encouragement

Sermon – The Body of Christ’s Gifts – Romans 12

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Feb 8 | The Body as Christ’s Presence | Romans 12:3–8

Humble Service in the Body of Christ 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

SERMON:

Many times I have asked myself in this life – “why am I here, Lord?” – how did I get here – what is my purpose in this particular situation – let alone life – and there must be a point for my situation or even times we have thorns in our sides for pain or praise or ???  And surely we all wonder this on occasion. My favorite go-to scripture is James 1 – perseverance – and yes – PRAISE…

We have to remember that God loves us – God saves us – God has a job for us – God is not just making children out of rocks, which He could, but He made us for a purpose – to be loved – to love Him – to serve Him by serving others – and LOVE as we are LOVED… God loves us and God is LOVE so how can He do or be anything else.

The Psalmist of psalm 56 was in despair when He was looking for God to save Him from terrible enemies – “For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, That I may walk before God In the light of the living?” WELL – if God can save people (including us from tragedy over and over again) – and make real miracles all around us – then surely how much MORE  He is able to give us gifts in the first place – to make us into His people – and to equip us with skills to serve – remember that great phrase: God does not call the equipped – He equips the called. YEAH! He will give us what He wants from us – just as He has given us life now and forever – by looking to Him for these gifts.

So today I am talking about what we can give of ourselves – but not because we are being stolen from – or over-achieving – but simply give in HUMBLE SERVICE – like we have these skills/life-direction because God gave us these things – like a potluck of life but much much more divine and much much more ample… God doesn’t make mistakes – so He gave us each gifts – many gifts!!!

Last week in the sermon (given by —-) – she spoke about Paul telling the Corinthians that: There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit – different kinds of service, but the same Lord – different kinds of working  given from the Manifestation of the Spirit –  given for the common good –  wisdom, knowledge faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in different kinds of tongues, or the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

And now – we are talking about how Paul did say to the Romans (12:3-8 NIV) – that the Lord has a role for EACH OF US – BECAUSE we are in ONE BODY – of the LORD’S purposes –- about taking stock of your life in faith and realize that we do have the ability to be in Humble Service in the Body of Christ.

REMEMBER THE IN FAITH PART – THAT WE CAN’T JUST SHLUFF OFF THE GIFTS – OR THAT WE ARE NOT WORTHY – BECAUSE IT IS GOD WHO MAKES US WORTHY TO HAVE THESE GIFTS AND USE THEM – AND WE ARE HERE ON EARTH AS PART OF THAT ONE BODY – YES ALL OF US… Remember God uses the term that we are the BRIDE of the Church – being made ready for our Groom.

PAUL WOULD SAY:  think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. —-    in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 

And I have slides this morning – props too – but first slides – because I gave a talk previously that pertains so much and wanted to share these imagery prompts again…

Yeah – and I love this image on this first slide – because I loved being in this mix – this is vacation bible school (I think Maker Fun Factory) so many years ago now – maybe almost 10 years ago (life is a blur isn’t it) BUT LIFE IS WITH DISTINCT MOMENTS – AND EACH ONE OF US IN THE BODY OF CHRIST – called together each part to live out a Christian Life. This drone picture is the view from the top – God sees us both together and each individual. And as God knows us inside and out – He has a place for us.

Paul would say in his letter to the first Corinthians: that there is both UNITY and DIVERSITY in the Body verse 12: “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.”

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YES – in my next slide – remember UNITY AND DIVERSITY –

I love this photo imagery of all these people together – again a view from the top – WE ALL FIT TOGETHER LIKE PUZZLE PIECES – AND JESUS WILL HUNT ALL THE EARTH AND UNDER THE TABLE FOR THE FALLEN PUZZLE PIECES.

(Point to the slide) The one body of the church is made for love and for work – and includes lay people and clergy who support each other; individuals and groups who can impact society; families for Christian nurture and training; people of all kinds!

Paul says “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ and have put on Christ there is neither Jew or Greek, neither slave nor free, no make and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

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And next slide – remembering why: we are here to fulfill the great commission – and there is no quiz but I wanted to bring in these great Greek words for who we are together as the church:

(point to the slide) Koinonia is community  caring and grace filled – where people can find wholeness – Kerygma is how the church proclaims the good news of Jesus – and Diakonia – is how the church shares God’s Grace in acts of love and service – it is a balanced triangle pictured here – community, proclamation, and service.

AND IN MY NEXT SLIDE – WE DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HOW THIS ALL GOES TOGETHER – WE HAVE TO SAY “JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL” – that is how we can do the things we are supposed to do – and are gifted to do – and will love to do

(point to the slide) – as the Body of Christ – we can focus on a need that we see – we should be identifying our gifts –

and we are not in this alone – when you know you have something to share – there is no need to go alone – it is best to see the support of others – and yes – work as a team… 

I add the holy spirit dove depiction there because we are NOT doing this on our own steam – we really can and do and want to rely on the Holy Spirit to put us where He wants us to be – where we can be God’s Hands and Feet in the situation – let the Lord place us. One of my favorite songs: “Come Holy Spirit – Fall Afresh on me…”Come Holy Spirit Fall Afresh On Me – Fill Me With Your Power”

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AND WHAT ABOUT THIS BODY OF CHRIST – I USE THIS JOKE OF THE OPERATION GAME WHERE YOU TAKE OUT THE PARTS – BUT LET US THINK IN REVERSE – PUT YOUR GIFTS INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST!

Let us remember our specific scripture this morning – we all have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

AND AS FOR A PROP TODAY – I WANT US TO THINK OF THESE GIFTS – how do we figure out our gifts – there are many spiritual gift “inventories” – read Tozer quote:

PROPHESIZING – do you have this gift? I would think it is only a few – but we do see it in the old testament and new testament – and so it must still exist today – Deborah the Judge – whom I appreciate in the old stories was able to tell folks that “God has got this” – and that is my favorite testimony prophesy – God has got this – all of it…

So what about you? Prophesy or SERVING or TEACHING or ENCOURAGING or GIVING or LEADING? How about SHOWING MERCY – WITH CHEER – that is an unique one – really – we have the ability to maybe let someone cut in front of us in line and then let that roll off our shoulders – and be grateful that we have the extra time to have someone go ahead of us – just a simple example – but it happens – and mercy is a big word in God’s vocabulary – mercy is NOT giving us the punishment we deserve – wow – and thank you Jesus for your ability to impart forgiveness and gain us God’s Mercy over our sin and death…

So let us take these gifts in love and do an activity to close with discussion – I have hearts of these gifts – and heart stickies – for you to write on and keep – let us first fill up the cross with our gifts – I handed out the large ones – could folks please affix them to the cross? Acknowledging that God gives us gifts to share and He went all the way to the cross to take our sins away so that we have no reason not to share His goodness of gifts.

[open for discussion and people sharing with each other in the church]

And with the small sticky note hearts – let us take one – and write down both a gift that we believe we have and perhaps one that you feel God is trying to develop in you – bring it out of you – for many reasons – including sharing and being in service to the whole body of all of us – both to the CHURCH known and the people who don’t know JESUS… so write both of them to keep on the heart – and please if you feel led, share… feel free to speak of why – no pressure but a chance to share…  (I will start – with encouragement – that is a gift I realized long ago that God gave me – yes teaching too – but encouragement because I think that people do know what to do just need a little encouragement…  and then for God trying to bring something more out of me – well leadership – I know He pushes me into leadership – I have to take it more often than I do…   OK, how about you???)

Wrap up prayer – Lord – thank you for the opportunity to take stock and take of your Spirit – and share and know and be – thank You Lord for Your Love and Your gifts – and how we are to manifest them totally as a body of Christ!

Thank You Lord for all these beautiful souls here – and for those who couldn’t make it today – and also for the people in the world whom you are calling but ask us to help with this proclamation – these acts of service – and this community – AMEN

Benediction – Please everyone be safe and be warm and share the warmth of the Lord out there with the body parts that we are trying to keep warm in His Love – thank you Lord for this opportunity – may we all realize your blessings – AMEN and have a great day!

Human Traces are Temporary, God is FOREVER, Psalm 119

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Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.

The papers in my friend’s basement of old records (like most people I know, we accumulate piles and piles) were up to 20 years of receipts and important statements from the mail – important once but not anymore – but this little paper, color blue, stood out – it rose to the top of my eye – it was a scripture – carefully written and preserved: “But You are near, Lord, and all your commands are true.” Psalm 119:151, so true and so preserved – even if the paper is tattered and then I got rain on it – and then noticed the fading number caused me to research the whole psalm – helping me find the true statement that in Psalm 151 – the Lord makes His Commands LAST – as HIS Word LASTS!!!!

Stuff – we move that around – but paper – a blessing and a curse – Shredding is a blessing for personal information – stuff you don’t want lying around the trash will accumulate until you find a shredding option. And you have to sort it out – like the most important stuff once is the most important to destroy later. HOWEVER, the Lord’s Word never returns void to Him – so what He has moving around is for a purpose – and then He can let it go too – because He and His Word is eternal.

Right now, personally I am making MORE paper, I am copying 2 months of electronic writings from my blog page back into a Word document format for making a PDF and then printing via an office superstore. (No I don’t print them at home or work, but I take the leap of financial faith that paying 10 dollars for a month of writing, printed in duplicate, in really good quality and by a convenient way – that it works for me) So, YES, printing is important for me – especially because I believe paper will last and be passed on…  My blog will last for a while but you never know… So, I am thinking that at my funeral someday, maybe it is best to display my writings over any other of my knick-knacks or junk…  Yeah – my writing is my NOT SECRET writing – my writing is from my reading – my expression of my personal study – but also that I try to take too much personal out of it and talk about Holy Spirit driven-ness. And will these paper copies last? NO !! Yes I sense that my paper will last a little time – but again – I write from the Written Word – it lasts in being passed on.

I always come to this moment – wondering WHY I write. I don’t worry about it because it is God’s blessing for me to process. And based upon the people’s feedback, I am appreciative of their support – encouragement to my encouragement. But is is a natural question of pursuing God’s Will – why do I write and in what format? It interests me as a study of me – but especially as a study of God and His push. And of course we all do need a gentle push from God – or a pull – or at least that hug of love from His Word.

I am also wondering, always, what do I do with them from here? I know that I am to stay in the blog format – this is key – I write in emails so that they are instantly backed up. And have an email following as well as people who just accept my writings knowing I never ask them to read them – but to know that I HAVE to write. But now in addition, do I take these into a book? Re-write any? Who knows! The blogs are uploaded for security and convenience.

Us being grounded in the Word means to me that I remember that we are finite and He is infinite!!! My writings are for now – hoping to encourage others NOW – and maybe the next few years they will be applicable and explainable and accessible. I will let them go! But His Word? His Word is for FOREVER. And this means He will also be with us FOREVER. “But You are near, Lord, and all your commands are true.” Psalm 119:151

Precious and True. The Lord IS near and the Word LIVES. Truly Lives

Amen

Psalm 119:145-152 Qoph
I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord,
    and I will obey your decrees.
I call out to you; save me
    and I will keep your statutes.
I rise before dawn and cry for help;
    I have put my hope in your word.
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
    that I may meditate on your promises.
Hear my voice in accordance with your love;
    preserve my life, Lord, according to your laws.
Those who devise wicked schemes are near,
    but they are far from your law.
Yet you are near, Lord,
    and all your commands are true.
Long ago I learned from your statutes
    that you established them to last forever.

RUN ROCKY RUN!!! GOD LOVES YOU!!!

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“Run Rocky Run” I yelled out – like the Forest Gump line modified for this half marathon and 5K fun run. I thought with the fun of last week and the feeling of making a difference last week at the full marathon, this again was the perfect job for an encourager – and cool too…  The Rocky steps – the hustle and bustle – and the lightest of traffic at the early hour said to my gut – not so bad! and wow – the chance parking spot was so perfect – yeah I had like less than a half mile to walk, I could even hear the loudspeakers… this time I was not the volunteer doing water – I just never got a chance to sign up for this – but felt that ability to be there for the cheers – so I grabbed my foamboard and said: “why not?!”…

I would walk a 5 K sure, but why anyone would want to run 13 plus miles or run any miles is beyond me – but I understand these folks have goals and hopes and the gumption to do it – and after the running there was the walking in of the stragglers – OH, what a perfect place to cheer – like a reverse parade where the runners are looking at you!  and the sign I made? “GOD LOVES YOU” – yeah! – held above my Rocky sign was purposeful “God loves you” – and even though I needed no acknowledgement of the sign – I did need (and get that Holy Spirit whisper) of “yeah – this is the best place for you right now” – “you have nothing better to do right now” – so this is a good morning activity in beautiful brilliant sunshine. and yes I did bring my gloves…

I wanted to do sticky letters but the sharpies there were perfect and I wrote it up. The Rocky Run Rocky sign provided at the big tent-city event was a nice addition –  gobs of spectators at the 5K finish dissipated and now was actually quieter as the majority of the now 13.1 mile folks were hauling it in. I stood about a half mile from the finish – and just before the area where they would have lots of cheers – but this area was quieter – one or two cowbells – and the runners had time to read the simple sign with a sigh – and a few of us encouragers who just felt THIS was our mission for the morning were in this spot – the almost home position – and yeah…

After a few smiles – I got a few hands to the sky – a few “YES HE DOES” – and a few “AND HE LOVES YOU TOO!” – sometimes I thought – well time to wrap this up – or need to sit down – so I saw a concrete barrier to rest on for few minutes – next time I am bringing my chair – and then back up to the side of the race – and more smiles and thank yous and even a couple photos !!!! “BEST SIGN ALL DAY” a few yelled – and these ladies who were cheering behind me decided to walk over and ask: “The people love your sign – what is on it?” – then the “OH!” when they read it – “GOD LOVES YOU” – classic and true and not hidden… 

How often we are not in the moment – to know there is a race going on – in everyone’s lives – how often we should just stop to breath ourselves by bringing it to others and give them the leap up. 

Again – their marathon race is not my race – ON THE TRACK – but the RACE OF LIFE? YEAH – that is my race too – our race – and yours too. We are all needing to be encouragers where we are “on pace” with the needs…

People need to know: GOD LOVES YOU!

Amen

Jesus, Call Our Names

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What a way to be an ENCOURAGER today!!!! Worked as a water table volunteer at the marathon…

At the start of the 5 hour shift, I raked empty cups towards the trash and out of the way of the runners getting water. Then served water with a hoop and holler as we were mile 24, just 2 miles away from the finish. After we finished at mile 24, I was humbled and energized at the 25 mile point with that water crew to do the macarena and electric slide in encouraging the runners who were after the sweep team, so no medal, but still going to finish. It was encouraging to see the young student volunteers. It was a blessing to yell my heart out.

ESPECIALLY cool that most the runners had their names on their shirts!!! Fabulous.. we can’t all run, but we can be cup fillers! Spirit cups! I had no idea most would have names on their shirts. Catching a glimpse of faces, smiles, etc was really good. 5000 volunteers, 50000 runners.

Cool…Fun…Blessed…

I was inspired by the helpers who came to the sides of the walkers… And as for the t-shirts, they spoke volumes in supporting causes, people, life. Again, the names were great, it was SO personal. We could yell their actual names and if there was no name just cheer “you got this”. Or teams like “Fred’s Team” or Team Italia… Many easy names and some not so easy, I didn’t want to mispronounce, that’s important and you had to appreciate one shirt which said “Mari not Mary” – we all like to be known as us, our unique selves don’t we, proper spelling and annunciation.

Thank God, God knows us, not just our names but everything… Yes, God knows both the earthly given name and a new name reserved for them in Heaven. Some people think they have to throw the “Hail Mary” to get to Heaven, but Jesus is already making them a spot at the dinner table. Jesus, call our names!!!

Jesus knows the name to call each person. Jesus said to John in Revelation 2:17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”

We have a marathon of life, we need to listen to Jesus calling and calming, take His Water to our use. Surely we can hear our name in His Spirit. We can know He knows us. And perk up a bit or a lot when called.

Keep running my friends, walking too.

Amen

Eclipse-mode, Can We See Jesus’s Crown? 

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Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise.

Something that bugs me healthwise is this bout of tennis elbow, bleh… not bad enough to stop my activities but not good. It’s minor painful sometimes, but annoying mostly. But I shouldn’t complain if I don’t do anything about it. I’ll survive. There are much worse illnesses suffered all the time. Someone always has it worse.

It’s an opportunity moment that I’ve been thinking about “crowns”. The coronavirus (still rearing its ugly head) has a ‘crown’, the sun has a corona too, fire licks on the surface. And there’s a total eclipse coming in April, the NASA website says: “We can’t normally see the corona ­– the Sun’s outer atmosphere – because the Sun’s surface below it is so much brighter. But during a total solar eclipse, the corona becomes visible, offering unique opportunities to study it.”

Hmmm…. the crown visible… unique opportunity to study... hmmm… let us think about Jesus.

Maybe our pain and suffering feels like an eclipse, but it is an opportunity to praise.  Paul (in Romans) spoke about present day suffering,…. “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us”…. YES, in our suffering we can focus our vision to see the crown of Jesus, SAVING US, healing our souls now and our bodies one day. . . And if we aren’t in eclipse mode, the brightness of the sun (and all earthly bling of brightness) will overshadow (opposite of a shadow) our sight of the Crown. we need to see that Crown of Jesus.  Perhaps we forget in our earthly life of HOW glorious Jesus is as Lord and Savior. Perhaps in our dark clouds, our pain and suffering, it is an opportunity to block all the sun and just see the GLORY. GLORY that is coming and realized now. Perhaps we need clear cold nights in life to remind us to pull closer to the One Shining life in us. Life now and Life Forever.

Jeremiah was on a mission, a job, to share God’s Word with wayward Israelites. He needed God’s protection and promise. He ached for the people who didn’t hear. Jesus did too… ached tears and called out to save us from our sin. A crown of thorns chosen to bring the Crown of Glory to save us. We need to see this Glory and share this HOPE. And with hope is healing, awareness, perseverance. 

And we should never forget that God, in His Plan, will bring forth the day of the second coming of Christ, and we best be ready, with eclipse glasses and hearts afire, for we will see the Glory of the brightness of Jesus coming. That crown of Him as our King will ring and angels sing. 

We will be healed too…

Let us Persevere!

Keep an eye to the sky!

Amen 

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Jeremiah 17:14-17

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise.

Indeed they say to me, “Where is the word of the Lord? Let it come now!” As for me, I have not hurried away from being a shepherd who follows You, Nor have I desired the woeful day; You know what came out of my lips; It was right there before You. Do not be a terror to me; You are my hope in the day of doom. 

The Lasting Word

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It’s not unusual to give books away, or find writing in used ones, but when one buys a used copy, like I did last month, it WAS unusual for a greeting card and paper insert to come with it. This is a Jesus Calling devotional book gift re-gifted back to a thrift store which made its way into my hands thru used book selling on ebay, and along with it this card and paper insert, which has God’s Word re-stated for a new audience, me and you. God’s Word is a LASTING WORD. 

The first scripture on the paper is Psalm 24:5 “they will receive a blessing from the Lord. “ ….  YEAH! On the card, it says on the front cover: “In life we may not know which battles we have to fight.” And inside a reminder that God goes with us. (Fitting for this card went to a couple whose husband was recovering from a bad fall) And inside: the scripture is Deuteronomy 3:22 “The Lord God himself will fight for you“… YES! The paper insert is a set of devotions from Guideposts shared at a Sunday school class, especially fitting about a missed Thanksgiving dinner from illness which yielded unexpected blessings the following year that came about BECAUSE of the missed event and the backup plans that got good things going in motion. God works in mysterious ways, YES!!!

So I don’t know why I was the recipient of this card stuck inside the book, that made it all the way to me, but surely someone needs to hear the message, so I will repeat the scripture sentiment: God has this. God has you!!! God has a plan and God will make His Plan – in His Time.

If we cannot see a blessing, it doesn’t mean God can’t make something beautiful, even out of a tragedy. God can and God does… in His Time…

I will count on God – and His Lasting Word.

Amen

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Psalm 5:1-3 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 

Oh Messiah

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Always brings warmth to my heart – to know of Simeon and Anna in the temple and how they knew Jesus – as a babe – both that they knew to wait on the Lord – studied and believed the scriptures and prophets – and that they were able to see the fulfilment of the birth of the Christ Child – the Messiah in Jesus – for the world.

But in Simeon’s truth telling – he clearly knew and said how Jesus would be a stumbling block to many who may have spoke of him as a potential – an earthly king – but could not understand him – or open their hearts to Him as Heavenly king, Messiah. Simeon told us the known future that Jesus would be a dividing force between people who knew and did not want to know.  “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.” And Anna spoke of the redemption brought by this child, Jesus – who is Immanuel, God with us.

Oh – that we would always tell of Who gives our HOPE – that we would always be watching and working for Jesus through the Holy Spirit to open hearts – to tell of the redemption to so many who may hear – oh that they would hear! Oh Jesus – fill us with YOUR WISDOM – become real IN us to serve You and Love You – and share your HOPE. 

Oh Messiah – won’t you open eyes and hearts – this Christmas and always.  

Amen

Luke 2:25-40

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:  “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

I’ll Be Home for Christmas – in My Heart

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People always ask: “Are you ready for Christmas” – ??? – Well, is it best to answer them with my fumbling list of people’s presents not yet purchased let alone conceived? – or say “Well,  at least I got my tree! No decorations but at least I am still watering it. “…. HMMM… I think I will try to answer spiritually next time,  “I’m ready in my heart. “… I’m ready for the true meaning of Christmas in my heart. Amen on that. 

“I’ll be Home for Christmas” – “you can count on me. ” – Oh the song resonates with me and the longing too. But I realized one could sing it in reverse thought – to receive people home for Christmas, like “I’ll be the Home for your Christmas, come Home here.”… Yes, please have all the meaningful Christmas token things here with me at my house… And yes, since my daughter (I hope) will be returning from college (I hope) at least on that overnight and day, to be here (I hope and pray), instead of her independent-apartment-grown-up-lifestyle these days, I’m praying that she comes home for Christmas. I’m blessed she’s independent but I want her to know, both my kids to know, they have a Home with me for Christmas and ALWAYS.  SO, “I’ll be home for Christmas” – “you can count on me” – count on Mom, I will pray they know that, I’m sure they do.

And what about that real meaning of Christmas? Are we standing yearning like Charlie Brown: “Isn’t there anyone who understands what Christmas is all about?” Remember the classic pause in the Peanuts Christmas practice musical for Linus to recite the scripture from Luke 2:8-14, and let us absorb that and keep walking towards that real reason, Jesus IS the One Who beckons us: I’ll be your HOME for Christmas, I will receive you, let Me be your Home inside your heart. Know Me inside you and know My Peace.

Through Jesus, as Christ the Lord God and Savior, we are welcomed Home forever with God. May we also be Home with Him in our hearts everyday. Making a good welcome for Him in JOY.

Amen

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Linus Van Pelt quoting scripture: “And there were in the same country. shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them. And they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of GREAT JOY, which shall be to ALL PEOPLE. For unto you is born this day in the City of David A SAVIOR, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host, praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, Goodwill toward men.’ “

(Photos from an adorable 2 inch book version of Peanuts Christmas.)

Stay a Child of God

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This is one of my favorite non-real biblical fairy tales, an old folk song (link below for Sting singing it) where Joseph was so mad at Mary being with child that he said: “Let the father of the baby gather cherries for you”… Then the cherry trees themselves lowered their branches to the ground. Joseph stood down and apologized. Humbled. MARY GOT HER CHEIRRIES EITHER WAY.

It’s not a real story, no, not in the Bible, but oh the imagery is fantastic and the point of the story is stirring, and the necessary humility that Joseph (and we) need to have for God is both as Creator and Controller – but BETTER THAN THAT, HE IS OUR COMPASSIONATE FATHER.

Humbled yes, but the imagery that holds me captivated is of the trees bending down, it’s the compassion on the Child and the mom, also a child. And Mary happily gathered cherries. Now we also don’t know if Jesus made Mary’s life easy (but surely He would also tell her to enjoy one day at a time) – and we do know that He would be compassionate towards her – and we do know He was obedient to God His Father too.

The truth in this story is that God does love us to be childlike towards Him in acceptance and Joy. We often must “adult” in earthly life, but as for living best, we can acquiesce to a GREATER POWER who molds us and wants to please us at the same time. Imagine life eternal with acceptance of Jesus’s sacrifice for our wrongs – we are released to be children again – forever. 

Let us therefore stay a Child of God, now and forever, enjoy His Warmth of constant attention and love. Enjoy the Christmas Gift of a Christ Child and a Grown Savior.

Amen

“Sting sings cherry tree carol. Live in newcastle dec 2009” on YouTube

LYRICS

When Joseph was an old man, an old man was he
He courted Virgin Mary, the queen of Galilee
He courted Virgin Mary, the queen of Galilee

When Joseph and Mary were walking one day
Here is apples and cherries so fair to behold
Here is apples and cherries so fair to behold

Then Mary spoke to Joseph so meek and so mild
“Joseph, gather me some cherries for I am with child”
“Oh, Joseph, gather me some cherries for I am with child”

Then Joseph flew in anger, in anger he flew
“Oh, let the father of the baby gather cherries for you”
“Oh, let the father of the baby gather cherries for you”

So the cherry-tree bowed low down, low down to the ground
And Mary gathered cherries while Joseph stood down
And Mary gathered cherries while Joseph stood down

Then Joseph took Mary, all on his right knee
Crying, “Lord, have mercy for what I have done”
Crying, “Lord, have mercy for what I have done”

When Joseph was an old man, an old man was he
He courted Virgin Mary, the queen of Galilee
He courted Virgin Mary, the queen of Galilee