“Excuse me, you have a little Jesus on you”

Yesterday I conducted the funeral of a true saint of God. She wasn’t world famous, she hadn’t traveled the world or gone into the slums of some 3rd world city. Rather, she was a consistent prayer warrior for God. Every time that I would go and visit her in her home thinking I would be the one ministering to her, the exact opposite happened. She ministered to me. I was blessed just sitting for a few minutes in her presence. Her health was declining, she had lost her husband (of many years) the year before and yet in the midst of her pains she kept testifying of God’s faithfulness. Her life represented Christ in every way. She was covered with the image of Jesus. She had “a little Jesus on her”.

It reminded me of just how important it is to bear this image of Christ in our attitudes, in our living and in our thoughts and words. Are we honorable people? How do others view us? Are we above reproach in our words, thoughts and actions? How vital it is to live exactly what we claim to believe. My prayer is that each of us would seek to be covered in Jesus. Not just on our faces on Sunday morning but every moment of every day. Is it possible to bear His image everywhere? YES!! But you see in order to bear His image we have to boldly and honestly say to Him, “I surrender all of me to You!” This is a very scary prospect for most people. Many fear a loss of their identity, or the loss of fun, or independence, yet when we say those words to Jesus we will have gained so much more than just one solitary temporal life.

There is a great picture to see here if we take the time to step back from the canvas. I was in a museum a number of years ago and happened upon a painting by the famous modern painter Chuck Close. His method of painting would be frustrating to most painters, because he paints his portraits one color at a time in a pixelated like scheme. When you stand up close (no pun intended) to one of his paintings all you see is a distorted colorful blob on the canvas, but if you step back from it the distorted image becomes so much more clearer and the true portrait is reveal. It is an amazing method that astounds most people when they first see it:

When we step back from the canvas, that is our life, what do we see? Do we see a life lived just for “self” or is there something more to it? Are we so diluted by a self-indulgent lifestyle that we can’t even fathom containing a little Jesus on us? It would be the easier route, but when we finally stepped back from the canvas we would see how little we have truly impacted this world for anything other than ourselves. I am guilty of this.

Sitting in the small living room with a Saint taught me more than I could have ever thought possible. How much of Jesus do you have on you today? Can others see Him through you? Have you said to Him lately, “Lord I surrender all of myself to You again. Use me Lord!” It might be a scary prospect, but if we do this daily, even moment by moment those little blobs (our surrender) of color will make up the image of Christ in and through us!

I would much rather get to the end of my canvas here on earth and step back and see Christ rather than a mess of colors that really never had a purpose. Let the world see Christ through you! Let them exclaim “Ah ha! You have a little bit of Jesus on you!” and because of it they are changed!

-Just a thought for today!

December 17, 2013 0

The Journey (Poem)

The journey is long

the path is caked in dust

and rocks, the donkey

lumbers on as each rut

and aching stride ushers another

exhale of air in Mary

as contractions continue.

There isn’t fan fare

or folly,

This. Is. Difficult!

With gritting teeth and concern

Joseph tries his best to make

the journey as comfortable as possible

while other along the path

catch and pass them by…

this is going to take a while.

How humble a journey,

certainly not an entrance of a king,

not to mention the King of Kings.

Yet with this journey

it brings us new life and hope.

With this journey

all of nature leans in

and whispers praises

as Mary groans with another

aching mile passing by…

this is going to take a while.

December 14, 2013 0

The child still lives (Poem)

Somewhere in my grown up heart

exists a child full of wonder and the glimmer

who still “ooo’s and ahhs” over

twinkling lights on Christmas trees

and longs for that early Christmas morning

crisp and clear… where, in pajamas and socks,

the family settles in on the old worn sofa

presents wrapped and glowing under

the stings of lights still hanging on the tree.

I am still that child,

still exploring and uncovering this

majestic mystery of the Yule tide.

December 14, 2013 0

Merry Christmas – Re-ignite the Dance!

It is officially twelve days until Christmas, holiday shoppers are increasing while patience with our fellow man is slowly, sometimes rapidly, decreasing. Yuletide mirth and cheer are everywhere! I was driving down-town last night and the town was all aglow with ambient strings of lights hung meticulously as were the green festive wreathes on lampposts and specialty shops. The colors blurred my vision as the reds danced and twinkled to an invisible tune played by the wind as the colors of blues and greens joined in. They marked out a clear and perfect message; “Christ is almost here again!” Perhaps it was all in my head, but I heard it’s siren’s song! I heard the melodious cacophony of merriment and expectations! My heart leap within my chest as I longed to join in as its tune caught my breath and carried it away in one puff of steam rising into the cold crisp air.

I was alone, being it late at night, there in my van looking down a vacant street waiting for the light to change. The giant Christmas tree before our old red bricked city hall also glowed and pulsated as the winter wind too en-wrapped its furry bows in merriment and festooning. Such mystery and awe captured in this solitary moment. I was caught off guard and yet something that night spoke to me. Not an audible voice, nor a messenger from heaven with unfurled wings and halo to boot…though I have always longed for such a sign. But His still small voice whispered into my very soul. He made me look closely at the dance of His creation there before me. The humming rhythm and the melodies and harmonies that sauntered on the breeze and blended in an intertwining dance. He drew my eyes to the dimming lights of homes nearby and my thoughts wandered into their homes and into lives of people I have never met. They too needed to dance like this. They were missing the true celebration of Christmas. They were missing the music of creation worshiping its Creator! This music doesn’t just happen here on a cold winter night in December, but I felt closer to Him on this night. My eyes caught its fire and I was ill-prepared to take it all in.

We need to dance to the music of the Creator. We have lost this glow and joy from within our souls and hearts! Our greatest gift, our source of hope and joy is still playing our tune and message that can ignite our lives once more. We shouldn’t idly cruise on through, just trying to “survive”…I want to relish this. We have to relish this! Cannot miss this anymore. It isn’t about the lights or the trees, or even the gifts beneath the tree, it’s about God sending us His Son…It’s about Jesus saying “If they keep quiet, the very rocks will cry out!” (Luke 19:40) The rocks, lights and trees have cried out for far too long…it’s our turn to worship Him! It’s our turn to re-capture the mystery and awe of His birth! Don’t miss it again this year! Don’t be caught unaware and wake up January 1st and wonder how you will survive this next year. Stop from time to time and dance to His music. Stop and sing His praises. Stop and allow Him to shine through you into a world that still longs to wake up and dance as well.

May your Christmas be about Him, and may He ignite in you like never before!

Merry Christmas!

December 13, 2013 1

My favorite Christmas Songs

Here is a list of my favorite songs. At the end, after you have read mine, won’t you please leave me comments on your favorites! Thanks!

10) What Child is this?

9) Mary Did you know?

8) O Come all ye faithful

7) Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

6) Silent Night

5) Still, still, still

4) Angels we have heard on high

3) O little town of Bethlehem

2) O Holy Night

1) O come, o come Emmanuel

Now if you could comment and leave me feedback on what your favorite Christmas songs are!
Thanks!

December 13, 2013 0

More Musings on Misheard Christmas Songs:

Christmas is a spectacular time of year! There should be plenty of cheer to go around, yet all too often people get bent out of shape, stressed out and generally miss the whole meaning of Christmas. In order to lighten the mood, allow me once again to expound on some often misunderstood Christmas song lyrics. These are not my own, but rather from other people who have reported these along the years:

“Good King Wencelas’ car backed out on a piece of Steven.”
Who knew that Good King Wencelas even had an automobile! The song doesn’t say if he was drive a fuel efficient vehicle or if it was an SUV, but the dude needs to check his mirrors and check them twice. Poor Steven, I hope he had good medical insurance to cover the repairs on the “piece” that got run over! One thing I do know, that if this happened in our day and age Good king Wencelas would certainly be sued and probably would lose his crown in the process. Perhaps next time he will just have one of his loyal subjects drive him instead…that is if he has any loyal subjects left after the dust settles on the legal suit!

I kid you not, nothing irritates me more (in real life) than drivers who either aren’t paying attention or are simply inconsiderate to other people. I have to calm myself down when I see drivers who are holding their cell phones in front of them while they are attempting to drive. I will admit from time to time checking my status at a red light, but seriously while driving in heavy traffic around town (or anywhere for that matter) – not cool! Hopefully Good King Wencelas wasn’t on his cell phone poor Steven got run over.

We three kings of porridge and tar…

Seriously, does the Quaker Oatmeal company know about this porridge and the secret ingredient “tar”? I imagine the three kings running out of supplies on their long journey. It’s hot, the camels are crabby, and so they stop to park their camels, they whip out these pots and pans and a big box of porridge and tar. YUM! talk about a substance that literally sticks around. There beside the fire the acrid smell of burning pitch and oats pollute the air with its stench, but it’s apparently a meal fit for a king. 😉

Oh the joys of Christmas, and yule tide cheer…you have to enjoy while it lasts! Christmas can be really special if you slow down long enough to laugh a little bit and take in the true meaning of the season. Maybe watch some Christmas movies to help, go caroling with a church group, make some Christmas cookies (by the way send me some if you do!).

In closing I’m reminded of the misheard lyric from “Silent Night” in which the child boldly sings the last refrain:
“Sleep in heavenly peas…” See, perhaps Veggie Tales hasn’t cornered the market on french peas…there’s a heavenly place filled with peas to prove it.

Until next time….

December 12, 2013 0

Emmanuel (God with us)

My wife and I were privileged nearly six years ago to have twins, a boy and a girl. We found out seven weeks into my wife’s pregnancy that they were twins. It came as a pleasant yet complete surprise! Now we had to prepare ourselves for the eventuality of two babies in the household instead of just one. Two car seats, two stroller seats, double the diapers, the onesies…you get the picture. Eventually when they were born and we brought them home we were prepared thanks in-part to a church baby shower and family! We were blessed to have their support and found that we certainly needed the help along the way! But you the amazing thing about twins regardless if they are identical or fraternal (ours are fraternal)? They do everything together! Our twins are inseparable when it comes to play time and even bed time. Most nights, even if I have placed them in their own beds, I will go into their room and find them fast asleep together in the same bed. They need each other, they are inseparable, and we are blessed by their love and care for each other.

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)
The notion that God is with us, is staggering. God. Is. With. Us!!! Imagine it for a second, the God of the universe right beside us, fairly insignificant, human being. Yet God loves us so much that Emmanuel is within us, before us, behind us and beside us. It blows my mind! My twins are inseparable. They are lost when one of them becomes sick, which happens from time to time. But the thrive and exist by knowing that their genetic twin is right beside them in this life. I wonder how we would be if we too thrived and existed knowing every moment of every day that God, Emmanuel was right beside us each step of the way? Would the words that we choose be different? Would our confidence levels be any different? Would we treat other people…differently?

God sent His Son into the world – Light into Darkness, so that we could see and be different! God is with us, not just during Christmas but every day of every year that we live on this little blue ball located in His created universe. God. IS. With. Us! If that doesn’t blow you away, nothing will. He is closer than any brother or sister. He wants to be a part of your life. Will you make that step in acknowledging Him today, if you haven’t already? If you have taken that step, perhaps it’s time to reconnect with Emmanuel. Perhaps it’s time to utter the words: “I need Thee oh I need Thee, every hour I need Thee, O bless me now my Savior I come to Thee.”

Emmanuel , God is with us…He is with YOU today!

-Just a thought.

December 12, 2013 0

“The Lord has gum and the Shepherds are making S’mores with their socks!”

My favorite misunderstood Christmas lyric for any carol or song this time of year is: “Joy to the world, the Lord has GUM!” That’s right Gum! I’m not sure if it’s Big Red or Spearmint or even Hubba Bubba…but apparently the Lord has gum. I don’t know about you but when ever someone is around and me they open up a new package of gum, I always ask for a piece. If the Lord has gum, then I want some!

Another humorous song that I use to sing as a child is: “While Shepherd wash their socks by night!” I always envisioned them huddling around an open fire, the smell of burning wood in the air slowly ascending into the sky and instead of making s’mores they have these giant sticks with already washed socks strapped to them and they are attempting to dry them without burning them. Steam is hissing and and also quickly giving chase to the smell of the burning wood as the shepherds regale themselves of shepherding stories and emergency rescues gone wrong (insert scary campfire stories here).

You know, you just have to possess a little bit of humor this time of year. Especially when in traffic or in front of impatient Christmas shoppers intent of running you over! I hope that we don’t lose our humor in the midst of our celebratory second glass of eggnog and a guilt-ridden nibble of another frosted Christmas sugar cookie.

Go wash some socks with the Shepherds, and don’t forget to ask the Lord for a piece of His gum!

December 11, 2013 0

A Righteous Brother (and Sister)

Zechariah was in the temple performing his duties as a priest. It was his turn as it was chosen by lots from within his group of priest. It was a sacred honor to perform these responsibilities, yet year after yearI would imagine the responsibility would become mundane or at the very least repetitive. Yet Zechariah was there when it was his turn, but something on this day would change the course of his forever. An angel appeared before him. Can you imagine for a moment working away at your job and then suddenly “poof” someone of the glowing kind is standing in front of you? I’m pretty sure we would all jump with fright and our hearts might pound a little harder in our chests. Zechariah was certainly no different. He was going along in his day and then suddenly he is jolted from his thoughts when the angel appears.

Isn’t it interesting that every account of an Angel visitation or proclamation the people are told by the angels “do not be afraid!” I kind of find that humorous because the Angels almost seem to just show up suddenly and it would certainly shock anyone idly standing there. You’d think perhaps they would ring a bell or have some sort of entrance music…but they just go “poof” and they are there…ok I digress… Zechariah is afraid and he’s so afraid that he falls on his face before the angel Gabriel. An priest of The Lord is shocked when an angel of God appears before him. Let that sink in for a moment. Zechariah wasn’t just a follower of God, he was a priest of God. He had studied the very words of God, he had memorized the Tenach, he was educated on its messages and prophesies. Yet Zechariah was shocked when God’s messenger appears before him. Why? Why would a priest be shocked?

I think we place religious leaders too highly upon these pedestals sometimes. After all, Zechariah was first a man and then because of his education was a priest. Natural instinct took over and his response was…normal. But why Zechariah and Elizabeth? Why did God choose them? Yes I understand the lineage issue, but besides this “blood” connection why them? They were old, they had put the possibilities of being parents to rest long ago. Their hope had died as they aged and grew too old to be parents. Why them? I think within this story there is a single sentence that tells us everything that we need to know about why God chose them: “And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of The Lord.” (Luke 1:6)

They were righteous and walked blamelessly! It had been over four hundred years since a prophet of The Lord or the word of The Lord lived among them. That’s a serious spiritual drought, yet here we have two individuals who were righteous and their walk was blameless. This speaks volumes as to why God chose them, and it should also be a clear indicator as to the kind of people God wants to use to spread His message to the world.

Can we say in all honesty today that we are righteous people? Can we honestly say that our walk is blameless? Are living our lives as God has required of us? The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth is paramount to the story of Christ’s birth. Without the voice crying out in the wilderness who prepared the way of The Lord we would have unfulfilled prophesy. John the Baptist was divinely appointed to do what he did, but so were his parents as those who would train him correctly and be examples of godly lives.

How is your walk today? How is this set-apart relationship that God has placed you in?
May it be our prayer and mission to live righteously before our God each moment of each day.

-Just a thought for today.

December 11, 2013 0

Deserters and Grumblers

John 6:61-69 (NIV)
“Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.” From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Jesus’ words are stuck in my head, “You do not want to leave too, do you?“. I envision Jesus looking at Simon Peter with drawn face of sadness and a heavy heart as the dust cloud of the deserters slowly cleared the air. People Jesus had spent time with, people with whom He had invested Himself in, they were gone and would never return to the fold. They were AWOL and some where in the minds of the disciples perhaps there was this lingering decision whether or not to follow them. Many who had heard Jesus teach that day had trouble swallowing the teaching. They wrestled over His words, which led to the dispersal of some.

Still today, there are those in our churches who come listening for the sweetness of the Word, but run quickly away when its truth finally sinks in. Pastors are also included in this group. Every person who encounters the truth of Jesus must face this, and He looks at each of us as the dust is slowly clearing and says, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Some of us hesitate, many wishing to walk away also. Dare I say that there have been days, in which I’m ashamed to admit that I have wrestled over His truths also. But read again the words of Simon Peter and imagine yourself saying these words to Jesus as well, “”Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” Can such certainty come from your heart today? Do you have this assurance in your walk with Him? It doesn’t matter if you are preaching to a congregation of 5 or 500, is His truth still on your lips, in your words and in your heart today?

Some will walk away from your church because they simply cannot fully commit to Him. It is just as tragic as the day it happened to Jesus so long ago. Some, who have been in the pews for years, may one day come to this conclusion as well. Others, perhaps the light will come on and they will experience a deeper sense of Christ as they take such steps to a deeper faith in Him. But it matters little whether people hate you and the consistency of Christ in you, remember what Jesus Himself said to his disciples; “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” (John 15:18) Be consistent in your faith! Be persistent in the need for others to receive this faith as well! Be unrelenting in this love of Christ, even when it comes at the cost of friendships, loved ones, and even fellow pew dwellers. Don’t be haughty or prideful either with His truths. Don’t lord it over anyone or feel as if you are better than anyone either. Remember Christ wants servants to love and to shine, not tyrants and judgmental hypocrites.

Desertions will take place, grumblers will come and go, but remain faithful to Him and declare as Simon Peter once did, “”Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

-Just an encouraging thought for you today…keep on fighting the good fight!

December 9, 2013 0