Xmas Plea

We're sitting here full of plastic cheer; Yet you gave your life so that man can hear.

(SOS 8:13) O you who dwell in the gardens, my companions are listening for your voice; let me hear it.

This is my plea!!

For faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17).

A Tribute to JC

iThank you for feet to follow you wherever you lead. . . So be it John 21:18 in my life!

This very day iUnderstand Revealed in worship and by hearing of God's Word (1 Corinthians):

1. We have received every spiritual gift in Christ Jesus.

2. God keeps us strong.

3. We have unlimited access to God through Christ Jesus.

For me, it's a reminder of God's faithfulness to guide us step-by-step like a GPS system.

- his spiritual Gifts

- his Presence

- his Strength

Even better than a cat, he gave us His Son so that we may have opened ears to hear. See also John 10:27

Sight

So spiritual and physical sight comes straight from the hand of God. Both are good gifts. One temporal. One eternal.

We need Christ to see. He gives sight to the blind. He reveals that which is hidden (including his glory).

Matthew 11: 27
All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

Do you want to know more?

Come to him.

Matthew 11: 28-30
"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy , and my burden is light."

John 8: 31b-32
"if you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

Isaiah 48: 6
You have heard; now see all this; from this time forward I make you hear new things, hidden things that you have not known.

Job

Agree with God, and be at peace; in this way good will come to you. Receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored, if you remove unrighteousness from your tents, if you treat gold like dust, and the gold of Ophir like stones of the torrent-bed, and if the Almighty is your gold and your precious silver, then you will delight yourself in the Almighty, and lift up your face to God. You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will pay your vows. You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, a light will shine on your ways." Job 22: 21 - 28

My Prayer for US

Lord God Almighty - Bring US to our knees.

My Deliverer

The good news is that Jesus Christ delivers us from our sin, addictions, and torment. We don't have to live with these things, be bound to behavior modification plans or submit to somebody else's rules for our lives. Only Jesu Christo. He sets us free.

My Heart's Response

Thank you Father for the GOOD gift of your Son Jesus Christ.

My heart's response to you is this: I will follow you.

Thank you too for the gift of song.

Mark 10: 18
John 8: 12

Open Reflection

My Child, I want you to answer the call...

Red Bird, Red Bird what do you see?
I see My Rabonnai smiling; shining down on me.

Rabonnai, Rabonnai what do you see?
I see My Crossing Guard looking up at me?

Jeremiah 1: 11-12

The word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Jeremiah, what do you see?" And I said, "I see a branch of an almond tree." Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it."

My Favorite Part

From John Chapter 6

For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. . . .Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

A Herald of Christ the King

A Herald of the King knows this:

Whenever there is a parade, there are always peddlers of wares or "goods" (incl. false religion) and hecklers trying to distract the people of God from worshipping the King -- especially while they are waiting to receive him.

Beware of the wolves.

Matthew 7: 15

Jesus Christ - Be glorified!

Thank you Holy Spirit for teaching me about the supremacy of Christ; for testifying to Christ alone; and for showing me an example of true humility. You are gracious to us (the body of believers) to extend knowledge beyond measure.

O' Jesus Christ - Be glorified!

Now hear my prayer of many days gone past.

Psalm 86

1 Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
2 Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; 3 be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all day long.
4 Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.
6 Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication.
7 In the day of my trouble I call on you, for you will answer me.

8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.
9 All the nations you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.
10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.
12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

14 O God, the insolent rise up against me; a band of ruffians seeks my life, and they do not set you before them.
15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant; save the child of your serving girl.
17 Show me a sign of your favor, so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame, because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Reflection on Reflections

We are made in his image

So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1: 27

Therefore, each one of us has the capacity to become like Christ.

For freedom Christ has set us free
-------
By his death on a cross the veil has been torn

And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3: 18

Do I want to look more like Jesus?

Then I must look to Him.

No more dwelling on the things of this world.

He is my maker. I am the clay.

He is my Father. I am his child.

To set the mind on the flesh is death,

but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Romans 8: 6

Do I want peace? Then I must look to Him.

Do I want to know joy? Then I must look to Him.

Do I want to be self-controlled? Then I must look to him.

Etc. Etc.

We are made in his image. We are his children. Therefore, let us reflect our Heavenly Father.

Even common thoughts on human development can help point the way. A child reflects the one holding them in their hands. It is true. In looking at a parent who smiles, a son or daughter will respond with a smile.

iCommit to Begin Anew: I will turn my head towards him, look up, and boldly gaze into the eyes of God; the one who holds me (& you) in his hands.

It’s a very intimate place to be. Full of love and grace . . . and mercy!

“Hear” are some words from a great song I like to sing. Please follow the link to Jami Smith.com for more.

Wash Over Me

Jami Smith and Janet Hubbell

© 2002 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music/ASCAP

Only You - The Lord who is God - can take this heart

Only You can take this mind

Only You can take this life

And make it look like Jesus

Crucify the Flesh

Romans 6: 6

We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be

enslaved to sin.

• Crucified with Him!
• Made to be an example.
• Our flesh 'hung out to dry'.

When others shouted, “Crucify, crucify him!” Jesus did not save himself. Nor did he defend himself. Instead Jesus chose to write the gospel story of redemption through His blood shed for the remission of sin.

That is Love defined; and not retribution through violent acts of lashing-out, human bloodshed, or even slashing.

Jesus, while on the cross, did not curse them. He was simultaneously blameless (innocent of charge) and blame-less (no pointing of the finger and yes, forgiving). He blessed them. He prayed for them. “Forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23: 34).

And like a lamb going to slaughter, he willingly laid down his life for you and me.

It may seem upside down in the mind’s eye, but in his dying Jesus Christ showed us how to live. Examine these scriptures: Luke 6: 27 – 38. We are called to avoid sin and we are called to sacrificial living; that is, to Love actively by the laying down of our lives.

Therefore, let us choose to crucify the flesh and live redeemed.

On a personal note:

I smile. One Resurrection Sunday a parishioner angrily said that the white draping on the cross looked like the pastor family’s dirty laundry. At the time these words stabbed. However, knowing more of the love of Jesus and his FORGIVENESS this day, I am better able to forgive . . . and now rejoice.

There is a peace that comes with full understanding that it is my dirty laundry hanging there on the tree!

It’s right where it needs to be . . . and I’m right where God wants me to be.

How Beautiful it is to see

Christ’s Blood Shed for Thee!

FRANK(talk)in(g)Sense

Frank Talk

iGoogled: In researching crushed rose petals I found it very interesting, and personal to me, that Frankincense is also used as a raw material for perfume. It is clear that Frankincense, in addition to embalming and other more common medicinal purposes, is significant to producing a pleasing aroma.

iLearned: Frankincense comes from a tree of the genus Boswellia. The species is called Boswellia sacra or B. sacra with the root word meaning holy.

iSurmise: In addition to what I have been told, Frankincense was given to Messiah to signal His Holiness.

iPonder: How great and good God is!

There is no mistake the Jesus Christ should be given such a gift of Frankincense. He is the one who is Holy.

The aroma of Christ is lovely; it is a fragrant offering of laying one’s life so that others might live.

1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage. . . 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2:1-2,10-11

iUnderstand: Wise men in offering a gift of frankincense to Messiah are guided by Wisdom. Wisdom comes only from The Holy Spirit and not an avatar of one’s own making.

iDesire Christ.

iSeek Christ.

iFound Christ.

iWorship Christ.

iLove Christ.

iPray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.

Now iRejoice. Amen.

Most Precious and Crushed

Crushed Rose Petals are used for the most expensive perfumes.

So while a full bloom rose is deemed beautiful, this is not the end for some. Some flowers are saved to be crushed . . . like a redeeming act of God.

At first glance, it seems like a precious, beautiful, delicate, living thing is utterly destroyed; however, this is not an ordinary affair. The one crushed becomes a useful treasure for the king and the rose is considered nothing short of being highly-esteemed, -valued, -desirable, -prized, and ultimately called “most precious.”

Do you see the parallel?

When a life is poured out it becomes a pleasing fragrance for the King of Kings.

An Example

Pure Nard was used to anoint Messiah. Like a crushed beautiful rose, it flowed from the passionate love Mary had for her Savior (see Mark 14: 3 – 9; Matthew 26: 6 - 13). . . and how much more it flowed from the veins of Jesus Christ in passionate love for his people.

In plain speech, our model is JESUS CHRIST. He showed us how to live and how to die. He willing gave up his life and submitted himself to the will of the Father (Isaiah 53: 10); choosing to be crushed and crucified (not obliged).

This not only represents a costly gift of love, it is LOVE.

Homework

Come close and gaze at the Beautiful and Most Precious Rose

It is He who shed his blood and rose.

Conquering death. A mighty feat.

Such Victory!

Our Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 53: 4 -5; 12

4 Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed . . . 12 Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Our Victory Song:

Jesus Christ poured out for the remission of sin!

Our Battle Charge:

Ephesians 5: 1 – 2

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Additional reading: 2 Corinthians 2: 14 – 17.

On True Beauty

On True Beauty

I’ll skip the first few steps of script;

Found written in a common garden text.

Because this is what I know:

Jesus Christ aRose.

God speaks the Word; causing things to be.

He gives us growth and flowers to see.

Yet there is still something greater than these;

Ah . . . ‘Tis only when Jesus Christ is seen!

To Walk in Freedom

Lord, I thank you forever. You love me, save me, and forgive me of all my sin. You set me free!

THANK YOU FOR FREEDOM.

Thank you for another reminder this week of all that you have done. In the past I chose death; but by your gracious hand and unfailing love I receive life.

I never want to live apart from you, for my freedom is in you and you alone.

THANK YOU JESUS.

Thank you for Psalm 119

44 I will keep your law continually, forever and ever. 45 I shall walk at liberty, for I have sought your precepts.

Commentary: Self-help is a vanity; fleeting and worthless.

What a Difference a Word Makes

1 Chronicles 19: 1 – 5

¹ Some time afterward, King Nahash of the Ammonites died, and his son succeeded him. ² David said, “I will deal loyally with Hanun son of Nahash, for his father dealt loyally with me.” So David sent messengers to console him concerning his father. When David’s servants came to Hanun in the land of the Ammonites, to console him, ³ the officials of the Ammonites said to Hanun, “Do you think, because David has sent consolers to you, that he is honoring your father? Have not his servants come to you to search and to overthrow and to spy out the land?” ⁴ So Hanun seized David’s servants, shaved them, cut off their garments in the middle at their hips, and sent them away; ⁵ and they departed. When David was told about the men, he sent messengers to them, for they felt greatly humiliated. The king said, “Remain at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return.” (emphasis mine)

Much like the passage found above, I am asking you to take a closer look at the path embarked upon when one person exposes another in an unloving manner. Do you see how a single negative word from a naysayer can expose underlying fear, thereby increasing the likelihood of lashing out? Or likewise, how easily an ‘exposed’ and offended person suffers emotional trauma?

It does not matter whether this unloving and highly-personal exposure is done with malice, by force or is purely accidental in nature. The result is the same. Humans experience acute humiliation when their flesh is exposed, made to be an example (for all to see) or simply disgraced by the hint of scandal. Since we are made of flesh and blood we can not avoid it. This path is taken regardless of whether the exposing is purely physical in nature (as seen in scripture above) or spiritually-speaking as an uncovering of our sinful, flesh-filled ways (seen in the Book of Genesis).

The primary purpose of this teaching, however, is not to depress but to help lift you up through the proclamation of the Good News. You have been bought with a price, redeemed and chosen through Jesus Christ. God’s grace has been extended to you. Jesus, the very Lamb of God, shed his blood. Without blemish he became a perfect offering for our sin. He was a man of suffering. He was despised and rejected on our behalf in order that we might be adopted as the sons and daughters of God.

Hear the word of the Lord:

Ephesians 1: 7

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.

He lavished his Love on us. Now, Let us rejoice!

The secondary purpose of this teaching is to gently remind me of the reason why Christians, should practice the discipline of extending great grace. Look at King David’s response. In a Christ-like manner King David responded with kindness and gentleness allowing the injured to have time to heal. While these two fruits of the Spirit are some of the most under-rated (or least tasted) ways in the church today, they are given to us for a purpose: to assist in the giving of new life to others.

Made in the image of their creator, the fruits of the Spirit are life-giving fruits.

With God’s help we are called to do the same. . . so let us be doers of the Word (James 1: 22) ; choose to crucify our flesh (Galatians 5: 22 – 25); and become first responders in times of fear, shame, humiliation and personal offense.

Our weapons are not of this world (Ephesians 6: 10 – 20). Come armed with the Word of God.

Matthew 5: 44

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (emphasis mine)

Intimacy

The Marks of Intimacy

True friends spend a lot of time together.

They seek each other out and talk non-stop.

They cherish one another.

They trust each other.

They tend to hold the same world view.

They talk about everything (esp. kids).

Physical appearance doesn’t really matter.

They cry, laugh and dance together.

They go on walks.

They break bread and dine together.

God too wants to see these marks in you – between you and him. And before long you will hear these very words written for you:

I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made know to you everything that I have heard from my father.

John 15: 15

Put Away Childish Ways

God is Love! Do you really believe this? Do you spend your day with him and linger in conversation? or Do you still try to shape God into becoming your own personal genie who will grant you 3 wishes (e.g., health, wealth and happiness)?

As a child I acted out of selfishness and rebelled from God's ways. At the end of the school day I ran to the television; I didn't run to God. I loved the television show "I Dream of Genie" and exchanged truth for a lie. I also spoke like a child, "Give me, give me, give me!" I also listened to familiar voices tell me, "What's so wrong with wanting good things for yourself, family, friends, and the neighbor next door?". . . except for the truth that wishful thinking is not the same as faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.

4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrong doing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 7

See the whole of 1 Corinthians 13. The message is clear. There is nothing selfish about love.

• Love is self-less.
• Love is described as the laying down of one's life for another (see Matthew 20: 24 - 28).
  
• Love willingly places others before oneself.
  
• Love is self-sacrificial; making the love of Christ known through any (and all) physical act of tending to the needs of others.

Therefore, since we are sinners in need of a Savior, let us look to Jesus Christ. For he has shown us how to live and how to die. Jesus continually sought God the Father for all things including his direction, words and strength. Jesus prayed this prayer, "Thy will be done."

Ah! This is costly. A precious jewel. He is Love.

Lord, Please help me! I am in need of Savior. I have failed by every measure. Please show me how to live and what to do. On this very day I want to learn to love like you. Grant me strength to put away those childish ways that solely seek to please myself. Forgive me too for treating you like an earthen idol. I now choose to turn this day. "Thy will be done" in my life. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Entrust

1 Peter 4: 12 - 19

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. 16 Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And

"If it is hard for the righteous
to be saved,
what will become of the
ungodly and the sinners?"

19 Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God's will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good (emphasis mine).

To entrust implies a deliberate and continuous form of trusting. For example, to entrust implies that one is actively committed to trust. To entrust means that an individual has chosen to place his (or her) full confidence in the one deemed trustworthy.

Go ahead. Confide in Him. God himself is Faithful and True.

Numbers 23: 19
God is not a human being, that he should lie,
or a mortal, that he should change his mind.
Has he promised, and will he not do it?
Has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

At His Feet & Waiting

Mary knew to sit at the feet of Jesus. She set aside the busyness of the day (e.g., waiting on the guests) and listened to the truth. She waited on God.

Mary also knelt at Jesus’ feet and wept. She knew the truth. Her only hope was in Jesus Christ – the way, the truth and the light.

How do you wait on God?

• Are you sitting on a rush seat sitting at your kitchen table with dirty dishes and the newspaper nearby?
• Or do you linger and weep for him, placing your whole trust in him?

You too have touched His feet you seek to lavish Him with your love in spite of the cost.

Remember this about Mary: although she was scorned by one who was in the fold but of the world (i.e., Judas), she was undeterred in her pursuit of intimacy with the Lord . . . and the Lord approved!

Luke 10: 38 - 42

38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." 41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42 there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her" (emphasis mine).

John 11: 32

32 When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

John 12: 1 - 8

1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served , and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" 6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 7 Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keept it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."

At His Feet

At the end of the age, at his feet we will be. No one, not a single person will be left standing. For every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Isaiah 45: 23; Philippians 2: 9-11; Romans14: 11). The Bible is clear that Jesus Christ is to receive honor and glory and power . . . and the twenty four elders fall before the one who is seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing (Revelation 4: 10 -11).

To what extent do you grasp the true meaning of these actions? In the context of our American culture we have no comparable experience. We only understand in part. In theory we understand that when one goes before an emperor or king there is a protocol to be followed, but we don’t have an emperor or king. We also say the words that “honor is due” to those in authority over us, but we retain the right to argue with them. So how do we begin to learn to show true honor to our Coming King of Glory?

Christian Dalits of India can help teach us by their example. From the very beginning, at their moment of birth, these Dalit people are not considered worthy of being touched. Their fellow countrymen will not even place them in a human caste system and as their name suggests they are labeled “untouchables.” In fact, the mere touching of an “untouchable” has been prohibited over the centuries and every human dignity has been denied them. But by the grace of God, those Dalits who experience new birth through Jesus Christ are now learning what it means to give honor and respect. How? By the touching of feet. They do not go around touching everybody’s feet, but the feet of one’s elders (as in the leaders of the church) and those whom one genuinely respects. It is a deliberate act and within their faith community they find opportunities to provide believers and leaders with this dignity.

Do you personally find opportunities to show outward signs of your respect to the Coming King? Are you able to humble yourself? Do you get down low enough? (e.g. on your knees) Will you touch the foot of another? Jesus did. Read John 13: 1 – 11. Jesus not only got on his knees but he also washed the feet of his disciples. He did this in a manner of servitude, showing by example, and thereby prepared his disciples to do the same.

Will you touch the feet of the Coming King? Will you give him the honor and respect that is due? Will you humble yourself and touch the feet of Christ through a washing of the feet of your brother or sister in Christ? Don’t you see? Christ lives in them, and what you do to one of them you do for him (see Matthew 25: 31 – 46).

Now go forth treasuring these words in your heart: But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves (James 1: 22).

Before I was humbled I went astray,

but now I keep your word.

Psalm 119: 67