Tag Archives: faith

WHY ASH WEDNESDAY?

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By the time you read this Ash Wednesday will be behind us, however, this important observation in Christian faith is the focus of my thoughts. Taking into consideration the deadline for the paper, I’ve made it my habit to sit down every Wednesday morning to write. So, staying in step with my weekly habit, this week’s article happened to fall on Ash Wednesday which kicks off the lenten season in Christian churches worldwide.

What is Ash Wednesday and why do we set this middle of the week day apart from all others? To understand and get answers to these questions–and more–a quick online search took me to several sites. Because I want a trusted source I was happy to find that biblestudytools.com had an article on the topic. From their site is the following information:

Although Ash Wednesday is rich in Christian symbolism, you won’t actually find it mentioned in the Bible. The tradition developed over time, starting with the Council of Nicea, which established a 40-day fasting period before Easter. There was some debate about when this period should start, but in the fifth century, Pope Gregory officially moved the beginning of Lent from a Sunday to Ash Wednesday. While the holiday itself isn’t directly from Scripture, its core practices—fasting, prayer, and repentance—are deeply biblical.

The heart of Ash Wednesday and Lent is about turning back to God. The 40 days of Lent reflect Jesus’ time in the wilderness, where He fasted and prepared for His ministry. For many Christians, this season is a time of self-reflection, letting go of distractions, and drawing closer to God as they prepare their hearts for Easter, the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.

I grew up in a Lutheran church where Ash Wednesday and midweek lenten services were part of our worship schedule leading up to Easter. As a child I didn’t fully comprehend the deep spiritual benefits of this particular season in the church. It would be years later, at the age of 25, that I fully embraced the teachings about Jesus’ love for me and His plan of salvation for my life. On Ash Wednesday 1979 I responded to the gospel in the way that brought repentance and delivered grace through forgiveness and the promise of being a new creation in Christ! That decision changed my life and I’ve never looked back. Instead, I’ve lived a beautiful life filled with love, grace, mercy, and hope. 

In the church I attend now, we may not hold a service on Ash Wednesday or midweek ones, but it hasn’t diminished my ability to embrace this time in our church calendar. Due to technology with use of a common Bible app available to smartphone users, I’m part of a group who began reading a lenten devotional together. In the comfort of our homes, with the choice of time to open the daily reading, we are digging into scripture that points us to the ministry of Jesus and with one focus question we have the opportunity to interject ourselves into the story and respond about its impact. If we truly apply truths and promises found in the Bible we will begin to look like people described in 2 Corinthians 3: 18: “And we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from (one degree of) glory to (even more) glory, which comes from the Lord (who is) the Spirit”.  (Amplified Version)

The words of that verse are a wonderful goal for every believer. It should be our intention that anytime we attend church to hear a sermon or participate in a study of the Bible, that we leave differently than we arrived. 

Repentance. Forgiveness. New Creation. Transformation. These are keywords to focus on this lenten season. Don’t forget gratitude either. Prior to my salvation in 1979 I had walked away from God for four years. I was choosing to live under my own power and warped standards. Yet, in all that, like the good shepherd who leaves his flock of 100 to go after the one lost lamb, Christ pursued me and brought me back to the fold. What He did for me He will do for you!

BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION

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“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him”. (Psalm 34: 8)

This is one of my favorite statements within all of the 150 psalms that are contained in Old Testament writings.  David is credited for penning this particular psalm; he did so when fleeing his homeland in order to escape Saul’s rage.In order to further protect his life, he actually acted insane under Abimelek, the ruler of the Philistines where David had escaped. In the earlier portion of the psalm David declared he would “extol the Lord at all times”, that “His praise will always be on my lips”. He offers an invitation –”Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together”. David describes the protection God gave him as “the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them”.

In light of California’s devastating fires raging through neighborhoods in the Los Angeles area, I did a quick search to find any stories of the miraculous. I stumbled upon an article describing how a $9 million home survived total destruction while considering each home on both sides were total losses. Looking at the accompanying photo is proof of its resilience against fire and wind created by the wildfire.  Explanations for the mansion’s survival are attributed that the house was built with fire resistant materials, including stucco and stone walls, along with a specially designed fireproof roof. These elements likely shield the property from the intense heat and flames. (source businessstandard.com)

Wisdom. Forethought. These are two themes often taught in scripture. As the words of David in Psalm 34 instruct, likewise Jesus’ own words regarding wisdom are found in a parable He taught in Matthew 7: 24-25: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation built on the rock”. 

You and I, when creating and building our faith, can do well to follow God’s blueprint for a beautiful and successful outcome for our personal journey with Him. Like the mansion, we will be surrounded by people who are constantly negative, who will attack our belief systems, who challenge the very fabric of our biblical truths. By standing firm, by placing our trust in God, those weaker than us face the possibility of destruction, all while living “lost” and “unprotected” because of refusal to surrender pride and arrogance to an almighty God.

Let me make it clear, I’m not saying that God caused the wildfires in California. Although I’m a novice at best when it comes to that locale, I am wise enough to understand how policies prevented ample water supplies along with years of not performing deforestation practices may have greatly contributed to these current fires. Comparing years of enacted laws to that of common sense leadership appears to have been a mute topic until thousands of families are now displaced who are now calling out for answers and accountability from those who’ve been making decisions for Californians. 

Beautiful homes require months to construct. Likewise, faith in Jesus takes time, too. All too quickly–in the blink of an eye–material possessions can be destroyed, leaving us homeless, empty, loss of hope, despair filling our once joyful hearts. Faith can also come under an onslaught of attack in the forms of illness, death, loss of income…but when wavering faith keeps eyes focused on the architect and builder–Jesus Christ–reconstruction comes! Faith is nurtured once again, perhaps even restored as something stronger than when life was smooth sailing.

Finally, to the families in California, to anyone who feels as though life is hard, take refreshment from David’s own words in verse 17-18: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

(source: businessstandard.com)

WHEN LIFE GETS DERAILED

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Here we are, in the first days of January, when many of us choose to make a concerted effort establishing resolutions for the new year. If you’re like me, doing that–writing down a list of goals–is refreshing and exciting. Furthermore, like me, I’m willing to guess many of you start off strong and as each new day dawns, resolve and dedication to the items on the list have begun to fade into hours filled with nothingness which may welcome back old habits. When this happens my mood shifts from elation to disappointment. Frustration with myself begins to build and influence my emotions. Yet, I know that success is possible if I keep “showing up” with my goals in hand. Even in the midst of feeling defeated,  I know God will help me.

To prepare for this week’s article I simply typed in my search engine: what does the Bible say about getting back on track? Without fail, numerous sites with appropriate verses appeared on my screen. With many to choose from I selected Lamentations 3:40 “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord”.

Fortunately for me, there was only one lengthy stretch of time where I was not walking with God. That was over 40 years ago and is another topic for another time. Instead of returning to that time, I’m focusing on an ability to get back on track with God or our personal goals. Using scripture again, I found Psalm 32: 8 which says “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you”. How wonderful to read that God is a teacher, a counselor and a loving watchful eye over us!

Additionally, God doesn’t expect perfection from us. Therefore, don’t heap that expectation on yourself either when working through some goals. In fact, from a secular viewpoint I found numerous articles online that teach how to build healthy habits. In a list of 7 I found, I chose my favorite top 3: One thing at at time *know your why *start small (source: intentionalview.com)

Recently, I wrote about our own health journey for me and my husband. After his heart attack three years ago we made immediate changes to meal plans. Even though we hadn’t been consuming a lot of over processed foods, I concentrated more on “clean eating”. Last summer I found recipes to make my own dressings, condiments, breads…even desserts with less refined sugars. Red meats became less frequent, making room for venison generously supplied by a hunting friend. Eating out lessened. More physical movement was added.

I certainly “know my why” with changes in our diet. It’s for heart health. Doing one thing at a time became fun as I made weekly meal plans by pursuing several new recipe resources, creating a weekly shopping list. By “starting small” I was able to build on a good foundation which brought me satisfaction, a sense of accomplishment.

I think when January 1 rolls around, it gives us an ability to reflect on the previous year and examine the highs and lows of our lives, our choices, and the experiences that shape us. For any one of us who felt like life in 2024 went “off the rails” and left us under a pile of twisted and torn debris, there is hope! Did you know that the word “hope” appears in the Bible 129-182 times depending on the translation? That’s encouraging. A favorite I pulled from the list is Romans 15:13 “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”.

There you have it. Surrounded in damages created by being derailed, God provides a way to fill you with joy, peace. Your only obligation is to “trust in Him”. And the result? You’ll overflow with hope!

Join me this year by coming back to doing “one small thing” every day to grow closer to God as you build healthy habits emotionally, physically and spiritually! There’s nothing better than a buddy system and I can’t think of a better life coach than our wonderful God!

OUT WITH OLD, IN WITH NEW

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In households around the world the remains of Christmas 2024 are stored away for another 11 months or if like me, will stay in place a few days past January 1 in order to continue enjoying the beauty and symbolism bright lights or warm glow from lit candles give, all reminding me of Christ’s love. In addition to the beauty of the Christmas season, another promise from ages past is the anticipation of a “new year”, the actuality of yet another 365 days deposited into young and old alike. Admittedly, as much as I love all that is Christmas, I also truly enjoy the beginning of a new year. As a Christ follower, I look forward to daily opportunities to tune into scripture, finding gems to meditate on to develop my personal growth as I seek to pursue a life that closely reflects the Light of Christ. So, January 1 I was pleased to turn to Isaiah 43: 18-19 which says “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!”

I tend to be a creature of habit, especially in order to stay focused on responsibilities in our home, in my ministry assignments, and as I continually find ways to keep me and my husband healthy. We’ve had to forgo some “former” eating habits and embrace more physical activity which is a good example of “forgetting former things”.

I have a bad character flaw of rewinding past hurtful conversations or experiences in my head, playing them over and over to analyze the “should haves”, the “could haves” and the “what ifs”…this behavior doesn’t help me to “forget former things”…rather it keeps me trapped “dwelling on the past”.  Making this confession is humbling, yet allows me freedom, and honestly? I’m not alone in my confused thoughts. I think it’s pretty safe to say many in our community live under this similar cloud of stinkin’ thinkin’.

So, how do I? How do you break free from those things that keep you feeling weighed down, lacking hope, living in constant strife and conflict?

We can heed these words from the prophet Isaiah, turning our eyes to God’s own voice–”See, I am doing a new thing!”

So, this first week of a new year I pose this question–What is something “new” that you need to see Him do for you? In our churches, do we need a fresh wind and a fresh fire of God’s spirit to blow through our pulpits and chairs? What does our community need?

As individuals, we are afforded becoming “new” by placing trust in God and His plan of salvation. In our churches, ask God to pour out His spirit and accept the changes He ushers into our midst. In our community, look for people who need a word of encouragement, a helping hand up, resources to live and thrive when faced with unexpected difficulties. 

Looking for something “new” is not far from our sight or grasp. Actually implementing change does require time and effort, sacrifice on our part. Yet, when everything we freely receive from God is freely given, what a difference we can make in ourselves, our homes, our churches, and our communities.

Will you join me this year thanking God for all He has done for you in 2024 and walk into 2025 asking Him to bring “a new work” in your heart, soul and mind? When you begin to reap the benefits of harvest from His bountiful gifts, THEN take those fruit filled baskets into places where His Light needs to extinguish sin and darkness…where an empty heart is craving hope…where hunger nags an aching stomach….where thirsty souls may enjoy a drink of Living water. 

Community of friends. Community of believers. Let’s make 2025 special–12 months of “renewal and mercy”….as we leave 2024 behind and welcome new opportunities, faithful promises, enduring love from God!

WHAT PATH ARE YOU WALKING?

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Sitting here at my laptop, it’s hard to believe that another year has turned every page of the 2024 calendar. Reflecting on where I’ve gone, what I’ve accomplished, is bringing back many good memories along with numerous questions such as “have I left anything undone that was a personal goal?”

In late spring we enjoyed a “road trip” to Nebraska for a family wedding which allowed us to drive north from Lincoln to see Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. On our return drive home, a last minute decision to lodge our car on the Badger allowed us to enjoy its cruise across Lake Michigan, taking in the beauty of that great lake, sunning our faces on the upper deck,  creating more memories, something to cross off our bucket list. October was another road trip, this time to Pennsylvania, for another wedding.  We were able to fill an entire day by visiting Gettysburg National Memorial, finishing our time there with a great burger in one of the small restaurants downtown. 

Summer allowed us to enjoy watching our oldest granddaughter play softball and in the fall our oldest grandson joined a soccer program. Seeing them enjoy, build on basic skills, and participate in a team sport filled some of our weeks traveling to watch, which we gladly did with no hesitation.

Rainy days were good ones to draw me into a good book, some for ministry and others for pure relaxation and enjoyment. Each book taught me new things to understand or escape from otherwise routine days and weeks not taken up with responsibilities.

Yes, 2024, has been good to me. And in a church wide devotional about 30 of us are doing together, the writings from December 24 were very insightful and encouraging. As I anticipate 2025–what will it hold–I like what the devotion’s author wrote: “We don’t need to wait to be called; Jesus has commanded all believers to go!”

So, what is my calling? What is yours? Often, I think Christians are waiting for a loud voice from the heavens announcing a grand “job description” on our life–become a pastor! Go, be a missionary to a foreign land! Give all your possessions to the poor and live a life of modesty! Run for public office! While these are all admirable vocations, in simplicity God calls each believer to walk the path of Jesus and do His work in order to bring increase to His Kingdom. When I answered the reflection question from the devotion I realized that my path usually winds through my church family, Celebrate Recovery, Kroger, Meijer, restaurants, sports fields, my social media platforms, and the privilege to write each week and be included in the Fowlerville News. My path may not be a very long one–with brief adventures like our out of state trips–but it remains one of importance with divine opportunities. 

Our Celebrate Recovery folks donated over $500 in December which we used to bless two families with Christmas gifts. These families were given to us by Angel Tree Ministries, caring for a loved one currently incarcerated. Last week I went with two other leaders to deliver gifts to our Lansing family. Spending time getting acquainted with them was priceless. Listening to their stories of love and support for their little nephew whose dad is currently serving his sentence, praying with them before we left, put a bright spot on my personal “path” that I know was an assignment from Jesus, a beautiful memory I will cherish and glean from the humble lessons I learned from that afternoon visit.

I don’t know what 2025 holds for me. I’m confident there will be more sporting events to attend…I have more ministry books to read…ministry at church and in my community will continue. Hopefully there will be a trip or two to enjoy another adventure!

I don’t know what 2025 holds for you either. As I look around our community I see wonderful families. I also acknowledge we have those living through hardships and tough circumstances. But I see organizations and churches–full of wonderful men and women–willing and waiting to meet needs. I see amazing Christ followers answering individual “calls” every day to change a life or fill a need. I am witnessing “Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did”. (1 John 2) Those words describe my variety of adventures in 2024 and hopefully continue in 2025–for me AND for you!

JOY–LOUD & CRAZY ALLOWED

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Now under a soft glow of two flickering candles in the advent wreath, another candle is lit which adds more light to darkened worship in cathedrals, small country churches, or huge modern auditoriums. The newly lit candle–light pink in color–contrasts the other two candles which are purple. Why the difference in color? Dating back to ancient traditions in the Christian church, pink or rose color symbolizes “joy”.

A popular Christmas carol sung by people around the world is “Joy to the World”. This beautiful hymn was written as a poem by Issac Watts and published in the 1700s. His work was based on Psalm 98 and actually is about Christ’s “second coming”, not as an announcement for His birth among the nations. In this particular psalm the author uses beautiful word pictures to describe honoring the Lord with loud worship and praise. We find these phrases:

  • Shout for joy
  • Make music with harps
  • Trumpet blasts and ram’s horns
  • The rivers clap their hands
  • Let mountains sing

That’s quite the noisy approach for celebrating the Lord!

In our children’s ministry at my church, I have delighted privilege to help lead our young elementary students in group worship time. After the children settle on their benches, a countdown to group worship begins. A video starts at “30” and the kids join in announcing the descending numbers. When we reach “10” their small voices increase in volume with each number until at “zero” they are full volume! I love it. I love their excitement. I adore their passion. I am thrilled that our children have been given “space” to be loud and crazy for Jesus. I always think that we adults have much to learn from children who worship loudly without worrying about what others think about their silly antics. Oh, there are some who don’t fully engage…but seeing most who do…brings a smile to my face, especially when I see 4th and 5th graders–you know–the ones who are thinking it’s “not cool”– join in singing and making  motions we use for our songs.

Likewise, in my role as the ministry leader for our adult Celebrate Recovery ministry, I get to see men and women come through our doors who are hurting, some very deeply. They are wounded. Some are deep in addictive behavior. Somber and downcast faces are evidence of feeling bound in chains. But God. But worship. I am amazed that in “our” time of worship, these same men and women have hands lifted high as we sing about God’s love and His promises to give us freedom, hope, and healing from all that keeps us feeling hopeless.

I see women who have exited spousal abuse. I see women celebrating years of freedom from alcohol. I see men who have victory over pornography. I see women who are living life with mental health struggles. I see worshippers filled with hope and “joy”.

The holiday season is one of the most difficult times of year for anyone working on recovery. It’s why one of our last lessons we teach at Celebrate Recovery is titled “Relapse” which emphasizes the importance of being present at meetings and using every available support system to stay on track. Usually each week we welcome a new person to our group, someone who has reached a place of having lost all hope to be better. At CR we love newcomers. We love seeing men and women come back week after week in order to “let go” and “let God”,  restoring what life’s hurts, habits, and hangups have stolen from their lives.

At Celebrate Recovery, we offer hope, peace, and “joy”. We don’t do any of those things on our own, but only through the power of Jesus Christ. And now that we also offer Celebration Place for the children of our attendees, we are changing the very atmosphere in our families homes. Having these youngsters with us in our worship time is another beautiful sight to see–kids dancing around the room, jumping up and down–as their parent(s) also worship our Lord. 

Tuesday nights of worship are sheer “joy”. We are doing our part to bring the words of “Joy to the World” alive, following its commands to be “loud and crazy”.

If you are someone who needs peace, love, and joy–we invite you to join us. We meet at the Fowlerville United Brethren Church at 7 pm. Find us on Facebook or call 517.223.9490 for more information.

PEACE THAT PASSES UNDERSTANDING

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Peace. What is it and how do we receive this beautiful anecdote which brings silence and a blanket of calm that both forces chaos to halt and cease its bombardment of our emotions and senses.

In a letter dated August 16, 1945 written by a young newlywed, a bride wrote to her husband–”Well, at last there is peace. That sounds so wonderful. Tuesday night I was sitting on the porch when it came over the radio. I didn’t know whether to cry or laugh”.

On the ring of the advent wreath, another candle waits to be lit, becoming a companion to “hope”.  This candle represents more than one kind of peace. With its flame burning, dancing in front of longing eyes, it emits promises of inner peace for us when life is overwhelming. A second promise calls us to know we can live in “peace with others”. Embodied in the Hebrew greeting “Shalom” is the very essence of peace “knowing that this is what is meant to be” and illustrates that God’s peace is a “slice of heaven”.

Therefore, what is “peace”? It’s more than a feeling. This much sought after feeling of hope and security is actually embodied in the person of Jesus Christ. 

Isaiah, an 8th century prophet was gifted by God to foretell his people some of the most beautiful words I’ve read or sung…”For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9: 6) 

700 years after Isaiah’s prophecy, the birth of the Christ child is recorded in the four gospels of our New Testament. Luke is my favorite author who recounted Christ’s miraculous birth and the people who were chosen to receive news of His arrival first–lowly shepherds tending their flocks in the dark of night. Utterly surprised by a multitude of angels singing– who broke into an ordinary night– their song is recorded for us in Luke 2: 14…”Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Our young bride continues in her letter…”People got guns out, old cans, anything to make some noise. People went wild with excitement. Ed and I got in the car and went downtown. Traffic was awful…papers were all torn up. Flags were out…later that evening Evie, Gloria and I went back downtown around 8:30. You could hear horns for blocks away.”

At the appointed time God sent His son Jesus to be born as a child, fulfilling not only His birth, but to assume every name in heaven granted to Him with proper authority. I can’t imagine the beautiful chaos in heaven as angels worshiped and celebrated His birth. In contrast, all of hell broke loose, too, as the adversary–God’s prime enemy–Satan, was faced with a reality shining off the face of an infant who would bring an end to evil schemes and demonic strongholds in the adversary’s  constant striving to steal, kill and destroy all that God created and loves.

“I guess everyone is looking for the day when all the boys come home…well, darling, I’m glad I don’t have to say ‘I wish’ anymore.’

A common living room radio announced the news tired nations were longing to hear. World War II was over. A young bride, anxious to be reunited with her husband, rejoiced between tears and laughter. My dad was coming home soon…

Heavenly angels were God’s messengers delivering divine news to ordinary shepherds. Years of waiting for a promised messiah were over. Although these men and their Jewish nation did not or would not fully comprehend the events coming in the next 33 years of Jesus’ life and ministry, one thing remained. A peace that surpassed any other form known to them had arrived … .this kind of peace, set in motion 2,000 years ago is still a force to be reckoned with in a world that needing to be reconciled to the Prince of Peace.

TRUE HOPE

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The day will come, says the LORD, when I will do for Israel and Judah all the good things I have promised them. “In those days and at that time I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. In that day Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this will be its name: ‘The LORD Is Our Righteousness.’ (Jeremiah 33: 14-16)

It almost seems impossible that the year 2024 is drawing to an end. Thanksgiving has come and gone, decorations for Christmas have been stocked in stores for weeks already, and each time I’m driving on a dark evening more and more homes are displaying festive decor for this beautiful holiday. I love seeing the variety of decorations that folks choose to decorate houses, porches, yards, trees and bushes–it seems anything is fair game when it comes to lights, wreaths, figurines, etc. And, it seems that with the passing of each year there’s a larger variety of decor to choose from made available in all our major stores. At least it seems that way to me when I reflect on memories from past Christmas seasons.

Ours was a home that dad didn’t deck out with lights. I think he may have done so one year and wasn’t satisfied with too simple of a look. The Christmas tree we put up–usually three weeks before the big day–was always real and for many years we went to a local farm as a family to cut one which was to our liking. Trudging through the snow with my parents and two older brothers was great fun as we squabbled over “getting just the ‘right’ tree”. Hanging the lights and bulbs was a family affair..dad took care of the lights…us kids and mom hung the collection of bulbs, finished off with tinsel and candy canes carefully tucked in the branches.

Mom’s other Christmas decorations were carefully placed on the fireplace mantle and tables. The year dad remodeled the kitchen gave us room to hang garland and bulbs on a shelf  which ran the length of one wall, and even small trees were tucked in corners on tiny shelves he had built at the end of the soffit. My parents are gone now. Long gone are those days of decorating my family home. The tiny trees that used to adorn those tiny shelves in mom’s kitchen now sit in my curio cabinet as a reminder of childhood days. 

When I was in elementary school, we kids made Christmas advent chains. Using construction paper in red and green, we glued strips formed into circles, making a chain of 25 in all. Each day we were instructed to tear off one circle which helped us “count down” the arrival of Christmas…gifts under the tree…time off school….family dinners…ice skating at our neighborhood rink as well as sledding down hills…we found many ways to take advantage of snow that fell during winter!

One of my favorite aspects of the Advent Season is the wreath and candles for lighting during the four Sundays leading to Christmas Day.Years ago my dad crafted a beautiful advent wreath stand for my home church. Several years ago the congregation closed its doors which had been open for over 150 years. I’ve often wondered if the stand is in a closet somewhere, no longer an active item in Christian celebration.

 Each candle has its meaning. This week is the first Sunday in advent– “Hope”. I truly believe it’s an understatement that everyone craves “hope”, especially now in a world where two wars make headlines every day. Changes taking place in our own country are provoking a variety of emotions and opinions, even in our own community.

The Christ child’s anticipated arrival certainly influenced a 2,000 old culture. The Jews of that time, living under Roman rule and oppression, were looking for a king. Upon the arrival of the Christ child and ultimately in his adult ministry, many Jews continued to place trust and hope that “this” messiah was the one to overthrow the Roman government and release them into new freedom. Their “hopes” were greatly misguided and sadly, today, as many people continue to do so–trust and hope is being deferred to people and institutions rather than God.

God spoke to the prophet Jeremiah hundreds of years before the birth of Christ, declaring “to fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah”. 

His good promise HAS been delivered and His name is Jesus Christ, the One to be celebrated at Christmas.

I’m excited for the beginning of Advent because of the holy day it ushers in during cold wintry days of December. I’m looking forward to the lighting of the Advent candles during worship each Sunday. As I drive around town and outside our community in the coming weeks, I look forward to beautiful displays…my prayer, however, is that in the midst of reindeer, snowmen, Santas, and angels–all those lovely holiday items–is the inclusion of nativity scenes with “a babe lying in a manger”.

Afterall, Christ is the reason we have Christmas as a worldwide celebration. His birth was prophesied hundreds of years before His appearance. Upon His arrival the world was changed forever, continuing with each passing year, and now believers wait for fulfilment of His return–the “second coming”.

In the meantime, in the waiting,  we light this week’s candle of “hope”. As Christians we are encouraged about 129 times in the New Testament to have “hope”. I think God knew we would need this beautiful emotion to embrace, especially when life gets hard. The disciple John ended his writing in chapter 16 with these words from Jesus–”I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”.

As your family embraces the Christmas season, looking for traditions to continue or maybe begin–may you feel encouraged and drawn to join a body of believers to be in community. Together, we can wait with excitement and deep love as Christ is celebrated in the midst of beautiful decorations–but more importantly–empty or hurting hearts ready to be filled with true “hope”!

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PRAYERS & TEARS

Recently my husband and I watched an excellent movie that I stumbled upon while browsing our Prime account. I clicked on “Nicky’s Story” after reading the synopsis and in its beginning I confess I almost turned it off as I thought it was too slow moving and possibly a “sleeper”, the kind of plot that didn’t immediately catch my attention. I was wrong.

This documentary portrays the heroic and passionate events from the life of Nicholas Winton who was responsible for saving 669 Jewish children in the years of Hitler’s reign during World War II. He was able to fill eight different trains to deliver these children safely from Prague to the United Kingdom where he arranged for foster families to care for them.

At the movie’s end, photos of the actual survivors are featured, showing their name, age and the profession each had pursued in life. I was amazed at the number of professionals such as surgeons, scientists, technicians, teachers, etc. All lived to be quite aged and perhaps one of the greatest facts displayed on the screen is that from those 669 children, 5,700 descendants were produced.

In my own family–that of my father’s side–we have our own numbers to boast. My dad was one of 11 children; a baby boy ahead of my dad was born prematurely and survived for 8 days, so my grandmother actually bore 12 children. From my dad and his siblings, I counted 45 cousins. Several of those are deceased now. I’d love to know how many children each of my cousins had but at this point in my life, I honestly have no idea. The addition of  second, third and cousins beyond each generational label boggles my mind. Yet, in that uncertainty lies a fact I am confident about–I believe the prayers for my family that were uttered by my Grandma Jewell–those for the salvation of her children–also included her grandchildren as each one came along, trickling down through the next generation and into the present day.

The Bible says that our prayers are stored in heaven. In Revelation 5: 8 it states “…and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people”.

My grandmother’s prayer life was most often in the early hours of the morning. I’ve been told she was awake most nights beginning at 2 am to be in prayer. This was after a long day caring for children, preparing meals, helping with farm chores–all without many modern appliances. It was her habit to pray for her children beginning with the eldest to the youngest. As the boys went off to war, her prayers intensified. As each married, there was a new family loved one tucked inside her heart. And with each new “precious life” added into her growing family, her prayer list grew, filling a golden bowl in heaven.

As beautiful to know that our prayers are forever kept by God, there is also great comfort that He also stores our tears. In Psalm 56: 8 it says “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book”.

My grandmother surely shed her fair share of tears. There was the tragic death of an eldest grandson which happened while in her and grandpa’s care. His dad, my Uncle Bud, had remarried and while on his honeymoon his three children from a first marriage were with my grandparents. Buddy, age 4, ran into the road and was struck by a car. Because of that incident, over the years that we visited my grandparents, we were strictly told not to play by the road.

In 1953, the very day that I was born in November, my Uncle Rusty lost his oldest daughter to polio. She was merely 8 years old. I have no doubt that grandma joined her son and my aunt crying for Sheryl’s precious life, taken by a sickness that later became curable with a vaccine, only too late for her.

Knowing that God stores prayers and tears in heaven gives me a great sense of joy and hope. Nothing you or I talk to Him about or  as we sit quietly with tears streaming down our cheeks goes unnoticed by Him. I can think of no greater comfort than those two promises which are recorded for us in scripture. I can only imagine the number of golden bowls and vials God is using to capture every word, every tear from every person from generations past to now.

When I close my eyes, I can see my grandmother in her rocking chair, Bible open on her lap which is covered by her apron, soft hands folded across open pages of a favorite scripture. And while I envision worn pages from years of use, I can also see stains where tears of joy or heartache marked each heartfelt prayer to her Heavenly Father.  And I  see a golden bowl paired on a table with a vessel of tears. Both are labeled “Sadie Florence Morris Jewell”. 

A PLAN WITHIN A PLAN

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When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,  “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,  and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.” 

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper,  a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked.  “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.  The poor you will always have with you,[a] but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

A question often asked in Christian circles, especially by a new believer, is “What is God’s plan for my life?” It’s a worthy question that deserves an answer which requires a lot of studying scripture, praying, and discernment. Too often, we believers want to know the “whole” plan, down to every last detail. This week, during one of my readings for the day, I took in Matthew 26: 1-16 and reflected on observing  how “a plan within a plan” was woven into the story.

First, Jesus is telling those gathered in a small home that soon He will be handed over to be crucified. In what I assume to be another small gathering some distance away, are the chief priests who are meeting in the palace of the chief priest. We meet two very different people in these 16 verses, a woman who has an expensive jar of perfume to pour out on Jesus and Judas, a devoted disciple who leaves the small home, enters the palace to inquire how he might benefit from knowing the whereabouts of Jesus. Both, desiring a particular outcome, knew exactly where to be in the moment.

In the course of these events, God’s plan of salvation, which is the most important of all, uses a woman and her perfume to illustrate deep love for her savior, which I have to believe she had no idea what was to come very soon with His arrest, torture, and death on a Roman cross. Did Judas wake up that morning and suddenly decide “I think I’ll betray my beloved Jesus today”. From the humble worship from a poor woman to a loyal disciple God’s plan continued to fall into place.

I think what we can learn from reading this portion of the crucifixion story is that no matter our status in life, regardless of an economic level, how faithful and godly our life may be, if God wants something accomplished He will complete it. Right down to using very faithful people along with those whose intentions may not appear to be good or righteous. 

As I meditated on these verses I noted the contrast of  the two meeting places–a small home and a large palace. In the small home with Jesus are His disciples and most likely the owners of the house–his hosts. This woman–who is not named–is present. In another gathering place–a palace–are the chief priests. They are scheming and plotting against Jesus while He’s telling his friends what is to come. I picture Him speaking from a heavy heart, but with a tone of assurance and love. Off in the distance, angry voices are raised against “this one” who has disrupted Jewish traditions and beliefs. In the midst of all the clamor, the beauty of quiet worship from a humble poor woman illustrates the kind of love response that Jesus was desiring from all He met during His three years of ministry.

Insert yourself into the story. Who do you identify with? Are you or have you been part of an angry mentality towards God and His plan for your life? It might be time to leave those thoughts and seek solitude in the quietness of your home. Perhaps you can imagine finding rest as you recline, leaning in to hear Jesus’ voice as He speaks to you, telling you what’s to come. That’s what was taking place in the home owned by Simon the Leper, yet the presence of deceits lingers in the air. We see rest, listening, worship and betrayal. God is working, He is moving. He’s accomplishing what is to come, a plan of salvation that had multiple twists and turns and miraculous events. They all lead to the final destination–redemption through Christ on a cross.

Your life is full of unexplained turns and circumstances, too. You have a choices, too. Follow Jesus and worship Him regardless of what’s to come even within the promise of eternal life, or reject Him and endure a different outcome, eternal separation from God. 

My prayer is that you won’t allow unexplained hardships towards God or not knowing His plan for your life to keep you from being in relationship with Him. Learn what we can from the people who are described  in these 16 verses. Like a poor woman who displayed deep love with an outpouring of a precious perfume as an act of humble worship, may we search our hearts and respond accordingly to His unimaginable love for us.