Happy Saturday

A Flesh-and-Blood Christmas Miracle 

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

Broadcast Dec 2004 by Christian Indie Radio  (mp3, 9:37).

If you were to ask the average person on the street, "What is Christmas all about?" you would receive a variety of answers.

• "Christmas is getting together with family and friends."
• "Christmas is about giving."
• "Christmas is about trees and ornaments.
• "Christmas is about Santa Claus and toys."
• "Christmas is about Rudolph with his nose so bright."
• "Christmas is about last minute shopping in stores with long lines and full parking lots."

But so many miss the real meaning of Christmas. Christmas is about Jesus and the multiple miracles of Jesus' birth.

The Miracle of Birth

Birth itself is a flesh-and-blood miracle. The umbilical cord is cut, the baby's mouth cleared, and he lets out a cry -- sometimes a loud and very persistent squall -- that lets the world know he has arrived. Then he is given to his mother. And all around, even veteran obstetricians, experienced labor nurses, and wizened old midwives, smile and enjoy the moment, and think to themselves, "What an amazing miracle birth is, the beginning of a brand new human life!"

The birth of Jesus of Nazareth is a miracle on a number of fronts, first and foremost, I suppose, that here is another healthy baby boy born to an exhausted young mother and a father so proud he can burst with joy. Jesus has those tiny little fingers and toes -- ten of each -- and wisps of jet black hair on his scalp, still a bit misshapen from its traverse down the birth canal.

The Miracle of the Virgin Mother

It is a miracle, of course, that Mary, the infant's mother, is a virgin. The New Testament account is very specific. Mary and her fiancé have not yet slept together as husband and wife. But an angel of the Lord, Gabriel by name, announces to Mary that she will be the mother of the Messiah, that her son will be called the Son of the Highest, and that this son will be conceived in her not by human means but by the Holy Spirit of God himself. In a very real, physical sense, Jesus is the Son of God. Christmas is about the miracle of the Virgin Mother.

The Miracle of Joseph's Dream

It is a miracle, too, that Joseph believes Mary. A man, even a man in love, finds it hard to understand how a fiancée can be pregnant without him. Jealous creatures, men are inclined to believe the worst. But Joseph, too, is visited by an angel who tells him that the boy will be called Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Joseph's continued love for Mary and her child is a Christmas miracle in itself.

The Miracle of Bethlehem

It is a miracle of sorts that he is born in Bethlehem. His parents, after all, are residents of Nazareth, four days journey to the north. The only thing that could have brought about such a last minute journey is a court order. And that's what Joseph has received, a summons from the royal court of Augustus Caesar to appear in his ancestor's birthplace for a census. Since Joseph is a direct descendent of King David, he returns to the town where David had been born and cared for sheep on the surrounding hillsides.

"But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" (Matthew 2:4-6; quoting Micah 5:2)

And so God arranges a trip for Mary and Joseph -- a rather inconvenient trip for a woman nearly full term -- a trip to fulfill a prophecy.

The Miracle of Angel Heralds

It is a miracle that on this birth night, shepherds from those very hillsides file into the stable where a baby and mother now rest. The shepherds tell of a heavenly visitation:

"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:10-12)

The shepherds view the stone cattle manger where the baby lies sleeping, as the angel has told them. And they recall for Mary and Joseph the close of their visitation, when not just one, but a huge army of angels, rank upon rank, thousands upon thousands, join in a heavenly chorus singing, yes, shouting the words:

"Glory to God in the highest,
And peace on earth, goodwill to men." (Luke 2:14)

The Miracle of the Manger

That Jesus was first laid in a manger is a miracle, too, when you think about it. The swaddling clothes that enfold the baby Jesus are not unique, but the manger is. It is a vivid symbol of the poverty of the baby's parents, and their poor accommodations. The crude manger sends an astounding message that God is willing to humble himself from the height of glory, not just to kings' palaces, but to descend to -- and become -- the poorest of the poor. The miracle of the manger is in God's unfathomed humility.

The Miracle of the Star

It is a miracle that when the Jesus-baby is born, his star appears boldly in the winter sky. That wise men from the East see it and know that it signifies the birth of the King of the Jews. It is a miracle that these wise men and their servants travel on camel-back nearly 1,000 miles to see the Child. That they bring gold and frankincense and myrrh. That the star leads them to the very house in which the Holy Family is living. That these wealthy princes prostrate themselves on the dirt floor before the young Child. These are miracles of the star.

The Miracle of Incarnation

But the greatest miracle of Christmas is that this squalling, tightfisted tiny newborn is God himself entering the human plane.

Women always knew it, but a whole generation of fathers now understand, too, that birth -- especially the birth of one's first child -- is a pretty gutsy affair. There is the prolonged labor, the transition phase, where rational women lose their composure, and then, usually through great exertion, the baby is expelled from his mother's womb. The baby's head crowns, and then a slightly blue face appears, followed quickly by shoulders, and the baby emerges, slick and slightly bloody. And precious, very precious.

Birth is primitive and human, the final product of the human reproductive system. It is skin upon skin, and attended with stress and pain. The child is no store-bought doll but flesh and blood, very much alive, and, at the most basic level, a new journeyer on earth.

The miracle of Christmas is that the God of infinite glory and radiance should become human -- should even WANT to bind himself by bodily limitations. But this is the truly remarkable miracle of this flesh-and-blood Christmas.

The Apostle Paul puts it this way:

"[Christ Jesus], who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness." (Philippians 2:6-7)

Christian thinkers have been very clear about this:

• Jesus isn't a human pretending to be God,
• Nor God pretending to be human,
• But Jesus is fully divine AND fully human,
• Jesus is the God-Man.

So when we view the newborn Christ Child seeking nourishment at his mother's breast, we are viewing God himself in human flesh. It is an awesome miracle, a miracle that brought amazement long ago to both Mary and Joseph, participants in the miracle.

And in this newborn, flesh-and-blood baby boy we view the miracle of miracles, God becoming flesh, as theologians would say, God becoming "incarnate" -- literally, "in flesh," from the Latin word carne.

We even know the purpose of this miracle of incarnation. The angel has told Joseph: "You shall call his name Jesus, FOR he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). It is only by becoming human that God can offer himself as a fitting atonement for sins committed by very human sinners.

The Christmas story continues. This flesh-and-blood baby grows to be a flesh-and-blood man. And on the night before he is betrayed he takes bread and blesses it, and says it is his flesh. He takes wine and blesses it, and says it is his blood. And the very next day his flesh is torn and his blood is shed to save us, his people, from our sins.

What is Christmas all about? It is about Jesus, and that amazing day when God himself came among us humans as a flesh-and-blood baby boy.

Daily Smile:

Frolic Memo

To: All Employees

From: Management

Subject: Office conduct during the Christmas season

Effective immediately, employees should keep in mind the following guidelines in compliance with FROLIC (the Federal Revelry Office and Leisure Industry Council).

1. Running aluminum foil through the paper shredder to make tinsel is discouraged.

2. Playing Jingle Bells on the push-button phone is forbidden. (It runs up an incredible long distance bill.)

3. Egg nog will NOT be dispensed in vending machines.

4. Company cars are not to be used to go over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house.

5. All fruitcake is to be eaten BEFORE July 25.

6. Work requests are not to be filed under "Bah humbug."

In spite of all this, the staff is encouraged to have a Merry Christmas.
 

Happy Friday

One Long Extended Gift by Charles R. Swindoll

Luke 21:1-4; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Matthew 2:11

It's not too late to give some things away this Christmas. Not just on Christmas Day, but during the days after December 25. We could call these daily gifts "our Christmas projects." Maybe one per day from now 'til the end of the year. Here are thirty-two suggestions. Take your choice.

• Mend a quarrel.

• Seek out a forgotten friend.

• Dismiss suspicion.

• Write a long-overdue love note.

• Hug someone tightly and whisper, "I love you so."

• Forgive an enemy.

• Be gentle and patient with an angry person.

• Express appreciation.

• Gladden the heart of a child.

• Find the time to keep a promise.

• Make or bake something for someone else. Anonymously.

• Release a grudge.

• Listen.

• Speak kindly to a stranger.

• Enter into another's sorrow.

• Smile. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more.

• Take a walk with a friend.

• Kneel down and pat a dog.

• Read a poem or two to your mate or friend.

• Lessen your demands on others.

• Play some beautiful music during supper.

• Apologize if you were wrong.

• Talk together with the television off.

• Treat someone to an ice-cream cone.

• Do the dishes for the family.

• Pray for someone who helped you when you hurt.

• Fix breakfast for someone on Saturday morning.

• Give a soft answer even though you feel strong.

• Encourage an older person.

• Point out one thing you appreciate most about someone you work with or live near.

• Offer to baby-sit for a weary mother.

• Give your teacher a break---be especially cooperative.

Let's make Christmas one long, extended gift of ourselves to others. Unselfishly. Without announcement. Or obligation. Or reservation. Or hypocrisy.

That is Christianity, isn't it?

Daily Smile:

During a visit to the retirement home, I asked the director, "How do you determine whether or not a person should be institutionalized?"

"Well," said the Director, "We fill up a bathtub, and then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub."

"Oh, I understand," I said. "A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup."

The Director responded “No, a normal person would pull the plug. Would you like a room with a window?”

Happy Thursday

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

The Christmas season is truly a complex cacophony of intermingling ideologies, all sewn and tied together into the craziest of holiday quilts. Christmas is, and always has been, a kind of lover’s quarrel between truth and fiction, designed to present both arguments in the best possible atmosphere of coexisting celebration and merciful tolerance.

In the worldly sense, Christmastime is like a once-a-year commercial message, splattered on the view screen of man’s consciousness; a mega distraction from the ongoing drama of human evolution and moral decay; a colorfully quadraphonic, high def reminder that even Scrooge types and hopeless hard heads have permission to experience the joy and catharsis of giving.

Year after year, the world dons its gay apparel, gaudily over-accessorizes its otherwise functionally and tastefully appointed abode, and carries on the time-honored practice of lying to its offspring about the existence of Santa Claus.

Meanwhile, children suffer through the excruciating trauma of having to wait for a moment in time when they can dive headlong into the serious business of unwrapping packages and prowling through the mountains of munchies and goodies given them as a reward for having behaved in a civilized manner since the last yuletide ritual of material and sensual overindulgence reoccurred. 

For many, Christmastime is like a too-long, run-on sentence that ends somewhere in the middle of the first week in January, begins the day after Halloween weekend in the form of TV commercialism gone ballistic, and is officially kicked off with a blazing, theatrical parade of fictitious fairy tale characters, marching, dancing, singing, floating and ballooning proudly and loudly down the west side of Manhattan in a grotesque display of spectacular eye candy and seductive, seasonal prophesy. For others though, this two-month-long pain in the pocketbook is the exact opposite.

And riding the crest of this merrymaking tidal wave of mythical, tinsel-tossing nostalgia is an obese actor, playing Santa Claus; a flashily frocked figure of a man who lives in a God forsaken corner of the planet with his wife, several Disney-type beings, and eight tiny reindeer, one of whom has a glowing-red nose. Santa Claus, who can fly over tall buildings with the crack of his whip; bend children’s minds at the mere mention of his name, and who, disguised as the Spirit of Christmas, and imitated by thousands of pillow-packing bell ringers everywhere, launches himself annually into the hearts and minds of all fairy tale fanciers from here to nirvana, and beyond.

And in the middle of this frivolous fantasy of fun and frolic is the humble image of perfect innocence embodied in the Christ child, lying in a manger, accepting gifts from wise men, and amazed adoration from a small group of star struck shepherds.

Year in and year out, the world redesigns this blessedly simple event, making of its message an overproduced vision of opulent commercialism on earth, and more bills to men.

The special effect of this yuletide season upon the collective mind of man is a double-edged issue, confronting each of us with a choice of focus. We all love or hate Christmas, or both, for different reasons. A realized Christian views and celebrates the holidays as our heavenly Father’s Holy mustard seed of faith. We believe that faith seed was planted into the fabric of man’s imperfect calendar to grow through the infant Jesus into the Messiah of all who embrace the risen Christ as Lord, Savior and Redeemer of their physical and spiritual lives and  futures.

“I tell you solemnly,” says Jesus, “unless a wheat grain falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest.” Let us not forget to carefully remind our children that Jesus is no longer a newborn child, lying helplessly in a manger, under the guardianship of His earthly parents. Our Lord is no longer dying on His cross, suffering through the final seconds of His divinely human ministry on earth. Through the miraculous power of His Resurrection, Jesus is in heaven with His and our Father, and we, who are His friends, brothers, sisters, mothers and disciples must never lose sight of His and our perfect spiritual maturity, living among us in the love and power of God’s Holy Spirit.

Christmas is not a season or holiday so much as it is an ever-present awareness of peace, love and joy- living and growing within the hearts and minds of all those whose lives are not governed and controlled by calendars and timepieces, but by the perfect clockwork of heaven’s timelessness. The Holy Spirit of Christmas is the one-day-at-a-time, good will discipline of forgiveness and Fatherly correction, manifesting God’s righteous will through all that lives and relives in His universal plan of divine order and natural and spiritual selection.

Christmas is, and should continue to be, a humbling reminder to mankind, and to his children, that the time has come to put aside all else in order to meditate on the miracle of God’s Word made flesh through the virgin birth of Jesus, Who is the Christ, the living and eternal Savior and Master of all mankind and beyond.

Children know a good thing when they see one. Let us pray the Spirit of Christmas will be forever celebrated and revered through the pure, unaffected power of a child’s holy innocence, and the perfect perception of an infant’s wondrous and wisdom-filled smile. “For I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Jesus Christ)

May the pure happiness of God’s Holy Spirit be yours this day, and every day to come, and may you and yours celebrate the true Spirit of a blessed and Merry Christmas for all time and eternity in the name and grace of our Lord, Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ.

Amen

John Christopher

DEC 1983

Daily Smile:

The farmer's son was returning from the market with a crate of chickens his father had entrusted to him, when all of a sudden the box fell and broke open.

Chickens scurried off in different directions, but the determined boy walked all over the neighborhood scooping up the wayward birds and returning them to the repaired crate. Hoping he had found them all, the boy reluctantly returned home, expecting the worst.

"Pa, the chickens got loose," the boy confessed sadly, "but I managed to find all twelve of them."

"Well, you done a good job, son," the farmer beamed. "You left with seven."

Happy Wednesday

"Dealing with Depression"

Depression strikes people of all ages, backgrounds, and ethnic groups. It is estimated that about 20 million adults in the U.S. suffer from depression each year, and about 1 out of 6 American adults have depression during their lifetimes.

Depression is not a sign of weakness or a character flaw. It is a medical condition.

Perhaps you have been there. Maybe you have lived for a while behind closed doors. Many good people have. I was reading recently about a young lawyer who descended into the valley of despondency. Things were going so poorly for him that his friends thought it best to keep all knives and razors away from him for fear of a suicide attempt. In fact, during this time he wrote in his memoirs, "I am now the most miserable man living. Whether I shall ever be better, I cannot tell. I fear I shall not." The young lawyer who unleashed these desperate feelings of utter hopelessness? His name was Abraham Lincoln.

Beloved, this ministry was begun, in part, as a response to restoring hope to depressed Christians. If you, or someone you know lives in this darkness now, I encourage you to continue seeking medical help when needed. And, I want you to know that you are not alone. There is a way out. Others have walked through this valley, but with the help of a loving God, they have emerged victorious. And so shall you.

GospeLines Prayer: Father, do not hide your face from me when I am depressed. I confess that it is in those times when I need you the most but seek You the least. I am afraid to admit my humanity…yet it is in my admission of frailty that I grow. Embrace my lonely heart and pull me near to You, so that I will feel Your presence even in the darkness. Ignite my soul with assurance, and my mind with Hope. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, the Comforter of all creation. Amen and amen.

Tommy Harrison
tommy@gospelines.com

HOLIDAY DEBATE

Happy holiday they say with a smile,

even though they're in denial,

All around man's legitimate reason,

why we even have this season,

When men and women all about earth,

reflect on The Savior's birth,

Through celebration and praise,

as men lift up the Ancient of Days.

 

There are people on each side,

who in Christ, do and do not abide,

Who do refuse to even celebrate,

the season some may even hate,

Those, who truly love The Lord,

say this season should be ignored,

While those with no religious belief,

fill the season with undue grief.

 

Some peoples dispute the date,

adding the calendar to the debate,

Using the harvest time as a reason,

to discredit the holiday season;

There're some who could care less,

about a time many call blessed,

While they go on about their way; as for

them, it is just another day.

 

No matter what the debate may be,

another holiday all men will see,

Most men, again will participate,

while others, continue their debate,

Friend, if you indeed participate,

just how will your family celebrate?

Will your holiday be a secular kind,

or a season with Christ in mind?

 

Whatever your view of this holiday,

God's Word has so little to say,

But, much to say about The Son,

Who came that day, for everyone,

God's Son, Who came with Salvation,

for all men from every nation,

Is coming again, as King to receive,

all those, who sincerely believe.

 

 

Daily Smile:

 Three women and three men are traveling by train to the Super Bowl.

At the station, the three men each buy a ticket and watch as the three women buy just one ticket.

"How are the three of you going to travel on only one ticket?" asks one of the men.

"Watch and learn," answers one of the women.

They all board the train. The three men take their respective seats but all three women cram into a toilet together and close the door.

Shortly after the train has departed, the conductor comes around collecting tickets. He knocks on the toilet door and says, "Ticket, please."

The door opens just a crack, and a single arm emerges with a ticket in hand.

The conductor takes it and moves on.

The men see this happen and agree it was quite a clever idea; so, after the game, they decide to do the same thing on the return trip and save some money.

When they get to the station they buy a single ticket for the return trip but see, to their astonishment, that the three women don't buy any ticket at all!!

"How are you going to travel without a ticket?" says one perplexed man.

"Watch and learn," answer the women.

When they board the train, the three men cram themselves into a toilet, and the three women cram into another toilet just down the way.

Shortly after the train is on its way, one of the women leaves her toilet and walks over to the toilet in which the men are hiding.

The woman knocks on their door and says, "Ticket, please."

 

Happy Tuesday

A Christmas Stranger

At Christmas time there was a man,
who looked so out of place.
As people rushed about him,
at a hurried sort of pace.
 
He stared at all the Christmas lights,
the tinsel everywhere.
The shopping center Santa Claus,
with children gathered near.
 
The mall was packed with shoppers,
who were going to and fro.
Some with smiles, some with frowns,
and some too tired to go.
 
They rested on benches,
or they hurried on their way.
To fight the crowds for purchases,
to carry home that day.
 
The music from the stereo,
was playing loud and clear.
Of Santa Claus and snowmen,
and funny nosed reindeer.
 
He heard the people talk about,
the good times on the way.
Of parties, fun and food galore,
and gift exchange that day.
 
I'd like to know what's going on,
the man was heard to say.
There seems to be some sort,
of celebration on the way.
 
And would you tell me who this is,
all dressed in red and white
And why are children asking *him*
about a special night.
 
The answer came in disbelief,
I can't believe my ear.
I can't believe you do not know,
That Christmas time is here.
 
The time when Santa comes around,
with gifts for boys and girls.
When they are asleep on Christmas Eve,
he leaves them books and toys.
 
The man you see in red and white,
 is Santa Claus so sly.
The children love his joyful laugh,
and twinkle in his eye.
 
His gift pack is pulled along,
by very small reindeer.
As he flies quickly through the air,
while darting here and there.
 
The children learn of Santa Claus,
while they are still quite small.
When Christmas comes he is the most,
important one of all.
 
The stranger hung His head in shame,
He closed a nail pierced hand.
His body shook in disbelief,
He did not understand.
 
A shadow crossed his stricken face,
His voice was low but clear.
"After all these years they still don't know."
And Jesus shed a tear.

Fruit Bearing

Author Unknown To Me

I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. - John 15:5

What is fruit in a Christian? We know what fruit is in the natural world, and we know its uses, but what is fruit in the spiritual world? It cannot be merely Christian activities. It is true that well directed activities are fruits; but there is danger in these days, when work is so lauded, that we overlook another kind of fruit which is certainly as essential as the putting forth of consecrated energy. In nature, fruit is part of the branch itself, not something apart from it. There are spiritual fruits that are part of the life: growths into holiness and Christlikeness. Thus St. Paul says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” Very evidently these fruits are such as appear in the character itself. The aim of Christ's religion is not merely to make workers of us, to send us out to do good in the world, to fight against evil, to help the weak, and to minister to the sorrowing and the suffering. Its first aim is to make us good, to transform our character, to produce in us the likeness of Christ. Then we shall be ready to minister. While, therefore, we are to be fruitful in every good work, we are to seek also to be fruitful in the qualities of Christlike character.

In nature the tree's fruits feed the hunger of men. No tree consumes its own fruits; it drops them for those who come to gather them. This suggests that we should not be selfish in our fruit bearing. We should not seek the culture of our characters merely for our own sake. Our aim should be to provide something in our lives that will feed others and bless the world. All about us are hungry hearts. There are those who crave sympathy and love, those who yearn for comfort, those who desire to be saved. We are so to live that our lives shall yield bread for these.

Daily Smile:

My sister-in-law decided to go on a diet after a recent trip to the store with her grandson. They'd stopped in front of a pantyhose display, and, as she chose a package, he read out loud: "Q … U … E … E … N … S … I … Z … E.

Grandma!" he exclaimed, "You wear the same size as our waterbed!"

Happy Monday

KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS

It isn't Xmas, but Christmas
For that's the day Christ came.
When you take Christ out Christmas
You cross out life's best name.

I wonder why they cross out Christ,
The best that God could give.
I wonder why they've forgotten.
That we for Him should live.

Why take Christ's name out of Christmas?
For He came to set us free.
If we had Christmas without Christ
How hopeless we would be.

Why, is it ~ that they cross out Christ,
The greatest gift of all?
Why, is it ~ that nobody cares
Or listens to His call?

To me - "X" stands for nothing,
Then why, cross His name out?
To me - Christ means everything
He took away my doubt.

I'll never try to same my Lord,
I'll keep His name in place;
Then when life here below is over,
I'll see Him face to face.

Let us all, KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS.
Love and serve Him this year.
It isn't Xmas but it's Christmas,
Ring it out, loud and clear.

Reconciliation This Christmas Season

By David Massey

The Christmas season is fully upon us. Just what was God's plan in bringing about Christmas? Why did He decide to manifest Himself as a human being? Why did He provide this wonderful plan of mercy, grace and love that I often cannot begin to comprehend?

Jesus came to reconcile man to God.

(Hebrews 2:17) (LB) And it was necessary for Jesus to be like us, his brothers, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God, a Priest who would be both merciful to us and faithful to God in dealing with the sins of the people.

He came also to reconcile us with each other. Throughout the Bible, we find examples set by Jesus and others, of reconciliation between individuals. Jesus must have thought that reconciliation should be a high priority in our lives. Nowhere else but the Bible can I find an instance where a teacher instructs someone to leave the church and make up with someone before giving an offering.

(Matthew 5:23-24) (LB) So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and suddenly remember that a friend has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar and go and apologize and be reconciled to him, and then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

Esau and his brother Jacob were reconciled:

(Genesis 33:4,11) (LB) And then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him affectionately and kissed him; and both of them were in tears! 11 Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need." And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.

Luke tells about the reconciliation of Herod and Pilate:

(Luke 23:12) (LB) That day Herod and Pilate became friends-before this they had been enemies.

This is hard stuff. It is difficult to do. But it is Biblical and I have seen it work in both my own life and other people's lives. So let's just go through this next passage and see the steps Jesus lays out for us to take, when trying to restore a relationship.

Matthew 18:15-17 (NIV) If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Step One is the most difficult one. Jesus is saying for us to go to the person with whom we have a problem, share our feelings and do it in private. Our natural inclination is to go tell everyone we know, except the person that we feel has wronged us. Before long, the situation has been stirred and changed into something even worse than the original version. And more harmfully, the telling to others can turn into gossip.

I am not a very confrontational person. Therefore this first step is very difficult for me. I have written short notes to people, and at other times called them on the phone. I once came out and asked for a private meeting face-to-face. But in the few times that I have invoked the Matthew 18 principle, the dispute was settled after [completing] Step One. The dispute never went any farther. Please don't think that all this happened very quickly. One reconciliation took me ten years to complete. Often we become paralyzed with anger and can never take this initial step, but if we really want to live as fully-devoted followers of Christ, we must try.

The second step, if necessary, is to take one or two people along with you to serve as witnesses to the process. I am assuming that this other person or two would help mediate the matter and provide unbiased opinions of the situation, in order to help start a process of healing and understanding.

The conflicts that I have seen, have been resolved with Step One, so hopefully the third step in this plan will not be necessary. When needed, its purpose is to shed light on the dispute. It serves as a way to reprimand the guilty party while hopefully setting up a means to restore him back to fellowship with others and with Christ. I recently witnessed a successful example of this step in action. The situation was somewhat different as it involved a church member and a pastor. The pastor had committed a sin. Another pastor confronted the pastor, who denied the charge. The pastor and an elder of the church then confronted him. Though the evidence against the pastor was overwhelming, he was still unrepentant. However, he did resign. The church was told of the reason for the Pastors' resignation and the healing has begun.

So there you have it -- a simple yet profound, three-step Biblical plan of reconciliation, given to us by none other than the great Reconciler himself, Jesus Christ. Now the question is: Are you ready to take the first step? Try it; it works. What better time than now, to start on a path of reconciliation with someone in your life? 

Daily Smile:

A man mentioned to his landlord about the tenants in the apartment over his. “Many a night they stamp on the floor and shout till midnight.” When the landlord asked if it bothered him, he replied, 

“Not really, for I usually stay up and practice my trumpet till about that time most every night anyway.”

Happy Sunday

When Christmas Is Hard

LeAnn Rice

"He heals the brokenhearted…” Psalm 147:3 (NIV)

Looking at the calendar, I counted the number of days till Christmas. I’d done it every year, eagerly looking forward to celebrating Christ’s birth or surprising someone with the perfect Christmas gift.

However, this time I was counting down the days not with excitement, but with dread. My husband Ron passed away in April. That Christmas would be one of many dreaded “firsts” that my son and I would have without him.

Fragile, shattered and alone describe my feelings that holiday season. While everyone else seemed caught up in happy festivities, their family togetherness magnified my lonely brokenness.

Along with overwhelming grief, I was worried. How would I financially support us? How could I help my son have a fun holiday when I could hardly stop crying? It all seemed like too much.

Maybe you understand because this holiday season is hard for you too. A loved one may have passed or someone you love is battling a serious illness. This might be your first holiday separated or divorced. Just as I did, you may be feeling grief, dread or worry.

That first Christmas without my husband was fourteen years ago. Its taken time, but over the years I’ve adopted some practices to help me find joy during the Christmas season. I’d love to share with you today.

Honor your loved one. My husband’s absence at special occasions still weighs on my heart years later. To honor his memory, Nick and I place a special ornament on our Christmas tree. It hangs front and center as a reminder Ron is a part of every celebration, because he is a part of us. Perhaps you can hang an ornament on your tree, give a gift in your loved one’s honor, or make a donation in their memory to an organization that was dear to their heart. Consider making their favorite meal and sharing stories about them as you gather around your Christmas table.

Create new traditions. I always loved a big, family-oriented holiday with noise and messiness. Because my extended family lives far away, Nick and I needed to find a new “family” close by. Over the years, God has sent people to fill the empty spaces in our lives and hearts. One of my favorite new traditions is to spend an evening with my friends where I make a big Christmas dinner. We celebrate together with food, fellowship and all the noise and messiness I crave.

Share Christ’s comfort. I’ve experienced God’s promise to heal my broken heart, as today’s key verse reminds us. Much of my healing has come from the love He’s sent through other people. Because of this, I keep my eyes open for those who might be grieving or sad at the holidays. I’ve found that comforting others brings me comfort.

This year as I anticipate the Christmas season, I’ll experience a familiar combination of emotions. Sadness will tug at my heart as I miss celebrating this special time with my husband, but I’m excited to celebrate what only Christ can do — heal my broken heart. The comfort He brings is one of the many reasons to celebrate His birth this Christmas season.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your faithful presence and comfort during my sadness. I pray that especially during this Christmas season my eyes will be open to others who are hurting. Please help me to love them for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Daily Smile:

A young woman visits her parents and brings her fiancé to meet them. After an elaborate dinner, the mother tells her husband to find out about the young man. The father invites the fiancée to his library for a drink. “So what are your plans?” The father asks the young man. 

 

“I am a Torah scholar.” He says. 

 

“A Torah scholar, Hmmm,” the father says. “Admirable, but what will you do to provide a nice house for my daughter to live in, as she is accustomed to?” 

 

“I will study,” the young man said, and God will provide for us.” 

 

“And how will you buy her a beautiful engagement ring, such as she deserves?” asks the father. 

 

“I will concentrate on my studies,” the young man replies, “God will provide for us.” 

 

“And children?” asks the father. “How will you support children?” 

 

“Don’t worry, sir, God will provide,” replies the fiancé. The conversation continues like this, and each time the father questions, the young idealist insist that God will provide. 

 

Later, the mother asks, “How did it go, Honey?” 

 

The father answers, “He has no job and no plans, but the good news is he thinks I’m God.”