Have a Merry Christmas

Christmas is always a special time. It is a time to remember the great times of the past, a great time to renew old acquaintances and times of celebrations. Most of all, it is a time to remember why we celebrate Christmas. Over two thousand years ago, Jesus was born in a very humble setting. He came to earth to redeem all of us all our sin and give us a life of peace. John recorded the purpose of His coming, John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”[1] The manger in which He first lay was more than a feeding trough for the animals; it became the bed of a King. If only the manger could talk, I like to think it would say, “You created the wood from which I am made and therefore, I return to You the best that I have to offer. So, I give it to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

What do we have to offer Him today? All He asks of us is to give Him our best. Our best is to give Him our complete allegiance and allow Him to rule and reign in our heart.

Here is a poem written by my wife that tells His story in a nutshell.

Mary

MARY, a simple young Jewish girl
Chosen to carry the Savior of the world.

MARY, puzzled, "how can this be?"
I am virgin, it's an impossibility.

MARY betrothed to marry soon,
Feared Joseph's reputation impugned.

MARY, the Angel assuredly replied,
"Fear not, God Almighty will be inside."

MARY birthed the Christ child
Who would die, all sin to reconcile.

MARY nurtured Him as He grew,
Until ministry called, He knew.

MARY saw the crowds acclaim His fame.
She also heard, "Crucify Him" proclaimed.

MARY knew He rose from the dead.
He lived and died just as He said.

JESUS CHRIST, the Son of MARY
Short life on earth to tarry.

JESUS CHRIST, the Son of God.
Divinity in flesh on earth He trod.

This is the MARY Christmas story
in succinct rhyme but full of Glory![2]

Merry Christmas!

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[1] John 3:16-17 KJV

[2] Poetry by Betty Lewis

Reality

Reality is but a fleeting moment

When future morphs into past.

It's only a blink of the eye

Determines how each is cast.



The past charts the future

The future is past to be.

Reality is but a shadow

Formed by divine alchemy.



The last breath taken in

becomes the past so soon.

The next one is the future

Time between is the bloom.



Seize the moment without delay

There is so little time to control

How soon it passes, then the end

Determining destiny of the soul.

Poetry by Betty Lewis

2 Tim 1:12-14 "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us." KJV

Thanksgiving 2018

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, a federal holiday in the United States is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It was declared a special holiday in 1863 by President Lincoln. He proclaimed it to be a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwells in the Heavens."

This day has always been a special day in my life. Even as a child, I remember that very early in the morning, my Mom would start the fire in the old coal burning stove and begin the long day of preparing a special meal for the family. Most of the time, the main course would be the largest chicken that we had and would be served because we could not afford a large turkey for the family.

Our family would gather around the table and as hungry as we were, we would take turns giving thanks for something special. Then, Dad would pray a special prayer thanking God for all of His blessings. Dad loved to pray and as a child, I would always hope that Dad remembered how hungry we were and pray a short prayer. However, he put more emphasis on God’s blessings than the growling of hunger in our stomach.

Thanksgiving Day has a different meaning to each of us. To some it is a special day to be off work and relax around the TV and watch all of the football games. It may be a day of parades and to others it is a day set aside to visit family and enjoy some special family time.  To others, it is a special day to give thanks to God for His bountiful blessings. It is also a great time to say thanks to special people.

Unfortunately, we live in an entitlement society where so many people believe they are “owed” the blessings and is never taught the importance of expressing gratefulness. We see this also in an episode in the Bible where Jesus met ten men that were lepers. They asked Jesus to have mercy on them. He told them to go and show the priests that the leprosy was healed. All were healed but only one returned to show gratitude to Jesus. Jesus asked, "Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?" [1] A good question for us to ask this Thanksgiving is, “Am I one of the nine? Or am I the one?” Every day should be a day of Thanksgiving. A song and a pledge that we used to sing says: “All that I am, all that I have, all I shall ever be. Cannot repay the love-debt I owe. I surrender to thee.”[2]

Pledge to the King

I pledge allegiance to the King of Kings;

Creator of all, Master of all things.

My source of life, with each breath I sing,

Resounding praise with voice and string.

He set me aflight from broken wing,

To lift me upward and healing bring.

I vow to honor, whatever entailing,

My provider, Protector, love unfailing.

I pledge allegiance to my King of Kings,

Jesus Christ, my Lord, my everything.[3]

This Thanksgiving, along with all the festivities, take time to say, “THANKS.”

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

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[1] Luke 17:19 Message Bible

[2] Unknown

[3] Betty Lewis 1/15/2015