ARE WE THERE YET?
In the late 50’s and early 60’s we lived in NC. I was pastor of two churches. Services rotated from week to week. Church No. 1 had Sunday School followed by the morning worship on the 1st and 3rd Sundays. Church No. 2 had this schedule on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. Midweek services were on Wednesday night and Thursday night. About for time a year a 5th Sunday came along. What’s the pastor to do? Most of the time we came home to TN to visit our folks.
There were four children, mom and dad. We had a “top carrier” for the car. We put our luggage on top of the car and secured it with a canvas which kept it in place and kept it dry in case of rain. We drove about 385 miles each way. We discovered three or four different routes to cross the mountains between NC & TN. It was an all day trip interrupted at least once by a stop at a roadside park to cook hamburgers or eat sandwiches. As you can imagine, one of he questions that popped up often was, “Are we there yet?”
Christmas is coming soon. Children keep asking, “Is it Christmas yet?” How hard it is for the small ones to wait for Christmas. Sometimes adults can be heard wishing Christmas was over and life and life could get back to normal.
Turn your thoughts in another direction and let the question become, “ Are you ready, yet?” Every one of us is on the way to the end of our life on this earth. Some are much closer than others but we will all depart when our time comes.
Today------------------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the God who created us that He made a WAY for us to be ready through faith in Jesus Christ.
Be ready! Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!!
TIS THE SEASON
Like a mighty, rushing river the Season bears down on us. Each day as we get closer to THE DAY the pressures increase. As time grows short so do tempers, in some instances. Busy, busy, busy; hurry, hurry, hurry! It seems the hurridier I go the behinder I get. Is it any wonder people become discouraged and depressed?
The other side of this is that this is the Season to be jolly, to be happy. It is the time to rejoice in the Lord. We rethink and replay in our minds that Jesus is the Reason for the Season. Here is the greatest display of love the world has ever seen. Nothing will ever surpass it. God is love. Christ is born. The perfect, sinless life is lived amid all the sin and depravity of the world. Hallelujah!
In our world the good side of the Season is expressed in the song, “Tis the season to be jolly, tra la la… . We decorate the halls with boughs of holly, tra la la… .We sing all the glad songs of Christmas.
Christians fill the air with the songs of the Season which we sing in our churches at this one season of the year. I like, among others, Isaac Watt’s “Joy to the World.”
Joy to the world! The Lord is come.
Joy to the earth! The Saviour reigns.
Today----------------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise God for His great love expressed by Jesus coming to earth to live among us so we can see for ourselves that “God is Love.” Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
DO YOU HAVE TIME?
Several years ago Hazel and I were getting a Christmas tree and gathering ornaments and decorations for a shut-in family. We sought the help of several families in our church. It seemed that all the people we asked to help us did not have time to help. Except one woman. Mrs. C. and her husband were expecting some out of town guest who would be with them several days. She was busy decorating her house for Christmas. She was doing all those things people do when expecting company. I called her and told her what we were doing. “Do you have time to help us?” She said, “Yes.” We had an enjoyable time making a father and his invalid daughter happy with their Christmas decorations and tree.
How about you in this Season of expressing love by helping others? Will you have time to give a helping hand to those organizations that can always use an extra pair of hands preparing the baskets and toys for the less fortunate?
I heard of a church which did something unusual to make a point with their members.
On a very busy highway, near the entrance to the church parking lot, a disabled car was parked. A father, mother and two children were in the car. It was obvious that the car was disabled and the people needed help. It was a good Sunday and the church was full. At the end of the service the pastor announced that the car had been placed there to see what the response of people would be. He sadly announced that of the hundreds of cars turning into the church parking lot only three had stopped to offer help.
Today-------------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that He had time to die on the cross to meet our need of being reconciled to God. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
THE GIFT OF GIVING
Children born into this world start life in the selfish mode. They grasp anything put into their hands and hold it tightly. Parents are pleased with the grip of their baby’s fingers. As they grow this selfish mode grows also. Toys are “mine.” Children are self-centered until we teach them differently.
We parents are proud of our children. One of the tasks given to us is to teach our children about sharing what they have. Children learn this rather easily. Those who work among the poor report the unselfishness of children who think of what they can get to give to others.
This gift of giving originated with God. The Bible tells us that God so loved the world that He gave us His Son. The son – Jesus Christ – gave His life that we might have life.
As Christians we believe the whole world should know of God’s love. I suspect that more people are involved in getting this good news to people than in any other activity in the world. Thousands of people give their lives in the telling of the good news to those who have not yet heard it. Millions of others give the money to send and support those who take the message. The result is that thousands get the message every day and believe it.
Today-------------------------out loud and on purpose thank and Praise the Lord for the “Gift of giving.” Experience the joy of the Lord in your heart as you give. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
NAMING CHILDREN
When couples learn they are to become parents one of the things many of them do is to get a book listing names. Usually it also gives some background and what the name means. They want to give their new-born just the right name.
I have been told an interesting story of how I came to have my name. My parents lived with his father when I was born. It seems that my grandfather had asked if he could name the new baby (me). My parents agreed. So grandpa gave me the name, James. It seems that when I was around three months old all the family was sitting around talking. The subject of names came up. In the discussion it came out that nobody was really satisfied with my name, including grandpa. When he was asked about it he told my mother that he really wanted to give me his name but was afraid she would be offended. The result of talking about it was an agreement to rename me. Grandpa asked my mother what her father’s name was. He was told it was Jefferson. Grandpa’s name was Daniel. Everybody was happy to have the three month old boy renamed with the name being Daniel Jefferson – the names of the two grandfathers.
The Bible tells us about at least two boys who were named by God. The father of John the Baptist was told by the angel that the name of the baby his wife, Elizabeth, would bear in her old age was to be named John. God’s messenger visited a young virgin a few months later to inform her that she would have a baby.He was to be named Jesus. In at least these two incidents the name of the baby was given by God.
Christians believe the name Jesus is the greatest name on earth. Hundreds of songs are written about that “Name.” There truly is “Something About That Name.”
Today----------------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that our Heavenly Father knows us by name. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
GIFTS
Like it or not this is the season for gifts, both giving and receiving. There are those who like to receive gifts. This includes most of us. We are reminded that there are those who think enough of us they want to demonstrate their feelings with a gift. It is good when we graciously receive gifts.
Then there are the givers, those whose joy in life is to give something to others. There can be many reasons for this. In one church I served as pastor I was told about a certain person who would give anything he had to some one who needed it. Then he would tell everyone what he had done!
In another church one of the leading members told his experience in giving. He was well able to give Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to the poor. He was well known for his generosity. He told me that it dawned on him that he was receiving credit which rightfully belonged to God. This bothered him enough that he changed his method of giving. Rather than giving to individuals he gave to his church. The church gave to the baskets to needy people and God received the credit and praise.
I am always reminded at this time of the year that the most important thing to remember is the gift God gave to the world. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church-(2 Cor. 9:15 NIV) “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.” The NLT reads, “Thank God for his Son- a gift too wonderful for words.”
Today-----------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise God for his gift that is too wonderful for words. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?
We would be wise to remember our past, where we came from. Some of us came from “the wrong side of the tracks.” This expression was often used to describe the poor or less fortunate. I grew up poor. Our neighbors were poor. My father was unable to work due to illness. I remember that more than once the people in the community gave a “pounding” to Elmore’s family (that was our family). It consisted of mostly staples like flour, sugar, potatoes, beans, canned foods, etc. Often the people would sit and visit. Someone would start singing a hymn everyone knew and could join in the singing. Usually someone led in prayer. It is good to remember where you came from and where your roots are.
I praise the Lord my mother was a God-fearing, praying woman. She raised five children after my father died when I was eight years old. There were four children younger than me. I recall how thrilled we were when we were given Thanksgivng and Christmas baskets. My sixth grade teacher gave me a new blue shirt. God saw the family through those days of the Great Depression. He provided a home for me with an uncle and aunt for six years.
Thank the Lord He provides for those who love Him. I am very thankful that He blessed our family. From this family in two generations God has called four ministers. Most of the others are active Christians.
I remember where I came from when I learn of people who are in the same condition now that I was in then. Remembering how blessed we were by the helping hand of others, I am grateful that now God has made it possible for me to extend the helping hand to meet a need in the lives of others.
Today-------------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise God that He remembered where we were – lost in sin – and He gave His Son that by believing in Jesus we could be saved and have eternal life. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF
The Christmas season is a good time to have a check-up from the neck up. What do you think about most of the time? These are busy days so, many of us think about how are we going to get it all done? There’s shopping to do, gifts to wrap, food to cook. If you’re going to grand maw’s house there is packing to do. There also are the Christmas events we want to attend. So we think about what we feel we have to do.
In the stillness of our quiet time with God or just before we drop off to sleep, our thoughts might turn to how much God loves us. He loved enough to send His Son to live among us a sinless, perfect life. Yet, at the end of His life Jesus became sin for us. Joseph, when he was informed by the angel about the birth of this baby was told that he was to be named “Jesus” because he would save his people from their sin. Christmas reminds me that our God is loving, forgiving and always good.
As I meditate on God and His love there comes to mind the thought that is part of the prayer of Jabez, that I might do no harm. I pray, “O God, give me that spirit of love and forgiveness.” C.M. Battersby wrote a song that I pray at times.
AN EVENING PRAYER
If I have wounded any soul today, If I have caused one foot to go astray, If I have walked in my own wil-ful way, Dear Lord, forgive!
If I have uttered idle words or vain, If I have turned aside from want or pain, Lest I myself shall suffer thru the strain, Dear Lord, forgive!
Forgive the sins I have confessed to Thee: Forgive the secret sins I do not see; O guide me, love me, and my Keeper be, In Jesus’ name.
Today----------------------------out loud and purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for His love and forgiveness. Pray that you will have this same spirit in your life. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
JOYOUS SOUNDS
It seems that each year the sounds of Christmas are more joyous. Isn’t it wonderful that even as the world seeks to eliminate Christ from Christmas in every aspect of public life the sounds are louder and more joyous than ever! The card sections of the stores don’t have Christmas cards. They have cards that speak of the holiday season. Schools no longer call it Christmas holidays but it is Winter holidays.
Nevertheless, the Salvation Army ringers still ring, the carolers still sing. Our easy listening radio station plays Christmas music twenty-four hours a day and many of the songs are the familiar carols we have sung all our lives. Churches sing the hymns and carols about the coming the baby Jesus. Praise the Lord the world just can’t drown out the wonderful songs and sounds of Christmas.
E-mails abound with some of the most beautiful artistic work ever put together. Some people have used their God-given ability to create some very beautiful, inspiring and thought provoking web sites. Christ is honored and we are reminded of God’s love for us.
Today----------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for the beautiful sounds and scenes of Christmas that remind us again that Jesus is the reason for the season. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
GOOD NEWS
We all like to hear good news. In the Scriptures the birth of Jesus is presented as good news. I looked at several versions of the announcement made by angels to the shepherds. They each present the same message. I like the King James version because it is so familiar. “Fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Thus we are told of our Saviour’s birth. God Incarnate. God taking on human flesh, becoming one of us. Incredibly good news. A real cause for rejoicing. The angels sang it - “Glory to God in the highest.”
A note in the HCSB says, “Our salvation came by way of way of a manger in Bethlehem where we witnessed the most incredible love story of all time: The God of heaven bending low to save the sons of earth. Nothing prepared the world for seeing God in such a personal – except its need for a Saviour.”
So, get into the Christmas spirit! Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Sing it even if you can’t sing! Make a joyful noise. It is a time to be glad, to be thankful, to rejoice and be joyous. Let the joy of the Lord fill your heart and life. Be glad in the Lord.
Today-----------------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for the good news. A Saviour was born. He lived a sinless life. He died that we sinners might have eternal life (John 3:16) PTL! Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
HONORING CHRIST AT CHRISTMAS
There is so much about Christmas that does not honor Christ that when we come across something that gives Him the recognition He should have we want to share it. My cousin, Rev. Bob Knisley, writes a daily devotional booklet for his church, One Day At A Time. Yesterday he shared a poem written by our youngest aunt. He once told me it was OK for me to use anything he had in his booklet. I am presuming on that permission to share with you the following poem.
MY CHRISTMAS TREE
My Christmas tree is a picture to me
Of the beauty a Christian should have
` When he has Christ within his heart
And for Him seeks to live.
The evergreen tree represents to me
The everlasting love of God
The sureness of His promises we
Find in His Holy word.
The lights that glow upon the tree
Make it so beautiful to see.
“You are the light of the world”, said Christ,
“If you abide in me”.
The star we place upon the top
That shines for all to see.
Reminds us of the Christ-child, who
Died to set us free.
At Christmas let us remember that we are
The light of the world, the salt of the earth
A drawing power for Christ.
Lord help our hearts to be right with thee
When lights are aglow on our Christmas tree.
Composed by Annalee Knisley Bales (deceased)
Today------------------out loud and purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for the testimony and witness of those who magnify the Lord. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
O COME LET US ADORE HIM
I expect more people turn their thoughts toward God at Christmas than at any other time of the year. While the majority of people engage in worship and praise for the Lord, there are those who focus on this season for other reasons. The ACLU never saw a Nativity Scene in a public park or government building that it did not want eliminated. The educational system and most all official areas have Winter Holidays. Christmas Holiday might offend some sensitive person of another faith or tradition.
I am in agreement with something I read a few days ago. “To those who say we should not celebrate Christmas, I say Get out of the way! We love Christ and we want to honor Him! But then in keeping the spirit of Christmas, I would have to add, Won’t you join us as we praise God for His Son! O what a blessed and holy Saviour!!!”
Let’s join hearts, minds, spirits and voices in the worship of our God and Saviour. O come let us adore Him!! Read the words of this song. Let them speak to you and guide you as you worship Him, Christ the Lord!
Today------------------------------out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for His unspeakable gift!! Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
On this the last day of 2003 I want to ask you to take a look back over the year. We will see some things that are pleasing. We will see some things that are not so pleasant. I’m glad you don’t have to answer for my actions and attitudes. Nor do I answer for yours. Each of us has to be responsible and answer for our own actions.
I praise the Lord that He is an equal opportunity God. He is no respecter of persons. It is my prayer that if I have offended anyone I will be forgiven. I want you to know that you cannot do anything that will cause me to not love you. I can’t love unless I am willing to forgive – whether I am asked or not. In 1 Cor. 13:4-7 Paul tells us how love works. I read these verses and I search my heart. Do I have this kind of love? My actions will tell if I do or not. Give close attention to the following lines about love.
There is no difficulty that enough love will not conquer,
no disease that enough love will not heal,
no door that enough love will not bridge,
no wall that enough love will not throw down,
no sin that enough love will not redeem.
It makes no difference how deeply seated may be the trouble,
how hopeless the outlook,
how muddled the tangle,
how great the mistake.
A sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all.
If only you could love enough,
you could be the happiest and most powerful being in the world."
Emmet Fox.
Finally, I want to say this in love. The past is past. What’s been done and said is in the past. If you think you have been wronged – get over it! Grow up! We are all Christians so let’s act like it. Be mature enough apologize, if an apology is needed. Put aside your pride and say, “I’m sorry, please forgive me.” Stop whining about being mistreated. Embrace one another in Christian love and family love.
Remember that as a family we are each affected by the actions of each family member. We should be close enough that if one is hurting we all are hurting. If one is rejoicing we all rejoice.
I must include a word of warning. In Matt. 6:15 Jesus says that if we will not forgive those who sin against us God will not forgive our sins. I sure do not want to be in a position where God cannot forgive me.
We are entering a New Year. Get rid of the baggage of the past so we can move confidently into the wonderful adventures God has in store for us. Let’s be the person God wants us to be, the family God is pleased with and teaching our children and each other the ways of God and the love of God.
Loving God and loving each other.
Dad