Christ is the visible image of the invisible God…For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him reconciled everything to himself… Colossians 1:15,19-20
Lord,
I come to you on bended knee,
With hope and joy and jubilee,
Waiting to celebrate the birth of a King.
Desiring to linger,
Savoring who’s he is.
That he came to step upon this ground and breath this air.
I wish to shout with exuberant cheer,
“Our King is here! He is here!”
He is your son. Yes, this is true.
But he belongs to me too,
As my savior, governor, and friend.
Gratitude overflows my heart beating within.
A new skin you gave it,
the hardness forgotten,
dropped like a rock
along the path of sin.
Never to be traveled along again.
With the apostle’s recordings, when earth,
His momentary home,
I can know and recall his purpose for my surrender.
His entrance began an exchange.
One life for another.
One life for many.
Jesus’s life in exchange for me,
Into eternity.
My sins recalled no more
By you my Lord.
Your gift is fantastical.
How can this promise come to be?
What you promise you provide.
Yesterday, today, and always.
Thank you, Lord, for this perfect baby, a King.
Grace overflowing from a manger to clear me of my sins.
You can read this story in the book of Matthew, chapter 2, verses 1-12.
A casting call at Christmas
Every year Mom placed the manger scene under our Christmas tree. I loved gazing at it and moving the pieces around. Three wise men stood, no larger than the size of an egg, I would imagine their journey and gifts.
The wise men followed a star to a newborn baby, Jesus. Sailors have sailed, using stars for direction, as have travelers by foot.
But the telling of this story sounds like an impossible destination. Have you been driving at night when the moon is full, and the more you drive in its direction, the further away it becomes?
These men were not trying to reach the star, but the One who made that star shine. Jesus. God’s love with us. (1 John 4:9-10)
A casting call gets messy with a good script
Their entry on the stage from the east brought trouble for the baby…it seemed.
The wise men spoke with King Herod asking for directions to the King of the Jews, a baby. This news upset Herod and his entire Kingdom of Jerusalem. Matthew 2:3
Can you imagine? The wise men are walking in faith seeking to find Jesus. Unknown to them, they are now involved in risking his life. Herod can’t allow another King. He must do away with Jesus and set a plan in motion.
What will God do with what seems an error on the part of the wise men?
What has God called you to do?
Can you complete your calling as the wise men did?
There are going to be messy parts of your calling.
God is there to help you walk it out to completion.
When Prince Charles and Princess Diana had their first baby, the news was on the radio, in the newspapers, and in magazines. The birth announcement of Prince George, son of William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, was everywhere due to social media and online news.
These births were important.
Succession matters. The birth of the firstborn in a royal family is a hot topic. People honor this position. Envy it. Admire it. And have killed for it.
Jesus would be no different than an earthly king.
Announced he would be. And he was.
A casting call’s mess gets fixed
An angel told the wise men about a safe route away from Jerusalem.
An angel warned Joseph to gather his family and leave.
A casting call that announces God
The wise men did not simply travel all that way to worship Jesus and give him amazing gifts.
They were tasked, possibly unknown to them, to announce the birth of Jesus Christ. The King of kings. (Revelation 17:14 KJV)
Your calling also announces God.
It may not look that way from your vantage point, but I promise you it does.
Christmas is not a day or an event. It is an invitation to be part of the biggest casting call of all time. Taking your position in the never-ending Kingdom promise of earthly and eternal peace with man and God.
Lord,
Thank you for giving me a part to play in the Christmas story. May I remain focused on your direction, as the wise men were focused on the star. And remind me to do as they did when they reached their destination, to worship and praise you.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
PS Now if you will excuse me, I need to dig my managers out of our grey bin, unpack them, and place them in position. And…I would love to hear from you in the comments below. 🙂
“And they gathered it (manna) every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.” Exodus 16:21 KJV (My additional word)
Today is a day to be thankful. And thankfulness is a lesson we can learn from the Israelites…not that they excelled at it. They learned to take enough manna, a food that fell from heaven, that fed their family for one day.
Enough, defined in the original 1828 Webster dictionary, “is a quantity or degree that satisfies.”
So many crises have hit our communities over the past year and a half.
Depending on what part of the country you live in, the threat of safety may have been more often or something you witnessed regularly from afar.
My family survived a snowstorm last year, unheard of for this state. Living days without running water and electricity taught us about having enough.
Mistakes In the Desert
In the book of Exodus, the Israelites had the same concerns we do when day-to-day living is stress-filled.
Food.
Knowing our next meal is in our refrigerator makes sleeping more rest-filled. And work is easier to focus on.
If you don’t know where your next meal will come from, anxiety can take over your thoughts.
More Than Enough
So we do as the Israelites did, and take more than we need. Instead of looking towards the One who is more than enough.
Truthful moment.
Every time I go to the grocery store, that is H-E-B or Walmart for our location, I do a gut check. Am I purchasing out of fear or wisdom?
Fear takes more than enough, what my family needs, off the shelf.
Wisdom purchases what we need to make it, with a sensible backup, for seven days.
The Israelites at first gathered more than they needed for one day. In doing so, the food spoiled. And there were maggots in the ruined remains. Yuck!
Fear of not having enough destroys what we do have.
The Israelites were provided with enough food for that one day.
Is your ‘enough’ ruined by what someone else has?
Spending time on social media can push buttons.
Oooh, look at what so and so is doing, has, or is experiencing.
It spoils the ‘enough’ in your life. Like the spoiled extras of the Israelites.
Abundance is not the answer.
God provided food to all the Israelites. (Except for Sabbath. Read Exodus chapter 16 if you want to learn about that loophole.) Each morning, they saw all the manna.
All the manna.
Can you see a field full of manna for each family? And more. Temptation amounts were left before them every day!
Seeing all that was available, they took only a portion. What they needed for their household for one day.
Enough is very good.
Lord,
Thank you for enough.
Enough:
Love
Food
Family
Friends
Community
Clothing
Warmth
Health
Where I have more than enough, help me to share with another.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Answer in the comments: What are you thanking God for ‘enough of today?
Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours! May your day be filled with enough!
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:8 KJV
Growing up, summer always and forever was about camping and boating. I was trained about water safety and almost all boat safety.
Our mornings and afternoons on the lake were enjoyable because we knew how to swim, how to be a spotter in the boat for the waterskier, and to keep a safe distance from other boats.
One day, we road in another family’s boat. Their boat was called an open bow boat.
The bow had a ring of seats lining it. I had never ridden in one before. Wearing my lifevest, boat safety first, I knelt at the dead center of the bow, facing the water.
As the driver drove through the delta, I was entranced watching the water cut under the boat’s bow.
The waves from another boat came across our path. The bow crested up to ride the first wave. As the bow came down into the swallow of the first wave, my head went down too.
As the bow, quickly came up to ride the next wave, it smacked my head.
Ouch! An instant egg shaped bruise laid on my forehead.
Are you feeling knocked around by bad news?
I sure am. It sounds as though the sky is falling all around us. Everyday.
I can have my life vest on, know how to swim, and be on guard for boat hazards. That will keep me safe in and on the water.
But for some reason, words can penetrate our logic, safety, and peace of mind.
Maybe that is why God gifted us with his Holy Bible. So his words can guide our logic, keep us safe, and provide peace of mind.
God,
I don’t want to be bounced around today.
I want to hear your voice of truth.
May I turn to your word and tune into your heart.
I want to rest today. Rest in knowing who you are in the waves.
Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.Psalm 25:12 ESV
I have a few favorite podcasts I listen to. I don’t miss a single show. Sometimes, I listen to them more than once.
Why?
The shows are filled with information to help me grow as a writer and entrepreneur.
If I don’t listen to the show, it is like refusing to hear what can help me.
Why would I turn my back on such useful tools?
Even when a show title does not speak to my writing journey, I listen. For fear of missing what I do need to know keeps me tuned in.
I trust these podcasts to give good and correct information.
Do you have fear of missing out in an area of your life?
Do you want the owner’s manual?
Fearing God can help, like fearing losing instructions to build a complex model.
Fearing God seems so passe in our generation, but…
-If I don’t follow legal guidelines on my site, I can be fined.
-God’s word can teach you how to avoid lawsuits.
-I have to be bold and honest when writing. Otherwise, I could put you to sleep.
-God encourages boldness in speaking the truth…with love.
Seeking good advice in life:
Do you search for good advice? For help with decisions?
I know I can’t do this without him.
Where do you need God’s council most right now? Please share in the comments.
His council promises sound advice. The fruit of following it is confidence.
PS Another bible version says the same thing a bit differently: My question: What are God-worshipers like? Your answer: Arrows aimed at God’s bull’s-eye.
A friend once told me, “If you are going to beat yourself up, use a cotton tip.”
Have you ever lectured yourself?
You should have done this.
You know better!
You should have known better.
Or, yikes.
You are so stupid!
When I speak these words in haste, another friend reminds me, “You wouldn’t talk to a friend that way. What would you say to a friend?”
Have you found yourself thinking or saying thoughts like this over yourself?
If you do not talk to yourself this way please leave a comment sharing how or why you are kind to yourself. I would love to know your tips!
Love your neighbor as yourself. Mark 12:31
How do you love yourself?
Let’s observe one important thing that will unravel this mystery.
People fail at loving themselves.
To dismiss this idea, I have heard the reasoning, we are supposed to put ourselves last.
And we are to do that.
But that does not answer the question.
If we love ourselves, why are we so darn mean to ourselves when we make mistakes.
Is our love of self:
Conceit
Pride
Arrogance
If it were, how could we love our neighbor with it?
Let’s look to the scripture directly above, Jesus, teaching us to love our neighbors.
This is the heart of it.
Jesus says in verse 30, …you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
We are to be busy loving God with all the power we can muster.
There was a statement I came across in my early 20s. I don’t know who wrote it, but it said, “When I am self-abusing at least I am getting attention.”
Does that make you giggle? A little? I hope so. When we have our attention righted, our heart, mind, soul, and strength are rightly used.
Lord,
I am sorry I have chosen self-focus rather than thinking about you. Thank you for showing me my error.
You created every part of me. [Psalm 139] You know every day of my life before I was born. Your love is all-encompassing. Thank you for loving me, completely. I love you. Help me to love you more.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
P.S. I apologize for my post being late today. Learning to trust God for the message and not beating myself up! Oh, how I stumble over myself! May it be sweeter for the waiting!
October will greet us tomorrow. Confirming that fall is here. Are you seeing the changes in nature where you live? Leaves started falling from the oak trees as if on cue here in Central Texas. A storm rolled in to start the week, and we are covered in leaves.
These signs signal the holidays are ready to be prepared for. May this post help with the extra details this time of year brings!
35,000 decisions in one day. Could you do it? Apparently, we all do.
Apple ran an ad, four years ago, claiming we make a whopping 35,000 decisions every day. What an eye-popping and headache-inducing thought.
Picture the San Francisco Giants, Oracle Park. (Chosen because that is my home state. Random fact, the park was built the year my husband I were married. Look up your favorite hometown stadium to compare! Share what you find in the comments. I would love to know.)
The Oracle can seat 40,800 people.
To quantify the number of decisions we make, it is almost as many people as Oracle Park holds! 35,000 vs 40,800
Many days, we go about our routine and do okay. Oblivious to the fact that tick-tock, tick-tock, decision after decision is happening. This is likely why habits are so important. One less thing to ponder. Simply do what we have already decided to do and have been doing over a period of time.
Like making a week’s worth of lunches on Sunday night. No decisions are needed. Fewer things to consider when we know what we are having for lunch and where to grab it.
There are stages in life that are more taxing for decision-making.
We experience added responsibilities to decisions made while raising young children.
When a family member is ill or dying stress is high. At these times, choices at the grocery store can feel overwhelming.
If we or someone we live with is depressed, making decisions are more difficult.
What about a move? Forget about doing it perfectly. Mistakes and last-minute decisions will have to be discussed and decided upon.
I hope I have not overwhelmed you at this point! Because here comes the good news!
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8
God is always there to guide and help us with every situation. The bible says that we hear his voice. When we acknowledge him we can hear his whispered and calm response. I know I need reminding of who I am with him.
God helps us, directs us, and counsels us. When we allow him to. In that decision of receiving his help, it is easy to see how big he is and small we are.
We can trust him with the outcome and our imperfections.
I have made a lot of bad decisions. But I have also made a lot of ‘God’ decisions. AKA, decisions with God’s direction and counsel. Can you relate?
Things turn out better when I remember he is with me, every time. His love draws us to him and keeps us wanting to hang out with him.
Image by ElisaRiva from Pixabay
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
Lord,
I am sorry when I stumble along trying to make sense of all my obligations. I wander off, forgetting how much I need your wisdom. Independence from you steals my peace. I am so grateful I can trust you. Help me to trust you more. Set in place reminders for me to turn to you in the 35,000 decisions I will face today.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
***
NEXT WEEK: I am excited to bring us back to our series called, How to Adjust the View. This is where, once a month, we will chat about and seek ways to God’s peace and pray for the people we live amongst. Even strangers! Everyone in our city can be prayed for, even if we don’t know them.
Invite someone to join you next week as you read the post, How to Adjust the View. Is there someone who you think would love to dig in and pray with you with one heart over your city? I bet there is. Isn’t there is a bible verse about this? When we pray with another person something special happens.
They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” Luke 24:32 ESV
There have been times when I wanted to walk back into my Freshman remedial math class. The first time I entered the classroom, defeat hung my head low.
The class was packed. I slid into one of the last seats available in the back. I would not look at anyone, focusing on my desk, willing the class to start so it could end.
In elementary school, I was tested for learning disabilities. I passed those tests. So I was labeled. Slow. Slow to read. Slow to understand. Slow to learn.
***
Our verse depicts a conversation between two disciples, the day of Christs’ resurrection. They were sad. Stumbled by Christ’s crucifixion, his empty tomb, and odd reports about non-human appearances at the tomb, Jesus met them in the middle of their conversation.
What conversation do you need Jesus to meet you in the middle of? Please share in the comments below.
Jesus accused them of being ‘slow of heart’. v25 They did not recognize him. So he told of all the ways Scripture pointed toward him. (Wouldn’t you have loved to hear Jesus talk of himself this way? To have been an ant on the ground!)
***
All the chatter and movement in my class disappeared as Mr. Wise took command of the class. He stood holding a stack of paper, each page representing a student who did not graduate with their graduating class the year before. He went on to explain that we had a choice and a chance to do something different. He taught for fifteen minutes, not teaching math. Rather, explaining we had the choice to succeed or fail.
Every day of class, he started the same way. He was faithful to address what needed addressing. Our lack of faith in ourselves, the process, and our abilities. The choice and the opportunity were ours. To learn or not to learn.
***
The two disciples realized the man who taught them as they walked was Jesus Christ, resurrected. In that very precious moment of realization, Jesus disappeared.
But they do not step back into despair! They realized their hearts were ‘burning’ when Jesus had told them about all the Scriptures testifying his purpose.
Before the end of that hour, they went out and told other disciples what had occurred.
They were a voice to confirm Jesus had fulfilled the scriptures, rising from the grave.
***
Mr. Wise does not start my days with truthful encouragement anymore. It has been a few decades since I sat in his class. But his words of truth did set me on a path of learning to believe and trust that I could do the work.
***
Jesus bridged the two disciples from discouragement to belief.
They then bridged their belief to the other disciples who had not yet seen the resurrected Christ.
The bible bridges the story of Christ for us, to believe, and hopefully not be slow of heart.
Mr. Wise bridged understanding learning for me. I believed I was slow to learn, but upon hearing his talks, my heart burned to learn.
As an adult, I discovered I do indeed have a learning disability. Gratefully, I have found other ways to learn, ways that work for me.
***
God,
Show us anything downcast in us. Maybe we are very aware of the discouragement we are carrying around. We don’t want to believe the lie that there is no hope.
Guide us in your word and someone onto our path, to fan the spark of faith. May it burn action in us. Use our testimony to fan some else’s spark of faith to burn brightly.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
The name of the teacher was changed for anonymity.
I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. Leviticus 26:6a ESV
Promises.
The Bible is filled with God’s promises.
He is excellent at keeping his promises.
Are we living in and reflecting his promise of peace?
If worry and fear lull us to sleep at night and wake us in the morning, then no.
Let’s look at how we can receive His restful peace.
In the above scripture from Leviticus, God literally provided peace in the land. Verse six goes on to explain that beasts and swords will not be a problem for them. He literally protected the people from physical threats to their lives and land.
God, today, can give peace in the middle of stress, worry, and crisis.
But we have to do our part. He won’t force his peace on us.
What are the gifts of peace? Calm. Serenity. A deep knowing that God is in control. I am sure you could come up with your own list. If you do, please share it in the comments.
When our children rebel or throw a fit, there is no peace until they come into the tiniest bit of agreement that their way was wrong and our way was correct. Hopefully, with their concession of being wrong and willingness to be righted, they are received with love and forgiveness. This is an example of peace.
We can override the peace of God for us. Wanting life to turn out our way is refusing the peace God desires for us.
Those wants turn into demands. And, dare I say, idols?
There are hardships in our lives. Painful realities we all walk through for a season or a for a lifetime. God’s peace never denies this. His peace provides a bridge with which to carry us through the circumstances, with perhaps a higher view, a deep breath, or to feel the love of our Father as we experience momentary relief from the weight of our worry.
What is standing in the way between our worry and God’s peace?
Our will.
Our will can be used to say, “no thank you,” to the priceless gift of peace.
To live in peace we are to align our will to God’s will.
How do we do that?
In the New Testament, we see Christ reveal peace in a storm. Jesus was sleeping in a boat when the storm started. Water came up into the boat, unrelenting. His apostles were freaking out. They responded in fear. A normal reaction for people in that situation.
Did they do the right thing? Let’s take a look.
Their fear revealed their lack.
They turn toward Jesus for help.
Jesus helped them.
But Jesus spoke to them before he calmed the storm. Imagine it. The wind is blowing and waves are still throwing water into the boat. He wakes up to their panic, whirling weather, and he asks them a question. “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Matthew 8:26
Did the disciples do the right thing? They turned toward God in the flesh and asked for help.
We too will be overwhelmed and confused by the chaos around us.
We too can turn toward the one who promises us peace.
Psalm 23:2, talks about laying down in green pastures, provided by God, so we can drink from still water. God’s peace.
We can exchange our whirling worries, for calm.
Growing up, perhaps you heard this a lot, ‘obey your parents.’
I discovered, in adulthood, Ephesians chapter six does not stop there, it goes on to say in verse four, ‘fathers do not exasperate your children.’ As parents, we can have expectations of our kids. We get to set rules of our homes, what is allowable and what is not allowable.
Parents are not to seek their children’s obedience beyond what God Himself would ask of children.
What does exasperation look like? Websters 1828 Dictionary defines it as, “to anger; to irritate to a high degree; to provoke to rage; to exasperate the passion of …resentment.”
Why am I adding this to a blog post about peace? Great question.
God does NOT exasperate us. Irritation, anger, and resentment take root when we don’t put our will in line with God’s will.
Can we lay down our burdens today? Like the people in the book of Leviticus and the apostles in the storm at sea, I bet God can give us peace.
Father, thank you for those who have gathered around their computers, laptops, cell phones, and tablets today. If we are feeling exasperated, help us do as the disciples did.
I am too weak to handle this without you. Help me put down my worries. I accept your rest. I am sorry for not trusting you with this sooner.
Our days and months are filled with to-do lists and supply lists, so important events and the day-to-day activities run smoothly. Summer vacations, grocery shopping, the start of school, birthdays, and the holidays. There are lists for every season and month.
No matter how similar or different our lists are, there is one item that should be on everyone’s list.
My hubby and I planned a day trip to a local lake with our daughters. Simple. One afternoon of fun. Our supply list contained what the adventure required.
At the edge of the rocky shore, in Central Texas, we stood. I was bitter and confused. The water was calm and the day was warm. These were perfect conditions for our outing. I kept reviewing in my mind why we dragged the girls out of the house.
What was our goal for the day? A fun trip to the local lake, resulting in family bonding or at least a good memory. I hoped. And to learn how to use our new-to-us kayaks.
What was on my supply list? Kayaks, life vests, water shoes, inner tubes, and bottled water.
I am happy to report, we did accomplish the goal. Eventually.
Our girls knew in advance about this outing. My husband and I knew about the trip.
Everybody knew the plan.
We each got into the truck packed with our supplies. Mostly. A quick trip back to the house for a thing or two. Evidently, the list was not perfect.
We made it back down to the lake. The water was still calm other than occasional wakes from boats.
The hope of a fun family outing was dwindling.
Our girls have grown accustomed to not being around people in public places. (Mandates, closures…) Peeling our kids out of their rooms for an outdoor adventure left one unnamed participant grumpy. Grumbling may have occurred by this child and one adult. Yes, I succumbed to grumbling back at the grumbling teen.
Add to that, my judgemental antenna was in full force. It screamed danger, danger, as I witnessed boat rules and politeness disregarded. Stress was drowning the adventure.
I struggled to guide my craft in a straight line. My teen was patient with my learning curve as she maneuvered her craft in a much straighter line. We soon discovered quiet surroundings. Jumping fish and the hush of nature created a moment for easy conversation.
Eventually, our Weisman clan exited the water. Standing on that same rocky shore content with our adventure. Everything had gone okay. And for a moment, our life’s concerns settled below the water and our family’s bond surfaced.
There was something I should have put on that supply list. More about that later.
Recently, I was at Walmart, waiting in the checkout line. I had everything on my shopping list gathered in my shopping cart. A lady in front of me stole my focus. As she busily looked at all the items that line a typical check stand, I could not take my eyes off her cart. She had a basket full of yarn. Lots of yarn. Skeins stacked upon skeins, in a variety of colors. Naturally introverted, I was surprised that my curiosity pushed me to ask her what all the yarn was for. So I gathered some courage and asked if she knits or crochets.
She did not answer. Nothing at all. Did I speak too quietly? Spotting the white buds in her ears, I realized she was wearing earbuds. To my surprise, I thought, I will ask her again. After all, she had not rejected me, yet. She turned my direction one more time, I said more clearly, “With all that yarn, I was wondering if you knit or crochet?”
“Oh, no, this is not for me. I got all this for my mom’s birthday.” She explained the yarn would help give her mother something to do. I told her that was a thoughtful idea. We continued to chat. About as much as you can in a check-out line. We were deep into our conversation when she asked me a very important question.
“Can I hug you?”
A stranger.
A hug.
Covid.
I sensed the risk she had taken. In front of me was a beautiful and visibly vulnerable human being.
If you know me, you know I hugged her. I hope it communicated, ‘I see you and I care.’
Her raw emotions humbled me.
I left stunned at what God added to my grocery list.
Again, I left something off my list. Let’s get to that item now.
Will you walk with me into the pages of the Bible?
God needed Jesus to complete a very important task. Jesus was to save mankind from themselves. People kept breaking God’s laws. And God saw they always would.
God planned to give them a savior, Jesus. One would carry the entire world’s sin upon himself. For those who believe and receive Christ, a desire is created, to become more and more like him. [Romans chapter 8]
God’s supply list consisted of one item, Jesus.
Nothing needs to be added or removed from this plan. It is perfect and unending.
Our to-do lists for shopping trips or road trips are not as encompassing as God’s goal. But they are important.
I need to write the name Jesus at the top of my supply and to-do lists. Literally, list Jesus’ name with a check box next to it.
I need that reminder, as stress or worry builds about getting everything done, that Jesus is with me. Now. This very moment. Perhaps, while on an errand, there is someone he wants me to meet and interact with. Or, to leave room for him on our family outings, so he can quiet the grumbling spirit in me.
Our lists are valuable, but only Jesus can provide a peace-filled perspective of them.
I have an adventure planned that I hope lasts for years to come. This blog is going through some changes, good ones. Next week I will announce a series I am writing. It is something that has been in the works for a long time. I can’t wait to share it with you.
Mark your calendar for new posts every Thursday.
Will you share in the comments about an adventure you are planning? How is your supply list going?
