JOY PART 3

Last week I gave the class a paper to list 10 ways they give joy to others.  I know.  I know.  It is hard to “toot” your own horn.  Everyone quickly agreed that we receive great joy when helping others.  I believe this is true, but, if you want to test this theory so you can feel great joy, I really like good cheesecake.

Quickly, the list began.  Listen was the first, followed by greet people, smile and pray.  One lady said she could see joy on the face of a fellow teacher, when she handed them their favorite drink.  A simple gift!  Others feel joy when they are given a compliment or when they are on the receiving end of a common courtesy.  (Forget being politically correct!  Tell someone when they look particularly fetching or they are wearing a pretty pair of ear rings or are wearing a funky tie.  Open doors for others.)

Bring joy by keeping in touch.  Try writing an actual letter that goes into an envelope and requires a stamp.  Think of their joy as they receive something other than bills and junk mail.  When someone is not expecting it, call or text them.  A quick “good morning” may be just the thing they need to start their day. 

TIME!  Time is one of the most important things you can give your loved ones and friends.  Sit down to a meal and turn the phone off.  Enjoy playing a game or working a puzzle.  What joy they will feel knowing they are important enough for you to spend your valuable time with them.

Giving others joy means you will hear the slightest thing they say.  Did they mention they once wanted to learn how to knit?  Would they like to know how you make those really good brownies?  Give them the joy of learning a new skill.  It was pointed out that, even though they might want to knit, they might not be able to knit.  (Remember, we all have different talents, but what a joy it will be to spend time trying.)

Everyone agreed with laughter.  What joy it is to laugh!!  And did our class ever laugh.  One person said the church would bring her great joy if the toilet paper in the ladies room was good, two ply paper.  No, I am not going into details.  Yes, it was Carla. 

Finally, regaining control, I asked, “Is it hard to allow others to help you?”  The comments came:

• It is hard to admit I need help.
• But, I feel joy when my kids ask me to help them.
• I do not want to be a bother.
• I feel joy helping others, especially when I can do it without being asked.

Others help with random acts of kindness and talking to strangers.  Talking to strangers opens our eyes and hearts to the way others live.  We hear their stories.  One person said they asked someone how they were.  They replied, “Better than I deserve to be.” 

Sadly, sometimes fear keeps us away from helping others, as does refusing to get out of our comfort zone.  COVID has made us think out of the box and find new ways to bring joy to others. 

One of the final comments was to forgive.  What joy forgiveness brings.

-  - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I have thought a lot about our discussion on how to bring joy to others.  It would be easy to end with forgiveness, but there are two things which can impact those closest to you and extend into impacting the world.

LISTEN – six letters.  Listen sounds simple.  We all think we listen.  We listen to our friends while checking the messages on our phone or sending a quick text.  We listen to our family as we continue to read or watch TV.  What if we use a shorter word:  HEAR.  It is only four letters, but changes the whole situation.  Hear:

• listen or pay attention to
• to gain knowledge
• to listen to with attention

How would the joy level of those around you change if you did not look at your phone/iPad/?? while they were talking to you?  How would your friends react if you actually heard what they were saying?  How would your family feel when they realize you are making them number one?  Too often we are formulating a reply or a defense, instead of hearing what the other person is saying.  And, yes, I am very guilty of that.  But, once we learn the difference between listening and hearing, we will learn that we are more alike than different.  And the areas where we are different can grow smaller when we hear each other.

TIME – four letters.  Ah, but time is valuable.  Time is precious.  Which leads to the question:  How do you spend your time?  I would love to say, “I spend my time doing very worthwhile things.  I …..”  The truth is I waste a whole lot of time.  I post on Facebook and Instagram.  I love to play a slots game on my iPad.  So you do not get the wrong impression, I spend time with my hubby, write letters to grandsons + five others in the military, volunteer with a kindergarten class of home schoolers, prepare Sunday School lessons, and manage the church Facebook and website.  I am not telling you this to make myself look good.  It is to point out how quickly our time is consumed.

Time is valuable.  Time is precious.  What joy others will feel knowing they are important enough for you to spend your valuable time with them.

How do you give joy to others?  Listen, but listen with attention and hear.  Hear your family, your friends, and those strangers.  Give of your time.  Make others feel special and valuable.  It might take a whole evening of playing games or it might just take a second to give a person the only smile they have seen all day.

 

 

JOY PART 2

This week I had the class close their eyes.  They were to think about personal joy.  What does it look like?  How does it feel?  What does it sound like?  How does it smell?

How does joy smell?  I do believe the “how does it smell” caught them a bit off guard.  The first smell, baby powder, came from a grandpa, followed by fresh mowed grass, popcorn, fried chicken, suntan lotion, and canning season. 

Now, you must remember this is a rural community, which means everyone understands agriculture.  The discussion quickly went from baby powder and fried chicken to pig manure.  It was mentioned by a man who had memories of showing pigs at the county fair.  Chicken manure was shouted out.  The next comment was, “Yes, chicken manure smells like money to me.”  Smiles came to faces, as the smells of dirt and new mown hay were mentioned.  It seems silage has a unique aroma too.  Yes, these particular smells were given by men who apparently have very unusual olfactory sensory neurons. 

What does joy sound like?  Those farmers kicked in with … are you ready…tractors.  One mother loved to hear the sound of her children getting along and when someone spoke the words, “Your children are so good.”  Joy is music, parents offering wisdom, whistling, and the sounds of nature.  Not everyone agreed on the joy of a rooster sounding the arrival of morning, birds singing, jake brakes, and tap dancing.  Personally, the rooster would end up in the smell column.  (Think about it.)  Everyone agreed that the sound of laughter is pure joy.

How does joy feel?  Joy comes in the warmth of the sun, holding hands, hugs, the excitement of competition, and the adventure of learning new things.  Also, it is the feeling of walking in a creek and mud squishing between your toes.  Someone mentioned the joy of annoying others.  I am not sure why all eyes turned towards me when that was said.  We discussed the joy of being there when a loved one dies.

What does joy look like?  What is personal joy?  This is the longest list.  Joy is having a child run into your arms or sitting beside your loved one.  It is seeing a smile or a full moon or a sunrise or a sunset.  Joy is watching calves run or seeing someone dance.  It is the feeling in our heart when we can help others, encouraging them, and celebrating when a team mate sinks the ball that wins the game.  Joy is having memories play in our mind as if they happened yesterday.  Time is a joy.  Sometimes it is time spent with others or, sometimes, it is being by ourselves doing absolutely nothing.  It looks like work.  Yes, we find joy in the ability to work!  Joy is watching others be happy or doing something that makes them happy.  Joy is telling others about Christ and seeing them change.  Joy is walking into church.  Joy is being with friends, playing sports, and petting a dog.  Joy can look like a clean car. 

We wondered how the list of things that bring us joy would have changed, if people who lived in big cities had been there.  For sure, they would not agree on the smell of pig manure.  They might have mentioned opening night at a theater or catching a cab or the sounds on the street or parks.  We know the child running toward you and baby powder and laughter would be on everyone’s list.

THE WRAP UP

During the discussion, we discovered that what brings one person joy does not necessarily bring another person joy.  That rooster crowing at daybreak is a good example.  The crack of dawn is way before my first cup of coffee and, therefore, not a good thing. It was decided that if we all found joy in the same way, life would be very, very boring. 

By worldly standards, the things that brought us joy would be considered little things:  Smiles.  Laughter.  Baby powder.  Dirt.  Children talking.  Friends.  Being hugged.  Holding hands.  Music.  Dogs. 

There were two of the joys I want you to think about.  They are not little things.

It is hard to comprehend that being with a loved one, when they die, is a joy.  It is a joy and a gift.  One last time you are able to whisper, “I love you.”  That is a gift to the person speaking and to the person hearing.  It is a joy to know your loved one will soon feel no pain.  No cancer.  No arthritis.  No blindness.  No more tears.  Yes, there is joy in being with a loved one when they die.

It is a joy to tell others about Christ.  It is our job to tell them.  To show them by how we live our lives.  To let them see the joy Christ gives to us.  It would be super fantastic if every person we told became an instant believer, but that is not the case.  We are to tell.  God is to open their hearts.  BUT… but… when we do tell someone and God has opened their heart and they get it!  They find Christ!  AND… and… we see their lives change… see them change… THAT IS THE GREATEST JOY OF ALL!

And that is no little thing!

 

 

JOY

I think this will be a four part series, but it depends on my Sunday School Class.  I will see which class members read this, because I did not know the lesson would turn into a blog.  Last Sunday was such a joy; I have to write about it. 

Class started with the normal information.  What does joy mean?  Did you know joy, joyous, and joyful appear over 200 times in the Bible? 

I used Psalm 104:31 and Isaiah 65:17-19 to point out that God takes joy in His creation.  We are His creation!  That means God takes joy in us.  Now doesn’t that just make you joyful?  Plus the Bible is plum full of joy over the lost, the ministries and healings of Christ, the resurrection, and even joy after persecutions.

Once the intro was over, I asked them to look around the church.  Where do you find joy here?  It was quiet for a minute.  Then one person spoke up.  “The bathroom,” he said.  We all laughed, but admitted it did.  From there, it was nonstop.

They found joy in the sound system and the music.  They found joy in the Fellowship Hall.  (Our church finished a remodeling about a year ago.)  Fellowship Hall allows us to meet together and is easily accessible.  This was not the case before.  Time in Fellowship Hall gives us the opportunity for long conversations and celebrating.  They found joy in the Pastor as he gives us the Word of God and those that step up when needed. 

I asked a young lady what it felt like to sit beside her grandmother in church.  She said it inspired her.  That led to discussing how the church offered comfort and support after the loss of a loved one.  Of course you come to church the next Sunday.  There was no hesitation in answering that question. 

Worship was discussed.  The beliefs of the church must be strong and Biblical.  There needs to be a balance between the service being familiar, without it becoming stale and routine.  Music?  How can music be a point of concern?  Again, a balance is needed.  They always want the old, well known hymns, but we must be open to new music also.  One person suggested that if you do not like the music, read the words.  They are words of faith.  They are just written by a new generation of believers.

And isn’t that our purpose?  A new generation of believers.  Few churches are multi-generational.  They talked about how it is harder to get people to come to church.  Especially, youth…teenagers and college age. 

This is a small, rural church and there were only two there that did not have long-time, family ties to the church. 

All agreed on two things:

• They know God is always there.
• They miss singing.  This is a singing church and, with Covid and masks, singing is put on hold.

THE WRAP UP

When the clock struck 11:30, the discussion was wrapped up.  But not until I pointed something out. 

During the entire conversation, not one person mentioned the brick/mortar of the building or the stained glass windows or the pew/chairs.  Everything that was mentioned reflected our joy in each other. 

A bathroom is a necessity.

The sound system and music allows us to join together in worship.  We can hear!  We can sing!

Fellowship Hall is a place to relax and enjoy each other.

Worshiping means we are united in our beliefs, fed by the Word, and serving where needed. 

This is the place for our healing to begin. 

“Others” was the biggest portion of our joy.  Joy in hearing about each other’s wonderful news and praying for their needs.  Joy in remembering the kindness shown during our trials, when healing words were spoken, and support was given,   And of course, the hugs!

And all of this?  All of this is why I was one of the two, with no former ties to this church.  Here I find JOY.

 

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY

PART 5:  WISE MEN

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

WISE MEN – MATTHEW 2:1-12

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?  We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Now doesn’t that just beat all?  These guys were lost.  I will admit, they did ask for directions.

Magi is plural for magus.  A magus was a member of a hereditary priestly class among the ancient Medes and Persians and traditionally one of the three wise men from the East paying homage to the infant Jesus.  Knowing this we have to rethink the Christmas image.  First, I admit the Wise Men do not belong in the manger scene, but we can blame whoever put on the first school Christmas play.  I am sure some mother was in the front row shouting, “What role does my son get?”  Sitting in the second row were two other mothers asking the same question.

It must also be noted that those three Wise Men were not riding along on their camels by themselves.  Priestly class would not be cooking their own meals, nor bedding the camels down for the night.  The Magi would have quite the entourage.  Besides, their arms would have been busy guiding the camel, not holding the gold, frankincense and myrrh in the perfect position to show up in a silhouette. 

Yes, I am having a bit of fun with the Magi.  On with the story…

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.

They immediately bowed down and worshiped him.  How many questions did Mary ask?  What did Jesus think of the gifts they brought?  Did he wish they would have brought him a small hammer so he could hammer nails? 

And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

 

Do you suppose they found their way home?

How are we like the Wise Men? 

·       We are seeking.
·       We think we know where we are going.
·       We have to ask for directions.
·       We arrive at our location.
·       We travel home another route.

So…

·       Are you seeking?
·       Do you know what road to take?
·       Are you willing to ask for directions if/when you get lost?
·       What will you do when you arrive at your location?
·       Will you stay on the same old road or follow a new and better road?

Be assured!  You are not on the road alone!  God is always beside you.  There are fellow seekers willing to travel with you.  And when you arrive, you will want to follow a new and better road.

Can you find your way home?  The new road leads to the Christ Child and the Christ Child is your salvation.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder:

and his name shall be called

WONDERFUL,

COUNSELLOR,

THE MIGHTY GOD,

THE EVERLASTING FATHER,

THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end,

upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom,

to order it, and to establish it with judgment

and with justice from henceforth even for ever.

 

Isaiah 9:6-7

 WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY

PART 4:  SIMEON AND ANNA

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

SIMEON AND ANNA -- LUKE 2:22-38

When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord; “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

Joseph and Mary were following the Law of Moses and were taking Jesus to present him to the Lord.  When they arrived, they encountered two people Simeon, who was righteous and devout, and Anna, who never left the temple and worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 

It had been revealed to him (Simeon) by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.  Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.  When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God…..

Can you picture this man, waiting?  Searching?  Watching?  And then slowly holding his arms out to hold the baby Jesus?  Gently, ever so gently, taking the child into his arms.

Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:  “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations; a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

Can you see her?  Anna had been married for seven years and was a widow until she was 84.

She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.  Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.  And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

 

The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he saw the Lord’s Messiah.  Simeon, held the Christ Child and praised God.  He had seen the Christ Child.  He was ready to die in peace, because he had seen God’s salvation.

Have you found God’s salvation?  Are you ready to die in peace?

Anna realized in a moment that this baby was the redemption of Jerusalem.  She gave thanks and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to that redemption. 

Do you realize Jesus came for the redemption of everyone?  That is EVERY ONE!  Tell yourself that and then tell others.  God does not desire for even one of his children to be lost.  His desire is for each and every child to have eternal life.  Spread the word about this child that grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and had the grace of God on him.

 

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

WHY – if they were so wise – did the Wise Men have to ask for directions?  (January 1, 2021)

 WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY

PART 3:  JOSEPH

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

JOSEPH -- MATTHEW 1:18-24

 “This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about:  His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.” 

MARY PREGNANT?  I am sure this took Joseph’s breath away.  They had not consummated the betrothal.  Can you picture Joseph’s brow wrinkle as he tries to understand and … he does not want to hurt her… but what should he do?

“Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”  Yes, that would be the best.  Quietly.  He would speak to her and explain.

“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Have you ever had a dream so real that when you woke up you were lost in time and space?  Confused between dream and reality?  That is where Joseph must have been when he first began to wake up.  As his eyes were opening, did he remember what the prophet had said?  Did virgin will conceive, birth to a son, and Immanuel move from dream into reality?

“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.”

Joseph, a man faithful to the law, had a compassionate heart.  He took Mary home.  “But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son.  And he gave him the name Jesus.”

Why was he willing to change his mind?  He was all set to “divorce her quietly” and then he went to sleep.

I often do not know how a blog is going to end and this part on Joseph was one of those times.  I wasn’t sure why he had changed his mind.  Yes, he was visited by an angel.  But he could have easily dismissed that as just a dream. 

Then it hit me.  The answer is simple.  Joseph did the right thing.

Joseph should be admired as a man, a husband, and a father.  As a man, he was faithful to the law.  As a husband, he loved his wife enough to delay consummating their marriage.  As a father, he was an earthly role model for Jesus.  None of these would have been easy.   Doing the right thing is not always easy.

An angel came to Joseph in a dream and instructed him on how to do the right thing.  Where do you find instructions on doing the right thing?  Who do you turn to for encouragement and strength when trying to do the right thing?

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

WHAT happens when you find him?  (December 25, 2020)

WHY – if they were so wise – did the Wise Men have to ask for directions?  (January 1, 2021)

 

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY

PART 2:  MARY

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

MARY - LUKE 1:26-39

In Galilee, in the town of Nazareth, Mary was all excited about being betrothed to Joseph.  She was still living in her father’s house, but that would cease when the processional walked her to the house of her groom.  Then the betrothal would become a legal tie and the marriage would be consummated. 

This young virgin saw her future as being very traditional ....  until Gabriel delivered another message. 

“Greetings, you who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you.”  Mary was greatly troubled and wondered.  At least she was not gripped with fear like Zechariah.  Gabriel must be used to people getting a bit afraid when he appeared, because he immediately calmed her by saying, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.”

I can almost see Mary taking a deep breath and allowing her body to relax, until she heard, “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.”

Was her mind swirling...a baby?  ”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.”

Then the question came:  “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

As I read this, I am ready for another “I AM GABRIEL” moment.  It doesn’t come.  Instead, he proceeds to calmly tell Mary what will happen and that Elizabeth is to have a child in her old age. 

What did I miss?  How come Zechariah got in trouble for asking a question and Mary didn’t?  They were both asking the same question: How is this going to happen?  Why?  Zechariah and Elizabeth had prayed and prayed for a child.  When the angel said their prayers were being answered, Zechariah questioned how this could be.  He was questioning God’s ability to answer their prayers.  Mary had no idea how this could physically happen and was asking an honest question, not doubting God.

BUT that was the last question Mary asked.  Mary listened.  Mary answered:  “I am the Lord’s servant.  May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Then the angel left her.  I can picture Gabriel, looking lovingly at Mary, and slowly fading away, leaving Mary to comprehend all that had happened.

A popular question: If you could sit and eat with any person dead or alive, who would you pick? My answer is Mary.

I would love to ask her how it felt to hear the words: you have found favor with God.  I want to know what she did when the angel left.  I want to know where she found the strength to immediately agree. 

Aren’t we like Mary?  Mary was highly favored.  News Flash!  We — every one of us — are highly favored by God.  HE MADE US...He made you...He made me. 

Mary had the honor of giving birth to the Son of God.  What honor has God bestowed on you?  “I am the Lord’s servant.  May the honor you have given me be fulfilled.”  Do you have the strength and faith to say you are a servant?

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

WHAT changed Joseph’s mind?  (December 18, 2020)

WHAT happens when you find him?  (December 25, 2020)

WHY – if they were so wise – did the Wise Men have to ask for directions?  (January 1, 2021)

 

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY

PART 1:  ZECHARIAH

A minister was giving a sermon on the catching of a lot of fish.  As he spoke, he noticed one man really listening.  Hanging onto every word.  He stood a little taller thinking, “I must be giving a great sermon.”  The service was over and the man stepped up to the minister and asked, “Who cleaned the fish?”

I had a similar experience.  No, I was not giving a great message.  I was teaching Sunday School and referenced a message I had given on the 23rd Psalm.  I talked about the table before my enemies.  Then, one of the men looked at me and asked, “What was on the table?”

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

ZECHARIAH – LUKE 1:5-20

Zechariah was righteous in the sight of God.  I do not know how he managed to do this, but he and his wife, Elizabeth, observed all – ALL – of the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.  Sadly, they had no children.  Zechariah was serving in the temple.  It was an honor to go into the temple and burn incense, while the worshipers prayed outside. 

The scripture says, “Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him.”  The word then is not dramatic enough.  Then she went to the store.  Then they had supper.  The appearance of an angel requires trumpets and a change in the barometric pressure.  King James Version says, “And there appeared…”  Then and there make it sound like an angel had come for a cup of tea.

Zechariah, realizing an angel was standing at the right side of the altar of incense, was startled and gripped with fear.  Bless the angel!  He told Zechariah to not be afraid.  Then – now this is where the big then begins:  “Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.  Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.”

I have a feeling it was at this point that Zechariah zoned out, because he asked a question.

Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

Talk about asking the wrong question.  Why would Zechariah question the angel?  He was a priest and on that day he was the main man...in the temple burning incense.  Of all the people around, wouldn’t a priest know not to question an angel?

The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel.  I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.”

Wow.  I can almost see Zechariah’s eyes getting very large when he heard the words:

I

AM

GABRIEL

Each word would have been pronounced, with emphasis, and there would have been a pause between each word.  Gabriel continued, “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. ….

Oh my.  Oh my.  Can you picture Zechariah shrinking?

And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” 

Really Zechariah?  You were a priest, who observed all of the Lord’s commands and decrees.  You were in the temple, at the time for burning of incense, and yet you questioned the angel.  How could an old man and old woman have a child?

Are we like Zechariah?  We believe.  We do believe, but …. do we believe God is capable of giving us what we pray for?

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

HOW could a virgin become pregnant?  (December 11, 2020)

WHAT changed Joseph’s mind?  (December 18, 2020)

WHAT happens when you find him?  (December 25, 2020)

WHY – if they were so wise – did the Wise Men have to ask for directions?  (January 1, 2021)

 

GIVING THANKS

I am thankful for time with my family – Well, that ain’t happening.

I am thankful for – I have never had trouble putting together a list of things I am thankful for, but I sure am this year. 

Last year I used some interesting Thanksgiving facts and wrote:  Thanksgiving is like all holidays.  It is a combination of history, traditions, and memories.  Above all, Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks.  Or maybe, just maybe, every day is a Thanks Giving day!

On Thanksgiving 2019, no one could have imagined what Thanksgiving 2020 would be like.  But I will be thankful!  I will!  I will…try.  Here goes.  I am giving thanks for:

Clothes – I really purged my closet last year.  I purged it prior to Covid!  Not great planning on my part.  That means if you saw me wear it last year, you will see me wear it this year.  I am not purchasing clothes I cannot try on and cannot return.  But, do I need more clothes?  No.  I am thankful for the clothes that will keep me warm this winter.

Toilet Paper – Honestly?  You thought I wouldn’t put that on my list?  How crazy is it that we could not get toilet paper?  I understand this is happening again.  This leads to being thankful for all the truck drivers who are supplying our stores with said paper.

Cooking – I do know how to cook.  Are you thinking, “So you can cook?  That doesn’t make you special.”  No it does not, but there are a whole lot of people out there who do not know how.  Their cookbook includes carry-out menus and a list of their favorite frozen dinners.  Think how they must have panicked when restaurants had to close.  I bet they are giving thanks for carry out.

iPad – In my purse, turned off, is a flip phone.  I only use it when I go out of town.  BUT do not mess with my iPad.  That device connects me to the world.  I can google and find facts.  These facts give me information and – are you ready – information allows me to think for myself.  Facebook is – well, it is Facebook.  Norman Frog, on Instagram, is my alter ego and he has more friends than I have on Facebook.  Yup, I give thanks for my iPad. 

Jigsaw Puzzles – There they are.  Pieces which need turned over and put together.  My mother worked them and I am carrying on where she left off.  There is such a rush when I see a tiny sliver of a color and know exactly where that piece belongs.  Piece after piece placed just so and WALLA!  One picture formed from the chaos of many pieces.  Besides, Bill likes me working puzzles.  I don’t talk much while searching for a piece that should jump right out at me.

Are you getting the idea of what I am giving thanks for?  No?  Life!  When the Thanksgiving dinner starts with everyone saying what they are thankful for, the list begins:  family, friends, home, health…..  Yes, I am thankful for all that!  But why do we only mention the “big” things in life? 

Sunrises and sunsets are fantastic, but the night sky is a miracle and the sound of a gentle rain can be such a blessing to dry fields.  Music stirs our soul, brings back a moment in time, and Sweet Caroline makes us want to turn the volume up, but silence allows us to hear the leaves swish and to hear God speak.  A tall waterfall is grand and breathtaking, but a creek allows us to get our toes wet and find rocks, worn smooth by the water.  The mountains soar and the waves come and go, but our own back yard is comfortable and familiar. 

I am posting this early and hopefully you will read it before Thanksgiving Day.  This year is a rough one and you might be wondering exactly what you have to be thankful for.  This year many traditions will be broken and it is hard to accept, but look around. 

A picture of a loved one – what if no one had invented the camera?  The light switch – what if we had a light bulb, but no way to turn it on?  A glass of wine – what if someone had not stomped those grapes? 

This Thanksgiving, sit in the middle of a room and look around.  I bet you will be amazed at the things you will find to give thanks for. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 

 

 

TEARS AND JOY

It seems like our church has been praying more than usual.  We are praying for a very little boy who lives with pain and a future with many medical procedures.  We pray for his family too.  We pray for Covid to end.  We pray for a young man with cancer.  We pray for those in nursing homes and those that have to throw kisses through a window.  We pray for our nation, our neighbors, and even strangers.  We pray for our pastor, as he prays for all of us.  We pray for families who have recently told a loved one goodbye.

We have had a number of families telling loved ones goodbye.  Spouses.  Favorite aunts.  Fathers.  Brothers.  Mothers.  Sisters.  Friends.  Our rural church has a few less brothers and sisters in Christ sitting in the pews.  Our congregation has offered sympathy.  Our congregation has shared memories and prepared food.  Our congregation has shed tears. 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, ….. will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.   Romans 8:part of 38-39

(Jesus speaking) My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.   John 14:2-3

Even knowing the promises, we shed tears.

BUT – mixed in with the tears, we celebrated our loved ones with joy!  Yes, grief is there.  Grief fills every inch of the room.  Grief is in every word spoken.  BUT – mixed with the grief is joy.  A joy that some cannot understand.  A joy that seems out of place with the tears.  BUT – it is there!  A joy that surrounds the grief and makes it bearable.  A joy that allows the heart to remember death is not the end.

(Jesus speaking) So with you:  Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.  John 16:22

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13

And that is what we do!  We trust in HIM!  We stand on HIS promises.

(Jesus speaking) No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven – the Son of Man.  Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.  John 3:13-14

Ecclesiastes 3 tells us there is a time for everything.  There is a time to die and weep and mourn.  But --- there is a time to heal and laugh and dance.

The sympathy offered to the families and friends is genuine.  Our grief is consuming, but it is for only a time.  Our joy is real and it is for eternity.