Luke 2:1-20

     And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
     (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
     And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
     And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
     To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
     And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
     And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
     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 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 Saviour, 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, good will toward men.
     And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
     And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
     And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
     And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
     But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
     And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

As we commemorate the birth of Christ today, may the light of His Word shine in your hearts
and the glory of His presence be very real to you.

Merry Christmas!

Giving Thanks

When I was young girl, I knew an elderly gentleman who always sang a special hymn around this time of year. He is no longer here on earth to sing this song of praise for us, but his life has left a lasting impact because it evidenced the words he sang. He truly was thankful to God for all of the pleasures as well as through the pains that come along life's journey. When I hear the words to the following song, the memories I have of this dear man whose life was sincere and strong in character because he walked closely with the Lord remind me of how sweet life can be when my focus remains on Christ and when I am truly thankful to Him no matter what the circumstances.

Thanks to God

Thanks to God for my Redeemer,
Thanks for all Thou dost provide!
Thanks for times now but a memory,
Thanks for Jesus by my side!
Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,
Thanks for dark and stormy fall!
Thanks for tears by now forgotten,
Thanks for peace within my soul!

Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,
Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
Thanks for storms that I have weathered,
Thanks for all Thou dost supply!
Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,
Thanks for comfort in despair!
Thanks for grace that none can measure,
Thanks for love beyond compare!

Thanks for roses by the wayside,
Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,
Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!
Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,
Thanks for heavenly peace with Thee!
Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,
Thanks through all eternity!

It is Thanksgiving Day here in the United States (and our Canadian neighbors also had a day set aside for giving thanks just a month ago). Truly every one of us has something to be thankful for - even life itself! Most of us have other good things for which we can be thankful, too - family and friends, shelter, food, and other comforts in life.

But have you ever considered that we can also be thankful for the "bad" things? Trials may come our way, and there may be times of grief or pain, but with those things a strength of character comes when we trust God to work it out. "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (I Thessalonians 5:18) Even in hard times we can find something for which to give thanks.

So, let us look at all that is around us with grateful hearts. "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful to him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." (Psalm 100)

May we truly be thankful to Him for the many ways He shows us His love each day. "Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's." (Psalm 103:1-5) To me, just the wondrous thought of knowing my sins are forgiven fills my heart with gratitude.

I hope you are thankful and that you realize from Whom it all comes. "O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." (Psalm 107:1)

"Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD." (Psalm 150:6)

Apples & Forgiveness, Snakes & Hope

A comment went right over my head at first, and I'm sure it didn't help that I read "snack" as "snake"... but it's interesting. In fact, the more I think about it, the more interesting it becomes.

Oh, shall we begin at the beginning? That's always a good place to start....

About a month ago, I had a wonderful time at the great "Minnesota Get-Together", the Minnesota State Fair. I spent the day with friends, including one who was experiencing its uniqueness for the first time, looking at everything from fine art to socks-on-a-stick. We met up with my uncle and cousin for a while, and of course food was everywhere! That is, if you can call the greasy, fat-laden, artery-clogging stuff there "food" (I guess the fair provides an accurate definition of "junk food"). While some of my friends go to see how much they can consume, I like going for the things there are to see and a souvenir or two to bring home, and that's just what I did. This year, I decided to bring home yet another snake for my collection of Minnesota State Fair Snakes, cut from cloth and filled with plastic pellets. This was much to my mother's dismay because she was never very keen on snakes.

I also told some friends online about my "new pet" and even attached a picture. Responses to him were varied, of course, but one comment especially caused me to think. "If he tries to interest you in a snack, avoid the apples." I can see the humor in it, but I can also find so much more. And it is that which I would like to share with you now.

Apples: one of the fruits typically used to describe the "forbidden fruit" of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, although the exact fruit is was never described. The apple is just symbolic of the real temptation: a "knowledge" that they didn't have. We know that it turned out to be something which Adam and Eve regretted gaining because in order to know the difference between good and evil, they had to experience evil for themselves.

Snakes, the serpent: the creature that was indwelled by the fallen angel who came to tempt mankind, thus cursed above all animals, to slither on his belly and eat the dust of the earth. So there's a lot that's held against the slithering creature, but there's also amazing portrayal of good in a separate Biblical illustration. But wait, there's more!

When the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness, snakes with poisonous bites were used by Jehovah to help His people realize they were sinning against Him. Yet, in His love, He also provided one sole means of healing. He commanded Moses to make a serpent of brass set upon a pole "that everyone that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live." (Numbers 21:8) So when God's people looked upon that snake, He healed each one who had obeyed His command, despite whether they understood or thought it made no sense at all, their obedience was rewarded (but the disobedient died).

And when we jump ahead to when the Israelites were in the Holy Land, we read in John 3:14-15 that Jesus Christ is likened unto that same object of focus God had used when those wandering in the wilderness sought healing, the brazen serpent. "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."

Now, we can look at I Corinthians 15:44b-58 and see how this all ties in with the passage:

As sin entered into the world through the the "first Adam," Christ has come to save us, the spiritually lost. "There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven." Again, God in His love, provided the only hope in Christ, the "Last Adam". "As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly."

As the Israelites in the wilderness were serpent-bitten and died when they looked not unto the brazen serpent, so is mankind a snake-bitten race, spiritually dying of sin. "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption."

You see, the picture in our minds of the wicked one indwelling the snake has an opposite comparison: the serpent in the wilderness, a symbol of hope which became healing and fulfillment to every individual who trusted God. "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"

So the apple's association can also become just the opposite - not our downfall, but our victory! "The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." This passage challenges us, in light of the price of our sin which cost Christ everything, how can we offer Him less than our best? Recently a preacher offered this sobering thought for those of us who are saved: What if, when I stand before the Lord in Heaven someday, He shows me how wonderfully my life would have impacted others for the cause of Christ if only I had continually walked with Him instead of pursuing my own selfish desires?

Sin has already entered the world. There is no longer a forbidden tree. However, there are other things in this world that can be a temptation to us, just as the fruit was to Adam and Eve. Maybe the "apple" in your life is keeping you from going to the One who loves you so much that He willingly took your place and punishment that you may have eternal salvation and forgiveness. Will you continue to let that thing keep you from Him, or will you let the conviction in your soul lead to repentance and a life lived in the grace of God? For born-again Christians, an "apple" may be something that has become more important in our life than our Lord and Saviour.

Let's turn our apples of temptation and sin into memorials of God's mercy and grace. After all, we wouldn't ever experience blessed forgiveness if it weren't for the "apples" in our lives.

My friend, I don't know where you are at spiritually, but God does. It is my hope that, as apples are physically refreshing, this entry will gives you something to refresh your spirit just has it has mine.

Who's Marching Where?

I don't make it out to sports events all that often - not near as much as I used to - so it was a pleasure to go to a Saints game (minor league baseball) yesterday. To say the least, Saints games are lots of fun, and even more so when you're there with a close friend. The announcer's always intent on bringing a smile to your face with the things they say, entertainment between innings, and, of course, baseball itself. Sadly, "my" team didn't win this time, but fun nonetheless.

Throughout the game, clips of familiar tunes were played over the loudspeaker. At one point in the game, they played another song, one that especially caught my attention. From the introductory, I could tell exactly what the song would be. And as the song played, I followed along in my mind. The words to the song are: “Oh when the saints go marching in! Oh when the saints go marching in! [Oh, Lord] I want to be in that number - when the saints go marching in!” The words enclosed in brackets were intentionally left out of course; however, I thought of them anyway because, for me, the song has a greater, deeper meaning. When the song concluded, one question lingered in my mind. "How many people here know the true meaning of the song?" (Hopefully, more than I think, yet still probably not many.)

So what is the true meaning of the song and the depth it has for me? It is a song of celebration of the salvation¹ we have through believing in Christ Jesus.² Anyone who will humble³ himself to trust in Christ alone⁴ to save them from their sins becomes a saint.⁵ And I know, because of the promises written in God's Word, without a doubt⁶ I will be in that number when the saints go marching in.

¹ Romans 3:24 - “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”

² John 6:47 - “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

³ John 6:37 - “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

⁴ Acts 4:12 - “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

⁵ Ephesians 2:19 - “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.”

⁶ I John 5:11-13 - “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

Forever Free

This is a special day for those of us who live in America. It's a day set aside to celebrate the day so very long ago that independence was won for our nation. Freedom. What a wonderful thing it is! And as we stop to commemorate, we must not take for granted the symbols that loudly proclaim our freedom. Our country's flag. The Statue of Liberty. The Liberty Bell. The bald eagle. Our national anthem. The Declaration of Independence. Our soldiers.

Yet, as I think on all these things, another symbol comes to my mind. The cross on which Jesus died. Oh, how grateful I am that He would come to this earth to live a perfect life, then die in my place (and everyone's place!), and rise from the dead to conquer death! He has brought a far greater freedom - an eternal freedom - to anyone who will believe in Him.

I love my country and all that it has given me, but even more I love my Saviour for what He has done for all. It is my prayer on this day of commemoration as we think of the freedoms that were won for us that the true freedom that comes through Jesus Christ will also be loudly proclaimed, and that those who do not yet know Him as their personal, permanent Saviour will come to Him.

Happy Independence Day!

A Father's Love

It's an overcast day, and a father is taking his son fishing. They settle themselves and their gear into the boat and start across the lake... but the waters are rough with the waves cresting into whitecaps. The waves crash against the small vessel and fold over the sides into the boat. Soon the boy begins to make his way to the back of the boat. As the boy huddles near his father he feels a sense of safety even though they must still pass through the middle of the lake where the wind is the strongest and the waves are the roughest. The father, well aware of the tempests, safely and carefully guides the boat to just the spot he had in mind - a calm bay where he knows the rough waves cannot reach.

The son in the story is my dad and the father my grandfather. As my father spoke of this fond memory - one that had happened on more than one occasion - it reminded me of my Heavenly Father's watch-care over me.

The same way this little story shows that my dad viewed his father as his protector, as someone he can trust, as someone who would guide and keep him safe, so our Heavenly Father is to us. "But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil." (Proverbs 1:33)

My grandfather knew just the right fishing spot to bring my father to - a place of calm amidst the rough waters - and safely guided my father there. Our Heavenly Father's presence provides courage and peace in the midst of the turmoil and storms of life. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3) He has a plan for our lives and is leading us along the right way. "Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee." (Psalm 143:8) "As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him." (Psalm 18:30) Much more control than my grandfather was capable of having, our Heavenly Father controls all things. "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." (Matthew 28:18)

I'm so very blessed to have a great dad, but I know that not everyone can say this for themselves. Perhaps, someone reading this is disheartened at the image which reflections of their own dad bring to mind. Like my maternal grandma's dad, a drunkard who gambled away his earnings instead of providing for his family's needs. Yet another may even have been deserted or never had a chance to know their father at all. Do you know that it's not too late to be born again into the family of God? Become a child of His to know what this kind of love is really all about. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) Christ also said, "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand." (John 10:28-29)

I'd like to wish a happy Father's Day to my dad, and to all the dads that may be reading this. I encourage you to keep modeling the Great Eternal Father above. I imagine some of you dads may have regrets or feel that it's too late to be the great dad you wish you could have been. None of us is perfect which is why Jesus came to suffer and die for our sins. Let me tell you the rest of the second story - the one about my great-grandfather who failed his wife and kids. Near his death, he trusted Christ as his personal Saviour. Christ clothed him in His righteousness before taking him home to glory. May our resurrected Lord fill you with hope and joy as you trust Him with your life. "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:14)

The Craven and the King's Son

Do you enjoy poetry? I certainly do! One of the many reasons is because it's a means of expressing one's self and putting into words what might otherwise be hard to say or describe.

The other day I decided to look for a poem that I had to memorize when I was in school. As I learned it, it had become one of my favorites. A brief search yielded the poem I was looking for, and it was even better than I remembered it to be. As I read it for the first time in so long, I noticed how there were analogies of the Christian life that could be taken from it - although I don't know if that was the intent of the author. I'd like to share this special poem with you.

Opportunity
Edward Rowland Sill

This I beheld, or dreamed it in a dream:
There spread a cloud of dust along the plain;
And underneath the cloud, or in it, raged
A furious battle, and men yelled, and swords
Shocked upon swords and shields. A prince's banner
Wavered, then staggered backward, hemmed by the foes.
A craven hung along the battle's edge,
And thought, "Had I a sword of keener steel -
That blue blade that the king's son bears, - but this
Blunt thing - !" He snapt and flung it from his hand,
And lowering, crept away and left the field.
Then came the king's son, wounded, sore bestead,
And weaponless, and saw the broken sword,
Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden sand.
And ran and snatched it, and with a battle-shout,
Lifted afresh he hewed his enemy down,
And saved a great cause that heroic day.

One of the meanings this poem holds for me is concerning the area of talents which are instilled in each of us by God our Creator. To those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, He has also given special gifts for the use of ministering to others.

In today's world, there is so much emphasis put on how your abilities and capabilities compare to those of others. It can be easy to feel you don't measure up to someone else or even feel that their talents are "better" or "worth more" than your own. It's a two-fold lie that hinders what we can do for our Lord. First of all, we ought not to compare ourselves to others. The only One we need to compare ourselves to is Jesus. As God's children, we need to focus on His Word and continuously ask ourselves if we are becoming more like Christ. Secondly, it can also influence us to don a quitting attitude instead of using what we have, as if to say, "I can only do 'this', but if I had the talent of 'so-and-so', I could do so much more." God has a reason He has given us the talents and gifts that He has designed for us. The talents He has given to us are the ones that He knows we will use best as long as we remember that our talent really belongs to Him anyway.

Will you be like the craven who was envious and wouldn't use what he had, or will you be like the king's son who used what was available to him to win the battle and save a great cause? Christians are in a battle, you know, a spiritual battle; our cause is Jesus Christ and telling others about His saving power and grace. Will you help win the battle for God?

The book of Revelation promises a victory in the end, yet until then, each day is a battle to be fought. I've chosen to be courageous in the opportunities of life's journey so that I may say, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" (II Timothy 4:7-8). Is this your choice as well?

Or perhaps you're reading this thinking that the Christian life is powerless - "this blunt thing". Please read other entries in my blog; there are several which reference verses from the Bible about salvation. This is your opportunity to possess freedom like none other: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).