Saturday Night Live points to Christ!

Never in the history of the program has the opening segment featured a children's choir.  In radiant joy and with beautiful voices, they sang the words that never fail to move believers to worship the Father for the gift of the Son.  "Silent Night, Holy Night...Holy Infant so tender and mild...Love's true light."

Perhaps unwittingly, Saturday Night Live got it right.  In the midst of such a trajedy as we witnessed this weekend at Sandy Hook Elementary School, our only hope, the world's only hope, is Jesus.

Jesus is the only one who can comfort us when evil runs amuck.  Jesus is the only one who can put us upright when we've been knocked down.

Oh, that the world would listen to Jesus! The Word of God disarms Satan every time.  Oh, that the world might turn to Him in repentance and faith.  Jesus earned our forgiveness at the cross but He is always ready to deal with sorrowful hearts with His gifts of grace and mercy.  Even now the Lord stands with outstretched arms, ready to receive and comfort the lost and the hurting.

President Obama is right - we need a change in our country.  But this change will not come from within.  We are not good enough or strong enough.  Sin lurks in the heart of us all.  Change is possible only when we open our hearts and let Jesus come in.  His "redeeming grace" changes us.  Pray that people will take a look at the "Holy Infant so tender and mild."  Jesus is our hope.

Come, Lord Jesus!

Viva Vox Jesu!

"Viva Vox Jesu" - the living voice of God - is what we hear when His Word is read and preached.  The Word of Jesus is both a written and an oral Word.  This Word, though written in words inspired and canonically received, is also spoken and heard within a community called the body of Christ.  This voice is a living voice, for by it Jesus Christ is present for us bodily...we acknowledge that God's Word is God's food for hungry pilgrims who have journeyed in Christ through a baptism of His death and resurrection toward the final destination of full communion with Him in heaven.

Arthur Just, "Heaven on Earth," page 199

Words to live by

While preparing for Sunday's sermon, I came across this comment from former Major League baseball player, Mickey Rivers.  He may have the perfect explanation on why worry is fruitless.  Here you go:

Ain't no sense worrying about things you got control over, because if you got control over them, ain't no sense worrying.  And there ain't no sense worrying about things you go no control over either, because if you got no control over them, ain't no sense worrying.

Got that?

The Smile of New Life

This week I'm studying the apostle Paul's words to the Philippians in chapter four, verses four though seven.  This is, of course, where Paul brings his emphasis on "joy" to a crescendo.  The word, "rejoice," in verse four is an imperative - Paul is emphasizing that joy should be a continual, habitual part of the life of a believer.

In one of my journals I noted some comments from author Eugene Peterson on the topic of joy.  I failed to note where I found these quotes.  I think Peterson offers some great insight.  I particularly like the point that joy is not something we create or find.  Joy comes from the Lord.

Joy is not a requirement of Christian discipleship, it is a consequence...it is what comes to us when we are walking in the way of faith and obedience.

All suffering, all pain, all emptiness, all disappointment is seed: sow it in God and He will, finally, bring a crop of joy from it.

The joy comes because God knows how to wipe away tears, and, in His resurrection work, create the smile of new life.  Joy is what God gives, not what we work up.

The word for the day is "blessed"

Did you know that the Sermon on the Mount can be read in 15 minutes? Matthew writes: "His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them." Jesus begins by teaching them what it means to be blessed.

In the Greek, the word is "Makarios." Some Bible translations use the word "happy."  Others "fortunate."  The use of those words causes some problems for me.

"Happy" has as its primary meaning an emotional state.  "Fortunate" too often is understood to mean "to have good luck."  And, to be honest, happy is the last thing I feel when I am poor in spirit because I realize just how far short I fall in living according to God's will...or when I mourn the loss of a church family member and I see how this loss has created such sorrow for the family.

I am not happy when I am mistreated by others, especially those who seek to hurt my family or my reputation...or when I become frustrated with my lack of spiritual growth and fall to the same pet sins again and again.

No, the proper word is "blessed."  The Beatitudes do not tell us how to become blessed; they rather describe the blessedness that already belongs to all believers in Christ.  The beginning of Jesus' sermon mentions eight ways in which all Christians are blessed.  All Christians are poor in spirit.  They all mourn and are meek.  They all hunger and thirst for righteousness and are merciful and pure in heart.  They are peacemakers and are persecuted for righteousness.

So even when I am unhappy, God comforts me by reminding me of the blessings I already have in Christ.  I am comforted and filled and have been and continue to be shown mercy and I am a Son of God. 

Blessed is George.  Blessed are you!

Just Plain Exhausted

If you are like me then your December calendar has more meetings, events, gatherings, parties and other commitments than you know what to do with.  Even though each year I say to myself, "Keep it simply," it seems that the opposite happens.  Donald Deffner's prayer is a good one to pray anytime you are worn out.

I'm tired, Lord
drained

just plain exhausted

But now let me not
just dwell on my weariness
but on Your strength
Direct me to
Your holy Word
O you who were
wearied for our sakes
even to the cross
Let me find my refuge
in You
Send Your holy angels
to minister to me
and bear me up
Refresh, renew and strengthen me
Give me the peace
the world cannot give
Restore to me
the joy of Your salvation
You have promised
You will come
Abide with me then
till I find my final rest
in You

From "Prayers for People Under Pressure," page 88

St. Francis says, "Live for Today!"

I did not note in my journal where I originally found this quote.  It seems that St. Francis has picked up on Jesus' words in Matthew, chapter six: "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself."  (6:34a)

Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and everyday.  Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it.  Be at peace, then, put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations and say continually: The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart has trusted in Him and I am helped...