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Doing Right

Years ago I read a book, Winners Never Cheat, by Jon Hunstman, Sr. It’s a short read but very powerful for people in business. A very successful businessman, Jon Huntsman, always led with integrity, even when it was detrimental to his bottom line.

He is a man of his word and would not allow circumstances to dictate otherwise.

Thank you Father for godly men and the example they set for the rest of us.

One such man was Joseph. Joseph discovered his fiancé was pregnant. She told him that she hadn’t been with anyone, after all, she was engaged to him. According to the laws of their day he could have her stoned to death or put her away in complete humiliation. Her tainted reputation would reflect on him as well. But, He did the RIGHT thing. He listened to God and raised a child that wasn’t his own as if he was.

“Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:19-21

Godly men who are willing to do the right thing just because it’s the right thing are of outstanding character. They can impact their families, their cities and even the world. Joseph is overlooked many times in sermons but his godliness is an example to us all. We are so thankful for the Joseph-like men we have in our lives. They are a true gift from God!

“But now God has made another way to make men right with Himself. It is not by the Law. The Law and the early preachers tell about it. 22 Men become right with God by putting their trust in Jesus Christ. God will accept men if they come this way. All men are the same to God. 23 For all men have sinned and have missed the shining-greatness of God. 24 Anyone can be made right with God by the free gift of His loving-favor. It is Jesus Christ Who bought them with His blood and made them free from their sins.” Romans 3:21-24 NLV

We are all called to do the right thing, the Bible calls it righteousness. Being made right with God is what Christmas is all about. God sent His Son to be the way of reconciliation between God and mankind. We have all missed the mark of right living but through our trust in Christ we receive the free gift of God’s love and a relationship with Him.

Thank you Father for the gift of Your love!

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A Warm Heart

Yesterday warmed the RV for sure. It was a day totally dedicated to baking. Batches of cinnamon rolls in the oven, one cookie sheet at a time and when that was done there were PeanutButter balls to make.

This morning I discovered that one window had not gotten closed before we headed to bed last night and it was chilly in here. So, I poured a cup of coffee, cradled it in my hands, put my feet up in the recliner and watched fire flicker.

My little Nativity on the hearth, Christmas stockings Mom made years ago and cards from dear friends, warm my heart as much as the fire warms the room.

As I embraced the scene before me, I was reminded of a poem I wrote over 40 years ago. It really is my heart’s prayer. I hope you enjoy it.

Christmas Warms the Heart

Long ago and far away, a child was brought to earth.

For many years, men had sought, the signs of His birth.

On quiet hills in pastures green, the flocks they did sleep.

When shepherds woke from peaceful rest, heavens glory they did see.

When I hear this story, and remember all that’s told,

I’d like to have been a shepherd and lived those years ago.

The angels in their chorus, proclaiming Peace on Earth

Brings excitement to my soul and my heart is stirred.

To see the heavens shining bright, a glory uncompared,

Then walk the road to Bethlehem and find the Christ child fair.

To kneel before His presence and know that He was King

What more could I expect from life, His praises I will sing.

Today I see the tinsel, the glitter and the toys

The stores are filled with shoppers, laughing girls and boys,

While streets are lined with trees and Santas’ ringing bells,

Ovens filled with cookies and all those wonderful smells.

Now it is time to stop from all the things I do,

To remember that first Christmas, and it’s meaning true.

It is God’s Son, brought to earth to give eternal life,

His glory to shine within my heart, not in the sky of night.

In each of us, Christ wants to live, in power and in love

Let us proclaim, to men the same, as angels from above.

Peace on earth can only come, when before the Son we bow.

We must kneel and honor Him, our lives to Him we vow.

This year a special gift I give, not like the kings of old

It’s not the gold or frankincense but a heart that He can mold.

Many a gift I have received and have given with joyful heart

But Jesus now this gift I bring, from You I’ll never part.

O Lord, this is my honest prayer, my gift I’ll not forget

It is a lasting one to which I do commit.

My heart is warmed by Your love and the gift You gave to me,

It is in Christ and Christ alone; I find what Christmas means.

May your hearts always carry the warmth of Christmas!

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Just Because

What kinds of things do you do, just because? Because you like them, because they are necessary, because they bring you joy?

Brushing your teeth, getting dressed, making meals. Watching sports, going camping, that “every year” Christmas movie. Gardening, playing with the grandkids, going for a walk, spending time with friends.

Most all of these are done just because. No special reason or demand dictates it.

That’s how I feel about my morning quiet time – just because!

When I woke up this morning, my heart was filled with so much love and thanksgiving to the Lord.

Just because…because He’s God, because He loves me, because He knows me and loves me still.

When Jesus was born, wise men from the East saw His star and came to worship Him just because. History tells us they had read of this phenomenon and at its appearing, set out to find the King of the Jews.

For the heavens to provide such a brilliant light truly was a significant thing. Something they could not ignore. Something they must research and discover. This wasn’t a “just because” event. It had required preparation. It was an expensive venture to fund, supplies to purchase, the right camels needed to be selected for the journey, and the right team of associates to aid them in their quest. It was a time-consuming journey.

” Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in the country of Judea. It was the time when Herod was king of that part of the country. Soon after Jesus was born, some wise men who learned things from stars came to Jerusalem from the East. 2 They asked, ‘Where is the King of the Jews Who has been born? We have seen His star in the East. We have come to worship Him.’…After the king had spoken, they went on their way. The star they had seen in the East went before them. It came and stopped over the place where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with much joy. 11 They went into the house and found the young Child with Mary, His mother. Then they got down before Him and worshiped Him. They opened their bags of riches and gave Him gifts of gold and perfume and spices.” Matthew 2:1-11 NLV

Their journey ended in worship.

I hope you find time to worship Him today – just because!

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The Rich Life

A friend of mine told me that they went to the theater over the weekend and saw “It’s A Wonderful Life”.

A Christmas classic with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. George was looking for a better life, a richer life. He nearly lost it all until he realized that the life he was living was filled with unappreciated wealth.

Rich. Interesting Word. King Solomon talks about riches in the book of Proverbs.

“The lips of those who are right with God feed many, but fools die for want of understanding. 22 The good that comes from the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow to it.” Proverbs 10:21-22 NLV

I think it’s interesting that these verses compare speaking life-giving words and the goodness we receive from the Lord as things that make us rich. Jesus said His words brought truth and life. The word of God reveals His goodness and fills our life with richness.

“The light of the eyes makes the heart glad. Good news puts fat on the bones. 31 He whose ear listens to careful words spoken will live among the wise.” Proverbs 15:30-31 NLV

Our conversation can be rich with laughter. The presence of family and friends fills our homes with rich conversations.

What things in life make you feel rich?

“Let the teaching of Christ and His words keep on living in you. These make your lives rich and full of wisdom. Keep on teaching and helping each other. Sing the Songs of David and the church songs and the songs of heaven with hearts full of thanks to God.” Colossians 3:16 NLV

Let the word dwell in you richly or let’s put it this way. When Christ, who is the word, dwells in us we become rich in wisdom. Now there’s a novel concept, rich in wisdom. Wisdom is a commodity that money can’t buy but dwelling in the Word makes wisdom available.

“Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful… 17 Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.” Colossians 3:15-17 ERV

Like George Bailey in A Wonderful Life let the true richest of this season fill our hearts.

A relationship with Christ, the Word, brings richness to our lives.

Merry Christ – mas!

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In Need of Assistance

I wish I could say that I learned things on the first try but that just wouldn’t be the truth. Learning is a process!

I love to cook and bake but I am no chef. I’ve had some epic fails in the kitchen and I have learned from them. I never really learned to play piano the way I had hoped even though I had years of lessons and practice. Career choices and relationships have also been by trial and error.

Yes, learning is a process but the key to the process is having a good teacher, a wonderful counselor!

“ This will happen when the special child is born. God will give us a son who will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be ‘Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.’” Isaiah 9:6-7 ERV

It’s best if we want to know something to ask an expert. Many are willing to offer advice – some of it’s wrong, some unsolicited, some unhelpful, but the advice of an expert is always spot on.

Jesus came to be an expert advisor on daily life.

“Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. 16 With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:15-16 ERV

He understands our weaknesses; He was tempted in every area that we will be, and He was victorious in everything He did. Who better to go to for help?

Just the other day I was talking to Dave about something, actually, I was complaining. I had only gotten a couple words out of my mouth when I was hit with such a strong conviction that I was doing wrong and I knew it was time to hush, immediately.

“So let’s come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith. Let’s keep our hearts pure, our consciences free from evil, and our bodies washed with clean water. 23 We must hold tightly to the hope we say is ours. After all, we can trust the one who made the agreement with us.” Hebrews 10:22-23 CEV

God knows how to get my attention, not to punish me but to correct me. He wants me to keep a clean conscience and a pure heart. Nothing profitable is accomplished by complaining. With His instruction, His advice, as my Counselor I certainly learn to do things in a better way with a better outcome.

It would be foolish not to listen to the instruction of the One who knows the beginning and the end. The One who is omniscient, who knows all and is willing to be my Counselor.

“If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.” James 1:5 CEV

King Solomon asked the Lord for wisdom. God told him he asked for a good thing. We have also been given a gift, a Wonderful Counselor, His name is Jesus!

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So Much to Do

(First off, will everyone join me in saying thank you to Stephen and Tom for getting my website back up? Stephen helped identify the problem and Tom took that information and contacted the right people to get it corrected. Thanks guys, you both are wonderful!)

Last night after Dave went to bed, I stayed up thinking about things that still need to be done before Christmas. Still so much to do, not necessities, but things I want to do.

There’s baking for friends and family. Our youngest grandson is expecting cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning and I’m wanting to make goodie plates for friends. Still have two days of work so everything will have to wait until Tuesday.

Then I thought about Mary? What was she thinking, how much did she still have left to do those last few days before Jesus was born?

I’m sure Mary was a list maker. When the angels announced His birth and the shepherds tended to His manger the Scripture tells us that Mary pondered all these things in her heart.

“After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. ” Luke 2:17-19 NLT

There were so many memorable events in Mary’s pregnancy, I know she must have had a plan for those days leading up to His birth. She knew her son would be no usual child. For before His conception, she knew He would be special, she knew she would give birth to the long awaited Messiah.

 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Luke 1:30-33 NLT

Her first child, the Messiah, was about to be born but first she was going on a 100 mile trip. She had to pack, food needed to be prepared, laundry needed to be done. How long were they going to be gone? She needed “stuff” in case the baby was born before she got back home. No Mom or midwife to help! Can you imagine the evening conversations with Joseph as they stopped on their trek?

“Can you do this?”, she might have asked. “I’m going to need your help; I won’t have anyone else to assist me. We don’t know anyone in Bethlehem. What if the local Walmart is closed? Where will we get diapers and onesies?”

Yes, Mary was the mother of the Messiah, but she was also a teenager, first-time mother, and away from home.

Our preparations over the next week fail in comparison to hers. Our loving heavenly Father who sustained her and took care of every detail also has our days planned. He will sustain, protect and provide.

“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 NLT

Don’t let the concerns of life steal your peace!

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Abiding Peace

(The last two days I was experiencing some real technical difficulties and was completely unable to connect to my website. I was able to post to Facebook but that wasn’t the same as connecting here. I’m back and here is what I posted on FB this morning.)

Day 2 of technical difficulties and Day 2 of living in perfect and abiding peace!

What kind of things steal your peace? Computer problems, getting into a baking project and find your missing a key ingredient, a flat tire, a life-style change in the New Year, illness? These things can get to the best of us.

However, the Father doesn’t want anything to take our peace. The Bible is filled with situations where a message of “be not afraid” proceeded any other instruction.

The shepherds heard the angels say don’t be afraid. Mary and Joseph but heard the angel speak to them and the first words they heard were, be not afraid.

Do you remember when Jesus was sleeping in the boat while His disciples were in the midst of a storm at sea? They were bailing water, thinking they were going to sink. As experienced sailors they knew how disastrous this could be. And Jesus slept.

“Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”

39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:38-40 NLT

If we are in situations and begin to feel fear and anxiety start to build this story should be an example to us. Don’t be afraid.

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 NLT

Our peace is paramount to the Father. During the rest of the Christmas season let’s keep our focus and trust on the Prince of Peace who came to bring us the gift of perfect peace. 

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The Gift of Hope

This morning was heart is filled with song!

I like it when my morning starts like that. The last few days have been kind of rough – we came home from vacation with a winter cold. You know the kind with sore throats, achy muscles, congestion and cough. Not quite the backdrop for starting the morning with a song but these are the words and melody that filled my heart:

“There Is Strength In The Name Of The Lord
There Is Power In The Name Of The Lord
There Is Hope In The Name Of The Lord
Blessed Is He Who Comes In The Name Of The Lord”

Oh yes, what a glorious and wonderful way to start the day. When I feel weak the joy of the Lord is my strength!

“Our hope comes from God. May He fill you with joy and peace because of your trust in Him. May your hope grow stronger by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NLV

God, our Father, the great gift giver, has so many promises that we leave untapped either through our ignorance or our thoughts of unworthiness.

I once heard a pastor give this example: We have been given a great inheritance, but many have been duped by the world’s greatest thief. They have believed a lie, the lie that God’s promises and blessings are for others – those more holy or kind. So they give up their hope.

As the verse above says, God gives us hope and fills us with joy and peace because we trust Him. The Holy Spirit helps our hope grow stronger and stronger.

“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” II Peter 1:3-4 NLT

God has given us everything we need for godly living. He has given us great and precious promises. These promises give us victory in this life! My, oh, my!

One thing about our Father is that He is a promise keeper; He has never lied yet.

There is not only hope in the name of the Lord, there is power, strength, joy, peace, provision, protection, forgiveness, healing, restoration, and eternal life.

“ The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might have life, a great full life.” John 10:10 NLV

So many blessings, so many promises – open the gift of hope and let your lives be filled with joy and peace.

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Receiving and Giving

Several years ago, I wrote a book for the Advent Season. It is a 30-day devotional centered on the many gifts God has given us. He is a father who truly loves giving the best to his children.

“But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.” Deuteronomy 5:10 NLT

However, He isn’t a selfish Father. He wants us to share the blessings we receive with others.

“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6:38 NLT

Dave and I love to give. God has planted that in our hearts in a marvelous way but there was a time we had nothing to give, we had to learn to receive. Friends brought a trunk full of groceries and gifts to our door just before Christmas. They said “we were just in the neighborhood”. That wasn’t completely true, they lived over 45 miles away, but their hearts were linked to ours and they followed the Lord’s leading and gave.

When we learn to receive from the Father, we are then enabled to give according to the Father’s heart. He gives unconditional love. He gives safety and protection, He promises to provide our every need. He gives us joy unspeakable, freedom from fear and worry.

“How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.” Psalm 31:19 NLT

Never despise the size of your gift, thinking it’s too small or insignificant. To someone with an empty pantry two cans of beans is a feast. For someone who has only a dollar left to their name a ten-dollar bill is a huge blessing. Someone who has lost their life’s partner and are having their first Christmas alone will be blessed to join your family’s celebration.

“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” II Corinthians 9:7-8 NLT

Give generously, not only at Christmas but all year through. Give what you have so graciously received from the Father. The blessing comes in giving what we have received!

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The Gift of God

“but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 NLT

Have you ever stopped to wonder why Jesus was given the name Emmanuel? The translation of that word is “God with Us”. The way the heavenly Father brought His purpose and plan to earth was through His Son, Jesus.

Jesus literally became God with us. The Father wanted us to know we would never be alone, He would always be with us.

“The virgin will be pregnant and will give birth to a son. They will name him Immanuel.”(Immanuel means “God with us.”) Matthew 1:23

God with us – in the car going to work; in the kitchen baking cookies; helping our kids with their homework; Christmas shopping; sitting beside the bed of a sick friend; sitting alone looking at the checkbook and the bills that need to be paid.

God with us – His purpose in coming was to be “with us”. In fact, Hebrews 13:5 tells us that He will NEVER leave us or forsake us.

We are also told that He promises to provide all our needs, heals all our diseases and forgives all our sins. Psalm 103

He always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus. II Corinthians 2:14

Can’t say that’s the way it’s always been in my life but I can say that when I realized that “God was with us” it has certainly changed the outcome for the better – the best.

When we focus on all “we” have to do and how it’s “All” up to us, we become self absorbed. We make a very small package. But when we realize, truly realize, that God’s purpose is to “Be with us”, when we unwrap the present of His presence in our daily lives our world changes dramatically.

” What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? 32 God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else?” Romans 8:31-32 CEV

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

Spend time acknowledging God’s presence today and you’ll find joy!

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