Category: Month

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Bah Humbug

Christmas can be hard.

Some are going through heartache, adjusting to separation, being isolated from friends and family. Some have experienced the death of the one they love the most. The traditions of years past have lost their meaning or are too hurtful to face alone.

They don’t want to put up the tree and the lights. They don’t want to sing carols and they certainly don’t want to build a snowman.

They do, however, need someone to be close. They need someone else to be strong for them. They need someone to lean on and a shoulder to cry on. This is the real message of Christmas.

Here are the words Jesus spoke about Himself when he began preaching in the Temple, this is the reason He came.

“Someone handed Him the book of the early preacher Isaiah. He opened it and found the place where it was written, 18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on Me. He has put His hand on Me to preach the Good News to poor people. He has sent Me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent Me to tell those who are being held that they can go free. He has sent Me to make the blind to see and to free those who are held because of trouble. 19 He sent Me to tell of the time when men can receive favor with the Lord.'” Luke 4:17-19 NLV

The message of the angels that first Christmas was “I bring Good News of Great Joy.”

Jesus is our good news – He’s the healer of the broken hearted, He comforts us in our time of sorrow, He gives us joy unspeakable, peace that passes our understanding and He rebuilds what was left wasted and destroyed.

Look around today. I’m sure there will be folks we can laugh and celebrate with but let’s also look for those who may need us. They need us to help them through a rough time.

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT

Be on the look out for those who need our help, our strength and be a wonderful example of God’s love!

Let’s help replace Bah Humbug with Good Tidings of Great Joy!

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Lost in Transit

The beginning of the month we ordered some small steps for Dave’s truck. He’s been patiently waiting. We ordered them in plenty of time for him to install them before we leave on our next camping trip.

They’re still not here!

I’ve been tracking them this whole time but there has been no movement since December 4. I’m so glad it wasn’t a present for one of the grandkids, we can manage without the steps but they would make things better.

They are lost in transit. The delivery date has long since past.

There have been times in life that I feel I have been lost in transit. Times I wish I would have waited on the Lord’s direction a little bit longer. Times I wish I wouldn’t have taken a certain job or moved to a particular place.

Lost in transit. But then I remembered the story of Joseph, who had the coat of many colors.

His life was a series of events which could have labeled him lost in transit. As a young man the Lord gave him a dream that his brothers and father would bow down to him. He would be in a place of authority but the transition was a rough one.

First his brothers sold him as a slave; then he was wrongfully accused of sexual molestation and sent to prison. Once in prison he helped another prisoner and was promised that the pharaoh would learn of his assistance but that promise was forgotten until years later.

Finally Joseph made it to the Pharoah’s palace and promoted. It had been thirteen years. Joseph was lost to his father and his brothers for thirteen years. But in all that time Joseph never became bitter. He didn’t let resentment toward anyone sideline him from doing what was right.

There was a severe famine and his brothers came to Joseph to buy food for their families. They bowed before Joseph, just like he saw in his dream. The amazing thing is Joseph’s reaction.

“Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come near to me.’ So they came near. He said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 But do not be troubled or angry with yourselves because you sold me here. For God sent me before you to save your life. 6 For the land has been without food these two years. And there are five more years without plowing or gathering. 7 God sent me before you to make sure that your people will keep living on the earth. Now many of you will be saved. 8 So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and ruler of all his house, and of all the land of Egypt. 9 Hurry and go to my father. Say to him, ‘Your son Joseph says to you, “God has made me ruler of all Egypt. Come to me, and do not wait. 10 You will live in the land of Goshen, you and your children and grandchildren, your flocks and cattle, and all you have. And you will be near me. 11 There I will take care of you, so that you and your family will not be in need. For there are still five years coming without food. By then you would have nothing.'” Genesis 45:4-11 NLV

There’s an important lesson to be learned here. Joseph may have been abandoned by his family but never by His God. The world didn’t know where Joseph was but God always did and was with him every step of the way.

We may feel that our life and our dreams have been lost, lost in transit but let’s not despair. God knows where we are and He is here with us. Once we recognize God’s presence we can go from desperation to joy.

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Psalm 16:11 NLT

When we are in God’s presence we are never lost in transit; we’re just in a process of transition.

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Nothing To Brag About

We live in a reputation driven society. Companies spend billions each year on advertising, making sure they have the right image for their product.

Celebrities are given huge endorsements. The best production companies are hired. Constant attention is placed on positioning of those on-line searches. Reputation means everything – drink the right product, wear the right clothes, drive the right car, support the right candidate, play for the right team. The list is endless.

But, what about you and me? I know me and I really have done nothing to brag about, I won’t be asked for my public opinion or endorsement.

I’m kind of like Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree.

So were the shepherds on that eventful night when the angels filled the sky. Shepherds had a poor reputation in their society at best. They were considered the lowest of the blue collar workers, rogues, and liars but God… God saw them as men who would be faithful to spread the message that His Son had been born!

“The angels went from the shepherds back to heaven. The shepherds said to each other, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see what has happened. The Lord has told us about this.’ 16 They went fast and found Mary and Joseph. They found the Baby lying in a place where cattle are fed. 17 When they saw the Child, they told what the angel said about Him. 18 All who heard it were surprised at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary hid all these words in her heart. She thought about them much. 20 The shepherds went back full of joy. They thanked God for all they had heard and seen. It happened as the angel had told them.” Luke 2:15-20 NLV

How do you see yourself today? Are you someone who has struggled most of your life with relationships and careers? Do others look down on you because of your education or lack thereof? Maybe you’ve done some stupid stuff and it has caused people not to trust you or you have wounded and broken relationships. Well, God has a message and a plan for your life. He is willing to use you to touch others.

The Bible is filled with people of low reputation who were used by God. Fishermen, shepherds, slaves, prisoners, prostitutes, tax collectors, children, a divorcee, murderers. People you and I probably wouldn’t invite to dinner but God used them all and not only did He use them, He saw them as valuable.

Jesus gave us His reputation and His place in heaven to reach us with His love.

“Jesus has always been as God is. But He did not hold to His rights as God. 7 He put aside everything that belonged to Him and made Himself the same as a servant who is owned by someone. He became human by being born as a man. 8 After He became a man, He gave up His important place and obeyed by dying on a cross.” Philippians 2:6-8 NLV

He died for you and me. He brought us new life and completely blotted out all the old garbage; our past is gone, never to be remembered.

“God decided to let his people know just how rich and glorious that truth is. That secret truth, which is for all people, is that Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory.” Colossians 1:27 ERV

The splendor and the glory of Christmas is not in the tinsel, the lights, the trees; it’s not in the messengers (that includes us) but it’s in the message of the manger and the Son of God laid aside His reputation to become Immanuel, God with us.

Now that’s something to brag about!

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Loaves of Love

I can’t begin to tell you how many loaves of banana bread I have baked in my lifetime. Hundreds, maybe even into the thousands, but none were more meaningful than the loaves I delivered yesterday.

About a month ago a friend told me of a project, Love Loaves, that has been occurring in our community for a number of years. The local mission has a Christmas dinner each year and when folks leave they are given a “Love Loaf” to take home. I was told that some years they have received between 450-500 loaves of bread.

My heart stirred to be a part and so did my mixer! What a great way to express the love of Jesus at Christmas.

“Jesus then told them, ‘I tell you for certain that Moses wasn’t the one who gave you bread from heaven. My Father is the one who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 And the bread that God gives is the one who came down from heaven to give life to the world.’

34 The people said, ‘Lord, give us this bread and don’t ever stop!’ 35 Jesus replied: I am the bread that gives life! No one who comes to me will ever be hungry. No one who has faith in me will ever be thirsty.” John 6:32-35 CEV

The Bread of Heaven.

“The bread that God gives is the one who came down from heaven to give life to the world”. Heaven’s gift basket! The Bread of Heaven was wrapped in cloth, not plastic, and placed gently in a manger instead of a basket and cradled by the hay.

As I sat thinking of Jesus, the Bread of Heaven, the Bread of Life, the miracle of the five loaves and two fishes took on greater meaning than ever before. Jesus blessed the loaves, broke them and had the disciples distribute them to a crowd of five thousand men plus their wives and children. Miraculously all were fed and there were twelve baskets left over.

Jesus, the Bread of Heaven, was there to meet the hunger in each man’s soul. Not only that, He was also able to continue (via the left overs) to touch the lives of those who weren’t even there.

Isn’t that what He’s doing today? He satisfied the hunger of those men and women almost two thousand years ago, His message of life was distriubted by the disciples down through the ages and He is still filling our hearts today.

Bread of Heaven. The Loaf of Love. Let’s keep sharing God’s gift of life!

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The Story of Possible

The Christmas story is one of hope and love. It’s a story of the impossible coming to fruition. So many times we become frightened or frozen by what appears to be impossible but…

With God NOTHING is impossible!

Nothing. Not our financial situation, not our health, not our kids or our spouse, our job, our safety, our peace of mind. Nothing! God’s gift to us is the gift of making the impossible possible.

These words were spoken to a young Jewish girl by an angel: “Mary was confused by the angel’s words and wondered what they meant. 30 Then the angel told Mary, ‘Don’t be afraid! God is pleased with you, 31 and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was. 33 He will rule the people of Israel forever, and his kingdom will never end.’ 34 Mary asked the angel, ‘How can this happen? I am not married!’ 35 The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God’s power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God. 36 Your relative Elizabeth is also going to have a son, even though she is old. No one thought she could ever have a baby, but in three months she will have a son. 37 Nothing is impossible for God!’ 38 Mary said, ‘I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said.’ And the angel left her.” Luke 1:29-38 CEV

What could be more impossible than this – a young woman, who was a virgin, having a child?

No situation in your life or mine could be more impossible than this. Truly!

God’s power and Mary’s agreement with God’s promise made the impossible possible. If Mary hadn’t believed the angel’s message he would have had to go to someone else. After all, it had been prophesied for hundreds of years that the Messiah would be born of a virgin. But she accepted that NOTHING was impossible.

She believed, she conceived and she received what God gave. The hard thing would be living her conviction. She had to tell her family. She had to tell Joseph and then she had to hear the whispers and the criticism that followed. She was up to the task.

There was another woman who saw the power of God at work; she also saw God do the impossible. She was old, I mean really old. She was almost ninety and her reproductive system had never worked but God made her a promise. Sarah saw God do the impossible in her life.

“The Lord asked Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh? Does she doubt that she can have a child in her old age? 14 I am the Lord! There is nothing too difficult for me. I’ll come back next year at the time I promised, and Sarah will already have a son.’” Genesis 18:13-14 CEV

Compare our impossible situation with Mary and Sarah. Whose need is bigger or more difficult to fix?

God is the same – nothing, absolutely nothing, is too difficult for Him.

Time and time again I come back to my favorite verse. It is the foundation I stand on everyday.

“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Numbers 23:19 CEV

Our Father has given us a book filled with promises that cannot fail. Find those promises and then stand knowing that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!

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Committed to the Cause

My children enjoy running; this is something I have never said about myself. Yesterday our son-in-law ran his first full marathon. Amazing!

What’s even more admirable is he ran a race that had been cancelled. It takes months to train for a marathon. Little conditioning runs, followed by rest days build to longer days of training until training runs exceed the twenty-mile length. He had trained for this and he was committed to the cause.

Our youngest daughter just had her first half-marathon cancelled but she is also still training and will run her race regardless.

Commitment.

“You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! 25 Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever. ” I Corinthians 9:24-25 CEV

Because their races have been cancelled the only prize they won or will win is the prize of achievement, of knowing they worked hard and didn’t give up. They have competed against their own physical pain and exhaustion and won.

What an example! An example for daily life.

When Jesus came to earth he came with one purpose; He came to restore the relationship between God, the Father, and mankind. He came on a mission of love. I’m sure He must have felt like giving up and quitting multiple times but He kept the goal forefront in His heart.

He was asked once what was the most important law to live by and His answer was quick and simple. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself.

He told the disciples that they were to keep one commandment when He was gone; love one another and then the world would know that they were His disciples. What kept Jesus on track the whole time He was here was His goal to love the world and to give His life for them, and for us.

Never did He do an unloving thing. Even when He chased the merchants out of the Temple it was done in love; love for the Father, love for the people who were being cheated.

“Very few people will die to save the life of someone else, even if it is for a good person. Someone might be willing to die for an especially good person. 8 But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.” Romans 5:7-8 ERV

His final act of love on this earth occurred on the cross. He gave his life for us and His final words, like the words of a runner, were “it is finished”. He had crossed love’s finish line and been true to His purpose.

“I mean that while we were God’s enemies, he made friends with us through his Son’s death. And the fact that we are now God’s friends makes it even more certain that he will save us through his Son’s life. 11 And not only will we be saved, but we also rejoice right now in what God has done for us through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is because of Jesus that we are now God’s friends.” Romans 5:10-11 ERV

Because of His love, because He finished the course, we receive the prize. We are the victors. We win love’s greatest gift, eternal life!

We’ve been given the same instruction that the disciples received. Love one another! Let’s be committed to the cause – let’s run our race with the love of God in our hearts.

We win because love never quits!

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Love Was Born

Most of my days are very ordinary, just like yours. Take yesterday for instance, it started with picking up our grocery order that I had placed the day before. Had to run in to Home Depot and grab a couple things Dave needed to complete his home project.

Back to the house where I put the groceries away, started laundry, and reconciled the bank statement before I headed out again to an appointment at the bank and a couple of other errands before heading home. All this was done following the proper safety guidelines and handing out candy canes at each stop.

I had been listening to a Christmas CD as I went from place to place. When I left the last location and started the car toward home a song came through the sound system speakers, “Love Was Born on Christmas Day” *. My heart had been touched by the apprehension of the people I had met at my different stops and this song brought me to tears.

All those folks were wearing their masks, but obviously bothered by the close proximity of their surroundings. There was no Christmas music playing through the intercom systems, no smiles to be seen, no real Christmas joy. Their faces would brighten as I said Merry Christmas, thanked them for their assistance and handed them a candy cane but for the most part the Christmas spirit was missing.

** “This is the story, the power and the glory
Three wise men knelt to pray
A guiding star had led the way
And there he lay born on Christmas day

Joy did he bring, the king
Let every song rejoice
And every heart did sing, hear it ring
The sound of heaven’s voice
The angels proclaimed his holy name
King of kings”

**partial lyrics of Born on Christmas Day

This is the story – the power and the glory, Christ was born on Christmas day. As the words of this chorus repeated my eyes filled with tears. The world, my small world, was missing the joy and the love that He came to bring. I felt God’s heart ache. I wanted to give them all a hug and tell them things would get better. I wanted them to know that they could give all their fears and disappointments to the Lord. Jesus came so we could have a relationship with the Father.

“But when the time was right, God sent his Son, and a woman gave birth to him. His Son obeyed the Law, 5 so he could set us free from the Law, and we could become God’s children. 6 Now that we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. And his Spirit tells us that God is our Father.” Galatians 4:4-6 CEV

If each of us touches one person with the love of Jesus this Christmas season it will be life-changing. I pray that we give the most wonderful gift of all, God’s love, to those around us.

* (The underlined song title is an active link to the song on YouTube. I know you will enjoy it.)

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Did You Hear That?

That was my question this morning. Reaching for my coffee, suddenly the quiet of my office was disturbed with a strange noise. For a moment I sat and waited, would it happen again? Nothing…

The Lord and I were talking, some of you call it praying, when there it was again. Since it’s pitch black outside I got up to investigate. It was coming from the back patio. Thankfully, Dave wired the patio with a multitude of lights. I flipped the switch and the enter backyard lit up.

Nothing…but there is a breeze and a power cord that had been on the bar stool must have slipped because now it is on the concrete slab. Mystery solved. Prayer time continued.

In my heart I began singing the Christmas song “Do You Hear What I Hear?”. Said the night wind to the little lamb, Do you hear what I hear? But it’s the final verse of the song that really resonates with me.

Said the king to the people everywhere,
Listen to what I say!
Pray for peace, people, everywhere,
Listen to what I say!
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light,
He will bring us goodness and light.

The message of the song is about the Child who brings light. Our world has many dark and threatening places; some are imagined and some are very real. However, wherever light shines darkness is dispelled.

When I was a child living in northern New Mexico I saw lumanarias for the first time. They lined the path leading to a mission. We were attending the Christmas Eve service there with our neighbors. All other outside lights had been extinguished, just the lumanarias lit our way.

Once inside the mission we sang carols and the priest told the story of Christ’s birth. There was a candlelabra at the front, it gave the only light to the interior. As he finished the story we began to sing one more carol, “Silent Night, Holy Night”.

Someone began to extinguish the candles at the front and someone else took one of the candles and went to the people who had received smaller candles. Each person used their candle to light the one next to them. When the carol was finished, what had been a dark and instinctive mission interior was glowing with light.

“Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 ‘Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. 30 I have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared for all people. 32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!'” Luke 2:28-32 NLT

Simeon, the priest, took the baby Jesus into his arms and declared that this child would reveal God to the nations. Jesus came to be THE light of the world. He shines brightly with God’s love and forgiveness, lighting the way that leads to the Father. No more darkness in our lives. He will light our way.

He will bring us goodness and light!

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Where’s Jesus?

This year I scaled back on my Christmas decorating but this little nativity is front and center. It has such meaning to me. I’ve shared this story before but it’s worth repeating.

In our area we have beautiful, brightly colored pottery which is made in Mexico and it is known as talavera.

For years I have purchased pieces to use in my decorating; cups, bowls, plates, canisters, etc. Each piece brings an atmosphere of gaiety and joy to the room. Several years ago, I was shopping in Tubac, an artisan community near us, when I saw the talavera nativity sets. I knew I had to have one. 

Most of my decorating at Christmas is done with nativity sets and angels. I studied each figure in the set; their smiling faces, their clothing, the shape of the stall and then I realized there was no baby Jesus! Where did He go? What happened to Him? 

The shop that we were in had many different size nativity sets and they were all missing the Christ child. And then I saw the handwritten sign…If you buy a nativity, ask for Jesus. 

Ask for Jesus!

Wasn’t that the Father’s intent from the beginning? He wanted us to recognize that our lives were not complete without Jesus. 

Ask for Jesus?

When I asked the shop owner why there were no baby Jesus figures he told me this. We never have any problem with theft in this shop except for the baby Jesus. We keep Him in the back until a nativity is sold and then bring Him out and add Him with the rest of the pieces. 

Who would steal the baby Jesus?

That is completely counter to the reason He came. When Jesus was born the angels filled the heavens with the announcement. The shepherds were told to go find Him. The wise men saw and followed His star. Everyone was welcome to come see Jesus!

Jesus came to forgive the sins of all men, even the ones who would steal the baby Jesus.  Jesus wasn’t born in a palace where only a few of the elite would be allowed to enter. He wasn’t born in a monastery where only the religious and the holy would be. No, He was born in a barn; anyone – man, woman, child, elite or poor, educated or unlearned was welcomed at the manger. 

“‘Today your Savior was born in David’s town. He is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box.’ 13 Then a huge army of angels from heaven joined the first angel, and they were all praising God, saying,

14 ‘Praise God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace to the people who please him.’

15 The angels left the shepherds and went back to heaven. The shepherds said to each other, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this great event the Lord has told us about.’

16 So they went running and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the feeding box.” Luke 2:11-16 ERV 

I want to encourage you to put Jesus on display. Don’t hid Him, let the world see that He lives in you. Love the way He did; reach out to everyone the Father brings your way. The sign on our lives should be Jesus is free to all who ask.

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The Christmas Letter

Never enough time and too much distance…

When I think of all the dear friends we have made over the years and the miles between us I am filled with a desire to transcend time and space. The ability to move from home to home – to spend time, as much time as desired, visit, laugh, cry, give and receive those wonderful hugs is the desire of my heart.

That’s why I take time to write my Christmas letter. I try to make it a conversation between myself and my willing reader. I hear the question “So, what have you been up to this year?” and I picture fifty or sixty of my closest friends having coffee, enjoying a fresh baked cinnamon roll and listening to Christmas music as we catch up.

Relationship! Relationships filled with love.

I guess I’m like my Father in that regard. From the beginning all He ever wanted to do was to walk and talk with us. He wanted to share our lives, filling them with good things and giving us His ability to overcome and make it through adversity in victory.

And then one starry night Jesus transcended time and space. He came, born to a virgin in a small town called Bethlehem. He clothed Himself in flesh and came to live among us. He limited Himself by his humanity.

But then at His resurrection He was released from limitation. Before He was Emmanuel, God WITH us and now He is Christ IN us the hope of glory. He dwells in each and everyone of us who open our hearts to Him.

RELATIONSHIP RESTORED!

Over half of the books in the New Testament are letters. Letters inspired by God and written to encourage, instruct, correct and strengthened us in our relationship with the Lord.

“May God give you every good thing you need so you can do what He wants. May He do in us what pleases Him through Jesus Christ. May Christ have all the shining-greatness forever! Let it be so. 22 Christian brothers, I beg of you to listen to these words that will help you. This has been a short letter. ” Hebrews 13:21-22 NLV

How I look forward to heaven, to seeing my Father face to face. Being in eternity with no limits of time, no limits of distance. There we will continually sing His praises… O, come let us adore Him. O, come let us adore Him. O, come let us adore Him. Christ the Lord.

And there we will have unlimited time to visit with you dear friends. To hug your necks, to see your faces, to thank you for your prayers and to tell you how dear you are – to share glory with you. Until then, please accept this feeble attempt of passing through the miles as our way of saying we love you, we wish we could be with you and we thank you for being a part of our lives and making them better.

“Every time I think of you, I thank my God.” Philippians 1:3 CEV

Merry Christmas from our house to yours, Kristi and Dave

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