TO SERVE AND SHARE THE JOY-The True Christmas Spirit!

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy...
(Galatians 5:22)

There's a familiar chain of liquor stores in my neck of the woods called, Community Spirits and believe me it has a booming business all year round not just during the holidays!

Wish I could say the same about the real community spirit we ought to be sharing.  Instead, I find that folks are probably at their worst this time of year.  Rushed and stressed with all the expectations and entertainment we have associated with  Christmas, one hardly has time to take a deep breath and reflect on why we have this celebration any way!

It's been a consistent and steady move of another spirit, to take Christ, The Real Reason for the Season, out of our minds and hearts.  Nativity scenes are banned on government properties;  employees are cautioned to say, Happy Holidays rather than Merry Christmas to make sure they politically correct.  Recently, I even had to dig through mountains of Christmas card selections to find one without a Santa Claus, Reindeer, or Snowman on it! I finally settled on one with a cardinal on a pine tree branch.  The only one that actually had the words, Merry Christmas printed on it.

So as the days grow closer and the store ads become more frequent, it is my hope that perhaps a few of you will take time to read the following.  It's from a wonderful little tract printed by The Tract League of Grand Rapids, Michigan.  If you commit to do one or two of these each day until December 25th, I think you'll discover the True Christmas Spirit!  So go ahead....GET YOUR CHRISTMAS JOY ON!

10 Guidelines For Keeping Christ in Christmas!

TAKE - time to be alone and ponder your relationship with Christ.

READ- the story of Jesus' birth and note how people responded: Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, Simeon and Anna.

PRAISE - God at Christmas. Join other Christians in celebrations of music and praise.

HELP- those in need at Christmas.  Follow the example of Jesus whose heart was filled with compassion for those who were suffering.

KEEP- your TO DO list as short as possible.  Limit your social obligations so there is time for reflection. 

USE - cash when you buy gifts to avoid holiday debt.  Invite your relatives to support a mission cause instead of giving you a gift.

TELL - others about the Savior.  Find opportunities to give a tract or a Bible. 

REMEMBER- Christ's church around the world.  Some of these churches are enduring great hardship.

LIVE- like Christ in this season.  Be compassionate.  Be forgiving (especially in mall parking lots and with harassed sales staff).  Be sensitive to the people with whom you work and play.

BE JOYFUL - at Christmas! You are celebrating the greatest event in the history of the world - the arrival of God in human form. 

And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you 

good tidings of great joy, which 

shall be to all people.  

For unto you is born this day

in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10, 11)

Merry Christmas and See You in the New Year 2016! (Lord willing of  course!)

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FAITH versus FEAR: YOU "DO" HAVE A CHOICE!

Fear!  What a powerful emotion!  It can drive sane folks crazy; turn the meek into a ferocious beast; make the brave keel over in a faint, and it is pushed daily into our psyches by the shovelfuls!  Every since the tragedy of September 11, 2001 when terrorist breached our supposedly impenetrable security borders, America has been gripped with fear!  It doesn't look as if we'll get any relief from it very soon.

It saddens me that this is the world my grandchildren must grow up in! That this legacy of hate and deception, fueled by anger and self-defined justice is what they can look forward to.  But surprised?  Not really.  We've been spiraling down this path for centuries, it's what has been described in God's Word as the End Times! (Matthew 24:6) You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.  Such things must happen, BUT the end is still to come."

I'm a bible dispensationalist, so I'm not attributing what we're seeing in our world today as The Tribulation period described in Matthew's gospel and the book of Revelation.  I hold to the belief that we are still under Grace!  But sometimes, when you've had a week in America, like we had last week, it sure feels real close to it!

Domestic violence: police shootings, gang wars, black on black crime, and the San Bernadino, California massacre killing 14 people and injuring many more, only heightens this thought. They are all rather senseless! We tend to accept tragedy better if there's a plausible motive behind it.  If we can put a neat little label on it, we can move on a bit easier.  But why so many and why now?

So what do you do?  You shut the television off for awhile,  quickly turn to the comics, past the scary front page headliners and sit down to think about how you're going to survive the fear that is just waiting to hijack any sense of security you're feeling!  Some fears like those described above are valid, even reasonable, others are mind games we play on ourselves based on what could happen!

 Imagined or not, we all have to learn how to face our fears in a way that helps us to exercise our faith rather than cave in under the consequences--A life devoid of hope, godly potential, and good will to our fellow man!

Here are some things to remember.  I need to add a disclaimer however.  They only work if your Faith source is in JESUS CHRIST!  READ and find comfort in knowing that GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL!

• Fear is the opposite of faith...if you deal with your fear your faith will automatically increase because you are properly connected with your Faith Source, God.
• Prayer and meditation of scripture is essential in changing your fearful attitudes.
• Remember that God permitting adversities in your life is one way He increases your faith. 

Scriptures to read as you Faith Your Way Through Fearful Times:

1.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear  but of power and love and discipline. (2 Tim. 1:7)

2.  No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent.  For He will give His angels charge concerning you to guard you in all your ways. (Psalm 91:10-11)

3.  In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid.  What can man do to me? (Psalm 56:11)

4.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. (Psalm 23:4-5)


UNTIL NEXT TIME...

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The Truth about TRUTH!

Living my truth!  That's a common phrase of our time, isn't it?  But what does that really mean?  Such wisdom escapes both the influential and intelligentsia now and in the past; for it has teased the minds of many philosophers and proponents of religiosity over the ages.   The question was even posed to Jesus by Pilate, just before His death sentence after being swayed by the people to do so. (John 18:37-38).  And here we are in the 21st century, still searching for it!

Mainstream thought says,  it is living authentically, according to one's own individual bent, or preferences (some say it isn't even a preference but who they really are) without guilt, regret. fear or constraints. Sounds good doesn't it?  But it doesn't do much for me!

How about those who become innocent victims or unwitting pawns in the Truth game.  I surmise that it is quite dangerous! Case in point. Should a man like Jared Fogle, the former Subway spokesperson, be charged with child pornography and sex with underage children, if by his assessment he was, living his authentic sexual truth?  Can I not believe, to assuage my own damaged conscience, that I can do and be and live any way I want in this pluralistic society without accountability of any sort?

Years ago while pursuing my undergraduate degree I became fascinated with the thoughts of truth myself.  I,  like many in my young adult years (18-35 yrs) went on the search for truth in a way that was significant to me.  I wanted to find a premise that I could wholly accept and understand relevant to my own life.  I heard these years described recently as times of Odyssey.  A journey of discovering who we are and what our truth might be!  

Eureka, I found it!  And it was not hidden in New Age or Postmodern thinking, for it is Absolute, Attainable, and provides the Answer to every question I have had about myself, my existence, the world now and even the future.  I FOUND THE TRUTH IN GOD'S WORD, His HOLY BIBLE.   Psalms 119:160 - The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

Take a look at God's response to the World's idea of Truth: 

--Cultural Relativism: Truth exist in relation to culture, society or historical context.

Colossians 2:8 - Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

-Existentialism: Man has the ability through the act of their will to determine what is truth.

John 14:17a - The Spirit of Truth determines what is TRUE - The world cannot accept Him because it neither sees Him or knows Him.  1 Corin.  2:11 -For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

-Rationalism: Opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than religion or emotional responses.

Proverbs 2:6 - For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
Coloss. 2:8 Christ - in whom  are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 

BOTTOM LINE:

GOD'S TRUTH IS THE ONLY TRUTH!!!

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

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If You're Thankful...JUST SAY SO!

Let the redeemed of the Lord say this...
(Psalms 107:2)

Here it is, another Thanksgiving Day fast approaching and what do I see? Neighbors pulling down Halloween decorations and frantically putting Christmas trees and lights up!  I've boycotted my favorite television channel, Hallmark this month because all they have been airing are Christmas movies.   Each day the newspaper gains an extra pound or two with ads for Black Friday! Gee Whiz, I haven't even bought my turkey yet!

WHAT HAPPENED TO THANKSGIVING?

A better question might be what has happened to us Giving Thanks, period.  Not  just to God for His bountiful blessings, but just saying thank you in general!  When someone holds the door for you as you enter a building, Thank you!  The bag boy at the store puts your groceries in the shopping cart and sometimes even pushes it to the parking lot,  Thank you!  At a crowded gas station, a customer motions you to a newly freed up pump, Thank you!  And how rare is it to hear a child say Thank you, for any gift or kindness extended to them...too many parents have ripped the page on Common courtesy, right out of the Parenting book!

A few days ago, my pastor shared his vision and our church's theme for 2016, Back to The Basics, and I am so excited! I think everyone should start by stop complaining and just start being grateful! With so much going on in the world today surely we can feel it!  But this bit of encouragement is so important for those of us who name Christ as our Savior.  We've GOT to exhibit an Attitude of Gratitude.  THE WORLD NEEDS OUR WITNESS! (Matt. 5:13-17)

Psalms 107:1-2  from Eugene Peters, Message translations says this:

Oh, thank God- He's so good!

His love never runs out.

All of you set free by God, tell the world!

Tell how He freed you from oppression,

Then rounded you up from all over the place,

from the four winds, from the seven seas.

Let's pause a moment and think about where we used to be and what used to hold us in bondage and  simply say Thank You! When you sit across the table from your loved ones and there's a plate missing...still say Thank you for all the great memories! Before you put one morsel of that wonderful dinner in your  mouth, bow your head reverently and remember so many who have not or can not eat this day, and say Thank you!  JUST BE THANKFUL! LET THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD....SAY SO!

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

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IT'S AN ANGRY, ANGRY WORLD!

Man's anger does not promote
the righteousness God requires.
(James 1:20)

Nap-ghanistan and Chi-raq!  Those are the names given to two of our nation's cities who have skyrocketing numbers in violence and crime (Indianpolis and Chicago)!  Indianapolis used to be snidely called Nap Town or as Hilary Clinton infamously referred to it, India-No-place.  Compared to other midwestern cities, there just wasn't a lot to do here and was a virtual  snooze fest when it came to excitement ... NOT ANYMORE!

It's never been easy living in America, and as my husband is fond of saying, look at our country's history, we were founded on violence!  So true.  Instead of a chicken in every pot, as was promised by Herbert Hoover in 1928,  decades later we now have instead, a gun in every house! 

And not mere firearms mind you, for general protection but assault weapons. Guns used in war, to bring down the enemy, devastate any and everything in their path, designed for mass destruction and readily available to anyone with a hundred bucks--chump change for the average American teen!  WHY DO WE NEED THAT MUCH FIRE POWER?!!

We live in an angry world! A world without conscience or pity for the innocent, but allows one to not just get pissed off (pardon the language but the word actually is in the bible, see I Kings 16:11) but to RAGE against perceived injustices by people and/or circumstances! Anger is one of those negative emotions that we really need to get a grip on! Our survival as a people depends on it!

As you might imagine the Word of God has much to say about Anger!  Some equivalent of the word appears about 234 times in the King James Version.  That being said, in the human context it is usually about how to avoid  it, the destruction it causes, and the management of the emotion in ourselves in order to produce the righteousness that God desires (James 1:20).  Still, it's a real problem, even among Christians!  Here are a few things to think about: 

1. GET REAL ABOUT YOUR ANGER- ADMIT YOU HAVE A PROBLEM!
If people you were once close to start avoiding you, leave the room when you enter or you keep hearing that you need help with your temper, believe them!  Nobody wants to be around a hot-tempered person (Prov. 22:24)

2. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN HEALING!
Stop making excuses.  It's not just who you are. Your loved ones don't just have to take it, or leave it!
Get the help you need and cover all the bases.  Sometimes irritability has a physical cause (see a medical doctor), sometimes it has an emotional cause (see a mental health specialist), but most of the time it has a spiritual cause (see a biblical counselor), Leave no stone unturned! (James :17)

3.  DEAL WITH ANGER ON A DAILY BASIS!
There is something called righteous anger.  Jesus displayed it in the Gospels when He overturned the money changers tables in the temple. Anger can be used to motivate us into action for good and just causes, but one must be careful even in that. We can be angry but sin not, as Ephes. 4:26 says. Exercise your anger in wisdom and don't forget the latter part of that verse. Don't let the sun go down on your anger!  CONFESS IT,  RESOLVE IT OR SIMPLY LET IT GO! But DO NOT LET IT FESTER!!!  This is the catalyst for much of the anger we see in the world, a root of bitterness that cannot be contained.  (Hebrew 12:15)

JESUS IS THE HELP AND HOPE  FOR  VIOLENCE IN THIS ANGRY, ANGRY WORLD! TRY HIM AND SEE WHAT A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE HE WILL MAKE!

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

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FOR THE NEXT 60 DAYS...

Be careful then how you live...
(Ephesians 5:15-16)

Turning both the clocks in my home and the page on my calendar to a new month this weekend, I had an incredible Ah hah moment!  Only sixty more days (Lord willing) until a 
brand new year!

Suddenly it occurred to me.  Why wait until December 31st to start thinking about much needed changes?  Today is as good a day as any to start thinking about refreshing, renewing, and revitalizing my life.

So for the next 60 days,  I'm going to do a few small, simple, but significant things that I believe could really revolutionize the time I have left here on earth!  I'd  like to share them with you and if you want, come join me for the discovery!

Like the proverbial Three-legged Stool, my strategy will affect the three basic components of all humans:  BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT

•  BODY - For the next 60 days, I'm going to step out into the fresh air and take 10 Deep Breaths!  (Breathe in slowly to a count of "5," hold for a count of "5," then slowly release.  Experts say that  deep breathing not only helps you reduce stress, it oxygenates your brain so you think more clearly, rids the body of harmful carbon dioxide, and strengthens your immune system. (Genesis 2:7) Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. 

• MIND - For the next 60 days, I'm going to change my mindset and focus on positive thoughts. (limiting my news intake on T.V. and newspapers, taking note of only what is necessary to keep me informed for my basic safety or welfare) When I begin to spiral down into negativity, I will meditate on scripture. ( Philippians 4:8) Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 

• SPIRIT - For the next 60 days,  I will affirm myself and find one thing a day to laugh out loud about! (For once, I will agree with God that since I've been redeemed, I am the Apple of His Eye, Deeply loved, Totally Accepted, Perfectly Pleasing and Complete in Him. (Proverbs 17:22) A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. 

UNTIL NEXT TIME... 

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TRACEY'S TRUTH: A Sad Story of a Misguided Youth!

Thought I was sort of immune to absurdities on prime time television.  Not a lot moves me emotionally any more, especially since I've been watching the Dr. Phil Show on a regular basis. You see just about everything there. But the episode he aired on Friday, October 16th  did!

The second story of the hour featuring extreme social media behavior was one about 20 year old Tracey, a beautiful black and confused young lady who thrived on negative attention she got from posting outrageous claims on the internet.

Here's an example: "I love posting crazy things just to get people's reaction," explains Tracey, who has shared details about her body, her hopes of marrying "a rich white guy," and her experience having unprotected sex on social media, for which she says she's proud she received more than 80,000 "likes." 

"I even posted I wanted to get raped just to get attention. Then, I said being raped felt amazing," she says in the video above, pointing out that her post received more than 26,000 likes and 4,000 comments. "Ninety percent of the comments were negative, but I loved it."  (Here's a video clip from the show, copy/paste address in your browser if link doesn't work)

http://www.drphil.com/shows/page/Extreme_Social_Media_Behavior/


Speaking in an exaggerated Valley Girl like cadence, she giggled and recounted her many risky exploits with sheer abandonment...except, if you looked closely you could see a sad and hurt little girl (she acted and looked much younger) that just needed someone to genuinely love her!

I  have to say, I was not impressed with the way Dr. Phil handled it.  Generally, after giving his psychological assessment of the situation, he offers free counseling or resources.  I didn't see that here at all.  After telling her that she had no self worth, no self respect, no self esteem, he left her blowing in the wind! Tracey probably left that show pretty much the way she came. And to be frank, it felt like another venue for public exploitation.  This was her TRUTH and she was determined to live it!

That's what touched me so deeply,  seeing the reality of danger from her behavior in my own personal and church family.  I kept asking myself,  where were her parents at that critical age when she was being bullying? (She did mention that her father was chronically ill and that she didn't get along with her mother--so maybe Mom's attention on caring for father left her with abandonment issues).  Where are we? I'm not placing blame but wondering, are we too, missing red flags?

My Pastor gave a thought-provoking sermon yesterday, Looking At Your House!, Joshua 24:9-15.
A Three point sermon that ought to motivate us all to action:

Point One: EXAMINE YOUR OWN HOUSE, Be a leader, speaker, commander of what goes on in your home! (vs. 14a).  Check the phones, computer cookies, nothing's off limits in your house!

Point Two: STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR YOUR HOUSE, Stop doing what's comfortable, convenient and culturally acceptable! Excuses don't empower good behavior they enable, bad ones! (vs 15) If you find something awry, do something about it!

Point Three: MAKE A PUBLIC EXHORTATION (Declaration), Your family needs to know what will be tolerated in your house and what won't and stick to your guns!  Like Joshua and the Mama character in the movie, Raisin in the Sun,  don't be afraid to say: IN MY HOUSE, THERE IS STILL GOD!

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

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