They Spread The News

Today I started the long process of putting my Christmas decorations away.  I put up way too much so, of course, it is quite a job to pack it all up for another's year.  In November I placed each character of my nativity set in its proper place, thinking about each one and there place in the Christmas story.  Now as I reverse the process, I think, again, about the beautiful figurines.  I place Mary, Joseph, the precious baby and the flashy wise men in the cardboard box but as I place the shepherds in their place, I think of these men who were the first ones to hear the good news of the Messiah.  As the last character is placed in the box I remembered what the shepherds did after leaving the Messiah.  The bible says they told everyone they met about what they had been told concerning the child.

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”  ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:17-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I wondered if they had kept Jesus to themselves or like some, put the Savior in a box for another year, would the world know about Him now.  Sometimes we are tempted to leave our Savior in the manger and store Him away after Christmas when He longs to be a part of our everyday life.  He desires for us to know and love Him and spread the Word concerning His birth and His life, as the shepherds did that first Christmas night.  

My hearts desire is to tell others about God and our Lord, Jesus in this New Year.  

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”  2 Peter‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Just Peachy

As he clung to the side of his cage, I could see that he needed more room to fly around.  My little love bird had long out grown his old “starter cage” and was ready for one he could move around in more.  So this year I asked for a new cage for “Peachy” as a Christmas gift and I got a nice roomy one for my not so excited feathered friend.  It was big enough for him to move around and not just cling to the side.  It had two perches and nice feeder bowls that hung from the “easy access” doors.  But this bewildered little bird fought me all the way, flapping his wings and biting “the hand that feeds him” until I thought I would cry.

Peachy was given a new start and a new way of life but unfortunately, Peachy was so used to the old ways that even after he got his new “life”, he clung to his old ways and spent his days hanging from the sides of his new cage.  

Sometimes I think I am much like my sweet Peachy!  God offers me peace, power and love but I cling to the old memories, old hurts and old worries!  What must our God think, when he offers us so much but we settle for so little?  

This New Year I want to be all He wants me to be and accept all He has for me.  The bible says God had our life planned even before we were born.  Have I hung on ferociously to old things instead of grasping my new freedom in Christ?  

Just an update on Peachy, he is now sitting on his new perches and spends less time on the sides of his new cage.  Lord, may I loosen my grasp on the past and enjoy what you have for me today and in this next year!

The Sweetest Water

I'm surely a coffee girl all the way.  I love the way it smells, I like the warmth It gives on a cold morning, and I delight in the taste.  When I eat at a restaurant, I love a tall glass of raspberry tea with my meal.  On a cold night, give me hot chocolate with marshmallows floating on top, slowly melting, as I enjoy the creamy beverage.  But when I am truly thirsty I crave a cold, clear, glass of water.

I could almost feel that thirst, as I read about the children of Israel today in Exodus.  The bible says, after the Israelites had crossed the Red Sea on dry land they were led by Moses into the Desert of Shur.  The scripture says they traveled three days without finding water. Most of us have never felt such thirst.  Can you imagine their relief when they came upon Marah, an oasis of water, but can you feel their disappointment when they found out this water was bitter and they were unable to drink it?  At this discovery, they began to grumble to Moses, as we all might do, "What are we to drink?"  Moses went to the Lord and was instructed to throw a certain piece of wood into that bitter pool.  The bitter water was instantly transformed into sweet, refreshing water and they were able to drink.

As I read today of this tree that was thrown into the bitter water, I found that many commentators suggest that this tree represented the cross of Jesus Christ.   Many times we grumble at our circumstances, at prayers not answered or hard times that seem to plague us, when it is the tree of Jesus we need to sweeten the waters of our bitterness and discontent.  

“who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness— by whose stripes you were healed.”

‭‭I Peter‬ ‭2:24‬ ‭NKJV

I know, myself, I have felt the bitterness of unanswered prayer.  I have prayed for healing for loved ones and for impossible circumstances, but have yet to see those  prayers answered, at least in the way and the timing that I think they should be.  But today I pray for the sweetness of the cross to refresh, and give me new hope in Him.  May I be reminded of his unfailing love and may I be still and wait on Him who died on that tree for me.

Harper's Calm Assurance

Our granddaughter Harper was born a little over nine weeks ago and what a blessing she has been.   She is a perfect baby, eating, sleeping and being adorable right on schedule.  What joy she brings us all and most certainly, her older brother Kellan! 

 I read one time that a new baby's birth is a sign that the world should go on and indeed that's true.  We think of Harper's  future and what kind of life she might have, what kind of struggles and what kind of joys.  Mom and Dad dream of her first day of school, her college education and that bitter sweet walk down the isle.  On the way she will go through eye shadow, prom and boys,  she will bless her Mommy and steal her Daddy's heart.  

One of my favorite songs is "Because He Lives" by Bill Gather.  My favorite verse is:

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,

And feel the pride and joy she gives;

But greater still the calm assurance:

This child can face uncertain days because 

He lives!

Today she is content and happy, sleeping in her mothers arms, but as she grows up she will surely feel the uncertainty of this world.   But, happily, she can find calm assurance because Jesus lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

I love you, Harper, "little peanut butter queen"!

On Call

Awhile back I had a horrible, terrible throbbing toothache.  It felt like the roots of that thing was buried somewhere deep in my feet.  I felt twinges of slight pain all day but nothing I couldn't live with.  Unfortunately  after office hours, of course, the pain took a turn for the the worse.  In fact, if it hadn't been for the pain that just opening my mouth brought, I might have screamed!  I could barely concentrate on the phone book as I dialed the dentist's number.  As I expected, the answering service picked up the phone and asked, "what's you problem?"  Not being in the best frame of mind, I almost wanted to tell her my big toe ached, WHAT DID SHE THINK?  "I'll have someone call you right back," she said hurriedly, maybe noting the desperation in my voice.  As I waited "patiently" for the phone to ring, I thought probably that the dentist on call wouldn't even know me but surprisingly, my own dentist called back.  I was happy to hear a familiar voice, and especially of one who knew me.  Fortunately, he was not sleeping but was on call to hear my woes!

I thought of this today as I read one of my favorite passages.  Psalm 121 verses 3-4 reminds us that our God, the maker of heaven and earth, is always on call to hear about my fears, hurts and pain.  He never sleeps.  He knows me!  Jesus knows me this I love!

“He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭121:3-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Try to read Psalm 121 today, it will bless your heart.

Paradise

Though it is a long while until Easter, I thought today of the two men on either side of Jesus as he hung on the cross. Both were, as Jesus, sentenced to be crucified, but they, unlike Jesus, were guilty of a crime. As the three hung there in the throes of death, one mocked Jesus, while the other protested, "Don't you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die"? Then he said, "Jesus remember me when you come into your Kingdom." And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:42


It has been almost two years since the passing of my brother, Jonny, but one of the last things he did before he died, still sticks in my mind. I am so grateful I was able to talk to him about his soul and one evening he asked Jesus into his heart. I will never forget the tears that ran down his cheeks as we prayed. Tears of regret for the years he had not served Jesus, but tears of joy because he was finally where he needed to be.

Jonny reminded me of the man on the cross next to Jesus. Jesus, seeing that the man believed, promised him a place in heaven. As the man on the cross, my brother did not have time to go to church, teach Sunday School or tithe on his income, but none the less, he would soon be ushered to heaven. 


As we gathered to be with him as he took his last breaths, his last words will always be with me. He looked up and asked, "Who are all these people?" Though his family was there I will always believe he also seen a multitude of angels gathered around, that had come to take him to paradise.

Just A Little Cloud?

As I prayed today about a situation that weighs heavy on my heart, Satan reminded me that there really was no hope on the horizon. Have you ever lost hope in your prayers and wanted to give up? This situation has brought me to my knees and most of the time I have faith that the Lord is able to do the impossible, but from time to time, fear that this particular prayer will not be answered has grabbed hold of my heart.


In 1 Kings, the bible says that Elijah climbed Mount Carmel to pray for the land, which was stricken with drought and famine. Scripture says he bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees. Then he said to his servant, "Go and look out toward the sea." The servant went and looked but reported back to Elijah that he had seen nothing. Seven times the servant went to look but on the seventh trip he reported back to his master that he had seen a little cloud the size of a man's hand rising up from the sea. At this, I'm sure hope filled Elijah, because he shouted to Ahab, the king, that he should go home because if he didn't hurry he would get wet from the rainstorm.


After praying for years, recently, a small cloud of hope appeared on the horizon. Some would say it was only the size of a man's hand but to me it was a miracle, and an answer to my prayers.


Excuse me, I must hurry home because I might get wet from the rainstorm of God's blessings. Praise your Holy Name, LORD!