Arrival of Advent – The Christ Candle

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The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9:2-7

The battle had raged for months, the rains were relentless, the despair of war was increasing, yet on a dreary night the sounds of Silent Night echoed across the war-ravaged land and two armies declared an unofficial and impromptu cease-fire on the Western Front near Frelinghien, France during World War 1. It was a moment of hope as calm rested upon the battlefield. A short interlude from fighting occurred on December 24 and 25 and became known as the 1914 Christmas Truce. It was a small, localized event with a small group of soldiers, but for a brief moment they experienced peace. Christmas came to those war-torn trenches.

Fleming Rutledge writes,  “Advent always begins in the dark.” It was in the dark that the angels came to the shepherds. It was in the dark that the star guided the Magi to the Savior. It was in the dark that Joseph and Mary escaped to Egypt. It was in the dark of night that Nicodemus came seeking the truth. It would be in the dark that Jesus was betrayed by Judas.

Could it be that in the darkness of 2021, Advent has been more powerful and hopeful this year? Has our focus been more on Jesus than on the glitter and usual activities of Christmas? I hope so! Jeff Peabody wrote that we can learn to reframe our questions from “Lord, when will this darkness be over?” to “What is pointing me toward Christ?” As we do, we may find there is significantly more light in the room than we realized.”

The calendar day that marks Christmas may have passed but not the Incarnation. We watched the flickering flames of the hope, faith, joy, and peace candles that illuminated our advent wreath grow brighter when the Christ candle was lit for Christmas.  The world no longer has to live in darkness as God orchestrated the radiant light of Jesus’ birth. Jesus would tell the world that, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

The shepherds returned to their sheep that dark night but they had seen the Light.

The Magi returned to their homeland but they had seen the Light.

Mary and Joseph packed their belongings to return home but now they carried the Light.

Aging, faithful Simeon had waited expectantly but now he held the Light in his arms.

Precious Anna had worshipped and waited for decades but now she led in worship of the Light.

O Little Town of Bethlehem you were so preoccupied that you missed the Light.

King Herod, you were so blinded by evil and lust for power that you missed the Light.

America were you so consumed with materialism, violence, and division that you will miss the hope of the Light?

We live in an age when anything and everything can be politicized about Christmas. People get upset when others say Happy Holidays or leave off merry in Christmas. The real tragedy is not to know the Christ of Christmas. Life without Jesus leaves a bleak, dark, and hopeless world. A world that recognizes the day but not the person of Christmas.

What did you do with the Light this Christmas?

Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled.

Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies;

With angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem!

Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King.

God is great,

 

 

Celebrating the Fourth Week of Advent – The Angel Candle – Peace

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Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13-14

Peace and goodwill – the seemingly ever-elusive state that the world seeks, but never quite achieves. Lots of options are offered every day but only one source of peace will endure forever. Peace is not found in activities, methods or materials, but in a person. Peace marks the fourth week of Advent.

Merriam-Webster defines peace in very good technical terms as “a state of tranquility or quiet. Freedom from civil disturbance. A pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity offered the possibility of a negotiated peace.”

Yet why is peace so elusive?

The Institute for Economics and Peace released their annual Global Peace Index for 2021 report showing that the level of global peacefulness deteriorated again this year. It is the 9th deterioration in peacefulness in the last 13 years. Based on 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators measured across three domains of societal safety and security, ongoing domestic and international conflict, and degree of militarization. Iceland remains the most peaceful country, with Afghanistan coming last and The United States ranking 122 out of 163 nations.

For American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, peace seemed such a distant memory as he sat in the medical tent holding the wounded body of his oldest son, Charles following a battle during the American Civil War. The pain of his son stirred the pain within himself as he still grieved the death of his beloved wife. It was in this moment of despair that Longfellow heard the church bells tolling in the background for Christmas day. How can there be peace? Longfellow began to capture his thoughts in the poem “Christmas Bells.”

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men….

And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

Peace will always be elusive if we look for it in world power, politics, and earthly wealth. Jesus gives the only valid answer to the question, yet why is peace so elusive? “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

External surroundings no longer define inner peace because of the birth of Jesus. Over the decades since Longfellow captured the words to his poem, hundreds of wars have raged, civil unrest has erupted within nations, economic disasters, and personal tragedies. Yet the truth of that night in Bethlehem still echoes power and hope for us today. Jesus – The Prince of Peace!

God allowed the ringing bells to awaken Longfellow out of his hopelessness. His poem has inspired many songwriters since that Christmas morning to adapt the poem to music, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. Yes, the struggles you face are real, the challenges seem overwhelming. Yet may you hear again the bells on Christmas morning that Jesus came to offer life and peace for you this day!

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT

God is great,

 

Celebrating the third week of Advent: The Shepherd Candle – Joy

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And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the LORD appeared to them, and the glory of the LORD shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the LORD. Luke 2:8-11

One of the most beloved and famous of our Christmas carols, “Joy to the World” didn’t start as a song, especially not a Christmas carol. Isaac Watts published a book of poems based upon the Psalms. “Joy to the World” was an adaptation of Psalm 98 as Watts interpreted the psalm as a celebration of Jesus.

               Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her King…

               Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ….

               No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground….

               He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove…

Joy to the world became a reality for a group of shepherds working in the cold, dark night of Bethlehem’s fields. These men probably wouldn’t rank high on the social and influencer scenes of their day, yet these lowly shepherds experienced what the sheep owner may never have experienced: joy.

These nameless shepherds may not have had warm beds to crawl into that night, they didn’t have a cozy house to eat dinner in that night, nor did they have job security if raiders stole their sheep.  However, they had something far greater, they had a life-changing encounter with the Christ-child. Their status in life didn’t change, but their hearts and lives were forever and dramatically changed. They experienced the joy that superseded any expectation of happiness.

As the previous week’s Hope and Faith Advent candles burn, this week the Joy Advent candle is lit. A candle reflecting the anticipated joy of the coming Messiah. According to the most recent United Nations “World Happiness Report,” The United States ranks number 19 among the world’s nations in terms of happiness. The report is based upon external things that supposedly make a person happy.

This week’s advent candle doesn’t celebrate happiness but something far more profound: joy. Though people often interchange the terms, in reality, they are a world apart.  “Things” may seem to make you happy but will never bring you joy. However, on the flip side, the lack of “things” never impacts one’s joy.  Barbara Johnson shares the story about a man on her bus who understood the reality of joy.

“The day started out rotten. I overslept and was late for work. Everything that happened at the office contributed to my nervous frenzy. By the time I reached the bus stop for my homeward trip, my stomach was one big knot.

As usual, the bus was late—and jammed. I had to stand in the aisle. As the lurching vehicle pulled me in all directions, my gloom deepened.

Then I heard a deep voice from upfront boom, “Beautiful day, isn’t it?” Because of the crowd, I could not see the man, but I could hear him as he continued to comment on the spring scenery, calling attention to each approaching landmark. This church. That park. This cemetery. That firehouse. Soon all the passengers were gazing out the windows. The man’s enthusiasm was so contagious I found myself smiling for the first time that day. We reached my stop. Maneuvering toward the door, I got a look at our “guide”: a plump figure with a black beard, wearing dark glasses, and carrying a thin white cane.”

I doubt if the shepherds ever experienced what the world considers wealth. What I do know is that they experienced the greatest treasure of all time—Jesus.  The shepherds left the stable that night transformed.  “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” (Luke 2:17-18,20)

Happiness may or may not be found in brightly wrapped presents under the Christmas tree. Maybe the size is all wrong or the color is not what you wanted or what you wanted is still on a ship in the middle of the harbor. Whatever the gift, it will be temporary.

Joy will be found this Christmas and every Christmas after when you receive the gift of Jesus. A gift that never grows old, wears out, or becomes outdated. It is a gift that is new every day, a gift that is eternal.

Joy to the world! Jesus, the true joy of Christmas.

God is great,

Second Week of Advent – The Bethlehem Candle – Faith or Preparation

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Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the LORD! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The LORD has spoken!” Isaiah 40:3-5 NLT

A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the LORD. Matthew 3:3

“The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

These words of Bonhoeffer resonate well as we move into week two of this season of Advent. 2021 has been a chaotic year in so many ways, filled with every conceivable emotion. Most of us have at one point or another been “troubled in soul.” Out of the anxiety of the year, we can light the second candle symbolizing faith or preparation.

Throughout the generations, the nation of Israel had been holding onto the promise of God that He would bring comfort to the people. The same is true for us today as we celebrate the coming of Jesus with the anticipation of His return. “Advent reminds us that Christian hope is shaped by what has happened and what’s going to happen again.” Jay Y. Kim

I didn’t grow up in a church tradition that emphasized the practice of Advent. Only in recent years have I come to appreciate the beauty and celebratory nature of Advent. You will never control the excitement of children on Christmas morning. In much the same way, Advent prepares our hearts for that same uncontrollable excitement.

During this advent season of waiting and looking, you quickly realize that faith has a preparatory element to it. The lighting of the second candle is often called the Bethlehem or faith candle. “Bethlehem is a story about a humble couple on an unwanted journey, at an inconvenient time, to visit a tiny insignificant town.” – BJ Lawson

Joseph and Mary prepared to leave for Bethlehem to register for the government-mandated census. However, preparation for this birth had been made centuries before when Micah wrote, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (5:2)

Isaiah had told of the preparation God was making to come to a people that were exiled in a broken and parched wilderness. God’s redemption would “make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” God would come as a shepherd feeding, leading and caring for the weary flock.

Joseph and Mary loaded the donkey and set off for Bethlehem fueled by faith that was based upon a promise. Over the rugged terrain, they made the journey based upon the promise of God.  They only had a small glimpse of what this journey would mean to them, to the nation and ultimately to every generation to follow.

One of faith’s dictionary definitions is “Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.” Advent reminds us that our faith is based upon the faithfulness of God to keep his promises. Over the ages, God had promised a Savior and He kept that promise.

The story is shared of a Southeast Asia village experiencing Advent tangibly in the International Mission Board’s Week of Prayer guide. “When a woman called “Momma” heard Bible stories, she told her family, “There might be something to this Living God.” Momma has seen miraculous answers to prayer that have led her and others to the Lord. One miracle involved the family’s valuable pig. One day Momma’s daughter came with the disastrous news that their pig had died. In this area, a pig can be sold for the equivalent of two or three months of income.

Momma marched down to the pigpen where this crowd had gathered from the village. She just crawled into the pigpen and got down on her knees and said, ‘God, if You’re real, then show these people that You’re real.’ And while she was praying, the dead pig stood up.”

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in the dark street shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

Advent answers the question, “God, if You’re real, then show these people that You’re real.”

God is great,

First Week of Advent – Hope – Lighting the Prophecy Candle

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By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance. O God of our salvation; you are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas. Psalm 95:5

Hopelessness! This seems to be the primary diagnosis of our nation, of our world and, maybe of ourselves.  It seems as if daily the only news is bad news – conflict, violence, senseless rage against others. This overwhelming daily dose of bad news can quickly numb our hearts and souls. If someone would visit the doctor, the diagnosis would be chronic, low-grade hopelessness. We grasp for anything that offers hope, yet like the advertised medicines on TV, the side effects of the cure seem to be worse than the illness.

The story is told of a little boy in a hospital who found hope in an unusual way.  “One day a teacher who was assigned to a mentoring program received a routine call asking her to visit a particular child in the hospital. She took the child’s name and room number and talked briefly with the child’s regular class teacher. “We’re studying nouns and adverbs in his class now,” the regular teacher said, “and I’d be grateful if you could help him understand them so he doesn’t fall too far behind.”

 The hospital program teacher went to see the boy that afternoon. No one had mentioned to her that the boy had been badly burned and was in great pain. Upset at the sight of the boy, she stammered as she told him, “I’ve been sent by your school to help you with nouns and adverbs.” When she left she felt she hadn’t accomplished much. But the next day, a nurse asked her, “What did you do to that boy?” The teacher felt she must have done something wrong and began to apologize. “No, no,” said the nurse. “You don’t know what I mean. We’ve been worried about that little boy, but ever since yesterday, his whole attitude has changed. He’s fighting back, responding to treatment. It’s as though he’s decided to live.”

Two weeks later the boy explained that he had completely given up hope until the teacher arrived. Everything changed when he came to a simple realization. He expressed it this way: “They wouldn’t send a teacher to work on nouns and adverbs with a dying boy, would they?”  (article from Bits and Pieces magazine)

“There are no hopeless situations: there are only people who have grown hopeless about them.” – Clare Boothe Luce

G. K. Chesterton wrote that: “Hope means hoping when things are hopeless, or it is no virtue at all…it is only when everything is hopeless that hope begins to be a strength.” Hope was finally found after four hundred years between the close of Malachi and the coming word that the Messiah would be born. Now, the prophecy candle would be lit. Gabriel, the angel of the LORD, came to Zechariah, announcing that he and Elizabeth would give birth to a son who would be named John. Though they were long past childbearing years they would be part of God’s plan for hope. They would have a son in their old age but not just any son. Their son would “make ready a people prepared for the LORD.”

A few months later Gabriel made his way to Nazareth with the greatest birth announcement the world would ever hear. It was an announcement that would rock the world forever! In this small, politically insignificant village, Gabriel made his way to a young woman and Mary heard the words, “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:31-33)

Hope, as defined by the dictionary is “To entertain a wish for something with some expectation. To be confident; trust. To look forward to with confidence of fulfillment.” God defined hope in the birth of Jesus. “…Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” Hebrews 6:18-19

Sunday marked the first day of Advent. In the midst of all the shopping, decorating and activities that mark the Christmas season, this Advent season can remind us to set aside time for spiritual preparation for celebrating the coming of Jesus Christ. The flame of the first candle reminds us that God kept his promise to send a Messiah.

Hope found in a feeding trough. Hope – wrapped in a blanket. Hope – worshipped by the lowly shepherds as well as the ruling Kings.

Christmas is the very essence of hope as we experience God coming into the world, “Emmanuel, God is with us.” (Matt 1:23) As you reflect upon the Hope candle, whatever struggle you face, use it as an opportunity to experience the hope found in the coming of Jesus. In a dark world, one candle’s light is as powerful as a floodlight on a dark night.

God wouldn’t send his son to offer hope if we were dying without hope, would he?

Lord, let me be attentive to what truly matters, without being distracted by trivial things.

For opportunities to encourage others who may be struggling without hope.

For grace to rest in the midst of uncertainty and unrest in my life.

For hope that comes each morning through your love and grace. Amen.

 

God is great,

But if not

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But if not….

If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, o king, let him deliver us. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up. Daniel 3:17-18

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Such was the conviction of Jim Elliot as he entered these words in his journal on October 28, 1949. These words would become true for him and his four fellow missionaries on January 8, 1956, as they were attacked and murdered. Elliot and the others fully understood the dangers, yet were willing to say “but if not.”

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego could have saved themselves a lot of trouble if they had simply gone along with the crowd and bowed on the plain of Dura. They could have rationalized their decision for everyone except themselves. “But if not” became a powerful statement of faith that would echo across the centuries. Could God save them from the furnace of death? Without a doubt. Would God save them from the furnace of death? It didn’t matter.

Fast forward a few years as Daniel, the once-powerful leader within the king’s court now stands looking into the mouth of a lion. Daniel could have closed the windows to his room and prayed in secret but not Daniel. He had no doubts that God could save him from the lions “but if not”, then let it be known I will continue to pray and worship my God.

Jesus standing in the midst of Gethsemane facing the critical juncture in his ministry came to his “but if not” moment. Throwing himself on the ground and praying, he cried out, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, yet not what I want but what you want.” (Matthew 26:39)

Peter and John had their defining “but if not” moment as they stood before their accusers. You can go home, just don’t preach about Jesus anymore. This was their free ticket out of jail. “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge.” Peter and John had no doubts that God could get them out of jail “but if not”, “we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20)

Bishops Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer faced their terrifying “but if not” moment being chained to the stake to be burned for their beliefs. Bishop Ridley if you will only revoke and recant, you can go free. Is this the only way of freedom? Yes. “Well so long as there is breath in my body, I will never deny my Lord Christ and his known truth. God’s will be done in me.” As fire began to consume the wood that would quickly take their lives, Latimer, the man of prayer, boldly proclaimed, “Be of good cheer, Ridley, and play the man. We shall this day, by God’s grace, light up such a candle in England as I trust will never be put out.”

Scripture is filled with pages of “but if not” moments for those who follow God. Joseph could have escaped prison if he had only succumbed to the desires of Potiphar’s wife. David could have been king sooner if he had only killed Saul in the cave. Job could have had the easy life if he hadn’t been a righteous man. Stephen wouldn’t have been the first martyr of the church if he hadn’t boldly proclaimed the Gospel.

“But if not” faith comes with a cost, yet it is a faith worth whatever cost. “But if not” faith has been the clarion cry for everyone who follows God. Jesus understood fully that his followers would face a “but if not” moment because “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” (John 15:18-19 NLT)

Centuries have passed since three young men stood in defiance of a king’s order and made their declarations of “but if not” faith in God. This same zealous declaration has been heard in every generation by those who follow Jesus. Today, around the world, there are those who are facing a loss of job, imprisonment, and even death because they have chosen the “but if not” faith in Jesus Christ.

Every follower of Jesus will face the “but if not” moment. What will your “but if not” moment look like?

God could heal me of cancer but if not, I will continue to trust Him.

God could keep my company from going bankrupt but if not, I will continue to follow Him.

God will …. but if not, I will still worship and praise God.

God is great,

 

Words – Use Wisely

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Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. — Colossians 4:2-6

 

I can’t believe he said that to me! Did you hear what she just said? I finally got word they were OK.

Every day roughly 16,000 words are spoken according to a University of Arizona study with no discernable difference between the number that men or women speak. That’s a lot of words! Words that encourage and words that deflate. Words that bless and words that curse. Words to give information and words to bring comfort.

Thankfully you are no longer limited to the approximately 470,000 words in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, they just added 455 new words and definitions in October. Language continually evolves, adding new words almost daily. Surely with this number of choices, you can find a word that is appropriate for the occasion.

Men no longer have a slight belly, they now have a ‘dad bod.’ You can now be a ‘digital nomad’ if you normally work over the internet while traveling. You no longer have to settle for a simple sandwich, you can have a ‘fluffernutter, horchata, chicharron, or Goetta.’ It shouldn’t come as a surprise but “Vax” is Oxford Languages’ word of the year.

No one can escape the word saturated culture we live in today. According to recent statistics, the average time Americans spend on mobile devices is three hours and 54 minutes a day. You can add to this number another three hours and 22 minutes for TV watching. This climate of word saturation can set a pattern of use that no longer encourages us or honors God. Christine Wang writes, “as a society, we like to swear. Swear words have a strange power over us. It starts when we are young when they are deliciously taboo. Then, as we age, our dependence on swear words increases to the point where as an adult, we find that the magnitude of our emotions can only be captured by cursing.”

In this vast reservoir of words to draw from, what do you do with your words? We could use the newest, trendy words. Or we could use the good, old-fashioned curse words.  Whatever, or however, we use our words, “Words have power. With your words you can wound and weaken the people who matter most in your life, such as your colleagues and subordinates, your family members and friends, your neighbors near and far. Or you can use your words to bless those who are close to you, to build them up, encourage, and energize them.” — Mark Roberts

Without a doubt, we need new words to describe our ever-expanding world of language. I guess the world is better off now that the words “blank check company, a doorbell camera, air fryer, ghost kitchen, halotherapy” have found their way into the Merriam-Webster list of words.

Most likely the trendy words of today will be out of vogue with the next generation. However, Jesus offers words that this generation and the next and the next will need long after the air fryer goes to the dump. “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.” –John 6:63

Jesus knew a few things about words since he is the ultimate Word. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” — John 1:14

Words do have power, use your 16,000 words today with grace and wisdom. Our world is greatly in need of words that give life. Words that give hope. Words that glorify God. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” — Psalm 19:14

 

God is great,

Real Rest

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On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation. Genesis 2:2-3

Found it – Your lost hour from March! Do you feel better with a whole extra hour of sleep? Are you really more rested? Do you really have more energy? What did you do with the extra hour you were given? Is it really a gift if it comes at the midnight hour while you are sleeping? Most likely you didn’t gain a lot from that hour.

ulu Tours, a Hong Kong tour company launched a five-hour, 47-mile ride to nowhere. Actually, the tour had a destination: sleep. The company realized the soothing rhythm of the road caused people to fall asleep. Kenneth Kong shared that “When we were brainstorming new tours, I saw a social media post from my friend saying that he was stressed out by his work, he couldn’t sleep at night. But when he was traveling on the bus, he was able to sleep well. His post inspired us to create this tour that lets passengers just sleep on the bus.” The first tour was sold out!

The United States is among the world leaders in reduced productivity and increased health issues from lack of sleep. According to Rand Corporation, the US loses the equivalent of 1.2 million working days per year from people not getting enough sleep. In addition, “The US loses approximately $411 billion a year, or 2.28% of its GDP.”

God’s creation in Genesis included the special gift of rest. He didn’t create a day off but a time of rest and renewal.  It should be a time to slow down and enjoy His creation; a time to step aside and enjoy His presence.  On the seventh day, God set in motion a mini-sabbatical for us to be renewed and restored. The world gives us an hour and then takes it back. God’s life-giving Sabbath is so important that it was included as part of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). However, when the Sabbath became bogged down in the swamp of legalism, Jesus reminded everyone, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” (Mark 2:27-28 NLT)

Countless times throughout scripture, God’s people were condemned for their failure to observe the Sabbath. Condemned, not for keeping rules or regulations, but failure to keep God at the center of the Sabbath and to treat it as holy.

Eugene Peterson regularly shared with his congregation the importance of the Sabbath and the impact that it has on the culture around us. “The great reality we are involved in as people and pastor is God. Most of the people around us don’t know that, and couldn’t care less. One of the ways God has provided for us to stay aware of and responsive to him as the determining and centering reality of our lives in a world that doesn’t care about this is by sabbath-keeping. At regular intervals we all need to quit our work and contemplate his, quit talking to each other and listen to him. God knows we need this and has given us a means in sabbath—a day for praying and playing, simply enjoying what he is.”

Religion tried to legalize the Sabbath through rituals and requirements.   Governments have tried to legalize the Sabbath through Blue Laws and restrictions. Culture tried to dismiss the Sabbath as irrelevant. Technology tried to drown out the Sabbath with busyness and noise.

“A day of rest. A day to humble me with the reminder of my limitations. A day to slow my pace and cease my drive to produce. A day to find my identity outside of what I accomplish. A day to find enjoyment not in what I use, but simply in being myself with God, his creation, and his people, especially my family.”—Bill Gaultiere

God tried to give us the Sabbath as a gift of life and renewal. What will you do with this life-giving gift?

God is great,

Yes, God does forget

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…. for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. Jeremiah 31:34

No game safari would be complete without at least one encounter with elephants. The massive African elephant and the slightly smaller Asian elephant enjoy the distinction of being the largest land mammals on earth with life spans that can reach 70 years. These gentle yet powerful creatures move about the land gracefully and majestically. The beautiful creatures also have a remarkable memory that gives us the saying, “An elephant never forgets.” According to a 7-year Kenya study, the matriarch passes her knowledge on to other members of the herd. Additional studies revealed that as an elephant ages, its memory improves.

I’m sure San Francisco resident Stefan Thomas would have welcomed an elephantine memory when he couldn’t remember the password to access a secure hard drive that contained 7,002 bitcoins valued at approximately $220 million. Forgetfulness is a common problem with 39% of Americans having forgotten or misplaced at least one everyday item in the past week according to a Trending Machine national poll.

We are not surprised when we forget things but what about God? How could God, who is omniscient, forget anything? How could God who created all things, forget anything? How could God who knows our inner thoughts, forget anything?

It is no surprise that God forgives us of our sins. Scripture tells us that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9).

We can have confidence that God forgives but forgets? When it comes to our sins, God has total amnesia. “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Hebrews 10:17. “I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.” Isaiah 43:25(NLT) “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” Hebrews 8:12

It is amazing to think that God chooses to forget. In that moment of forgiveness, God also chooses to forget. God chooses not to keep bringing up our past. God chooses not to throw our mistakes and failures back into our faces. God chooses to maintain a relationship with us that is new and fresh each day.

Unfortunately, the one who can’t forget is yourself. Knowing we are forgiven doesn’t seem to be quite enough. We choose to carry the baggage of our past until the weight breaks us from enjoying the beauty of forgiveness. Yes, you will remember but “remember your sin redemptively.”

“We are not capable of forgetting. The memory of a difficult event will always be with us. But we can choose to remember in a redemptive manner. We can remember the event as a time of real pain but also as a testimony of God’s forgiveness and grace. We will always remember our mistakes, but we can also remember that they led to healing.” (James Bryan Smith)

Could it be that Peter stood at the water’s edge reflecting on how Jesus pulled him from the waters of his fear? Could it be the woman caught in adultery walked by the temple spot of her condemnation reflecting on Jesus’ words of grace and healing? Could it be that Paul again walked the road to Damascus but remembered the gift of salvation he received?

Could it be now as you look back you remember “that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Cor 5:17NLT)

God is great,

Until the End

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The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke.

Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I; send me!” Isaiah 6:4-5,8

“Send me” is the only response Isaiah can make. In this moment of complete surrender, Isaiah said he would go. In this moment of total worship, Isaiah knew he had to say yes. In this moment of overwhelming emotion of his own sinfulness, Isaiah said yes.

If you had been standing there, would you have said yes, “send me”?

The call of God hasn’t changed over the generations. He still calls us to go into this world that needs Him. We may be called to the marketplace where we encounter the lost. For some of us the call is to the ends of the world, to other cultures and people groups. Granted the call for most people will never be quite as dramatic as it was for Moses, David, Peter, Paul or Isaiah but the impact will still be Kingdom changing.

Sitting in the Regal Cinema watching the Mission Aviation Fellowship documentary “Ends of the Earth,” I couldn’t help but think, God is still asking the same question, “who will go?”  “It’s a mysterious part of the gospel that says God loves the people at the very edge of what the world thinks matters, the people who are marginalized. You know, even among Christians there’s a kind of calculation about return on investment (ROI) and “bang for our buck.” You hear this with mission work too. But we can’t really approach this from an ROI perspective. The gospel is costly. Jesus comes and he gives his life so we can have life. And he’s the shepherd who goes after the one lost sheep.” David Holsten, Pres MAF

The gospel is costly in so many ways. It puts you in the crosshairs of our secular culture. The cost will require you to sacrifice time and energy. For some such as MAF pilot, Joyce Lin who was killed in a plane crash in Papua, Indonesia. Her yes to “send me” cost her life. In Haiti this week, 17 missionaries were kidnapped. Their yes to “send me” is a loss of freedom and maybe worst.

Your yes to “send me” will cost you. Will the cost be worth it?  Isaiah doesn’t ask what he will suffer, his only question, “How long, O Lord?” God’s answer: forever. Isaiah doesn’t think, he simply says, “send me”. Frederick Buechner writes, “And that is what a prophet does for a living and, starting from the year that King Uzziah died, when he saw and heard all these things, Isaiah went and did it.”

A young coal miner from Iowa said yes to God’s call. George Bennard became an itinerant missionary and preacher. When he was interrupted and harassed in a service by those mocking the cross, it caused Bennard to think deeply about Christ and the Cross. As he meditated on the meaning of the cross, six initial words “I’ll cherish the old rugged cross” birthed the hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross.”

Our yes to “send me” will cost us something. Our yes to “send me” will look different from anyone else’s yes. Yet in the end, our yes will be worth it. The words from the final verse of Bennard’s hymn says it well:

“To the old rugged cross I will ever be true; its shame and reproach gladly bear;

Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away, Where His glory forever I’ll share.

 So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it some day for a crown.”

Use me Lord to the end. Let others see you in me. Give me eyes to see, ears to hear your call in my life. Fall fresh on me. Fall fresh on me. Amen

God is great,