate man.  He truly had a pastor's heart, a love for his people.  I have always thought of him as a shepherd caring for his sheep.  I loved that about him.

My friend Cindy used to say that it was worth being sick and in the hospital just to have Don come visit you!  As I recall his visits to me pre- and post-surgery, I think she was right.  His comforting presence there in that hospital room went a long way toward making me feel better.  I loved that about him.

I have so many fond memories.  Memories of New Year's Eve parties with Don and Marie and other couples from our church.  Of staff parties at Christmastime which Don and Marie hosted in their home.  Of sitting on the hearth in front of the fire with Cindy at those parties, because we were always cold.

Years of memories.  My heart overflows as I remember Don.  His kindness and compassion.  His smile.  Hearing him pray.  Listening to him preach.  Hugs when we would come back home to visit.  His love for people.  His love for the Lord.

Don has left us now.  This year he is spending Christmas with Jesus.  Already we miss him so much.  But we rejoice in knowing that he is now in the presence of the One he loved so much and served so faithfully and so well during his time here on earth.  I can only imagine the joy he is now experiencing!

Those of us who are left behind are grieving.  We grieve with and for Marie and Allison and Stuart and Ashley.  We feel a hole in our hearts now that Don is gone.

We will miss him.  We hold tightly to the memories of this dear man we loved so much.  We grieve.

But we do not grieve "as those who have no hope.  For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, [we also believe] that through Jesus God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.  For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore [we] comfort one another with these words.  (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 NASB)

Any Room?

We know that the Baby Jesus was born in a stable because "there was no room for them in the inn."  (Luke 2:7)

We know that Baby Jesus grew up.  That He died on a cross for the sin of all mankind, that He was buried, and that He was resurrected on the third day.  We know that He ascended back to the Father, and that He will come again.  The Scriptures teach us this.

We know, according to the Scriptures, that "to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."  (John 1:12 ESV)

We know that this is still true.

We also know that not all people received Him in the time He was here on earth.  Nor do all people receive Him today.

We know that there was "no room" for Him when He was born.  And for many, there is "no room" for Him even now.

The question today is this:  is there any room for Jesus in your Christmas celebrations?

In the middle of mistletoe and holly.  Of Christmas trees and presents.  Of Santa and elves.  Of hustle and bustle.  Of parades and lights.  Of cookies and cake.

In the midst of all the things you are doing to celebrate, have you left any room for Jesus?



"He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, tho those who believe in His name."  (John 1:12 NKJV)

We Need a Little Christmas

Last week we attended our grandson's Christmas concert at his school.  What a joy to hear all those young voices singing the music of Christmas!

As we returned home on Friday, we made a stop at Concord Mills Mall near Charlotte.  There were a few things Al was wanting from Bass Pro Shop.  After we had made our purchases there, we walked through the mall, not because we needed to buy anything in particular.  More for the exercise.

When we walked out into the mall, there were crowds of people everywhere.  There were Christmas decorations.  There was music being piped in.  The first song I heard was "We Need a Little Christmas".  What an appropriate song to be playing!  The people in that mall definitely   needed a little Christmas!

There was pushing and shoving.  Grumpy faces.  Stress.  Not much Christmas spirit was evident there.  We even commented to each other that we're glad all our shopping is done and the pressure is off.  As I thought back to that comment later, I realized how sad that is......that Christmas has become such a time of stress and pressure.

Maybe you're feeling that today.  Maybe you aren't feeling much "Christmas spirit".  Maybe you "need a little Christmas".

That may be true for all of us at one time or another.  So what do we do when we need a little Christmas?

When we find ourselves feeling stressed and pressured by what should be a joyful holiday, it's time to refocus.  To find a quiet place alone and refocus our thinking.

Forget, at least for a while, the mistletoe and holly, the fruitcake and tinsel, the hustle-bustle, the cookie-baking-decorating-got-so-much-to-do.  Forget, at least for a while, the things that are causing you financial stress or emotional stress or any other kind of stress.  Set all that aside for a while.  And remember.

• Remember why we are celebrating in the first place!
• Remember Who we are celebrating!
• Read the Christmas story from Luke's gospel.
• Listen to some Christmas music.  Some carols about the Birth of the Christ Child.  (Save the Jingle Bells for another time!)
• Reflect on all the reasons you have for joy and thanksgiving at this season of the year. Make a list!
• Talk to God about how you are feeling.  If your Christmas spirit has gone missing, tell Him about it!  Ask Him to help you get it back!

There are all kinds of reasons why our Christmas spirit may have gone missing.  But even in the midst of sadness and financial stress and holiday pressures, we can still enjoy and celebrate the season when we remember the reason for the season!

 "This gift was the greatest that the world had ever known;
God's love in the form of a little child from Heaven's throne;

 Such joy, such hope sent to earth from above;
This gift, God's greatest gift, wrapped in Heaven's love."

You need.  I need.  The world needs a little CHRISTmas!

"And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger."  (Luke 2:7 ESV)

Pay It Forward

You're likely quite familiar with that phrase......pay it forward.  You've probably heard stories of people who drove up to the window to pay for their coffee or their burger, only to discover that the person in the previous car had paid their bill.  Maybe you've even been the recipient of such kindness from a stranger.  Or you might have been the one displaying such kindness.

When I was a young child, the phrase pay it forward had not entered our lexicon.  But I remember my parents sharing food or money with people who had a need, or buying shoes or a jacket for someone who didn't have one, always anonymously done.  In fact they probably weren't aware that I was aware of what they had done. 

Like many young married couples, we had our share of financial struggles.  (In fact, it sometimes seemed that we had more than our share!)  Along the way, we were blessed by those who bought a meal for us, who provided for us financially when we had a need, who shared their blessings with us.  And now, in a different season of our lives, our blessing is far greater when we are able to pay it forward, and do the same for others.  When we are able in some way to help meet a financial need, or to provide a meal, or in some other tangible way pay forward the blessings we received.

The Christmas season is a wonderful time to think about paying it forward.  As you're wrapping your presents and baking your cookies, maybe you could think of ways to share a gift or a plate of cookies with someone.  Maybe it's a good time of year to buy a cup of coffee for someone else.  Or to put a little extra in the bell ringer's kettle.  To fill a shoebox with gifts for a child.  To find some way to be a blessing to someone else.

Even as you're thinking of ways to share tangible gifts.....a cup of coffee, a meal, some cookies, a sweater.....why not also be considering ways to pay forward the greatest gift you ever received.  To pay forward the gift of Jesus!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."  (John 3:16 ESV, emphasis mine )

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"  (2 Corinthians 9:15 NASB, emphasis mine)

"always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."  (2 Corinthians 9:15 ESV)

It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing;
That's how it is with God's Love,
Once you've experienced it,
Your spread the love to everyone
You want to pass it on.

(-Kurt Kaiser)

Winds Through the Olive Trees

Winds through the olive trees,
Softly did blow
'Round little Bethlehem,
Long, long ago.
Sheep on the hillside lay
Whiter than snow,
Shepherds were watching them,
Long, long ago.

Then from the happy skies,
Angels bent low,
Singing their songs of joy;
Long, long ago,
For in a manger bed,
Cradled we know,
Christ came to Bethlehem,
Long, long ago.

(traditional tune; author unknown)



I learned that song as a child, in children's choir at the First Baptist Church of Landrum, SC.  Perhaps you learned it as well, in your church.  It's been playing on a continuous loop in my mind for the past few days.  Perhaps it's because I'll be traveling back to Bethlehem soon.  Or maybe it's because the wind has been blowing.  A lot.  It's been pretty windy around here for several days now.  Lots of twigs on the ground. 

The cute little windsock that I put up for Christmas has blown away.  I saw it down in the woods, out of reach.  At least I know where it is!

Both windchimes that were hanging on our front porch blew down.  One of them landed on the porch, so I was able to rescue it and bring it in.  The other is nowhere to be found!

All this wind reminded me of the first time we traveled to Israel.  By the time we got to Jerusalem, a snow storm was making its way across Europe, causing gusty winds to blow all across Israel.  On the last day we were there, an awning blew off our hotel, and the revolving door at the front of the hotel had to be locked to keep it from constantly spinning!  I'm really hoping we won't have winds like that on this trip.

But there very well may be breezes blowing through the olive trees while we're there.  And it is entirely possible, although we can't know with any certainty, that the sound of gentle breeezes blowing through the olive trees was heard on that night so long ago when our Lord was born in Bethlehem.

At His first advent, He came to us as a tiny baby.  Perhaps with gentle breezes blowing.  Surrounded by animals in a stable.

His second advent will be quite different.  No longer a baby.  No longer in a stable.  And likely not accompanied by gentle breezes.  More likely by the sound of a mighty wind!

Two thousand years have passed since that first advent in Bethlehem.  We don't know how much time is left on the prophetic calendar before the second advent.

But we do know that there will be a second advent.  Are you ready?

"Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse!  The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True and in righteousness he judges and makes war.....and the name by which he is called is The Word of God....On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords." (Revelation 19:11, 13, 16 ESV)

 









Continually

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that openly profess his name."  (Hebrews 13:15 NIV)

Continually.  Continually offer a sacrifice of praise.

Continually.  What does that mean anyway?

Dictionary.com gives this definition:  very often, at regular or frequent intervals; habitually; without cessation or intermission; unceasingly; always.

Continually.  Always.

Even when there's too much month at the end of the money.  Even when the roof leaks and the plumbing backs up and the dishwasher quits......

Even when a deer decides to cross the road just as you are driving by.  (That happens quite a lot in my part of the world!)

Even when there's devastating illness.  Or job loss.  Or bereavement.

Even when you don't feel like it.

Even then.

Continually.

We only have two weeks until Christmas Day. Perhaps this is a good time to reexamine our Christmas traditions and exactly how we are celebrating the birth of Christ. In our celebrating are we continually offering our praises?  Are we really celebrating Christ?  Or are we only giving lip service to Him while we get caught up in elves or Santa or other "stuff"?

When we stop and really consider what we're doing this Christmas, what is it that we are continually focusing our attention on? 

Is our focus directed toward the "name that is above every name?"  (Philippians 2:8)?  Or have we lost sight of the "reason for the season"?

My prayer is that we might all focus our celebration on that Wonderful Name.....Jesus! That we might truly - and continually - celebrate the Christ of Christmas.  And not only in December!

Wonderful Name

Mary was the first to hear it, name that came from heaven above;
Name that raises souls from darkness, this the only name worth singing of.

Wonderful name, Jesus! Wonderful name, Jesus!
Name angels sang the night all heaven rang; wonderful name, Jesus!

Heaven touched His name with glory, precious name of Jesus, our King;
In God’s Word is told the story, of this wondrous name the angels sing!

 

Wonderful name, Jesus! Wonderful name, Jesus!

Name angels sang the night all heaven rang; wonderful name, Jesus!

-Roger Strader

Counting the Days!

This is the time of year when we are bombarded with "____shopping days until Christmas" or when we count down the days until family arrives or we're counting down the days, not so much for shopping, but for celebrating Christmas.

I'm in a countdown as well, but a countdown of a different sort.  Right now I'm at the three-week mark.  Three weeks from yesterday I will board a plane, and three weeks from today we will land in Tel Aviv!  After we clear customs, we'll board a bus for the drive from Tel Aviv to Bethlehem, the first stop on our itinerary.

And so my Christmas celebration will continue!  Even though we'll arrive in Bethlehem a few days after Christmas has been celebrated in most of the world (the Eastern Orthodox celebration will come a few days later), being in Bethlehem is always a very special time.  And I'm sure will be even more so this year as we will be there so close to Christmas.

Bethlehem is not exactly the way we picture it when we sing our Christmas carols.  It isn't a large city, but neither is it the sleepy "little" town we sing about.  It's a busy little town.  There's traffic.  There are people everywhere, particularly in this season when so many come to Bethlehem for Christmas celebrations.

And it isn't a particularly quiet town either.  There are the traffic noises and the horns blowing.  There are the sounds of tour buses driving through the streets.  There are lots of people, all talking.  English and Hebrew and Arabic are heard, along with other languages as well  from the visitors from other parts of the world.

But it's a special place.  It's a very different place than it was two thousand years ago.  Traffic.  Parking garages.  Hotels.  Tourists.  But special nonetheless.

Because it was at this place that our Savior was born.  A very special place indeed.

Inside the Church of the Nativity, the oldest church in Christendom (built about 326 AD), this silver star marks the traditional birthplace of Jesus.  It is inscribed, in Latin, "Here of the Virgin Mary, Christ was born."

That may or may not be the exact spot where Christ was born.  But Christ was born.  In Bethlehem.  Just as it had been foretold by the prophets long before.

And so, each time I visit that spot, and each time I think of that spot, I join that angel chorus from long ago in a resounding "Gloria in excelsis Deo."

"But you, O Bethlehem Ephratha.....from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days."  (Micah 5:2 ESV)

"And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."  (Luke 2:6-7 ESV)

O Little Town of Bethlehem



"O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;

Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;

The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

 

For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,

While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond'ring love.

O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,

and praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth!

 

How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is giv'n!

So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav'n.

No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive HIm, still the dear Christ enters in.

 

O holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us, we pray;

Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;

O come to us, abide with us, our Lord, Immanuel!"

 

(words:  Phillips Brooks; music:  Lewis H. Redner)

God Rest Ye Merry!

You likely have not offered that greeting to anyone lately.  Unless you've participated in a Christmas play or some other drama set in a long-ago time period, it's not likely you have ever uttered that phrase.  You may have sung it in a Christmas carol without thinking much about what it means.

The carol "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" is not a tune about merry gentlemen.  Note the placement of the comma.  "God rest ye merry" was a common greeting in days gone by, used in much the same way as we might say "Have a nice day."

This is not a carol we sing as frequently as some others, but one which offers excellent advice to us as we are navigating life here in the 21st century.

"God rest ye merry."

"Let nothing you dismay".  Don't worry.  Don't be anxious.  Don't fret.  About anything.

You may be thinking.....How can I not worry?  You just don't know what I'm going through.  You don't know what I have to deal with.

And that's true.  I don't.  But I know One who does.

Consider the next line of the carol.  We have no need to be dismayed, to be worried, to be anxious, if we remember.  Remember what?

"Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day."  Stay focused on that truth.  Don't be distracted from that.  Don't be concerned that December 25 is likely not the day He was born.  We don't know the exact date.  The Bible doesn't tell us.  But we celebrate on December 25.  And on every day, really.  Christ was born.  That's the important point.

And why was He born?

"To save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray."

Christ was born to save.  To save me.  To save you.  To save the nations.

That's good news.  Focus on that today.  Share that good news.  Live joyfully because of that good news.  Remember.

And rest ye merry!

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

God rest ye merry, gentlemen. Let nothing you dismay.

Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day;

To save us all from Satan's pow'r when we were gone astray.

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;

O tidings of comfort and joy.
(-traditional English carol)

 

 

"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."  (John 1:14 ESV)

 



It's Beginning to Sound a Lot Like Christmas!

Have you noticed?  The sounds of Christmas are everywhere!

In our churches, certainly, as we're singing the songs and carols of the season.

In malls and grocery stores, Christmas music is playing.  And not just the "Jingle Bells" kind of Christmas music, but also "Silent Night" and "Joy to the World".  The music of our Savior's birth is also being played.  Isn't it wonderful to we get to hear our Savior's name proclaimed in places like the mall and the grocery store!

In the dentist's office.  I enjoyed the Christmas music playing during my root canal procedure yesterday.  Well, I enjoyed it when the sound of the drill didn't drown it out!

The sounds of Christmas are everywhere!

In the laughter of children.

In the sounds (and smells) that emanate from kitchens at this time of year.

Maybe you have Christmas music playing in your home throughout the season.  I know I do.

This morning I'm listening to "Joy-An Irish Christmas" by Keith and Kristyn Getty.  It has become one of my favorite Christmas albums.

What sounds of Christmas are you experiencing today?

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'"  (Luke 2:13-14 ESV)

I Survived!

I've been a little off schedule this week, trying to get back to my regular routines following the holiday weekend.  The holiday, along with the horrid weather we had last week, put me a little off my "training" schedule.  Yesterday I laced up my walking shoes and went out to walk.  This time I made it to the top of the hill behind our house.  Yes, I actually survived walking up that hill!

Along the way I encountered some interesting tracks.  Reminders of the critters who also call this mountain home.  Fortunately, I only saw their tracks.  No critter encounters yesterday!

 

I'll need to walk up that hill many more times in the next few weeks before I'll feel ready for our trip to Israel.  But that will have to wait for another day.

This afternoon I'm resting.  I spent the morning in the dentist's office today, having a root canal because I had an abcess in the root of one of my teeth.  The good news is......I survived!  After all the horror stories about root canals that I had heard over the years, I was really not looking forward to this.  But it wasn't nearly as bad as I had expected.  It took the dentist longer than he had anticipated, because it turns out that I have an extra nerve in my tooth.  Lucky me!  I have decided that the three worst things about a root canal are: 1) the sound......I hate the sound of dentist's drills; 2) having to hold your mouth open for so long; and 3) that little rubber sheet they put over your mouth.  I'm sure that little rubber sheet has a name, but I don't know what it is.  It was a little green rubber sheet with a hole in the middle for the dentist to see the tooth.  Everything else was covered up.  And it wasn't so bad in the beginning.  But after a while, after it had been on there a while and had gotten wet, it was really annoying!

But, I survived!  And I fervently hope never to have another root canal.

Steep hills and root canals are just a few of the challenges we face in life.  And certainly many people face far more daunting challenges than these.

But I think the secret to surviving is the same, whether the challenge is big or small.  It's what got me through the root canal.  What has gotten me through some far more difficult things in life.  What keeps me going day by day.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee."  (Isaiah 26:3 KJV)

The Reason for the Season

Now that the calendar says it's December, I guess it's "officially" OK for me to listen to Christmas music. There's a lot of complaining about Christmas music being played or sung prior to Thanksgiving, and I have to confess that I don't really understand that. From the perspective that Thanksgiving is becoming the "forgotten" holiday and that retailers jump into Christmas advertising right after Labor Day, I'll accept the complaining......at least a little bit.

But for me, "Christmas music" transcends the season. I can gladly listen to it and sing it year-round.  It's a bit sad to me that this wonderful music which tells so much of the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place, that gives us so many wonderful lyrics about the redemption story, is relegated to just a few weeks in December.

I was recently asked about my favorite Christmas carol. I had a hard time answering that question. Not because I don't have a favorite. Because I have so many favorites!!

I love "Silent Night" and "O Holy Night". I love the music. I love the way the music suits the lyrics perfectly. I love how these songs evoke mental images of the events of that special night so long ago.

I love "Joy to the World"! Just the title makes me smile. JOY!!!!

Perhaps my absolute favorite is "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing". I think I must have loved this carol all my life. I can remember singing it as a little girl. (And I've been told that, in my early childhood, I "rewrote" the lyrics a little.....instead of "with th' angelic host proclaim", I sang "with the jelly host proclaim"!!!!) I have come to love this carol more and more over the years, particularly for its lyrics. The entire reason for Christmas, the reason Christ came to earth, is encapsulated in one line......."God and sinners reconciled".

That's the reason for the season!

"Hark! the herald angels sing, 'Glory to the newborn King;

Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.'

Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies;

With th'angelic host proclaim, 'Christ is born in Bethlehem.'

Hark! the herald angels sing,'Glory to the newborn King.'

 

Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord;

Late in time behold Him come, offspring of the Virgin's womb;

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail th'incarnate Deity,

Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.

Hark! the herald angels sing,'Glory to the newborn King.'

 

Hail, the heav'n-born Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings, Ris'n with healing in His wings.

Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die,

Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing, 'Glory to the newborn King.'"

 

(Words:  Charles Wesley; Music:  Felix Mendelssohn)



Remember!

A line from the most recent Hunger Games movie was recently brought to my attention.  Before we get to that, in the interest of full disclosure, let me say that I have not seen the movie.  Nor have I seen the first Hunger Games movie.  And I may be one of the few people on the planet who have not seen the movies or read any of the Hunger Games books.  And it is not my intention here to  make any kind of commentary on them.  It is that one particular line that has grabbed my attention.

"Remember who the real enemy is."

That's the line that from the movie that got my attention.  I have no idea how it relates to the plot of the movie.  (And don't tell me.  I may get around to seeing the movies and/or reading the books one of these days!)

No matter how it relates to the plot of the film, it's good advice, isn't it?  Especially for those of us who call ourselves Christian.  "Remember who the real enemy is."

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."  (Ephesians 6:12 ESV)

"Remember who the real enemy is."

It isn't your spouse or your children.  It isn't your employer. 

It isn't your fellow church members.  Or the members from the church down the street.

It isn't politicians, even though there may be many of them with whom you have very strong disagreements.

"Remember who the real enemy is."

"Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour."  (1 Peter 5:8 ESV)

How do we win the battle?

By remembering who the enemy is.

By resisting him.  ("Resist the devil and he will flee from you."  James 4:7 ESV)

By being dressed and ready for battle.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil......Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."  (Ephesians 6:10-13 ESV)

"Remember who the real enemy is."

The Holiday Is Over.....

Thanksgiving Day 2013 is past.  But the thanksgiving continues.

Even though this year's holiday is now history, there remains much to be thankful for.

A weekend filled with love and laughter.  With family. 

Memories made that will fill the void until the next time we are all together.

Snow for grandsons to play in and make memories (which particularly made the Floridian grandson happy!  Not much chance of snow where he lives!)

Everyone made it safely back home, even though heavy traffic meant the trip took longer that it should have.

Good food.  Good times.  Good memories.

So much to be thankful for.  All gifts from a loving Heavenly Father who blesses us far beyond what we could even begin to imagine.

So blessed.  So thankful. 

Even though the holiday is over, the thanksgiving continues.

"Praise the LORD!  Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!"  (Psalm 106:1 ESV)

Friday, Black Friday (A Repost)

This is that crazy day when Americans seem to forget everything they thought or said yesterday about gratitude, and instead take delight in pushing and shoving their way through malls and shops in order to save a few dollars. The older I get, the less I enjoy shopping in crowded stores. Shopping, yes. Crowds, not so much. I prefer to leisurely work my way through the mall. So on this Black Friday, I have no plans to be anywhere near a mall or a store! 

On this Friday morning my thoughts have turned to another Friday some two thousand years ago. And as I reflect on that particular Friday, I'm remembering an Easter musical from years past entitled "Then Came Sunday" which chronicled the week between what we now know as Palm Sunday and Easter. From Hosanna to He Is Risen. On this Friday morning, I can almost hear the narrator speak the lines "Friday. Dark Friday." Truly that was a "black Friday".

"And when they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.........And it was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, the sun being obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two.......And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into Thy hands I commit my spirit,' and having said this, He breathed His last." (Luke 23:33,44-46 NASB)

The good news is......that isn't the end of the story! Then came Sunday!

"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bringing spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus." (Luke 23:1-3 NASB)

As I look forward to being in Israel again in just a few weeks, one of the places I look forward to visiting again is the Garden Tomb, the site many Christians believe is the place where Jesus was buried following His crucifixion.

There are also those who believe He was buried at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. While we cannot know with absolute certainty, in my mind it really doesn't matter. In either case, the tomb is empty! And that is reason for Thanksgiving!!

Thanksgiving......a Time for Remembering

This has been a busy week. Lots to do to get ready for family coming to visit. Lists. Grocery shopping. Cleaning. Baking. Busy, busy, busy.

And now the day is here.

It's a busy morning. The final baking. Preparing The Meal. Busy, busy, busy.

But not too busy to take some time for remembering.

Remembering all the ways I've been blessed this year. Friends. Family. New places I've visited. Places I've revisited. Answered prayers.

Remembering Thanksgivings past. And the people I shared them with.

Remembering my parents, both gone for several years now. Mother in the kitchen, wearing her apron, bustling around trying to get the meal ready on time. Daddy, hovering in the kitchen, pretty much getting in the way, since it wasn't a particularly large kitchen. He was waiting to be told it was time to carve the turkey, and hoping to be called on to be a taste-tester!

Remembering my Grandmother Neil and my Uncle JB, who always shared our Thanksgiving meal. I particularly remember the year Grandmother bit down on the cream-cheese-stuffed celery (always a part of our Thanksgiving meal) and broke her false teeth. I think the teeth may have already been cracked. In any event, it gave us all a good laugh. She may not have thought it quite as funny as the rest of us, but she laughed any way.....and went without teeth for several weeks while new ones were made!

Remembering my cousins Anne and Richard Sevier. They were always at our Thanksgiving table. Anne always brought a relish tray. Daddy always said it was because she couldn't cook.

On a side note, I have another funny memory of Anne's lack of cooking ability. We (my parents, my brother, and I) once had dinner with Anne and Richard. Anne had prepared (or attempted to prepare) beef burdundy. On the way back to our house after dinner, Daddy remarked, without cracking a smile, "That woman can ruin a perfectly good piece of meat."

During the earlier years of our marriage, before we started moving all around the country, we always had Thanksgiving dinner at my parents' house. Occasionally, as I and they got older, and as I became a better cook, we would sometimes have Thanksgiving dinner at our house.

But because we moved around the country so much, it wasn't always possible to be back in South Carolina for Thanksgiving. On those occasions, we shared the Thanksgiving meal with friends. One year with the Kaisers and the Rodgers in Connecticut. One year with the Eyes in Colorado. One year in Minnesota with the Gresses. Other Minnesota Thanksgivings with the Biggers.

Precious memories indeed. At this season of Thanksgiving, I'm grateful for so many things. And especially grateful for memories of Thanksgivings gone by, and for the special people I shared those days with.

"I thank my God always when I remember you." (Philemon 4 ESV)

Thanksgiving Flashbacks

The day before Thanksgiving.  I'm watching the snow fall and feeling very thankful for my warm home.  I'm feeling a little nostalgic this morning, remembering previous holidays. 

The snow this morning has given me flashbacks to Thanksgivings and Christmases when we lived in other parts of the country and were among the frazzled travelers trying to make it home for the holiday.  I remember lots of snowy travel days, leaving from the old Stapleton Airport in Denver, flying to Chicago and then south from there.  Long lines.  Lots of delays.  So, on this day before Thanksgiving, I'm counting my blessings, thankful that I don't have to do that this year!  And, although there's a lot of driving involved, I'm thankful that my family won't be doing that either.  I'm praying for their safety as they are on the highways with all the other people who are trying to get somewhere today!  And realizing, of course, that their drive will be a bit more complicated once they encounter the snow. 

Lots to pray about this morning.  And lots to be thankful for.  As I've been counting my blessings, among them are precious memories of previous Thanksgivings.

A few of my favorite memories...

• when Brian was in kindergarten, his class made pilgrim hats and collars for their Thanksgiving feast. When he got home, he found construction paper, glue and scissors, and made a set for his little brother so that Brandon would have the same thing he had.
• when Brandon was in kindergarten, his class made similar hats and collars, and as they sat around the table for their feast, they recited this prayer together: "For food and all the gifts of love, we give Thee thanks and praise. Look down, O Father, from above, and bless us all our days." That prayer has stuck in my memory ever since.
• remembering Thanksgiving dinners from my childhood.......Mother would set the table with the "good" china that only got used on Thanksgiving and Christmas. We would crowd around the dining room table (also rarely used!).......Grndmother Neil, Uncle JB, Daddy's cousins Anne and Richard (brother and sister, neither of whom ever married),and the four of us.
• day-after-Thanksgiving Christmas shopping in Spartanburg with Mother. When we got home from that all-day adventure, we wrapped gifts together.
• the smell of a fire burning in the fireplace. The fireplace (which was rarely used) was in the living room (also rarely used), and we typically only had a fire on Thanksgiving and Christmas.......no matter how hot it was......and sometimes in SC, Thanksgiving Day is not exactly build-a-fire kind of weather! But we did it anyway.  I miss that smell.  (We have gas logs in our fireplace.)

Wonderful memories of Thanksgivings past.  Anticipation of Thanksgivings future.  And so much excitement about Thanksgiving present.  Sharing this holiday weekend with my family.  Acknowledging God's goodness.  Reflecting on how very blessed we are.

Giving thanks.  For a warm home.  For family.  For time together.  For good food in abundance. 

Giving thanks.  For all things.  Even for snow!

"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."  (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV)

Holiday Habits

Here we go again.  Crazy weather.  Ice last night.  Rain this morning, with the forecast for it to be heavy during the day, and perhaps as much as 3 inches.  Before it turns to snow.  Which is forecast to be heavy.  Along with blustery winds and perhaps blizzard-like conditions.

With all this crazy weather, it must be a holiday and time for the family to get together!  I was sitting here thinking about that this morning.  For the last several holiday gatherings, the weather has been lousy.  And usually involved some white stuff!  In fact, one Christmas (about 3 years ago, I think) it snowed so much that people stayed longer than they had planned, and weren't even sure they could get down the mountain on the day they left!  Thankfully, everyone made it home safely.

I guess crazy weather is one of our holiday habits.  Although snow for Thanksgiving is a bit unusual in this part of the world.  Yes, I live in the mountains.  But these are southern mountains!

All this has me thinking about holiday habits.  I'm sure your family has them as well.  Things that are always part of a particular holiday celebration.

Football has always been part of our Thanksgiving Day.  Years ago, when we celebrated Thanksgiving with my parents, our boys would be out in the afternoon playing football under the pecan trees.  These days (and especially if it's snowing!), the football will be watched on TV.  Or maybe played on a video game.

We eat turkey.  And sweet potatoes.  And pumpkin pie.  We watch parades on television.  We nap.  All that is part of our Thanksgiving Day.

I've noticed lots of other holiday habits as well.  People listing their thanks on Facebook.  A lot of blog posts about being thankful.  Many people have begun keeping gratitude journals.

Sadly, the thankful attitude doesn't seem to extend much beyond that.  There's not much evidence of grateful hearts walking through the mall.  Or on the highway.  Or in the grocery store.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if gratitude became more than just a "holiday thing"?  Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all lived every day with an "attitude of gratitude"?  Wouldn't it be wonderful if gratitude became a lifestyle?  Not just something to do on Thanksgiving.


"It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness at night."                   (Psalm 92:1-2 ESV)

Great Anticipation

It's finally here.....Thanksgiving week!  As the week begins, I'm looking forward with anticipation, and also looking back, reflecting on the blessings of this year, the many reasons I have for thanks-giving, and also remembering previous Thanksgivings.

The list of reasons for giving thanks is very long indeed, much too long to list out here.  I am a very blessed woman.  And some of my blessings will be here later this week, which is one of the things I'm so looking forward to.

In just a couple of days, the house will be full of love and laughter.  The sounds of family.  Football.  Board games.  Silly jokes.  This is always such a special blessings, since the times when we are all in the same place at the same time are all too few.  So, I'm looking forward with great anticipation.  I've made my lists, checked them more than twice, and am beginning the preparations today with some grocery shopping.  Then the baking will begin!

This morning, I'm also anticipating an event four weeks from today, when I will board a flight to Israel.  Having traveled to Israel is one of the great blessings of my life, and I'm looking forward with great anticipation to this next trip.

As I follow events in the news, and as I read and study the Scriptures, there's another event I'm looking forward to as well.  The difference is that I don't know the "when".  Yet it is with a sense of expectation and great anticipation that I join the hymnwriter in asking, "O Lord Jesus, how long?  How long 'til we shout the glad song?  Christ returneth!" 


"looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of our great God and our Savior Jesus Christ."  (Titus 2:13 KJV)

How?

"How can a young person live a clean life?

By carefully reading the map of Your Word.

I'm single-minded in pursuit of You;

don't let me miss the road signs You've posted.

I've banked Your promises in the vault of my heart

so I won't sin myself bankrupt.

Be blessed, God;

train me in Your ways of wise living."

(Psalm 119:9-12, The Message)

 

 

I first became acquainted with this passage of Scripture when I was a child. Back then it sounded a little different. Back then we used the King James Version of the Bible, and the passage read like this:

"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word." (Psalm 119:9 KJV)

 

 

I love the KJV. It's a part of the fabric of my growing up years. But most of us in 21st century America don't use words like "wherewithal" or phrases like "taking heed thereto" in our daily conversation. In that respect, the reading from The Message is more understandable. The words are different, but the truth is the same, no matter which translation or paraphrase you read it from.

 

 

How do we live out the Christian life? How can we make sense of life? How do we face the challenges of daily living in a way that honors God?

 

 

The answer is clear in this passage: "by taking heed", "by carefully reading". The NIV renders this passage this way: "by living according to your word."

 

 

And how do we live according to God's Word? We must first know what it says. And how do we know what it says? We must "carefully read it."

 

 

The passage refers to a young person ("young man" in the KJV). But I would submit to you that this is good advice for all people, men and women, young and old, in whatever season of life.

 

 

How am I going to live as God desires me to live? How am I going to honor Him in my daily living? How am I going to know how to make good choices? How am I going to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which [I] have been called?" (Ephesians 4:1, ESV).

The answer is clear. The passage asks a question....."how"......and then gives the answer. Our challenge is to "take heed."

"How can a young man keep his way pure?

By keeping it according to Your word.

With all my heart I have sought You;

Do not let me wander from Your commandments.

Your word I have treasured in my heart,

That I may not sin against You.

Blessed are You, O LORD;

Teach me Your statutes."

(Psalm 119:9-12, NASB, emphasis mine)





What a Week!

This has been a busy week.  A crazy week.  So much to do.  So many appointments.  Doctors and dentists.  And because we live where we do, none of that is a quick trip.  Which means lots of time in the car.  Which means a single appointment can take hours, or most of the day as was the case Tuesday when I went to the rheumatologist.

My rheumatologist is in Kingsport, TN, which is about an hour and a half drive from here, each way.  That's three hours in the car just to get there and back.  And they were very busy on Tuesday, which meant I spent about two hours in the office.  That pretty much filled up my day, by the time I got some lunch and made a Wal-mart stop.  We don't have Wal-mart here in our county, so a stop at Wal-mart is pretty much part of every trip to the rheumatologist!

Yesterday I went to the dentist.  That's also over in Tennessee, but much closer, only about 40 minutes away.  But it was the first time I had seen this dentist, so it was a long appointment.  Teeth cleaning, x-rays, consultation.  All that took some time.  That pretty much filled up my afternoon.

Meanwhile, in between all these appointments all the regular stuff of life needs to be dealt with.  Laundry.  Grocery shopping.  And extra grocery shopping, because next week is Thanksgiving.  All the family will be here, which I am very excited about, but having all the family here means more groceries than are needed when it's just two of us.  And more planning.  So that means lots of lists.  And trying to get organized.  And so far, I'm not doing a very good job of that.

I'm also trying to finish the Christmas shopping, so I can send gifts home with everybody after Thanksgiving, since we won't be together for Christmas this year.  That means more lists.  And more trying to be organized.  And in this instance, as with the grocery lists, I don't think I'm doing a very good job.

On top of it all, I have discovered that I am a wolf.  I gained this important piece of information last night when I was scrolling through Facebook and took one of those personality tests.  I think this one was called "What's Your Animal Personality?", or something like that.  It's supposedly based on the Myers-Briggs personality test (which determines that I'm an "INFJ", whatever that means).  Wolves are apparently "value-driven individuals who tend to remain mysterious and complex even after you’ve become close to one. They are often creative and inspired individuals. They are good at perceiving emotions and are sensitive to the feelings of others, but they are not very prone to revealing much of themselves until they trust someone completely. That said, they are intensely interested in the well-being of others and are often seen as protectors as well as natural leaders."

I'm not sure that I like being described as a wolf.  Although I have to admit that the description is pretty accurate.  So maybe being a wolf isn't such a bad thing!  In any event, I am who I am!

I've had a busy week.  I've learned a little about myself, for what it's worth.  And the week isn't over.   Still more to do.  Still more lists to make.  And in the middle of it all, still much to be thankful for!

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."  (Psalm 139:13-14 ESV)

In Training

In just six more weeks I will once again travel to Israel. I am getting so excited as the time draws near. As I anticipate the trip, I'm trying to get ready. Part of the preparation is physical. Last time we were there we walked about 60 miles! Since that is far beyond what I normally do in a two-week period, I'm "in training". Doing a lot of walking to get ready.

The area where I live in many ways replicates what I'll experience when I get to Israel. Uneven terrain. Lots of hills. So, when the weather permits, I'm doing my training outdoors, right here in my own driveway.

I began by walking up and down the driveway, increasing the repetitions each week.

Then I added this road above our house.

 

So far I've made it halfway up and back, just beyond the curve in the road that you see there. I'm pretty impressed with myself that I've managed this, with a fused ankle and a bum knee! By the end of the week I'm hoping to make it to the top of this hill.  When that happens, I'll be sure to take another photo!

After that, I'll be adding this hill to the regimen:

 

Some days I don't mind the walking. But some days it's drudgery. Some days it's hard. And some days it hurts! However, when I get to Israel, I'll be very glad I disciplined myself to do all this walking. When I'm at Masada. Or Jericho. Or Meggido. Or on the Mount of Olives. Or walking through the Old City. On those days, I'll be very glad indeed!

But physical training isn't the only preparation for a trip like this. This will be, after all, a spiritual pilgrimage. So I'm reading all the materials supplied by our pastor and our tour company. I'm spending time in the Gospels reading about the events that took place at some of the places we'll visit, and I'm praying for our trip and for the group of people we'll be traveling with.

It's all part of getting ready to visit the land of the Bible. Certainly for a person who's as physically out of shape as I am, the physical training is an important part of the preparation. But I've learned from my previous journeys to Israel that physical preparation is not all that's needed. Spiritual preparation is equally important, perhaps even more important.

Because traveling to Israel is much more than just sight-seeing. It's much more than just a vacation. It's not just about the land of the Bible, but about a fresh encounter with the One who walked there.

"Train yourself for godliness, for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life, but also for the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:7b-8 ESV)

God Is Good. All the Time.

We hear that a lot......God is good, all the time, and all the time God is good.  You may have even said it yourself.  I know I certainly have.

God is good.  And He is good all the time.  I don't dispute that at all.

But I am sometimes bothered by that expression.  Not because it isn't true, because I believe that it is.  What bothers me so much is that it only seems to be used when something good has happened.  It is far more rare to hear someone utter that mantra when things are going badly.  And that bothers me.

We are very quick to give God credit when things go well.  We are very quick to acknowledge His goodness in the middle of our mountaintop experiences, when all of life around us is good.

We are far less quick to acknowledge God's goodness in the valleys.  When times are tough.  When we're struggling financially.  When there's been a car accident or sickness or some other setback.

And I'm really bothered by that.  Because He's the same God!  Because He is good.  All the time.  He is not changed by circumstances.  Because He is God.  Because He does not change.  ("For I the Lord do not change."  Malachi 3:6 ESV)

If we really believe the Bible to be true, and if we really believe every word, then we must acknowledge that God is good not because of our circumstances, but often in spite of our circumstances.  If God is good all the time.....and He is......and if He causes all things to work together for our good.....and He does, according to Romans 8:28.......then we will praise Him in all the circumstances of our lives.  We will utter the phrase "God is good all the time" not only in the good times, such as when we get a good report from our doctor or when someone is miraculously healed.  We will also say "God is good all the time" when we get a bad report from the doctor, when our dear friend loses the battle with disease, when there's not enough money to fix the roof. 

In all things and in all circumstances, God is good.  Because He is God.  Because goodness is part of His nature.  Because He does not change.  And in all things and in all circumstances, He is working for our good because that is His purpose.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son."  (Romans 8:28-29 ESV)

Today, whatever the circumstances of your life, rest in that truth, and be encouraged.  Because God is good all the time.  And all the time God is good.

:Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever."              (Psalm 106:1 NKJV)

Overwhelmed

It's a busy week.  One full of appointments and stuff that needs to be done.  Al and I both are on the run all week.  He had a doctor appointment yesterday and has a dental appointment today.  I have an appointment with my rheumatologist today and see the dentist on Thursday.  In between, there's lots of other stuff that needs doing.  It's all a bit overwhelming, really.

As I was thinking through the to-do list this morning, trying to be certain that all our lists are in order, that we're going to the right place at the right time, that nothing gets forgotten, I found myself overwhelmed.  But not by the schedule.

This morning I find myself overwhelmed by the goodness of God.  By His great love.  By His mercy.  And His grace.  Overwhelmed to know that even when I can't seem to keep everything organized, He has it all under control.  Overwhelmed to know that there's really no need for me to worry about anything.  Overwhelmed by all His blessings. 

Just overwhelmed.

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."  (Psalm 103:1-2 ESV)

A Favorite Phrase

One of my favorite words in the English language is the little word "but".  It is also one of my least favorite words.  I've written about this before.  You can read the earlier post here:  http://susanssittingroom.blogspot.com/2011/10/but.html

I most love that little word "but" when we put it together with another word to form a particular phrase......but God.

It's that particular two-word phrase that I've been pondering this morning.  But God.  The little word "but" used alone can be so negative, but the connotation changes completely when you put the two words together.

Consider it this way:

Ephesians 2:1 tells us this:  "You were dead in trespasses and sins."  That's pretty negative, isn't it?  Sounds pretty hopeless.  However, there's more to the story!

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved."  (Ephesians 2:4 ESV, emphasis mine)

That should brighten your Monday!

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."  (Ephesians 2:13 ESV)

The Best Part......

You know the commercial....."the best part of waking up is Folger's in your cup."

Well, I'm here to take issue with that statement! For starters, I drink a different brand of coffee. And plenty of it! I'm not here to take issue with beginning the day with a cup of coffee.  If you know me at all, or if you've been a reader here for a while, then you know that I love my morning coffee. And my afternoon coffee. And my evening coffee.

My focus is on the "best part of waking up" part of that jingle. My morning routine goes pretty much the same way every day, unless I'm traveling, which brings a few minor adjustments to the routine.

The first thing each morning is that trip to the bathroom to take care of business. Then I let Molly out to take care of her business. While she's busy with that, I refill her bowls with food and fresh water, and when she comes back in, I dispense her daily glucosamine tablet. (She is, after all, an old dog!) After that, I pour the first cup of coffee. Coffee which, I must point out, was made for me by my non-coffee-drinking husband. Unless, of course, he's out of town and then, hopefully, I remembered to make it the night before and set the timer. Otherwise, that has to be dealt with.

Once that cup of coffee is poured, I sit in my chair (which I frequently have to share with Molly!) and check the Bible app on my phone. There I get the "verse of the day", which I usually share with Facebook. (Unless I'm having a particularly foggy morning and forget!) After that, I check the Bible app for the day's reading in the Bible reading plan I'm following this year.

And then comes "the best part of waking up".......my daily time in God's Word......something I look forward to every morning!

I've been reading in the Gospel of Luke for several days now. Here are some of the nuggets I feasted on this morning:

"One's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15 ESV)

"Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food and the body more than clothing." (Luke 12:22 ESV)

"Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Luke 12:34 ESV)

"You must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."        (Luke 12:40 ESV)

Starting the day feasting on God's Word and spending time with Him in prayer. Truly that is the very best part of waking up!

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." (Psalm 143:8 NIV)