Thursday's Reflections

I was every encouraged through the discussion and interaction in the Adult Discipleship Class last evening. I have felt challenged/inspired/convicted by the Holy Spirit to take a fresh look at the "Christmas story." Is it possible that familiarity with the "story" can cause us to loose the desire to fully understand what God set in motion that night in Bethlehem? Is it possible that we have grown comfortable with just knowing the "theme" of the story and with being able to "identify" the major characters of the story? But I strongly believe that God has more to reveal and declare than just a theme and information about the characters. I still believe that the Truth of God's Word will provide those transformational moments in which our lives are radically changed from glory to glory. Would you join with me in a fresh pursuit of a life-changing experience with Christ?

Wednesday evening we looked at some of the reasons that the shepherds were included in the awesome revelation of the birth of Christ. I will not endeavor to speak to every comment/personal insight that was shared last night. I will only list some of the highlights and main themes that arose last night as we took a closer look at the important role of the shepherds on the wonderful day that we reference as "Christmas Day." You can read the full story in the second chapter of Luke.

These are a few of the major points that arose in our discussion.

1) The angels were not sent to the "upper class" citizenry of that day but to the common working man of that day and time. Notice the words of the Angel, "...Do not be afraid, for behold I bring you good tidings off great joy which will be to all people..." (Emphasis added)

2) These shepherds listened to God.

3) These shepherds responded to God in faithful obedience.

4) These shepherds went looking for the Baby Jesus until they found Him.

5) These shepherds shared with others the Good News that Jesus had been born in Bethlehem.

We can learn many valuable lessons from these men. I encourage you to delve a little deeper into the "full" story of Christmas. We may be surprised at what would take place in our lives.

Pearl Harbor Day

President Roosevelt referred to December 7, 1941 as a "day that would live in infamy." There will be a large number of people who will read this blog today who were not yet born when this tragic event took place in the history of America. It was one of the factors if not the major factor that propelled our involvement as a nation in WW II. Over 2400 American servicemen died that day and over 1,000 were injured through the attack on our military forces that day. 

I understand and remember that we honored and remembered our Veterans on Veterans Day but I felt led to remind us to remember the price that has been paid and continues to be paid so that America could live in and enjoy our FREEDOM!! I also understand that our nation is not perfect and that we have problems that need to be discussed and that proper adjustments need to be made to correct these problems. But aren't you glad that we have the freedom to openly discuss these issues and that we have the freedom to make the changes that are revealed to us through these discussions? Aren't you glad that we have the freedom to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world? Aren't you glad that we have the freedom to gather in our houses of Worship and offer our praise, worship and adoration to the King of Kings? I do not want people to forget that we have freedom because of the awesome people who saw a threat to our freedom and they chose to make the appropriate response. I do not want people to forget those brave men and women who continue to identify the challenges to our freedom and they choose to make the correct response. Don't forget these men and women when you cash or deposit your pay check. Don't forget these men and women as you shop in the mall. Don't forget these men and women when you sit and enjoy your meal at Christmas. Don't forget these men and women when you gather in your circle of family and friends and complain about the challenges that we are facing in America. Don't forget these men and women when you attend a Christmas Worship service and once again the Holy Spirit reminds each of us about the awesome Love of God that has been released in our lives!!

I read an interesting story about a sacrifice that a Catholic Priest chose to make on that December day in 1941. I am going to share a portion of the blog from which I read this story earlier this morning.

Aloysius H. Schmitt was a Catholic priest from St. Lucas, Iowa. He was serving as a Navy chaplain aboard the USS Oklahoma on this fateful day.

The Washington Post tells his story. Father Schmitt had just said Mass that Sunday morning when his ship was hit by at least nine Japanese torpedoes and grazed by several bombs. The battleship quickly rolled over in the water, trapping hundreds of men below deck. Some were saved by rescue crews or swam underwater to find their way out. A few managed to escape through portholes. Father Schmitt is said to have helped as many as twelve sailors get out of one small compartment. He chose to remain behind while they crawled to safety. As a result, he died while they lived.

His remains were recovered from the Oklahoma wreckage during a months-long salvage operation, but they were too damaged and jumbled with other bodies to be identified. As a result, they were buried as "unknowns" in a Hawaii cemetery. Last September, Father Schmitt's body was identified with the help of DNA retrieved from a skull bone and matched to a relative.

The priest's chalice and prayer book were recovered from the wreckage a few months after the attack. They have been kept at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, the college from which Father Schmitt graduated in 1932. His prayer book was found marked with a page ribbon for the December 8 readings, including the Eighth Psalm in Latin:

Domine, Dominus noster, quam admirable est nomen tuam in universa terra! Translated, David's words of praise read, "O Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your name in all the earth!"

I believe that these words explain Father Schmitt's courage.

We serve God sacrificially to the degree that we believe him worthy of our sacrifice. And we do not allow the sins of others to deter us from serving him if we know that our sins cannot change his majestic character.

Father Schmitt started December 7, 1941, by praising and serving our magnificent Lord. 

Let's join him today.

Tuesday's Thoughts

I did not realize that is has been one week since I have made a post on the blog. I have been ill and the illness took a large amount of my energy but it certainly did not drain my passion for those things that pertain to God. My illness was not a life threatening illness for sure but it was one that kept hanging around which leads to frustration, disappointment, aggravation when it comes to recovering from the doldrums of sickness. I can only imagine the feelings that individuals carry in their heart when they are facing major illnesses or trying to recover from serious injuries. I was reminded of that during prayer time this morning. There have been times in my life when I failed to fully comprehend the burden of concern that people were feeling as they were facing their challenge. Isn't it a blessing to know that God will use our "difficulties" to teach us to be more compassionate toward others when they are facing their difficulties? Thank you Holy Spirit for depositing "Truth" in my heart when I need it the most.

Illness also reminds us that we need the prayer support, words of encouragement, and the care and concern of others as we face those challenging moments of life. It may vary from one to another depending upon the seriousness of the challenge that we are facing. Although I did not feel very well my challenge of life would have been at the lower end of the scale. But even then it was a refreshing blessing to know that someone was praying. It was refreshing and encouraging to know that someone was concerned. It was a blessing to know that someone cared about me and the process of my recovering from this illness. I have even received a text from someone checking on  my well being even as I am writing this post.

I have shared these feelings for this purpose. We live in a world that is so busy with so many things that it is easy to become an isolationist. I mean it is easy to choose to live in your own private world with very little time being spent investing in the lives of others. I see this happening in families, among friends and even there are times that it rears its ugly head among the family of God. I don't believe that life was meant to be spent living in isolation. I believe live was meant to be spent interacting first of all with God and interacting with those individuals that God has placed in our lives. 

I encourage you to take time to talk with someone this Christmas season. I encourage you to take time to read the Christmas card or the Christmas email that someone may share with you. I encourage you to take the time to thank God for your family and friends. Each of them have made and will continue to make a difference in your life if you will keep your heart open to them. Take time to ask God to keep your heart soft, humble, genuine, sincere and open to His Spirit. I asked God for those very things as I prayed this morning. 

I do not want my heart to grow cold, calloused, indifferent and distant from the heart of God. I certainly do not my heart to be moving away from God. I desire for my heart to be moving toward God and toward those people He has placed in my life!! 

Tuesday's Thoughts

1 Peter 5:6-7: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (NKJV)

I had originally planned to share some post-Thanksgiving thoughts today but the Spirit would not given me the liberty to follow my plan. I am burdened this morning concerning the needs of so many people. I am reminded about these needs on a daily basis and the previous words are not meant to complain or cast any aspersions on the people that I engage in conversation. I consider myself an intercessor and intercessors are called and challenged to pray for the needs of others. I am thankful that God has given me the opportunity to pray for the needs of others. I am writing these words to remind each of you that the needs people are facing are real and the people facing these needs are real. Let me also add that many of these individuals enjoy a "healthy" relationship with Christ. 

But I also believe that the Spirit presented me with this "familiar" passage of scripture that renewed my hope and I believe the Word will be used to renew your hope in the midst of your daily challenges. Each of us need hope in some area of our life. Each of us are looking to God in some specific areas of our lives. Each of us have requests/needs that are very heavy on our heart day after day. I don't think that a heavy or concerned heart testifies that we don't have faith. I believe it testifies and reminds us that we are human beings and that we do not have the answer and that we are not able to solve the problem. 

DO NOT ALLOW THE FAMILIARITY OF THIS SCRIPTURE IN 1 PETER 5 KEEP YOU FROM HEARING THE POWERFUL PROMISE THAT GOD OFFERS US!!! He (God) reminds us and He (God) invites us to cast all of our cares upon Him. He even tells us the reason that that we can take this step of faith. HE CARES FOR YOU AND ME!!! 

Now it is my (your) responsibility to take the appropriate steps and take the appropriate actions by doing what God has invited us to do. I encourage you to join with me in bringing all of our cares/worries/anxieties/fears/battles/struggles/heartache/heartbreak/disillusionment/frustration/dis-appointment in ourselves as well as others/etc. and cast them upon Him. I feel better already and I am sure that you will feel that same sense of relief and strength.

PS: This post is dedicated to our special friend who is facing surgery tomorrow as well as any other individual who may be facing an unique challenge today or tomorrow. Blessings on all of you!!!

Cyber Monday Challenge

Colossians 2:6-7, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. (NKJV)

We have turned the calendar on Thanksgiving and we are moving full steam ahead toward Christmas. Although I must say that many of us have seen the "signs" of Christmas since September or October. It seems the modern American business culture is always prepared to offer us the best deal or the best price on the latest toy, technical gadget, style of clothes, new automobile, truck or SUV, etc. that humanity has ever seen. The sad part of my previous statement is in the fact that many of us will fall prey to this tactic because we believe that these "possessions" will either bring happiness to us or to someone that we love. And in some cases these deals are meant to cause both the purchaser of the gift as well as the recipient of the gift receive great pleasure and happiness from this purchase. But let's be honest with each other for a moment. Isn't it true that even the greatest measure of satisfaction is only temporary at its very best? Over a period of time and with the use of the gift or even the non-use of the gift the glitter and the glitz that accompanied the gift has soon disappeared.

Do not jump to any conclusion about this post before you read the full content. I am not the reincarnation of Mr. Scrooge. I share gifts with family and friends. I enjoy receiving gifts from my family and friends. I enjoy the "celebration" of Christmas but I am concerned how easily the meaning of Christmas is lost in all of the pretty paper, elegant decorations, wonderful sales and even the events of Christmas. 

It seems that each year we have to fight a little harder and pay even closer attention to our desire to keep the birth of Christ, the Savior of the world as the central theme of the celebration. Our schedules have already began to be filled with many events which are very wholesome and very enjoyable. I plan on enjoying these events but I realize that they will only provide me a temporary respite from the challenges of daily life. Life will continue after the food has been devoured. Life will continue once the smiles and laughter have subsided. Life will continue once the last guest has departed. And life will continue once the lights have been turned out. Let me add that I believe that God can use the above mentioned events as a "mental vacation" from the challenges of life. 

But the Apostle Paul reminded the Colossians that because they had received Christ they were given the opportunity to "walk in Him." Oh the joy of knowing that "we are in Christ and that Christ is in us." This is not just a temporary reprieve but it is an eternal promise. Enjoy your walk in Christ during the upcoming days of your life.

Thanksgiving Greetings

Today's blog post will be different. I am going to share the letter that I sent to our church family today. The Spirit dealt with my heart this week concerning the need to focus on the things that are important and not to allow the unimportant events of life to capture all of my time. Each of us consistently talk about how quickly our life is disappearing. A day soon becomes a week; a week becomes a month; a month becomes a year and the years soon become a life time. I want to recognize those "good" moments as well as those "God" moments that have taken place during my time on planet Earth. My life is passing quickly but I am truly thankful for all of those wonderful people that God has placed in my life. I trust the following words cause you to stop, think and take action concerning the blessings that have come from God!!

Good morning on this day before Thanksgiving!! 

Ann and I wanted to take this opportunity and use this means to let you know that you are in our thoughts and prayers today. You have played a significant role in our lives and we are truly thankful that God has allowed our paths of life to intersect with each other. We pray that God will bless and encourage you as you celebrate with your family and friends on Thursday. 

 

Ann is planning a wonderful meal for tomorrow and I am looking forward to that very much. But let me remind you that the food you eat will not be as important as the people who are present to share the meal with you. We need to remember the important things and that is a challenge in this modern day and time. Status, occupation, possessions, finances, and selfishness is very evident in today's modern culture. But all of that "stuff" (Bro. Kenny's word of reminder) is only temporary and will disappear quickly enough. But love for one another and love to one another will endure the trials, battles, struggles and challenges of life. Take a moment tomorrow, look around the room and thank God for the wonderful people that God has placed in your life. Many of those special people will not be able to share a meal with you but they are deeply embedded in your memory bank. Take a few minutes and travel down the road of your memories and allow God to encourage and strengthen you.  I understand that life has given us memories of difficult moments but life has also given us many wonderful memories in which our lives were enriched by those people that God had deposited in our journey through life.

 

I wanted to share a passage of scripture with you. This Word of God has been speaking to me for the past few days and I felt that it could more appropriately express the feelings that we have in our heart for you and the impact that you have made in our lives. These words come from a prayer of thanksgiving through the pen of the Apostle Paul.

 

Philippians 1:3-11, “ Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. ⁴ Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy,  ⁵ for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.  ⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.  ⁷ So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News.  ⁸ God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.  ⁹ I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.  ¹⁰ For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.  ¹¹ May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. (NLT)

YOU ARE LOVED AND APPRECIATED!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Pre-Thanksgiving Scriptures

I truly enjoy sharing my heart with you through the various posts in which I share my thoughts, ideas, and inspiration. In many ways these moments of sharing open up a small window to what I sense God doing in my personal life. I truly desire to be a servant of God that maintains a desire to please God and a servant that continually seeks to learn more about the heart of the Master that I am serving. I am not offended at the word "Master" and the word "servant." I am truly THANKFUL that God has called me to serve Him and I am determined to offer my best to the Lord on a daily basis.

I feel led to share these scripture passages with you this morning. I truly believe that the Word of God will speak life to us and the Word of God will bring the revelation of Truth to our hearts. His Word will direct our steps and His Word will light our path. The Word of God will also cause us to remember those principles that the enemy seeks to erase and remove from our spiritual memory bank. Take a moment and ponder on these scriptures and ask the Spirit to reveal what God is desires to say to you today.

Philippians 4:4-7, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

Psalm 103:1-5, “Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! ² Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: ³ Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, ⁴ Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, ⁵ Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (NKJV)

Psalm 150:1-6, “Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! ² Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! ³ Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! ⁴ Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! ⁵ Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! ⁶ Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” (NKJV)

THERE IS STILL POWER IN THE WORD OF GOD!!! LET US BE THANKFUL FOR THE WORD OF GOD!!!