Moving on

Life is full of changes based on our decisions. A friend sent a query this morning that got me thinking. "What do you think of when you hear 'spiritual transformation,'" he asked.

I could think of only one word for any kind of transformation, whether physical, spiritual, mental, vocational, or emotional.

"Change."

This afternoon my beloved swim spa went up the driveway. Loaded on a flatbed truck, it's destined for its new home in Oregon. Someone snapped it up as soon as I posted it on Craigslist. The buyer offered me a little extra money to hold it until they could pick it up. The big fiberglass pond wasn't going anywhere on its own, so I agreed.

Everyone who knows how I love to swim asked why I sold it. Besides the expense of heating it, I was the only one who used it: it wasn't a priority for the rest of the family. The garage was really full with it taking up an entire bay, and the two-foot-wide path to the freezer got annoying.

The pool leaked slightly from one of the connectors underneath, and that never seemed to get fixed. The level would drop so the water jets hit the back of my neck instead of creating a smooth stream to swim against. Ouch. Refilling meant treks with the hose, then waiting hours for the water to heat before swimming.

The swim spa's electric breaker would trip when the electricity surged or blinked, so I'd come down all ready to swim... only to find the water a frosty temperature or at the autoset of 100oF. I'd have to reset the heater before heading back upstairs to change. Another wait for a swim.

I reckon I was swimming less than half the year, with all the variables. It was available only December to June the year before, and I used it twice since last summer. The unreliability just got old.

Recently, I joined an exercise class that challenges me and gets me moving at 6am, a few times a week. Someone else maintains the room and it's always ready when I walk in. I don't look at anything but the interior of the car on my way into the gym. The change rooms are orderly. Someone telling me what to do means I don't think about quitting early. (Ok, so I think about it, but I never leave before it's over!)

I'll miss having a private pool, especially as I'm thinking about the steady chugging of feet kicking and arms pulling against the warm current. How I enjoyed those swims! I'll probably never find a swim spa again. But it's time for change.

Sometimes you know when change is coming, and sometimes it's just sitting in the garage, doing nothing except take up space until you recognize a different season. You know it's the right time for change when you sigh with relief as life moves on or the swim spa trolls up the street.

One last look

Paul and his companions were  home from a missions trip, full of good news and relief money for the church in Jerusalem. They checked in with James and the church elders.

After the report was over, the leaders said, "Good work, buddy. Thanks be to God," and had a request. "Not everyone thinks you're doing things right, Paul. Thousands of Jews in the city believe you're violating laws and encouraging Gentiles not to be moral or upright. We think we've figured out a way to change that."

Paul replied, "Why not, if you think it will help the Church."

He began the prescribed, week-long Jewish ritual with several fellow believers. He even agreed to foot the bill for everybody to prove his sincerity. That should have worked. Should have cleared his name. Should have appeased Jews who were libeling the Church and Paul.

He almost made it. But near the end of the seven-day ritual, some outsiders came along and stirred up the locals. Pretty soon everyone was screaming at Paul, trying to rip him apart as he worshiped in the Temple. The agitators pulled Paul outside into the courtyard and the Temple door was slammed shut behind them. Things got so violent that Roman soldiers had to intervene. The Romans held Paul in prison... for his own safety.

As Paul was dragged off, he may have glanced back at the Temple with its doors closed against him. This was the place on which his life had been centered as a rabbi and as a faithful Jew growing up.

"What just happened? I love this place. I've never done anything to disrespect it, and everyone knows it. I've served God with all my heart, planted churches, taught the gospel. Today I was going the extra mile, exactly as my church leaders requested."

As far as scripture reports, this may have been Paul's last look at the Temple. He had no idea that his obedience and appeasement were sending him to two years of prison in Caesarea, dangerous journeys across land and sea,  and would culminate in a long imprisonment in Rome.

I've watched the doors clang shut behind several excellent ministers. Sure, a few people said they were doing a good job along the way. But the positive voices were drowned out. They might have done something silly that made someone mad. They may not have toed the line as they reached out to the community. But most of them had done nothing at all, except serve God with all their hearts.

Sometimes the pastors and missionaries were ousted by a crowd yelling for blood. But sometimes the bloodbath began as a quiet series of backroom manipulation by church influencers, ending in votes for "outa here!"

How crushing to the spirit - and maybe to our confidence in God - to know we have done our best... and it hasn't been enough. Through no fault of our own - or maybe because of a misstep we'd avoid, knowing what we know now - we face a move, looking for another church or mission, uprooting the children from school, and a long process of healing and forgiveness.

Paul's heroism was that he continued steadily in doing what he was called to do (Acts 20:24). He was not diverted or angered into quitting. His later letters show a mellower side (Galations) of forgiveness and grace, modeling how God had forgiven his own failings. We would be poorer without the Pauline corpus in the New Testament, much of it written during difficult times and persecution.

What new things and blessings is God writing into your life, into your family, into His Church, and into eternity... while you feel like you are being crucified instead of appreciated?

Read more:
*“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12 NIV

*But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 NASB

Poem

I learned from this poem. Hope you do, and that you think about your journey as you read it below. (Here's the link.)

AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN FIVE SHORT CHAPTERS

by Portia Nelson

I

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I fall in.
I am lost ... I am helpless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes me forever to find a way out.

II

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in the same place
but, it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

III

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in ... it's a habit.
my eyes are open
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

IV

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

V

I walk down another street.

Forest view

Our house was built for Christian hospitality. We're always looking for ways to make our home more useful and beautiful. 


Crate and Barrel was selling off Christmas stuff, just like other retailers. We picked up a Christmas display unit. I intend to re-purpose the four customizable shelves as greenhouse trays this spring. 


Rarely one to think within a plexiglass box, I've temporarily reinvented it for vegetable and fruit storage. It's an easy step from the kitchen door to glance at what is available for juicing and cooking. 


Waldemar may be a theologian and academic but he is rare among peers because he's also skilled in practical things. He's great at building things I design. But he has good ideas of his own, too. 


The sun porch emerged this fall. W was getting ready to replace rotting cedar on the back deck again. He priced hardwood decking and figured he could enclose the space for about the same price.


W worked evenings and weekends, tearing up the old decking before laying down a new sub-floor. He installed insulated greenhouse roofing and built frames around double-paned windows salvaged from patio sliders. Then he sliced 2"X10" boards for 1" pine flooring, which will be stained medium brown to match the house flooring when it warms up.


W finished the initial phase the Sunday before Christmas. The sofas from the LR were placed in the space for December, and we immediately used the sunroom for overflow Christmas entertaining.


After the holidays, we took our chaises, a patio table, and two chairs from storage. With a few blankets and a space heater,  we are enjoying the forest views even though it's winter outside.


I'm so proud of my husband's work! Isn't it beautiful? 


Read more:

*Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. Psalm 147:1-5 NIV

*Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV

*Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:1-2 NEV

High trust

"Rosemarie... Trust me.-------I have everything under control. ------Jesus"

A decade ago, Margaret gave me those words on the 4X7" sheet of laminated paper that I keep propped up on my office window sill. It hung on the mirror of the piano studio to keep me sane during another rendition of "Twinkle Little Star." It sat in my alumni office as I served and prayed for alums, and then came home to roost beside stacks of dissertation research.

I'm reminded that 2011 is an artificial designation, honored by the eternal God who works inside time. Our "New Year" is just another day on God's calendar. Scripture tells us, "His mercies are new every morning."

That means that even a week into the year, God's care is sustaining us. We can rely on him today, whatever our circumstances. Whatever our challenges. Whatever the "new" looks like on our resolution calendar.

It seems easier for nature to cooperate with God. Animals take a leap of faith daily, trusting him for each meal. The trees grow toward the sun, the rain falls, the water laps the shore in ceaseless rhythm.
 
Oh, that we could have the same confidence in the One who promised never to leave us or forsake us!

Read more:

*O God, You are my God. Early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory.  

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. Psalm 63:1-4 NKJV

*And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20 NEV

Say the words

A few things you never want to hear.

• "Hey, did you scrape the snow off the windshield yet?" from your pilot.
• "Wasn't the street right here?" when you're ready to get in the car.
• "Oops, we've got three less tools on the tray than we had going in," from your surgeon as he or she sews you up.

Everyone thrives on sincere praise. We stand a little taller with a "Well done!" from our parent or our boss. We like to hear the new outfit looks good on us. For those of us who have begun to exercise or changed eating habits, it's nice to have someone notice the pounds melting away or our firmed-up silhouettes.

It surprises me how hard it is for some people to give compliments. They want to be noticed, but never pass along a nice word to others. 

Sometimes parents critique little details of progress in their child. What's our response to: "Look, Mom, I put my red skirt with this blouse. I think it looks great, don't you?" or "Here's a drawing I made for you in class."

Are we inclined to "help" with these words? "Well, I think the reds are a little off and don't match." Or, "Those stripes don't go with that pattern." The child would walk away crushed, when it would have cost so little to the parent (and meant so much to the child) to be affirmed.

Some people are generous only to manipulate, compare themselves favorably, or when it is in their best interests. "I noticed you were still working at 7.30pm last night. I was writing my report until 8. What a late night, huh?" Or, "Your suit looks good. I saw one just like it at Nordstrom Rack on the weekend. I bought this there." Or, "Cool that your son hit a fastball during the game. My son caught two pop flies, too. What a great team."

Likewise, some bosses control their employees with criticism, intimidation, and unrealistic expectations, ensuring failure and a dread for the job. Eventually the employee gives up trying to please or achieve, not giving best efforts, clocking in and out to collect a paycheck. In retrospect, this memory is really funny: one of my supervisors pointed to the tissue box on her table during my initial interview, remarking that I would be in her office crying, at some point of working for her. "Just expect it. Everyone cries in here." When I asked why, she said she sometimes made people cry because they thought she was harsh.

"What?! I don't think so!" snapped my inner dialogue. I remained cautious ever after, anticipating words from someone accustomed to dominating rather than supporting her team.

In contrast, God speaks good things without coercion or hidden agendas. He is openly delighted in his children and unstinting in his kindness to those who know him.

• "I love you because you are mine, but I sent my Son to die for you even before you knew me."
• "Ask and you will receive, knock and the door will be opened."
• "Confess your sins and I will forgive them."
• "I send the sunshine and rain on the good and the evil."

In this year, let's put effort into noticing others at work and rest. How about affirming carefulness in dress, hospitality, and friendships? Let's speak words that lift and support, carry and enlighten. Let's be unstinting and generous with praise to everyone, saying thanks where it is due. 

We might occasionally notice some of those words coming back to heal our own hearts, too.

Read more:

*The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. Psalm 145:8-9 NIV

*"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18-19 NEV

*Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10 NEV 

Old and new leaves, transitioning 2010 into 2011

We're "turning over a new leaf" in 2011, brushing aside the old foliage of the past year. Many of us make resolutions at this time of year. Some make elaborate plans to improve themselves. Others have simpler goals: 

• "Be happier." 
• "Lose the fat." 
• "Exercise faithfully." 
• "Read through the Bible." 
• "Find a spouse."
• "Attend church regularly." 
• "Teach my children manners."
• "Make friends at the office."
• "Volunteer more."
• Etc. We're shooting for big, general - and random - goals without planning details to reach them. Our resolutions are more sighs and wishes than strategic focus.

I usually land somewhere between well-articulated goals and sloppy evaluations. I take out my journal the last week of the year to reflect on what went right and what went askew. Then I think about what might be important in the new year.

Once again, I accomplished a few things I am happy about, but did a few things wrong. Being honest about what we did well is harder for some people than self-critique. Others only want to look back positively, reluctant to be honest enough to admit, "I was a flop at..." or, "I should have done better at..."


This year, I intend to compare journals of the past ten years, asking questions to expose three patterns:

1. Are there successes and giftings that could be developed further in 2011?
2. What do I resolve year after year that NEEDS a change in attitude or behavior? Can such a transformation be activated by spiritual growth or does it depend on other disciplines?
3. What dreams are unrealized or unfulfilled? Am I hanging on to worthless ideals when God has changed my life's direction? Or are those dreams still worth pursuing? If so, how can I move step-by-step toward them?

I don't know how honest we can be with ourselves. We see through a glass dimly, not only when looking at God and others, but also when examining ourselves. Some day, scripture promises we will know as we are known. On that day, we will be stunned by our blindness, surprised by God's grace, and terrified by the extent of His mercy. 

In the meantime, I'm planning a few hours of solitude to meditation on scripture and reflect on my own journey. I want to move toward God's desires and opportunities in the coming days and months.

How will you bring 2010 to a close and walk into 2011?

Read more:
*Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV

*We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6 NIV

Christmas Day 2010

"Thanks be to God through our Lord Jesus Christ..."

I woke up this Christmas morning thinking about the splendor of the world he made. The wet deck outside our bedroom attested to nighttime rain. The wind whipped through the 20' fir boughs beyond. I could hear the clanging of my new wind chimes (hear them at audio via the link), hanging by the enclosed atrium W built this fall.

It's a quiet Christmas, begun by a long walk with the dogs. In the kitchen to complete clean-up of Christmas Eve celebrations, I was overcome with God's provisions. We often thank God for Jesus Christ our Lord, born as a baby, dying for our sins on the cross. 

This morning I thought about the years between Jesus' birth and death. Mary cooking breakfast and Joseph headed to his work, Jesus at his heels. The years of routines, like annual temple visits, synagogue lessons, and scripture memorization. Sitting around the table with relatives. Doing chores so the family could eat. 

How blessed we are to have traditions and wealth - food, clothing, shelter in abundance - from God's hands. Our living room is still upside down while we wait for our daughter to wake. The built-in vacuum howls under the guest room: better let her sleep in after the excitement of 25 guests. Our family came for lunch and an adoption celebration (for a nephew, photo above). W's family joined us for turkey dinner. 

A few months ago, I met a lovely Swiss couple walking in the neighborhood. We were tickled to have them, 2-yr-old Maurin, and baby Giana-Maria at our tables. Maurin pounded the piano's bass notes as we sang carols (boom boom, our own little drummer boy!) Dominic and Regina played a few carols on their trombones, to the delight of all. We made it all the way through the first verse of Stille Nacht and got lost in the words on the second verse.

The grandmas had brought their offerings of cake and cookies, while our dear daughters-in-love brought home-baked fudge and pumpkin cheesecake. I'd prepped most of the food the day before, and the tables were in place from Monday's NU faculty event. The day ran smoothly.

Sure, our sofas are still in the atrium, the last load of dishes in in the dishwasher, pots and turkey roaster are drying in the oven. I'm not quite through the post-celebration reordering, though W already put away two extra tables and the stacking chairs. 

We have no plans but "rest" and "gratefulness" today. I'm staggered by the things our culture takes for granted. We have more than enough... of everything. 

To know that we have salvation, grace, and peace from God as well? I am simply overwhelmed with thanksgiving to our Savior on this Christmas morning.

Read more:
*Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:4-7 NKJV

*For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NIV

There'll be no Christmas...

Just saw on the news that Iraqi believers are canceling Christmas celebrations. (Security forces patrol churches in Iraq, photo left.) The "peaceful" religion of Islam is once again systematically targeting Christians for annihilation. Horrible attacks on Iraqi churches and Christ-followers are propelling believers out of the country or into keeping a low profile. I am smokin' mad.

I think people should choose how to worship, though I am a devout Christian who believes in Jesus as only Savior. God lets us choose our life journey though not every path leads to him. When we offer his Good News to others, we must let them decide whether to accept or reject it.

The USA and Canada were unashamedly and openly Christian in the past. Christmas and Easter were national celebrations. Today, Christians have to fight the courts to hold Christian events in civic places, ostensibly because such might offend someone from another religion or an atheist with a clever lawyer.

Though the US Constitution was not signed only by devout Christians, it created room for the peaceful coexistence of personal faith, institutional practice, and government. Separation of Church and State meant government was forbidden to obstruct the practice of Christianity, as well as other faiths. That forbidding of Government interference in the religiosity of its citizens has been eroded as legislators impose laws barricading public and private faith from civic life.

What sheer stupidity to be so "politically correct" that we allow the open practice of faith to be eaten away, one law at a time, a little here and there, by those who take offence to Christianity. Let those bothered by Judeo-Christian morality who want Islamic rules go live under a Muslim government. Let those who want no Christian celebrations move to an atheistic country and enjoy anarchy or communist-style controls. Want amoral government? Go to a place where every favor is dependent on a bribe, every political position determined by nepotism and corruption. But please don't impose such trials on North America in the name of civil liberties!

Care for the poor and needy, opportunities for holistic creativity and enterprise, and communities that watch out for their neighbors are biblical plumb-lines that created our national conscience and social standards for centuries. Sadly, we Christians haven't lived up to our core values.

Yet how has anyone benefited by rejecting Christian morality and the Ten Commandments as societal foundations? In real life, are our bosses more dedicated to the well-being of their employees? Are our neighbors and their children more trustworthy? Are our coworkers more honest and hard-working? Would we leave our kids alone with adult acquaintances? If not, what has eroded our feelings of peace and safety more than our undermining of biblical morality?

Within a generation, we may have an entire rewriting of what it means to worship. In places like Iraq, Muslims are killing, maiming, and impoverishing my Christian brothers and sisters. And Iraq may be the signpost of the future if the so-called "religion of peace" takes over in the West. Growing anti-Christian sentiments in my home country deeply offend me as a one-sided attack against the benefits of truly Christian holiness, goodness, and righteousness.

Where Islam dominates, there is a sharp difference between Muslim and non-Muslim, male and female, servant and employer. What a direct contrast to Christian egalitarianism. The biblical statement of "there is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, slave nor free," carries beyond the Church's walls into a healthy society.

No evidence suggests today's Islam comes to the West to coexist peacefully with us. Robert E. Webber sounds his warning in his book, "Who Gets to Narrate the World?" Muslims intend to take over, and admit it in their own propaganda and literature. They hope to do so within a generation. How?

• Muslims encourage big families. Many children mean more votes in Western-style democracies. Within a generation, Muslims may simply outvote Christians in North America and Europe to bring in their own laws and cultures.
• Muslim solidarity against outsiders (infidels) means many Islamists will vote for radical Muslim agendas if the other choice is a Christian's or other religion's proposal... even if it means losing privileges and freedoms.
  
• Muslims entice spiritual seekers with promises of peace and surrender to God. But Islam demands only conformity to a culture and rituals. Unlike Christianity, it does not require transformation of the heart. 
• Islam attracts people with its simple legalism (5 Pillars of duty) and an equally simple entry formula. Conversion requires no spiritual rebirth, only a simple statement that Allah is the only God and Mohammed is his prophet.
• American prisoners, the disenfranchised, and immigrants are targeted for conversion to Islam, especially among African Americans and Latinos with backgrounds in Catholicism or other formal traditions.
  
• Muslim militants recruit dissatisfied and rebellious youngsters in the West to destroy their own culture in the name of religion. Many acts of terror are now perpetrated by silly young men and women, caught in the webs of extremest lies and loyalties.
  
• Worldwide, Muslims are ruthlessly and systematically wiping out Christians and other religious adherents in their own nations. (Try to name one Muslim country that is truly welcoming and peaceful toward Christianity or other faiths.)
• I have lovely Muslim friends who decry violence, but they are quiet voices in a religion that is increasingly militant because of Islam's core values. "Kill the infidel" is climbing on Islam's to-do list. Radical imams preach from their holy book to encourage their followers to earn spiritual capital by killing anyone outside their particular brand of Islam.
• The Islamic religion continually and loudly demands freedom to worship in North American neighborhoods. However, one of Islam's core beliefs is that if a mosque is erected, that ground belongs to Muslims forever. There's no converting a mosque into a modern funky dwelling like is done with abandoned churches. A mosque proclaims itself as holy ground from its consecration day onward... and they're not giving it back, ever. EVER.
• Muslims use Christianity's respect for others, including freedom of speech, to promote their own agendas. They do not offer similar concessions to other faiths in Muslim-controlled countries. For example, Saudi Arabia funds development in poorer countries, they specify that Muslims get the best jobs, have educational privileges, etc.
• Muslims do not feel obligated to offer the religious respect, accommodation, or political correctness toward Christianity that they expect for themselves in the USA. Threaten to burn a Koran? Worldwide protests from Muslims, so the American government bends over backwards to prevent it. Shred hundreds of Bibles in Saudi Arabia? Burn Bibles on American military bases in Afghanistan? Fine, let the pieces fall, the smoke rise, and ignore any objections from Christians.

Perhaps, just maybe, if we Christians lived up to the claims of Christ, foreign gods would lose their appeal and gain no foothold on our soil.

Read more:
*O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:9-11 KJV

*Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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!” Luke 2:8-14 NKJV

Stepping into the light

I'm tired of Christians skulking around as though they had something to be ashamed of.


No one acts embarrassed when they place a metal or wood statue prominently in their house or office, hoping it provides tranquility. Nobody gets too excited when an acquaintance mentions their trip to a Zen spa or Buddhist retreat, either. Suddenly, it's popular to talk about the "the god within," or "Myself as god." Knowing myself and others as I do, that seems like scary storytelling... and truly creative fiction.


I've been reading historical documents - including politics and culture - from the turn of the C20 century to about 1920. Without apology, politicians, teachers, and community leaders referred to their faith in Jesus Christ as an anchor, their source of wisdom and knowledge, and the basis for justice and a healthy society. The American Presidents extolled Christianity. They prayed for the nation out loud, front and center, without generating scorn and suspicion from the news media, coworkers, or onlookers.

But tell someone today that you're singing in a Christmas production or volunteering at church? It's like you fell off the turnip truck and contracted a red-neck contagion that could wipe out civilization and drive us backward into the Dark Ages.

Silly us. We're hoarding precious treasure that provides meaning and safety, peace and forgiveness, renewal and joy. In other words, we have access to everything people say they're looking for. God's promise to us and for our children is that our Heavenly Father will take care of his own. He sent his only Son to make peace between Creator and creations. He came in power, helplessness, supernaturally and mysteriously became "God with us."

If anyone's asking, my hand's up with an answer to his generous offer: "Pick me! Pick me! I accept! A relationship with you is what I want this season. Thank you for all you've done, God."

Let's proclaim the Good News, stepping into the light and bringing others with us this Christmas.


Read more:
*The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. Isaiah 9:2-3 NIV

*Arise, shine; for your light has come! and the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. 

The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes all around, and see: they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be nursed at your side.


Then you shall see and become radiant, and your heart shall swell with joy; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you. Isaiah 60:1-5 NKJV

*Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 

On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21 NIV