Christmas Contemplations

kissingthefaceofgodtopIt’s that most wonderful time of the year again. Hope is born, the angels sing. Shepherds and kings worship. So, what is this heaviness of heart offended by hope? Why the tears when eyes behold the illuminated tree, the twinkling tinsel? Could it be a lingering of the suffering shadow that so long ago lay across the babe cradled in hay? 

Christmas choirs sing, “Mary, did you know?” As she gazed on her newborn infant, kissed the soft curve of his cheek, smiled at his lips, not long removed from breast, sucking in sleep…did she know? Did she kneel shrouded in the shadow of the cross? Throughout the sanctuary young mothers shed tears while cradling their babes to breast – empathetic hearts aching. 

Is it this shadow that stirs up melancholy even whilst singing “Joy to the World?” 

Statistics scream the sad story – though Hope is born this day, too many plunge beneath the weight of world weariness. Depression and suicides surge while the babe revisits the crèche. Nostalgia threatens to choke life, but for what do we yearn? What do we long for as we gather with candles lit to praise the newborn King? 

Could it be this longing foreshadows life glimpsed, yet not grasped? Shadow-to-shadow mystery waits to be revealed. 

Come, world-weary travelers. Don’t pity the babe or His mother. The shadow of the cross is not the final word, but only a stop along the way. Linger at the foot of it. Consider His suffering, the price paid for the sins of the world, but don’t linger over-long. Receive the gift purchased for us! Walk on in the knowledge of Easter morn – the Son has risen to shine! “Joy to the World,” indeed! 

When joy gives way to longing, listen to desire’s whispers. What shadows beckon? Surely not those past, but rather those briefly falling…hinting of the time to come when sins and sorrows no more grow. This unnamed nostalgia, this heavy-heartedness – could it be naught but the ailment of longing for our eternal home?

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December 12, 2009 by admin in reflection
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Remembering 9/11

Sept 11 crossEight years ago, America came under enemy attack; and those who placed their faith in the land of the free and the home of the brave rather than in God, who made her great, were shaken. As I look back to that day, I praise God for sheltering me from the terror that seemed to strike many.

I did not have my radio tuned or the TV playing that morning. The telephone rang, and someone I knew to be prone to hyperbole shouted at me to turn on my TV; America was under attack! I was getting ready to attend a Bible study followed by work in my church office. I brushed her off – thinking that whatever had happened, it couldn’t be as catastrophic as she made it sound.

Arriving at Bible study in the church basement, I soon realized I was mistaken. As the few details known of the attack at that early hour were discussed, I was in awe of our God and reminded that He is sovereign…that nothing takes Him by surprise.

The key scripture of our study that morning was Psalm 27:1, The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? Indeed, of whom shall we be afraid? The terrorist bringing murder to our soil?

Fear takes hold when security is threatened. For those who placed their sense of security in America, the world power, September 11, 2001 brought astonishment and despair.

As the day wore on, I was secluded in my church office with no visual images of the attacks – only the reports heard on Moody radio. The facts of the tragedy were broadcast, but intermingled with those word pictures of chaos and loss I heard hope. I heard reassurances that God was still on His throne.

When I finally saw what the world had been looking at all day long, a sense of unreality gripped me. Could this have really happened on American soil? Yes, evil struck our land that day; but it didn’t go unnoticed by our God. In the days, weeks, and months that followed, story after story of God’s goodness surfaced, and we who believe were reminded that everything God allows, He allows for His good purposes.

I returned to Psalm 27 many times in the days following 9/11/01, and I found comfort there. You see my faith is in God and with David I say, I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD, be strong and take heart, and wait for the LORD. (Psalm 27:13, 14)

Where have you placed your faith?

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September 11, 2009 by admin in reflection
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Just Do It!

nike-just-do-itA dear friend recently shared with me that he is trying something “new.” He works in customer service. Almost daily he is on the receiving end of complaints and all too frequently these complaints are delivered in a loud, abusive manner.

In the past, my friend had taken the stand that he would not suffer abuse, and he’d given as good as he got. While this approach often caused the caller to simmer down, it never extinguished the flame. The issue may have been resolved, but both my friend and the caller hung up feeling disgruntled.

My friend’s new approach is to patiently wait out the flood of hot complaint, and then he quietly suggests a solution or offers advice. Amazingly, this approach seems to miraculously turn venom-spewing lunatics into reasonable men and women who usually end up thanking him for his help.

I couldn’t help but smile as he shared because this approach really is nothing new. Proverbs 15:1 counsels that “a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Later, thinking back on this conversation another biblical passage came to mind. It’s found in James 1:22 and has been echoed in Nike’s slogan: Just Do It!

All the wisdom of Scripture really does us no good until we put it into practice. We are encouraged to not only hear the Word, but to do it! Reflecting back on what my friend shared I see how putting God’s word into practice bolsters our faith. He is proved trustworthy and true,  and we reap the benefits of His wisdom.

 Does a time come to mind when your faith was encouraged through doing what you heard? I’d love to hear your story.

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September 1, 2009 by admin in reflection

Letting God be the Judge

GavelI was seething. My body trembled and molten words poured from my lips. How dare he? Who did this guy think he was? Once again, my youngest son had been maligned. Once again, his spirit had been judged and found lacking.

Throughout the years, my son had often been judged by the adults in our congregation. As his parents, we are able to see that he was indeed one of those boisterous talkative kids that tend to have negative attention drawn simply because he was loud and unable be still for very long. While his pals were doing the same things, the gavel always seemed to fall for our child.

Now, as a young man, he had been judged again – by someone who had been appointed by God to shepherd him. In so many words, he had been told he’d never amount to anything spiritually. The shepherd failed to care for this sheep.

It’s hard to watch your child suffer wrongs. My response was indignation and anger. I wallowed in it for a time; but finally, God’s Spirit broke through. He told me that I was to allow Him to be the judge. I needed to leave my burden of anger with Him. And, I needed to deal with my own sin.

David’s words spoke to me. Unjustly pursued by the king, David responds: May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds, so my hand will not touch you.’ May the Lord be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand.” (I Samuel 24:12, 13, 15)

King Saul was God’s anointed one – chosen by God to lead the nation of Israel. David understood that whether the king did good or evil, He was still God’s chosen man and only God had the right to judge him. Only God would decide when enough was enough.

Like David, I needed to leave my need for retribution in God’s hands.

As I recently re-read David’s words, the Lord spoke again. David declared that his hand would not touch King Saul. With sorrow, I understood that I had “touched” the one who offended – not with my hand, but with my sharp tongue. In my anger, I had sinned. And like David, I realized my sin had been against God.

Friends, it is so easy to see the sin around us. It is much harder to acknowledge the error of our ways and to repent of our own evil. It is much harder to leave justice to God. It is harder still, impossible really, to know the hearts of those who sin against us. And, perhaps, this is really the key to being free from the need to retaliate.

Our eyes see, our ears hear, but they do not penetrate to the heart. Only God knows the heart.

When I finally stopped spinning the conversations around  and around in my mind, and sought the Lord’s forgiveness for my part in the pain, I finally found peace.  While I still believe my son was wronged, by God’s grace I’ve been able to forgive and move on. I trust in the God who sees – not only the circumstances, but the heart.

What about you? Have you ever felt wronged by a brother or sister-in-Christ? How did you respond? What did God teach you through the pain?

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August 31, 2009 by admin in application
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When Trouble Stalks…Wait!

shadow manHave you ever felt as though trouble stalked you? Ever corner you turn brings you face-to- face with another problem? You’ve nowhere to hide. You wonder if God has forgotten you. David felt that way.

Saul, God’s anointed, relentlessly pursued David with evil intent. He mercilessly hunted him to kill him. David fled for his life, hiding in desert caves. While David and his men hid in the caves of En Gedi, God delivered Saul into David’s hands.

As King Saul relieved himself at the mouth of the cave, further back in the shadows David’s men urged him to strike. David crept up behind Saul and cut off the corner of his robe, but although he had the opportunity to put an end to his troubles, David did not kill Saul.

Returning to his men, David was conscience-striken. Why? Because though he spared the king’s life, his action was a symbol of disloyalty and rebellion. Now, you may think David had ever right to rebel against this murderous king, but David feared God. He understood that until God put him on the promised throne, Saul was king; and he was king by God Almighty’s appointment. David understood that trying to hasten God’s plan by killing Saul would have only brought down God’s displeasure.

Learning to wait on the Lord is a difficult lesson, especially in the midst of troubles – we wonder, “Has God forsaken me?” But just as God fulfilled his promise to David, He still fulfills His promises today. There is no trial, whether brought by man or circumstance, that is beyond His loving care.

So, don’t be overwhelmed by the problems. Don’t take matters into your hands. Wait on the Lord and remember, Jesus told us that “in this world you will have trouble. But, take heart! I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33b)

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August 28, 2009 by admin in application
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My Guys

Misty-eyed, I watched them as they walked together across the grass – big guys, all three. My guys…my sons. I turned and got in my car. As I drove away, blinking to clear my vision, gratitude swelled within me.

I’d made the trip from home that morning, in a car packed with all the odds and ends of life, to drop my middle son at TIU. He’s beginning his final year of undergrad study. I’d made the same trip only two weeks before with his younger brother – our athlete. He’s entering his freshman year of study with a football scholarship and eagerness to prove himself on the field.

 After checking his brother in, our football player joined us in unpacking the car. As usual, he was hungry, so we called their older brother and invited him to join us for lunch. The oldest, a graduate of TIU, is finishing up the week as an admissions counselor before moving on to student teaching.

 It was good to have all three together again.

They joked and laughed on the road to the restaurant, ate hearty portions of food, continued the banter on the way back to the university and squeezed their mom good-bye before heading back into their days.

 Watched them walk away together across the grass…my guys, my sons. Do they know how proud I am? Do they realize how grateful I am to the God who reached out to me while they were still young? I wonder if they recognize the grace that brought them, all three, to this place.

 Amazing grace! how sweet the sound…

 Bittersweet the sight – grown-up men where my heart remembers little boys, yet, I wouldn’t call the years back. I choose, instead, to look forward to all God has yet to do – confident of the future because I have God’s ear.

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August 25, 2009 by admin in reflection
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A Prayer from Psalm 19

rogers_praying-handsLord Jesus, your creation speaks day and night to all people.  You’ve set the heavenly bodies in motion and clothed the earth in beauty. Who can compare to you, O Lord? And, if that were not enough, you’ve left your Word for us.  The Scriptures – to reveal yourself, as perfect, trustworthy, right, radiant, pure, sure and altogether righteous.  Your Word revives my soul, makes me wise, gives joy to my heart, light to my eyes, and brings salvation which endures forever.  Your words are precious and sweet, and by them, I am warned.  In keeping them, I find great reward.  Thank you Jesus for leaving us your Word to light our paths! Amen.

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August 17, 2009 by admin in prayer
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“Karen, Karen…”

Martha and MaryI tend to be a Martha – always scurrying around trying to create the atmosphere rather than sitting at my Lord’s feet listening as Mary did. I am concerned about many things. Is my home in order? Is the laundry done? Have I a teaching plan for Sunday? Did I finish my writing assignment? When will I find time to weed the backyard? On and on and on goes the list.

“Karen, Karen, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.”

 When I take time to listen, I hear that Mary chose the better thing. In those quiet moments, I understand that yes, she surely did! And when I finally put aside all my plans, my worries, my never-ending to-do list – Jesus is there, waiting patiently for me to take my place at his feet. I let the list go. I drink in His presence and in the peace that settles over me, I am refreshed…rested.

 Funny, when I stop my scurrying and rest awhile with my Jesus, somehow what is necessary gets done.

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August 13, 2009 by admin in reflection
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Maximizing Praise

I’ve just been doing a little “blog-hopping,” skimming through what others are sharing. Someone caught my eye with her post about being “ugly,” instead of being thankful. She wrote about choosing to minimize the frustrations and maximize the praise.

I’m pondering her words because this is not the first time the LORD has brought this idea to my attention. I recently jotted down 2 Chronicles 20:22 on a notecard, so I would return to it and consider it beyond the first read. It says: When they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah; so they were routed.

Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, was informed that a huge army was coming against him. Though alarmed, he did the right thing – he sought the LORD. The Spirit of the LORD spoke through the Levite, Jahaziel. He told Jehoshaphat not to fear, the battle belonged to the LORD. The king shared this insight with his people, and he sent men ahead of his army to “sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness” (vs21). 

Did you catch that? The worshippers were sent AHEAD of the army. God’s help came in response to the people’s praise!

As I’ve reflected on this story, I’ve been challenged to maximize the praise in my life. One way I’ve found to do this is to add worship to my daily quiet time. I’ve pulled the almost-forgotten hymnal out of the piano bench and given it a place with my Bible, my journal, and pen.

Some mornings, I prime this time of sitting with Jesus by offering up a hymn before ever opening my Bible. Other days, the Spirit speaks a few words from a well-known song in response to my prayers or thoughts as I read the Word. Every day, I’m finding this new practice empowering. It sets the tone for my attitude.

Then, as I go about my day, I actively look for opportunities to be thankful. It’s really not so difficult to see God’s blessing all around! How about you, friend? What are you thankful for today?

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August 8, 2009 by admin in application
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