A Merry Christmas to all...

While I have carved out some time in past days to spend at the foot of the Master, I have NOT been carving out time to blog about it. I know you've really been missing my reflections. Today I am back with thoughts on Christmas.

Isaiah 9:6&7a - "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. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end."

This is by far my favorite "Christmas" verse, first of all, because in such times of economic turmoil and corrupt government, it is reassuring to be reminded of who truly governs all. I also love these verses because I feel they encompass key aspects of God's character.

Wonderful COUNSELOR: "But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his." Job 12:13

"You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny." Psalm 73:24

"But the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." John 14:26

MIGHTY God: "O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours?" Deut. 3:24

"He is wise in heart and mighty in strength..." Job 9:4

"The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting." Psalm 50:1

"..for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name." Luke 1:49

EVERLASTING FATHER: "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - " John 1:12

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." Rev. 1:8

Prince of PEACE: "You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all." Acts. 10:36

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do no give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

What an awesome God we serve, to send Jesus Christ to this earth, not only to rescue us with his love and mercy from the consequences that our sin deserves, but also to give us a model of Himself which we can give praise to and seek to imitate in our own lives.

Merry Christmas to all!!

Today's reading reflected on the world into which Christ was born and how insignificant His birth probably was to that world in comparison to political and cultural issues that were happening. Not unlike today when the birth of our children, while a huge event to us and our extended families, makes no immediate impact on the world at large in comparison to war, recession, politics. And yet, while not acknowledged at the time, Christ's birth DID impact the world of his day and continues to impact even ours today. Enormously. Because of Christ's birth we HAVE a life, and we have an eternal future to anticipate.
This topic caused me to think about what kind of impact I am having on the world. It's unlikely that national newspapers will ever be splashing my name across the headlines (thank goodness), and residents of far-off countries (or even the majority of ours) will almost certainly never hear of me. But when God calls me home in His perfect timing, will I leave here having made an eternal difference in somebody's life? This is quickly becoming my greatest hope. I'm ashamed to admit it hasn't always been. If nothing else, I pray that my children are influenced to influence others in the name of Christ through my example. And in this way perhaps the world at large will, in the long run, be impacted by God's work through me.
I want to start thinking bigger - to eternity - and not be so temporily-minded.

Impossibilities

If, like me, you've grown up in the church (or, really, anywhere not under a rock) you're familiar with the account of Jesus' birth, including the heads-up given to Mary by the angel, Gabriel. We who know this story know about the fact that Mary was probably quite young and also a virgin, which makes the fact that she became pregnant the ultimate oxymoron. Luke 1:26-38, this account of Gabriel's appearance to Mary, ends with this exchange between the two:

Gabriel: For nothing is impossible with God. (This, after he has just announced that not only will she, a virgin, be giving birth to God's own Son but that her apparently old relative, Elizabeth, would also be giving birth to a significant figure in God's salvation plan).
Mary: I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said.

It's true that there could be details to this story that have been omitted in its telling (perhaps the part where Mary FREAKS out). As it is, all we're given is "Mary was greatly troubled", her question: "How will this be?", and then verse 38 where she appears to accept it all calmly and with an unshaken faith. That is the faith I desire to possess. One that does not rely on me, on the world's perception of "normal" (ie: virgins can't give birth), or anything outside of the unending possibilities that are within God's capabilities. That is the key verse that I believe God is asking me to grasp today: "For nothing is impossible with God." I'm no virgin about to give birth or anything, but I do have 3 young children who have tested every sane faculty I possess this week (not to mention the four years prior to this week). I have limited finances yet a desire to climb out of debt right now. I have people in my life battling illnesses that seem inconquerable and wrestling with deep-seated hurts. I see an unknown future stretching ahead of me. I fail daily at exercising the faith I know is possible and see in Mary. Yet NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD. Could it be any clearer? God humbled himself to become like us in all our fallen humanity. Yet he was not fallen. He took upon himself, through his Son, all of our brokeness and sin, so that we would not have to spend eternity seperated from His loving presence. He has already done the seemingly impossible. Now it's up to me to give up all my notions of what can be done and to surrender my will and control over my life.

There is no relevant title for this post since my brain is a little too fried to even come up with one. We're on day 5 of having two sick boys (JJ and Ben both have colds), and if you know me you know I'm not really used to being cooped up in my house for more than a day. So to be on the 4th day of cabin fever is really testing me. I literally cried out to God this morning to rescue me. Or at least fill me with the compassion and patience I am so desperately lacking. All that aside....
I caught a few brief moments this morning to meditate once again on this Advent season and to pray as well. I would like to interject here that something I feel is a continual work in progress for me is LISTENING as much as doing the talking. That's a real challenge for me. To get quiet enough to really sense what the Lord wants to say to me.
This morning's reading dealt with Santa's role in this whole Christmas season. Odd, I know. James and I did not grow up "celebrating" Santa, and our children aren't either. We don't really have anything against the guy, we just prefer to focus all of our energies on the true Reason for the Season, Jesus Christ. The author of my devotional made a good point that an important element of the incarnation of Christ into man was to redeem the secular. There is nothing on earth so profane that God cannot redeem it. He also referenced his own childhood and Santa's role in it, how this man was presented to him by his parents as one who was so filled with joy and love about the Savior's birth that he would go all around the world for the sole purpose of giving to others. And throughout his younger years Santa never clashed with his worship of Christ. It was almost an extension of it. Anyway, all this to say that the Claus was presented to me in a whole new light this morning, and I was also convicted by that statement that the incarnation was meant to redeem the secular. Truly, we have been created to be in the world but not of it, spreading the good news of our greatest Gift.

Backward and Upside Down

My Advent meditations from yesterday and today deal with two different topics and yet the same idea. Yesterday's reading came from Isaiah, and the meditation reflected on not only Judah's but also our need for a Savior. And this Savior came not as people expected: triumphant, kingly, with a sword in His fist. Instead He was lowly, clothed in human flesh, born of a woman. A baby. He became one of us to save us.
Today's meditation began by recounting the lineage of Jesus (which, for some reason this Christmas season, I keep coming across this geneology in different messages/sermons/meditations, etc.). The point was made that this lineage is full of unknowns, sinners, outsiders. There are a plethora of imperfect people leading down the line to Christ.
The idea that keeps coming back to me this Christmastime, no less so in the aforementioned readings, is that our God is not one who does things according to our human expectation. He is a God whose ways are so much higher than our ways and whose thoughts are so much higher than our thoughts. And, strangely, the older I get the more comfort I take in this thought. I don't want a God that I can understand and figure out because what kind of God would that make Him? Certainly not all-knowing, all-powerful, if puny me can dissect His ways and reasoning. I love that God blew open all expectations of the Messiah, all preconceived ideas of rescue and salvation by sending a tiny baby boy born in a cold, deserted stable, descended from a sordid line of truly human beings. This gives me a feeling of safety in His loving hands, during those times when life does not go along as I expect it to and as things do not work out according to my expectations, knowing that God's plan, though difficult for me to see and understand, will be perfectly executed in His time.

Accountability

With the creation of several other blogs, this one has clearly fallen to the wayside, but I've been inspired to start using it as a means of spiritual accountability. Why, after 32 years of life, I still fall short in the area of daily alone time with the Lord, I just do not know. Well, that's not entirely true. I do know. It's a product of my choices which often are not based on what is top priority but just top desire. So I hope to start making a daily record of what I feel God is saying to me through the reading of His word and time spent in prayer. Just knowing that I've put this in writing and that it's out and about in cyberspace where hopefully a few of you will read it will help in keeping me accountable. And so I begin....
This morning I began an Advent devotional which I have already found to be a powerful reminder of the true Reason for this Christmas season. The author, Jeffrey DeVries (the title is Unto Us a Child... if you're interested), shares his meditation on the question "What child is this?", the essential question leading into this Advent season. I could relate to his struggle to ask such a "hard" question as this, a question that must be answered not just with our head but with our whole being. And sometimes we don't like to ask those types of questions because we know it will require an answer that costs us. The question "What child is this?" leads us to the answer: our Savior. The God of heaven who chose to come to earth as one of us, wrapped up in a broken, fallible body. And why? Because of his GRACE. Recognizing and accepting that our God has made this sacrifice for us certainly requires something in return: our surrender. Surrendering our ways, desires, wishes, and will. Surrendering them once and for all. Killing them. Stone cold dead, in DeVries' words. Basking in the Lord's grace means that when I know the answer to "what child is this?", "I am called to do more than know the answer. I am called to live it." That is no easy task in a world so fallen as ours.
In preparation for the devotional, I read the suggested passage of Isaiah 40. I love this portion in the Bible for so many reasons! For one thing, many of the passages are set to music in Handel's Messiah, which is my absolute favorite selection of music this time of year. Secondly, there is so much encouragement from the Lord in these verses: particularly is verses 28 - 31 (for those of us raised in the faith, the well-known passage about soaring on wings like eagles). I was reminded again that my way is not hidden from the Lord. He sees me and knows my needs. He is a God of everlasting strength and is able to renew mine as I hope in Him. I was also encouraged by verses 17 and 23. In this time of political turmoil and disappointment wrought by our world leaders, it is a blessing to know that there is one more powerful than the president, one in better control than any dictator, king, or general. One who sees, knows, and directs all. Our Savior God. "Before him all nations are as nothing...He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing." I know He can also use these rulers for His purposes but the point is just that....HIS purposes. Not those of fallen man.
And to end today, I give you verses 10 and 11 which paints a dual picture of the God we serve, emphasizing both His power and His loving mercy:
"See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."
As a mom I am particularly blessed today by that last part, knowing that He gently leads me as I strive to gently lead my young.

Open-minded

I recently (ok, today) reached my limit with the term "open-minded" probably because it was coming from someone who I feel is decidedly NOT. I know some people I dearly love will get nervous to hear me railing on this term, so let me be clear on my beef with the whole issue. I believe open-minded is an ambiguous term that is more often than not used by people because they believe it gives the impression they are tolerant. And, of course, what could be more important than being tolerant of one and all in this day and age of "anything goes" and "whatever works for you"? What I really think this term indicates is that these same people feel safe saying whatever the heck they want about anyone they want without regard for consequences. Consequences of offending or hurting anyone and their particular beliefs because, gee whiz, if I'M offending YOU then clearly you are not open-minded! You want to disagree with me? Fine. I have no problem with that. But do not consistently belittle, demean, and otherwise insult me and my beliefs. And also I think these people feel free of accountability. They don't need to be nailed down to any one belief in particular because they're open to everything. That way there are no consequences, really, to their words and actions because they're open-minded and that should mean anything goes. What does open indicate? Openness. Ok. Like....a door in my house? Am I just going to leave my front door wide open because I want to be accepting of everyone? Sure, burglar, come on in. I don't discriminate. Welcome, pedophile, mi casa es su casa. Puh-lease. In the same way, I don't open my mind to absolutely all things that come across the cerebral cortex. I will say with no apologies that I don't have a very open mind to drugs. Sorry, I'm a bit too attached to my body and my brain and their proper functioning. I would also admit to not being open to prostitution as a means of making ends meet. Guess that would make me intolerant. I'm exaggerating the point, I realize, but do you catch my drift at all? It's absurd to claim to be open-minded to all things because even if you feel you are open-minded, chances are you are so critical of people who are not that you tend to be close-minded to them and their points of view. Now, should we be open to accepting PEOPLE regardless of their status, station, choices, or beliefs in life? Absolutely. Do I drop the ball on doing that every single day of my life? Unfortunately, absolutely. While I am asking God for the humility that I so lack, I seem to keep screwing that up. Anyway...what I would submit to you is that, rather than being so proud of being open-minded, could we try just administering a little respect? Respectfully disagreeing, even? Acknowledging that there are some absolute truths in the world and anything shouldn't just "go"? While I realize that there are some out there who would just label me an intolerant, hypocritical, Jesus-freak, I'm going to lay it out here anyway....Jesus IS my absolute truth. His example, His heavenly Father, His words - I will be intolerant, I'm afraid, of any other way that the world tells me to go. Am I intolerant of you, as a person? I really don't think so. Am I often intolerant of your beliefs (or attack on MY beliefs) that rub me the wrong way? Probably. And that I do need to work on. I am reminded of this, and go forward in my life praying to make it more true than what it has been up to this point: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18.