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

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

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

My Interview with Nelson Mandela (What I would have liked to ask)

You know those hypothetical conversations? Those moments when you imagine what you would say, how you would feel, and how you might interact? I imagine myself having the distinct honor of interviewing Nelson Mandela, Madiba himself. Yesterday he passed away at the age of 95. Twenty seven of those years he lived in prison because of his stand against apartheid.

I imagine myself being able to sit down with this great and humble man and just taking in his presence. You know how that is? When you are in the room with a person who is famous and you just don’t have the right words to express how much they have meant to you, how they have impacted your life, and you are better for having known just a little bit about them…yeah that’s the emotion I have as I enter the room where Nelson Mandela is sitting. He looks out the window as I find my seat. Light catches his irises and there is a deep sense of knowing, a deep sense of wisdom. I’m not placing Madiba on a pedestal here, I just have a deep respect for this man who brokered freedom for the majority of South Africa. He had his flaws, the ANC party certainly wasn’t above death threats and bombings, but the man, not the party sits before me.

I have some notes scribbled down on a small spiraled note book in my hand. I have to clear my throat in order to work up the strength to ask my first round of questions. I feel immensely intimidated. Despite his humility, I feel as if I am unworthy to have this opportunity to talk with him. How does one act in the presence of greatness? Again, one who has endured so much and accomplished much more, how does one find the adequate words to speak to such a person? He smiles a reassuring smile, one that encourages me and without words says “It is alright, I understand.”

In my mind we have a conversation, he is gentle and soft spoken, yet behind his words he is as strong as a lion in the veld. We laugh together as the tension breaks…and I shed some tears in his re-telling of history. In my mind this interview reshapes my understanding of South Africa. In my mind my childhood as a missionary kid in South Africa is altered. I didn’t fathom the severity of apartheid rule until just now…I knew it to be horrific and wrong as a child yet never understood its severity.

But now as unity is prayed for, as we all mourn in Madiba’s passing…a great man has passed from the shadow of this earth and in his wake we are left hoping that tomorrow will be better because of his impact on our yesterdays. Sleep well Madiba, I pray one day to be able to sit down with you in Eternity and finally have that interview that I have rehearsed in my mind. Words cannot express how deeply you have impacted me, nor the vacancy your passing has left in the lives of South Africa and others around the world.

“I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.” ― Nelson Mandela

December 6, 2013 0

An Army Engaged in Battle!

I was having a conversation with a person the other day about what I do (I’m a pastor/officer with The Salvation Army). In the midst of our conversation she told me that recently The Salvation Army was featured on a trivia show. They were the answer to this question: What is the only Army in the world that has never fought a battle. This revelation kind of caught me off guard. Of course I understood the connotation – a physical battle, but I thought to myself in a very real, practical/spiritual sense how wrong they truly were. The Salvation Army was formed for just the purpose of engaging an enemy that has ravaged this wretched world since the fall of Adam and Eve. We are at War!! The public may not know this, but we are engaged in the front lines of spiritual warfare every day. Sometimes I fear perhaps even some of our Soldiers and (dare I say) Officers don’t know this.

We must continue to be an Army that is engaged in this battle daily! Do falter or to fall is not an option! Ephesians 6:12 says this: ^“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.“

There is a very real spiritual adversary that holds many sinners captive still today. Many people are bound by all kinds of addictions, perversions and entanglements that they cannot break. Who can save them? We alone certainly do not possess the strength, nor the power to free them, but girded with the full armor of God, this Army of Salvation can still be vital and effective! We never stand alone in the midst of the fray, we carry the banner of Christ with us and the Holy Spirit is our ammunition and power!

So how must we begin? We begin on our knees in penitence before the Almighty! We seek His power, His guidance, and His direction. Only when we have been thoroughly equipped through our conversations with the Father can we then get up and fight on. Without these necessary daily, even moment by moment conversations with the Father we will not continue to stand against the father of lies.

Dear fellow Christ-followers and Soldiers of the Army, we cannot simply wear the uniform and pretend to be engaged, we must actively fight for the salvation of other lost souls in our communities and even in our own homes! Without active soldiers and officers who are willing to fight and willing to boldly stand up, this cause will surely falter and fail. We don’t need casual partakers or bench warmers, but we need active participants who will stand in the gap for the hurting, the tired, the poor, the wretched and the lost! This battle for the lost is not over! It certainly did not end when our Founders were promoted to glory, nor will it end when we grow old and one day meet Jesus face to face! But in the here and now, in our small corners of the world, there is still a battle cry to be heard! There is still a fight to be waged! There is still lost souls to be saved! Who will go? Who will serve? Who will fight on and answer the cries of the broken and the shattered? May we all hear the cries, but more importantly, may we all hear God’s calling for us to take our stands and to reach out a helping hand to poor souls still drowning in the depths of sin.

I’m reminded of this Battle Song:

#718 in the Red Song Book –

Fight the good fight with all thy might,

Christ is thy strength, and Christ thy right;

Lay hold on life, and it shall be

Thy joy and crown eternally.

Run the straight race through God’s good grace

Run the straight race through God’s good grace,

Lift up thine eyes and seek his face;

Life with its way before us lies,

Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.

Cast care aside, lean on thy guide

Cast care aside, lean on thy guide,

His boundless mercy will provide;

Lean, and the trusting soul shall prove

Christ is thy life, and Christ thy love.

Faint not, nor fear, his arms are near

Faint not, nor fear, his arms are near,

He changeth not, and thou art dear;

Only believe, and thou shalt see

That Christ is all in all to thee.

John Samuel Bewley Monsell (1811-75)

December 5, 2013 0

Thanksgiving Contest Winners Announced:

Okay, the delay is now over, and with bated breath I am pleased to announce our first annual Thanksgiving Creative arts contest winners! All three winners will receive a bag of Starbucks coffee! I am sure all of you have been anxiously, collectively, nail-bitingly holding your breath for this announcement, so without further adieu: Here are the contest winners and below please find their submissions, which they so kindly and thoughtfully submitted. They are not in any specific order or placement, but rather as I chose them. Thank you all for participating in this first annual event, there will certainly be more to come so stay tuned!

1) Rebecca Tekautz

“Give Thanks”

Give Thanks

My friend begins singing Christmas carols and the shopping mall is a cacophony of twinkling lights, Santa, and gift displays. It is October.

“Respect the turkey!” I say firmly to my friend and to the world in general. I have a rule: No Christmas music until the day after Thanksgiving. I am not a scrooge. I am not anti-Christmas. I am simply pro-Thanksgiving. I cringe as I watch the spectacle of Christmas encroach upon the season of thanks.

I am not the first to note the contradiction in the biggest shopping day of the year coming immediately after the day we give thanks for what we already have. Or that our eagerness for the best deals is resulting in more and more stores opening their doors on Thanksgiving day. We’re turning Thanksgiving into “Thanks, I’ll take it!”

The breath we take to give thanks is being suffocated by our cry for more. We are creatures of infinite want. There is always more. More to accomplish, more to do, more to have.

Thanks requires stopping, becoming still and noticing that which we already have. But we are much more comfortable in moving, seeking, finding the new and the better. It’s no wonder, in a culture that spends billions and billions of dollars annually in advertising to show us the latest “new and better,” that we easily buy into the lie that more will make us happy. It is the hallmark of advertising: This is it. This is what you have been searching for. This is the thing that will fill the void at last.

Our searching is spilling into our season of stopping. Stopping to take a breath, to look around at the blessings we have, recognizing that enough is already here. More stuff will not fill up the void. More stuff is only a distraction from our deepest need. Finite things can never fill the space that was meant for an infinite love.

As we enter the holiday season, let’s stop and remember that this is the season of Infinite Love coming to earth. There is nothing more we need. God’s Best has already come to fill up the void. Before we get swept up in the joyful season of gift-giving, let us first stop and offer our thanks for all the gifts He has given us. Let’s not let the rushing of the wants crowd out the moments to stop and offer thanks. As Psalm 136 declares over and over, “Give thanks. . .His love endures forever!”

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2) Jeff Carter: “Sunlight in the Apple Tree”

http://thatjeffcarterwashere.blogspot.com