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Author: dbirsch

Indescribable!

Indescribable!

Really, how does one describe the indescribable?  We struggle to put into words the incredible things we experience and the views we see here on earth.  If we sometimes struggle to adequately describe our present world, how could we even begin to describe the wonders of the world waiting for us in heaven?

The Apostle Paul writes this:  “… No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 – NIV 1982).

In other words, the wonderful home in heaven which God has prepared for his faithful people is indescribable!  Since no eye has seen its splendor and no ear has heard its sounds, how could any mind conceptualize what it is really like?

Of course, the Bible does give us some insights into that wonderful place.  Jesus’ simple words provide a cozy picture of that new home: a room in the Heavenly Father’s mansion in the presence of Jesus himself.  “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2-3).

Jesus’ description makes heaven sound wonderfully comfortable; John’s description from his God-given vision in Revelation 21 displays it as beyond extravagant.  Here are his mind-boggling words:

“The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.  The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone.  The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.”

“The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl.  The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.”

“I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp” (Revelation 21:18-23)

Is that description of the heavenly wall, gates and street intended to be taken literally, or is it symbolic of the matchless beauty and priceless worth of being there?  Is it God’s way of propelling us to absolute awe by providing a picture we can “sort of” grasp?  Who here on earth could know?  However, I believe the description of God’s glory illuminating heaven is undoubtedly the way it is.  Nothing shines brighter, so no other source of light is needed there!

Then John provides this little nugget regarding our salvation: “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes’” (Revelation 21:3-4). 

Those tears?  They are tears of joy at being allowed to exist in the very presence of God … forever!  I suspect that the Lord will frequently need to dry our joyful tears through our never-ending time there.  We’ll be repeatedly – eternally! – overwhelmed by the magnificence of the place, and the sheer wonder that we are actually there (and never have to leave!).

The descriptions of how heaven looks and how heaven will be are impressive.  Perhaps even more impressive are the descriptions of how people feel and act there.  What I have always found fascinating is that very often the Bible’s descriptions of the blessings of heaven tell us what does NOT exist there instead of what does!  (Which makes sense because our frame of reference is life in this broken world.)

“There will be no more night” (Rev. 22:5).  For the blessed who are there, “‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat’” (Rev. 7:16).  ‘“There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’  He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!”’ (Rev. 21:4-5). 

We can certainly conceptualize what is NOT in heaven.  But what IS there is inconceivable, and therefore indescribable. 

I suspect everyone envisions their existence in heaven differently.  We likely picture it in earthly terms with earthly concepts.   I confess mine is relaxing peacefully before some spectacular view of nature.  Others may have different thoughts on what would make for a “heavenly” heaven.  But here’s what will make salvation unmatchable: we will finally and forever be able to look upon our all-sacrificing Savior on his throne … and that view will be indescribable!

And then there’s the sight of the angels and all the other glorified believers who are there with us!

Not to mention the brilliant light and other-worldly colors.  The exuberant and unmatchable singing.  (Perhaps 100-part harmony sung by the redeemed and angels beyond count!)  The splendorous smells.  The sumptuous heavenly “feast” (Isaiah 25:6).  The ultra-fine feel of everything there.  (To once again use our earthly senses in an attempt to grasp the unearthly.)

But to transition to the spiritual, which will far transcend the physical: the pure holiness of everything in that perfect place!  (Including us!)  The absolute and all-encompassing security.  The perfect peace; the incredible joy.  The lack of any trace of negativity. The complete tranquility.  The utter bliss.  The eternalness of it all!

In the words above, I’ve shared some of the Bible’s descriptions and a few thoughts of my own regarding heaven.  But finally, the only way to describe heaven is that it is indescribable. 

The fact that we get to go there because of Jesus our Savior is indescribable too!  

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.  This inheritance is kept in heaven for you …” (1 Peter 1:3-4).

How incredibly blessed are we to be heirs of such magnificence!  And how incredibly blessed are those who are already experiencing that inheritance!

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This post is dedicated to the many wonderful Christians who have arrived at their heavenly home in the past year … some of whom were very dear to me, and some of whom were wonderful supporters of this blog.

In particular, I want to mention Diane Quick, who regularly played organ for our congregation’s worship services for almost eleven years, and who was the third person to subscribe to this blog.  She jumped on board immediately.

I also want to acknowledge Lee Hunt, who was the eighth person to subscribe, and was one of my greatest encouragers on this endeavor.  He eagerly read every post, and discussed them with me almost every Sunday.  When I held a 50th post contest, God saw to it that Lee won.  He proudly wore his “Heading to Heaven” prize tee shirt many Sundays to worship in our church … which always warmed my heart and now chokes me up. 

Both of them have indeed “Headed to Heaven.” I pray that some of the things I shared on this blog (and from the pulpit) “encouraged them until they finally got where they were going.”  I will miss them both, as well as all my loved ones who are now rejoicing with the Lord in their heavenly home.  But I rejoice at their destination!  I know it’s indescribable, but they will have an eternity to try.

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Simple Victories

Simple Victories

The beginning of a new year tends to be a time of reflection.  What am I content with in my world?  What do I want to change?  What do I NEED to change?

As we consider these things, I think we tend to regard our choices on changes as needing to be significant ones.  And perhaps significant changes are needed?  After all, none of us truly has our lives totally together.  By all means, we should attempt to address areas that need addressing.  We all have key areas that need some adjusting; we can all become better men and women.

However, with grandiose plans it is all too common to dream big, fall short and eventually fall flat.  Which is discouraging.  So we tell ourselves, “Oh, well, I’ll try again soon, or maybe next year.  I’ll get it done one these times.”

By all means, don’t stop attempting to become a better person!  But perhaps a different approach might be beneficial?  Perhaps being content with the simple victories would be a wiser approach?

Let me explain with an example.  I enjoy metal detecting.  Most people would assume that the best metal detecting finds are under the surface, requiring at least some effort to retrieve. And typically this is true.  The benefit of the metal detector is that it indicates when there is metal below the coil of the detector.  Usually whatever set off the detector is below the surface, and usually the older items (e.g. coins) are indeed deeper in the soil. 

But not always!

A while back I had the opportunity to break away for some much-needed R&R.  I stayed in a rustic yurt in a Washington state park.  In our state, some of our state parks actually allow metal detecting in designated areas.  By design, I was in one of those parks, and I had most of the area around me all to myself!  Furthermore, it was all open to detecting.

In limited time between the heavy rain showers, I found over sixty coins.  I dug up most of them.  But perhaps a third of my finds were simply resting on the surface.  In other words, “surface finds.”  Some of the coins I spotted even before swinging the detector over them.

Surface finds are easy victories.  They don’t take much time or effort to retrieve, but still supply satisfaction and joy. 

Granted, most of the coins I discovered were just pennies, and none of them were terribly old.  But each find was an accomplishment.  And some of the coins, even some lying on the surface, were worth ten pennies (dimes); some worth twenty-five (quarters).

They all went into my recovery pouch … even the ones resting on the surface.  Never did it occur to me to bypass the easy victories!  They all counted!  They were all accomplishments!  And the surface finds were simply retrieved, yet still counted for the same face value as the coins I had to dig up.

Easy victories!  But abundantly satisfying!

Do you have big plans for personal improvements in this new year?  Good for you, and God’s blessings on your efforts!  But don’t overlook the little blessings and the minimal advances.  Any progress is still progress, and is still an accomplishment.  Any accomplishment is worth celebrating.  And multiple little wins can ultimately lead to great ones.

David wrote, “May [the LORD] give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.  May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests” (Psalm 20:4-5).

Or to say it another way, may the Lord give you many simple victories this year!  And may He help us appreciate every single one.

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When Red Makes White

When Red Makes White

As I type this, the snow is gently falling outside.  The light carpet of white over the green grass in the late hours of the day means that technically we experienced a rare white Christmas in Tacoma this year. 

While “gently falling” sounds innocuous enough, the expectation is that it will continue to “gently fall” through the night and into the morning.  Which means that everything will be thoroughly white in the morning … including the streets! 

Certainly beautiful!  But around the rolling topography of western Washington, also treacherous.  Especially since the temperatures are forecast to remain below freezing. 

Which means that our worship service in the morning will almost certainly be cancelled.  So I share this special post in place of the message I planned to share personally in church.

Contemplating the lovely white that is gradually accumulating overnight, I recalled the striking words of Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

If one pauses to consider the Lord’s words, they seem to offer a strange contrast.  Red sins becoming white?  Why those choice of colors?

The comments in the preceding verses offer some clarification.  Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord is sharing some harsh but crucial criticisms to his people.  He informs his supposed followers that their many sacrifices to him hold “no pleasure” for him (1:11).  Their offerings to him are “meaningless,” their incense “detestable to me,” their assemblies “worthless” (1:13), and their religious festivals “I hate with all my being” (1:14).

If that wasn’t severe enough, the Lord goes on to state, “When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening.  Your hands are full of blood!” (1:15).

Now the contrast between red and white becomes clearer.  God’s own were following God’s instructions on how to worship him, but “their hearts were far from him” (Isaiah 29:13).  Consequently, their hands were red with the blood of pointless sacrifices, and their hearts and lives full of iniquity … including the blood of fellow humans who suffered through their loveless actions.

To which the Lord in love offers an incredible offer: “Turn to me and I’ll settle this matter – I’ll make your scarlet sins as white as snow!”

Of course, many (most even) disregarded the Lord’s merciful proposal and continued to simply go through meaningless motions in their worship and their lives.  But some took God’s words to heart and rejoiced in his loving and graceful promise.

Yet the faithful couldn’t begin to understand how the Lord would bring it about.  They didn’t realize that all those countless lamb sacrifices God commanded pointed ahead to God’s own ultimate Sacrifice of his Son – Jesus, the Lamb of God.  Jesus would offer his holy life as the all-atoning Substitute for the sins of sinners on the altar of the cross.

Jesus bloody birth in a barn was his first step to the bloody cross.  His life on earth began in blood and ended in holy blood … so that he could remove the unholy blood from all of our hands and our lives. 

Thanks be to God for the red blood of the Savior which turns our hands and hearts and lives clean and white!

Yes, the snow is lovely.  But not nearly as lovely as pure souls.

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

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The ABCs of Christmas

The ABCs of Christmas

A number of years ago I compiled this list (below) to build a Christmas service around.  Through the years I’ve reused the service now and then.  Even if some subscribers remember it, hopefully the list will still be enjoyable to review.  I know I always appreciate it when I re-read it.

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A reminds us of … Adam, who brought the first sin into the world, and made it necessary for the “Second Adam” to come to make things right again … and Abraham and all the other Old Testament believers, who eagerly awaited the “Second Adam’s” arrival … and the Angels who brought the announcement to the astonished shepherds … and the Amazement that people felt when they heard the shepherds’ message after they had seen the baby Messiah … and the Alleluias that sinners sing when they realize they are all-the-way Absolved and absolutely saved by this “Second Adam” … and Amen, which means, “This is all most certainly true.”

B reminds us of … the Baby Boy who was Born in a Barn in Bethlehem.

C reminds us of … Caesar Augustus, who issued the Census that caused Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem, where the Christ, the “Promised One,” was to be born … and the ragged Clothes in which this baby Christ was dressed … and the Cattle which surrounded him at his birth … and the Cross on which this Christ would be one day be Crucified … and his Compassion for us which caused him to come to earth in the first place … and Christmas, at which time Christians celebrate all of this.

D reminds us of … the Devil, who would delight in destroying us in hell … and the Determination of our God that the devil would be Defeated … and David, whose Divine Descendent was born from David’s line and in David’s city to destroy the devil’s power.

E reminds us of … Easter, when Jesus rose from the dead, and to which Christmas ultimately leads … and how Easter means that Jesus is the Savior of Everyone … and how Jesus wants everyone to be with him in Eternity, which is now possible because of Christmas and Easter … and the East, from where men traveled to worship him when he was young … and Egypt, to where his family had to flee to avoid Herod’s death sentence after the men from the East returned home.

F reminds us of … Father, both Jesus’ Heavenly Father and Joseph, his earthly one … and the Fields in which the Flocks fed when the angels appeared … and the Forgiveness this Savior won for all who look to him in Faith.

G reminds us of … the angel Gabrial, who told Mary that God in his Goodness and Grace was giving the Greatest Gift of all … God’s own Son to save the world … and the Glory that radiated from the angels who told the shepherds a message of Good News of Great Joy, the Gospel message of a Savior being born, which caused them to praise the Lord with the words, “Glory to God in the highest” … and the Gifts the Wisemen brought of Gold, incense and myrrh.

H reminds us of … how Jesus was born Holy, and remained holy all his life … and the Holy Spirit, who miraculously caused Mary to conceive, and who told us everything we need to know about Jesus in God’s Holy Word … and Heaven, from where the Heavenly Host came, and where we one day will go to live in perfect Happiness … and Hell and its horrors, where we would have certainly ended up if not for Jesus … and Herod, who tried to kill baby Jesus with a horrific crime.

I reminds us of … the prophet Isaiah, who prophesied that Immanuel, “God with us,” would one day come … and Israel, (both Old and New Testament Israel), whom Immanuel came to dwell among and to save … and the Inn which had no room for Joseph and Mary, and the Inn-keeper who offered the stable instead, where the Innocent Baby Jesus was born.

J reminds us of … Jesus … and Joseph, Jesus’ stepfather … and Jerusalem in Judah, where Jesus was crucified, and where he rose back to life on the third day.

K reminds us of … the believing Old Testament Kings who pictured Jesus the King … and how Jesus is the King of kings.

L reminds us of … how Jesus is the Lord of lords … and the Law from Caesar that demanded Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem, as well as the Law of God which demanded punishment for anyone who wasn’t perfect … and the Lamb of God, who in Love paid the penalty the law demanded.

M reminds us of … the prophet Micah, who prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem … and Mary, the Mother of Jesus, who laid the baby Messiah down to rest in a Manger … and the angelic Messengers who brought the amazing Message to the shepherds that the Lord had kept his word; the Messiah was born.

N reminds us of … the Night that Jesus was born, which seemed like just another night, but was actually a night like no other … and how there was No Room in the inn that night for Joseph and Mary and that Jesus grew up in Nazareth and was called a Nazarene … and that Jesus came to establish God’s New Covenant.

O reminds us of … the Oppression that Satan and sin kept us under, and how Jesus was born to Overcome that oppression for everyone … and that Jesus isn’t just the Savior of Others, but also of us.  He is Our Savior.

P reminds us of … the Prophets who Prophesied about God’s Present of the Promised One … and the Old Testament Priests who had to continually offer sacrifices for the sins of the people … and that Jesus was also a Prophet and Priest who would bring Peace to God’s People by sacrificing himself on the cross … and the Praise of God that the angels and the shepherds spoke because of the peace that God was providing … and how Mary Pondered all these things in her heart.

Q reminds us of … Quirinius, the governor of Syria when the Roman census took place.

R reminds us of … Rome, who controlled Judah when Jesus was born, and from whom most people thought the Messiah would Rescue them … and how Jesus was really born to Redeem people from sin, death and the devil.

S reminds us of … the Shepherds who were watching the Sheep in the fields when the angels appeared to them and told them that the Savior from Sin and Satan was born … and the Sign that the angels’ message was true was that this Savior could be found in the Straw of a manger in a Stable … and the Special Star that signaled that the Savior was born … and how Jesus was both the Son of God and the Son of Man.

T reminds us of … the Traditions of Christmas, which include a Christmas Tree … and the Tree of the Cross upon which Jesus died … and the Trinity, the Triune God who gave us the Treasure of our Savior … and the Truth of God’s Word which shows us this Treasure, and removes the Terror of being punished for our Transgressions.

U reminds us of … the Unimaginable and almost Unbelievable, yet Undeniable, Unforgettable and Ultimate truth that God was born to live and die for us to save us, and that he rose back to life and is waiting to bring us to heaven one day.

V reminds us of … how Jesus was born of a Virgin, as Isaiah prophesied he would be.

W reminds us of … the Wisemen who, in Wonder, traveled a huge distance to Worship the new-born Savior.

X reminds us of … the Greek letter X (“chi”), which is the first letter in Xristos (“Christ”).

Y reminds us of … the people of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, both Young and Old, and You and Me, for whom Jesus was born and died.

Z reminds us of … Omega, the last letter of the Greek alphabet, and how Jesus told us that he is our Alpha (1st letter) and our Omega, our everything … and Zion, the place where our God lives, and where he will bring us one day because Jesus was born for us.

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Can you think of any Christian Christmas words that should be included in this list?  If so, please share them in the comments feature of this blog!

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John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

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Lowly Positioned and Highly Honored

Lowly Positioned and Highly Honored

Have you ever experienced a surreal situation – a time when it seemed impossible that what was occurring was real?  The mind struggles to comprehend what the senses are relaying.

For the shepherds outside of Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born, surreal didn’t even begin to describe what they were experiencing.  One moment they were wrapped and resting in their goat-skin cloaks; the next they are seeing and hearing a heavenly being!

Luke describes the scenario with these famous words: “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified” (Luke 2:8-9).

Humans don’t generally respond well when exposed to the “glory of the Lord.”  Where holy glory appears, whether God himself or his angelic messengers, sinful people cringe in abject terror.  And that’s what the shepherds did as well.

Understandably, the angel tried to reassure the stricken shepherds. ‘“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger”’ (Luke 2:10-12).

A gloriously-beaming angelic appearance was surreal enough.  The angel’s message even more so!  “The Messiah, the Promised Savior, the Lord himself is born.”  But there’s additional astounding information shared: “The Lord is wrapped in rags and resting in a grungy feeding trough for livestock,” as unlikely and seemingly inappropriate as that might be.

In short measure, the surreality is compounded.  The men were already cowering from the brilliance of the one angel; then that splendor is magnified and intensified, and their experience ratchets up yet another degree.  “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests”’ (Luke 2:13-14).

I’ve always been fascinated with the shepherds outside of Bethlehem.  There are so many questions regarding this account.  Not questions about whether it happened, but questions about how it happened and why it happened.

How many shepherds were there?  What were their ages?  Their names? 

And when the first angel appeared, did it approach them gradually from a distance, or appear suddenly in close proximity?  Was God’s messenger standing on the ground or hovering in the air above them? 

How did the angel look?  We know the traditional representation of angels in art, but the descriptions of angels in the Bible vary quite a bit.  In fact, sometimes their appearance was beyond extraordinary.  (Undoubtedly, angels can take on any appearance they want.)  What did the initial angel’s voice sound like, and how amplified was it? 

How large was the “great company of the heavenly host,” and how did they approach and appear?”  Were the shepherds even able to gaze at the glorious host at all, or did they just sense them and hear them?  What an overwhelming view the multitudes of angels must have presented, and what a chorus their united voices must have made!

After the angels’ departure, and while their eyes readjusted to the night, surely the shepherds must have wondered, “Why us?  Why did these marvelous creatures appear to us?  Why did they entrust this incredible message to us?”

At the time, shepherds were essentially outcasts.  They provided a necessary service, but were otherwise disregarded by most.  Sheep-herders were considered untrustworthy; they were generally despised and deprived of basic civil rights. 

“The Mishnah, Judaism’s written record of the oral law, also reflects this prejudice, referring to shepherds in belittling terms. One passage describes them as “incompetent”; another says no one should ever feel obligated to rescue a shepherd who has fallen into a pit.” (“Shepherd Status,” by Randy Alcorn, in Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, pp. 85-89.)

Which leads back to the shepherds’ introspection.  “Why us?”  The question would be natural for anyone who experienced a vision of an army of angels and was entrusted with the greatest message the world would ever hear.  But it was especially pertinent when the experience occurred to social outcasts like them.

Why didn’t the angels appear to the religious leaders in Bethlehem?  Why not to the town leaders?  Why not to more “acceptable” citizens?  Why not to the entire town all at once?  Of course, most people were sleeping.  But that wasn’t a hurdle an angel from heaven couldn’t overcome, much less a “great company of angels.”

Perhaps the answer was as simple as this; these societal outcasts had little to lean on outside of the Lord.  Maybe they were the most devoted to God and his promises to send the Savior in all of Bethlehem?  Or could it be that the Lord was showing already here that Jesus would associate with the lowly (because the haughty would generally disregard him)?

Alfred Edersheim, the highly regarded Jewish Christian scholar, shared this remarkable viewpoint about the shepherds: “Close by Bethlehem, on the road to Jerusalem, was a tower, known as Migdal Eder, the ‘watch-tower of the flock.’  For here was the station where shepherds watched their flocks destined for sacrifices in the Temple. … It seems of deepest significance, almost like the fulfillment of type, that those shepherds who first heard tidings of the Savior’s birth, who first listened to angels’ praise, were watching flocks destined to be offered as sacrifices in the Temple.”  (Sketches of Jewish Social Life, pp.76&77).

In other words, if Edersheim is correct, these keepers of the sheep for the sin sacrifices in Jerusalem were the logical ones to be told that the ultimate, once-for-all Sacrifice was now born.  And they were the obvious ones to first lay eyes on “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

What an intriguing possibility!

But finally, God had his own reasons for sharing the news with the shepherds.  Regardless of those reasons, the fact remains that these lowly positioned shepherds were highly honored on that night.  And they have been highly honored ever since.

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

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Who Is Christmas for?

Who Is Christmas for?

I’ve heard it said that Christmas is for kids.  Maybe you have too?  I certainly understand the sentiment.  Who is least burdened with pre-Christmas responsibilities?  Children.  Who is most excited for the “magic” and wonder of Christmas?  Who is most eager to discover the contents of stockings and wrapped presents under the tree?  Kids, of course!

The older we get, the more jaded we can become about the holidays; the more hassles and the less luster Christmas seems to hold.  So the perception that Christmas is primarily for little ones seems to make sense. 

But it’s simply not accurate.

Christmas, at least the real reason for Christmas, is for everyone!  God’s first and greatest Christmas Gift happens to be a Gift for all people.  Every single person desperately needs a Savior … the One who earned forgiveness for the countless wrongs they commit against the holy God and their fellow humans.

Transgressions don’t miraculously get transferred into the ether.   They can’t be secretly stashed away and hidden in a remote corner of the earth.  They can’t be disposed of in drastic or creative fashion.  Every indiscretion demands the proper penalty be paid.  That payment was beyond every flawed human.  But it wasn’t beyond the Son of God.

Which is why Jesus entered our world.  Why he was born, why he lived, why he died, and why he rose back to life.  Yes, it was for children.  It was also for teenagers and adults!  It was also for you and me and everyone. 

We all need redemption; we all need to be ransomed; we all need to be wrested from the wages of sin, the doom of spiritual and eternal death, and the dire control of the devil.  And only God himself could provide the sufficient cost to secure our freedom. 

So Christmas – Christ’s birth as a prelude to his atoning death – is definitely for everyone!

Christmas is for the guilt-ridden who despair of God’s pardon – because Christ secures it.

Christmas is for the physically, emotionally and mentally hurting (and even broken!) – because Christ is the path to perfect healing, if not in this world then the next. 

Christmas is for the disconsolate and depressed who long and look for help and hope – because Christ provides it.

Christmas is for the sorrowful – because Christ produces a joy that surpasses any circumstances.

Christmas is for the ones who mourn a loved believer who is no longer with them – because Christ prepared a special room just for them in heaven.

Christmas is for the weary, burdened and dying – because Christ brings rest, relief and life.

Christmas is for the poor and disenfranchised – because Christ makes all who love him spiritually wealthy and heirs of salvation.

Christmas is for the proud and privileged – because Christ, the almighty God-made-man, demonstrates a humility that speaks to all.

Christmas is for the young, strong and beautiful – because they will learn soon enough that everything is fleeting except for Christ’s faithfulness.

Christmas is for the lonely and unloved – because Christ proves his love by his advent and promises his eternal presence to those who know him.

Christmas is for the imprisoned and persecuted – because Christ brings freedom and relief, sometimes now but ultimately forever.

Christmas is for the educated and uneducated – because Christ provides a Truth that can be learned and treasured by anyone.

Christmas is for people of all nations and all languages – because Christ’s eternal Kingdom includes some from every continent and country regardless of skin color or speech, bringing them to the place where all present speak the same heavenly, holy language.

And yes, Christmas is for kids – because Christ is the single best Gift they will ever receive.

The list could go on and on.  But you perceive the point.  The Christ of Christmas really is a Gift for everyone!

That’s exactly what the Holy Spirit stated through the prophet Isaiah; Jesus offers something to all.  “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given … And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

It’s also what the band of angels shared with the shepherds the night Jesus was born:  “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).

There is no one Christmas is not for – because we all need the peace that Christ brings in some aspect of our lives.  Usually in many aspects!  So no matter your age, be a kid at heart again this Christmas!

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The Christmas Light

The Christmas Light

There are many wonderful Christmas sights; multiple decorations and Christmas designs that delight the eyes; trimmings and trappings that announce the season and trigger nostalgia. Everyone has their personal favorites.

Mine happens to be Christmas lights. 

I’m not particularly particular about the approach.  Drape multicolored strands over some shrubs or opt for a uniform color.  Either looks nice.  Or better yet, mix it up!  Same-color bulbs here; another color there; scatter a third and fourth color in elsewhere if you are feeling ambitious.  Then insert some multicolored lights to pull it all together.  Gorgeous!

Of course, there are always variations available as well.  Icicle lights hanging from the house contours.  Blinking or rotating lights.  Flexible tubes to wrap around a post or string along a fence line.  Lights formed or fastened into significant shapes.  (For example, we have a cross outlined with white lights which we display in our front window every year.)  Naturally all options mentioned are available in various shades.

I know I am not alone in my love of Christmas lights.  In fact, many others, including some in my immediate family, are also exceptionally fond of them.  But why do they please us so much?  What is the attraction?

It may be as simple as our hypothalamus, which isn’t simple at all!  Our hypothalamus is a small gland in our brain which stabilizes our body (called homeostasis).  It assists us in maintaining sleep cycles, balances body fluids, and even regulates blood pressure and heart rate, among other fairly important things.

Studies have shown that different colors actually affect our hypothalamus!  Different colors stimulate different reactions – different moods.  Some colors invigorate; others relax.  Blend many bright and colorful lights together, and the impact tends to be quite positive.  Calming.  Uplifting.  Mesmerizing.

In other words, we are innately drawn to the glimmering glow.  We don’t understand why, but we recognize we like it.  The lights swing us in a positive direction; we feel good when we see them!

I really enjoy Christmas lights.  But what I truly love is THE Christmas Light; the Lord Jesus born into this spiritually dark world to bring his desperately needed saving light.  The prophet Isaiah described Jesus and His impact in a truly lovely manner. 

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.  See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you.  Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.  Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip.  Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy” (Isaiah 60:1-5).

Christmas lights certainly spark the hypothalamus; but THE Christmas Light hits the hypothalamus and the heart even harder.  Baby Jesus percolates sublime joy in our souls.

Of course, through Isaiah the Holy Spirit was speaking of the salvation the Savior would win for us with his perfect life, his horrible death, and his glorious resurrection.  Just a few verses later the Holy Spirit describes what that salvation ultimately looks like.  (Heaven! Where THE Christmas Light shines even more glorious beams!)

“No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.  The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end” (Isaiah 60:18-20).

The Light of the World (John 8:12) was born as a little baby boy on the first Christmas so he could bring the light of salvation to all who love him.  And so that his believers would one day be with him forever and bathe in his glorious light in heaven forevermore. 

So string those Christmas lights; swing your eyes over their beautiful brightness and be buoyed.  But ultimately, settle your eyes on THE Christmas Light, and be uplifted all of your life … and all of eternity.

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A Long-Awaited Treasure

A Long-Awaited Treasure

They have been searching personally for almost a decade now.  However, the general search stretches back at least several hundred years … and perhaps significantly longer than that.

The site of the search is an increasingly famous place named Oak Island off the South Shore of Nova Scotia, Canada.  The treasure being sought?  Unknown.  The depositors of the treasure? Also unknown.  Is there really something significant buried on that island?  The evidence continues to mount, and the verdict seems to indicate an almost certain yes.

Rick and Marty Lagina, who have purchased the majority of the island, along with their team of partners are investing significant dollars to deploy scientific and historical experts and the most modern technology toward unraveling the mysteries of the island.  And, of course, toward hopefully uncovering the treasure that is deposited there!

Their quest is documented on the widely popular History Channel show called “The Curse of Oak Island.”  Since I’m a bit of a treasure hunter myself (metal detecting and gold panning), as well as a person who enjoys history and mysteries, it’s my only “must-watch” show.  (Tuesday evenings at 9!)  Every show peels back a little layer of the mystery, yet often adds additional questions to the conundrum.

All sorts of bric-a-brac has turned up.  Ancient pieces of ships.  Mining tools.  Stone cannon balls.  Decorative accoutrements for officers’ uniforms.  Even human bones buried deep below the surface!

Multiple fascinating ancient structures have also been discovered – a warren of underground tunnels, a slipway and a stone wharf estimated by experts to be 300 or more years old.  There are extensive stone roads that would have taken a monumental effort from many men to construct.  Who put them there, and why?  The ancient ox shoes found among the stones demonstrate that clearly they were used to transport a large amount of undoubtedly heavy material.  Possibly treasure?

The team has actually uncovered some valuables.  Multiple coins have surfaced. Some of the more interesting were a 1,200-year-old Chinese coin, a Spanish “piece of 8” from the early 1600s, and a number of British coins from the 1700s.  They also found several ancient brooches, (one of which is estimated to be 500 years old).  And perhaps the most intriguing find of all: a cross made of lead that was traced to a long-abandoned quarry in France used pre-1500 A.D.

Testing of the water in some of their exploratory bore holes indicates a significant amount of silver and gold lies buried below ground.  Again, what exactly is that treasure?  Who put it there?  When was it deposited and why?  Those are the questions; the answers remain hidden.  But people have been searching for them (the answers and the treasure) for a very long time!

It seems clear that rumors of something significant being hidden on the island were known by at least some in Europe.  The island has been the focus of multiple visits from multiple nations over the centuries.  (Evidenced by the archeological findings on the island.)

The “modern” search began in 1796 when three boys found a circular depression on the island and began digging.  In the 200-plus years since, multiple efforts have been made to finally reveal the treasure.  Many of those efforts were substantial!  And while searchers found fascinating hints of something greater, tiny beacons of hope urging them onward, inevitably the treasure has remained safely secured in its resting place or places.

The Lagina brothers seem closer to discovering the answers and the treasure than any before them.  Yet it’s clear the answers won’t come easily. So those searching for the long-awaited treasure will have to continue to wait … as will the millions of viewers who wait expectantly along with them.

As valuable (both historically and monetarily) as the Oak Island treasure may be, there was another Treasure much more precious and long-awaited.  This Treasure was hinted at by a gracious God way back at the very beginning after the first man and woman had fouled the world with sin.  The Lord promised to send sinners the Savior they desperately needed.  There wasn’t, and isn’t, and will never be, a greater Treasure than that Savior.

Through the Old Testament years more tantalizing glimpses were given; more clues were provided by the Lord.  Yet, those who believed in that Treasure had to wait.  And wait.  And wait!

Not just a few decades.  Not just a century.  Not just a few hundred years.  Not just a millennium.  Not even “just” a few millennia.  But thousands of years!   

Beacons of hope appeared in God’s promises through the years, but the wait continued.  The Treasure never came … until He finally did!  “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship” (Galatians 4:4-5).

How precious is Jesus our Savior?  Another Bible verse puts things in perspective: “For … it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

All the treasure on Oak Island, all the “precious things” in this whole wide world, wouldn’t be valuable enough in God’s eyes to pay for even one of our sins.  But the blood of Jesus his Son is.  In fact, it transcends precious and qualifies as priceless.

The Laginas may or may not discover their long-awaited treasure on Oak Island.  But our long-awaited Treasure, Jesus, appeared at the first Christmas.  He’s the most valuable Treasure in all of history, our one and only Savior, so he was worth the wait!

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Counting Blessings

Counting Blessings

As we approach the holiday called “Thanksgiving,” it seemed appropriate to share some thoughts on thankfulness.  I considered pulling together an extensive list of things I consider reasons for which to give thanks to God.

I’m confident I could have compiled a lengthy list, and even included a few intriguing additions.  Yet it would have been my list.  And even if many of the things mentioned would have been fairly universal, it still wouldn’t have been your list. 

So here’s the tack I’m taking instead.  I’m encouraging all of us to make our own lists.  I will make mine; you make yours.

Nor is this simply a fun and entertaining exercise.  Rather, I suggest that it might be a crucial one!

The last several years have been tough for everyone.  We’ve all had our challenges, our frustrations, our setbacks and our losses.  Stress has struck us all; anxiety become far too common; emotional and mental duress too prevalent.  We’ve all been impacted in multiple ways, and many seemingly more negative than positive.  We bear the scars of painful wounds. 

Consequently, the temptation is to dwell on the downers.  But dwelling on downers isn’t healthy.  In fact, it can become downright depressing.

If you recognize that this is the land where you’ve been living lately, then making a list of your blessings becomes more of a necessity than a meaningless exercise.  If this applies to you, I encourage you to seriously consider tackling this task.

Here are some suggestions that might be helpful:

1. Dedicate a set amount of time for compiling your list.  Give yourself as many minutes as possible!

2. Retreat to a comfortable place.  Go there when you expect to have quiet time for serious thought.

3. Physically record your blessing list.  Whether it’s pen on paper or fingers on keyboard doesn’t matter.  What does is that you have a reference point when finished.  (Of course, technically you would never finish the list of God’s blessings, but you did set a timeframe for this assignment.)

4. Begin with the significant blessings!  List as many as you can.  (Don’t neglect your spiritual ones, which are the most significant blessings of all.  And abundant too!)

5. If you can’t think of any more “big” blessings, then go back to the beginning of the list and start adding the “littler” blessings that are included in the big ones.

6. If you actually manage to complete this task in your allotted time, continue by summarizing some of the challenges in your life.  Then list the blessings that are wrapped up in those unpleasant packages.  (Trust me, there are some.  Or rather, trust God!)

Some might feel the best approach is to begin with suggestion 6 instead of suggestion 4.  If you think this would be more advantageous to you, then by all means start with 6!

Or take a hybrid approach: list 3 significant “good” blessings, then 1 “not-so-good” situation, along with the blessings resulting from it.  Do it however you deem best, but do it nonetheless.

I haven’t made my list yet, but I will offer a few speculations on the results of literally counting our blessings.

I suspect our lists will end up being significantly longer than we ever would have dreamed.  And undoubtedly our time ran out before completing them!

I also suspect that we will naturally gravitate to an attitude of supreme gratitude when we consider how very blessed we are.

So go ahead.  Count your blessings!  And after doing so, please give appropriate thanks to our good God who provided you with too many blessings to count. 

Finally, please share your observations from your count in the comments section below.  I’ll be glad to hear from you.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ephesians 1:3, 7-8
3  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. … 7  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8  that he lavished on us.

Psalm 136:1-3, 26
1  Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.
2  Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.
3  Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.
26  Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever. 

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Totally Out of Control

Totally Out of Control

No, I’m not referring to morality, the crime rate, politics or the party-animals down the street.  (Though those things may indeed be out of control.)  Rather, it’s my fantasy football teams!

I have two.  I began one league many years ago for family members; I began another one a few years ago for fun within our congregation.  I, of course, have a team in both leagues.

Most readers probably have a basic understanding of how fantasy football works.  But for those who don’t, here’s a brief summary: A fantasy football league consists of an even number of teams, each team directed by a different “manager” or “owner.”  There are set positions on the rosters, a certain number of “starters” for each week, and an additional number of players on your “bench.”  The rosters are primarily made up of offensive players (quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, etc.), though team defenses are also usually included.  The reason it’s called fantasy football is that the players on a fantasy team actually play on many different NFL teams.

At the beginning of the season, each manager sets his or her draft board, and tries to select the most top-notch players possible.  Then each week, he or she must manage their team, deciding whether to pick up available players on waivers or as a free agent, as well as setting their starting lineup.  The hosting platform for the league (we use Yahoo) has “experts” who will project expected point totals for each player to help the managers make the best decisions on whom to play. 

Perhaps this sounds complicated, but it’s all quite easy actually.  Except for making the right decisions!

If there is any simple exercise that demonstrates uncertainty better, I don’t know what it is.  The “experts” project the expected points each player will earn that week, so in theory setting one’s starting lineup should be easy.  Just plug in the highest projected scorers on your team each week and you are good to go! 

Except that the “experts” are only making educated guesses.  In reality, they have no idea.  Each week some players expected to earn many points actually score only a few or even none, while some players expected to do little rack up huge point days.  Some in your starting roster tank, while some on your bench explode. 

Furthermore, it can happen that some players unexpectedly don’t play in that week’s game, getting pulled from the lineup at the last minute; others get hurt early on and are knocked out of the contest.  And sometimes most of the players on your team have lousy games, which usually results in an “L” for your team.

All of which slots fantasy football into the designation of “totally out of control!”  Not the experts, not the “owners,” not even the actual players, not anyone truly knows what will happen.

There is certainly some expertise involved in doing well in fantasy football.  But in reality, the winners each week and the champions of the league won by sheer good fortune.  They lucked out in their draft, in their players’ good health, in some of their decisions, and through opponents’ misfortune.

Which makes fantasy football a sort of microcosm of life.  Obviously, life decisions are far more important than fantasy football ones.  But the uncertainty in both is the same!

What field should I study for in college?  Which job should I take?  Where should we live?  Where should we send the kids to school?  Which of my many responsibilities is the most important at the moment?  How should we deal with this particular challenge?  How do we capitalize on this unexpected blessing?

Uncertainty is everywhere; unexpected turn of events are frequent. 

For example, two years ago to the day as I write this I had surgery to remove my left kidney, which the doctors expected was cancerous.  (It wasn’t, thanks be to God!)  Regardless, I had no idea that was coming.  In fact, I had never been hospitalized before. 

A year and a half ago the country (the world!) was largely shut down due to a pandemic.  No one saw that looming. 

Shortly after COVID hit, I began this blog.  I never anticipated that twist. 

In just the past six months, my wife has had multiple eye surgeries due to a detached retinue.  That definitely wasn’t on our bucket list of things to do. 

This past week both of my parents were diagnosed with COVID.  That wasn’t expected either.

You have your own drastic personal examples you could list.  It certainly seems that our life, our society, our world is totally out of control.

Well, it IS totally out of OUR control.  But it’s totally IN God’s control.

The Bible tells us, “… In all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).  Notice the emphasis.  It’s not just in a few things.  Not just in some things.  Not even in most things.  But in ALL things God works for the good of his believers.

That unplanned kidney surgery?  It showed me some health matters of which I need to be aware, and allowed others the privilege of stepping up in ministry in our congregation. 

The pandemic?  As difficult as it has been and continues to be, the Lord is using it to accomplish many positive things – some obvious; others less so but which will be recognized one day. 

The unexpected blog?  Some people actually read it!  And now I use it as the basis for a weekly Bible study in our Wednesday evening services.  (That was totally unanticipated – at least by me.) 

My wife’s eye surgeries?  While always grateful for her sight, she has an even loftier appreciation of the gift of seeing now. 

My parents coming down with the virus?  The blessings aren’t all clear at the moment, but I have no doubt whatsoever that they are coming. 

And then there are the greatest blessings of all when struggling through hardships: God working in us through his Word and drawing us closer to him – helping us recognize how much we need him, how much he loves us, how good he always is … in all things, and how we have a much more wonderful life awaiting us in heaven.

“All this is for your benefit. … Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:15-18 – selected).

Things totally out of control?  Out of our control?  Always.  Out of God’s?  Never!

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

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