Too Old?

Missy, Jenna and I sat glued to the little portable DVD player in the back seat of my daughters car while we searched for a restraunt. Jenna spends most of the twelve hour trip home watching this nifty little gadget play her favorite films. This particular evening we were watching “Small One”, a story originally written by Charles Tazewell but of course Disney had made it into a delightful little cartoon. A tear jerker none the less!

The story took place near the little town of Nazareth and it was about a little donkey named “Small One” who had become old and weak and could not carry his load anymore. He was loved by a little boy who had spent many days, throughout his life, playing with Small One. One day the father of the little boy decided that the donkey could not work hard anymore but cost money to feed him so he would have to go. Understanding his father’s dilemma, the little boy agreed to take the little donkey into town himself to find him a good home. With great hope the little boy set out for town.

Have you ever felt too old and weak, to be of any worth? Or perhaps old age isn’t what makes you feel worthless, maybe you are too young, too sick or too insignificant to feel worthy. I think all of us have been there at least a few times or maybe you are going through a season of feeling this way.

The boy optimistically went to town looking for a kind master that would take Small One and treat him well. But as he searched throughout the town not one person wanted the old donkey except the tanner who wanted to kill him for his hide. Knowing he could not go home with his friend, he was saying his last goodbyes before taking him to the tanner. As he wept (and as I wept) over the old donkey, a hand touched boy’s shoulder and he looked into the loving eyes of a man who wanted to buy the gentle donkey to carry his pregnant wife for a great distance.

Isn’t God merciful? Just as we feel we are ready for the scrap heap or the tanner, he sends us someone who lovingly reminds us of our worth. As I grow older, and as I listen to those who are even older than I am, I realize that it is the devils trick to have us give up. The author of lies, would have us believe we are worthless to everyone including God. How clever of Satan, since the gray hair on our heads usually indicates years of doing life and the wisdom that brings. Worthless? 

Fortunately, the bible says no such thing! Many who were of advancing age were called to do great things. Even as we read about the birth of Jesus we are introduced to an old woman, a widow, who stays at the temple day and night, praying and fasting, and about an old man named Simeon who was promised that he would not die before seeing the savior. Both of these “seniors” were there in the temple, by God’s design and will to see the baby and recognize Him as the long awaited Messiah.

As the little movie comes to an end you see the beautiful silhouette of Joseph leading the donkey on which Mary, the mother of Jesus, sits. Though this was a very simple story it rings true in my heart, God does not give up on us so why should we give up on what God can accomplish through us at any age or station in life. Small One, though old and weak carried the Savior to the world and so can we.

Even when I am old and gray,

do not forsake me, my God,

till I declare your power to the next generation,

your mighty acts to all who are to come.

Psalm 71:18

For God So Loved....

As I dusted my Nativity set today, I took special notice of the shepherd figurine. While Mary and Joseph wear veils of gold and the “Three Kings” wear exotic beaded robes, the shepherd, even in the perfect scene, wears a fur vest with a nap sack slung over his shoulder. Though he stands out from the others, his gaze, like theirs, is on the new born baby.

As I look at the little group huddled together on top of my desk, I am again reminded of these simple people who make up the scene. I look at Joseph an ordinary carpenter, his hands rough from hard work, Mary just a young, innocent girl, shivering in the cold, and then there is the Shepherd. Shepherds had one of the worse jobs there was at that time and got no respect from anyone for it. It is said that they were not even able to testify in court because of their lowly station in society. Yet, God chose the shepherds to be the first to hear the “good news” that Jesus had been born.

That night started out to be like all the other nights for the motley crew, but then, the bible tells us, an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them. Then as they stared dumb founded into the sky, a great company of heavenly host appeared singing “Glory to God in the highest heaven”. The eyes that were heavy with the lack of sleep were wide open now as they watched with wonder this amazing scene. Did you ever think that maybe it would have been more beneficial for the angel to appear to theologians of that day or some big wig, high up in the government? Maybe it should have taken place in Jerusalem, so many important people would see. But there is was, on a hillside with society's so-called “loosers”. Does this not show our God's love for even these?

God in His glorious brilliance, wanted us to know that our station in life does not matter as long as we accept Him and the Good News that was brought that night. The gospel belongs to us all from the lowly to the lofty.  The bible says we all have sinned and need a Savior which is Jesus Christ. Scripture tells us that if we accept the Messiah, that the angels sang about, we can have eternal life.

For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day!

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day!

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!"

I have heard this song many times without knowing it's author or the story behind the words. The entries into a journal was penned during the Civil War era and after a tragic fire took Longfellow's wife.

 The year after Fanny's death he wrote in his journal "a Merry Christmas say the children, but that is no more for me.". By the next Christmas his oldest child Charles was severely wounded in the horrible war between the states. The Christmas of that year, 1863, Longfellow made no entry into his journal, thinking it was better to keep silent.  It was Christmas day of 1864 that he wrote the words we now sing.

I am reminded today, of the horrific tragedy in Connecticut that took place a year ago, and of those who would say, with the next to last stanza, "and in despair I bow my head", declaring that death does not take a holiday. Hardships do not lessen and in our midst there are those who hurt so badly they proclaim with Longfellow, "There is no peace on earth, for hate is strong and mocks the song, of peace on earth good will to men". My heart is encouraged by the last stanza which proclaims "God is not dead nor does he sleep" "the wrong shall fail, the right prevail with peace on earth good will to men!"

Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalm 121:4).

Lord, give peace to the broken hearted, give rest to the weary because I know you care about those who hurt today! Amen!

Sent from Jeanie!

Rest In His Sanctuary!

With less than two weeks until Christmas, I can almost hear the gears shifting into high. There are gifts to be bought, baking still to do, and programs to attend. Don't forget the shut-in to be visited, the church service to go to, and the gifts to wrap. With all that comes a haried Christmas instead of a Merry Christmas. Instead of beholding the babe in the manger, we often just see the blure of it all. Our strength, our patence and our worshiping heart has been replaced with a heart overloaded with glitter and glow instead of the Star that leads us to Christ.

But as I struggle to find the strength and the time to do it all, I know that there is a God who sees me and loves me in spite of my over zealous approach to this wonderful time. He knows my heart and that I want to make things perfect for those I love. I read this scripture from the Psalms that gave me hope for this crazy time of the year.

"You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!" Psalm 68:35 (NIV)

Take time from your busy schedule to rest in this promise, take time to reside in His sanctuary and wait for the power and strength that God wants to give His people. Behold the babe in the manger and remember the cross of Calvery! And have a Merry Christmas!

Gabriel! You Say What?

I love the story of John the Baptist, especially as I grow older and can appreciate this dear couple, Zacharias and Elizabeth, who the bible says were of advanced age. The angel of the Lord said to Zacharias, "Your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son". Do you think that maybe ole Zack wanted to say, "did my mail get lost I sent that petition 40 years ago, when Elizabeth and I were young!"? He finally did get up enough courage to remind the angel that he and his wife were advanced in years and he wasn't certain how all this could happen. Did you ever ask God for something only to come back to Him with a "I'm not certain how this will all happen?" The angel, Gabriel did not take kindly to this question as scripture points out. Zacharias was immediately unable to speak because he did not believe this "one" who, in no uncertain terms, told Zacharias that he was from God and this was the "good news" God himself has sent to him. I wonder sometimes if Zacharias was unable to speak because the angel knew that his muteness might keep him from having to explain to Elizabeth that she was soon to be pregnant at her age.
If Zacharias did get up the courage to warn Elizabeth by writing on a tablet, I hope he told her everything the angel said. "You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at this birth". And how about, "he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb". And get this…. the angel shared that her son would be the forerunner to the long awaited Messiah! What assurance was given that day to the sovereignty of God.

"And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. "It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
Luke 1:16-17

Six months later, an angel tells Mary that she will become pregnant even though she is a virgin. He tells the bewildered Mary that her cousin Elizabeth who has been barren all of her life is with child in her old age. Then the angel told Mary something that we today can still claim, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!
I could almost "shout" with the way the hand of God reaches down into common everyday lives to do His will in the lives of His people. Are you always certain as to how it will all happen?
Not only was this promise for Mary, but is also meant for us today "Nothing is impossible with God! NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD! NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD! This is the GOOD NEWS God Himself sends us today!


Sent from my iPad

Great With Child!

In December of 1979 I was feeling every syllable of "GREAT WITH CHILD"! I was slightly overdue with my fifth child and longing for this baby to finally be born. I read with great empathy the story told of the birth of Jesus. I could feel each bump that Mary, the mother of our Savor, felt as she rode along on the back of the donkey, on her way to be registered for a census. I just knew that her ankles were swollen as they dangled at the sides of little donkey. I could hear the urgency in her voice as, for the hundredth time she begged Joseph to stop long enough for her to get some RELIEF! I knew she felt every mile of their eighty mile trip to Bethlehem.

But every mile and everyday brought her closer to the much anticipated birth of this child she carried. No amount of misery could diminish the joy of this glorious thought for Mary or me, for that matter.

Mary's day came in a stable in Bethlehem because there was no room for them in the Inn. Her son Jesus our Savior was born and she lay Him in a manger. She forgot the miseries of the eighty mile trip she had just been on, she forgot the pain of birth and even forgot about the smell of the stable. She remembered the Angel telling her that her son would be the Messiah but for this night He was her beloved baby boy and the bible says she pondered all these things.

My day came December 10, 1979 when my sweet baby girl, Melinda Jill was born. The pure joy of that occasion made me forget those last few weeks and the miseries of pregnancy. The soft coo of my sweet baby girl brought sheer contentment! She was my joy! That day, as today, I ponder all these things.

Happy Birthday Mendy Jill!


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Pass Me A Red Napkin Please!

Every day it seems, there is a story of a Nativity scene that has been forbidden to be put up or a school that has declared they are having “Winter Solstice” instead of Christmas. I heard of a school that was only allowed to have white napkins because the traditional green and red might indicate a leaning toward our Christian holiday. A “war on Christmas” declares one broadcaster and I tend to believe it, as stores forbid cashier to say anything but “Happy Holidays”. Our times are frustrating if not downright dismal.

As I thought of this today, I thought of Cherry Shride a dear lady in our church. I always loved to hear her Wednesday testimony because it always ended with “these are great times to serve the Lord”. I wonder if she were alive today if she would still share that sentiment. I think she would!

My friend Cherry didn’t say “this is easy times to serve the Lord”, she said “these are great times to serve the Lord“. I didn’t understand completely what this meant back when this pillar of our church said these words, but I know now that as back then it is a great time to serve the Lord.

As I am revisiting the Book of Esther I found a verse that describes this thought to a tee. Esther, through a series of events that some might call “coincidences”, rose from a commoner to the position of Queen of Persia. We learn in scripture, that her position and influence saved the Israeli people from certain annihilation. If you have never read Esther, you are in for a book that reads like a novel a Cinderella story, if you will, but with the hand of God glaringly obvious though His name is not mentioned! In chapter 4, Mordecai, her older cousin who raised her, appeals to her on behalf of himself and fellow Jews, “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”. The “such a time as this” was the time in which Esther, lived. What a great time to serve the Lord? Easy? No! Queen Esther would have risk her own life in order to serve the Lord but even in this dire situation, she did indeed serve the Lord and saved the whole nation of Israelites from certain death.

In these times of uncertainty and seemingly a time when there is a war not only on Christmas but against Christians, we are to have the courage of Esther. We are to stand and declare “these are great times to serve the Lord”, and tell everyone we meet that we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the one who died on the cross to save us from our sins. And gladly proclaim MERRY CHRISTMAS!
And please pass the red napkins!

The Scarf Of Gold

As I carefully place the pieces of the Nativity set in it’s traditional place atop the desk, I try to find a quiet time to think about the characters and give thanks for the part that each played on that miraculous day. I place the stable along with Mary and Joseph on a gold scarf that came with the set. Of course, I recount how Mary was told by an angel that she would have a baby and she was to call him Jesus. Next to Mary I see poor Joseph who had his world turned upside down with the news that his wife-to-be was with child. I remember scripture that tells of the angel who came to calm his fears with news that this was God’s plan. Close by I place the shepherd with a lamb in his arms who gazes at the baby. Off at a distance the three wise men make their way with their gifts. The donkey, cow and sheep lay nearby to help make the scene complete. Lastly, I place the beautiful Baby Jesus in the manger over flowing with golden hay. My heart is greatly warmed at the sight of the sweet baby who came to be our savior. As I stand back and gaze at this beautiful scene, I am suddenly checked by the Lord. I began to see the scene in a different way.

The King of Kings was born in a stable, not the one that my Nativity set portrayed on it’s glimmering, gold scarf. It was a stinky place that animals stayed in and since the inn was full so probably was the stable. This weary couple may have shivered from the cold as the winds blew through the cracks of the rickety old barn. Mary and Joseph lay down, not on a bed of clean hay but probably a hard dirt floor that was hardly a place to give birth to a baby let alone our Savior. The manger was a dirty trough that was used to feed the livestock, how Mary must have winced at laying her precious baby there. The angels didn’t go to the religious leaders of that time but sang of the good news to lowly shepherds who quickly joined this scene, not smelling all that good either.

Why? He looks so good on my gold scarf, everyone is all cleaned up and looks so good I can practically hear “Silent Night” playing in the background. Why couldn’t he at least be born inside the inn? Why not a warm cradle to lay him in? I guess if the world had been the clean, perfect world that sat upon my gold scarf, there would have been no need for Him to come. If man was perfect, there would have been no need for a Savior. Jesus was born of a lowly maiden in a dirty stable and would die to save us from our dirty sins. As Mary wrapped her new born baby in swaddling clothes she wrapped God’s plan to save the world.

Don’t worry, my Nativity still sits on the gold scarf I haven’t brought in stable “dirt” to make it look realistic but I will never look at it the same. This perfect baby came down to an imperfect world to die for our sins. Why? Because he loved us so!

Luke 2:1-7
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.